Wetlands preservation, for water purification, flood control, and protection of wildlife. Preservation of the geologic and archaelogical record. During the 104th Congress, a group of powerful westerners led an unprecedented attack on our federal lands. Now, these same westerners chair the House and Senate committees and subcommittees with oversight of the public lands. This means they are again perfectly positioned to try and get rid of the nation's natural and cultural heritage.
Several industries have a lot to gain if public lands are sold or transferred to the states.
The mining industry is eager to exploit the mineral resources of the lands. Timber companies want to get hold of the trees. And ranchers want more land devoted just to grazing. While these activities are currently allowed on most public lands, they are regulated to minimize damage to the environment. Were the lands to be sold to these industries or given to the states, most of the current protections would no longer be in force.