BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT JOBS - HISTORY |
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In 1812, Congress established the General Land Office to administer public
lands. The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 established the U.S. Grazing Service to oversee range management. In 1946, the two agencies were merged to form the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a branch of the
Department of Interior. Historically, the BLM has controlled land used for private commercial activity, leasing cheap and sometimes free land to cattle and sheep grazers, the logging and mining industries, and other commercial interests. The federal government originally set low fees for use of these lands to encourage settlement, but today many critics argue that the system is outdated. Furthermore, they say the low- or no-fee policy fosters the view that western
land is important only to the extent that it can be commercially exploited. For example, the mining industry pays no fees to use BLM land, but a 1993 Congressional report estimated that there are tens of thousands of abandoned mines on BLM territory that pose water and safety hazards. The cleanup bill delivered to taxpayers could total in the billions. One of the earliest proposals of the Clinton administration was to raise the fees
of cattle and sheep grazing on public lands to market value. This would generate an estimated one billion dollars over the next five years—funds that would go toward repairing rivers, forests, range lands, and wildlife habitats that have come under strain. While the proposal is not certain to become law—many western senators are concerned over the potential losses to industries in their areas—it demonstrates the value the current administration
places on the beauty and natural resources public lands provide, and not just their potential for commercial use. In recent years there has been much criticism of the subsidies enjoyed by timber, cattle, mining, and other industries that use federal land, but the current administration has stressed its commitment to improving the health of America's range lands and to ensuring fairness to taxpayers. While it will be difficult to completely reverse the flow of
subsidies given to commercial interests, it is likely that any new legislation affecting public lands will favor restorative action. Today the BLM continues to manage and protect public land with a focus on preserving minerals, timber, and other resources for recreational and aesthetic enjoyment as well as commercial interests. The 270 million surface acres managed by BLM—nearly all west of the Mississippi—includes wildlife
refuges, recreation areas, portions of scenic rivers and byways, and footpaths like the Pacific Crest Trail. BLM Jobs >>> | 
