Supreme Court Rejects Utah's Attempt to Gain Control Over Federal Lands

The Supreme Court has rejected Utah's lawsuit to gain control of over 18 million acres of public land, which constituted nearly half of federal land in the state. This marked a significant defeat for Utah's Republican officials who argued for state ownership to increase revenue and management control, as federal agencies oversee nearly 70% of the state’s land. Legal observers highlighted this decision as a reinforcement of federal authority over public lands, countering Utah's claims of unconstitutional land retention. The refusal to hear the case continues a century-long precedent in favor of federal land management.