I could follow this until the last two sentences. I believe the only Western land that negotiated it's merger with the U.S. as a near equal was the Republic of Texas.(I'm ignoring Hawaii). The rest was bought or acquired by the U.S. from another country by actual or threatened war. The existing populations were forced onto reservations, or otherwise marginalized where the new folks wanted the land. Territories negotiated the terms (contracts) for statehood, including selection of land. The remainder remained Federal land. Wishing it was state land controlled by the Feds doesn't make it so. Current residents may feel entitled to feel a strong claim because they are here, but there are others who have been here for thousands of years. Basing a claim on current presence isn't a strong argument. Additionally, the State doesn't have the money/staff to deal with it and little prospect of it in the future.