In Alaska in particular, the argument is that as soon as it is in private hands, it will be cut off from the ability to hunt and fish. People would block the land and block access. A minor argument is that big businesses would buy land and develop it and harm the natural environment. Whether for tourism or resource development.
Large amounts of land in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (U.P.) are owned by paper companies to harvest their wood in good time.
Interesting insight into Alaska. Have a brother that has lived there since 78 or so. Just had a nice trip there last month. From Fairbanks to Seward. Beautiful, beautiful state.
It sounds like the mining companies cannot be trusted to preserve the environment.
I don’t think those fears are unfounded.