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Bureau of Land Management • Advancing Science in the BLM: an Implementation Strategy • March 2015 Advancing Science in the BLM: An Implementation Strategy March 2015 Production services provided by: Bureau of Land Management National Operations Center Information and Publishing Services Section P.O. Box 25047 Denver, CO 80225 Suggested citation: Kitchell, K., S. Cohn, R. Falise, H. Hadley, M. Herder, K. Libby, K. Muller, T. Murphy, M. Preston, M.J. Rugwell, and S. Schlanger. 2015. Advancing Science in the BLM: An Implementation Strategy. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Washington, DC. BLM/WO/GI-15/002+1222 Advancing Science in the BLM: An Implementation Strategy Authors: Katherine Kitchell (Project Lead), Montana Associate State Director Billings, Montana Steven Cohn, Deputy State Director for Resources Alaska State Office, Anchorage, Alaska Roxanne Falise, Division of Resource Services Chief National Operations Center, Denver, Colorado Heidi Hadley, National Science Advisor Washington Office, Washington, DC Michael Herder, Associate District Manager Ely District Office, Ely, Nevada Kathie Libby, Program and Management Analyst Washington Office, Washington, DC Kit Muller, Landscape Approach Lead Washington Office, Washington, DC Ted Murphy, Alaska Associate State Director Anchorage, Alaska Matthew Preston, Science Advisor National Landscape Conservation System, Washington, DC Mary Jo Rugwell, Wyoming Associate State Director Cheyenne, Wyoming Sarah Schlanger, Associate Monument Manager Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Kanab, Utah March 2015 Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................1 Findings ....................................................................3 Implementation Strategy Goals .............................................4 Conclusion .................................................................7 Science Action Plan .........................................................8 Appendix 1: Case Studies that Exemplify the Principles and Practices of Effective Scientific Integration in the BLM...................................13 Appendix 2: Bureau of Land Management National Science Committee .....22 Appendix 3: Bibliography and Suggested Reading ..........................26 ii Advancing Science in the BLM: An Implementation Strategy Introduction The Federal Land Policy and Management Act Science Integration of 1976 (FLPMA) directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to manage the public lands Multiscale Analysis for multiple use and sustained yield so as to ensure (assumptions, the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s Multiscale uncertainty) Multiscale Monitoring Objectives public lands for the use and enjoyment of present (statistical (desired sampling) Science condition) and future generations. Carrying out this mission (data, studies, models is increasingly complex and visible in a world of and processes) rapid and dynamic change, presenting the BLM Management Adaptive Actions Management with difficult choices that will affect how the land (past and (new will look for generations to come. The intricacy of present) information) natural and cultural systems, combined with public expectations and legal dictates, make it essential for the BLM to continue to be “science-informed,” Science supporting its current culture in which mission- Consistency Across DOI and BLM oriented science enables managers and staff to Boundaries Priorities apply science in decisionmaking and adaptive Resource Decisions management, at every level and in every program. Planning Laws, Professional Authorizations Regulations, Sta Input Science is the knowledge and study of the world Mitigation and Policies Stewardship/Conservation based on facts learned through experiments and Adaptation systematic observations. A wide range of biophysical Feasibility of Implementation Public Input and socioeconomic sciences are applicable to the (Dollars and Capacity) BLM’s decisionmaking. Throughout all the work Political Context processes the BLM employs to achieve various resource management outcomes, science and science-based tools should play a continual role Figure 1. Contributors to the BLM decisionmaking process, with science in addition to many other inputs, such as legal as one of the many inputs and policy requirements, public opinion, and professional expertise (see Figure 1). When properly To help integrate science into multiple-use land balanced with all of the other inputs of resource management decisions in a consistent manner, decisions, science informs decisions such as site- the BLM invests in several science-based strategies specific grazing permits, permits to drill and mine, and activities that provide multiscale insight to landscape-scale planning, regional mitigation both the agency and the public. Products of these strategies, and adaptive management. strategies and activities, including the Assessment, Advancing Science in the BLM: An Implementation Strategy 1 Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Strategy; rapid Recognizing the increasing importance of science- ecoregional assessments (REAs); and the Geospatial informed decisions, the BLM performed an Services Strategic Plan, build on existing successes assessment of science activities and opportunities and expand a decisionmaker’s access to important in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, BLM Director Neil information essential for landscape management. Kornze asked a team (Advancing Science Integration Strategy Team—ASIST) to develop As the BLM continues to develop a landscape-scale an implementation strategy to support the BLM’s approach to management, consistent scientific leadership and resource specialists as they apply data and tools will enhance the BLM’s ability to science in their everyday work. The ASIST members work across traditional administrative boundaries consulted with the BLM Executive Leadership Team to respond to broad-based issues. For example, (ELT), Field Committee, Deputy State Directors for consistent scientific data and tools are a key aspect resources and minerals programs, and Washington of the BLM’s efforts to manage Greater Sage-Grouse Office (WO) Division Chiefs throughout the habitat, identify healthy lands focal areas, and development of this strategy. develop regional mitigation strategies. As the BLM’s planning process evolves with Planning 2.0, strong, sound scientific data will need to underpin the BLM’s planning efforts even more than in the past. 2 Advancing Science in the BLM: An Implementation Strategy Findings The ASIST members validated that effective and BLM is routinely transparent about assumptions, consistent integration of the best available science objectives, and uncertainties in the analyses. in decisionmaking is becoming more and more essential for public land management in an era To advance a more effective and consistent use of of changing climate, landscape-scale planning, science, the ASIST members recognized the need large dataset development, advanced technology, for the BLM to integrate science into the core of its increased public expectations, and diverse legal actions and to provide the resources, training, and challenges. partnerships to ensure that scientific information is accessible. In other words, the BLM should ensure Generally, the BLM entrusts its resource specialists effective and consistent science integration into to keep abreast of how scientific understanding the BLM’s core work processes (Implementation is evolving in their respective disciplines and Strategy, Goal 1) and ensure that relevant, timely to incorporate science into their work. The scientific information is accessible to BLM staff and ASIST members found numerous examples managers (Implementation Strategy, Goal 2). These (see Appendix1) in which the BLM is effectively two implementation strategy goals are described in embracing science-land management integration. detail in the next section of this document. These examples serve as a foundation to advance science into all aspects of land management and The ASIST members also acknowledged that become models for effective integration of science advancing science in the BLM does not stand alone. as a consistent practice throughout the BLM. This implementation strategy reinforces several Additionally, the BLM should expand and fully components of the BLM’s publication “Winning the embrace scientific partnerships, as the BLM does Challenges of the Future: A Road Map for Success in not have the capacity, nor would it be wise, to go it 2016” by placing an emphasis on data, monitoring, alone. and adaptive management; investing in geospatial data and tools; and empowering the scientific To be most effective in achieving its mission, the capacity of BLM employees and partnerships. BLM should continue efforts to advance a culture Furthermore, this strategy is closely connected with that makes it a priority for employees to remain several other BLM priorities, including Planning current on the most up-to-date science and the 2.0, regional mitigation strategies, and the Greater latest research of their peers and deliberately Sage-Grouse planning effort. And lastly, this obtain and apply relevant science to all programs implementation strategy complements and will be and projects. Managers and staff should have coordinated with other ongoing science strategies, the tools and data necessary to apply the best such as those adopted by the National Landscape available science in decisionmaking and adaptive Conservation System (NLCS) and the Joint Fire management, and the public should gain a much Science Program. better
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