"The BLM is America's biggest landlord, responsible for over 245 million acres of our public lands. That's more than 10% of the total land in the United States, which means that the management policies of BLM have enormous impacts, especially in the West where it is by far the largest landowner."
"These plans cover management of some of the most diverse and ecologically significant conifer forests in the world, vital for providing clean water, carbon sequestration, and essential habitat for endangered species including northern spotted owls, marbled murrelets, and coho salmon. Their irreplaceable importance was acknowledged in 1995's Northwest Forest Plan."
"That Forest Plan established a network of Late Successional Reserves protected from logging, included an Aquatic Conservation Strategy to protect key watersheds, and mandated a Survey and Manage program to provide the data needed for stewardship of at-risk species."
The Bureau of Land Management manages over 245 million acres of public lands, representing more than 10% of U.S. territory and serving as America's largest landlord. Despite its stated mission to sustain public lands for present and future generations, the BLM has historically accommodated ranching, timber, and fossil fuel interests. Under the current administration, the agency is aggressively pursuing resource extraction policies. Western Oregon BLM lands exemplify this approach, covering some of the world's most ecologically significant conifer forests that provide clean water, carbon sequestration, and critical habitat for endangered species including northern spotted owls, marbled murrelets, and coho salmon. The 1995 Northwest Forest Plan established protective measures including Late Successional Reserves, an Aquatic Conservation Strategy, and a Survey and Manage program. However, the BLM has never fully committed to these conservation protections.
#public-lands-management #resource-extraction #conservation-policy #endangered-species-protection #bureau-of-land-management
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