National Center for Public Lands Counties
Advancing the policy and practice study of America’s public lands counties
The NACo Center for Public Lands Counties is dedicated to advancing the policy and practice study of America’s public lands counties. Our mission is to deepen the understanding and address the unique challenges faced by counties containing federal lands through strategic research and collaboration.
Our imperative is to elevate long-term policy and practice research, enhancing the capacity and facilitating knowledge exchange among elected and appointed leaders in these regions. This involves engaging with federal and state policymakers, key influencers, the media and the public to foster informed policymaking.
Objectives of the NACo Center for Public Lands Counties include:
- Enhance intergovernmental policymakers' grasp of unique challenges faced by county officials in areas with federal lands
- Conduct research, case studies, public forums and facilitate networks to inform policies and practices impacting public lands counties
- Foster dialogue between federal, state, tribal and local governments on key issues including landscape health, wildfire mitigation and economic development in public land counties
About America’s Public Lands Counties
Counties with federally managed lands help steward iconic landscapes and deliver essential local services in partnership with the federal government. Watch the video to learn more about these counties and the work of the National Center for Public Lands Counties.
By the Numbers
610 Million
Work with federal partners to maintain and provide services for 610 million acres of land, or just over a quarter (28 percent) of all land acres in the country
62%
Are spread around the country; nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of counties have federally-owned lands within our jurisdictions
$578 Million
Manage federal funding, including more than $578 million in federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds and $271 million from the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding
Resource
Primer for Counties: Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Programs
Resource
A Split Story: Economic Trends in Public Lands Counties
Resource
Primer for Counties: County Planning for Wildlife Habitat Connectivity
Public Lands Knowledge Hub
Open to all county leaders, the hub serves as a clearinghouse for resources that advance the policy and practice study for public lands counties. Engage with resources, connect with county leaders from across the country and share updates on the most pressing issues emerging related public lands management, use and access.
U.S. Forest Service seeks comment on proposal to rescind 2001 Roadless Rule in National Forests
Roadless Rule
On August 20, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. The rule prohibits road construction, reconstruction and most timber management on almost 45 million acres of National Forest land, and its repeal would give federal forest managers significant flexibility to manage forests in accordance with local need.
U.S. Forest Service reopens Resource Advisory Committee nomination process
On August 13, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced it was reopening the nomination process for Resource Advisory Committee (RACs) that direct certain funding from the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. County elected officials are eligible and encouraged to apply to serve on a RAC by November 12, 2026.
NACo sends letter to Congressional leadership asking them to reauthorize or extend key programs
NACo sends letter to Congressional leadership asking them to prioritize reauthorizing or extending key programs for counties ahead of September deadline
Senate Agriculture Committee holds Farm Bill markup, remains in committee
On August 6, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's version of the 2026 Farm Bill.
Department of the Interior seeks public comment on recreation and wilderness proposals
On June 15, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced proposed rulemaking on recreation in wilderness areas and sought public comment on changes to its wilderness area management policies. The announcement is part of DOI’s implementation of the EXPLORE Act, which required the department to issue guidance on recreational climbing in wilderness areas.
Senate Energy and Natural Resource committee advances Small County PILT Parity Act
On July 17, the U.S. Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee advanced the Small County PILT Parity Act (S. 1175). Led by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), this measure would amend the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) formula to provide fairer program funding to counties with populations smaller than 5,000.
Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part VIII
The County News Podcast continues our series on public lands county leaders with two from outdoor recreation counties – Supervisor John Peters from Mono County, Calif. and Commissioner Sonja Macys from Routt County, Colo. Peters is this year’s Western Interstate Region president.
Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part VII
The County News Podcast resumes our series on public lands county issues with two guests: Pennington County, S.D. Commissioner Gary Drewes and Curry County, N.M. Commissioner Seth Martin.
Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part VI
Modoc County, Calif. Supervisor Ned Coe outlines how ideas from county government have helped the U.S. Forest Service do its job.
Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part V
Mariposa County, Calif. Supervisor Miles Menetrey and Eagle County, Colo. Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry discuss the coalition building necessary for counties to succeed when much of their land is managed by the National Forest Service and National Park Service.
Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part IV
Two Southern Utah commissioners – Tammy Pearson from Beaver County and Jerry Taylor from Garfield County – discuss building relationships outside of their network of public lands officials, in hopes of educating and winning new champions.
Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part III
Two county supervisors from California — Jeff Griffiths from Inyo County and Heidi Hall from Nevada County — talk about balancing serving their residents and drawing tourists to their mountain communities.
Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part II
Coconino County, Ariz. Supervisor Patrice Horstman and Hawai’i County, Hawai’i Councilmember Sue Lee Loy contrast their public lands leadership experiences in very large and relatively small counties.
Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part I
The inaugural episode of the National Center for Public Lands podcast features a conversation between NACo Executive Director Matt Chase and Lincoln County, Nev. Commissioner Varlin Higbee.
Podcast: National Center for Public Lands Counties builds a legacy of knowledge, experience
Ravalli County, Mont. Commissioner Greg Chilcott outlines plans for the National Center for Public Lands Counties.
2026 NACo Energy Symposium
Join county leaders from across the country in the Texas Panhandle to engage with the most pressing energy issues shaping rural America today. Hear from experts, exchange ideas with peers and gain practical insights into the policies, projects and partnerships driving rural energy development.
Resources for Public Lands Counties
A Brief History of Public Lands
Federal land management dates back to the roots of America
The Original Struggle for Ownership
The formation of the U.S. federal government was influenced by the struggle for control over what was known as the “western” lands—the lands between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River that were claimed by the original colonies
Cessation of Land to the Federal Government
The states ceded the lands to the developing new federal government, which, together with granting constitutional powers, helped transform the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation into the centralized federal government under the U.S. Constitution that we know today
Early Debates on Land Use
Federal land laws sought to guide the use of land, and there was debate between the preservation and conservation of national public property vs. local use and development which only accelerated as more land was acquired
An Inflection Point
Emphasis shifted during the 20th century from the disposal and conveyance of title for federally-owned lands to private citizens to the retention and management of the remaining federal lands, a trend solidified by the Taylor Grazing Act in 1934
Federal Land Policy and Management Act and National Forest Management Act (1976)
Congress expressly declared that the remaining public domain lands generally would remain in federal ownership; the Sagebrush Rebellion formed in response, an effort that started in the late 1970s to strengthen state or local control over federal land and management decisions
Present Day
Current authorities for acquiring and disposing of federal lands are unique to each agency; there have not been broad changes to the level of federal ownership despite judicial challenges, legislative and executive efforts
Get Involved
To learn more about the National Center for Public Lands counties and how your county can benefit and contribute to the effort, complete this form or email ncplc@naco.org.
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