Section 1502.16 of CEQ regulations requires that the discussion of environmental consequences include a description of “…any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources which would be involved in the proposal should it be implemented.” An irreversible commitment of resources refers to decisions affecting the use of resources (generally nonrenewable resources) that limit the ability for future generations to use that resource. For example, extraction and processing of sand and gravel as part of an aggregate mining operation is considered an irreversible commitment of salable minerals. This action is irreversible because once the minerals are extracted and processed, they cannot be renewed in the ground within a reasonable timeframe, and are therefore unavailable for use by future generations. An irretrievable commitment of resources refers to decisions resulting in the loss of production or use of a resource. For example, a decision not to treat juniper encroachment into adjacent sagebrush habitat results in the irretrievable loss of forage production from the grassland community. This action is not irreversible, because a treatment applied to the encroaching juniper could restore the forage production of the sagebrush habitat.
Though the decision to select one of the four alternatives described in this Draft RMP and EIS does not authorize implementation level (activity- or project-specific) activities, all of the alternatives contain decisions on the management of resources that may lead to future irreversible and irretrievable commitments of those resources. Decisions made in the selected plan serve to guide future actions and subsequent site-specific decisions. Following the signing of the RODs for the RMP revision, implementation plans will be developed and implemented by the BLM. Implementation decisions require appropriate project specific planning and NEPA analysis, and constitute BLM’s final approval authorizing on-the-ground activities to proceed. Assuming the BLM selects one of the action alternatives, and that subsequent implementation decisions authorize activity- or project-specific plans, irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources would occur. For most resources, the RMP will provide objectives for management and guidance for future implementation level decisions to minimize the potential for irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources.
Table 4-39 identifies the irreversible and irretrievable impacts to resources and resource uses that may occur as a result of implementing one of the four alternatives. No irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources are anticipated for air quality, visual resources, lands and realty, renewable energy, ROW and corridors, CTTM, recreation, special designations, and socioeconomic resources.
Table 4.39. Irreversible and Irretrievable Resource Commitments
| Resource | Irreversible | Irretrievable | Explanation |
| Physical, Biological, and Heritage Resources | |||
| Soil | X | Surface-disturbing activities, nonmechanized activities, and natural processes cause soil erosion in the Planning Area. Soil formation can take thousands of years and, therefore, eroded soil and, to a lesser extent, lost productivity are considered unrecoverable. | |
| Water | X | Depletion of surface water from in the Planning Area watersheds may result in an irretrievable commitment of water that would otherwise have contributed to the Missouri River System. Produced water from oil and gas wells in the Planning Area may be an irretrievable commitment of groundwater, depending on its use, once it reaches the surface. Increases in sediment, salinity, and nonpoint source pollution that result from surface-disturbing activities could result in degradation of water quality and an irretrievable loss of water utility. | |
| Vegetation | X | Allowing surface-disturbing activities consistent with the BLM’s multiple-use mandate would result in both long- and short-term alteration and removal of vegetation cover that would not be available to meet other resource objectives. In some instances, disturbance may result in a long-term shift in plant communities. | |
| Fish and Wildlife | X | Activities that result in the alteration of habitat by shifting vegetation communities can displace wildlife, reduce carrying capacity, and change wildlife communities, resulting in lower species diversity and, thus, irretrievable commitment of these resources. Potential impacts to wildlife include obstacles and barriers affecting traditional ranges and migration corridors of big game and resulting in concentrated herbivory that may cause damage to habitat. | |
| Cultural and Paleontological Resources | X | Any surface-disturbing activities may damage, destroy, or otherwise affect cultural and paleontological resources. Once disturbed, these resources cannot be replaced and the potential for collecting or preserving meaningful data is compromised. | |
| Resources | |||
| Locatable Minerals | X | Allowing the removal of locatable minerals from the ground is considered an irreversible commitment of these resources. | |
| Leasable Minerals | X | Allowing the removal of oil and gas or any solid leasable mineral from the ground is considered an irreversible commitment of these resources. | |
| Mineral Materials | X | Allowing the removal of mineral materials from the ground is considered an irreversible commitment of these resources. | |
| Forest Products | X | Any decision to prohibit silviculture treatments is an irretrievable commitment of the wood fiber produced. | |
| Livestock Grazing | X | Forage consumed by livestock is unavailable for wildlife. Conversely, any decision to prohibit livestock grazing is also an irretrievable commitment of the forage produced. | |