Recording Interpretive Facilities in the Recreation Management Information System (RMIS)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.www.blm.gov
September 7, 2007
In Reply Refer To:
8362 (250) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 10/02/2007
Instruction Memorandum No. 2007-197
Expires: 09/30/2008
To: All Washington Office and Field Office Officials
Attn: National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) Staff, Recreation Staff, Cultural Staff, and Interpreters
From: Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning
Subject: Recording Interpretive Facilities in the Recreation Management Information System (RMIS)
Program Area: Recreation and Visitor Services, NLCS, and Environmental Education and Volunteers.
Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) emphasizes the requirement that interpretive facilities be recorded in the RMIS, in order to maintain complete inventories of visitation and facilities. This enables the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to respond quickly and efficiently to Departmental and Congressional requests for information concerning interpretive facilities.
Policy/Action: The RMIS is the BLM's central data base for recording recreation data including interpretive facilities. It is important that BLM staff maintain interpretive facility information in the RMIS, using the following prescribed RMIS definitions:
Interpretive Site - A site with one or more outdoor interpretive panels, waysides or kiosks. This can include an overlook or watchable wildlife site.
Visitor Center/Interpretive Center - A staffed (not necessarily with BLM personnel) facility where there is a BLM commitment, either financially or through providing in-kind service. The facilities should have at least three or more of the following: a separate sales area, an exhibit about public land resources, a theater, and/or a multipurpose room.
Information Center- A staffed (not necessarily with BLM personnel) facility where visitors can access information with exhibits. This excludes Chamber of Commerce facilities.
Environmental Education (EE) Center - A site used primarily for EE programs for school or similar groups which may also be open to the general public.
Visitor Contact Area - An area where visitors can obtain information on public lands and related waters. It may or may not have simple exhibits, but its primary purpose is as a facility where visitor questions can be answered, e.g., Public Rooms and front desks of BLM offices.
All BLM offices should ensure that their interpretive facility information - including recreation and NLCS areas - are recorded in the RMIS using the proper classification.
Timeframe: Effective immediately.
Background: The BLM is often asked to report information on interpretive facilities, to the Department of the Interior, Congress, and other requesters. The RMIS is the central data base which houses this interpretive facility information.
Budget Impact: There are no immediate budget impacts.
Manual Handbook Sections Affected: None
Coordination: This IM was prepared in consultation with the BLM's RMIS Coordinator, Tina McDonald; (303) 239-3716.
Contact: Amy Galperin, National Lead for Interpretation, Division of Recreation and Visitor Services; (303) 239-3960.
Signed by:
Authenticated by:
Todd S. Christensen
Robert M. Williams
Acting, Deputy Assistant Director
Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Renewable Resources and Planning