Land, Public and Private Chapter 10

Public and Protected Land 11% of the Earth’s surface 42% of the United States is publically owned – federal, state, local

Land Use in the U.S. grazing land – 25% timber production – 23% cropland – 20% urban, residential, transportation – 4%

Management of Federal Lands 95% of all federal lands are managed by four government agencies many federal lands are multiple-use lands

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing mining timber harvesting recreation

U.S. Forest Service (USFS) timber harvesting recreation

National Park Service (NPS) recreation conservation

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) wildlife conservation hunting and recreation

Land Management Practices and Environmental Issues

Rangelands overgrazing and soil degradation Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 – shifted federal rangelands from a commons to a permit-based system even with permits, grazing lands are heavily subsidized by taxpayers

Tragedy of the Commons the tendency of a shared, limited resource to become depleted because people act from self- interest for short-term gain.

Maximum Sustainable Yield The greatest sustainable use (harvest) of a renewable resource Often about ½ of the carrying capacity

Forests ¾ of forest land in U.S. – privately held Timber Harvesting – pros and cons of clear-cutting selective cutting tree plantations USFS mission has evolved from timber production to include recreation and biodiveristy and habitat protection

Fire Management benefits of forest fires crown fires prescribed burn

National Parks Yellowstone – 1872 mission: scientific, educational, conservation and recreation

National Wildlife Refuges conservation, management, and restoration of wildlife

National Wilderness Areas most restricted land use created from other public lands

Federal Regulation of Land Use National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – 1969 – requires Environmental Impact Statements for some development projects may require Environmental Mitigation Plans

Expansion of Residential Land Use suburban and exurban urban sprawl smart growth eminent domain

US Urbanization Patterns Initial migration to large central cities from rural areas Later migration from large cities to suburbs Migration from north and east to south and west Recent migration back to rural areas (exurbs)

Smart Growth Mixed land uses create a range of housing opportunities and choices create walkable neighborhoods encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions take advantage of compact building design Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas Provide a variety of transportation choices Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost-effective