Publicly owned lands in the United States contain many of the country's most iconic natural areas as well as a wealth of natural resources. But these taxpayer-owned assets are on the verge of being given away for a fraction of their true value in an effort to prop up the uneconomical mining and drilling operations of some fossil-fuel companies, who clearly have the Department of the Interior's ear.

Interior is required by law to earn "fair market value" for the use and development of public natural resources, including coal, oil and natural gas. Royalties are a significant source of revenue for the federal treasury and for states with mineral production, which receive a share of federal royalties.

Read more at US News.