I just went through my "Citizen's rule Book" with the Constitution. The only thing having to do with the US Government and lands is the final paragraph of Article IV, Section 3:
"The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needed Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State."
In the west, the government first established territories, and later came statehood. Nowhere was it a constitutional mandate that the federal government cede title of all lands within these states to these new states. Congress has the power to dispose of lands, but not any constitutional obligation to do so.
Congress has the authority to establish various categories of lands. Parks, wilderness, multiple use, etc.
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