The Approved RMP provides overall direction for management of all resources on BLM-administered lands. Many land use plan decisions are implemented or become effective upon publication of the ROD for the Approved Plan. Such decisions were attained using the planning process found in 43 CFR 1600 and guide future land management actions and subsequent site-specific implementation decisions. When presented to the public as proposed decisions, land use plan decisions can be protested to the BLM Director; however, they are not appealable to the Interior Board of Land Appeals.
Land use plan decisions represent the desired outcomes and the actions needed to achieve them. The Approved RMP is the summation of its desired future conditions, land use allocations, special designations, and management actions, along with the associated administrative actions and standard operating procedures that represent day-to-day actions, rather than plan decisions.
Brief descriptions of the types of land use plan decisions are presented below.
Land use plans express desired future conditions as desired outcomes in terms of specific goals, standards, and objectives for resources and/or uses. They direct the BLM actions in most effectively complying with legal mandates, numerous regulatory responsibilities, national policy, BLM State Director guidance, and other resource or social needs. Land use plans are designed to most effectively meet these desired future conditions through land use allocations, special designations, or management actions.
Allowable, restricted, or prohibited uses define land use allocations that identify lands where uses are allowed, including any restrictions needed to meet goals and objectives. Areas may be identified to exclude specific uses in order to protect resource values. Examples of these decisions include areas to be managed for wilderness characteristics ; and management zones where certain types of recreational activities or facilities will or will not be permitted. Land use allocations have geographic boundaries. It is common for specific resource or use allocations to overlap with other resource or use allocations.
Special designations include those that are designated by Congress for special protection, such as wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, or national historic or scenic trails. Such designations are not land use plan decisions. However, recommendations for designation can be made to Congress at the land use plan level. Congress may then act on these recommendations at a later time. Administrative designations made by the BLM (e.g., designating Areas of Critical Environmental Concern ( ACEC s) or watchable wildlife viewing sites) are also considered special designations and can be made in the land use plan.
Management actions include those provisions that help in meeting the established goals and objectives, and include measures that will be applied to guide day-to-day activities on public lands to meet desired future conditions. Management actions are categorized as actions to achieve desired outcomes and may include but are not limited to stipulations, guidelines, best management practices, and design features.
Administrative actions are not land use plan decisions. They include day-to-day activities conducted by the BLM, often required by FLPMA. BLM administrative actions do not require NEPA analysis or a written decision by a responsible official to be accomplished. Examples of administrative actions include mapping, surveying, inventorying, monitoring, and collecting needed information through research and studies. Administrative actions also include developing and sustaining partnerships to achieve desired future conditions. See Appendix A, Administrative Actions and Standard Operating Procedures in the attached Approved RMP for descriptions of Administrative Actions and Standard Operating Procedures.
Listed below are key management decisions in the Approved Plan.
Designates four new Areas of Critical Environmental Concern , encompassing 89,970 acres, to provide protection for important wildlife habitat , riparian areas, and cultural resources.
Identifies 67,279 acres for management to maintain wilderness characteristics in areas of the Bradshaw, Belmont, and Big Horn mountain ranges.
Identifies 39,395 acres as available for disposal through sale or exchange
Designates five utility corridors and six communication sites.
Identifies approximately 101,000 acres as closed to mineral location, leasing, and material sales. These areas include 96,820 acres in the five designated Wilderness Areas as well as portions of the new ACEC s.
Retains 966,820 acres available to livestock grazing in existing allotments. Grazing practices on individual allotments may be adjusted to meet the Arizona Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management.
Allocates 15 areas, covering 678,835 acres, as Special Recreation Management Areas and Recreation Management Zones. These areas will provide opportunities for diverse motorized and non-motorized activities that are consistent with the specific, benefits-based objectives defined for each area. The remaining areas will be managed as Extensive Recreation Management Areas, where activities will be monitored with minimal development of facilities.
Provides for management actions to protect threatened, endangered, and sensitive fish and wildlife species.
Identifies scientific use allocations and protective actions for cultural resources (archaeological sites and places of traditional cultural significance).
Identifies five Special Cultural Resource Management Areas (SCRMAs) with specific sites available for public use allocations, which would allow unobtrusive development for interpretive use and public education.
Limits motorized travel to designated routes only. Limits travel to inventoried routes pending the completion of route designations and Travel Management Plans within 5 years of RMP approval.
Allocates 80,800 acres as the Lake Pleasant Herd Management Area to sustain a viable population of wild burros. Burros in the Harquahala Mountains will be removed as funding is available with the target of reaching a population of zero.
This ROD serves as the final decision establishing the land use plan decisions outlined in the Approved RMP and is effective on the date it is signed. No further administrative remedies are available for these land use plan decisions.