IT’S AN OLD JOKE IN THE WEST that BLM stands for “Bureau of Livestock and Mining.” In reality, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s mandate is far more expansive. It’s charged with overseeing one-tenth of the nation’s land while balancing competing uses—such as grazing, resource extraction, recreation, and wildlife—to keep it healthy and productive for future generations.
Still, critics say the BLM has earned its reputation for catering to industry. By one estimate, the bureau makes
