In the 1845 case, the US had not retained ownership as part of Alabama entering the union. The decision noted, “They might have reserved it in the compact with the state. The third article of the treaty with Spain (1 Land Laws, 57,) contains such a reservation. But as it is, the United States have nothing in Alabama but proprietary rights.”
“The real issue however is not the Opinion of the Federal Employees in Black robes but the political opinion of the people and opportunity for the People of Nevada”
It is simple - convince Congress to agree to cede title to the land to Nevada. Good luck! And I’m sincere in wishing you that, since I’d like to see all BLM & USFS land in Arizona get turned over to the state of Arizona. However, I hope you will forgive me if I do not hold my breath while waiting for Congress....
It might be more productive to pressure the GOP House to hold oversight hearings, and pressure the BLM & USFS to be less anti-grazing...perhaps set goals for each state to allow X amount of grazing each year. But I honestly think the GOP is just the right wing of the DC Buzzard, and I don’t think we can even get something like that passed in the House, let alone the Senate.
I would also be glad if Congress would just eliminate the “Wilderness land” designation. It has been dishonest from the start. They also need to revise the Endangered Species Act to make it agree with reality - that being that some species need to go extinct.
But again, I will not hold my breath. I see no sign that anyone in Congress will touch those with a 10 foot pole. I’m certain both of my US Senators, John McCain and Jeff McFlake, Republicans from Arizona, would strongly condemn such action...but then, I voted against McCain in the last election, and I will never cast a vote for either of them again in my life.
I guess this is my real bitterness. I see no sign either party gives a rat’s rear about anything I believe in. I’m not sure how a monarchy is any less representative than our current state.
Perhaps not in your life time, but we can make an issue and raise awareness of the inequality of Nevada’s land and resource position in respect to all other states.
This issue right here in regard to grassing rights is an opportunity the people of Nevada and their State should jump upon to push forward the issue that Nevada needs a “more fair share” of her own land to live upon.
Expecting Congressional actions on this matter before political action to raise awareness of Eastern hypocritical regarding very real and measurable land & resource inequality in the West is naive.
Look at this map: http://www.ecowest.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Slide12.png
This is not fair, the Feds Hording 85% of Nevada while retaining only 1% of New York is not fair. Why not hold the so called “99%’s” to their word?
Why not challenge Obama to confront this inequity as the source of this conflict?
Once again this is a great opportunity for Nevada and All Western States. Our leaders need to step up and see what they can reclaim for us.
It has occurred to me that since Mr. Bundy has said he is willing to pay the county and the county currently holds the grazing rights to the disputed allotment, the county should send Mr. Bundy a bill for the grazing fees.
I’d like to see if he would actually pay up.
