The foundation for the BLM dates back to the Land Ordinance of 1785, which established the public domain and led to the creation of the General Land Office. In 1946, the United States (U.S.) Grazing Service merged with the General Land Office to form the BLM. Since the passage of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), the BLM has administered public lands according to the principles of multiple use and sustained yield, and to balance increasing and competing demands for resources on public lands.