Western states ask Supreme Court to return millions of acres of land back to the states
“The federal burden in the West infringes on our sovereignty and undermines our equality with other States, all in direct violation of the Constitution,” Rep. Harriet Hagemen, R-Wyo., said.
A map of the U.S. showing land under federal control paints large swaths of the West. In August, Utah filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that it’s unconstitutional for the feds to retain unappropriated land in a state indefinitely.
Since the lawsuit was filed, a dozen other states, including Idaho, Alaska and Wyoming, have filed briefs asking the court to hear the case. Additionally, a coalition of counties in Arizona and New Mexico, the Pacific Legal Foundation, the Utah Legislature and the Wyoming Legislature have also filed briefs in support of the lawsuit.
“The federal burden in the West infringes on our sovereignty and undermines our equality with other States, all in direct violation of the Constitution,” Rep. Harriet Hagemen, R-Wyo., told Just the News. Hageman joined Utah’s congressional delegation in filing a brief in support of the Supreme Court’s review of Utah’s complaint.
Unappropriated lands
According to a “Stand For Our Land” website set up by the State of Utah to explain the lawsuit, the Bureau of Land Management restricts public use of federal lands, and these restrictions don’t help Utah efficiently and effectively manage its lands.
The lawsuit only applies to unappropriated lands, which are those the federal government holds without any clear congressional designation. As a result, the lawsuit won’t impact national parks, forest lands, monuments or…