family with toddler standing in grass looking over landscape with mountains and rain clouds in the distance.

Laws and Regulations 

The BLM manages public lands and subsurface estate under its jurisdiction under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, or FLPMA, which became law in 1976. Despite the rapidly changing environment in which we work, the BLM remains committed to its core mission under FLPMA – a careful balancing of multiple use and sustained yield.  
 

Photo montage from the cover of the booklet Federal Land Policy and Management Act



Along with FLPMA, other laws, regulations and internal policies shape our work. 

John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Dingell Act)
The Dingell Act consists of more than 100 individual bills and includes provisions impacting public lands nationally, including the permanent authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Every Kid Outdoors Program, and improvements to public land access.
sandstone arch in semi vegetated area. Blue skys
Inflation Reduction Act Restoration Landscapes
The BLM has received $161 million under this law for ecosystem restoration and resilience on public lands in 11 western states. This funding will be directed to projects in 21 Restoration Landscapes, with the aim of passing these lands on to the future in better condition than we find them today.
Panorama of the Tilly Creek area in Utah
Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)
The Great American Outdoors Act provides major investments to address deferred maintenance needs, increase recreational access to our public lands, and conserve our lands and waters.
a building and courtyard, the Anasazi heritage center in Colorado
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law contains several provisions that fund Interior Department initiatives and benefit the communities we directly serve. For BLM, BIL will help us tackle some major issues, including these: Wildland Fire, Categorical Exclusion for Forest Management, Ecosystem Restoration, Orphaned Well Clean Up, and Clean Energy Technologies on Mine Lands.
A wildlife lookout on public lands

@mypubliclands FLPMA Flickr album, view historical and current photos that reflect the BLM's work as a Federal land management agency.

BLM staff member examines a mahogany plant on public lands
BLM range conservationist examines a mahogany near Canon City, Colorado in 1958. BLM Photo