11/20/25
Across the West, a fragmented pattern of land ownership shaped by federal, tribal, military, state, and private holdings creates complicated and costly land management challenges. Existing mechanisms to address checkerboard land management issues, including the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Federal Land Transaction and Facilitation Act (FLTFA), and individual congressional acts can be burdened by complex requirements and regulations. In this resolution, Western Governors call on Congress to simplify and expedite federal-state land exchanges, sales, and conveyances and to improve disposition processes. The resolution also calls for improvements to appraisal and valuation processes, modernization of outdated thresholds for expedited exchanges, and enhanced coordination between federal, state, tribal, and local governments. The resolution also encourages improved coordination for common management of adjacent state and federal land. Read, download the resolution.