Visitors to federal rangelands with significant tracts of sagebrush pumped about $1 billion into the economy in 11 Western states last year. That's according to a study released Tuesday by advocates of protecting sage grouse across the region.
The study is the first of its kind to examine the direct and indirect economic impacts of recreation spending tied to U.S. Bureau of Land Management property with habitat for sagebrush-dependent species, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. Hunters, campers, fishermen and others spent more than $623 million directly within 50 miles of BLM property in sagebrush ecosystems across more than 61 million acres, said the report by ECONorthwest, an economic consulting firm.
The most money was spent directly in Idaho, at $126 million, the report said, followed by Nevada, $88 million.
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