Miles City Field Office
| Contacts: | Contact Mark Jacobsen 406-233-2831 |
BLM Encourages Responsible Use at Matthews Recreation Area
The BLM would like to encourage the public to check with the Miles City Field Office when planning large group activities at the Matthews Recreation Area, located about nine miles northeast of Miles City on Valley Drive East.
As site use increases during the summer season, visitors are encouraged to be mindful of posted rules and regulations, as well as other people who may be using the area. Large groups wishing to use the site for activities and events may be required to get a special recreation permit, depending on the type of activity planned and its duration.
Summer is a popular time for fireworks and the use of such at Matthews is prohibited. Everyone is encouraged to act responsibly when using fireworks and to remember: the discharge of fireworks is prohibited on all BLM and state lands.
There is no garbage service at the recreation area and patrons are reminded to take their trash with them when they leave.
The BLM has employed a part-time site host who will be monitoring use at the recreation area and will be available to answer questions from the public and ensure policies are complied with.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. 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 public lands.
Miles City Field Office 111 Garryowen Road Miles City, MT 59301