Endanged Sage Grouse, Photo Courtesy of BLM
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages more than 422,000 acres of land in Washington State, including conservation gems like the Juniper Dunes Wilderness, San Juan Islands National Monument, and the Chopaka Mountain Wilderness Study Area. However, only 3% of all BLM lands statewide are protected as part of the agency’s National Conservation Lands System.
Chopaka Mountain by Steve Biber
The BLM’s multiple use management mandate has largely focused on development activities including grazing, mining, oil and gas drilling and energy development, however this is starting to change. Washington Wild is leading efforts to support balancing existing development on BLM lands by adding meaningful protections to rivers, sage brush, wild landscapes and recreation areas in eastern Washington.
We are working to mobilize citizen support for conservation in the BLM’s 15-year Resource Management Plan to solidify a conservation legacy for BLM in Washington State. The Resource Management Plan is an opportunity to ensure management for tens of thousands of acres of Lands With Wilderness Characteristics, recommend important rivers for Wild & Scenic River protection and provide critical protections for imperiled sage grouse habitat.
Washington Elected Officials, Businesses, Hunters, and Conservation Groups Oppose Nomination of Public Lands Sell-Off Advocate Steve Pearce to Lead BLM
On January 12, Washington Wild coordinated a letter signed by 173 elected officials, local businesses, hunters and anglers, and conservation groups from across the state. The letter urges Senators Patty Murray […]
ACT NOW: Protect the New Public Lands Rule Against Efforts to Overturn It
Washington Wild is a proponent of the Public Lands Rule. Read Washington Wild’s public comment letter, signed by 100 Brewshed® Alliance Members, local businesses, outdoor recreationists, hunters and anglers, and […]
Nearly 50 Groups Encourage Transparency, Public Input, Efficiency in BLM Planning Process
Earlier this year in March, President Donald Trump signed legislation into law (H.J. Res. 44) that repealed recently completed planning regulations that were meant to increase transparency and provide more […]
