A new study says wildlife-related activities on Bureau of Land Management land brings in millions of dollars to western states.
The study found things like hunting, fishing and wildlife watching on BLM land brings in more than $3 billion in total economic output to 12 western states including Idaho.
The Post Register reports that the 246 million acres of land supports 26,500 jobs and generates $1 billion in salaries and wages. The land also brought in $421 million in federal, state and local tax revenue.
For Idaho, that translated into $85 million in salaries and wages in 2016. Another $295 million came in from sales from BLM lands in the Gem State.
The study was commissioned by several wildlife groups, including the Pew Charitable Trusts, Trout Unlimited and the Wildlife Management Institute.
The study covered twelve western states including Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana.
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