Talking Points for Common BLM Concerns
Ready-to-use responses for the questions BLM staff will ask — erosion, wildlife, maintenance, liability, and land use plan conformance.
When you meet with a BLM field office, staff will raise practical concerns. These talking points provide honest, evidence-based responses.
”What about erosion and vegetation damage?”
Disc golf’s environmental impacts — soil compaction at tees and around baskets, vegetation trampling — are concentrated and manageable. Standard mitigation: concrete tee pads (eliminating tee-area erosion), dual pin placements (distributing wear across multiple locations per hole), mulching around high-traffic zones, and seasonal modifications. Stewart Pond in Oregon reduces to 9 holes during wet conditions.
No irrigation, no fertilizers or pesticides, no mowing. 97% of disc golfers are willing to modify behavior to offset environmental impacts (peer-reviewed study).
”What about wildlife disturbance?”
Research documents displacement (not elimination) of wildlife in the immediate area. Disc golf is quiet, non-motorized, with no projectile hazards, chemical use, or loud equipment. Seasonal closures are standard practice — temporary basket removal during nesting seasons is routine. Bear Mountain DGC in Colorado was specifically designed as wildfire prevention infrastructure, creating a half-mile defensible fire line.
”Who maintains it? We don’t have staff.”
The model is explicitly designed so BLM provides zero ongoing maintenance labor. The partner organization commits to multi-year volunteer maintenance (4–8 work days per year). Metal baskets last 10–15 years. Concrete tee pads are permanent. No mowing, watering, or chemicals required.
Stewart Pond has operated under volunteer maintenance since 2016. Section 341 of the EXPLORE Act provides statutory authority for BLM volunteer programs with no volunteer insurance requirement.
”Is this consistent with our land use plan?”
We will only propose sites within areas designated for recreation — SRMAs or ERMAs where recreation is authorized. If a site is not currently designated, we will work with the field office to identify alternatives or determine whether a plan amendment is appropriate. The EXPLORE Act itself requires compatibility with applicable plans.
”What about user conflicts?”
Disc golf is compatible with multi-use areas. At Stewart Pond, disc golfers share space with hikers, picnickers, and birdwatchers. BLM’s 2025 parking management at that site specifically addressed equitable access across user groups. Course design routes fairways away from primary trails. The sport has a low noise profile that minimizes conflict with other recreation uses.
”What’s the liability exposure?”
The federal government is self-insured on federal land. Disc golf carries inherently low injury risk compared to most outdoor recreation activities. The partner organization carries general liability insurance naming BLM as additional insured. Under Section 341, volunteers are covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act with no personal insurance requirement. PDGA-sanctioned events carry tour insurance with $50 Certificate of Insurance.
”We’ve never done disc golf.”
BLM already manages three disc golf courses and categorizes disc golf as a recognized recreation activity in its Visit system. There are 11,165 U.S. courses with 21.2 million annual rounds. Same principle as ball golf but with flying discs and metal basket targets — minimal infrastructure, no irrigation, no permanent landscape alteration.
We can arrange a site visit, demonstration, or connect you with BLM staff at offices that already manage disc golf facilities.