Ethics: Public Service is a Public Trust

BLM employees are responsible for ensuring that every citizen can have complete confidence in the integrity of the Federal Government. Consistent with the fundamental principle that public service is a public trust, each BLM employee plays a critical role in the executive branch ethics program.

As set forth in 14 General Principles of Ethical Conduct and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, federal employees are called on to act at all times in the public's interest, avoid losing impartiality or appearing to lose impartiality in carrying out official duties, refrain from misusing their offices for private gain, serve as good stewards of public resources, and comply with the requirements of government ethics laws and regulations, including any applicable financial disclosure requirements. In addition, All BLM employees are prohibited from voluntarily acquiring a direct or indirect interest in Federal lands, subject to certain exclusions.

The BLM Ethics Team is here to assist BLM employees with their Federal ethics obligations. We are here to provide prospective guidance and counsel to help BLM employees ensure their actions, on and off duty, are within the fundamental principles of ethical conduct and within certain requirements that are specifically spelled out in the BLM Organic Act.

We welcome your questions and encourage you to contact us with your ethics questions and concerns by emailing: blm_wo_ethics_office@blm.gov. Learn more about the Department of the Interior Ethics program.