What is a Resource Management Plan?

A resource management plan (RMP) is a land use plan that provides the framework to guide decisions for every action and approved use on BLM-administered lands. An RMP establishes specific goals, objectives, allowable uses, management actions, and special designations for managing lands pursuant to the multiple-use and sustained yield mandate of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1701–1785).

Why did the BLM develop this new Central Yukon Resource Management Plan?

The BLM initiated this planning effort to update the guidance for 13.3 million acres of BLM-managed public lands in central and northern Alaska. The new Central Yukon Resource Management Plan (RMP) responds to significant resource changes that have occurred in the Central Yukon Planning Area in recent decades, replaces several outdated management plans (Central Yukon RMP from 1986, Dalton Highway Utility Corridor RMP from 1991, and Southwest Management Framework Plan from 1981), and provides management guidance for areas west of Fairbanks that currently do not have landscape-level management plans. The management decisions in the Central Yukon RMP will provide a benefit to present and future public land users—from subsistence hunters, to recreationalists, and miners—for generations to come.

Which part of Alaska does this resource management plan cover?
The Central Yukon Planning Area stretches across approximately 56 million acres in central and northern Alaska, which includes over 13.3 million acres of BLM-managed lands and other Federal lands, such as portions of the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, the Koyukuk, Innoko Northern Unit, Nowitna, and Kanuti National Wildlife Refuges, and the U.S. Army Tanana Flats and Donnelly training areas. The planning area includes the central Yukon River watershed that is largely undeveloped aside from several small rural communities. The area also includes the Dalton Highway that runs north to south paralleling the Trans Alaska Pipeline System and connecting the Prudhoe Bay oil fields to Fairbanks.

While the Central Yukon RMP considers this entire 56-million-acre area, its decisions only apply to the 13.3 million acres of BLM-managed lands in the planning area. These BLM-managed lands are scattered across the planning area and range from parcels of a few acres up to contiguous blocks of 1 million or more acres.

How did the BLM develop this RMP?

The final RMP is the result of a robust planning process that began in 2013. The planning process involved substantial engagement with Cooperating Agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the State of Alaska, Native Village of Ruby, Koyukuk Native Village, Nulato Village, Native Village of Tanana, Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government, Allakaket Village, Alatna Village, Huslia Village, and Louden Village. The BLM also received important input through significant engagement with Tribes and ANCSA village and regional corporations, as well as public engagement involving over 30 public meetings and nearly 45,000 public comments during this planning process. (See Question on public engagement below.) During review of the draft RMP, the public raised concerns about several issues – including subsistence, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), and the revocation of withdrawals  – that prompted the BLM to do additional analysis before moving forward. In the end, the input from Tribes, Federal agencies, the State of Alaska, and the public has served to refine and improve the plan to best reflect the needs of the people it serves.

What happens next?
This Record of Decision (ROD) approves the Central Yukon RMP, which the BLM will use to guide its future decisions on requests for use of these public lands. Activities the BLM permits on lands within the Central Yukon Planning Area must be consistent with the new RMP. For future permitting decisions, the BLM will conduct site specific analysis of impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act.

With the RMP finalized, the BLM will develop a strategy to implement the RMP and meets its goals and objectives. That will include development of activity level plans (e.g., interim and final transportation and travel management plans) and supplementary rules as described in section 1.3.8 of the ROD. The BLM will seek public participation in the development of such plans and rules and will give notice to the public through our website, BLM news release or announcement, social media platforms, existing mailing lists, and other appropriate means.

Timing of next steps will depend on funding and staff availability, subject to national and statewide direction.