The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 As Amended

This version of The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, As Amended updates the previous version of this pamphlet, issued in 2001. It includes all sections of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (the Act) as originally passed by Congress in 1976, all subsequently enacted sections that have been codified alongside the original Act, and separately enacted sections that are not considered amendments to the Act. Consequently, it is more inclusive than most other similar documents.

Section and subsection headings are from the United States Code and are boldfaced to serve as easy references within each section. Where the original public law differs from the text of the United States Code, the text of the United States Code has generally been followed. Additions of text from amendments have been italicized and deletions from amendments have been removed. Two appendices and an alphabetical index have been added. The language throughout the document has been modified to be gender-neutral and editorial corrections to the original text have been made, as indicated with brackets.

Editor’s notes within the body of the document are in a different, smaller font, and are framed by brackets. Editor’s notes include additional cross-references not found in the United States Code; citations to amending statutes; and annotations regarding related legislation, uncodified riders, and similar matters. Editor’s notes are not intended to provide a comprehensive guide to the relevant law, nor do the notes reflect the views of the Bureau of Land Management or the Office of the Solicitor.

This document was prepared by the Bureau of Land Management with assistance from the Office of the Solicitor, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Great care was taken to ensure that all amendments were included correctly and with precision. Nevertheless, we recognize that this document still could contain errors. The user is encouraged to consult the official United States Code if there is any doubt about the accuracy of the information contained herein.