WSP01334 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

<. N ~ "" <:I FLEXIBILITY The standards are designed to maintain or achieve healthy public lands while allowing for the development of local goals and objectives. For example, on sites of similar potential a desired plant community designed to provide deer winter range would differ from one designed for 'cattle summer range, yet both could achieve the standards. Local goals and specific objectives consistent with standards will be developed by BLM In consultation, cooperation and coordination with local cooperators and the interested public. Guidelines were designed to provide direction, yet offer flexibility for 10ca"1 implementation 'through grazing permits. Activity plans may add spacificity to the guidelines based on local goals and objectives. A wide variety Of grazing management strategies can produce healthy rangelands. One or more guidelines would be employed to achieve the standards. . IMPLEMENTATION Recognizing that social and economic factors must be. considered in achieving healthy public 'lands" the authorized officer will coordinate, consult and cooperate with the local cooperators and interested publics during all phases of implementing standards and guidelines,' whether it be for an allotment, group of allotments, or watershed. BLM will strive to make use of collaborative approaches involving the various interested publics within an affected allotment, group of allotments, or watershed. The Resource Advisory Council (RAC) may be requested by any party to, assist in reachin(:l agreement in resolving disputes. As greater understanding of ecosystems, Including soclo-eeonomic factors, becomes available, it will be applied to our management of public lands. The section below describes the general process for applying the Colorado standards and guidelines in the field. If mutual agreement on a course of action is reached at any point during this process, such agreement may eliminate the need for some of the process steps described. '\) It is unreasonable to assume that standards and guidelines will be applied to all public lands immediately upon' adoption. Therefore, it .is. imperative that a logical system for prioritizing. work be adopted. Following are some criteria that the authorized officer uses to prioritize areas such as allotments, watersheds, or other landscapes: ,i . :1 >';;, .J .-! . · Are there situations where legal requirements must be met? · Is there. information to indicate resources at risk, or that the severity of resource damage demands immediate attention? (monitoring results, allotment categorization, professional judgement, results of ESI or other inventory data, etc.) . Is use conflict present? · Is there public concern or interest for possible resources at risk? · What is scheduled for completion according to the RMP implementation schedule? . Where can efficiencies with limited resources be realized? · Where aTe the best opportunities to effect positive change toward public land health? · Are there permits or other resource use authorizations that need to be acted upon (e.g.grazing, right-of-ways, timber sales, etc.)? " . Ii ..'1 " , ,), , . , ,-.'. 9