“I bet a lot of states, not just those in the West would like to get these lands under their control. I presume Congress can make this decision. Hopefully, it can be raised as an issue with a bill that could garner support.”
That is unfortunately not the case, out east your talking less than 10% and the land the Feds do retain are simply not worthy of State or private attention in most cases.
Indeed a lot of the lands in the west are even particularly valuable at this time, just as most of the lands the Feds now hold in the west weren’t particularity valuable.
But populations grow and technology changes making lands once unworthy of buying valuable and needed again.
What there is left in the East is only a small faction of the State, Yes no doubt a lot of eastern states would like to take management and tax control over some of it but not all.
All the west really needs is the same right to buy the land the East has enjoyed for more than 200 years. It was the losing of this right in the 1970’s that started the sagebrush rebellion, and numerous other major economic obsticals in the west that eastern don’t have to deal with.
All the west wants is an equal footing with the east in regard to their state’s land. Is that too much to ask?
I just disagree with the assumption that NV must pay to gain control over the 81% of the state now under control of the Feds. First, where will the money come from? State taxpayers? IMO the goal should be return of most of the federal land to the states without any requirement to purchase it. Is that too much to ask?
Right now, the federal government can sell or lease land to individuals and private investors. The feds have a vested interest in keeping this property and realizing any gains from it.
Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act Public Law 106-248
The Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA), Public Law 106-248, became law on July 25, 2000. It provides for the sale of public lands identified for disposal under land use plans in effect as of the date of enactment. The revenue generated from FLTFA sales is split between the respective State (4%) for educational purposes or for the construction of public roads, and a special account (96%) available to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture for acquisition of land in certain federally designated areas, and for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the sale program.
The FLTFA expired on July 24, 2010. On July 29, 2010, Congress passed an emergency supplemental appropriations bill to extend FLTFA for one year. Because of the break in FLTFA’s authority, the BLM lost all unspent funds for sale processing generated during the first ten years. The administration and sales account is slowly being rebuilt through deposits of revenue from land sale and exchange of public lands since July 24, 2010.
Public Law 111-11
On March 30, 2009, President Obama signed into law an omnibus lands bill that enhances protection for public lands administered by the BLM across the West. The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act (P.L. 111-11), authorized the sale of BLM-administered lands within the Boise District in Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington Counties, Idaho and the St. George Field Office in Washington County, Utah.
Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 - Public Law 105-263 (No doubt Harry Reid wrote this bill to help himself and his cronies)
The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) of 1998, Public Law 105-263, became law in October 1998. It allows the BLM to sell public land within a specific boundary around Las Vegas, Nevada. A key provision of the law is that money generated by these land sales remains in Nevada. The money provides funding for a variety of land management activities emphasizing recreation sites. Up to 85% of the funds received may be used for:
Acquisition of environmentally sensitive land in the State of Nevada, with priority given to lands located within Clark County;
Capital improvements at the Lake Meade National Recreation area, the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (subject to an annual limitation);
Development of a multi-species habitat conservation plan in Clark County; and
Development of parks, trails, and natural areas in Clark County.
Other provisions in the SNPLMA direct certain land sale and acquisition procedures, direct the BLM to convey title of land in the McCarran Airport noise zone to Clark County, and provide for the sale of land for affordable housing.