Chapter 3

 The Sagebrush Rebellion erupted in 1979 out of anger over changing federal land law and management. In particular, many westerners were frustrated by expanding restrictions on grazing and road access, which threatened economic development. The Nevada State Legislature launched the rebellion when it passed legislation claiming ownership of all unreserved federal lands within its boundaries. Other western states followed Nevada. The Sagebrush Rebellion helped elected Ronald Reagan to the White House, and his first interior secretary, James Watt, gave considerably more control over federal land management to the states, thereby effectively ending the rebellion.