1. Collect information and document the area
2. Determine the objectives of the planning effort
3. Develop a timeline and budget for the plan
4. Identify stakeholders
1. the area of analysis
2. which decisions need to be carried forward from existing plans
3. which new decisions need to be made concerning the following: reasonably foreseeable development scenario, travel designations, conservation measures, WSA status, and the future health of the land.
1. Status of – landscape, including ecological and socioeconomic conditions
2. Trends in – changes on the land from its current condition
3. Risks – probability that actions or failure to act will have a negative effect on the area. This will include risks to ecological and socioeconomic conditions
4. Opportunities – What is the potential for the land to respond to possible actions to improve resource conditions or to reduce the risk of damage to the area