The RMP: 9 Planning Actions

Nine separate planning actions occur during development of an RMP. Some can be done concurrently. There may also be situations where the BLM manager must supplement previous work as additional information becomes available. The process has flexibility for the manager, while ensuring public participation at each point along the way. The nine planning actions are the following: (1) identify issues, (2) develop planning criteria, (3) collect inventory data and information, (4) analyze the management situation, (5) formulate alternatives, (6) estimate effects of alternatives, (7) select a preferred alternative, (8) select the plan, and (9) monitor and evaluate the plan.

To make it easy for people to participate in the resource planning process, this guide outlines each of the nine planning actions. The shaded boxes highlight public participation opportunities. Note that to protest approval of the plan, a person or group must have participated in the planning process. To officially initiate the preparation of an RMP, a Notice of Intent to prepare a Resource Management Plan is published in newspapers of general circulation in the area or State affected, other appropriate media and the Federal Register.

You are encouraged to provide comments on the design and utility of these site materials. In the future a questionnaire will be included to solicit your comments, including need for specific types of additional information.