Understanding Federally Owned Lands in the Western United States

What percentage of the Western United States is owned by the federal government?

• 50%

• 25%

• 100%

• 75%

What was the purpose of the Land Ordinance of 1785?

• To sell land to foreign countries

• To organize and manage land owned by the federal government

• To create new states

• To establish national parks

Which act allowed citizens to claim land in newly organized territories?

• The Land Ordinance of 1785

• The Homestead Act

• The National Parks Act

• The Federal Land Policy Act

Which state has the highest percentage of its land owned by the federal government?

• Utah

• Nevada

• California

• Oregon

Which federal department manages the largest portion of land in the West?

• National Park Service

• Bureau of Land Management

• Department of Defense

• Forest Service

What is the primary focus of the National Park Service?

• Mining and resource extraction

• Timber harvesting

• Recreation and conservation

• Military training

Why does the Bureau of Land Management lease land to cattle farmers?

• To promote urban development

• To support agricultural production

• To conserve wildlife

• To generate hydroelectric power

What challenge does the Forest Service face due to climate change?

• Loss of federal funding

• Decreased tourism

• More frequent wildfires

• Increased mining activities

Why did settlers avoid certain areas like the Rocky Mountains?

• Harsh living conditions

• Lack of water resources

• High land prices

• Dense population

What is a reason the federal government still owns much of the Western land?

• States refused to buy the land

• The government plans to build cities

• The land is too valuable to sell

• The land is difficult to manage