Review of Draft Recreation and Visitor Services Planning Handbook
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240-0036
http://www.blm.gov
December 6, 2012
In Reply Refer To:
8320 (250) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 12/17/2012
Instruction Memorandum No. 2013-027
Expires: 09/30/2014
To: All Washington Office and Field Office Officials
From: Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning
Subject: Review of Draft Recreation and Visitor Services Planning Handbook DD: February 8, 2013
Program Areas: Recreation and Visitor Services, National Landscape Conservation System and Community Partnerships
Purpose: The purpose of this Instruction Memorandum (IM) is to establish a review period and request comments on the draft Recreation and Visitor Services Planning Handbook.
Policy/Action: Washington Office (WO) and states are directed to review and submit consolidated comments on the Recreation Planning Handbook (Attachment 1). Each state office shall consolidate comments and submit one set of comments for its state using the comment form (Attachment 2).
Timeframe: Reviewers have until February 8, 2013, to review and comment on the draft handbook. Please send your state’s consolidated comments to Frank Jenks, Recreation and Visitor Services Division, at fjenks@blm.gov. and Dorothy Morgan, Recreation and Visitor Services Division, at dmorgan@blm.gov.
Budget Impact: The Handbook clarifies existing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) policy, so there will be minimal budget impact.
Background: The draft Recreation and Visitor Services Planning Handbook, (H-8320), provides guidance to support recreation planning within the BLM’s comprehensive land use planning process. This handbook reinforces and provides in-depth detail on how to implement the guidance provided in BLM Manual, M-8320, Planning for Recreation and Visitor Services, issued in 2011.
The major change in the BLM recreation policy is the establishment of a three-tier classification for lands used and managed for recreation. This classification replaces the previous two-tier system where all lands were classified as either special or extensive recreation management areas.
The updated guidance also simplifies complex and confusing terminology, reduces ambiguity in distinguishing between land use level decisions and implementation decisions, and clarifies guidance for extensive recreation management area planning. The guidance changes the term describing the guiding principle of BLM’s recreation management program from benefits-based management to outcomes-focused management.
Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: None.
Coordination: Development of this IM was coordinated with the Division of Decision Support Planning and NEPA, and the National Landscape Conservation and Community Partnerships Directorate.
Contact: Questions may be directed to Frank Jenks, Recreation and Visitor Services (WO-250), at 208-373-3993, or by email to: fjenks@blm.gov. and Dorothy Morgan, Recreation and Visitor Services, (WO-250), at 202-912-7412, or by email to: dmorgan@blm.gov.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Edwin L. Roberson Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Renewable Resources and Planning
2 Attachments: