Utah has spent more than $1 million on legal fees and advertising to support its Supreme Court bid for control of 18.5 million acres of federal land.
Kyle Dunphey reports for Utah News Dispatch.
In short:
- Utah’s lawsuit challenges federal management of unappropriated public land, arguing that indefinite federal control is unconstitutional.
- The state has allocated $3 million for public lands litigation, with top attorneys billing rates exceeding $2,000 per hour, and plans to spend up to $20 million on the legal challenge.
- A $2.1 million public relations campaign, funded by state lawmakers, promotes the lawsuit through billboards, media ads and outreach to national journalists.
Key quote:
“There’s a word for when the state tries to convince the public of a political position — propaganda.”
— Aaron Weiss, executive director, Center for Western Priorities
Why this matters:
This case raises significant questions about state versus federal control of public lands, with implications for conservation, resource management and state spending priorities. Critics argue the lawsuit diverts resources and uses taxpayer funds to pursue a politically charged agenda.
Related: Utah sues for control of millions of acres of federal lands
