An Overreaching Government?
You decide!
In regards to Oregon, how can the government claim a lawful right to own land in the western states?
Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 limits the Federal Governments power to own, possess, and manage land within the Continental united States:
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;
The above clause is the ONLY authority granted by the People to the Federal Government to own land . . . and their authority to own land and manage it is limited to ten square miles now called Washington D.C.?
The only other clause in the constitution that permits ownership of land in the states is land for ports and forts.
But, the power to own land is limited to that which is (A) “necessary”[2] and (B) purchased for administrative buildings? That is, “forts and ports.”
See lands unlawfully owned by the United States government in adjacent map. Wow!
So then, where does the Federal Government get the authority to establish the BLM and to own most of the land in the Western States?
Storm Brooks
Posted 01-14-2016
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