Press Release | January 13, 2025
(Lander, Wyoming) – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) rejected the State of Utah’s lawsuit that argued for the disposal of 18.5 million acres of public land in Utah. The case could have paved the way for the disposal of all public lands in the United States, including Wyoming.
“The Supreme Court’s rejection of this land grab is further evidence that Utah’s efforts to rid America of its public lands is a misguided effort. This attempted lawsuit not only ignored more than a century of legal precedent, but the will of the American people who time and time again have shown their support for public lands,” Gabby Yates, Public Lands Program Manager for the Wyoming Outdoor Council, said. “Wyomingites have such a strong connection to the landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage in our backyard because of the access and opportunity that public lands allow. We applaud the court’s decision to deny Utah’s case. In doing so, the public’s ability to enjoy public lands, now and for future generations, remains protected.”
Late last year, the State of Wyoming, various state legislators, and Rep. Harriett Hageman filed briefs in support of the State of Utah’s now-rejected lawsuit. Additionally, numerous Wyoming state legislators have already introduced SJ0002, a resolution which demands the U.S. Congress dispose of all public lands to the state. With Yellowstone National Park as the resolution’s sole exception, federal public lands including iconic grasslands, forests, Bureau of Land Management rangelands, and even Grand Teton National Park are all implicated.
“It’s deeply troubling that this idea of transferring our public lands keeps rearing its ugly head. Much like the nation’s highest court, public land users have rejected these short-sighted efforts again and again, because we know that America’s public lands are our birthright,” Alec Underwood, program director for WOC, said. “Regardless of SCOTUS’ decision today, we fully expect state lawmakers to keep pushing this agenda, wasting taxpayer dollars and diverting time away from truly critical legislative priorities. Wyoming citizens deserve better than this. We’re glad to see the U.S. Supreme Court concur that this culture war against the public trust should end.”
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Image: Rich Brame