I assumed the meaning was negative because it read that the Feds "control jobs".

But consider that in counties where over half the land is BLM and DC puts restrictions on its use, that affects development. There are towns that are hemmed in on two or three sides and really can't increase population without 3- and 4-storey buildings in towns of 80,000.

It's great for trout fishing. But even then, you can only sell so much bait, and tour guides aren't all that important.

Yes, BLM has employees. But mostly they just go around and limit land use and inspect. They pay well, but it's no substitute. Most rural areas will probably stay rural, the land well protected from locals and preserved, we'd assume, for the benefit of people who live far, far away.