Bureau of Land Management asks for tips to open up hard-to-access public lands

By Ron Dungan
Published: Tuesday, June 28, 2022 - 7:40am

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness in Arizona
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness in Arizona

Every couple of years, the Bureau of Land Management asks for public input on lands that might be landlocked or hard to reach, but the latest window for public comment is about to close.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres, but not all of it is easily accessible.

A few years ago, Congress passed legislation to help unlock some of those lands. That led to a process that could soon free up a couple of areas in Arizona.

Tammy Pike is a recreation planner for the agency, and she says public input helps identify lands that are important to the state’s outdoor enthusiasts.

“It’s been really helpful to us, because once we know that the public is really interested in that area, it goes way up on our priority list and we can really push those areas forward,” she said.

You can access the online portal to make recommendations through June 30. 

Environment