They divested it to try to sell it and make money to run the govt, but they also had to give some of it away to settle the land. Once again, these lands were available up until 1976, but not after that.
Some people say the feds should have done what Spain and Mexico did. Give away huge tracts of land like the de Vaca land grant that was 400,000 acres. Or like the land grants to the railroads. But Congress didn't want to give away large tracts to individuals.
Well, I believe the states (or most of them) and certainly the people now want their land and natural resources. The 1976 act is unconstitutional. Period.
Why are you defending BIG government tyranny on FR? I think that would better be done on moveon.org.