Analysis of the Management Situation- Missoula Resource
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Analysis of the Management Situation Missoula Resource Management Plan Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management August 2016 Missoula Field Office 3255 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, MT 59804-7204 Missoula Bureau of Land Management Analysis of the Management Situation This page intentionally left blank. Missoula Bureau of Land Management Analysis of the Management Situation Analysis of the Management Situation Aug 31st, 2016 Bureau of Land Management Missoula Field Office 3255 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, MT 59804-7204 For more information contact the RMP Team Leader at: (406) 329-3914 [email protected] Cover photos from left to right, top to bottom: prescribed fire, BLM; Blackfoot River, BLM; bitterroot flower, BLM; cow grazing, BLM; snowmobiling in Garnet Ghost Town, BLM; Canada lynx, photo by Eric Kilby; mining drill rig, BLM; logging operations, BLM Missoula Bureau of Land Management Analysis of the Management Situation Readers Guide The Missoula Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management has prepared this analysis of the management situation (AMS) as part of the revision of its resource management plan. This document, although not required by NEPA; describes the current conditions, trends, and forecasts of resources and resource uses on lands managed by the Missoula BLM. Its primary purpose is to assist BLM staff in their analysis, and to help identify preliminary planning issues, purpose and need, and any data that may be missing. Chapter 1-Introduction. Includes the purpose of the AMS, preliminary purpose and need, a description of the planning area, other regional strategies, and a summary of key findings. Chapter 2-Resources: Area Profile, Current Management, and Management Opportunities. Includes indicators, current conditions, trends, forecasts, and management opportunities of resources found on BLM-managed lands within the Field Office. Chapter 3-Resource Uses: Area Profile, Current Management, and Management Opportunities. Includes indicators, current conditions, trends, forecasts, and management opportunities of resource uses found on BLM-managed lands within the Field Office. Chapter 4-Consistency and Coordination with Other Plans. Identifies other plans and their relation to the planning area and RMP revision. Chapter 5-Specific Mandates and Authorities. Laws, regulations, and policy from Federal, state, local, and agency units. Chapter 6-List of Preparers. Includes a list of individuals and their responsibilities who prepared this AMS. Glossary, References, Acronyms Appendix A- Rangeland Health Assessment. A detailed description of the current rangeland health status of all livestock grazing allotments in the decision area. Appendix B- Montana Species of Concern. A detailed list of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, and plants listed as species of concern by the State of Montana. Scoping Comment Period Future involvement opportunities include a formal scoping period beginning in early October, 2016. Notification of the scoping period will be triggered by publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register. The BLM will also notify the public through newspaper publications and newsletters. For more information contact the RMP Team Leader at: (406) 329-3914, or email: [email protected], or on our website at: http://1.usa.gov/21RNCPG i Readers Guide Missoula Bureau of Land Management Analysis of the Management Situation Table of Contents Readers Guide ........................................................................................................................................................ i Scoping Comment Period ........................................................................................................................................ i Table of Contents................................................................................................................................................... ii List of Tables ....................................................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose of the Analysis of the Management Situation ....................................................................................... 2 1.2 Preliminary Purpose and Need for the Revision .................................................................................................. 3 1.2.1 Need ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.2.2 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.3 General Description of the Planning Area ........................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Regional Context ............................................................................................................................................... 10 1.5 Summary of Key Findings .................................................................................................................................. 15 Chapter 2. Resources: Area Profile, Current Management, and Management Opportunities .............................. 17 2.1 Air Quality and Climate Change ........................................................................................................................ 18 2.1.1 Indicators ................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.1.2 Current Conditions, Trends, and Forecast ................................................................................................. 20 2.1.3 Current Management ................................................................................................................................ 32 2.1.4 Management Opportunities ...................................................................................................................... 32 2.2 Cave and Karst Resources .................................................................................................................................. 33 2.2.1 Regional Context ........................................................................................................................................ 33 2.2.2 Key Features .............................................................................................................................................. 33 2.2.3 Indicators ................................................................................................................................................... 33 2.2.4 Current Conditions, Trends, and Forecast ................................................................................................. 34 2.2.5 Current Management ................................................................................................................................ 34 2.2.6 Management Opportunities ...................................................................................................................... 34 2.3 Cultural and Heritage Resources ....................................................................................................................... 35 2.3.1 Regional Context and Key Features ........................................................................................................... 35 2.3.2 Indicators ................................................................................................................................................... 41 2.3.3 Current Conditions, Trends and Forecast .................................................................................................. 42 2.3.4 Current Management ................................................................................................................................ 43 2.3.5 Management Opportunities ...................................................................................................................... 44 2.4 Fuels and Fire Ecology ....................................................................................................................................... 45 2.4.1 Regional Context ........................................................................................................................................ 45 2.4.2 Key Features .............................................................................................................................................. 45 2.4.3 Indicators ................................................................................................................................................... 45 2.4.4 Current Conditions, Trends, and Forecast ................................................................................................. 47 2.4.5 Current Management ................................................................................................................................ 52 2.4.6 Management Opportunities .....................................................................................................................