The Director's Corner
February 26, 2010
Note: This is the first in a series of messages to BLM stakeholders from Director Bob Abbey.
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| Bob Abbey became Director of the BLM on August 7, 2009. For more information on his background, select this link. |
Our work at the BLM has always been important to the nation and to the American people. But today, it is more critical than ever. In times of economic uncertainty, BLM-managed land can be relied upon to supply energy to power America’s homes and businesses. Minerals and timber from our lands are the building blocks for the products we consume. Cattle grazing helps supply food for our families. And the scenery, recreational opportunities, and shared history that attracts visitors to the public lands also support jobs and businesses in communities throughout the country. In 2008, BLM-managed lands and resources contributed about 550,000 total jobs and nearly $60 billion in direct output, with an estimated total impact of $127 billion on the American economy.
Another vital step in the economic recovery is our implementation of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The BLM received an appropriation of $320 million in Recovery Act funding and has already obligated nearly $110 million in Recovery Act contracts and agreements. We’ve put funding on the ground in communities and landscapes across the West, creating jobs and generating economic activity. We’re taking care of much-needed improvements in public facilities and infrastructure.
We’re also using Recovery Act funds to hire young people, under the Youth Conservation Corps, and engaging them in resource stewardship. That’s an investment in jobs and on-the-ground improvements today.
A major priority for the BLM will be the Treasured Landscapes.
This year, we’ll mark the 10th anniversary of the National Landscape Conservation System. And we’ll be taking a broad look at the next 10 to 20 years and our longer-term management strategies for lands with wilderness characteristics, sensitive habitat, and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
We’re making good progress in another of our key priorities – the President’s New Energy for America Initiative. The BLM has identified nearly 23 million acres of public land with solar energy potential in six southwestern states and more than 20 million acres of public land with wind energy potential in 11 western states.
We are now concentrating on fast-track renewable energy projects across the West that could meet the December 2010 deadline to qualify for Recovery Act funding. These projects – 14 solar, 7 wind, and 6 geothermal – are opening up a new frontier of economic opportunity for local communities, and ultimately, for the nation’s future energy security, with thorough environmental safeguards for the land and resources.
We’ve already taken a major step toward developing the transmission network that is critical to the renewable energy program with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that commits the Bureau of Land Management and eight other federal agencies to expediting transmission facilities. And seven transmission projects are also being fast tracked to meet the December deadline.
At the same time, we know that the BLM's fluid minerals program and solid minerals program are no less important to the nation’s vital interests and to the economy. We’ll continue to focus on these critical programs and look for ways to improve our management of them.
When Secretary Ken Salazar took office last year, he made a commitment to raise the bar for ethical conduct throughout the Department of the Interior. We at the BLM are determined to carry out our work on behalf of the American people with the highest level of performance and accountability.
As you can see, the BLM has some ambitious plans for the coming months. I’m excited about the opportunities that are unfolding for the BLM to continue to make a real difference in the care of our public lands, and in the lives of our fellow citizens. With the continued hard work and dedication of the employees of the Bureau of Land Management, we’re going to do great things.
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