New report highlights significant economic gains for America from public lands
WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today an increase in the number of jobs supported through BLM activities in fiscal year 2018 as well as the total output for the American economy. Socioeconomic figures in a newly-released report highlight a 9% increase over Fiscal Year 2017.The report, entitled “The BLM: A Sound Investment for America 2019,” was released today and can be found here. It indicates that in 2018, BLM activities on public lands supported approximately 471,000 full- and part-time jobs, up from 468,000 jobs in 2017. Additionally, these activities resulted in $105 billion in total economic output, a sharp increase from $95.6 billion in 2017.
“The BLM remains committed to the sustainable development of America’s energy and natural resources,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Casey Hammond. “These numbers indicate that we are achieving those objectives, while increasing revenues to the United States Treasury and benefitting families across the nation.”
“America’s public lands are a key driver of the nation’s economy, particularly in states across the West. The jobs and communities these lands support are vital to millions of Americans, and the Bureau of Land Management is proud to make sure economic activities continue in a sustainable, environmentally-sound manner,” said BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs William Perry Pendley.
A primary contributor to the economic uptick was the production of energy and natural resources on BLM-managed lands, many of which saw dramatic increases in 2018. In fiscal year 2018, the BLM offered nearly 13 million acres for leasing. Federal onshore oil production increased to 214.1 million barrels of oil during fiscal year 2018, compared to 174 million barrels in fiscal year 2017, due to the BLM’s implementation of energy priorities. New renewable energy projects were also initiated. Other areas, such as grazing and timber production experienced significant increases as well.
Outdoor recreation is also a significant source of jobs and revenue for local communities from public lands, generating more than $6.8 billion in total economic output in fiscal year 2018. Public lands managed by the BLM offer more recreational opportunities than lands managed by any other Federal agency, with over 99% available for recreation with no fee. In fiscal year 2018, BLM lands received nearly 68 million recreation-related visits.