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Today, the BLM announced the distribution of $326,000 to ten counties in Montana and three in New Mexico.  These payments were made possible through the Bankhead Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937, which allowed the federal government to purchase damage rangelands.  The BLM manages these lands for its multiple-use mission under the authority of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934.

The payments to ten counties in Montana total more than $314,000 while three New Mexico counties will be paid more than $11,000.  The payments made in 2018 are from receipts collected by the BLM in 2017.  

“The Bureau of Land Management values the partnerships created with county officials through this program, as they are vital to managing sustainable, working public lands,” said Brian Steed, BLM’s Deputy Director for Programs and Policy.  “We look forward to working with county officials to ensure that this program continues to support those communities within Montana and New Mexico,” continued Steed.

Payments made through the authority of the Bankhead Jones Act are essential to these counties as they provide for public services, including law enforcement, road maintenance, health services, schools, and public libraries.

The Bankhead Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937 was created in response to a series of agricultural sector crises of the 1920s, including drought, insufficient rainfall, falling prices, insect plagues, isolation, and poverty.