Download The alternatives The BLM`s website (click here to navigate to it

The alternatives
The BLM’s website (click here to navigate to it) describes the RMP, gives hints on how
to comment, and has links to the document itself. It defines 4 alternative ways the lands
could be managed, defining different levels of protection and use in many categories,
such as air quality, water, soils, vegetation, fire, invasive species, grazing,
threatened/endangered species, habitat, recreation, roads, utility easements, etc. The
BLM website noted above describes the alternatives in summary and tremendous detail.
Here is our interpretation:
• Alternative A: the status quo, reflecting the management plan in effect since
1999, prior to the Lands Bill, the NCA designations and the related
requirements for management plans in the law. It is provided for comparison
purposes only and is not a valid alternative going forward. This is the
alternative demanded by our elected officials the Influential Few.
• Alternative B: a mix of development and conservation; the current
recommendation of the BLM which in our opinion does not satisfy the
requirement of NCA-level of protection.
• Alternative C: weighted toward conservation and protection of the ecosystem,
with light recreation and little development; our recommended alternative, in
line with the purpose of an NCA.
• Alternative D: weighted toward development rather than conservation,
protection and long-term viability; includes some destructive uses like the
Northern Corridor highway.
The BLM will form their final decision from these alternatives, using comments they
receive, most likely forming a position that is based on one alternative but with some
elements removed and others added from other alternatives.