The Utah state Legislature’s Management Committee has voted to file an amicus curiae brief in support of a lawsuit filed by Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes.
The lawsuit seeks control of 18.5 million acres of federal land, which Utah argues has been mismanaged by federal authorities.
The lawsuit does not target land already designated for specific purposes like national parks, but instead focuses on “unappropriated” lands.
House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams, who broke a tie vote in favor of the lawsuit, argue that federal mismanagement has harmed Utah’s landscapes and restricted public access.
They point out that while the federal government controls 70% of Utah’s land, states like Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York have much less federal land ownership.
They believe Utah should have more control over these lands for public use and environmental conservation.
Opponents of the lawsuit, mostly Democrats, argue that it could result in costly litigation with little chance of success. They also fear that state control could lead to privatization of public lands and reduced access for outdoor recreation.
If successful, Utah would gain the ability to lease and manage these lands, a shift that could cost the state up to $14 million in legal fees, with representation by high-profile attorneys Paul Clement and Erin Murphy.
The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to take up the case.