Standard Environmental Colors Chart - Updated

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240

September 24, 2008

In Reply Refer To:
8400 (250) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 09/30/2008
Information Bulletin No. 2008-116

To: All Field Officials

From: Division Chief, Recreation and Visitor Services

Subject: Standard Environmental Colors Chart - Updated

Program Areas: Visual Resource Management

A new Standard Environmental Colors chart has been distributed to all Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Offices, with extra copies to those with major oil and gas and rights-of-way programs. The new color chart provides nine standard color choices for use in selecting the most appropriate color(s) for facilities located on lands managed by the BLM. This chart replaces previous versions of the Standard and Supplemental Environmental Colors charts and should be distributed to all resource development programs within your office.

Previously there were 20 colors represented in the Standard Environmental Color and Supplemental Color Charts, which were field tested. The nine colors represented on the new Standard Color Chart are those that were found to be the most effective in reducing color contrast within the various landscape settings that make up the BLM administered lands. The updated chart also provides a summary description of the Field Testing Team’s observations, which is intended to aid field offices in selecting a color that will allow facilities to better blend with the background, typically a vegetated background. As a rule of thumb, selected colors should be two or three shades darker than the background colors. Lighter colors should be avoided. Holding the color chart up to the background from a distance and squinting may help in identifying the predominant background color. The updated color charts also include a description of various vegetated backgrounds and colors that are typically best suited for use in those backgrounds.

Additional information on selecting proper colors and methods for reducing visual contrast can be found on the Visual Resource Management website at www.blm.gov/nstc/VRM/ or on the Fluid Minerals Best Management Practice website at www.blm.gov/bmp . Additional color charts can be ordered through the BLM’s Printed Materials Distribution System. The brochure number is CC-001.

For More Information: Please direct any questions, to John McCarty, Chief Landscape Architect- VRM Lead, Washington Office Division of Recreation and Visitor Services, at 202785-6574, or e-mail john_mccarty@blm.gov

Signed by: Authenticated by:
Robert T. Ratcliffe Robert M. Williams
Division Chief Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Recreation and Visitor Services