NAPLES, Fla. – Luke Hilgemann, government director of the Worldwide Order of T. Roosevelt, voiced sharp criticism Friday over a brand new proposal by U.S. Sen. Mike Lee that may open up thousands and thousands of acres of public lands for growth — a transfer Hilgemann known as a “ridiculous land seize” that threatens entry for hunters, anglers and out of doors fanatics.
Talking on Florida’s Voice Radio with Drew Steele, Hilgemann expressed frustration with what he characterised as an try by Washington to bypass public enter and put industrial pursuits above conservation.
“Right here now we have this misguided coverage from an in any other case buddy to hunters,” Hilgemann mentioned. “Senator Mike Lee comes out with this proposal now that’s going to jeopardize two to a few million acres of federal public lands, with none oversight or evaluation from the hunters and anglers who pay to handle and purchase these lands.”
WATCH: @LHilgemann expresses discontent with current federal proposal from Sen. Mike Lee to open up thousands and thousands of acres of public lands to growth pic.twitter.com/3LrywmB3RV
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 16, 2025
In accordance with Hilgemann, the proposal would erode public belief and restrict entry to wild lands that many People depend on for recreation and heritage. He claimed the measure is being pushed by builders with deep pockets.
“It’s simply this ridiculous land seize from D.C., the place, for my part, he’s making an attempt to profit some rich developer on the expense of your common hunter, angler — the one that likes to get outdoor and benefit from the biggest asset that now we have: our wild lands,” he mentioned.
Hilgemann famous {that a} related proposal was blocked throughout discussions over a current Home model of a significant land and infrastructure invoice. However with Lee reintroducing the concept within the Senate, Hilgemann fears the battle over federal lands is much from over.
“Fortunately, we had been capable of block it when one thing related got here up within the Home model of the large, lovely invoice,” he mentioned. “And now Senator Lee is again, bringing this horrible coverage proper again to the forefront.”
.@LHilgemann: “Senator Lee’s proposal simply misses the mark all collectively. I believe that is once more one thing that is being pushed as a solution to attempt to result in extra entry to low-cost housing.” pic.twitter.com/sUhTS7YD6X
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 16, 2025
Whereas Lee has argued that the plan might assist handle the nation’s housing disaster by liberating up land for growth, Hilgemann dismissed that rationale as misguided.
“Two to a few million acres of federal public lands is a drop within the bucket,” Hilgemann mentioned. “Perhaps check out, I don’t know, making an attempt to fill a number of the empty flats which might be dotting each main metropolis in America — as an alternative of making an attempt to remove looking land and entry to those public lands which might be held in our belief.”
The Worldwide Order of T. Roosevelt advocates for the safety and conservation of untamed lands and public entry. Hilgemann mentioned the group will proceed to push again towards federal insurance policies it believes threaten that mission.
Catch Florida’s Voice Radio weekdays from 3 to six p.m. on X, Fb, YouTube, Rumble, the official Florida’s Voice web site.
