Which State has the highest percentage of Federal Land?

The federal government owns large tracts of the western states: from a low of 29.9% in Montana, already more than the national average, up to a whopping 84.5% in Nevada.The rough beauty of the American West seems as far as you can get from the polished corridors of power in Washington DC.

This seems remarkable when compared to the measly 4% in the Mid-Western and Eastern US. What is really disturbing is that the Bureau of Land Management is again in the West scouting for MORE land to put under "Federal Protection."

More Info: bigthink.com

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

84 Comments

William Laughlin

That's a bold statement. What's so disturbing about protecting our natural resources and wanting to preserve land for future generations?

Bewley Steve

Then why shouldn't the Government preserve the land for future generations in New York?

Brian Hankey

The key is percentage of land ;). Not total area :)

George Oliver Prince

Makes sense, since most federal land is in the west. Nevada has Nellis AFB, which is home to Red Flag military exercises. More people are probably familiar with Area 51

d p catalano

Stop politicizing. It's a trivia game.

Jennie Floyd

You should really leave out that last statement in the answer. The author's bias is showing. Who is he to judge whether or not Federal Protection of lands is a good thing?

Timothy Rayburn

Which state has the highest percentage of federally owned land? States With the Most Land Owned by the Federal Government. The top states with the greatest percentage of federally owned land are all the Western states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Nevada. 84.5%. Alaska. 69.1%. Utah. 57.5%. Oregon.

Eric Foelker

As a Naval airman went to bombing range near Fallon, Nevada. I don't know many people that would want to live there. Not Fallon, the bombing range.

William Laughlin

Bewley Steve Interesting question. Tell me what land you're talking about. Then you tell me why they should or should not. You as the author of this question are apparently the one who is disturbed by the government's federal protection efforts.

Kathleen Kennedy

You may want to take a look at NYS - plenty of land preserved - Adirondacks and Allegany, as well as many other large areas, some in private/govt partnerships.

elizawheeler

That surprised me, I was sure it was Alaska. I just wish we had more environmentally fragile places under government protection.

nmcgirt

I thought Alaska due to wilderness and vastness.

Nina Davis

A lot of land in Arizona is federally owned. It sure hurts our schools. Less tax base.

Sue Gembrini-Spataro

I’ve lived in Nevada for over 40 years. I see nothing wrong with the land , etc being protected for generations to come. If builders, businesses had it their way the tress, lakes, etc. would be OWNED by huge corporations who would turn this country into a waste land. I wish more land in this Country were owned by the Fed’s.

arthurherrforth

Martha J Smith, neither do I. Let us all stop it, especially the question writer for goodness sakes.

tdelisi

Richard Musal, There is no difference.

dmgsr

The way the question is worded, the correct answer is Alaska.

Martha J Smith

I don't like the introduction of politics into the explanation ... yes, I'm from the West and favor some Federal protections for land.

Colin Payne

I don't find that disturbing in the least

Ed Taber

Ann Anniss, I'm not really into letting the government dictate how people should live, as for Nevada, I guess making the land glow in the dark does 'preserve' it.