Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for the management of 245 million acres of public land across the United States, which amounts to approximately 10% of all land in the U.S.

- Bureau of Land Management

Summary

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for the management of 245 million acres of public land across the United States, which amounts to approximately 10% of all land in the U.S. This land is concentrated in 12 western states and includes 263 wilderness areas and 487 wilderness study areas. With these large holdings, the BLM has a major impact on the western United States. This includes 63% of the land in the State of Nevada and over 71 million acres in the State of Alaska. In addition to the surface land they manage, the BLM manages 700 million acres of mineral estate which amounts to over 30% of the nation’s minerals and soils.

The Bureau of Land Management has a congressional mandate to manage its land for multiple uses to serve all Americans. These uses include energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, timber harvesting, and other functions. 

The mission of the Bureau of Land Management is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Important Legislation

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976

Taylor Grazing Act of 1934

Mineral Leasing Act of 1920

Learn more from the Bureau of Land Management.