Bureau of Land Management: FY2025 Appropriations (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Aug. 27, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF12749 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Carol Hardy Vincent |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in the
Department of the Interior (DOI), manages 245 million
acres of federal land, nearly all in the West. Under its
multiple-use mission, BLM manages lands for diverse
purposes, including livestock grazing, energy development,
recreation, and conservation. The agency also administers
onshore federal energy and mineral resources generally.
For FY2025, President Biden requested $1,505.7 million
for BLM—$92.6 million over the FY2024 regular enacted
level of $1,413.1 million (in P.L. 118-42, Division E). The
request included increases for BLM’s main account—
Management of Lands and Resources (MLR) and for the
account’s nine main activities (excluding mining law
administration). (See Table 1.) It also included an increase
for BLM’s second-largest account—Management of
Oregon and California Grant Lands (O&C).
On July 24, 2024, the House passed H.R. 8998, as
amended, with $1,297.6 million for BLM for FY2025. This
would be a decrease of $115.6 million from FY2024. H.R.
8998 would decrease funding for the MLR account and six
of the account’s nine main activities, with increases for
three activities. The bill also would decrease funding for the
O&C account. In earlier action—on July 11, 2024—the
House Appropriations Committee reported H.R. 8998
(H.Rept. 118-581).
On July 25, 2024, the Senate Appropriations Committee
reported S. 4802 (S.Rept. 118-201), with $1,465.5 million
for BLM for FY2025. This would be an increase of $52.3
million over FY2024. S. 4802 would increase funding for
the MLR account and its nine main activities. S. 4802 also
contained an increase for the O&C account.
BLM discretionary appropriations are provided in Title I of
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations
laws. BLM also receives a portion of the appropriations to
DOI for wildland fire management. For FY2025, issues for
Congress center on the amount and terms of funding for
BLM accounts and activities.
In addition, mandatory (permanent) appropriations are
provided to BLM under various statutes within the
jurisdiction of authorizing committees. DOI estimated BLM
mandatory appropriations at $507.2 million for FY2025.
This total does not include $95.0 million for BLM deferred
maintenance (discussed below).
