U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Lewistown Field Office
Lewistown Field Office
| Contacts: | Bruce Reid or Rich Byron 406-538-1900 | |||
BLM Makes Christmas Trees Permits Available
With the approaching holiday season, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would like to remind everyone that permits are available to allow the holder to cut Christmas trees from BLM lands. Permits are available at the Lewistown BLM office (920 NE Main Street) during normal business hours and cost $5 each.
When selecting a tree, the BLM asks folks to follow a few simple rules:
- Please do not cut larger trees (trees greater than 6” in diameter and/or taller than 15’) in order to obtain only the “top” portion of the tree;
- Try to select a tree that from overstocked areas where thinning the stand would provide benefits to the residual stand of young trees;
- Cut the tree off as close to the ground as possible and below the lowest live green branch; and
- Lop and scatter any unused portion of the tree so that remaining slash and debris lies directly on the ground.
“Although most folks have a favorite area to hunt for that perfect tree, there are maps available at the BLM office for those who don’t know where to go,” said BLM forester, Bruce Reid. “Also, please remember that the permit does not allow for access across private lands, permission is still necessary from the landowner.”
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.
Lewistown Field Office 920 NE Main Lewistown, MT 59457