Supreme Court Rejects Utah's Bid to Control 18.5 Million Acres of BLM Land

Jan 13, 2025, 04:48 PM

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Utah's lawsuit seeking control over approximately 18.5 million acres of public land currently managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management. The state's petition, filed in August, argued that federal ownership of these lands was unconstitutional and stifling economic activity. The Supreme Court's decision, issued without comment, effectively ends Utah's legal challenge to gain control of these lands. Utah leaders expressed disappointment but indicated they remain committed to challenging future Bureau of Land Management decisions. Conservation groups celebrated the ruling, emphasizing the importance of keeping public lands under federal management for all Americans. Federal agencies control almost 70% of the land in Utah, and the state had sought to manage these lands, which are used for energy production, grazing, mining, and recreation. Despite the setback, Utah officials noted they could still file the suit in federal district court.