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Part of the year long trip from Sept ’94 - Sept ’95 through 36 USA States and 2 Canadian Provinces by Jean and Graham Beven in 'Serendipity' their 30 foot Winnebago 'Chieftain'.
The Bureau of Land Management is a US Government department responsible for the balanced management of public lands and resources. Management is based on the principle that land can have multiple uses and only has sustainable yield. There are over 300 million acres in the Nation's public domain. Most of the land lies west of the Mississippi River . Their motto is “Use – Share – Appreciate”. The constitution of the USA was framed with the the premise that all new lands west of the 'colonies' would not belong to the new states but be used for the benefit of all Americans. The Homestead Act permitted settlers to obtain land for agricultural purposes. Grants were also made to finance highways and railroads. Millions of acres were set aside for the establishment of Native American Reservations, National Parks, Wildlife refuges, Reservoirs, Military reservations and ranges. Lands have been granted to prospectors and miners for minerals including coal, oil and gas. Some 24 million acres of the land is wild, roadless wilderness and it is intended for it to remain that way. The American people have an agreement with their government – They generally keep the BLM lands clean, free from litter and fire! BLM only employs around 9000 people: With many skills and talents from Foresters, Biologists, Engineers, Surveyors to Administrators. BLM Lands can have camping areas on them. Tong Term Visitor Areas (LTVA) are areas that are set aside to meet the long term needs of 'winter visitors' (Snowbirds) while at the same time protecting the environment. BLM has has established LTVA's wher visitors can 'camp' in self contained RV's the entire winter. The visitors are obliged to hold a LTV permit. The cost was $125 in 2004 The season is from 15th September to 15th April. There are 8 LTVA's in the border areas of California and Arizona. Permits are obtainable in person from one of the local BLM offices in El Centro, CA. Yuma, AZ. or Palm Springs, CA. Short Term Visitor Areas (STVA) as above only on a month by month basis at $25 per month
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