Transfer of Federal Lands to the State

Abstract

The federal government owns over half of all land in western America. This is not only unfair, it is not working. Some of this land can and should be transferred to the states so it can be tended with greater care and accountability. Restoring the balance and strengthening the local voice in public land management will lead to better outcomes in environmental quality, economic productivity, recreational opportunity and social harmony. A variety of historic, legal, economic, political and environmental factors support the viability of transferring certain federally controlled public lands to the States.