The U.S. Supreme Courtroom has rejected a bid from the state of Utah to grab management of federally owned lands.
The courtroom denied the state’s petition, writing in a short assertion: “The motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied.” It didn’t elaborate on its decisionmaking.
In August, Utah sued to attempt to acquire management of 18.5 million acres — a couple of third of the state’s whole space — that’s held by the federal authorities.
“Utah deserves priority when it comes to managing its land,” Gov. Spencer Cox (R) mentioned on the time. “It’s been a tragedy to see what this administration and past administrations have done to our land, closing down roads that have been open for generations.”
About 70 % of Utah’s whole land space is beneath federal management. When Utah grew to become a state, beneath the “Utah Enabling Act,” it mentioned it could not management the lands in query. It’s not the one state to take action, and the federal authorities owns about 47 % of land within the West.
Environmental advocates had opposed Utah’s effort, expressing issues that in the end among the land might be bought off, although Cox mentioned privatization was not his purpose.
Opponents of the go well with cheered the courtroom’s resolution.
“Immediately’s information is nice for the soundness, security and sustainability for America’s public lands and the individuals who depend upon them,” Alison Flint, senior authorized director for The Wilderness Society, mentioned in a written assertion.
Nevertheless, she added, “We fully expect Utah’s misguided attacks to continue and stand ready to mount a robust defense to ensure our public lands are protected.”
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