Supreme Court rejects Utah's original jurisdiction land "disposal" case

WASHINGTON D.C. (Jan. 13, 2025) — The Supreme Court has declined (PDF) to hear a case filed by the state of Utah that calls for the “disposal” of 18.5 million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management.  

The threat of public lands being taken over by states or sold for profit is higher than it has been in many years, and Utah’s radical effort to bypass the lower courts was considered a major shot across the bow. President-elect Trump’s presumptive Interior secretary nominee, Doug Burgum, was serving as governor of North Dakota when that state filed an amicus brief in support of Utah’s lawsuit, and on Jan. 3, the House of Representatives approved a rules package that makes it easier for lawmakers in the 119th Congress to sell off public lands. 

Alison Flint, Senior Legal Director for The Wilderness Society, made the following statement about the news:  

“Utah’s case is massively flawed, and we’re pleased to see the Court recognize that and leave 150 years’ worth of established public lands law firmly in place. The nation’s public lands are as popular as ever. People want these places conserved and managed responsibly--not sold off, privatized or despoiled. Today’s news is good for the stability, safety and sustainability for America’s public lands and the people who depend on them.

While the Court's decision denying original review of Utah's claims is welcome news for our shared public lands, we fully expect Utah’s misguided attacks to continue and stand ready to mount a robust defense to ensure our public lands are protected.”