One of the BLM’s primary objectives during development of the Bradshaw-Harquahala Approved RMP was to understand the views of various publics by providing opportunities for meaningful participation in the planning process. The interdisciplinary planning team used the scoping process to identify relevant issues and conducted workshops that involved the public in developing the plan alternatives. Through communication media such as meetings, newsletters, and news releases, the public was provided opportunities to identify issues that needed to be addressed in the PRMP/FEIS. The goal was for this process to result in a better understanding of the planning process, the decisions that result from it, and the importance of collaborative stewardship as a strategy for implementation.

Productive partnerships emerged as a result of the planning process and are in place to assist the BLM in implementing the Approved RMP . Current community partners include the Upper Agua Fria Watershed Partnership, Bradshaw Foothills Coalition, Black Canyon Trail Coalition, Black Canyon Community Association, New River/Desert Foothills Community Association, Friends of Table Mesa, Agua Fria Open Space Alliance, and Wickenburg Conservation Foundation.

Specifically, the formal process of public involvement began when the BLM published the Notice of Intent to prepare an RMP with EIS in the Federal Register in April 2002. The Notice of Availability of the DRMP/DEIS was published on January 6, 2006. The BLM facilitated public involvement through a series of open houses and workshops in 2002 and 2003, and additional meetings were held in local communities to obtain comments on the DEIS in 2006. The Notice of Availability of the PRMP/FEIS was published on August 8, 2008.

The Hassayampa Field Office also maintained a national mailing list of approximately 1,500 individuals, agencies, interest groups, and tribes who expressed interest in the planning process. The BLM mailed planning bulletins to those on the mailing list to keep them informed of project status. Additionally, public meetings were announced at least 15 days prior to the event in local news media. The BLM also participated in numerous meetings with cooperating agencies, other federal agencies, American Indian Tribes, and state and local governments. Additional details concerning the coordination and consultation process are included in the Approved RMP in the section entitled Planning Process, and in Chapter 5 of the PRMP/FEIS.