Of course that land had value for agriculture ~ except for the vast swamp South of Fort Wayne (the Limberlost) ~ that wasn't sold off until he'd been dead most of a century.
Utah is more like the Limberlost. Might have some value but it couldn't be realized until a later century ~ which may be now. The decisions regarding release of federal claims to that land should be subjected to extensive review. Certainly any state can give better attention to it's own land than can a remote federal agency.
You are missing the point. The USA has 4 to 5 times the energy reserves of the Saudis. The Dems, some Repubs and enviros are on the Saudi take (funding think tanks).
The Feds grab the land and make it a park. This keeps us energy slaves to the Saudis. Great job Utah.
Growing marijuana and such is rampant on Federal land...I understand a good bit of it is done by illegal aliens.
Current Admistration will certainly fight that....doesn't seem to be true relative to your healthcare.