Supreme Court turns back Utah's push to wrest control of public land from the federal government The Supreme Court on Monday turned back a push by the state of Utah to wrest control of vast areas of public land from the federal government, marking a small victory for land conservation advocates who worry that similar efforts may escalate in a Republican-controlled Washington.
Monday's decision by the high court comes as the newly Republican-controlled Congress adopted a rules package that includes language allowing lawmakers to more easily transfer or sell off public lands managed by federal agencies.
The high court refused to let the GOP-controlled state file a lawsuit seeking to bring the land and its resources under state control.
In the Western state known for its rugged mountains popular with skiers and red-rock vistas that draw throngs of tourists, federal agencies control almost 70% of the land.
The complaint sought control of about half of federal land, which still amounts to an area nearly as large as South Carolina.
