Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument RMP

Milestones: 

• The BLM published a NOA for the Proposed RMP
  and Final EIS on Aug. 30, 2024.
• This initiates a 30-day Protest Period and a 60-day Governor’s Consistency Review.
• The signing of a Record of Decision and publication
  of the Final RMP/Final EIS is anticipated to occur in
  December 2024.

Stakeholder Engagement: The BLM has diligently involved stakeholders throughout the development of the RMP and associated EIS by providing public notification and involvement opportunities throughout the various stages of the document development.
These efforts were accomplished through 34 public comment periods and public engagement meetings. 

The BLM also coordinated with other eligible Federal agencies, State and local governments, and Tribal Nations through various Cooperating Agency Meetings throughout the development of the RMP and EIS. Additionally, in a government-to-government capacity, the BLM has engaged with Tribal Nations with historical and/or ancestral ties the Grand Staircase-Escalante region. 

Management Plans at a Glance: 

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was established by presidential proclamation on Sept. 18, 1996, to protect an array of historic and scientific objects. During this time, there have only been a handful of management plans. Let's explore this progression over time:

• The 2000 Monument Management Plan emphasized a management framework that would strike a delicate balance between human use, resource protection, and scientific research.
• The 2020 Resource Management Plans were developed following boundary modifications outlined in Presidential Proclamation 9682. In total, there were four distinct resource management plans developed, which focused on adapting to boundary changes, managing the Monument as separate units, and reallocating nearly 900,000 acres into more traditional multiple-use management. 
• The 2024 Proposed Resource Management Plan reinstates the original boundaries and management conditions while emphasizing the protection of monument objects and facilitating continued scientific research. Upon signing of the record of decision, the approved 2024 RMP will replace the existing 2020 RMPs for both Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Kanab-Escalante Planning Area.

Media Inquiries:

For media inquiries related to the Proposed RMP/Final EIS, please email public affairs directly at dhercher@blm.gov or
call 435-899-0415. Be sure to include your name, media outlet, the general topic of your inquiry, and your deadline.