Day 5 Due 1/15(A) 1/16(B): Land Use
Public Lands
Federal Public Lands contain an estimated (1) 20% of the country’s oil reserves, (2) 30% of its natural gas reserves, (3) 40% of its coal reserves, (4) 40% of its commercial forests, and (5) large amounts of hard-rock minerals. Because of the valuable resources they contain, how public lands should be used and managed has been extremely controversial. Most conservation biologists believe protecting biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the ecological function of the ecosystems should be the primary goal.
Recreation on U.S. public lands
Most state- and federally managed public lands are open for recreational use. Recreation opportunities depend on the managing agency, and run the gamut from the free-for-all, undeveloped wide open spaces of BLM lands to the highly developed and controlled national and state parks. Wildlife refuges and state wildlife management areas, managed primarily to improve habitat, are generally open to wildlife watching, hiking, and hunting, except for closures to protect mating and nesting, or to reduce stress on wintering animals. National forests generally have a mix of maintained trails and roads, wilderness and undeveloped portions, and developed picnic and camping areas.
Grazing on U.S. public lands
Historically in the western United States, most public land is leased for grazing by cattle or sheep. This includes vast tracts of National Forest and BLM land, as well as land on Wildlife Refuges. National Parks are the exception.
Management of Public Lands
The management of America’s extensive system of national parks, monuments, forests, and public lands is an ongoing compromise between conservation and use. The multiple purposes for which these lands were designated include preservation of ecosystems and wildlife habitat, recreation, and commercial development.
In general, national parks and monuments consider preservation to be their priority and do not permit activities that harvest or remove resources, while public lands are devoted explicitly to commercial use such as mineral development, and national forest policy straddles the line between.
The federal government owns 655 million acres of land in the U.S., 29% of the total 2.3 billion acres. It administers its public lands through four agencies: The National Park Service (NPS), which runs the National Park System; the Forest Service which manages the National Forests; theBureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages public lands; and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which administers the National Wildlife Refuge System. National Monuments are assigned a managing agency at the time of their designation by the President. The Forest Service operates out of the Department of Agriculture, while the other three agencies are in the Department of the Interior.
National Parks
Federal Public Lands contain an estimated (1) 20% of the country’s oil reserves, (2) 30% of its natural gas reserves, (3) 40% of its coal reserves, (4) 40% of its commercial forests, and (5) large amounts of hard-rock minerals. Because of the valuable resources they contain, how public lands should be used and managed has been extremely controversial. Most conservation biologists believe protecting biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the ecological function of the ecosystems should be the primary goal.
Recreation on U.S. public lands
Most state- and federally managed public lands are open for recreational use. Recreation opportunities depend on the managing agency, and run the gamut from the free-for-all, undeveloped wide open spaces of BLM lands to the highly developed and controlled national and state parks. Wildlife refuges and state wildlife management areas, managed primarily to improve habitat, are generally open to wildlife watching, hiking, and hunting, except for closures to protect mating and nesting, or to reduce stress on wintering animals. National forests generally have a mix of maintained trails and roads, wilderness and undeveloped portions, and developed picnic and camping areas.
Grazing on U.S. public lands
Historically in the western United States, most public land is leased for grazing by cattle or sheep. This includes vast tracts of National Forest and BLM land, as well as land on Wildlife Refuges. National Parks are the exception.
Management of Public Lands
The management of America’s extensive system of national parks, monuments, forests, and public lands is an ongoing compromise between conservation and use. The multiple purposes for which these lands were designated include preservation of ecosystems and wildlife habitat, recreation, and commercial development.
In general, national parks and monuments consider preservation to be their priority and do not permit activities that harvest or remove resources, while public lands are devoted explicitly to commercial use such as mineral development, and national forest policy straddles the line between.
The federal government owns 655 million acres of land in the U.S., 29% of the total 2.3 billion acres. It administers its public lands through four agencies: The National Park Service (NPS), which runs the National Park System; the Forest Service which manages the National Forests; theBureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages public lands; and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which administers the National Wildlife Refuge System. National Monuments are assigned a managing agency at the time of their designation by the President. The Forest Service operates out of the Department of Agriculture, while the other three agencies are in the Department of the Interior.
National Parks
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The National Park System includes 56 parks that together contain 84 million acres of land, spanning terrains from forest to grassland to alpine to desert. These wilderness lands provide habitat for wildlife, including endangered species, absorb pollution, and conserve ecosystems in their natural state. They are of intrinsic value to the public because of their scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, and to the scientific community because of their biological and geological features. National Parks are also important tourist attractions that stimulate local economies. Nearly 285 million visitors flock to the parks each year.
Two major issues currently affecting the national parks are funding for maintenance and use of motorized vehicles. Other ongoing issues include protection of the parks from habitat degradation due to land use in surrounding regions.
National Forests
The National Forest system includes 155 national forests containing 188 million acres, and 20 national grasslands containing 4 million acres, mainly in the western United States. Created by acts of Congress, National Forests typically provide a balance of conservation and use activities, including outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, timber harvesting, watershed protection, and preservation of fish and wildlife habitats.
The National Park System includes 56 parks that together contain 84 million acres of land, spanning terrains from forest to grassland to alpine to desert. These wilderness lands provide habitat for wildlife, including endangered species, absorb pollution, and conserve ecosystems in their natural state. They are of intrinsic value to the public because of their scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, and to the scientific community because of their biological and geological features. National Parks are also important tourist attractions that stimulate local economies. Nearly 285 million visitors flock to the parks each year.
Two major issues currently affecting the national parks are funding for maintenance and use of motorized vehicles. Other ongoing issues include protection of the parks from habitat degradation due to land use in surrounding regions.
National Forests
The National Forest system includes 155 national forests containing 188 million acres, and 20 national grasslands containing 4 million acres, mainly in the western United States. Created by acts of Congress, National Forests typically provide a balance of conservation and use activities, including outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, timber harvesting, watershed protection, and preservation of fish and wildlife habitats.
Idaho Panhandle National Forest
A major issue affecting National Forests is the appropriate level of timber harvesting for economic and fire safety purposes. Severe forest fires are also a major concern. Some blame the fires on forest density and large amounts of deadwood in the understory and suggest that the forest should be thinned in order to prevent such fires in the future. Others contend that repeated interference for timber harvesting is degrading the forest ecosystem.
Another issue is the building of forest roads. Roads provide access to recreation sites and allow timber harvesting and fire control, but they are expensive to build and maintain, and cause damage to the surrounding area during and after construction.
Wilderness, Rivers, and Trails
Wilderness is a special designation for public lands which have been completely undeveloped. The concept of wilderness areas was legislatively defined by the 1964 Wilderness Act. Wilderness areas can be managed by any of the above Federal agencies, and some parks and refuges are almost entirely designated wilderness.
The Fish and Wildlife Service manages 94 million acres of wilderness, including the National Wildlife Refuge System. These lands are primarily dedicated to wildlife and habitat preservation, especially migratory and endangered species. They allow limited hunting, recreational use, mining, and other activities. The National Wildlife Refuge System has been the subject of numerous debates over conflicting uses, specifically over grazing, energy extraction, power boat recreation, and motorized access.
A major issue affecting National Forests is the appropriate level of timber harvesting for economic and fire safety purposes. Severe forest fires are also a major concern. Some blame the fires on forest density and large amounts of deadwood in the understory and suggest that the forest should be thinned in order to prevent such fires in the future. Others contend that repeated interference for timber harvesting is degrading the forest ecosystem.
Another issue is the building of forest roads. Roads provide access to recreation sites and allow timber harvesting and fire control, but they are expensive to build and maintain, and cause damage to the surrounding area during and after construction.
Wilderness, Rivers, and Trails
Wilderness is a special designation for public lands which have been completely undeveloped. The concept of wilderness areas was legislatively defined by the 1964 Wilderness Act. Wilderness areas can be managed by any of the above Federal agencies, and some parks and refuges are almost entirely designated wilderness.
The Fish and Wildlife Service manages 94 million acres of wilderness, including the National Wildlife Refuge System. These lands are primarily dedicated to wildlife and habitat preservation, especially migratory and endangered species. They allow limited hunting, recreational use, mining, and other activities. The National Wildlife Refuge System has been the subject of numerous debates over conflicting uses, specifically over grazing, energy extraction, power boat recreation, and motorized access.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
In addition, the government administers three categories of wilderness with management duties divided among several federal agencies:
The National Wilderness Preservation System contains 104 million acres of wilderness. New wilderness areas are designated by Congress and are managed with the goal of protecting and preserving natural conditions. Construction of buildings and roads, and major development activities like timber harvesting, are prohibited.
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System contains 11,292 miles of river. Rivers are added by Congressional designation or state nomination. Management aims to protect aesthetic, scenic, historic, archaeological, and scientific features of the river area, but allows road construction, hunting and fishing, and mining, with few restrictions.
The popular National Trails System includes 22 trails with a combined total of nearly 40,000 miles that provide access to scenic and historic areas. The main intent of the trail system is to provide for the public's enjoyment and recreation. Motorized vehicles are prohibited from only one of the four classes of trails.
Questions:
1. Why is the use and management of public lands controversial?
2. What 4 agencies and 2 departments administer the public lands?
3. What 3 issues affect our National Parks?
4. What major issues affect the National Forests?
5. What is a wilderness?
6. What is the main dedication of the National Wildlife Regufe System? What is allowed on these lands?
7. What is prohibited by the National Wilderness Preservation System?
1. Why is the use and management of public lands controversial?
2. What 4 agencies and 2 departments administer the public lands?
3. What 3 issues affect our National Parks?
4. What major issues affect the National Forests?
5. What is a wilderness?
6. What is the main dedication of the National Wildlife Regufe System? What is allowed on these lands?
7. What is prohibited by the National Wilderness Preservation System?