Leave Something for Us

The State of New Mexico went to Federal Court last week to stop the U.S. Government from grabbing any more of its land. This time it was the U.S. Army which wanted full title to a chunk of New Mexico almost as big as New Jersey -- the 7,200-square-mile White Sands Proving Ground area for guided missiles.

New Mexico complained that the U.S. already owned 54,000 square miles--about 44% of the state's total area*--counting seven national forests, a national park, the vast Los Alamos atomic energy layout and the Armed Forces Special Weapons installation east of Albuquerque.

*Seven others have more to complain about. The U.S. owns 87% of Nevada's land, 73% of Arizona, 72% of Utah, 64% of Idaho, 53% of Oregon, 51% of Wyoming, 46% of California.

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