Robert Nelson

Robert H. Nelson was a professor of public policy at the University of Maryland and a 2010 Lone Mountain Fellow at PERC. From 1975 to 1993, he worked as a senior economist in the Office of Policy Analysis of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior. He was the author of many books, including Public Lands and Private Rights: The Failure of Scientific Management, The New Holy Wars: Economic Religion versus Environmental Religion in Contemporary America, and The Use and Management of Federal Coal.

Articles by Robert Nelson

State-Owned Lands in the Eastern United States: Lessons from State Land Management in Practice

Robert Nelson

Eastern states demonstrate innovative state land policies that provide lessons for federal land management.

Should Federal Lands be Transferred to Western States?

John Freemuth, Randal O’Toole, Jay O’Laughlin, Robert Nelson, Leisl Carr Childers, Randy Newberg, Holly Fretwell, Donald J. Kochan

A PERC forum explores the issue.

A New Landscape: 8 Ideas for the Interior Department

Reed Watson, Terry Anderson, Shawn Regan, Holly Fretwell, Hannah Downey, Robert Nelson, Michael Giberson

Eight policy ideas to deliver environmental and economic improvements for the nation's lands, waters, and other natural resources.

The Use and Management of Federal Coal

Robert Nelson

An in-depth look at the past and future of U.S. federal coal policy.

5 Myths about the Land and Water Conservation Fund

Robert Nelson, Shawn Regan, Reed Watson

Amid political rhetoric over the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, several misconceptions have emerged about how it works and what purpose it serves. In this PERC Policy Brief, we address common misconceptions about the program and offer several ideas for reform.

Charter Forests: A New Management Approach for National Forests

Robert Nelson

Is there room for innovation in national forest management? In this PERC Policy Series, Robert Nelson proposes "charter forests" as a new management approach.

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