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There is a common saying that America is an idea,<\/a> as opposed to a place or people. And while I understand the sentiment \u2014 that our ideological commitment to individual liberty and justice transcends our differences \u2014 it is nevertheless impossible to divorce our country from its geographies and natural resources. A fundamental part of what makes us American is democratic ownership of our country\u2019s natural beauty, and access to that beauty is one of the most valuable freedoms we enjoy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Time and time again, special interests have attempted<\/a> to capture those public lands and strip them of their resources. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, renewed that ongoing effort on June 11, when he issued draft legislation<\/a> of the Trump administration\u2019s<\/a> \u201cOne, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.\u201d The draft included a plan<\/a> to sell 2.2 to 3.3 million acres of public lands across 11 western states.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lee asserted<\/a> that his draft legislation would improve the management of federally protected land under private ownership, but faced passionate pushback from both sides of the aisle: Conservative hunters and anglers<\/a> found common cause with historically left-wing climate<\/a> advocacy<\/a> groups. The senator eventually abandoned<\/a> this policy in the final draft of the bill.<\/p>\n The fact that Americans across the political aisle came together to safeguard public control over public resources, which support 331.9 million<\/a> visits a year, a $1.2 trillion recreation industry<\/a> and 5 million jobs<\/a>, is a testament to our shared commitment to stewardship and individual freedom.<\/p>\n