Before reading the following post, please review these two websites:
This site shows exactly where the U.S. federal government owns land in the United States:
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printab...ands.html#list
This site takes the above numbers and puts them in a percentage map format:
http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/200...nds-in-the-us/
33% percent of all U.S. land is currently owned by the federal government. 80% of that federal land is in the American west.
Keep in mind that Native American "reservations" are owned by the federal government "in trust," and given the historical nature of U.S. Indian policy, some are more heavily watched than Times Square. The BIA infests these lands with agents, and sadly, use many Native Americans for this purpose. Also keep in mind that under BRAC, there has been a slow drain of military personel from the east to the west. We all know the rumors about Denver - some of which, despite my own skepticism, have an eerie basis in known fact (almost as if there is no attempt to hide it anymore). Also keep in mind that some sort of coastal or seismic cataclysm in Cali would send millions of refugees streaming into the immediate interior, and while they might just be confused and hurting souls looking for a place to stay, they will invite great scrutiny from our friends at FEMA.
Long story short, I am not the type that sees the boogey man in everything - I often tend to think that the boogey man most tend to see is thier own shadows. However, for those who may be planning communities or seeking refuge in the American west in the coming years, you may find yourself in a crowded neighborhood, surrounded by the very lot who motivated you to move in the first place.
My advice to all of you buying land in the west, or settling in pre-established communities there: take a four day hike in every cardinal direction from where you plan on sleeping at night. Know the terrain - the creeks, ditches, obstacles, etc. Be prepared to leave at the drop of a hat, and to do so on foot. Know where the closest military installation is; know where the nearest local town or towns are located. Do your homework before investing, and always, ALWAYS, have a plan B.