American Stewards of Liberty (ASL) is urging Congress to include a set of land and conservation policy reforms in the upcoming budget reconciliation package aimed at reducing federal land ownership, restoring private land use, and addressing what the organization describes as market distortions created by current conservation programs.
ASL is calling for the adoption of a “no net gain” policy for federal land ownership, which would require that any new federal land acquisitions be offset by corresponding land transfers, effectively capping the overall federal footprint. The organization argues that continued expansion of federal land holdings removes property from local tax rolls and limits economic activity in surrounding communities.
“Federal land policy has real economic consequences at the local level,” said Margaret Byfield, Executive Director of ASL. “When land moves into federal ownership, it often leaves communities with fewer resources and fewer opportunities for growth.”
In addition, ASL is recommending that Congress direct the sale of certain federally managed lands identified as suitable for disposal, while maintaining protections for national parks, wildlife refuges, and other designated areas. The group notes that returning appropriate lands to private ownership could improve management outcomes while generating revenue to reduce the federal deficit.
The organization is also calling for reforms to conservation programs and easements that it argues are contributing to rising land prices and reduced agricultural productivity. These include placing limits on the amount of land that can be enrolled in conservation programs within a given county, restricting participation across multiple programs, and allowing landowners greater flexibility to exit contracts and return land to production.
ASL further recommends restructuring conservation easements to include defined time limits and a phase-out of existing perpetual agreements, arguing that current policies effectively transfer long-term control of private land while imposing ongoing fiscal costs.
“Proper stewardship of the land should be balanced, flexible, and rooted in the realities of land use and production,” Byfield said. “Reconciliation provides a timely opportunity to ensure these programs support both environmental goals and the long-term viability of rural economies.”
ASL said the proposed reforms would reduce federal liabilities, strengthen local tax bases, and restore greater control to landowners and communities.
