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The Heritage of Our Public Lands

Author

Listed:
  • Bennett, John B.
  • Josephson, H. R.
  • Wooten, Hugh H.

Abstract

About 358.5 million acres of public domain, not counting land held in trust for Indians, are owned by American citizens through their Government. Land acquired by the Federal Government for various purposes—national forests and parks, military areas, and other uses—total almost 50 million acres. The United States therefore owns outright about 408.2 million acres in the 48 States. People, especially those who become aware for the first time of the extent of Federal holdings, often ask: "Why, in a country that is dominated by private enterprise and in which the efforts of the Government for more than a century were to dispose of its lands, almost one-fourth the land area of continental United States is still in Federal ownership?" The answer rests on three points: The absence of private demand for the lower grade public domain; the public interest in retaining some types of public domain in public ownership; and laws unsuited to private acquisition of some types of public domain.

Suggested Citation

  • Bennett, John B. & Josephson, H. R. & Wooten, Hugh H., 1958. "The Heritage of Our Public Lands," USDA Miscellaneous 344208, United States Department of Agriculture.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:usdami:344208
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.344208
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