What Some Do Not Want You to Know
How did our public lands become public lands? Were they originally federally owned? Were they intended to stay in federal hands? Why did some states get their lands turned over to them? Why have most states in the West not received the lands within their state?
Read moreMissouri: Transfer of Public Lands Champion
By Ken Ivory
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia
"[T]he federal government...became the monopolizer of vacant lands in the West: and this monopoly, like all monopolies, resulted in hardships to those upon whom it acted."
Which famous U.S. senator successfully made this argument to compel the federal government to transfer title to the vast stretches of federally controlled land in the west? Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah whose state is 65 percent federally controlled? Or, maybe Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona whose state is nearly 50 percent federally controlled? Maybe it's a trick question. Could it be Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas whose state has about 1 percent federally controlled land? Give up?
Read moreIllinois Won the First Sagebrush Rebellion
By Ken Ivory
Nevada currently holds the unenviable record for the highest percentage of federally controlled lands within its borders - more than 80%!
But this is not just a Nevada problem; the federal government controls about half of all the lands within the western states. In contrast, States east of Colorado have, on average, less than 5% federally controlled lands.
But Nevada doesn't even come close to the all-time record holder for federally controlled lands within a state. This remarkable record was held by that great "western state" of Illinois. During the 19th century, the federal government controlled more than 95% of all lands within the State of Illinois for decades! But, it wasn't just Illinois. The federal government also controlled for decades as much as 90% of all lands between Indiana and Florida.
Read more3 Minute Message - 03/25/2015
Just this week, a critic of the Transfer of Public Lands tried to claim that the federal government never owned the majority of the lands in the east. This Breitbart article, second in a series submitted by ALC President, Ken Ivory, shows just how wrong they are:
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Federal Land Ownership Robs Idaho of its Autonomy
By Commissioner Jim Chmelik
Idaho County, Idaho
Saying Idaho Deputy Attorney General Steve Strack has the final word on the legality of disposing public lands is like saying Stephen Douglas had the final words in his defense of slavery during his presidential debates against Abraham Lincoln.
Read moreTransfer of Public Lands Webinar
Recording of the Transfer of Public Lands Webinar on 4/24/14 with Representative Ken Ivory, Representative Keven Stratton, and Senator Jennifer Fielder.
Read moreHas Something Like TPLA Been Done Before?
1828 Resolution: The western states simply had enough. They banded together and sent petition after petition, resolution after resolution, and delegation after delegation to Congress. They complained:
Read moreThis Nation Needs YOU!
Learn the basics of the Transfer of Public Lands and why our nation needs YOU
Read moreThe Basics of the Transfer of Public Lands
Learn the basics of the Transfer of Public Lands!
This presentation will help answer questions such as:
- Why transfer lands?
- Has this been done before?
- Can we afford to transfer the lands?
You will also learn what you can do to help American Lands Council move this important effort forward.
The Basics of the Only Solution Big Enough
New to the Transfer of Public Lands? Learn the basics with this video.
Transfer of Public Lands Presentation, Part 1
A complete overview of the Transfer of Public Lands Movement by Ken Ivory.
Read moreTransfer of Public Lands Presentation, Part 2
A complete overview of the Transfer of Public Lands Movement by Ken Ivory.
Read moreTransfer of Public Lands Presentation, Part 3
A Complete overview of the Transfer of Public Lands Movement given by Ken Ivory.
Read moreTransfer of Public Lands Presentation, Part 4
A complete overview of the Transfer of Public Lands Movement by Ken Ivory in Scottsdale, Arizona, May 2014.
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Were the Western States Offered Their Public Lands Before?
Many opponents of TPL say "the states were offered their lands before and turned them down. They can't get them back now." Many people have a similar question: were the states offered their lands before? Rep. Ken Ivory gives the complete answer in this video.
History of the Public Lands Issues
The Federal Government owns around 50% of the West. How did they get the land in the first place?
The Basics of Jurisdiction
A discussion of proper jurisdiction among State and Federal agencies on Wall Builders Live with David Barton, Rick Green, and Ken Ivory.
Why the Difference?
Ken introduces the question "Why does the federal government control more than 50% of all the lands west of Colorado?"
Can the States Manage the Public Land?
Alan Gardner and Ken Ivory explain why we can't afford not to manage the Public Lands.
A clip from The County Seat with Chad Booth, Rep. Ken Ivory, and Commissioner Alan Gardner. The complete episode can be found at TheCountySeat.TV.
Read more“Battling For, Not Against”
Kane County, Utah Commissioner Doug Heaton explains what the American Lands Council is all about
Read moreVideo: “Myth: The States Didn’t Want the Land”
Dispelling the myth that the states didn't want to claim their lands back
Read moreVideo: “Why the Difference? The Promises are the Same”
There is an obvious difference between states east and west of Colorado. But, there shouldn't be because the Promises are the Same
Read moreVideo: “What are the Constitutional Issues involved with TPLA?”
An overview of the constitutional arguments for and against TPLA.
Read moreThe Grasshopper and the Ant Explain Federalism
A perfect description of Federalism from Disney/Pixar's "A Bug's Life."
Read moreVideo: “More Recoverable Oil in CO, UT, and WY Than The Rest of the World Combined”
GAO Study shows that the West has substantial resources
Read moreVideo: “What is One Benefit of Transferring Land to States?”
Sevier County UT Commissioner Gordon Topham illustrates one benefit of TPLA
Video: “How Big Is the Problem?”
The federal government is in serious financial trouble but how big is the problem?
Read moreWhat are the Biggest Myths about TPLA?
There are a lot of myths surrounding TPLA. Find the truth here.
Speech on Public Land Policies – UT Gov. George H. Dern, 1929
Former UT Governor Dern's Speech in reaction to the federal government offering only surface rights to western states
Read moreVideo: “What Does Local Control of Public Lands Look Like?”
How will state and local management be different from federal management? Commissioner Jim Matson of Kane
Why the Difference?
By looking at a map it is obvious that states east of Colorado are treated different than states west of Colorado. Why is this?
Video: “Why the Transfer of Public Lands is The Only Solution Big Enough”
See why the Transfer of Public Lands is The Only Solution Big Enough to fund education, protect our public lands, our
Excerpts from the 1832 Senate Committe Hearing on Granting Unreserved Public Lands to States
The desire for states to control their own public lands is not new. Check it out in these excerpts
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Document: “The Promises are the Same: Old West States vs. New West States Enabling Act Comparison”
A comparison of North Dakota's (5% federal lands) and Utah's (67% federal lands) Enabling Acts. (Hint: They are nearly identical)
Read moreVol 2: JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL AREAS WITHIN THE STATES
Vol II JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL AREAS WITHIN THE STATES REPORT OF THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR THE STUDY OF JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL AREAS WITHIN THE
Read moreVol 1: JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL AREAS WITHIN THE STATES
Vol 1 JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL AREAS WITHIN THE STATES REPORT OF THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR THE STUDY OF JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL AREAS WITHIN THE STATES
“The Public Lands – Their Proper Disposition” – Thomas Hart Benton, 1854
Senator Thomas Hart Benton explains why he found himself "doing battle" for equality in public land states
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Thomas Maddock 1931 Address to the Western Governors
Excerpts taken from the 1932 Congressional Hearings on Granting Remaining Unreserved Public Lands to the States
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1915 UT Senate Lands Resolution
"A Memorial asking for a More Liberal National Policy in the Disposition of the Public Domain and Urging that the Natural Resources of the State of Utah
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The Only Solution Big Enough
Ken Ivory delivers this presentation to elected officials throughout Washington State. The effort is to convince the US
Read more“The Promises are the Same”
The promises among states are all the same in regards to public lands. Feel free to use this presentation as you
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“Knowledge and Courage – Keys to the Transfer of Public Lands & Education Funding”
Knowledge and Courage - Keys to the Transfer of Public Lands & The Only Solution Big Enough to Close the
Read moreExcerpts from Federalist Society White Paper – Relevant Supreme Court Cases
Supreme Court Cases relevant to TPL. Excerpt from Donald Kochan's White Paper on the Transfer of Public Lands
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Keys to Prosperity
Ken Ivory talks about property rights and prosperity in this short video.
