Casper Field Office
| Contacts: | Lesley A. Elser | |||
| 307-261-7603 |
BLM Acquires 398 Acres of Land along North Platte River
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Casper Field Office announced Saturday that it acquired a 398-acre parcel of land along the North Platte River near Government Bridge.
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BLM Wyoming State Director Don Simpson was the keynote speaker. Also in attendance were representatives of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Wyoming Fly Casters, and the Conservation Fund. These and other individuals and groups played key roles in gaining funding and support for the acquisition.
The Conservation Fund (TCF), a top-ranked environmental organization, is the BLM’s principal partner in efforts to acquire land and land interests along the North Platte River. TCF negotiated the acquisition and took title on an interim basis pending completion of Federal funding for the property. Funding from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Fly Casters also contributed to the acquisition.
"Today we celebrate the acquisition of public lands along the North Platte River," said Don Simpson. "This 398 acre parcel consolidates 4.5 miles of river front, greatly extending recreation opportunities and protecting this important Wyoming Resource."
"Ultimately, this project will support the health of the North Platte river—including its banks, wetlands, and fish populations," noted Luke Lynch, state director for the Conservation Fund. "That’s good for both the environment and the people who enjoy it."
The acquired property is now open for public use. Access will be restricted to existing roads until a detailed management plan is completed.
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.
Casper Field Office 2987 Prospector Drive Casper, WY 82604