S.J. Quinney College of Law professors Bob Keiter and John Ruple were cited in a January 19, 2016 op-ed authored by Brian Maffly of The Salt Lake Tribune. Titled, “The history and law behind Utah’s bid to gain federal public lands,” the opinion story outlines Utah’s claim to federal lands.
And Keiter and Ruple contend a legal victory for Utah could be a disaster for its citizens since it is unlikely the state would also get the rights to oil, gas and valuable minerals on the transferred lands. Without mineral revenues to cover the cost of administering the land, Utah would be forced to sell much of it, they argue.