91ÊÓƵ

The Bureau of Land Management on Wednesday released its 2010 BLM Facts Almanac, a compilation of facts and figures that explains what exactly the federal bureau oversees. As it turns out, it oversees a lot.

The BLM manages 25 percent of Oregon’s total land area, with 16.1 million acres of land split between Washington and Oregon. And according to BLM state director for Oregon and Washington Edward W. Shepard, his regional section its annual $230 million budget to pump $1.3 billion into the local economy. Property is a good investment after all.

The BLM manages its lands from top to bottom, addressing everything from grazing rights to road maintenance. According to the , the BLM oversaw 23,127 miles of roads in Oregon, 3,924 of which were maintained in FY 2010. This number reflects a 9 percent decrease in maintenance from FY 2009 in Western Oregon, but a 21 percent increase in Eastern Oregon and Washington.

The BLM acquired 824 acres of land in FY 2010 and leased out 56,534 acres, the lion’s share of which fell under Section 302 of the amended . Translation? The text of the act reads that the BLM can issue “long-term leas­es to permit individuals to utilize public lands for habitation, cultivation, and the development of  small trade or manufacturing concerns.“

So, not always the most scintillating read, but a worthy one if interested in how 25 percent of Oregon’s lands are managed. The 88-page almanac is filled with other useful information, so check it out!