Resource Management Plan 5-Year Evaluations

 

October 9, 2015

In Reply Refer To:

1610 (9320) P

 

 

EMS TRANSMISSION 10/13/2015

Instruction Memorandum No. AZ-2016-001

Expires:  9/30/2019

 

To:                  District Managers and Field Managers

Attention:  District and Field Office Planning and Environmental Coordinators

 

From:              Acting Deputy State Director, Renewable Resources and Planning Division

 

Subject:           Resource Management Plan 5-Year Evaluations

 

Purpose:  This Instruction Memorandum (IM) provides additional guidance for completing a Land Use Plan Evaluation in accordance with the BLM Land Use Planning Handbook (H‑1601‑1), and Washington Office IM No. 2010-101 “Process for Reporting on the Performance Measure to Assess the Effectiveness of Resource Management Plans Using Riparian Condition as an Indicator.”

 

Policy/Action:  The BLM land use planning regulations (43 CFR 1610.4-9) require that BLM land use plans establish intervals and standards for monitoring and evaluation, and the planning handbook requires that BLM’s existing plans be evaluated every 5 years at a minimum.  For Resource Management Plans (RMPs) being evaluated, the Field Manager will identify an interdisciplinary (ID) team to complete a comprehensive assessment of the current RMP and any subsequent Plan Amendments.  The ID team should represent the major resources and programs present in the planning area.  The Field Office may invite participants from other Federal agencies, Tribes, State and local Governments, and the public to participate in the evaluation process.

 

The process requirements include:  the ID team, manager, and other participating parties answering both general and program specific questions; the District Planning and Environmental Coordinator (P&EC) completing an evaluation report, with input from the ID team, Field Manager, and State Office Planning Lead; and the completion by appropriate Field Office staff of a Worksheet for RMP Effectiveness Performance Measure as directed in IM No. 2010‑101.  Additional details are provided in the attachments to this IM.

 

Once the evaluation documentation is finalized, the Evaluation Report and attached Worksheet for RMP Effectiveness Performance Measure will be transmitted from the Field Manager to the Deputy State Director (DSD) for Renewable Resources and Planning for approval.  In accordance with BLM Handbook H-1601-1, the State Director should concur with evaluations.  The signed report and worksheet will be submitted by the DSD for Renewable Resources and Planning to the Washington Office Branch Chief for Planning and National Environmental Policy Act per IM No. 2010-101.

 

Timeframe:  This IM is effective upon receipt and will remain in effect until the expiration date, unless formally modified.

 

Budget Impact:  This evaluation process will require staff time for RMP review, question response, and discussion.  The budget impact is likely to be small for any individual office.

 

Background:  Land Use Plans are evaluated every 5 years at a minimum to assess their capability to meet current requirements.  The results of the evaluation process are used to determine whether plan maintenance, amendment, or revision is needed.

 

Directives Affected:  None at this time.  This is supplemental guidance to the Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1).

 

Coordination:  Coordination between the District/Field Office and State Office Planning and Environmental Coordinator and Riparian Resource leads is necessary for effective RMP evaluations.

 

Contact:  If there are questions, please contact Jackie Neckels, Planning and Environmental Coordinator at 602-417-9262, or email at jneckels@blm.gov.

 

 

4 Attachments:

1 - Guidance for Completing a RMP Evaluation (2 pp)

2 - Program Specific and General RMP Evaluation Questions (10 pp)

3 - RMP Evaluation Report Outline (3 pp)

4 - Instruction Memorandum No. 2010-101 (3 pp)