The nine steps to Resource Management Planning (RMP) are:

1.  Planning Issue Identification

Issues and concerns were identified through a scoping process that included the public, tribal governments, other federal agencies, and state and local governments.  This scoping process included open houses that were conducted in 2005.

Click here to see the list of Planning Issues identified.

Click here to see the Scoping Summary Report

2.  Planing Criteria Development

Planning criteria have been drafted to ensure decisions are made to address the issues pertinent to the planning effort.  The RMP's list of Planning Criteria were derived and developed from a variety of sources including applicable laws and regulations, existing management plans, coordination of other agencies' programs, and the results of public scoping. 

3.  Data and Information Collection

Data and information for the resources in the planning area are collected based on the preliminary planning issue themes and criteria.

4.  Analysis of the Management Situation

The current management of resource in the planning area was assessed and documented in April 2005 in the Analysis of the Management Situation.  Click here to see the summary reports.

5.  Alternatives Formulation

A range of reasonable management alternatives that addressed issues identified during scoping was developed.

6.  Alternatives Assessment

The effects of each alternative were analyzed.

7.  Preferred Alternative Selection

The alternative that best resolves planning issues was identified as the preferred alternative.

8.  Management Plan Selection

A Draft RMP/EIS was prepared and made available for public review for 90 calendar days from June 25 thru September 25, 2010 (this period was extended until October 25, 2010). Comments to the draft document have been received and analyzed.  Based on consideration of these comments and input from Cooperating Agencies, the Proposed RMP/Final EIS is currently being modified.  The Proposed RMP/Final EIS will be published and made available for a public protest period of 30 calendar days.  A Record of Decision will be signed and the RMP will then be approved.

9.  Implementation and Monitoring

The management measures outlined in the approved RMP will be implemented on the ground and future monitoring will be conducted to test their effectiveness.

Planning Process Timeline >>>