As proposed, in FY 91, the agency would be spending $2.9 million more on wildlife habitat, an increase of 13 percent over FT 90 and 28 percent over FT 89; 84 million more on recreation, an increase of 28 percent over the FT 90 budget and a 37 percent increase over the FT 89 budget; and $11.7 million more on land acquisition, nearly double the amount available last year.
"We're trying to give the American public the land management program they want. This goes hand in hand with BLM's traditional role as steward of economic resources on public lands, such as minerali, timber and grazing lands" said BLM Director Cy Jamison. "Today people want public lands for more recreational activities and they want them better managed for wildlife needs. I plan on delivering in both of those areas."
In California, BLM State Director Ed flastey said these increases translate into increased benefits in recreation and wildlife. A few examples Include:
* The endangered desert tortoise would gain 2.500 acres in critical habitat acquired with an additional $900,000. About 1,500 acres are in the Desert Tortoise Natural Area near California city and 1,000 acres in Chuckwalla Bench in Riverside County.
* Up on the north coast, in the King Range National Conservation Area. the BLM would be acquiring additional beachfront property, making major campground improvements and building an administrative site with $1,000,000.
* In the central valley near Bakersfield, $4.5 million would be spent to acquire critical habitat for nine endangered species in the Carrizo Plain.
* On the Bizz Johnson Trail near Susanville, a new public access road to a BLM campground would be built for $300,000, along with improvements to the trail system and upgrading the historic railroad tunnels.
* Public access to several rivers, including the Upper Sacramento, Merced, and North Fork of the American would be acquired with $1.2 million.
* Public ownership in the scenic Santa Rosa Mountains near Palm Springs would increase by 1,500 acres, at a cost ot 51.5 million. The area is proposed by BLM to be a new National Scenic Area.
"The BLM is a world leader in land management technology. In order for us to maintain that status, we must be responsive to the changing needs ot all the people using these lands. The new direction we're taking is right in line with President Bush's charge that all federal agencies be more environientaily sensitive. It also reflects Interior Secretary Lujan's 'stewardship' program designed to foster better care of the public lands," Jamison said.
Overall, the President's budget estimate for BLM is $1,008 billion. This provides funding for a wide variety of functions, including payments to states and counties, and the entire Department of the Interior's firefighting program. The 1990 Appropriations Act also included several one-time appropriation items that will not be repeated in 1991.
Adjusting for comparable figures, the budget available for BLM operating revenues for FT 91, which excludes firefighting costs, payments to local governments, and one-time costs in 1990 is slightly higher than a comparable FT 90 level, rising from $564.7 million to $582.2 million. A decrease of about 811 million will occur in the mining law administration program because under a new process, this program will be funded from collection of user fees from mining claimants in lieu of appropriated dollars.
According to Jamison, the new funding for the recreation program will enable the BLM to provide better service to the recreating public through a greater DBLM presence at high use areas; better information on recreation opportunities including maps, brochures and guides; better protection for recreation resources; and, better upkeep of recreation-related facilities.
For the wildlife program, the FT 91 funding level will mean more effective and efficient management of wildlife resources including more development of wetland habitat to benefit waterfowl and associated wildlife, improvements in habitat for salmon and steelbead trout and other recreationally important species; and, improving habitat (or big game and upland birds.
The additional funding for land acquisition will allow the BLM to acquire 16 more wetland, recreation, and specially designated areas including desert tortoise habitat in the Plojave Desert in California; acreage near the Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River in Montana; and, acreage related to the King Range National Conservation Area in California.
The FY 91 budget would also increase funds for facility maintenance and rehabilitation construction. An additional $9 million dollars will provide tot new facilities in New Mexico and California and reconstruction work at facilities in Nevada, Utah and Idaho. Maintenance projects will involve recreation sites, trails, bridges, and access for the physically handicapped.
- BLM -