Public Land Management: Issues Related to the Reauthorization of the Bureau of Land Management

GAO discussed the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) management the public lands and issues related to BLM reauthorization. GAO noted that although BLM continues to make only limited progress in accomplishing its land management responsibilities, it has taken such specific actions as: (1) establishing management plans for all BLM riparian and wetland acreage and estimating the additional funds and staff needed for implementation; (2) establishing national agreements with 12 private wildlife and conservation organizations to foster projects to improve wildlife and fish habitats; and (3) issuing a hardrock mining policy that required all miners disturbing more than 5 acres to post financial guarantees to ensure reclamation. GAO believes that provisions of the proposed reauthorization legislation would improve BLM management of public lands, but staffing and funding constraints could significantly impede its progress.