Home | Bureau of Land Management Overview & Contact Data

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a federal agency within the United States Department of the Interior that oversees the management of public lands, primarily in the western United States. The BLM is responsible for managing approximately 245 million acres of public lands, which encompasses nearly 10% of the country's land area. The agency's primary mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of these public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The BLM serves a diverse range of stakeholders, including local communities, ranchers, miners, outdoor recreationists, and conservationists. To achieve its mission, the agency focuses on balancing competing demands for public lands, including energy development, grazing, recreation, and conservation. The BLM also works to protect cultural and historical resources, such as Native American ancestral lands and historic sites, as well as fragile ecosystems, such as deserts, mountains, and wildlife habitats. By adopting a multi-use approach to land management, the BLM seeks to balance economic development with environmental protection and sustainable resource use. The BLM's work has significant implications for the environment, local economies, and public health. The agency's efforts to maintain healthy and productive public lands also support the country's energy independence, as BLM-managed lands are rich in oil, gas, coal, and renewable energy resources. Additionally, the BLM's conservation efforts help to preserve biodiversity, protect water quality, and maintain the scenic beauty of public lands for future generations.