Implementation of Great Basin Regional Prioritization of FY19 Integrated Program of Work Projects

                                                                  July 11, 2018
 

In Reply Refer To:
1730 (CA-910) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 07/11/2018
Instruction Memorandum No. CA-2018-014

To:                   Northern and Central California District Managers, Eagle Lake, Bishop,
                        Applegate Field Managers, and State Implementation Coordinators

From:              State Director

Subject:           Implementation of Great Basin Regional Prioritization of FY19 Integrated
                         Program of Work Projects                                                      DD: 09/15/18

Program Areas:  This instruction memorandum (IM) applies to all lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within the Great Basin (GB) Region (California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon/Washington and Utah).            

Purpose:  This IM directs the implementation of the Regional Integrated Program of Work (IPOW) project prioritization process and data call as detailed in the GB Regional Project Prioritization Plan for Greater Sage-grouse (GRSG).

Policy/Action:  Information currently available within the IPOW is insufficient to make regional prioritization calculations.  In order to implement the process for FY19 projects, each GB state will need to submit spatial data representing an estimate of treatment area(s) included in the top 20 National Fire Plan Operations and Reporting System (NFPORS) priority projects.

The spatial data, either a shapefile or a geodatabase feature class, must be submitted to the GRSG state coordinator, who will then compile and submit all of the spatial information for their state to Bonnie Claridge, Geospatial Ecologist at the Idaho State Office Resources and Science Division, no later than September 15, 2018.

State coordinators can zip and email the spatial data files to bclaridge@blm.gov.  Attributes must contain at a minimum the NFPORS ID, the GRSG IPOW ID, the project name, and the state(s) where the project occurs.

Timeframe:  Effective immediately.

Budget Impact:  There is an increased workload associated with implementing the GRSG plans and the BLM’s landscape approach.  This increased workload must be accommodated within existing budgets at the field, district, and state office levels. 

Background:  The GB Regional Project Prioritization Plan outlines a strategic approach to evaluate, score, and rank projects within GB GRSG states that protect restoration investments, maintain and improve quality habitat, and increase habitat extent and connectivity. 

Coordination:  Preparation of this IM was coordinated with the GB State Directors and Deputy State Directors. 

Contact:  If you have any questions regarding this IM, please contact Arlene Kosic, State Implementation Coordinator, California at (530) 279-2726 or akosic@blm.gov.

Signed by:                                                                  
Jerome E. Perez                                                         
State Director                                                             

Authenticated by:
Larry Weitzel
GIS/Applications Mgmt Branch, CA-946