The initiative, the first of its kind, focuses on projects in six areas facing the greatest challenges in managing the wildlife-energy interface. Last year the BLM processed a record 8,800 applications for oil and gas drilling.  BLM Director Jim Hughes says the key is keeping natural resources healthy. 

“The Healthy Lands Initiative is an attempt to look at the broader landscape and see how we can deal with that.  Can we provide additional habitat so that when that herd has to go around the development, it doesn’t negatively impact their population?”

The money will be used for habitat restoration projects in seven states in the West impacted by fire, invasive species and millions of visitors each year.

“Many people don’t know that the BLM by law has to use our lands for multiple purposes out there.  That’s what we work for everyday is to make sure all those uses are available not only for this generation but generations to come.”

Five of the areas in the plan contain the largest onshore reserves of natural gas in the country.  Ron Tull, Interior Department Radio News Service, Washington.