RE: The first Sagebrush Rebellion proved that the Federal Government cannot steal land that belongs to the States.
So, why did the state of Nevada allow the Federal government to take over their land in the first place?
Excellent question. Many State legistlators and Governors believe in the supremacy of the Federal Government and are wont to defy their edicts. Others stand up and say "Hell No!" Depends on how much of the Federal tit they want to suck off of.
An argument can be made that neither Nevada nor the federal government has the authority to void the limitations on what land within a State the federal government is authorized to have per Article 1 Section 8, Paragraph 17 of the US Constitution.
“To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings”