U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) plans to withdraw his bill that called on the interior Department to dispose of or sell 3.3 million acres of “excess” public lands.
Chaffetz had reintroduced the legislation this month, saying the disposal was long overdue. The same resolution did not pass in 2011 when it was first filed. Chaffetz wrote on Instagram to explain the withdrawal, saying that groups he supports and cares about fear that it sends the wrong message.
The legislation details swaths of land, including 132,931 acres in Utah, cited in a 1997 Clinton administration report as not otherwise set aside for oil, gas or mineral extraction or listed for wilderness protection.
The report, though, notes that some of the lands identified may have other conflicts, including disposal costs, the existence of cultural resources and hazardous conditions.