BLM seeks authority for drug, alcohol laws

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is proposing a new set of rules that would allow its rangers to enforce drug and underage drinking laws on BLM land across the state.

The federal land agency proposed rules Wednesday that would also create an open-container law that would apply to all vehicles, including off-road vehicles.

Ranger Keith McGrath said the clampdown on alcohol is designed to protect the land and the safety of visitors. The agency has seen an increase in crime in the last decade, with alcohol use a common thread.

Typically, BLM rangers must rely on state or county officials to enforce alcohol laws on federal land.