BLM Participation in Updating the Conservation Efforts Database (CED)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

November 7, 2018

In Reply Refer To:
1110 (230) P  

EMS TRANSMISSION 11/13//2018
Information Bulletin No. 2019-004

To:                   All Washington Office and Field Office Officials

From:               Assistant Director, Resources and Planning

Subject:           BLM Participation in Updating the Conservation Efforts Database (CED)

Background

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is working with partners to update the Conservation Efforts Database (CED)—an online geospatial database that captured conservation efforts implemented in the sagebrush biome through 2015—regardless of implementing agency or land status.  The CED was initially developed to support the 2015 Endangered Species Act status review for Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus).  This update will capture conservation efforts from 2015 through 2018 and will be provided to the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) to support its 2020 Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment. 

In 2015, the BLM was one of the largest contributors of both spatial and non-spatial information to CED.  BLM leadership has agreed that the Bureau will participate in the 2018 update of the CED and this Information Bulletin provides information on the strategy and timeline for BLM’s participation. 

BLM Data Sources for the CED Update

Based on our 2015 submission to the CED, the BLM has identified the following databases as potential data sources for the CED update:

• NFPORS -- National Fire Plan Operations and Reporting System
• ESRS -- Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (part of NFPORS)
• VTRT -- Vegetation Treatment Area
• LTDL -- Land Treatments Digital Library
• RIPS -- Rangeland Improvement Project System
• WHB -- Wild Horse and Burro database
• SDARTT -- Surface Disturbance and Reclamation Tracking Tool
• LUP -- Land Use Plan allocation decision data.

The WO and NOC will continue working with data stewards across the Bureau to ensure the list is complete and correct; datasets may be included or excluded as more information comes to light. 

BLM’s Strategy for the CED Update

With the support of the BLM’s Sage-Grouse Implementation Group (SGIG), the BLM Washington Office (WO), National Operations Center (NOC) and the Fire and Aviation Directorate (FA) will coordinate BLM‘s participation in the 2018 CED, working closely with State Office (SO) CED Coordinators and National and State Data Stewards to provide them with the support and technical training to update the CED.  The strategy for the update is based on two guiding documents:  

• CED Roles and Responsibilities for the BLM -- This document explains the roles and responsibilities for all BLM participants, including both national and state level participation.   
• CED Timeline -- This document lists events, tasks and deadlines and has been coordinated with the USFWS to ensure timely submission.

A summary of the roles and responsibilities and the timeline are provided below, followed by a list of BLM CED Coordinators 

Summary of Roles and Responsibilities

• The WO will coordinate the CED update by providing guidance (tasks, timelines, etc.), facilitating regular communication among all participants including USFWS, assisting BLM staff as needed, and tracking progress and accomplishments. 
• The NOC will provide technical support to BLM data stewards, including assistance with data requirements, batch data uploads/template population and data QA/QC.  The NOC will also work closely with the USFWS, requesting technical support and training for BLM staff as needed.
• The SO CED Coordinators will ensure that SO leadership and relevant program leads and key data users in their states are aware of BLM’s participation in the CED update and will inform them of progress, timelines, and accomplishments.  Further, SO CED Coordinators will work with non-BLM partners to ensure joint efforts are not entered by more than one party.
• The National and State Data Stewards will work together to formulate a plan for data submission, enter the data into the CED templates, and QA/QC the data once entered.   National Stewards will act as an Authorizing Official in approving the data for public release. National and State Data Stewards may request clarification or assistance from Field and District level staff, as needed, to ensure correct and complete data entry. 

General Timeline

• Late-October -- Project Initiation Meetings
• Early-November, 2018 --  Data Entry Begins
• Mid-December, 2018  --  Mid-Project Progress Meeting
• February 1, 2019 -- Data Entry Ends
• February 4, 2019 -- Data QA/QC Begins
• February 28, 2019 -- Data QA/QC End
• Late-March, 2019 -- Project Closeout Meeting and Accomplishments Reporting

BLM  CED Coordinators

For further information, please contact the Vicki Herren (vherren@blm.gov) or Meg McLachlan (mmclachlan@blm.gov). 

Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:
Kristin Bail                                                                  Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director                                                       Division of Business Resources,WO-850
Resources and Planning