Yep, throughout the western US the feral government owns the subsurface rights and landowners get the surface rights. Before the Homestead Act landowners got the minerals rights however, after the Homestead Act was signed surface owners didn't often get the minerals rights which are retained by the feral government (split estate). Sadly, western states are held hostage. So to be "fair" and even Demonrat Socialists should agree that we should be fair - that all states give up a portion of thei lands to the feral government in the exact proportion to that of the western states (the highest being Nevada at over 80% feral government owned). That means to be fair that New York, California, Rhode Island and other such sttes should give up their lands to over 80%% to the feral government. It's about being "fair" after all. Either that or the feral government should give back the land to the states.

 

- Black Blade