BLM is working on developing a general description of the plan that will be conducted. BLM has four main objectives:

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

BLM solicits public input to identify major resource issues to be addressed in the plan. Minimum 30-day comment period on issues and planning criteria:

This stage is typically combined with scoping. BLM must establish a framework for the plan and is considering the following items:

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.

BLM conducts inventories of the area and collects data relevant to the plan, including resource, environmental, social, economic, and institutional data.

BLM must determine how the resource area can respond to the identified issues and opportunities based on the information collected to this point. BLM considers four elements:

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

BLM is formulating different management approaches for the planning area based on the data collected.

BLM must estimate and report, in detail, the effects (physical, biological, economic, and social) of implementing the plan of each management alternative on the area.

The BLM will explain the selection of the preferred alternative, as well as the alternatives that were removed from consideration. BLM will check for consistency with the Purpose and Need of the plan, the desired outcomes and the future conditions. The BLM must allow public comments on this document for a period of at least 90 days.

BLM will respond to substantive comments provided to them and make changes to the plan, as needed, based on comments and further analysis. The public has a 30-day review period to submit any administrative protest. The Governor will have 60 days to perform a consistency review.

Resource Management Planning Process Flow Chart

This flowchart outlines the legal progression of steps required for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to make changes, and the public’s opportunities for participation at each stage. Click on the image on the right to view or download a high resolution PDF.