Promoting Modern Public Land Management

National Forests and BLM lands are managed for multiple uses, including wildlife, logging, grazing, mining, and recreation. Naturally, conflicts arise over the best mix of uses.

Congress and past administrations developed a far-sighted strategy for dealing with these problems by requiring each National Forest and BLM area to develop, with public input, long-term management plans. These plans govern resource management for up to 15 years and provide assurances that non-extractive resources like wildlife and water will be maintained.

The Bush Administration has been dismantling these and other public processes and protections for wildlife and other resources.

Learn more about Defenders' work to protect public lands:

Bill to Maintain Wildlife Populations on Public Lands

Protecting Critical Forest Habitats by Maintaining Roadless Areas

Legal Case Fighting Bush Administration Changes to Forest Management