Percentages of Public Lands per State. 

Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, MSS 200, Box 2, Folder 16. Utah Science Magazine. Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. Allen D. Lebaron, E. Brush Godfrey, and Darwin B. Nielsen. Fall 1980 

With any political issue that arises, there will always be myths and rumors that come about. The same goes for the Sagebrush Rebellion. There are many compelling arguments from both sides: those in favor of the states managing the public lands and those who believe the federal government knows what they are doing. The majority of these arguments and the rebellion were based in the Western states which hold the largest percentage of public lands in the US. One prominent issue has to do with the financial abilities of the state and federal governments in the management of public lands. The second main point is legislation regarding the Sagebrush Rebellion.

The Big Wigs in Washington          

            Most of the legislation that has been passed allows for public recreation and was supported and introduced by western legislators. These people were able to provide the compromise to retain control of decisions and to determine the outcomes and uses of public lands. While there are still restrictions that are put in place by the BLM or Forest Service, they are there to preserve the natural resources for future use.[1]

Faceless decision makers - One thing that has upset a lot of environmentalists who are in support of the Sagebrush Rebellion is that those who are managing the lands and deciding how the resources should be used are uninvolved, “distant bureaucrats in Washington D.C.”[2] The fact of the matter is that there have been BLM appointed directors for each state from each state. There is also the comparison made that the Army Corps, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife, Department of Commerce, and congressmen are all making daily decisions that affect each state, and no one is creating an uproar about that.

Land Grazing Breakdown- Shared Resources 

Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, MSS 86 Box 478, Folder 15, Document 2 

 Overgrazing, Land Management    

Overgrazing causing problems- hence restrictions!! Another myth is that public lands are causing disruptions in the ranching economies and destroying grazing. The fact is that the western states’ resources for grazing range were depleted due to poor management and overgrazing.  [3]  

            The management of public land use and resources is dictated by the BLM and can help regulate the resources needed for both farmers as well as wildlife. The restrictions in place make sure that all parties involved are getting the needed grazing rights and so the land and resources can be replenished and maintained for future use. This one fact alone is why the federal government has been in charge of the management of land.

“States could do it better” 

The western states, and specifically Utah, lack the legislation necessary to manage the public lands. The states in their constitutions have stated that the Division of State Lands (DSL) is to create maximum revenue from the lands it manages.[1] States were set up to manage lands for what was economically best. Many articles stated that if the success of the Sagebrush Rebellion were to happen, that much of the public lands would be privatized. These private lands would cause more issues in management, preservation, and resource depletion. Even though it would increase revenue, it would cause a greater loss of public lands free for the general public to use and benefit from.

Overall, the myths of the Sagebrush Rebellion prove that those in favor of the Sagebrush Rebellion have not fully figured out all the information and tactics necessary to effectively manage the public lands. The federal government has time, money, and other resources on their side. There is much to consider and work through to make this a successful venture for future use as it is currently used.