Bureau of Land Management 2007 Budget Justifications Arizona, and Utah. Offices will be able to utilize this EIS to aid in analyzing impacts for specific applications for the use of public lands for wind energy use. In conjunction with the publication of this EIS, applicable BLM land use plans were amended to allow for the use of applicable lands for wind energy development. The BLM will also continue to participate with the Department of Energy's Renewable Energy Laboratory on wind and solar energy studies. Hydropower Re-licensing - The Federal Power Act of 1920 authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to permit the use of Federal lands by private entities to develop hydropower facilities. These existing facilities, many of which were licensed in the 1940s and 1950s, are located on public lands withdrawn by FERC. A large number of these facilities are nearing the end of their license terms, and the BLM, through participation in FERC's re-licensing process, is providing input into the license review and approval process, and identifying applicable terms and conditions necessary to protect or enhance specific resource values. Hydro-power license and re-license projects are located primarily in California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The use of the public lands for hydro-power facilities supports the Department's Strategic Plan Resource Use mission goal and the end outcome goal to manage the public lands and resources to promote responsible use and ensure optimal value for energy production. Biomass (Forest Management) - BLM manages 55 million acres of forests and woodlands under the Public Domain Lands and Oregon and California Grant Lands programs. The goals of the Forest Management program are to maintain and restore the health of BLM's forests and woodlands, and to provide forest products for economic opportunities. In 2007, the BLM will spend $290,000 of the Public Domain Forest Management subactivity funding for biomass project work to contribute to biomass energy supply. This funding is for projects only, which does not include BLM labor involved in facilitating the use of biomass energy within BLM, the public, and industry. BLM's Biomass Program continues to focus on biomass utilization - both on-the-ground projects and assistance to community groups to attract/develop industry infrastructure. In 2006, BLM has approved funding on public lands for 5 biomass projects in 5 states totaling $290,000. BLM is also completing a Wind Energy Environmental Impact Study N/A 1,169 1,532 These dollar figures represent project work only and don't account for BLM labor involved in facilitating the use of biomass energy within BLM, the public, and industry. National Landscape Conservation System 32 The National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) was created in June 2000 as a system of unique landscapes with diverse resources and characteristics. The NLCS brings into a single system some of the BLM's premier designations and helps provide a better understanding of BLM's natural and prehistoric world by supporting an array of scientific study and research. NLCS units are home to a variety of ecosystems, from cactus deserts and redwood groves to coastal zones and arctic tundra that all host rare plant and animal communities. In a fastchanging West, the NLCS showcases best management practices while maintaining undeveloped open spaces, promoting livability by preserving air and water quality, and offering unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation and scientific research. Types of Areas: As a system, the NLCS is comprised of 32 National Conservation Areas, National Monuments, and other conservation areas; 177 Wilderness Areas; 38 National Wild and Scenic Rivers; and portions of 12 National Scenic and Historic Trails. Funding for the management of these areas is derived from a number of BLM accounts included in the Management of Lands and Resources Appropriation, Oregon and California Grant Lands Appropriation, Construction Appropriation, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and a variety of contributed funding sources. Land Use Planning: The BLM's management of all public lands, including the NLCS, is guided by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Under FLPMA the BLM is continuing efforts to complete and implement resource management plans for NLCS units. By the end of fiscal year 2007 resource management plans will be completed for all 32 National Conservation Areas and National Monuments. Planning efforts in 2006 will focus on continuing work on 8 management plans and completing 7 management plans, and in 2007, BLM will complete 7 management plans. The development of management plans and the priority work necessary to implement them is conducted in close coordination with all interested parties, including local communities, governments, and other stakeholders. Partnerships: Developing and maintaining these partnerships is key to the success of the NLCS, particularly as populations in the West increase and National Conservation Areas, National Monuments, and communities are impacted by growth. Consistent with the President's Bureau of Land Management 2007 Budget Justifications Executive Order on Cooperative Conservation, the NLCS is engaged in a number of high priority partnership projects that build broad-based coalitions to fully discuss and coordinate land management issues. For example, 9 National Conservation Areas and Monuments have established active Advisory Councils that are helping guide management decisions, and almost every unit has an active and growing Friendship group. Science Strategy: In an effort to better manage on-going and future scientific work in the NLCS, the BLM developed a Science Strategy that will continue to be implemented in 2006 and 2007. The Science Strategy provides a framework for communicating research opportunities to the scientific world and identifies research needs to support management decisions. Scenic and Historic Trails System: Through the NLCS, the BLM manages parts of 12 National Scenic and Historic Trails totaling approximately 5,300 miles that cut through 10 States. In 2007, BLM will continue to work with 16 non-profit organizations that support volunteers along the trails that help ensure the long-term care, maintenance, and preservation of the system. Wild and Scenic Rivers: In addition to trail management, the BLM through the NLCS manages 38 Wild and Scenic Rivers that stretch across 2,050 miles of public lands. These rivers provide diverse recreational opportunities and ensure that certain cultures are sustained by preserving resources for traditional uses. In 2007, work will continue on day-to-day river management obligations, including managing a significant recreation permit system for river uses and protecting and restoring river values. River projects are completed in collaboration with local communities, partners, stakeholders, and state local and tribal governments to ensure that rivers are maintained for an array of multiple uses. Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas: Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas are located in many of the BLM's National Conservation Areas and National Monuments and often contain Wild and Scenic Rivers or National Scenic and Historic Trails. These areas - 7.3 million acres of designated Wilderness and 14.3 million acres of Wilderness Study Areas - are managed to protect the land's natural character. Most recently, the Cedar Mountain Wilderness Area was established, comprising approximately 95,000 acres in western Utah. In 2007, the BLM will identify on-the-ground boundaries and develop Wilderness Management Plans for the 15 Wilderness Areas that were designated in 2005 and 2006. The following table shows projected funding at NLCS units in 2005 and 2006. |