Utah is looking to take back what is rightfully theirs:
Lawmakers who want to seize control of federal lands are pushing a legal battle they insist is winnable despite multiple warnings their effort is highly unconstitutional and almost sure to fail in court.
Utah is poised to become the first state to pass a package of bills that demand the federal government relinquish claims to huge sections of public land. A proposal that advanced Wednesday demands that by 2014 the federal government cede control of nearly 30 million acres — nearly 50 percent of the entire state.
It’s surprising how much land the federal government claims ownership over when you get into the western states. The federal government claims ownership over 70.2% of all land in Utah and they want it back.
The article made a good point that the passage of this bill will likely fail to be recognized by federal courts. Such a ruling is almost guaranteed because of the conflict of interest involved in allowing a court controlled by the federal government to rule on matters directly benefitting the federal government. I don’t see this succeeding but I believe it’s important because it brings to light a problem, the amount of land and natural resources the federal government claims to own.