Legislation signed into law 40 years ago today made conservation one of the country's top priorities on public lands. The Federal Land Policy Management Act or FLPMA, signed by President Gerald Ford in 1976, changed the way the Bureau of Land Management oversees its lands, which until then had mostly been leased for ranching, oil and gas, and other developments. Since FLPMA, the agency now considers preservation part of its mission.
But John Robison, the public lands director of the Idaho Conservation League said BLM lands often don't get the respect they deserve as amazing places to explore the outdoors.
"These lands are part of our American heritage, these are the places we teach our kids to cast a fly rod, to paddle a kayak, or point out the constellations, far removed from the city lights," he said. "And again, what's incredible is that these lands belong to all Americans."
The BLM oversees nearly 12 million acres in Idaho. Robison said some of those landmarks include the Craters of the Moon National Monument, the Owyhee Canyonlands, and the newly-designated White Clouds Wilderness in Custer County.
FLPMA also guarantees public input in the planning process for BLM lands. Next year, Idahoans will be able to weigh in on the management plans for the Salmon and Challis BLM districts, which will guide management of these areas for the next 20 years. Robison said it's an effective tool to ensure that the many uses of public lands are in line with the public's interests.
"The way to make it work is to bring folks to the table, everyone to the table, and to see how to best manage our public lands, and best manage all these multiple uses, so that it works for everyone," he explained. "And these lands belong to everyone, and everyone should have a say in how they're cared for."
Recreation is a large part of BLM lands as well. According to the research group ECONorthwest, in 2014 visitors spent $188 million in Idaho communities within 50 miles of recreation sites.
Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
