Western states are organizing in an effort to take over all of that federal land within their borders, which often constitutes most of their territory. (See the map after the jump.) I can see why the states would have a better claim than the federal government. But why not just privatize it? (If anyone knows the ins and outs of this issue, I’d like to hear about it.)
From Western lawmakers gather in Utah to talk federal land takeover | The Salt Lake Tribune:
It’s time for Western states to take control of federal lands within their borders, lawmakers and county commissioners from Western states said at Utah’s Capitol on Friday.
More than 50 political leaders from nine states convened for the first time to talk about their joint goal: wresting control of oil-, timber -and mineral-rich lands away from the feds.