The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages 258 million surface acres — more land than any other federal agency.  Most of this public land is in 12 Western states, including 80.8 million surface acres in Alaska.  The Bureau also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.  The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.