PINE, IDAHO—Surrounded by mountains, forests and the South Fork of the Boise River, Idaho State Sen. Ben Adams last week unveiled the text of a proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution he says would prevent the sale of any future public lands the state acquires from the federal government.

“One thing I do know is that public lands have and should always remain under the ownership of the people for their enjoyment and their benefit,” the Nampa Republican said during a kickoff event at the Pine Cafe in Elmore County on Aug. 15. “Today I present a very different vision than the vision that’s been coming out of Washington, D.C., related to our public lands.”

Adams announced last week he will introduce the proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution during the beginning of the 2026 legis

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