BLM to review its planning process

After using the same basic planning approach for 38 years, the Bureau of Land Management has announced it will review how it develops its Resource Management Plans. “As I’ve met with elected leaders and citizens from across the West on BLM issues, I’ve consistently heard two things: first, the BLM needs to more effectively address landscape-level management challenges; and second, planning takes too long.” BLM Director Neil Kornze said in a statement. The decision was hailed by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership as a way to “modernize this approach and remedy its shortcomings. “For example, tracts of intact and undeveloped lands, commonly known as backcountry, are key BLM resources that aren’t adequately recognized and managed through existing agency planning guidance,” said Henri Bisson, former BLM deputy director for operations and BLM Alaska state director. Based on an initial review, the BLM intends to target changes to, in part, create a planning process that is responsive to change, allowing BLM to keep plans current through amendments; and to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete RMPs. “The main challenges the BLM face are incompatible development and land use, as well as the need for well-funded restoration,” said Ken Mayer, former director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife...more

Just relax.  Having Harry Reid's former aide heading this up should give everyone confidence.

Actually, my gut feeling on this is not good.  Notice who is praising it.  It appears to me they are looking for ways to have more wilderness, wildlife corridors and other set-asides from multiple use.  Go to the BLM page on this issue and you will find statements such as, "we hope to improve our land use planning process so that we can more effectively plan across landscapes at multiple scales and be more responsive to environmental and social change."  Sounds to me like environmentalists and urban residents are who they are aiming to please. 

BLM's planning process takes so long because of NEPA and lawsuits, not because of their approach.  

BLM says they want your comments, so you better check it out.