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Show 4. Fortunately, there is no sound legal basis for the state challenge to Federal ownership and management of the public lands. As the Western states entered the Union, they were given portions of Federal lands upon which to build economic bases. In return, each of the states recognized the right of the Federal government to retain ownership of the remaining unappropriated public lands. There was a sound reason for this. The public domain-lands of the West were acquired by the national government through purchase and warfare, at the expense of all Americans living at that time. They have always been Federally-iyvvned since then. These conditions were v?ell understood and accepted by all Western 2rs then. Now some state officials want to renege. It is hard to believe they are serious, or that this is much more than political rhetoric. But the Federal government is a popular target of criticism everywhere, and especially in the West. So the Sagebrush Rebellion has picked up at least lip service even in states outside of its native Nevada. Thoughtful Westerners will avoid jumping on this bandwagon. Those who have joined should give some further thought to the detrimental consequences of the proposaL Federal management of public lands is far from perfect. Each of us who deal or hive dealt with the Federal programs and bureaucracy can recommend changes to make it better. That is what we should be working to do - to provide Federal management which ii more responsive to local needs and wishes, where that is compatible with the national interest and the future of the resources and the people involved. |