ACCESS. Access is the physical ability to reach a particular place or area. For the public to legally have access to BLM land, they must have both a physical way to get there (waterway, foot/horse trail, or road) and permission (easement, right-of-way, or management sanction) allowing that particular type of physical access.
ACTIVITY PLAN. A detailed and specific plan for a single resource program to implement the more general resource management plan (RMP) decisions.
AREA OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN (ACEC). An area where special attention is required to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values; fish and wildlife resources; or other natural systems or processes; or to protect life and safety from natural hazards.
COMPACTION. The process of packing firmly and closely together; the state of being so packed, e.g., mechanical compaction of soil by livestock or vehicular activity. Soil compaction results from particles being pressed together so that the volume of the soil is reduced. It is influenced by the physical properties of the soil, moisture content and the type and amount of compactive effort.
CRITICAL HABITAT. Any habitat, which if lost, would appreciably decrease the likelihood of the survival and recovery of a threatened or endangered species, or a distinct segment of its population. Critical habitat may represent any portion of the present habitat of a listed species and may include additional areas for reasonable population expansion. Critical habitat must be officially designated as such by the Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service.
CRUCIAL WILDLIFE HABITAT. Parts of the habitat necessary to sustain a wildlife population at critical periods of its life cycle. This is often a limiting factor on the population, such as breeding habitat, winter habitat, etc.
CULTURAL PROPERTY. A definite location of past human activity, occupation, or use identifiable through field inventory, historical documentation, or oral evidence. The term includes archaeological, historic, or architectural sites, structures, or places with important public and scientific uses, and may include definite locations (sites or places) or traditional cultural or religious importance to specified social and/or cultural groups.
CULTURAL RESOURCES. A term that includes items of historical, archaeological or architectural significance which are fragile, limited and non-renewable portions of the human environment.
CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN (CRMP). An activity plan in which the determinations made in a resource management plan (RMP) are developed into specific management decisions. CRMP development has two products: the allocation of all of the planning area's cultural resources to use categories and the establishment of related protection and information gathering priorities.
ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES. Determined for plants and animals by one or a combination of the following factors:
1. The present or threatened destruction, modification or curtailment of a species habitat or range.
2. Over-utilization of a species for commercial, sporting, scientific or educational purposes.
3. Disease or predation of the species.
4. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms.
5. Other natural or human caused factors affecting a species' continued existence.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. A concise public document for which a Federal agency is responsible that serves to:
1. Briefly provide sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no significant impact.
2. Aid an agency's compliance with the Act when no environmental impact statement is necessary.
3. Facilitate preparation of a statement when one is necessary. Shall include brief discussions of the need for the proposal, of alternatives as required by Sec. 102(2) (e), of the environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives, and a listing of agencies and persons consulted.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS). A detailed written statement as required by Sec. 102(2) (C) of the National Environmental Protection Act.
EXCHANGE. A conveyance of lands and interests therein from the United States to a person at the same time there is a conveyance of lands and interests therein from the person to the United States.
FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976 (FLPMA). Public Law 94-579, October 21, 1976, often referred to as the BLM's "Organic Act," which provides the majority of the BLM's legislated authority, direction, policy and basic management guidance.
FUNCTIONING AT RISK. Riparian-wetland areas that are in functional condition but an existing soil, water, or vegetation attribute makes them susceptible to degradation.
GROUND WATER. Water contained in pore spaces of consolidated and unconsolidated subsurface material.
LEASABLE MINERALS. Those minerals or materials that can be leased from the federal government. Includes oil and gas, coal, phosphate, sodium, potash, and oil shale.
LOCATABLE MINERALS. Minerals or materials subject to disposal and development through the Mining Law of 1872 (as amended). Generally includes metallic minerals such as gold and silver and other materials not subject to lease or sale (some bentonites, limestone, talc, some zeolites, etc.).
MANAGEMENT ACTIONS. Any actions proposed to preserve a resource, increase or decrease production and/or use, regulate or minimize depletion of resources, or improve the conditions of a resource through application of professionally recognized methods, techniques, or treatments.
MINERAL MATERIALS. Includes common varieties of mineral resources which are not locatable under the mining law nor leasable under the leasing laws. Examples include: sand and gravel, rip rap, building stone, decorative stone, and construction material.
MONITOR. To watch or check. Rangeland resources are monitored for changes that occur as a result of management actions or practices.
MONTANE. Inhabiting the cool, moist ecological zone located near the timberline and usually dominated by evergreen trees.
NONFUNCTIONAL. Riparian-wetland areas that clearly are not providing adequate vegetation, landform, or large woody debris to dissipate stream energy associated with high flows and thus are not reducing erosion, improving water quality, etc. The absence of certain physical attributes such as a floodplain where one should be are indications of nonfunctioning conditions.
OFF-ROAD VEHICLE (ORV). Any motorized track or wheeled vehicle designed for cross-country travel over any type of natural terrain.
OFF-ROAD VEHICLE DESIGNATIONS.
Open: Designated areas and trails where off-road vehicles may be operated, subject to operating regulations and vehicle standards set forth in BLM Manuals 8341 and 8343; or an area where all types of vehicle use is permitted at all times, subject to the standards in BLM Manuals 8341 and 8343.
Limited: Designated areas and trails where the use of off-road vehicles is subject to restrictions such as limiting the number or types or vehicles allowed, dates and times of use (seasonal restrictions), limiting use to existing roads and trails, or limiting use to designated roads and trails. Under the designated roads and trails designation, use would be allowed only on roads and trails that are signed for use. Combinations of restrictions are possible such as limiting use to certain types of vehicles during certain times of the year.
Closed: Designated areas and trails where the use of off-road vehicles is permanently or temporarily prohibited. The use of off-road vehicles in closed areas may be allowed for certain reasons; however, such use shall be made only with the approval of the authorized officer.
PLANNING CRITERIA. The factors used to guide development of the resource management plan, or revision, to ensure that it is tailored to the issue previously identified and to ensure that unnecessary data collection and analysis are avoided. Planning criteria are developed to guide the collection and use of inventory data and information, the analysis of the management situation, the design and formulation of alternatives, the estimation of the effects of alternatives, the evaluation of alternatives, and the selection of the preferred alternative.
PROPER FUNCTIONING CONDITION. Riparian-wetland areas are functioning properly when adequate vegetation, landform, or large woody debris is present to dissipate stream energy associated with high waterflows, thereby reducing erosion and improving water quality; filter sediment, capture bedload, and aid floodplain development; improve flood-water retention and ground water recharge; develop ponding and channel characteristics to provide the habitat and the water depth, duration, and temperature necessary for fish production, waterfowl breeding, and other uses; and support greater biodiversity. The functioning condition of riparian-wetland areas is a result of interaction among geology, soil, water, and vegetation.
PUBLIC LANDS or BLM LANDS. Any land and interest in land (outside of Alaska) owned by the United States and administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Part of BLM's planning system that provides the opportunity for citizens as individuals or groups to express local, regional, and national perspectives and concerns in the rule making, decision making, inventory and planning, processes for public lands. This includes public meetings, hearings, or advisory boards or panels that may review resource management proposals and offer suggestions or criticisms for the various alternatives considered.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN. The system that provides a step-by-step process for considering multiple resource values, resolving conflicts, and making resource management decisions.
ROAD. A two-track route established from use of four-wheeled vehicles over a period of time; or a route constructed for access by four-wheeled motorized vehicles larger than 50" in width but not maintained annually; or a route maintained periodically for access by four-wheeled vehicles larger than 50" in width.
SALEABLE MINERALS. High volume, low value mineral resources including common varieties of rock, clay, decorative stone, sand and gravel.
SEDIMENT. Soil, rock particles and organic or other debris carried from one place to another by wind, water or gravity.
SEGREGATION. The removal for a limited period, subject to valid existing rights, of a specified area of the public lands from the operation of the public land laws, including the mining laws, pursuant to the exercise by the Secretary of the Interior of regulatory authority as conferred by law to allow for the orderly administration of the public lands.
SENSITIVE SPECIES. Animals/plants not yet listed as endangered or threatened, but that are undergoing a status review. This may include animals/plants whose populations are consistently and widely dispersed or whose ranges are restricted to a few localities, so that any major habitat change could lead to extinction. A species that is particularly sensitive to some external disturbance factors.
SOIL. The unconsolidated mineral material on the immedite surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants.
SOIL MOISTURE. Water held in the root zone by capillary action. Part of the soil moisture is available to plants, part is held too tightly by capillary or molecular forces to be removed by plants.
SPECIAL RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREA (SRMA). BLM administrative units established to direct recreation program priorities, including the allocation of funding and personnel, to those BLM lands where a commitment has been made to provide specific recreation activity and experience opportunities on a sustained yield basis. This includes a long-term commitment to manage they physical, social, and managerial settings to sustain these activity and experience opportunities.
SPECIES OF SPECIAL INTEREST OR CONCERN. Species not yet listed as "endangered or threatened" but whose status is being reviewed because of their widely dispersed populations or their restricted ranges. A species whose population is particularly sensitive to external disturbance.
THREATENED SPECIES. A species that the Secretary of Interior has determined to be likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or most of its range. See also "Endangered or Threatened Species."
TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS. The dry weight of dissolved material, organic and inorganic, contained in water.
TRAIL. A single track route that accommodates non-motorized use, or motorized equipment that is less than 50" wide.
UNNECESSARY OR UNDUE DEGRADATION. Surface disturbance greater than what would normally result when an activity is being accomplished by a prudent operator in usual, customary, and proficient operations of similar character and taking into consideration the effects of operations on other resources and land uses, including those resources and uses outside the area of operations.
VALID EXISTING RIGHTS. Legal interests that attach to a land or mineral estate that cannot be divested from the estate until that interest expires or is relinquished.
WATER QUALITY. The chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water with respect to its suitability for a particular use.
WATERSHED. All lands which are enclosed by a continuous hydrologic drainage divide and lie upslope from a specified point on a stream.