Thursday, August 05, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: BLM land sales

A Bush administration proposal would let the Bureau of Land Management keep a portion of the money it generates from land sales.

The idea has, of course, caused distress among the green crowd.

Currently, money made from selling BLM land in most areas goes to the U.S. Treasury. Under the new plan, 20 percent of the revenue earned would go back to the BLM to cover "administrative expenses," 20 percent would be earmarked for conservation projects and 60 percent would be used to purchase "environmentally sensitive" land from private owners.

The plan would not affect Southern Nevada because a 1998 law already details how the proceeds of land sales may be spent. But it could have ramifications in the rest of the state.

This is a good idea because it would encourage the BLM to be more aggressive with its land sales. The U.S. government simply doesn't need to control so much real estate. Anything that could lead to more private ownership of federally managed land should be encouraged -- after all, much of what is now under the jurisdiction of Washington hardly resembles Yellowstone National Park.

But one caveat: Controls must be in place to ensure the "administrative expense" account doesn't become a BLM slush fund.

If that can be ensured, the plan makes eminent sense.