Congressionally designated Wilderness is the highest form of protection available for federal public lands. But of all the land-management agencies, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands contain the least amount of Wilderness, even though BLM lands are the most extensive of all the agencies. The opportunity to protect the incredible diversity of landscapes under BLM control, whether part of the NLCS or otherwise, is immeasurable.
With passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, the United States charted a course new in the history of nations - to preserve some of the country's last remaining wild places in order to protect their natural processes and values from development. Today, thanks to the wisdom, foresight, and perseverance of many dedicated individuals, current and future generations will enjoy an enduring wilderness -- in reality and in spirit.
Wilderness designation thus protects core social values held by the American people, but is also capable of protecting our environment on its own terms. Constituting the most protective of all the components of the National Landscape Conservation System, congressionally designated Wilderness managed by the BLM traverses 6 million acres in 148 diverse areas.
A Challenge for the BLM
The BLM is charged with managing some of the most biologically, geologically, and culturally rich lands that our nation possesses. However, many wilderness quality lands lie vulnerable to threats from oil and energy exploration, logging, off-road vehicles, and livestock grazing because they have not received a wilderness designation.
Since 1976, the BLM has struggled to meet its wilderness obligations. An initial inventory of wilderness quality lands was completed hastily and, in many instances, failed to protect millions of acres of land suitable for permanent protection as wilderness. For those lands given interim protection as Wilderness Study Areas, currently consisting of 604 units covering 17 million acres of land, the BLM continues to struggle and sometimes neglect to ensure that these natural wonders are not impaired. These lands remain vulnerable to threats from oil and energy exploration, logging, off-road vehicles, and livestock grazing because they have not been given permanent wilderness designation.
The BLM manages -- and must protect -- land in many of the western states, including:
The Administration's Duty
The Bush Administration should take the following steps to preserve BLM wilderness while there is still a chance:
- Instruct the BLM to survey its lands for wilderness value.
- Amend management plans to protect identified BLM wilderness areas.
- Direct the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw all unprotected wilderness from new development until these new inventories and management plans are complete.
Activist Resource
A Citizen's Reference Guide: The Bureau of Land Management's Continuing Obligation to Inventory and Protect Wilderness Values (PDF, 241KB) explores the BLM's legal duty to inventory the public lands for wilderness values and, where appropriate, protect wilderness quality lands as Wilderness Study Areas.
