Cave and Karst Management ThroughLand Use Planning
James GoodbarSr. Cave SpecialistBureau of Land ManagementCody, Wyoming May 12-16, 2014Aaron StocktonCave Specialist Bureau of Land Management
Why Land Use Planning?
Provides for Actions Needed to Implement
Restricts Uses That May be Adverse to Significant Cave Resources Allows for Budget Access
Establishes Priorities
Basis of NEPA-Activity Management Plans
Cave / Karst ManagementThrough Land Use Planning
Required by: Federal Cave Protection Act
FLPMA
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act
NEPA/CEQ Regulations
Endangered Species Act
Manuals
Cave / Karst Management Through Land Use Planning
Purpose: Primary Mechanism for GuidingActivities to Achieve Mission & Goals Desired Outcomes (Your Vision) Allowable Uses/Restrictions & Mgmt. Actions Collaborative Involvement Integrates NEPA
Cave / Karst ManagementThrough Land Use Planning
Levels of Planning
Resource Management Plan (Field Office)
Activity Level Plan (Cave/ Area)
Project Plan (Specific Action ie. Gate)
Resource Management PlanSTEP 1. Analysis of Management SituationAMS
1. Introduction (Blah, Blah, Blah)2. Area Profile (Existing Resource Conditions)3. Current Management Direction4. Management Opportunities5. Coordination with Other Plans6. Specific Mandates and Authorities
Analysis of Management SituationAMS
2. Area Profile (Existing Conditions) Resources Regional Context - Local, Regional, National Resource-Specific Information Indicators - Factors Describing Conditions Current Conditions - Location, Extent, Condition Trends - Degree and Direction of Change Forecast - Predict Changes, Describe Drivers Key Factors - What Should Guide Mgmt. Decisions
Analysis of Management SituationAMS
2. Area Profile (Existing Conditions) Resource Use Current Levels Forecast Key Features Special DesignationsArea of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC)Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) Socio Economic
Analysis of Management SituationAMS
3. Current Management Direction
Relevant Plans and Amendments Management Decisions
Analysis of Management SituationAMS
5. Coordination with Other Plans
County/city plans
State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies, State lands plans
Other Federal agency plans
Coordination With Other Programs
Analysis of Management SituationAMS
6. Specific Mandates & Authority
Laws
Regulations
Policies
Resource Management PlanStep 2. Roll the Information Form the AMS Into the RMP
1. Introduction (Blah, Blah, Blah)2. Area Profile (Becomes Affected Environment)3. Current Management Direction (Existing Decisions)4. Management Opportunities (Becomes Alternatives)5. Coordination with Other Plans6. Specific Mandates and Authorities (New Guidance)
Basis for Land Use Planning:1601 Manual1601 Land Use Planning Manual: Appendix C, Pg. 13, L
1. Management (resources, visitors, facilities2. Marketing (outreach, education, interpretation3. Monitoring (social, environmental, administrative)4. Administration (regulatory, permit)
Plans Are Guided By..... Laws, Rules, Regulations, Policy Inventory Data/ Caves/ Geology Available Resources (funds, staff, volunteers) Land Uses (above cave) Info/Data from Cave Files Your Partners Your Imagination
Whats Included In Land Use Planning Decisions Objectives for actions: Protections, use, restoration, Desired future condition: Describe what you are trying to achieve Allocation: The line on a map. ACEC determination. Evaluation of public nominations, Basis for use: Recreation , Research, Habitat Protection Monitoring: How do you know when what you are doing is the right thing, or how to measure success?
Key Point Involve Your Partners Early and Often Through the EIS Process There are Required Points for Public Involvement Listen to Your Constituent Groups Often They Know the Resources Better Than You Do.
? QUESTIONS ?Where does this passage go? Modified from 2001 Buzz Hummel and2007 Geoff Middaugh PresentationsPhotos by : Jim Goodbar, Mat Safford, BLM stock.
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