Public lands and resources managed by the Bureau of Land Management contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy while supporting more than 600,000 American jobs in Fiscal Year 2011, BLM Acting Director Mike Pool announced today at a Public Lands Commemoration Forum in Phoenix, Arizona.  The figures from FY 2011, which ended September 30, 2011, are the latest available for a complete fiscal year.

“It’s important to recognize the valuable social and economic role that the BLM plays in both local and national economies,” said Pool.  “The revenue generated from BLM’s multiple-use mission continues to serve as a vital economic contributor for the nation.”

The BLM, with an annual budget of $1 billion, manages 245 million acres of public lands and 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate.  In FY 2011, the agency generated more revenue than it spent through mineral leasing, energy development, outdoor recreation, and other activities on public lands.

Pool said that in FY 2011, the mining and production of oil, gas, coal, and non-energy minerals contributed about $126 billion to the American economy.  In addition, he said that through the identification of priority projects for wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass energy, an additional $2 billion was generated and more than 10,000 jobs were created.

Pool also noted that by offering diverse recreational opportunities on public lands, the BLM not only generated $7 billion in FY 2011, but also provided immeasurable aesthetic and outdoor leisure benefits to the American public. 

A report produced by the BLM, titled “The BLM: A Sound Investment for America,” is available online, accompanied by a video and a detailed Webpage that provides a breakdown of the numbers by resource area and state, accessible at http://on.doi.gov/SoundInvestment.