The Resource Management Plan

A Resource Management Plan (RMP) is a multiple-use plan that provides management direction for all Federal resources. An environmental impact statement (EIS), meeting requirements of the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, is prepared to aid decision-makers in selecting a plan. The planning and EIS processes are fully integrated, and the results may by presented in one document.

The RMP is often supplemented by more detailed, site specific management plans for a particular land use activity, such as livestock grazing.

The RMP establishes, in a written document:

• land areas for limited, restrictive, or exclusive use:

  Examples are identification of lands suitable for transfer or sale or identification of areas of critical environmental concern required by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

• allowable resource uses (either singly or in combination) and minimum or maximum levels of production or use to be maintained;

  Examples are the identification of areas suitable for further consideration for coal leasing or the determination of the number of wild horses to be maintained in a given area.

• resource condition goals and objectives;

  An example is a decision to improve the condition of deer habitat to a certain level.

• program constraints and general management practices that affect planned management actions, including consideration of social and economic conditions, demands, and constraints:

  An example is Federal and State air quality standards.

• need for, and area to be covered by, more detailed and specific activity plans;

  An example is identification of areas to be covered by a habitat management plan for wildlife.

• support actions necessary to achieve specific resource goals and objectives;

  Examples include resource protection measures, such as fire management or insect damage control, the general transportation system required for access, general cadastral surveyor property line identification needs, and withdrawals or land use restrictions and other realty actions, such as classification of lands for sale or transfer.

• general sequences, that is, actions which cannot begin until other actions are accomplished;

  An example is the need to obtain water rights before developing water projects for wild horse herds.

• intervals or standards for monitoring or evaluating the plan to determine its effectiveness or the need for amendment or revisions.

  An example is a determination that soil sample studies are needed every two years to monitor progress in a critical, erosion-prone watershed.

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.