[NR 460] Federal Agencies, Public Lands

What were the major acquisitions of the land areas of the United States?

LA purchase, FL purchase, Oregon compromise, Mexico/Gadsden, TX, AK, HI

What were the major dispositions of the land areas of the United States?

Homesteaders, railroads, state lands

What four agencies manage the brunt of federal lands and what is their mission?

USDA/FS: maintain health, diversity, and productivity of forests and grasslands
BLM: sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands

FWS: protect, conserve, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats

NPS: preserved unimpaired the natural and culture resources and values of the national park system for enjoyment, education, and inspiration

Public domain

the state of belonging or being available to the public as a whole, and therefore not subject to copyright

Sagebrush rebellion

movement in the 70s and 80s in the Western US that sought to change federal land policies (privatizing fed land, transferring fed land to state and local authorities)

general land office

manage public domain, keep records, provide maps and surveys, and issue titles

Organic Act

establishes a territory or agency to manage federal lands, created NPS

NRCS

Natural Resource Conservation Service, protect NR and feed the world through conservation

BIA

Bureau of Indian Affairs, improve quality of life, protect Native assets

Antiquities Act

1906, protect cultural and NR on federal lands