In this episode, I interview Jim Pattiz of More Than Just Parks, to talk about the unprecedented damages to public lands that we can soon expect from the recent enactment of the Big Beautiful Bill. First, we discuss his latest film about the Ocmulgee Mounds, an ancient indigenous gathering site in Georgia before moving on the impacts of the recent reconciliation bill, highlighting the massive increases in mandated logging on federal lands, long-term timber contracts, unsustainable coal mining practices, and how these policies undermine environmental protections. We also discuss how the United States and the public domain is being “asset stripped” for value for the wealthy and the ruling class. Our discussion also emphasizes the erosion of legal frameworks like NEPA, and the rollback of safeguards meant to protect roadless areas using the Tongas National Forest as one example. Jim underscores the need for political and public action to reverse these damaging policies, advocating for a legislative rider that can safeguard public lands and serve as a strategic political win for Democrats in the months ahead.

06:20 The Ocmulgee Mounds: A Historical and Cultural Treasure

19:42 Reconciliation Bill: The Biggest Attack on Public Lands in Modern History

47:24 Mandates and Quotas

48:59 The Decline of the Coal Industry

52:33 Environmental Rollbacks and Their Consequences

53:48 Logging and Local Economies:

56:39 Reinstating Canceled Leases

59:35 The Roadless Rule and Its Implications

01:07:56 Public Lands: A Political Battleground

01:14:30 A Call to Action: Protecting Our Public Lands

01:32:12 Conclusion: The Importance of Public Lands

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40873920-the-lost-city-of-the-monkey-god

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212428/

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60165403-wild-new-world

More Than Just Parks