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
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. Department of the Interior announces distribution of $733 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes
On June 23, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the payment of $733 million to over 1,900 local governments through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. These funds support essential government services in public lands counties nationwide that are home to untaxable federal land.
Senate Agriculture Committee introduces 2026 Farm Bill, following House passage
On June 23, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced the Senate version of the 2026 Farm Bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026.
Congress begins reauthorization process for Great American Outdoors Act
On June 10, the leaders of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources introduced the Great American Outdoors 250 Act, which would reauthorize programs stood up in the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to invest in recreation facilities on public lands. Led by Natural Resources Chair Burce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the bipartisan proposal would provide $1.9 billion annually to tackle deferred maintenance projects.
U.S. Department of Agriculture announces reorganization
On July 24, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a major reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will relocate thousands of federal employees, restructure regional offices and consolidate administrative services and operations. The changes are expected to reduce USDA’s footprint in Washington, D.C. and shift more personnel to regional hubs across the country.
House Appropriations Committee releases draft funding bills for public lands and environment programs
On May 20, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee began consideration of the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill, which funds key environment and public lands programs at the Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The bill provides agency and program funding levels and sets policy goals for the agencies for FY 2027.
U.S. Forest Services refiles charter to establish Resource Advisory Committees for SRS funding
On April 30, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) published a notice of intent to establish new Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. RACs provide advice and recommendations to Forest Service units on how they should use Title II funds under the SRS program.
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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