Transmittal of Revised 6840 Special Status Species Manual and Direction for State Directors to Review and Revise Existing Bureau Sensitive Species Lists

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

December 12, 2008

In Reply Refer To:
6840 (230) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 12/17/2008
Instruction Memorandum No. 2009-039
Expires: 09/30/2010

To: All Field Officials

From: Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning

Subject: Transmittal of Revised 6840 Special Status Species Manual and Direction for
State Directors to Review and Revise Existing Bureau Sensitive Species Lists

Program Area: Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) transmits a new manual for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) special status species program and provides direction for updating existing Bureau sensitive species lists.

Policy/Action: This IM transmits updated guidance pertaining to management of special status species on BLM lands. One feature of this revised manual is modification of the criteria applied to designation of Bureau sensitive species on BLM lands. Each State Director is instructed to review and revise their current list of Bureau sensitive species in accord with the revised criteria. This revision is to be completed no later than 1 year from the date of this IM.

Timeframe: The policy and procedures set forth in the revised manual 6840 are effective immediately.

Budget Impact: None.

Background: The BLM 6840 Manual is the principal policy instrument detailing BLM management of special status species. Special status species include those species listed or proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) together with species designated internally as Bureau sensitive. The manual identifies how Field Offices are to meet their responsibilities under the ESA and its implementing regulations, as well as how to go about designating and ensuring the conservation of Bureau sensitive species on public lands.

Since the current 6840 Manual was issued in 2001, a number of regulatory agency policy revisions and court decisions have been issued warranting revisions to the current BLM policies. The BLM envisions that its revised policies will help to focus the agency efforts on those listed or rare species where BLM actions can most effectively contribute to successful conservation.

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: The existing 6840 Manual is replaced in its entirety.

Coordination: Interaction with State Offices and other Washington Office directorates, as well as review and consultation with the Solicitor’s Office, has taken place.

Contact: Please direct any questions to Steve Hodapp, T&E Program Lead, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, WO-230 at 202-452-7746 or steve_hodapp@blm.gov.

Signed by: Authenticated by:
Edwin L. Roberson Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Renewable Resources and Planning

1 Attachment
1 - 6840-Special Status Species Manual (47 pp)