Cave and Karst Management ThroughLand Use Planning

James GoodbarSr. Cave SpecialistBureau of Land ManagementCody, Wyoming May 12-16, 2014Aaron StocktonCave Specialist Bureau of Land Management

Why Land Use Planning?

Provides for Actions Needed to Implement

Restricts Uses That May be Adverse to Significant Cave Resources Allows for Budget Access

Establishes Priorities

Basis of NEPA-Activity Management Plans

Cave / Karst ManagementThrough Land Use Planning

Required by: Federal Cave Protection Act

FLPMA

Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act

NEPA/CEQ Regulations

Endangered Species Act

Manuals

Cave / Karst Management Through Land Use Planning

Purpose: Primary Mechanism for GuidingActivities to Achieve Mission & Goals Desired Outcomes (Your Vision) Allowable Uses/Restrictions & Mgmt. Actions Collaborative Involvement Integrates NEPA

Cave / Karst ManagementThrough Land Use Planning

Levels of Planning

Resource Management Plan (Field Office)

Activity Level Plan (Cave/ Area)

Project Plan (Specific Action ie. Gate)

Resource Management PlanSTEP 1. Analysis of Management SituationAMS

1. Introduction (Blah, Blah, Blah)2. Area Profile (Existing Resource Conditions)3. Current Management Direction4. Management Opportunities5. Coordination with Other Plans6. Specific Mandates and Authorities

Analysis of Management SituationAMS

2. Area Profile (Existing Conditions) Resources Regional Context - Local, Regional, National Resource-Specific Information Indicators - Factors Describing Conditions Current Conditions - Location, Extent, Condition Trends - Degree and Direction of Change Forecast - Predict Changes, Describe Drivers Key Factors - What Should Guide Mgmt. Decisions

Analysis of Management SituationAMS

2. Area Profile (Existing Conditions) Resource Use Current Levels Forecast Key Features Special DesignationsArea of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC)Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) Socio Economic

Analysis of Management SituationAMS

3. Current Management Direction

Relevant Plans and Amendments Management Decisions

Analysis of Management SituationAMS

5. Coordination with Other Plans

County/city plans

State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies, State lands plans

Other Federal agency plans

Coordination With Other Programs

Analysis of Management SituationAMS

6. Specific Mandates & Authority

Laws

Regulations

Policies

Resource Management PlanStep 2. Roll the Information Form the AMS Into the RMP

1. Introduction (Blah, Blah, Blah)2. Area Profile (Becomes Affected Environment)3. Current Management Direction (Existing Decisions)4. Management Opportunities (Becomes Alternatives)5. Coordination with Other Plans6. Specific Mandates and Authorities (New Guidance)

Basis for Land Use Planning:1601 Manual1601 Land Use Planning Manual: Appendix C, Pg. 13, L

1. Management (resources, visitors, facilities2. Marketing (outreach, education, interpretation3. Monitoring (social, environmental, administrative)4. Administration (regulatory, permit)

Plans Are Guided By..... Laws, Rules, Regulations, Policy Inventory Data/ Caves/ Geology Available Resources (funds, staff, volunteers) Land Uses (above cave) Info/Data from Cave Files Your Partners Your Imagination

Whats Included In Land Use Planning Decisions Objectives for actions: Protections, use, restoration, Desired future condition: Describe what you are trying to achieve Allocation: The line on a map. ACEC determination. Evaluation of public nominations, Basis for use: Recreation , Research, Habitat Protection Monitoring: How do you know when what you are doing is the right thing, or how to measure success?

Key Point Involve Your Partners Early and Often Through the EIS Process There are Required Points for Public Involvement Listen to Your Constituent Groups Often They Know the Resources Better Than You Do.

? QUESTIONS ?Where does this passage go? Modified from 2001 Buzz Hummel and2007 Geoff Middaugh PresentationsPhotos by : Jim Goodbar, Mat Safford, BLM stock.

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