Planning the federal lands

Abstract

This report discusses laws and programs designed to inventory and evaluate United States public domain holdings and to develop a program for their multiple usage and disposal. In 1964 Congress created the Public Land Review Commission to recommend goals for public lands policies, provided authority for their temporary sale, and directed the Secretary of the Interior to designate lands to be retained in federal ownership. Regulations provide that “All land classifications must be consistent with State and local government programs, plans, zoning, and regulations….” Wisconsin's land use planning experience was used as a model for the federal program. The Bureau of Land Management conducted a prototype classification program in the western states and concluded that participation of local residents is essential for successful classification of public domain lands.