Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Utah's Bid to Take Control of Public Land [View all]

Source: Newsweek

Published Jan 13, 2025 at 2:42 PM EST | Updated Jan 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM EST


The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear Utah's bid to gain control over millions of acres of federal land, dealing a blow to the state's efforts to assert greater authority over its natural resources.

Why It Matters

Federal agencies currently oversee nearly 70 percent of Utah's land, including areas crucial for energy production, mining, grazing and outdoor recreation. Utah officials have argued that state control would ensure better local governance and unlock revenue opportunities through taxation and development. However, the state's proposal excluded its iconic national parks and monuments from the transfer.

Utah's push for control highlights a broader debate over federal land management in the West, where sprawling landscapes often fall under the jurisdiction of agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Critics of federal oversight argue it limits economic potential, while supporters counter that it safeguards public lands for conservation and recreational use.

What To Know

In a brief order on Monday, the high court denied the Republican-led state's request to file a lawsuit aimed at transferring ownership of approximately half of Utah's federally managed land, an area comparable in size to South Carolina. The Supreme Court, as is customary in such instances, provided no explanation for its decision, stating only that "the motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied."

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/supreme-court-refuses-hear-utahs-bid-take-control-public-land-2014222