text: I can't imagine on what legal principle you imagine her family got to own our public lands merely because she was permitted to use it. No, ownership is not a nebulous concept at all. It was federal land ever since it became US territory. You don't get to "own" it just because I and the other taxpayers allowed you to graze your cattle on it. How can Feds be "squatters" on our own land? She is the squatter. No, ownership is not a nebulous concept. The US holds the deed to the land. Case closed. It was not "at some point" federally owned. It was federally owned AT ALL TIMES since becoming US territory. It would seem you are the one who needs to start thinking before commenting.