BLM land use planning requirements were established by sections 201 and 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLMPA, 43 U.S.C. 1711-1712) and the regulations in 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1600. Land use plans and planning decisions are the basis for every on-the-ground action the BLM undertakes. Land use plans include both Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and Management Framework Plans (MFPs).
An RMP is a set of comprehensive long-range decisions concerning the use and management of resources administered by the BLM.
BLM uses an ongoing planning process to ensure that land use plan decisions remain consistent with applicable laws, regulations, orders, and policies. This process involves public participation, assessment, decision-making, implementation, plan monitoring, and evaluation, as well as adjustment through maintenance, amendment, and revision. This process allows for continuous adjustments to respond to changed circumstances.
Concurrently with the development of the RMP, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will also be prepared. Required by Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an EIS highlights the significant effects of a proposed project and describes alternative actions to that proposed project. The EIS will identify and analyze the potential impacts of the alternatives and implementation of the RMP on the environment and identify appropriate measures to mitigate those impacts.
BLM develops the RMP/EIS to be consistent with current laws and regulations and to provide the public an opportunity to review the management decision-making for the Little Snake Field Office.