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l\) co 0') 0') Standards desc~lbe conditions needed to sustain public land health, and relate to all uses of the public lands. The standards are written in a two-part format. The standard is first described ina statement. Then indicators which relate to the standard are identified. The indicators help define the standard and describe features which are observable on the land. Additional indicators may also be applicable to some sites, and some indicators may not apply to every specific site. While a site should match the indicators it is not necessary for each site to perfectly match all the indicators to comply with the standard. . The appropriate use of resources will be determin'ed by the authorized officer on a case by case basis, in consultation, coordination and cooperation with local cooperators and the, interested public. and in accordance with law and regulation. Standards are observed on a landscape scale. It is not possible for each acre to achieve every standard. For example, a mosaic of vegetation types and age classes /'nay produce the diversity. associated with a healthy landscape; however, some individual vegetation communities within the mosaic may lack diversity. . Standards always relate to the potential of the landscape. Climate, landform, geologic,. and biologic characteristics are factors that affect potential. Each I.andscape has a specific ability to ' provide values important to humans such as timber, livestock forage, water, wildlife, and minerals. Therefore, the potential of a site can also be altered through a wide variety of human socio- economic factors. When this occurs, a new potential exists. The authorized officer, through the consultation process, will evaluate the site based on its new potential. Comparative analysis of nearby landscapell, (that appear to have similar climate, geology, landform, biologic and socio- economic characteristics), is considered the most reliabl.e means to identify the potential landscape.. It is common for landscapes with nearly identical potential to differ, in their appearance, and in the. values they provilile. Variability results from both natural plant succession patterns, and human uses. While the climax plant community is significant as an indicator of potential. the climax community does not automatically provide the comparative basis for evaluating the standard. In, many circumstances local goals will identify a different plant community which provides the most optimum values. When this occurs, the plant community identified in the local goal replaces the climax community as the foundation for evaluating the standard. Often, existing information will be sufficient to determine public land. health. It is not alWays necessary to collect measurable baseline data for each standard on each site to 'deter/'ninepublic land health. Howaver, baseline data is important to establish so that changes: can be observed and measured. The BLM's' authorized officer will determine the amount and type of data each situation requires in consultati.on, coordination and cooperation with local cooperators and the Interested public. In areas where the standards are not being achieved, current uses and management actiOns will be reviewed and modified if necessary to assure significant progress toward achieving a healthy eCQSystem. ';] , J ->1 :; '1 :1 l J l :J Guidelines are livestock grazing management tools, methods, strategies, and techniques (e.g., best management prectices) designed to maintain or achieve healthy public lands as defined by the standards. Grazing by wildlife and wild horses, oil and gas activity, recreation, and logging can affect the health of the land. Guidelines for these and other uses may be developed as needed to conform with the new standards. Implementation of livestock grazing management guidelines must also be coordinated with other uses of the land; collectively, these uses should not detrect from the goal of achieving healthy public lands. j i - ~ 5 . "', ,,^