Clarification of Policy Direction in BLM Manual 6340 - Management of Designated Wilderness Areas
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
February 20, 2018
In Reply Refer To:
6340 (410) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 02/22/2018
Information Bulletin No. 2018-034
To: State Directors and Center Directors
From: Assistant Director, National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships
Subject: Clarification of Policy Direction in BLM Manual 6340 - Management of Designated Wilderness Areas
The purpose of this Information Bulletin (IB) is to provide clarification on two sections within BLM Manual 6340 “Management of Designated Wilderness Areas.” In 2012, the 6340 manual was released to provide line managers and program staff professionals with general policies for the administration and management of BLM Wilderness Areas designated by Congress. The manual outlines procedures to ensure the congressional mandate to manage each Wilderness Area "to preserve its wilderness character" will be met.
Two sections in the manual have generated recurring questions: 1) the definition of installations; and 2) the evaluation process of actions within wilderness areas. This following provides clarification on these two sections.
Manual Section 1.6. B. 2.j. Prohibited Uses. Installations
Section 1.6.B.2.j of the manual outlines prohibited uses in wilderness, including installations. The section defines installations and contains examples illustrating installation types.
Clarification: These examples should not be interpreted as outright prohibitions and are not specifically mentioned in the Act itself. They have resulted in an undue emphasis placed on the examples themselves rather than helping to clarify the definition of an installation; particularly for the use of radio collars and remote tracking devices. In many areas, this has led to an incorrect interpretation that there is an outright prohibition on all collars and devices. Rather, the determination to allow an action or use (e.g. collars and devices) in a wilderness area should be based on a minimum requirements analysis or legal requirements of other applicable laws such as the Endangered Species Act.
Manual Section 1.6. D.3 Wilderness Planning and Decision Making. NEPA Compliance
Section 1.6.D.3 of the manual outlines compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Both the BLM and State fish and wildlife agencies are responsible for strengthening cooperative management for fish and wildlife resources in wilderness and the State fish and wildlife agencies have a primary and critical role in fish and wildlife management (43 CFR 24). Stewardship of wilderness resources, including fish and wildlife, depends upon effective communication and consultation between the BLM and State agencies and respect for individual management responsibilities in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws. Analyses of prohibited uses can require a substantial amount of staff time and may lead to inefficiencies. Some BLM offices are conducting detailed, often repetitive analyses for individual projects with similar impacts, while others are completing broad reviews without area-specific analyses of effects to wilderness character.
Clarification: Offices are encouraged to streamline efforts and combine similar or recurring actions into one minimum requirements analysis and NEPA document, where appropriate. Actions covering the same geographic area over a number of years with substantially the same impacts are a good opportunity to streamline analysis as long as cumulative effects are considered. Offices with wilderness and wildlife responsibilities are encouraged to coordinate early and often with State agency partners.
For further information contact Bob Wick, BLM Wilderness Program Specialist, at (916) 978-4665.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Christopher J. McAlear Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director Division of IT Policy and Planning,WO-870
National Conservation Lands and
Community Partnerships