XPost: law.court.federal, utah.general, alt.forestry
XPost: talk.politics.guns, sac.politics

https://ktla.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-supreme-court-turns-back- utahs-push-to-wrest-control-of-public-land-from-the-federal-government/

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday turned back a push by the
state of Utah to wrest control of vast areas of public land from the
federal government, marking a small victory for land conservation
advocates who worry that similar efforts may escalate in a Republican- controlled Washington.

The high court refused to let the GOP-controlled state file a lawsuit
seeking to bring the land and its resources under state control. The
decision came in a brief order in which the court did not explain its reasoning, as is typical. It marks the latest roadblock for states in a
running feud with the U.S. government over who should control huge swaths
of the West and the enormous oil and gas, timber, and other resources they contain.

In the Western state known for its rugged mountains popular with skiers
and red-rock vistas that draw throngs of tourists, federal agencies
control almost 70% of the land. Utah argues that local control would be
more responsive and allow the state access to revenue from taxes and development projects.

The complaint sought control of about half of federal land, which still
amounts to an area nearly as large as South Carolina. The parcels are used
for things like energy production, grazing, mining and recreation. Utah’s world-famous national parks and national monuments would have stayed in
federal hands.

Monday’s decision by the high court comes as the newly Republican-
controlled Congress adopted a rules package that includes language
allowing lawmakers to more easily transfer or sell off public lands
managed by federal agencies. The rules consider public lands to have no monetary value, meaning lawmakers will no longer need to account for lost revenue if they decide to give parcels to states or extractive industries.

While conservationists applauded the court’s rejection of what they called
a land-grab lawsuit, many remained worried that the efforts will continue.

Public lands under state control could be vulnerable to privatization, degradation and oil drilling, said Steve Bloch, legal director for the
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

“If successful, Utah’s lawsuit would result in the sale of millions of
acres of public lands in red-rock country to the highest bidder, an end to America’s system of federal public lands and the dismantling of the
American West as we know it,” Bloch said.

In a joint statement with Utah’s Republican legislative leaders and
attorney general, Gov. Spencer Cox said he was disappointed in the court’s decision to turn away the lawsuit.

“Utah remains able and willing to challenge any BLM land management
decisions that harm Utah,” state leaders said. “We are also heartened to
know the incoming administration shares our commitments to the principle
of ‘multiple use’ for these federal lands and is committed to working with
us to improve land management. We will continue to fight to keep public
lands in public hands because it is our stewardship, heritage and home.”

While lawsuits typically start in federal district courts and eventually
work their way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, disputes involving states can start at the nation’s highest court if the justices agree to hear them.

Utah leaders noted that the high court did not comment on the merits of
their arguments or prevent them from filing the lawsuit in a federal
district court. Conservation groups say they’ll remain ready to challenge
any future lawsuits.

“This lawsuit is an assault on the country’s long-standing and successful history of safeguarding valuable and vulnerable landscapes in trust for
all Americans,” said Chris Hill, who leads the Conservation Lands
Foundation. “And while the Supreme Court’s decision to not hear the case
is a reprieve, we fully expect this small group of anti-public lands politicians to continue to waste taxpayer dollars and shop their bad
ideas.”

The federal Bureau of Land Management declined to comment.


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