[wideawake]

So the BLM's argument is that they can seize hundreds of thousands of acres of land based on an obscure court decision almost 100 years ago that was never enforced?

Wow.

[alloysteel]

Has anyone ever heard of the doctrine of “adverse occupancy”?

It varies from state to state, but if an individual has occupied a certain piece of property, enjoying its benefits as if in ownership, without challenge from any other individual or entity, up to and including the payment of land taxes (not necessarily fees), for a certain period of time (from maybe one or two, up to twenty years or more), title then may be awarded to the occupant of the land.

This also works on fractional parts of the bundle or rights that goes with property, including easements and water rights.