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Why does federal government own 84% of Nevada and what can Reid do to give it back?
BizPac Review ^ | 04/16/2014 | Jonathon Moseley

Posted on 04/16/2014 11:38:15 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Many say Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could easily arrange for his home state to get back most of the 84 percent of Nevada territory owned and controlled by the federal government. So does the Democrat represent the interests of Nevada, or does he put the interests of the U.S. government and the Democratic Party over his own state’s needs?

Nevada would get what it deserves if Reid drafted a measure to treat Nevada the same way as other states. The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives would eagerly vote to treat Nevada like a grown-up. Instead, Reid runs the U.S. Senate with an iron fist, to the detriment of his own voters.

Renegade rancher Cliven Bundy raised a question during the hair-raising show-down between the Bureau of Land Management and the militia supporting the cattle rancher. Bundy says he was paying grazing fees to Clark County, but that the county stopped accepting his payments. Bundy insists that Nevada, not the U.S. government, owns the land where his cattle graze.

According to the ranchers’ argument, the federal government “owned” or controlled every territory before it became a state, but once statehood was reached, the land became the property of the new state.

So how is it that the U.S. government owns 84 percent of Nevada? It certainly looks like Nevada citizens are being treated unfairly. It is almost as if Washington, D.C., is treating Nevada like a child that can’t manage itself.

Ranchers support Cliven Bundy

Photo: WND Facebook

Many Western states were treated unequally when they joined the Union. Unlike Eastern states, Congress reserved vast amounts of federally-owned land in the “Enabling Acts” for statehood in the West. Article 4, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution requires an act of Congress to create a state. Keeping the majority of land in federal control seems in conflict with the very concept of statehood. The second paragraph of Section 4 appears to authorize this bizarre practice. But on closer inspection, that is far from clear.

The Nevada Constitution includes an “Ordinance” section that adopts the requirements of the congressional Enabling Act. A second rewrite of the state constitution was approved by voters on Sept. 7, 1864. Nevada became the 36th state on Oct. 31, 1864. Nevada agreed to let the federal government own “unappropriated land” within the state, “unless otherwise provided by the Congress of the United States.”

Las Vegas Review Journal reported in December:

Some Nevadans, particularly from the rural areas of the state, have been pushing the idea of a state takeover of federal lands for years.

Supporters were successful in the 2013 session of the Nevada Legislature in getting a measure passed to allow for a study of the concept.

The group created by Assembly Bill 227, the Nevada Land Management Task Force, has been charged with evaluating whether the state should consider taking over control of some of the public lands now managed by federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, which controls 76 percent of the land in the state.

The task force will submit its findings to the Legislative Committee on Public Lands by Sept. 1.

All these years later, Congress could easily right this discriminatory wrong. As the leader of the U.S. Senate, Reid could propose a change reverting the property to Nevada’s control, and Republicans in the House would enthusiastically agree.

Nevada voters should tell the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House to end the discrimination against Nevada and release the “unappropriated territory” to the management and ownership of their own state government.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; US: Nevada
KEYWORDS: blm; bundy; federalgovernment; harryreid; land; nevada
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1 posted on 04/16/2014 11:38:15 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

How about that turtle?


2 posted on 04/16/2014 11:40:52 AM PDT by sickoflibs (Obama : 'You can keep your doctor if you want. I never tell a lie ')
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To: SeekAndFind

It’s called the Homestead Act.

No reason they can’t liberate that land to willing settlers.

Be surprised what people can do with land the government thinks is not so useful.


3 posted on 04/16/2014 11:44:08 AM PDT by Regulator
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To: SeekAndFind

The only thing for certain in NV - there are a lot of morons in Searchlight.


4 posted on 04/16/2014 11:44:27 AM PDT by deadrock (I am someone else.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Sorry, Reid does not work for the state of Nevada, the people of Nevada, the people of America or even the lawful constitutional government of America. He works for and bears allegiance to the all powerful, unlimited, unconstitutional Marxist/fascist entity known as the “federal government.”

Repeal the 17th!!


5 posted on 04/16/2014 11:44:52 AM PDT by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!!)
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To: SeekAndFind
Seriously? They think Reid "wants" to give it back?

Reid got "his" man, one of his long time aides, appointed to be the head of the Bureau of Land Management which administers so-called federal lands in the west.

The BLM administers something like 40 million acres in Nevada. Any company or entity wanting to develop that land has to work with the BLM to do so...which means they have to in essence work with Harry Reid.

And they better be prepared to fill his coffers when they do.

Reid views himself as the "boss" of Nevada. As in crime boss, or mobster/mafia boss and he runs it accordingly.

The Bundy's are standing up to him and his "troopers," and this is why he so brazenly and adamantly indicated that it is "not over."

He has not desire or intention of giving it back to Nevada. it is one of the principle means he maintains his power.

6 posted on 04/16/2014 11:45:14 AM PDT by Jeff Head
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To: Jeff Head
Reid views himself as the "boss" of Nevada. As in crime boss, or mobster/mafia boss and he runs it accordingly.

I'm guessing the issue doesn't resonate with most NV voters, which is why GOP candidates haven't made a big deal about it.

7 posted on 04/16/2014 11:49:04 AM PDT by Zhang Fei (Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world and that God will preserve it always.)
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To: Jeff Head

What about Dean Heller? He’s the REPUBLICAN senator of Nevada.

Hmmm... for that matter I haven’t heard a peep from him since the Bundy issue came up.

And oh yeah, what about Governor Brian Sandoval? He is a Republican.... what does he have to say?


8 posted on 04/16/2014 11:49:09 AM PDT by SeekAndFind (If at first you don't succeed, put it out for beta test.)
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To: SeekAndFind
Dingy Harry sez..."YOU AIN'T SEEN THE LAST OF ME!"

"WE'LL BE BACK! WE'LL BE BACK WITH THE DOGS!"


9 posted on 04/16/2014 11:52:13 AM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar (Sometimes you need 7+ more ammo. LOTS MORE.)
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To: SeekAndFind

But that’s not his sole allegiance. He also works for the mobsters who control Las Vegas and Nevada and he accommodates the highest bidders for his influence, regardless of party affiliation or even country of origin. The Chicoms want help in ripping off the people of America through government grants and subsidies to install worthless solar plants in Nevada? No problem. His son can use a little help raising money for his political run. Deposit the cash and Harry can clear the way for you.


10 posted on 04/16/2014 11:53:57 AM PDT by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Gov. Brian Sandoval attacks BLM in cattle roundup controversy
http://www.jrn.com/ktnv/news/Gov-Brian-Sandoval-attacks-BLM-in-cattle-roundup-controversy-254482011.html
Apr. 8, 2014

Gov. Brian Sandoval released the following statement on Tuesday in regards to the controversial cattle roundup near Bunkerville, Nevada.

“Due to the roundup by the BLM, my office has received numerous complaints of BLM conduct, road closures and other disturbances. I have recently met with state legislators, county officials and concerned citizens to listen to their concerns.

I have expressed those concerns directly to the BLM. Most disturbing to me is the BLM’s establishment of a ‘First Amendment Area’ that tramples upon Nevadans’ fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution.

To that end, I have advised the BLM that such conduct is offensive to me and countless others and that the ‘First Amendment Area’ should be dismantled immediately.

No cow justifies the atmosphere of intimidation which currently exists nor the limitation of constitutional rights that are sacred to all Nevadans.

The BLM needs to reconsider its approach to this matter and act accordingly.”

- - - - -

Nevada officials blast feds over treatment of cattle rancher Cliven Bundy
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/04/07/nevada-officials-blast-feds-over-treatment-cattle-rancher-cliven-bundy/
April 10, 2014

“No cow justifies the atmosphere of intimidation which currently exists nor the limitation of constitutional rights that are sacred to all Nevadans.”
- Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval


11 posted on 04/16/2014 11:54:06 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: SeekAndFind
So does the Democrat [Harry Reid] represent the interests of Nevada, or does he put the interests of the U.S. government and the Democratic Party over his own state’s needs?

If ever there was a question that answers itself...

12 posted on 04/16/2014 11:54:10 AM PDT by Cyber Liberty (H.L. Mencken: "The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.")
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To: thackney

Was that from the sternly-worded message the Governor sent to BLM?


13 posted on 04/16/2014 12:01:12 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (H.L. Mencken: "The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.")
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To: SeekAndFind

Why not just sell the land to Nevada and let them do what they want with it?


14 posted on 04/16/2014 12:01:13 PM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: SeekAndFind

He doesn’t have the time. He’s busy trying to get another 10% for the feds - leaving the remaining 6% for himself.


15 posted on 04/16/2014 12:02:01 PM PDT by WayneS (Help Control Politician Overpopulation - Spay or Neuter Your Senator or Congressman Today!)
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To: Regulator
It’s called the Homestead Act.

Which was repealed by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.

16 posted on 04/16/2014 12:03:21 PM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: Jeff Head

Why not SELL the land? And SELL the mineral rights?

Why not start to repay our national debt by selling surplus land to people who can put it to productive use?

I’d call that a “win-win”.


17 posted on 04/16/2014 12:06:52 PM PDT by pfony1 (Add just 6 GOP Senators and we "bury" Harry)
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To: SeekAndFind

If the Federal government owns or controls 84% of land in Nevada.

And Harry Reid is the most power Federal goverment official in Nevada

Then Harry Reid in effect owns or controls 84% of Nevada ... it is his femdom ..the people are his peons

So it is not in his interest to see this change....
ever


18 posted on 04/16/2014 12:16:22 PM PDT by tophat9000 (Are we headed to a Cracker Slacker War?)
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To: DoodleDawg

So bring it back.

Land Management doesn’t seem to be their strong suit, does it?


19 posted on 04/16/2014 12:18:18 PM PDT by Regulator
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To: SeekAndFind
.. and what can Reid do to give it back?

Choking to death would be a good first step, regardless.

20 posted on 04/16/2014 12:18:38 PM PDT by tomkat (3% +1)
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