Land-use planning and control is fast becoming a major issue in the United States. Dwindling natural resources, a growing population, a recognized need for a quality environment, and several incidents of controversial resource management have brought land-use problems to the public eye. State land-use legislation, numerous court cases, and extensive debate have resulted. Central to the general debate is concern over the role of government in this area, formerly considered to be the realm of the individual and private firm. This paper is designed to help clarify the role of government in land-use planning and control by analyzing the powers available to government entities in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/specialreports/1074/thumbnail.jp