The federal government does collect grazing fees for much of the public land in western UT and NV. Mining companies can pretty much operate at will in those areas too. The mining companies pay substantial state and local taxes and they support a highly paid workforce.

Just curious, what sort of commercial use did you have in mind? It is pretty desolate country.

Disclosure: I was a resident of rural NV for 12 years as a mining geologist.

>The Federal government owns something like 45% of the land in Utah. This is land that collects no taxes, has very few tourists, and generates no revenue for the federal government. Yet, they have to spend money to maintain roads there, pay for park rangers, etc. How about turning that back to private enterprise or even the state, so that some of it can be put to commercial use.
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>It would reduce government spending and increase tax revenues. Win/win.
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>>Sure. Absolutely.
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>>Which programs?