Purchases & Acquisitions

The BLM may purchase or acquire land and interests in land (including access easements, conservation easements, mineral rights and water rights) if funding is available, acquisition is supported in a land use plan, and there are no title defects, hazardous materials or other local issues.

Acquiring land through purchase can enhance recreation opportunities, preserve open space, strengthen resource protection, and provide an alternative for transferring ownership to the BLM when a land exchange or other options are not available.

Lands may also be acquired through donation. Such offers generally may be accepted as a gift to the United States if the lands are contiguous to, and “block-up” with, existing public lands. Donation may allow the donor an income tax deduction based on the appraised value of the donation.

Related Resources

The Acquisition Handbook describes how the BLM handles acquisition of lands or interest in lands.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federal program that supports voluntary conservation of private lands.

The Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act authorizes certain purchases of land or interests in lands with high conservation or recreation value.