Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a lawsuit by the State of Utah that sought to transfer 18.5 million acres of federal public lands to state control. The decision came in a brief order that read, “The motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied.”
The court did not elaborate, as is normal with such rulings.
Outdoors groups declared the dismissal of Utah v. United States a significant victory for conservationists and public land advocates who argued that the case posed a threat to America’s public lands system.
Patrick Berry, president and CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, celebrated the court’s decision, emphasizing its importance for hunters and anglers nationwide.
“These lands belong to all Americans and were never Utah’s to take,” Berry said. “If successful, Utah’s lawsuit could have dismantled the very existence of federal public lands, undermining access and opportunities for millions of Americans.”
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The lawsuit, first filed in August, argued that federal land ownership within state borders was unconstitutional except for military bases. It attracted amicus (friend of the court) support from 13 states and numerous elected officials.
Despite the Supreme Court’s rejection, groups said concerns remain about ongoing efforts to privatize or dispose of public lands. Berry underscored the need for continued vigilance, adding, “If Utah or others pursue similar reckless actions, we stand ready to fight.”
The National Wildlife Federation echoed BHA’s sentiments, highlighting the broader implications of the case.
“We applaud the Supreme Court for affirming what we’ve known all along – American public lands are an essential part of what it means to be an American and the bedrock to our Western way of life,” said Aaron Kindle, director of sporting advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation. “Other states and elected officials who supported this lawsuit should take heed and reject this misguided effort. Public lands are not for sale, and they never will be.”
David Willms, associate vice president for public lands at NWF called the SCOTUS decision “the right one” and demanded that elected leaders end similar “wasteful and unconstitutional pursuits.”
“Utah’s lawsuit was a blatant attempt to gain lands they could sell to the highest bidder,” he said.
Utah’s complaint sought control of about half of the state’s federal land. The parcels are used for things like energy production, grazing, mining and recreation. Its world-famous national parks and national monuments would have stayed in federal hands.
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.
The federal Bureau of Land Management declined to comment on Monday.
The AP contributed to this story.
1 thought on “U.S. Supreme Court rejects Utah case on transfer of federal lands”
We sportsman and woman need to stand vigilant for the next few years as I am afraid the incoming office and it’s lackeys will be pushing for more of these land exchanges, even going as far as privatization of federal lands. Keep on watching newspaper and other medias for announcements on land use for the next few years!!