Vertebrate and other scientifically important paleontological resources will continue to be found in the Planning Area.

Adverse impacts to paleontological resources occur from physical damage or destruction of fossils, from loss of related scientific data, including context and stratigraphic control, and potentially due to transfer from public ownership.

Adverse impacts to paleontological resources from surface-disturbing activities occur primarily at the time of initial surface disturbance. Therefore, it is valid to use the projected numbers for short-term surface disturbance to quantify impacts to paleontological resources. Erosion resulting from long-term surface disturbance also can adversely impact paleontological resources, but generally not to the extent of short-term surface disturbance.

Development activities over the life of the RMP are anticipated to be similar in intensity to the intensity represented by surface-disturbance acres identified in Appendix T.

Inventories required before surface disturbance in high-probability areas would result in the identification and evaluation of previously undiscovered resources, which the BLM would then manage accordingly. Surface-disturbing and other disruptive activities also may dislocate or damage paleontological resources that were not discovered before surface disturbance (i.e., unanticipated discoveries). In some cases, surface-disturbing activities, along with avoidance or full mitigation, can benefit the resource.

The number and types of paleontological resources that could be affected by various actions directly correlate to the degree, nature, and quantity of surface-disturbing activities in the Planning Area.

Paleontological resources at the surface are most typically associated with bedrock exposures. Areas of deep soils, alluvium, or colluvium only rarely contain scientifically significant fossils. Therefore, the main areas of concern for impacts to paleontological resources are where fossil-bearing bedrock is at or near the surface, such as badlands, along structural uplifts, hill slopes, or in areas with thin soils over bedrock.