Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RECORD OF DECISION...........................................................................................................................................1

Introduction................................................................................................................................................................1

Protest Review Results...............................................................................................................................................1

Decision .....................................................................................................................................................................1

Implementation Decisions Covered Under This Record of Decision ...................................................................1

Appeal Procedures for Implementation Decisions................................................................................................2

Request for Stay ................................................................................................................................................2

Modifications........................................................................................................................................................2

Clarifications ........................................................................................................................................................2

Overview of the Alternatives.....................................................................................................................................3

Alternative A – No Action....................................................................................................................................3

Alternative B – Preferred Alternative ...................................................................................................................3

Alternative C.........................................................................................................................................................3

Alternative D ........................................................................................................................................................4

Environmentally Preferable Alternative ...............................................................................................................4

Management Considerations in Selecting the Approved RMP..................................................................................4

Mitigation Measures ..................................................................................................................................................5

Plan Monitoring .........................................................................................................................................................5

Public Involvement ....................................................................................................................................................5

Availability of the Approved Rmp .......................................................................................................................6

Field Manager Recommendation ...............................................................................................................................6

Approval ....................................................................................................................................................................6

APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN ...............................................................................................7

Introduction................................................................................................................................................................7

Purpose and Need for the Plan..............................................................................................................................7

Planning Area and Map ........................................................................................................................................7

Scoping/Issues......................................................................................................................................................9

Issue 1: Vegetation Communities....................................................................................................................10

Issue 2: Wildlife, Wildlife Habitat, Special Status and Priority Plant and Animal Species.............................10

Issue 3: Travel Management and Access.........................................................................................................10

Issue 4: Recreation...........................................................................................................................................10

Issue 5: Special Designations Including ACECs, National Trails, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and WSAs ........10

Planning Criteria/Legislative Constraints...........................................................................................................10

Planning Process.................................................................................................................................................10

Relationship to BLM Policies, Plans and Programs........................................................................................11

Collaboration ...................................................................................................................................................12

Related Plans ......................................................................................................................................................12

Policy..................................................................................................................................................................13

Overall Vision.....................................................................................................................................................13

Management Decisions............................................................................................................................................13

Goals Common to All BLM Activities...............................................................................................................13

Vegetation Communities....................................................................................................................................14

Vegetation Management Approach and Tools ................................................................................................14

Emphasis and Priorities for Vegetation Treatments ........................................................................................14

Grassland and Shrubland Vegetation...............................................................................................................15

Forests and Woodlands (including Forest Products) .......................................................................................16

Riparian Vegetation.........................................................................................................................................20

Livestock Grazing............................................................................................................................................23

Wildland Fire Management .............................................................................................................................26

Noxious Weed Management............................................................................................................................28

Non-Vegetation Resources/Uses .......................................................................................................................30

Wildlife, Fish, Wildlife Habitat, Special Status and Priority Plant and Animal Species ................................30
Record of Decision/Approved RMP

ii Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP

Travel Management and Access......................................................................................................................37

Transportation and Facilities...........................................................................................................................47

Recreation Management..................................................................................................................................48

Special Designations - Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs)...................................................53

Special Designations - National Trails............................................................................................................59

Special Designations - Wild and Scenic Rivers ..............................................................................................60

Special Designations - Wilderness Study Areas..............................................................................................61

Air Quality ......................................................................................................................................................62

Soil Resources.................................................................................................................................................63

Water Resources..............................................................................................................................................63

Visual Resources.............................................................................................................................................64

Cultural Resources, Traditional Cultural Properties and Paleontological Resources......................................65

Lands and Realty.............................................................................................................................................67

Energy and Minerals .......................................................................................................................................71

Abandoned Mine Lands ..................................................................................................................................77

Hazardous Materials Management..................................................................................................................78

Wild Horses and Burros..................................................................................................................................78

Social and Economic Environment .................................................................................................................80

Environmental Justice (EJ)..............................................................................................................................81

Tribal Treaty Rights........................................................................................................................................81

MANAGEMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ....................................................................................................82

Planning ..............................................................................................................................................................82

Implementation ...................................................................................................................................................82

Public Involvement in Plan Implementation....................................................................................................83

Monitoring ..........................................................................................................................................................83

Plan Evaluation and Adaptive Management.......................................................................................................84

Implementation Strategy.....................................................................................................................................84

 List of Preparers..................................................................................................................................................85

 References Cited .................................................................................................................................................87

 Glossary ..............................................................................................................................................................89

Appendices

Appendix A – Land Health Standards.......................................................................................................................105

Appendix B – Best Management Practices................................................................................................................113

Appendix C – Wildlife...............................................................................................................................................117

Appendix D – Travel Management............................................................................................................................149

Appendix E – Recreation Opportunity Spectrum ......................................................................................................159

Appendix F – Cultural and Paleontological Resources and Native American Treaties.............................................161

Appendix G – Lands and Realty................................................................................................................................183

Appendix H – Fluid Minerals....................................................................................................................................195

Tables

Table 1 Lands within the Butte RMP Planning Area ..............................................................................................9

Table 2 Steps in the BLM Land Use Planning Process.........................................................................................11

Table 3 Grassland Acres to be Treated per Decade by Watershed........................................................................15

Table 4 Shrubland Acres to be Treated per Decade by Watershed .......................................................................15

Table 5 Dry Forest Acres to be Treated per Decade by Watershed ......................................................................17

Table 6 Cool/Moist Forest Acres to be Treated per Decade by Watershed ..........................................................17

Table 7 Riparian Vegetation Acres to be Treated per Decade by Watershed .......................................................21

Table 8 Areas Unavailable for Long Term Grazing Permits.................................................................................24

Table 9 Fire Polygons by Fire Management Unit .................................................................................................27

Table 10 Acres of Open, Closed, and Limited Area Designations..........................................................................38
Record of Decision/Approved RMP

Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP iii

Table 11 Field Office-Wide Travel Route Management Summary .......................................................................39

Table 12 Helena Travel Planning Area Miles of Road by Management Category ................................................43

Table 13 East Helena Travel Planning Area Miles of Road by Management Category ........................................43

Table 14 Lewis & Clark County NW Travel Planning Area Miles of Road by Management Category ................44

Table 15 Boulder/Jefferson City Travel Planning Area Miles of Road by Management Category........................45

Table 16 Upper Big Hole Travel Planning Area Miles of Road by Management Category...................................45

Table 17 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Classifications...................................................................................48

Table 18 Management of Special Recreation Management Areas..............................................................................52

Table 19 Designated ACECs ..................................................................................................................................54

Table 20 Recommended Suitable Wild and Scenic River Segments......................................................................60

Table 21 Communication Sites and Locations in the Decision Area ......................................................................68

Table 22 Acres of Federal Mineral Estate Available or Not for Fluid Mineral Leasing.........................................72

Table 23 Oil and Gas Lease Terms and Stipulations ..............................................................................................73

Table 24 Recreation Areas Proposed for Withdrawal from Mineral Entry.............................................................76

Maps – Located in Document

Map 1: Planning Area ............................................................................................................................................8

Map 3: Area Affected by Grizzly Bear Terms and Conditions............................................................................32

Map 13: Ringing Rocks ACEC..............................................................................................................................58

Map 19: Devils Fence Herd Area...........................................................................................................................79

Maps – Located in Map Packet

Map 2: Fire Management Units 

Map 4: Helena Travel Plan Decisions

Map 5a: East Helena Travel Plan Decisions – North Hills Area 

Map 5b: East Helena Travel Plan Decisions – Ward Ranch Area 

Map 5c: East Helena Travel Plan Decisions – Spokane Hills Area 

Map 5d: East Helena Travel Plan Decisions – Townsend Area 

Map 6a: Lewis and Clark County NW Travel Plan Decisions – Marysville Area

Map 6b: Lewis and Clark County NW Travel Plan Decisions – Lincoln/Sieben Ranch Area 

Map 7: Boulder/Jefferson City Travel Plan Decisions

Map 8a: Upper Big Hole River Travel Plan Decisions – Humbug Spires Area

Map 8b: Upper Big Hole River Travel Plan Decisions – Jimmie New Area 

Map 8c: Upper Big Hole River Travel Plan Decisions – Fishtrap Area 

Maps 9a-c: Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Designations 

Map 10: Special Recreation Management Areas and Recreation Sites Proposed for Mineral Withdrawal

Map 11: Elkhorn Mountains ACEC 

Map 12: Humbug Spires ACEC 

Map 14: Sleeping Giant ACEC 

Maps 15a-c: Visual Resource Management Designations 

Maps 16a-c: Avoidance/Exclusion Areas, Right-of-Way Corridors, Potential Wind Energy 

 Development Sites, Communication Sites 

Maps 17a-c: Areas of Land Retention and Potential Disposal

Map 18a-d: Oil and Gas Leasing Stipulations