Bureau of Land Management Seeks Help Increasing Access to Public Lands

joelweb

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Hey everyone. As required by a provision in S. 47, which passed last year, the different federal land management agencies must identify lands with no access and develop a priority list for making those lands accessible. If you know of any inaccessible parcels that have high hunting and fishing values and meet the below specifications, I suggest making them known to the BLM. The nomination period starts on Jan. 31.

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Bureau of Land Management Seeks Help Increasing Access to Public Lands

As part of Dingell Act Implementation, BLM will publish priority list of land access issues, invite public review

As part of its efforts to implement the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public assistance in nominating lands managed by the agency on which the public is allowed to hunt, fish, or use the land for other recreational purposes, but to which there is no legal public access or where access is significantly restricted. Recommendations from the public will aid the BLM in creating a report to Congress that provides options for reasonably providing access to such lands, such as by acquiring an easement, right-of-way or fee title from a willing owner.

The BLM plans to post its first priority list online at BLM’s ePlanning website by Thursday, March 12, 2020. The BLM will update the priority list every two years for at least the next decade. The public nomination period to identify parcels for inclusion on the BLM’s priority list will open on January 31, 2020, and will close on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Subsequent updates on BLM’s efforts will be published prior to the release of future priority lists in order to seek additional information and suggestions from the public.

“The BLM has worked tirelessly with other federal and state agencies, public and private partners to proactively identify and address public land access issues for many years. Our priority is to increase access to public lands wherever possible, and to increase public opportunities for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation across the more than 245 million acres of lands we manage,” said William Perry Pendley, BLM Deputy Director for Programs and Policy. “The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act will help us expand and improve these efforts, and we welcome information from the public that will help us pinpoint barriers to access.”

All lands nominated for inclusion on the BLM’s priority must be managed by the BLM, encompass at least 640 contiguous acres and have significantly restricted or have no public access. BLM must also consider the likelihood of resolving identified access issues when determining whether to include parcels on the list. When submitting nominations, the public must include the location of the nominated land or parcel, total acreage affected (if known), a description or narrative describing the lack of access, and any additional information the BLM should consider when determining if the land should be on BLM’s priority list. BLM will not include any personally identifying information concerning owners or ownership of any parcels in preparing the priority list or related congressional reports.

Public nominations will be accepted via the BLM’s ePlanning website.

This effort advances a primary goal of the Dingell Act (S. 47), which was signed into law by President Trump in March 2019. Section 4105 of the Act directs the BLM to develop a priority list, which identifies the location and acreage of BLM-managed parcels over 640 acres open to hunting, fishing, or other recreational purposes, and which have no legal public access or where access is significantly restricted.

The BLM is working to implement Dingell Act tasks assigned in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Utah, Montana/Dakotas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon/Washington, and the Eastern States Office (Louisiana and Minnesota). Implementing the Dingell Act is a top priority for Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt. Implementing the Dingell Act will continue the Department of the Interior’s work to strike proper balance for land and resources management, increase access for hunting, fishing, and recreation, and create economic prosperity while protecting and preserving America’s treasures.

To learn more about the Dingell Act and how it affects your public lands, please visit https://www.blm.gov/about/laws-and-regulations/dingell-act.
 
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I am very surprised at the lack of attention this post has garnered. I know at least two major parcels of BLM land in the Casper area that I will help nominate that have terrific hunting and extremely difficult access.
 
Thats because everybody wants to just complain about point creep.

People bitching about access issues wont happen until people draw the tags.... duuuuuuh!
 
I am reading this with the understanding that the BLM is looking for input on where to prioritize limited funds and personnel to open parcels.
Yea, I get that. It seems to me that they would be focusing on bang for the buck kind of wins by opening up as large of areas as possible. Either way, I'll be looking the Colorado maps over a bit!
 
I am very surprised at the lack of attention this post has garnered. I know at least two major parcels of BLM land in the Casper area that I will help nominate that have terrific hunting and extremely difficult access.
I've only been out there twice and I bet one parcel is the same one I'm thinking.
 
this is an great thread. I can think of quite a few close to our hunting spots. I will certainly pass them along. thanks for sharing
 
"The BLM is working to implement Dingell Act tasks assigned in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Utah, Montana/Dakotas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon/Washington, and the Eastern States Office (Louisiana and Minnesota)"

Is it intentional or an oversight that Wyoming isn't on the list?
 
"The BLM is working to implement Dingell Act tasks assigned in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Utah, Montana/Dakotas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon/Washington, and the Eastern States Office (Louisiana and Minnesota)"

Is it intentional or an oversight that Wyoming isn't on the list?
I'm curious as well. I'm assuming this will be a priority in all states, not just the listed ones.
 
"The BLM is working to implement Dingell Act tasks assigned in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Utah, Montana/Dakotas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon/Washington, and the Eastern States Office (Louisiana and Minnesota)"

Is it intentional or an oversight that Wyoming isn't on the list?

Also CO...

here is the BLM regions map...
1580338219761.png
 
How about RMEF they might have some insight to areas....y' think?
Big Fin might know someone in the RMEF.... 〽💥
 
Coordinating with RMEF and/or local sportsman's groups would probably help lend weight and credibility to recommendations.
 
"The BLM is working to implement Dingell Act tasks assigned in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Utah, Montana/Dakotas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon/Washington, and the Eastern States Office (Louisiana and Minnesota)"

Is it intentional or an oversight that Wyoming isn't on the list?

I'll look into it.
 
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