2020 RAPTOR Pilot Offices

United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506
https://www.blm.gov

September 11, 2020

In Reply Refer To:
2930 (HQ-430) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 09/15/2020
Information Bulletin No. 2020-030

To:                  All Headquarters Office and Field Officials

From:              Assistant Director, National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships

Subject:           2020 RAPTOR Pilot Offices

As part of ongoing efforts to better serve the public, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is piloting an online program for the application and issuance of Special Recreation Permits (SRP). The pilot is scheduled to deploy September of 2020. This program is called RAPTOR (Recreation and Permit Tracking Online Reporting). Paleontological resource use permits and scientific research authorizations will be added in the future.

The BLM has long offered the public the ability to apply for a SRP by filling out a hard copy of form 2930-1 (SRP application) and filing it with the local BLM office, either in person (sometimes over very long distances), by mail and/or email. The application was then routed through numerous staff, often requiring multiple communications with the applicant before a decision. Among many other benefits, RAPTOR, simplifies the process for both the public and the BLM. RAPTOR allows the public to apply for permits using desktop, laptop, or mobile devices (e.g., smart phone, tablet). SRP applicants first request a pre-application meeting before entering application information. Applicants then can upload data in support of their online application. The external web interface includes login and password protection.

The system maintains various levels of access and permissions depending on role (e.g., permit administrator, authorized officer). Additional roles will be added in the future.  BLM users access the system through their personal identity verification (PIV) cards.

RAPTOR helps ensure complete application packages, consistency in administration of applications, automated email reminders and confirmations, and reminder and tracking mechanisms to speed application processing times. It also offers fillable and customizable templates and forms for writing decisions, including protest/appeal language.

Seven field offices will pilot RAPTOR including the Colorado River Valley Field Office (CO), four OR/WA field offices (Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Lakeview and Swiftwater), and two NV field offices (Sierra Front and Sloan Canyon).

The RAPTOR pilot for SRP is intended to run for a year and the National Operation Center and Headquarters Recreation and Visitor Services Program will be evaluated during that time for potential continuation and expansion. The modules for paleontological resource use permits, and scientific research authorizations are currently in development and are scheduled to be released in early 2021.

For more information, please contact Kimberly Leitzinger, Raptor User Representative, at kleitzinger@blm.gov or by calling (970) 274-7823, or KC Craven, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Recreation and Visitor Services Division at kcraven@blm.gov or by calling 702-515-5374.

Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:
Alan R. Bittner                                                           Robert M. Williams
Acting, Assistant Director                                          Division of External Affairs,(HQ-630)
National Conservation Lands and
    Community Partnerships