Planning Process

The nine steps to resource management planning are:

1. Planning Issues Identification. Issues and concerns were identified through a scoping process that included the public, Indian tribes, other federal agencies, and state and local governments. Scoping open houses were held from May 2 through 5, 2005. The public may view the preliminary draft planning issue themes that were identified here.

2. Planning Criteria Development. Planning criteria have been drafted to ensure decisions are made to address the issues pertinent to the planning effort. Planning criteria were derived from a variety of sources including applicable laws and regulations, existing management plans, coordination of other agencies' programs, and the results of scoping. The public may view the preliminary draft planning criteria that were developed here.

3. Data and Information Collection. Data and information for the resources in the planning area are collected based on the preliminary planning issue themes and criteria.

4. Analysis of the Management Situation. The current management of resources in the planning area was assessed and documented in April 2005.

5. Alternatives Formulation. A range of reasonable management alternatives that address issues identified during scoping is being developed.

6. Alternatives Assessment. The effects of each alternative will be estimated.

7. Preferred Alternative Selection. The alternative that best resolves planning issues will be identified as the preferred alternative.

8. Management Plan Selection. First, a Draft RMP/EIS will be issued and made available for public review for 90 calendar days. After comments to the draft document have been received and analyzed, it will be modified as necessary, and the Proposed Plan/Final EIS will be published and made available for public review for 30 calendar days. A record of decision will be signed to approve the RMP.

9. Implementation and Monitoring. The management measures outlined in the approved plan will be implemented on the ground, and future monitoring will be conducted to test their effectiveness.

Timeline

Please be aware that schedules may change. The timeline will be updated as needed to reflect any schedule changes.