Subject: SR-NYSE-2023-09: Webform Comments from Lois Minchew
From: Lois Minchew
Affiliation: United States Citizen

Jan. 12, 2024

Just no. Federal public lands belong to all the citizens
of the United States and is managed by various federal governmental
agencies for the benefit of all U.S. citizens. If federal land is to
be sold it should first be offered to the state in which it is located
which could decide to purchase it for the use and benefit of those
state citizens. If the state passes on the purchase, it should then be
auctioned to sale to U.S. citizens residing in that state and then if
needed to all U.S. citizens. Our ancestors went through blood, sweat
and tears for this land we call the United States of America. In my
opinion it is a great disrespect to them to even propose that a
private company be allowed to purchase the land in order to lock it up
for generations. Closing and locking a door means locking up any
future opportunities not yet known that may turn out to be critical to
us as a nation. The better way forward is to work with local citizens
in an area and develop workable methods to ensure ecosystem health.
Material substitution or development of alternative materials or
recycling can stretch our mineral resources. Why aren’t these people
investing in economical ways of recycling EV batteries? That would be
a good thing to do. How about developing a lawn grass that only grows
about 2 inches high, no fertilizer needed, drought resistant, weed
resistant, beautiful green color? No watering needed or fertilizer or
herbicides or energy needed for mowing. Very “green”. People also
need our public lands for the opportunities to go hiking, camping, and
recreational use. Many live in cities and these resources are what
they have to get away and experience nature. Locking up resources is
not sustainability, they could reside on planet Pluto for the good
they would do. This is just a bad idea for U.S. citizens and
investors.