As we look ahead to the coming fiscal year, the BLM continues to be a sound investment for America. While we are the largest land manager in the nation, we accomplish our complex mission with only 10,000 employees bureau-wide who are dedicated and devoted stewards of more than 245 million acres of public land and 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate. Here in the Montana/Dakotas, there are roughly 700 of us who contribute to everything from energy production to wildlife habitat conservation, all the while maintaining a high standard of customer service. Each of our employees deserves a big thank you for their part in carrying out the priorities of both the Secretary and Director, and in turn, my priorities. Yes, BLM Montana/Dakotas is also a sound investment for America.

 

With assignments as large and sometimes difficult as ours, it’s no wonder we run short of time and resources. All our work has value, but when we have to choose priorities, we need to focus on those that give the greatest return on America’s investment. As we all decide which projects should come first, keep the State Director’s Top 10 in mind (view at http://blm.gov/9ckd). These are based on Departmental goals and supported by the Montana/Dakotas State Leadership Team.

 

As I’ve said before, while these are my top 10 priorities, what our employees do in their routine workday provides the very foundation that enables me to even talk about having priorities. We here at the BLM manage America’s public lands, and we must be accountable for our actions. BLMers in the Montana/Dakotas live by that rule every day.