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BLM Lands

Believe it or not, it’s an exciting time in federal land management!

Federal and state agencies throughout Alaska are busily creating and revising long-term strategies for administering public resources, wildlife, recreation opportunities, and development activities on millions of acres of lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers over 70 million acres in Alaska with the mission “to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” BLM Alaska is currently in the process of writing four land use planning documents, called Resource Management Plans and Environmental Impact Statements, or simply RMPs. These RMPs evaluate the current health and uses of the resources and establish management goals and objectives for the future. BLM RMPs must also consider lands for special designations, such as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Research Natural Areas, Outstanding Natural Areas, and Wild and Scenic Rivers, among other protections.

BLM needs to know that there is vast public support for proactive conservation and management of these cherished wild lands.

BLM Managed Lands Click Map to Enlarge Current RMP planning processes in Alaska

East Alaska RMP 7.1 million acres Draft released April 2005 Final due end of 2005
Kobuk-Seward RMP 13 million acres Draft due March 2006 Final due in 2007
Ring of Fire RMP 1.3 million acres Draft released Sept. 2005 Final due in 2006
Bay RMP 3.6 million acres Draft due Sept. 2006 Final due July 2007

To find out more about each planning area, click on the names! What’s so special about Alaska’s BLM lands and plans?

  • These incredible public lands rank among the nation’s highest in terms of biological diversity and number of shorebirds supported during spring migration across Alaska. They also contain some of the highest densities of brown bear in the world. BLM Alaska lands boast ancient old growth forests and countless pristine rivers that are home to the some of the world’s biggest salmon runs, as well as spectacular wilderness quality lands that rival National Parks in primitive recreational potential.
  • YOU now have the chance to participate in shaping the future management of these beloved Alaskan lands. Public comment periods are one of the most important aspects of the RMP planning process. BLM may not be aware of the significance and importance of your special recreation spots, hunting and subsistence areas, and favorite scenic vistas.
    • Or maybe you’ve never even been to Alaska, but you are comforted knowing that these wild places and animals are protected for your children and grandchildren to visit someday!
  • Also, while the BLM's web pages are disconnected from the internet to make modifications to enhance their security, we plan to facilitate public awareness and involvement in the RMP planning process before comment period deadlines expire!

Have you heard about BLM's upcoming recommendations to lift D-1 Withdrawals? Click here for information on a new federal action that may open up to 50,000,000 acres of untouched public lands in Alaska to mineral development. Please contact Alaska Coalition if we can be of any assistance to you or your community.