Move the BLM to Utah, where it manages 43 percent of the state

Matthew Anderson

The Department of the Interior is facing the largest reorganization in its 168-year history. Hundreds of millions of acres will be profoundly impacted by the choices the department makes in the coming month. Of the many crossroads and decisions it faces, where the Interior Department decides to relocate the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is among the most significant. The answer is clear: The BLM should be moved to Utah, the “Crossroads of the West.” Utah earned this nickname because of its central location in the West. A steady flow of traffic has crossed its expanses throughout its history as Native Americans, mountain men, pioneers and other travelers have made it a waypoint in their journeys. It’s my hope that soon the BLM will see Utah as more than just a place to pass through when managing public lands across the West — and instead, decide to call it home. Almost two-thirds of Utah is federally managed public land, and of that, the BLM administers more than 22 million acres, or 43 percent of the state. With so much BLM land in Utah, it makes sense for the agency’s headquarters to relocate here, taking them to the heart of what they manage. By living and working in Utah, BLM employees will better understand how management decisions affect the land and the locals. Surrounded by public lands, our federal partners will more fully appreciate Utahns’ recreational, spiritual, economic and cultural connection to the place we call home. They can enjoy firsthand the fruits of their labors as they explore Utah’s wild places...The BLM as an institution will also benefit greatly from the move to Utah. For decades, Westerners have felt that the agency, located thousands of miles away, doesn’t hear or understand our culture, opinions and needs. This has resulted in frustration, tension and in some cases resentment of the BLM. Moving the bureau to Utah will act as a show of good faith and provide a fresh start for the relationship between the BLM and the people it serves. The move, combined with a renewed rapport, will encourage Utahns and others across the West to fill the BLM’s job openings — allowing Westerners to live where their roots are and manage the public lands they love...MORE

My best guess is no, BLM will not be moving to Utah. Zinke is adamantly opposed to transferring federal lands to the states and Utah is the leader of that movement, so I don't believe Zinke will reward them with the BLM headquarters. I figure he will go with a less controversial, "greener" location like Colorado. Could be wrong, and either way, it will be interesting to watch. And as I've said before, they would accomplish more by amending the laws BLM administers instead of wasting their time and energy on a reorganization. This will be a symbolic gesture at best, and will not bring the change on the range that is needed.