The BLM is charged by law to manage and protect its lands, and the vast resources associated with them. This protection can take many forms, such as alerting visitors that certain activities are allowed while others are not. BLM has highly trained special agents, along with uniformed rangers to enforce applicable federal laws, and provide visitor assistance on the public lands.

Special agents are responsible for enforcing federal laws and regulations, which relate to the public lands and resources. This includes criminal investigations and the arrest of law violators. Rangers are the uniformed part of BLM law enforcement. The high visibility of the uniformed rangers, who drive clearly marked patrol vehicles, provides visitors with a source of information and assistance, and serves as a deterrent for law violators. In addition, rangers conduct criminal investigations and make arrests.