A Primer on Public Land Law

This article will examine the major missions and jurisdictions of the main federal land management systems, namely the public domain, the national forests, national parks, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas. To introduce this examination, the constitutional provisions which justify the governing statutes will be explored. Additionally, as a prelude to the specific statutory mandates, this Article will review the system of reservations, withdrawals, and classifications. Preemption doctrine also will be addressed because states often desire to regulate activities on federal lands.

Finally, the Article will distinguish between multiple use and dominant use.