Includes bibliographical references (pages 901-908) and index. Originally published: U.S. land and natural resources policy / Gary C. Bryner. Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 1998.

Natural resources and public lands policies -- The evolution of public lands policy -- Overview of public land set asides, withdrawals and policies -- Biodiversity and the preservation of endangered species -- National forests and timber policy -- Grazing and public lands -- Mining and energy -- Water resources -- National parks and wilderness -- The debate about public lands and natural resources -- Primary documents -- State data & maps -- National data, rankings, & maps -- Department of the Interior -- Industry resources -- U.S. land acts and laws. This work is an overview of the policy debates surrounding U.S. public lands and the natural resources they contain. The greatly expanded second edition traces the origin and evolution of policy, the current debate and future direction of land and natural resources policy. Coverage also extends to assess policy options in light of ecological principles, and examines the importance of public lands and natural resources in the nation's environmental quality and in the quality of life the environment will provide for future generations.