This appendix provides an overview of the Bighorn Basin Monitoring and Evaluation protocol. Conditions may change over the life of the land use plan and these changes may require different management actions to protect resources and minimize resource conflicts. To address the changing conditions and provide management flexibility that incorporates best management practices (BMP), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reviews effectiveness of management actions, assesses the current resource conditions and, if needed, alters management actions.

Due to staffing and funding levels monitoring will be prioritized consistent with the goals and objectives of the Resource Management Plan (RMP) in cooperation with local, state, and other federal agencies. A system should be established to regularly collect, coordinate and distribute monitoring data collected by other federal and state agencies. Changes to monitoring may result from developing technologies or a better understanding of information.