OSHER 995 - Federal public lands in Utah: What are they and why all the fuss? (Updated)

This course will examine the history of public lands in the U.S., beginning with the initial 13 states, and working forward through additional land acquisitions by the federal government. It will discuss how federal land disposal programs, development of land retention policies, and current public land patterns have changed the boundaries of the western U.S. Explanations will be provided of the different federal land agencies and the various land categories managed by each, such as national forests, national parks, monuments, wilderness areas, and tribal lands. Land status patterns in Utah will be discussed, including state trust lands, federal lands, tribal lands, and private lands. A detailed review will be provided of topical issues in Utah such as management conflicts in grazing policies, law enforcement, minerals production, environmental protection, back country roads, and wilderness and national monument designations as well as the proposed state lawsuit to obtain title to federal public lands in the state.