It goes back to a bill passed in 2009. The Governor of the state has vowed to not let the feds take the land. Could be an interesting battle.

According to the Northwest Ordinance, all territories entering the union are supposed to enter with the full "rights and priveleges" of all of the original states. This, of course, has not happened. If this move is finalized, 60% of the state of Utah will be under federal control.

http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/usnews/politics/3063-obama-admin...

Be Seeing You!