Glossary 

GLOSSARY 

ABANDONED LEK. A lek in otherwise suitable habitat that has not been active during a consecutive 

10-year period. Before a lek is designated “abandoned” it must be confirmed as “inactive” (see 

definition under “Inactive Lek”) in at least four non-consecutive strutting seasons spanning the 10 

years. Once designated “abandoned,” the site should be surveyed at least once every 10 years to 

determine whether or not the lek has been reoccupied. 

ACTIVE LEK. Any lek that has been attended by male greater sage-grouse during the strutting season. 

Presence can be documented by observation of birds using the site or by signs of strutting activity. 

ACTIVE RAPTOR NEST SITES. Those nests used by raptors that have been occupied and productive 

once within the last 7 years. 

ACTIVELY MANAGED. Management of the forestlands or woodlands by prescription to accomplish 

specific resource objectives. In addition, the forestlands are managed with an allowable sustainable 

periodic sale quantity (Schiche 2003). 

ACTIVITY PLANNING. Site-specific planning that precedes development. This is the most detailed 

level of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) planning. An activity plan details management of one or 

more resources on a specific site. Examples are allotment management plans and recreation area 

management plans. Activity plans implement decisions made in the Resource Management Plan 

(RMP). 

ACTUAL USE. Where, how many, what kind or class of livestock, and how long livestock graze on an 

allotment or on a portion or pasture of an allotment. 

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV). A wheeled or tracked vehicle, other than a snowmobile or work 

vehicle, designed primarily for recreational use or for the transportation of property or equipment 

exclusively on undeveloped road rights-of–way (ROW), marshland, open country, or other unprepared 

surfaces. 

ALLOTMENT. An area of land designated and managed for livestock grazing. Allotments generally 

consist of BLM lands but may also include other federally managed, state-owned, and private lands. An 

allotment may include one or more separate pastures. Livestock numbers and periods of use are 

specified for each allotment. 

ALLOTMENT CATEGORIZATION. Grazing allotments and rangeland areas used for livestock 

grazing are assigned to an allotment category during resource management planning. Allotment 

categorization is used to establish priorities for distributing available funds and personnel during plan 

implementation to achieve cost-effective improvement of rangeland resources. Categorization is also 

used to organize allotments into similar groups for purposes of developing multiple use prescriptions, 

analyzing site-specific and cumulative impacts, and determining trade-offs. 

ALLOTMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN (AMP). A documented program developed as an activity 

plan, consistent with the definition at 43 USC 1702(k), that focuses on, and contains the necessary 

instructions for, management of livestock grazing on specified public lands to meet resource condition, 

sustained yield, multiple use, economic, and other objectives. 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-1 
 

 

Glossary 

AMENDMENT. The process for considering or making changes in the terms, conditions, and decisions 

of approved RMPs or Management Framework Plans using the prescribed provisions for resource 

management planning appropriate to the proposed action or circumstances. Usually only one or two 

issues are considered that involve only a portion of the planning area. 

ANIMAL DAMAGE CONTROL (ADC). The control of animals that are causing economic losses to 

agriculture, damage to property, or hazards to human health. Such control usually results in the killing 

of the offending animal(s). (See also Wildlife Services.) 

ANIMAL UNIT. A standardized unit of measurement for range livestock or wildlife. Generally, one 

mature (1,000-pound) cow or its equivalent, based on an average daily forage consumption of 26 

pounds of dry matter per day. 

ANIMAL UNIT MONTH (AUM). The amount of forage necessary for the sustenance of one cow or its 

equivalent for a period of 1 month. 

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO DRILL (APD). An application to drill a well submitted by a lessee 

or operator to the BLM. The APD consists of a Drilling Plan that discusses downhole specifications and 

procedures (reviewed by the BLM) and a Surface Use Plan of Operations that examines surface uses, 

including access roads, well site layout, cut and fill diagrams, reclamation procedures, production 

facility locations, etc. 

APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT RESPONSE (AMR). Specific actions taken in response to a 

wildland fire to implement protection and fire use objectives. 

AREA OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN (ACEC). Areas within the public lands 

where special management attention is required (when such areas are developed or used or where no 

development is required) to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or 

scenic values, fish and wildlife resources, or other natural systems or processes, or to protect life and 

safety from natural hazards. The identification of a potential ACEC shall not, of itself, change or 

prevent change of the management or use of public lands. 

ASSESSMENT. The act of evaluating and interpreting data and information for a defined purpose. 

AVOID. Paraphrasing the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations (40 CFR 1508.20), 

avoidance means to circumvent, or bypass, an impact altogether by not taking a certain action, or parts 

or an action. Therefore, the term “avoid” does not necessarily prohibit a proposed activity, but it may 

require the relocation of the an action, or the total redesign of an action to eliminate any potential 

impacts resulting from it. 

AVOIDANCE AREAS. Areas to be avoided which may be available for location of ROWs and Section 

302 permits, leases, and easements with special stipulations or mitigation measures. For such 

authorizations, the area’s environmental sensitivity and other feasible alternatives will be strongly 

considered. 

BIG GAME. Large species of wildlife that are hunted, such as elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn. 

BIG GAME MIGRATION BOTTLENECK. Those areas along migration routes where topography, 

vegetation, development, and/or other landscape features restrict animal movements to narrow or 

limited regions. 

G-2 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
 

Glossary 

BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT (BA). The gathering and evaluation of information on proposed 

endangered and threatened species and critical habitat and proposed critical habitat. Required when a 

management action potentially conflicts with endangered or threatened species, the BA is the way 

federal agencies enter into formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and describe a 

proposed action and the consequences to the species from the action. 

BLM FORESTLANDS. Those lands with 10% or greater canopy cover in tree species (e.g., lodgepole 

pine, Douglas fir, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce), including land that formerly had such tree 

cover and that will be naturally or artificially regenerated, typically used in commercial industry in the 

planning area and normally capable of producing at least 20 cubic feet per acre per year of wood fiber. 

BLM WOODLANDS. Those lands with 5% or greater canopy cover in tree species (e.g., juniper and 

aspen), including land that formerly had such tree cover and that will be naturally or artificially 

regenerated, not typically used in commercial industry in the planning area. 

BOARD FOOT. A unit of solid wood 1 foot square and 1 inch thick. 

CANDIDATE SPECIES. Any species included in the Federal Register notice of review that are being 

considered for listing as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

CANOPY. The uppermost layer consisting of the crowns of trees or shrubs in a forest or woodland. 

CASUAL USE. Activities ordinarily resulting in no appreciable disturbance of public lands, resources, or 

improvements; for example, activities that do not involve the use of mechanized earth-moving 

equipment or explosives or, in areas designated as closed to OHVs, do not involve the use of motorized 

vehicles. 

CHANNEL. An open conduit either naturally or artificially created that periodically or continuously 

contains moving water or forms a connecting link between two bodies of water. 

CLOSED. Generally denotes that an area is not available for a particular use or uses; refer to specific 

definitions found in law, regulations, or policy guidance for application to individual programs. 

CLOSED AREA OR TRAIL. Designated areas and trails where the use of off-road vehicles is 

permanently or temporarily prohibited. The use of off-road vehicles in closed areas may be allowed 

only with the approval of the authorized officer. 

“CLOSED” DESIGNATION (OHV). Under this designation, vehicle travel is prohibited yearlong with 

no exceptions other than for emergency vehicles in emergency situations. Access by means other than 

motorized vehicles is permitted. 

CLOSED ROAD. A road or segment that is restricted from certain types of use during certain seasons of 

the year. The prohibited use and the time period of closure are specified. 

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR). The official, legal tabulation or regulations directing 

Federal Government activities. 

COLLABORATION. Working together, sometimes with individuals or groups of opposing points a 

view, to reach a common agreement or compromise. 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-3 
 

Glossary 

COMMERCIAL FORESTLAND. Forestland that is now producing or is capable of producing at least 

20 cubic feet of wood fiber per acre per year from commercial coniferous tree species and that has met 

certain economic, environmental, or multiple use criteria for inclusion in the commercial forestland 

base. 

COMMODITY. An economic good such as a product of agriculture or mining. 

COMMUNITY. An assemblage of plant, animal, and/or human populations in a common spatial 

arrangement. 

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL (COA). Conditions or provisions (requirements) under which a sitespecific surface disturbing or human presence activity (APD, sundry notice, ROW, etc.) is approved. 

CONFORMANCE. That a proposed action shall be specifically provided for in the land use plan or, if 

not specifically mentioned, shall be clearly consistent with the goals, objectives, or standards of the 

approved land use plan. 

CONSISTENCY. The proposed land use plan does not conflict with officially approved plans, programs, 

and policies of tribes, other federal agencies, and state, and local governments to the extent practical 

within Federal law, regulation, and policy. 

CONTRIBUTING SEGMENT. A trail segment that contributes to the significance of the trail, wherein 

it retains integrity of place, setting, feel, or association. This may include an intact trail segment, a good 

two-track, an intact (unspoiled) setting, or a good historical association; thus, these trail segments retain 

elements that convey the nineteenth century "feel" to the visitor. If a piece of trail is destroyed, such as 

by a paved road, and the setting is compromised, then the trail segment is noncontributing. 

CONTROLLED SURFACE USE (CSU). A category of stipulations that allows some use and 

occupancy of public land while protecting identified resources or values. The stipulation identifies the 

location protected, activities prohibited or restricted, and the resources protected. The extent of 

protection may range from a limited area for only one activity to all uses. Typically used in use 

authorizations. For the protected resource, some activities may be prohibited while others are allowed. 

Activities may be allowed but only under certain conditions. Examples include (1) seismic operations 

are prohibited within a certain distance of an unstable resource (i.e., historic structure) and (2) only 

tracked construction vehicles are allowed access to the site (see also Stipulation Category). 

COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (CEQ). An advisory council to the President of the 

United States established by the national Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It reviews federal 

programs for their effect on the environment, conducts environmental studies, and advises the President 

on environmental matters. 

COVER. Any form of environmental protection that helps an animal stay alive (mainly shelter from 

weather and concealment from predators). (Also see definitions for Vegetation Cover and Forest Crown 

Cover.) 

CRITICAL HABITAT. An area occupied by a threatened or endangered species “on which are found 

those physical and biological features (1) essential to the conservation of the species, and (2) which 

may require special management considerations or protection.” These irreplaceable and vital areas are 

designated as critical by the Secretary of the Interior for the survival and recovery of listed threatened 

and endangered species. 

G-4 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

CRUCIAL HABITAT. Any particular range or habitat component that directly limits a community, 

population, or subpopulation to reproduce, and maintain itself at a certain level over the long term. 

CRUCIAL WINTER RANGE. The portion of the winter range to which a wildlife species is confined 

during periods of heaviest snow cover. 

CULTURAL RESOURCE. A fragile and nonrenewable remnant of human activity, occupation, or 

endeavor reflected in districts, sites, structures, buildings, objects, artifacts, ruins, works of art, 

architecture, or natural features. 

CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY. A descriptive listing and documentation, including 

photographs and maps, of cultural resources. Processes involved are locating, identifying, and recording 

of sites, structures, buildings, objects, and districts through library and archival research; collecting 

information from persons knowledgeable about cultural resources; and conducting on-the-ground field 

surveys of varying levels of intensity. (See also Cultural Resource Inventory Classes.) 

CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY CLASSES. A Class I inventory of a defined area provides a 

narrative overview of existing information and a compilation of existing data on which to base the 

development of BLM’s site record system. A Class II inventory is a sample-oriented field inventory 

designed to locate and record, on the basis of surface and exposed profile indications, all cultural 

resource sites within a portion of a defined area to make possible an objective estimate of the nature and 

distribution of cultural resources in the entire defined area. A Class III inventory is an intensive field 

inventory designed to locate and record all cultural resource sites within a specified area. Upon 

completion of such an inventory, no further cultural resource inventory work is normally needed in that 

area. 

CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN (CRMP). A plan designed to inventory, evaluate, 

protect, preserve, or make beneficial use of cultural resources and the natural resources that figured 

significantly in cultural systems. The objectives of such plans are the conservation, preservation, and 

protection of cultural values and the scientific study of those values. 

CULTURAL RESOURCE SITE (cultural property). A physical location of past human activities or 

events. Cultural properties are extremely variable in size, ranging from the location of a single cultural 

resource feature to a cluster of cultural resource structures with associated objects. 

CUMULATIVE IMPACT. The impact on the environment that results from the incremental impact of 

the action when added to other past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what 

agency (federal or non-federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result 

from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time. 

DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS. Those roads and trails that are specifically identified by the 

BLM as the only allowable routes for motor vehicle travel in the specific area involved. Travel on 

designated roads and trails may be allowed seasonally or yearlong. Additional roads or trails may be 

constructed and authorized for travel as need dictates in conformance with the land use plan or activity 

plan. 

DESIRED PLANT COMMUNITY. The vegetation community that provides the vegetation attributes 

required for meeting or exceeding RMP vegetation objectives. The desired vegetation community must 

be within an ecological site's capability to produce these attributes through natural succession, 

management action, or both (BLM Wyoming Instruction Memorandum 91-290, May 29, 1991). 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-5 
 

Glossary 

DESIRED FUTURE CONDITION. A future land or resource condition that achieves a set of 

compatible multi-resource goals and objectives. 

DESTROYED LEK. A formerly active lek site and surrounding sagebrush habitat that has been 

destroyed and is no longer capable of supporting sage-grouse breeding activity. A lek site that has been 

strip-mined, paved, converted to cropland, or undergone other long-term habitat type conversion is 

considered destroyed. Destroyed leks do not require monitoring unless the site is reclaimed to suitable 

sage-grouse habitat. 

DEVELOPED RECREATION. Recreation that requires facilities, resulting in concentrated use of an 

area. An example of a developed recreational site is a campground. Facilities might include roads, 

parking lots, picnic tables, restrooms, drinking water, and buildings. 

DISCHARGE (WATER). The rate of flow or volume of water flowing in a stream at a given place or 

within a given period of time. 

DISCOVERY. The knowledge of the presence of valuable minerals within or close enough to a location 

to justify a reasonable belief in their existence. Discovery is extremely important to public lands mining 

because the Mining Law of 1872 provides that mining claims can be located only after a discovery is 

made. 

DISPERSED RECREATION. Recreational use outside developed recreational sites. This includes 

activities such as scenic driving, hiking, bicycling, backpacking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, 

horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and recreation in primitive environments. 

DISPOSAL. Transfer of ownership of a tract of public land from the United States to another party 

through sale, exchange, or transfer under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. 

DISRUPTIVE ACTIVITY. See Surface (Human) Disruptive Activity. 

DIURNAL. Describes a cyclic event recurring daily; or the nature or habit of an organism to be active 

during daylight hours. 

DIVERSITY. The relative abundance of wildlife species, plant species, communities, habitats, or habitat 

features per unit of area. 

DOCUMENTED LEK. Any lek that has been identified as Active, Inactive, Unknown, or occupied. 

EASEMENT. A right afforded a person or agency to make limited use of another’s real property for 

access or other purposes. 

ECOSYSTEM. A complete, interacting system of living organisms and the land and water that make up 

their environment; the home places of all living things, including humans. 

ENDANGERED SPECIES. Any plant or animal species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or 

a significant portion of its range, as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the authority of 

the Endangered Species Act of 1973. 

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA). Concise, analytical documents, authorized by the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, that are prepared with public participation to determine 

whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed for a particular project or action. If an EA 

G-6 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

determines an EIS is not needed, the EA becomes the document allowing agency compliance with 

NEPA requirements. 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS). A detailed written statement required by NEPA 

when an agency proposes a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 

environment. 

EPHEMERAL CHANNELS. A defined channel formed in response to ephemeral surface flow 

conditions. Defined channels typically can be identified by an abrupt bank along a water flow path with 

evidence of scouring, sorting, and/or vegetation removal during flood events. These channels generally 

form in concave erosional features such as gullies, ravines, swells, etc. 

EPHEMERAL SURFACE WATERS. Streams, lakes, or other surface water bodies that have open 

water only during or immediately after periods of rainfall or snowmelt. 

EROSION. The wearing away of the land surface by running water, wind, ice, or other geological agents. 

EVAPORATION POND. An industrial containment area designed to allow briny water to evaporate by 

using solar energy and wind. 

EXCLUSION AREA. Areas where future ROWs may be granted only when mandated by law. 

EXTENSIVE RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREA (ERMA). BLM administrative units where 

recreation management is only one of several management objectives and where limited commitment of 

resources is required to provide extensive and unstructured types of recreation activities. These areas 

consist of the remainder of land areas not included in Special Recreation Management Areas (SRMA). 

FEDERAL LANDS. As used in this document, lands owned by the United States, without reference to 

how the lands were acquired or what federal agency administers the lands. The term includes mineral 

estates or coal estates underlying private surface but excludes lands held by the United States in trust 

for Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos. (See also Public Land.) 

FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ACT of 1976 (FLPMA). Public Law 94-579. 

October 21, 1976, often referred to as the BLM’ s “Organic Act,” which provides the majority of the 

BLM’s legislated authority, direction, policy, and basic management guidance. 

FEDERAL REGISTER (FR). A daily publication that reports Presidential and federal agency 

documents. 

FIRE MANAGEMENT. The integration of knowledge of fire protection, prescribed fire, and fire 

ecology into multiple use planning, decisionmaking, and land management activities. Fire management 

places fire in perspective within the context of overall land management objectives. 

FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN (FMP). A strategic plan that defines a program to manage wildland and 

prescribed fires and documents the fire management program in the approved land use plan. The plan is 

supplemented by operational procedures such as preparedness plans, preplanned dispatch plans, 

prescribed fire plans, and prevention plans. 

FIRE REGIME CONDITION CLASS. A measure describing the degree of departure from historical 

fire regimes, possibly resulting in alterations of key ecosystem components such as species 

composition, structural stage, stand age, canopy closure, and fuel loadings. One or more of the 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-7 
 

Glossary 

following activities may have caused this departure: fire suppression, timber harvesting, livestock 

grazing, introduction and establishment of exotic plant species, introduced insects or disease, or other 

management activities. The fire regime condition classes defined as follows: 

Condition Class 1. Fire regimes are within a historical range, and the risk of losing key ecosystem 

components from fire is low. Vegetation attributes (species composition and structure) are intact 

and functioning within an historical range. 

Condition Class 2. Fire regimes have been moderately altered from their historical range. The risk 

of losing key ecosystem components from fire is moderate. Fire frequencies have departed from 

historical frequencies by one or more return intervals (either increased or decreased). This results 

in moderate changes to one or more of the following: fire size, frequency, intensity, severity, and 

landscape patterns. Vegetation attributes have been moderately altered from their historical range. 

Condition Class 3. Fire regimes have been significantly altered from their historical ranges. The 

risk of losing key ecosystem components from fire is high. Fire frequencies have departed from 

historical frequencies by multiple return intervals. This results in dramatic changes to one or more 

of the following: fire size, frequency, intensity, severity, and landscape patterns. Vegetation 

attributes have been significantly altered from their historical range. 

FIRE SUPPRESSION. All work and activities associated with fire-extinguishing operations, beginning 

with discovery and continuing until the fire is completely extinguished. 

FISHERY. Habitat that supports the propagation and maintenance of fish. 

FLOODPLAIN. The relatively flat area or lowlands adjoining a body of standing or flowing water that 

has been or might be covered by floodwater. 

FORAGE. All browse and herbaceous foods available to grazing animals that may be grazed or 

harvested for feeding. 

FOREST CROWN COVER. The proportion of forested land area covered by tree crowns. 

FORESTLAND. See BLM Forestlands. 

FRAC. See Hydraulic Fracturing. 

GOAL. A broad statement of a desired outcome. Goals are usually not quantifiable and may not have 

established time frames for achievement. 

GRAZING PREFERENCE. The total number of animal unit months on public lands apportioned and 

attached to base property owned or controlled by a permittee, lessee, or an applicant for a permit or 

lease. Grazing preference includes active use and use held in suspension. Grazing preference holders 

have a superior or priority position against others for the purpose of receiving a grazing permit or lease. 

GRAZING SYSTEM. A systematic sequence of grazing use and nonuse of an allotment to reach 

identified multiple-use goals or objectives. 

GUIDELINES. Actions or management practices that may be used to achieve desired outcomes, 

sometimes expressed as best management practices. Guidelines may be identified during the land use 

G-8 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

planning process, but they are not considered a land use plan decision unless the plan specifies that they 

are mandatory. 

HABITAT. A specific set of physical conditions that surround a species, group of species, or a large 

community. In wildlife management, the major constituents of habitat are considered to be food, water, 

cover, and living space. 

HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN (HMP). An officially approved activity plan for a specific 

geographic area of public land. An HMP identifies wildlife habitat and related objectives, defines the 

sequence of actions to be implemented to achieve the objectives, and outlines procedures for evaluating 

accomplishments. 

HEALTHY STREAM CHANNEL FORM AND FUNCTION. The condition such that the flow and 

sediment of streams is effectively transported without resulting in accelerated aggradation or 

degradation and prevents accelerated channel erosion and adjustments in channel geometry (e.g., widthdepth ratio, sinuosity, bank stability, gradient, location of head cuts, and rate of migration) of stream 

channels. 

HERBACEOUS. Pertaining to or characteristic of an herb (fleshy-stem plant) as distinguished from the 

woody tissue of shrubs and trees. 

HERD AREA. The geographic area identified as having been used by a herd as its habitat in 1971. 

HERD MANAGEMENT AREA (HMA). An area that has been designated for continuing management 

of wild horses. 

HISTORIC. Period wherein nonnative cultural activities took place, based primarily on European roots, 

having no origin in the traditional Native American culture(s). 

HISTORICAL LEK. (Former term for “unoccupied lek”.) There are two types of unoccupied leks, 

“destroyed” or “abandoned.” Management protection will not be afforded to unoccupied leks. 

HISTORICAL RAPTOR NESTS. Any raptor nest or site that has been destroyed but was historically 

recorded and documented. Temporal and spatial stipulations will not apply. 

HOME RANGE. The area in which an animal travels in the scope of natural activities. 

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING. The breaking or parting of reservoir rock through the use of injected 

fluids. Hydraulic fracturing is a method of stimulating production or injection at a specific depth in a 

formation of low permeability by inducing fractures and fissures in the formation by applying high fluid 

pressure to its face. Fluids (liquids, gases, foams, and emulsions) are injected into reservoir rock at 

pressures that exceed the strength of the rock and overcome internal stresses of the rock. The fluid 

enters the formation and parts or fractures it. Sand grains, aluminum pellets, glass beads, or similar 

materials are carried in suspension by the fluid into the fractures. These are called propping agents or 

proppants. When the pressure is released at the surface, the fracturing fluid returns to the wellbore as 

the fractures partially close on the proppants, leaving paths with increased permeability for fluid flow. 

IDENTIFIED 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAINS. Those areas delineated by the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency for legal 100-year floodplain delineation. 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-9 
 

Glossary 

IMPACTS (OR EFFECTS). Consequences (the scientific and analytical basis for comparison of 

alternatives) as a result of a proposed action. Effects may be either direct, which are caused by the 

action and occur at the same time and place, or indirect, which are caused by the action and are later in 

time or farther removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable, or cumulative. 

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. A site-specific plan written to implement decisions made in a land use 

plan. An implementation plan usually selects and applies best management practices to meet land use 

plan objectives. Implementation plans are synonymous with “activity” plans. Examples of 

implementation plans include interdisciplinary management plans, habitat management plans, and 

allotment management plans. 

IMPORTANT HABITATS. Areas of especially high value for a diversity of wildlife or areas that 

provide certain habitat elements essential to the existence of certain groups of wildlife. 

INACTIVE LEK. Leks where it is known that there was no strutting activity through the course of a 

strutting season. A single visit, or even several visits, without strutting grouse being seen is not 

adequate documentation to designate a lek as inactive. This designation requires either an absence of 

birds on the lek during multiple ground visits under ideal conditions throughout the strutting season or a 

ground check of the exact lek site late in the strutting season that fails to find any sign 

(droppings/feathers) of strutting activity. 

INACTIVE RAPTOR NESTS. Any nest site that has been monitored in 6 of the last 10 years and has 

been documented as being unoccupied each time it was monitored. 

INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT. Use of proper distance restrictions, seasonal or timing restrictions, 

rehabilitation standards, and the application of the Wyoming Mitigation Guidelines for Surfacedisturbing and Disruptive Activities to adequately protect the resources for which the intensive 

management is applied. Intensive management actions would be applied with the goal of maintaining or 

enhancing sensitive resources (plant communities, wildlife habitats, archeological or paleontological 

resources, etc.). 

INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM. A group of individuals with different training, representing the 

physical sciences, social sciences, and environmental design arts, assembled to solve a problem or 

perform a task. The members of the team proceed to a solution with frequent interaction so that each 

discipline may provide insights on any stage of the problem, and disciplines may combine to provide 

new solutions. The number and disciplines of the members preparing the plan vary with circumstances. 

A member may represent one or more discipline or BLM program interest. 

INTERIM MANAGEMENT POLICY (IMP). An interim measure governing lands under wilderness 

review. This policy protects Wilderness Study Areas from impairment of their suitability as wilderness 

by prohibiting changes in their management until wilderness designation decisions are made. 

INTERMITTENT SURFACE WATERS. Streams, lakes, or other surface water bodies that have open 

water during a portion of the year or during particularly wet years may have open water throughout the 

year. In the case of streams, this term can also refer to noncontinuous flow because of groundwater 

interaction (i.e., portions of the stream are generally dry and portions are generally wet in most years). 

JURISDICTION. The legal right to control or regulate use of a transportation facility. Jurisdiction 

requires authority but not necessarily ownership. 

G-10 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

LAND USE PLAN. A set of decisions that establish management direction for land within an 

administrative area, as prescribed under the planning provisions of FLPMA; an assimilation of landuse-plan-level decisions developed through the planning process, regardless of the scale at which the 

decisions were developed. 

LANDLOCKED. Private or state lands that are not accessible other than across public land because of 

topography and/or land status. 

LEASABLE MINERALS. Minerals subject to lease by the Federal Government, such as coal, oil and 

gas, oil shale, potash, sodium, phosphate, and other minerals that may be acquired under the Mineral 

Leasing Act of 1920, as amended. The major leasable minerals in the planning area are oil and gas and 

coal. 

LEASE NOTICE. Provides more detailed information concerning limitations that already exist in law, 

lease terms, regulations, or operational orders. 

LEK. A traditional courtship display area attended by male greater sage-grouse in or adjacent to 

sagebrush-dominated habitat. Designation of the site as a lek requires the observation of two or more 

male sage-grouse engaged in courtship displays. In addition, new leks must be confirmed by a survey 

conducted during the appropriate time of day and during the strutting season. Observation of signs of 

strutting activity can also be used to confirm a suspected lek. (See also, Abandoned Lek, Active Lek, 

Destroyed Lek, Documented Lek, Historical Lek, Inactive Lek, Lek Complex, Lek Count, Lek Survey, 

Occupied Lek, Undetermined Lek, Unknown Lek, and Unoccupied Lek.) 

LEK COMPLEX. A group of leks in close proximity between which male sage-grouse may be expected 

to interchange from one day to the next. A specific distance criterion does not yet exist. 

LEK COUNT. A census technique that documents the actual number of male sage-grouse observed on a 

particular lek or complex of leks using a lek survey. (See Lek Survey.) 

LEK SURVEY. A monitoring technique designed primarily to determine whether leks are active or 

inactive; obtaining accurate counts of the numbers of males attending is secondary. 

LENTIC. Wetland areas with standing water habitat such as lakes, ponds, seeps, bogs, and meadows. 

LEVEL OF ACCEPTABLE CHANGE. Federally established threshold of acceptable change to 

maintain conditions of acid-sensitive lakes. 

LEVEL OF CONCERN. Federally established atmospheric deposition threshold concentration amount 

related to undesirable effects on the ecosystem. 

LIMITED DESIGNATION (OHV). Vehicle travel is restricted in some manner in the area. Restrictions 

could take many forms, but the most common are “limited to existing roads and trails;” which allows 

vehicle travel only on roads that were in existence at the time of designation or have been authorized for 

future uses; “limited to designated roads and trails,” which allows vehicle travel only on roads that 

BLM designates by signs; and “seasonal restrictions,” which restricts vehicle travel in an area or on 

certain roads during some portion of the year (such as wintertime vehicle restrictions to protect big 

game on crucial winter range). 

Under “limited to existing or designated roads and trails,” vehicle travel off roads is permitted only to 

accomplish necessary tasks and only if such travel would not result in resource damage. Necessary 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-11 
 

Glossary 

tasks are defined as work requiring the use of a motor vehicle. Examples include picking up big game 

kills, repairing range improvements, managing livestock, and conducting mineral activities where 

surface disturbance does not total more than 5 acres, as described in the provisions of 43 CFR 3809.1-3. 

LIVESTOCK CONVERSION. A discretionary action changing permitted use from one class of animal 

to another. 

LOCATABLE MINERALS. Generally, the minerals subject to development specified in the Federal 

Mining Law of 1872. Examples are gold, silver, and copper. 

LOTIC. Riparian areas with running water habitat such as rivers, streams, creeks, and springs. 

MANAGEMENT DECISION. A decision made by the BLM to manage public lands. Management 

decisions include both land use plan decisions and implementation decisions. 

MANAGEMENT SITUATION ANALYSIS (MSA). Assessment of the current management direction. 

It includes consolidation of existing data needed to analyze and resolve identified issues, description of 

current BLM management guidance, and discussion of existing problems and opportunities for solving 

them. 

MINERAL. Any solid or fluid substance that can be extracted from the earth for profit. 

MINERAL ENTRY. The filing of a claim on public land to obtain the right to any minerals it may 

contain. 

MINERAL ESTATE. The ownership of minerals, including rights necessary for access, exploration, 

development, mining, ore dressing, and transportation operations. 

MINERAL LOCATION. The act of marking out and establishing rights by a claimant for mining 

purposes in accordance with the Mining Law of 1872, as amended. 

MINERAL MATERIALS. Materials such as common varieties of sand, stone, gravel, pumice, pumicite, 

and clay that are not obtainable under the mining or leasing laws but that can be acquired under the 

Materials Act of 1947, as amended. 

MINERAL WITHDRAWAL. A formal order that withholds federal lands and minerals from entry 

under the Mining Law of 1872 and closes the area to mineral location (staking mining claims) and 

development. 

MINING CLAIM. A parcel of land that a miner takes and holds for mining purposes, having acquired 

the right of possession by complying with the Mining Law and local laws and rules. There are four 

categories of mining claims: lode, placer, millsite, and tunnel site. 

MITIGATION. A method or process by which impacts from actions may be made less injurious to the 

environment through appropriate protective measures. 

On-Site. To mitigate a disturbance or removal of a resources such as a wetland, where the resource 

originally occurred. 

Off-Site. To mitigate a disturbance or removal of a resource such as a wetland, in an area removed from 

the original site. 

G-12 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

MONITORING. A program designed to measure changes over time with respect to vegetation, 

watershed health, climate, animal populations, and other resources on BLM-administered land. 

MOUNTAIN PLOVER OCCUPIED HABITAT. An area within mountain plover habitat where broods 

and/or adults have been found in the current year or documented in at least 2 of the past 5 years. 

MULTIPLE USE. Management of the public lands and their various resource values so that they are 

used in the combination that will best meet the present and future needs of the American people; 

making the most judicious use of the land for some or all of these resources or related services over 

areas large enough to provide sufficient latitude for periodic adjustments in use to conform to changing 

needs and conditions; the use of some land for less than all of the resources; a combination of balanced 

and diverse resource uses that takes into account the long-term needs of future generations for 

renewable and non-renewable resources, including, but not limited to, recreation, range, timber, 

minerals, watershed, wildlife and fish, and natural scenic, scientific and historical values; and 

harmonious and coordinated management of the various resources without permanent impairment of the 

productivity of the land and the quality of the environment with consideration being given to the 

relative values of the resources and not necessarily to the combination of uses that will give the greatest 

economic return or the greatest unit output. 

NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (NAAQS). The allowable concentrations of 

air pollutants in the ambient (public outdoor) air. National ambient air quality standards are based on 

the air quality criteria and divided into primary standards (allowing an adequate margin of safety to 

protect the public health) and secondary standards (allowing an adequate margin of safety to protect the 

public welfare). Welfare is defined as including, but not limited to, effects on soils, water, crops, 

vegetation, human-made materials, animals, wildlife, weather, visibility, climate, and hazards to 

transportation, as well as effects on economic values and on personal comfort and well-being. 

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT of 1969 (NEPA). Passed by Congress in 1969, 

NEPA establishes analytical and public involvement procedures to disclose and evaluate the impacts of 

every major federal action. 

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES (NRHP). A register of districts, sites, buildings, 

structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archeology, and culture, established 

by the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and maintained by the Secretary of the Interior. 

NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS (WSR). The system of congressionally designated rivers 

and their immediate environments that have outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, 

historic, cultural, and other similar values and are preserved in a free-flowing condition. The system 

consists of three types of streams: (1) recreation—rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible 

by road or railroad and that may have some development along their shorelines and may have 

undergone some impoundments or diversion in the past, (2) scenic—rivers or sections of rivers free of 

impoundments with shorelines or watersheds still largely undeveloped but accessible in places by roads, 

and (3) wild—rivers or sections of rivers free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by 

trails, with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted. 

NECESSARY TASKS. Administrative duties or work requiring the use of motor vehicles, such as 

retrieving big game kills, repairing range improvements, management of livestock, geophysical 

exploration activities and other types of leasable mineral exploration activity (other than casual use), or 

performing mining claim functions resulting in less than 5 acres of surface disturbance as described in 

43 CFR 3809. 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-13 
 

Glossary 

NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY (NSO). Land use allocation or approval restriction used when surface 

disturbance cannot be mitigated and must be prohibited. The land use decision or stipulation identifies 

the NSO area and allowed or excepted uses in the area. NSO stipulations are used on oil and gas leases 

where drilling and/or operations impacts cannot be adequately mitigated but fluid mineral resources 

may be recovered by directional drilling. Exclusion Area designations in the Realty Program are NSO 

land use decisions. This stipulation can be used to prohibit other surface disturbing or disruptive 

activities such as commercial recreational activities, mining, and timber harvest (see also Stipulation 

Category). 

NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION. Pollution whose source is not specific in location. The source of 

the discharge is dispersed, not well defined, or constant. 

NOXIOUS WEEDS. A plant species designated by federal or State law as generally possessing one or 

more of the following characteristics: aggressive and difficult to manage; parasitic; a carrier or host of 

serious insects or disease; or nonnative, new, or not common to the United States. 

OBJECTIVE. A description of a desired condition for a resource. Objectives can be quantified and 

measured and, where possible, have established time frames for achievement. 

OCCUPIED LEK. A lek that has been active during at least one strutting season within the last 10 years. 

Management protection will be afforded to occupied leks. 

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE (OHV). Any motorized tracked or wheeled vehicle designed for crosscountry travel over any type of natural terrain. Exclusions (from Executive Order 11644, as amended by 

Executive Order 11989) are non-amphibious registered motorboats; any military, fire, emergency, or 

law enforcement vehicle while being used for emergency purposes; any vehicle whose use is expressly 

authorized by the authorizing officer or otherwise officially approved; vehicles in official use; and any 

combat support vehicle in times of national defense emergencies. 

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE MANAGEMENT DESIGNATIONS. Designations that apply to all offroad vehicles regardless of the purposes for which they are being used. Emergency vehicles are 

excluded. The ORV designation definitions have been developed in cooperation with representatives of 

the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Park Service, and BLM State and District personnel. BLM recognizes the 

differences between OHVs and over-the-snow vehicles in terms of use and impact. Therefore, travel by 

over-the-snow vehicles is permitted off existing routes and in all open or limited areas (unless otherwise 

specifically limited or closed to over-the-snow vehicles) if they are operated in a responsible manner 

without damaging the vegetation or harming wildlife. Designations include— 

Closed: Vehicle travel is prohibited in the area. Access by means other than motorized vehicle is 

permitted. 

Open: Vehicle travel is permitted in the area (both on and off roads) if the vehicle is operated 

responsibly in a manner not causing, or unlikely to cause significant, undue damage to or 

disturbance of the soil, wildlife, wildlife habitat, improvements, cultural, or vegetative resources 

or other authorized uses of the public lands. 

Limited: 

a. Vehicle travel is permitted only on existing roads and vehicle routes that were in existence 

prior to the date of designation in the Federal Register. Vehicle travel off existing vehicle 

routes is permitted only to accomplish necessary tasks and only if such travel does not result in 

G-14 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

resource damage. Random travel from existing vehicle routes is not allowed. Creation of new 

routes or extensions and/or widening of existing routes is not allowed without prior written 

agency approval. 

b. Vehicle travel is permitted only on roads and vehicle routes designated by BLM. In areas 

where final designation has not been completed, vehicle travel is limited to existing roads and 

vehicle routes as described above. Designations are posted as follows: 

1. Vehicle route is open to vehicular travel. 

2. Vehicle route is closed to vehicular travel. 

c. Vehicle travel is limited by number or type of vehicle. Designations are posted as follows: 

1. Vehicle route limited to 4-wheel drive vehicles only. 

2. Vehicle route is limited to motorbikes only. 

3. Area is closed to over-the-snow vehicles. 

d. Vehicle travel is limited to licensed or permitted use. 

e. Vehicle travel is limited to time or season of use. Posted as follows: 

Seasonal closure to all motor vehicles (the approximate dates of closure are indicated). 

f. Where specialized restrictions are necessary to meet resources management objectives, other 

limitations may also be developed. Posted as follows: Recreational OHV Play Areas. 

OFFSITE MITIGATION. Mitigation measures located away from an adversely affected site. (Contrast 

with onsite mitigation.) Offsite mitigation is used as a tool to address loss of habitat effectiveness when 

reclamation, best management practices, and onsite mitigation measures are not adequate to mitigate 

the impacts of proposed actions. 

OLD-GROWTH FOREST. Old growth forests are ecosystems distinguished by old trees and related 

structural features. Old growth encompasses the later stages of stand development that typically differ 

from earlier stages in several ways, including tree size, accumulation of large dead woody material, 

number of canopy layers, species composition, and ecosystem function. 

OPEN DESIGNATION (OHV). Under this designation, vehicle travel is permitted in the area (both on 

and off roads) if the vehicle is operated responsibly in a manner that will not cause significant undue 

damage to the soil, wildlife, vegetation, cultural resources, or other important resources on the public 

lands. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES. Seismic activities, maintenance actions exceeding 8 hours on existing 

equipment and facilities, repair or reconditioning of rangeland improvements that exceed 8 hours in 

duration, or any activity that requires more than 8 hours on the site. 

Maintenance actions related to Other Activities: 

• Leasable, Locatable, and Saleable Mineral Activities: 

– Work over rig 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-15 
 

 

Glossary 

– Pipeline repair 

– Reclamation activities 

• Range Management 

– Fence repair 

– Stock pond maintenance 

– Pipeline repair 

– Reclamation of habitat 

OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE RIVER VALUES. Section 10(a) of the WSR Act states that: 

“Each component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System shall be administered in such a 

manner as to protect and enhance the values which caused it to be included in said system without, 

insofar as is consistent therewith, limiting other uses that do not substantially interfere with public use 

and enjoyment of these values. In such administration, primary emphasis shall be given to protecting its 

aesthetic, scenic, historic, archeological, and scientific features. Management plans for any such 

component may establish varying degrees of intensity for its protection and development, based on the 

special attributes of the area.” 

OVERSTORY. The most height-dominant story of vegetation present in a multilevel vegetation 

community. 

PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES (FOSSILS). The physical remains or traces of plants and 

animals preserved in soils and sedimentary rock formations. 

PARTICULATE MATTER (PM). Fine liquid or solid particles suspended in the air and consisting of 

dust, smoke, mist, fumes, and compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, and metals. 

PARTURITION AREA. Birthing area commonly used by more than a few female members of a 

population. 

PERENNIAL SURFACE WATERS. Streams, lakes, or other surface water bodies that have open water 

in most years. These systems would generally only dry up during drought conditions. In the case of 

streams, this term can refer to the persistence of surface waters along a channel (i.e., few reaches where 

the infiltration into the stream aquifer exceeds the flow). 

pH. A measure of acidity or hydrogen ion activity. Neutral is pH 7.0. All values below 7.0 are acidic, and 

all values above 7.0 are alkaline. 

PLAN. A document that contains a set of comprehensive, long-range decisions concerning the use and 

management of BLM-administered resources in a specific geographic area. 

PLANNING AREA. A geographical area for which land use and resource management plans are 

developed and maintained. 

PLANNING CRITERIA. The standards, rules, and other factors developed by managers and 

interdisciplinary teams for their use in forming judgments about decision making, analysis, and data 

collection during planning. Planning criteria streamline and simplify the resource management planning 

actions. 

PLANNING BASE. Law, regulation, policy, land use plan decisions (e.g., RMPs, Resource Management 

Plan Amendments, and Management Framework Plan Amendments), NEPA documents (e.g., EISs 

G-16 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

Administrative Determinations, EAs, and Categorical Exclusion Reviews), and supporting data (e.g., 

automated databases, research, and evaluations). 

POINT SOURCE POLLUTION. Any discernable, confined, and discrete conveyance, including, but 

not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, or container from which 

pollutants are or may be discharged. 

POPULATION. A group of organisms, all of the same species, that occupies a particular area. The term 

is used to refer to the number of individuals of a species within an ecosystem or of any group of like 

individuals. 

POTENTIAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVER. A flowing body of water or estuary or a section, portion, 

or tributary thereof, including rivers, streams, creeks, runs, kills, rills, and small lakes. 

PREFERENCE. See Grazing Preference. 

PREHISTORIC. The period wherein Native American cultural activities took place that were not yet 

influenced by contact with historic nonnative culture(s). 

PRESCRIBED FIRE. Any fire ignited by management actions to meet specific objectives. A written, 

approved prescribed fire plan must exist, and NEPA requirements must be met, prior to ignition. 

PRESCRIPTION. Measurable criteria that define conditions under which a prescribed fire or wildland 

fire for resource benefit may be used to guide selection of appropriate management responses and 

indicate other required actions. Prescription criteria may include safety, economic, public health, 

environmental, geographic, administrative, social, or legal considerations. 

PRODUCED WATER. Groundwater produced in conjunction with the extraction of minerals. 

PROPER FUNCTIONING CONDITION (PFC). A riparian-wetland area is considered to be in proper 

functioning condition when adequate vegetation, landform, or large woody debris is present to dissipate 

stream energy associated with high water flow, thereby reducing erosion and improving water quality; 

filter sediment, capture bedload, and aid floodplain development; improve flood-water retention and 

ground-water recharge; develop root masses that stabilize streambanks against cutting action; develop 

diverse ponding and channel characteristics to provide the habitat and the water depth, duration, and 

temperature necessary to fish production, waterfowl breeding, and other uses; and support greater 

biodiversity. The functioning condition of riparian-wetland areas is a result of interaction among 

geology, soil, water, and vegetation (Prichard, et al. 1998). There are two categories of wetlands—lentic 

areas, which are created by a stable water table such as playas, fens, around lakes, marshes etc., and 

lotic areas, which are in riverine environments. 

PROPOSED SPECIES. Species that have been officially proposed for listing as threatened or 

endangered by the Secretary of the Interior. A proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register. 

PUBLIC LAND. As used in this document, federally owned surface or mineral estate specifically 

administered by BLM. 

RANGELAND IMPROVEMENTS. Any authorized physical modification or treatment on or relating to 

rangelands that is designed to improve forage production, change vegetation composition, control 

patterns of use, provide water, stabilize soil and water conditions, and enhance habitat for livestock, 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-17 
 

 

Glossary 

wildlife, and wild horses. Rangeland improvements include water developments, fences, and vegetation 

treatments. 

RANGE TREND. The direction of change in range condition over time, either toward or away from 

desired management objectives. 

RAPTOR. Bird of prey with sharp talons and strongly curved beaks such as hawks, owls, vultures, 

ravens, and eagles. 

RAPTOR CONCENTRATION AREA (RCA). A localized area where raptors congregate that may 

provide thermal protection, increased forage availability, and a minimal level of stress-inducing 

disturbances. 

REASONABLY FORESEEABLE DEVELOPMENT (RFD). A projection of the number of wells that 

could potentially be developed under the various alternatives. It is included in the RMP EIS for analysis 

purposes and is not a cap on the number of wells that would ultimately be developed. The actual 

number of wells could exceed the RFD if the associated surface disturbance and impacts on other 

resources do not exceed the analysis thresholds. 

RECREATION AND PUBLIC PURPOSES ACT of 1926 (R&PP). Recognizing the strong public 

need for a nationwide system of parks and other recreational and public purposes areas, Congress, in 

1954, enacted the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (68 Statute 173; 43 United States Code 869 et. 

seq.) as a complete revision of the Recreation Act of 1926 (44 Stat. 741). The law is administered by 

BLM. The Act authorizes the sale of lease of public lands for recreational or public purposes to state 

and local governments and to qualified nonprofit organizations. Examples of typical uses under the Act 

are historic monument sites, campgrounds, schools fire houses, law enforcement facilities, municipal 

facilities, landfills, hospitals, parks, and fairgrounds. 

RECREATION AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN (RAMP). A plan prepared for recreation areas 

requiring special management. 

RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREA (RMA). An administrative subunit that serves as a basic land 

unit for recreation management. Each area is identified and managed as a unit based on similar or 

interdependent recreation values, homogenous or interrelated recreation use, land tenure and use 

patterns, or administrative efficiency. There are two basic types of recreation management areas, 

ERMAs and SRMAs. 

RECREATION OPPORTUNITY SPECTRUM (ROS). A planning process that provides a framework 

for defining classes of outdoor recreation environments, activities, and experience opportunities. The 

settings, activities, and opportunities for experiences are arranged along a continuum or spectrum of six 

classes: primitive, back country, middle country, front country, rural, and urban. The resulting analysis 

defines specific geographic areas on the ground, each of which encompasses one of the six classes. 

RESERVE MANAGED. Management of the forestlands or woodlands by prescribed fire or wildland 

fire use to simulate natural alteration of forest vegetation to meet healthy forest landscape objectives 

within wilderness, wilderness study areas, or natural areas. No mechanical surface disturbing activities 

would be prescribed, and no sale of forest products would occur in reserve managed areas. (Schiche 

2003) 

G-18 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

RESOURCE DAMAGE. Damage to any natural or cultural resources that results in impacts such as 

erosion, water pollution, degradation of vegetation, loss of archeological resources, or the spread of 

weeds. 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN (RMP). A land use plan as prescribed by the Federal Land 

Policy and Management Act that establishes, for a given area of land, land-use allocations, coordination 

guidelines for multiple-use, objectives, and actions to be achieved. 

RIGHT-OF-WAY. A permit or an grant that authorizes the use of public lands for certain specified 

purposes, commonly for pipelines, roads, telephone lines, electric lines, reservoirs, etc.; also, the lands 

covered by such an grant or permit. 

RIGHT-OF-WAY CORRIDOR. A parcel of land (often linear in character) that has been identified 

through the land use planning process as being a preferred location for existing and future utility rightsof-way and that is suitable to accommodate one or more rights-of-way that are similar, identical, or 

compatible. Corridors may accommodate multiple pipelines (such as for oil and gas), electricity 

transmission lines, and related infrastructure, such as access and maintenance roads, compressors, 

pumping stations, and other structures. 

RIPARIAN. Wetlands situated on or near the bank of a river, stream, lake, or other body of water. 

Typically refers to the plants that grow rooted in the water table. In common use, this term can be 

synonymous with wetlands, but typically refers to areas along flowing water (see definition for Lentic 

and Lotic). (See also Wetland/Riparian.) 

RIPARIAN AREA. A transition between wetlands or water bodies and upland areas. Riparian areas 

exhibit vegetation or physical characteristics that reflect the influence of subsurface water in the root 

zone. Typical riparian areas include lands along, adjacent to, or contiguous with perennially and 

intermittently flowing rivers and streams, glacial potholes, and the shores of lakes and reservoirs with 

stable water levels. Excluded are ephemeral streams or washes that lack vegetation and depend on free 

water in the soil. 

RIPARIAN COMMUNITIES. Communities of vegetation associated with either open water or 

wetlands. Examples are cottonwood and willow communities, meadows, aspens near water sources, and 

other trees, grasses, forbs, and shrubs associated with water. 

RIVER ELIGIBILITY. Qualification of a river for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 

System through the determination (professional judgment) that it is free-flowing and, with its adjacent 

land area, possesses at least one river-related value considered to be outstandingly remarkable. 

ROAD. A vehicle route that has either been improved and maintained by mechanical means to ensure 

relatively regular and continuous use, or been established where vehicle travel has created two parallel 

tracks lacking vegetation. 

RUNOFF. The water that flows on the land surface from an area in response to rainfall or snowmelt. 

SAGE-GROUSE BREEDING HABITATS. Breeding habitats are composed of leks, nesting and early 

brood rearing habitats. 

SAGE-GROUSE LEK. See Lek. 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-19 
 

Glossary 

SAGE-GROUSE NESTING/EARLY BROOD-REARING HABITAT. Nesting habitat for sagegrouse in Wyoming is generally described as sagebrush that has canopy cover between 15 and 30% and 

heights between 11 and 32 inches. Herbaceous plant height (6 inches or greater) and canopy cover 

(>15%) provide important cover and food for sage-grouse using these habitats. Early brood-rearing 

habitat generally has 10 to 25% sagebrush canopy cover and a slightly higher canopy cover of grasses 

and forbs than nesting habitat. Early brood-rearing habitat is generally used by sage-grouse hens with 

chicks when chicks range in age from 1 to 21 days of age. 

SAGE-GROUSE WINTER HABITATS. During winter, sage-grouse feed almost exclusively on 

sagebrush leaves and buds. Suitable winter habitat requires sagebrush above snow. Sage-grouse tend to 

select wintering sites where sagebrush is 10 to 14 inches above the snow. Sagebrush canopy cover used 

by sage-grouse above the snow may range from 10 to 30%. Foraging areas tend to be on flat to 

generally southwest facing slopes and windswept ridges. 

SALABLE MINERALS. Minerals that may be disposed of through sales and free use permits under the 

Materials Act of 1947, as amended. Included are common varieties of sand, stone, gravel, and clay. 

SCENIC QUALITY. The degree of harmony, contrast, and variety within a landscape. 

SCOPING. The process of identifying the range of issues, management concerns, preliminary 

alternatives, and other components of an environmental impact statement or land-use planning 

document. It involves both internal and public viewpoints. 

SEASON OF USE. A livestock grazing permit term and condition identifying the time during which 

livestock graze a given area determined by the BLM to achieve management and resource condition 

objectives. 

SECTION 110 INVENTORY. Refers to Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, 

as amended. Section 110 of the Act directs federal agencies to establish a preservation program for the 

identification, evaluation, and nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, cultural properties 

that are under the agencies' jurisdiction or control. Section 110 also directs federal agencies to 

coordinate their respective preservation programs with the State Historic Preservation Offices, local 

governments, and Indian tribes (110.a.2.D). 

SENSITIVE SOILS. Land areas that have a moderate to very high hazard for soil compaction, erosion, 

or displacement. These soils include, but are limited to, red soils, saline soils, sandy soils, highly 

calcareous, and shallow. 

SENSITIVE SPECIES. Those species designated by a State Director, usually in cooperation with the 

State agency responsible for managing the species and state natural heritage programs. They are those 

species that: (1) could easily become endangered or extinct in a state; (2) are under status review by the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National Marine Fisheries Service; (3) are undergoing significant 

current or predicted downward trends in habitat capability that would reduce a species’ existing 

distribution; (4) are undergoing significant current or predicted downward trends in population or 

density such that federal listing, proposal, or candidate status may become necessary; (5) typically have 

small and widely dispersed populations, or (6) inhabit ecological refugia or other specialized or unique 

habitats. 

SERAL STAGE. The relatively transitory communities that develop under plant succession generally 

described as early, mid, and late seral stages. The mix of seral or successional stages on the landscape 

G-20 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
 

 

Glossary 

can be the result of disturbances, topography and soil, climate, uses of the land, management 

prescriptions, vegetation classification categories, and evaluation procedures. 

SHRUB. A low, woody plant, usually with several stems, that may provide food and/or cover for 

animals. 

SMOKE MANAGEMENT. Application of fire intensities and meteorological processes to minimize 

degradation of air quality during prescribed fires or fires for resource benefit. 

SPECIAL AREA DESIGNATION. A title conferred on a specified area through the land use planning 

process, which identifies the area as being in need of special management attention. Examples of 

special area designations include Special Recreation Management Areas, Areas of Critical 

Environmental Concern, and Wildlife Habitat Management Areas. 

SPECIAL RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREA (SRMA). A special area designation where 

significant public recreation issues or management concerns occur. Special or more intensive types of 

management are typically needed. Detailed recreation planning is required and greater managerial 

investment (e.g., facilities, supervision, etc.) is likely. 

SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES (SSS). Proposed species, listed species, and candidate species under the 

Endangered Species Act; state-listed species; and BLM State Director-designated sensitive species (see 

BLM Manual 6840—Special Status Species Policy). 

SPLIT ESTATE. Surface and minerals of a given area in different ownerships. Frequently, the surface 

will be privately owned and the minerals federally owned. 

STANDARD. A description of the physical and biological conditions or degree of function required for 

healthy, sustainable lands (e.g., land health standards). 

STATE LISTED SPECIES. Species proposed for listing or listed by a state in a category implying but 

not limited to potential endangerment or extinction. Listing is either by legislation or regulation. 

STIPULATION. A condition or requirement attached to a lease or contract, usually dealing with 

protection of the environment or recovery of a mineral. 

STRUTTING GROUND. An area used by sage-grouse in early spring for elaborate, ritualized courtship 

displays. See also Lek. 

SUPPRESSION. All the work of extinguishing or containing a fire, beginning with its discovery. 

SURFACE DISCHARGE. The release of produced water onto the unconfined land surface or into an 

existing drainage system. 

SURFACE (HUMAN) DISRUPTIVE ACTIVITY. The physical presence sounds and movements of 

people and their activities that are likely to cause displacement of or excessive stress to wildlife during 

critical life stages (breeding, nesting, and birthing) or during periods of severe winter weather 

conditions. Examples of disruptive activities include noise, traffic, or human presence regardless of the 

purpose of the activity. Stipulations to mitigate Disruptive Activities can be absolute or timing-based. 

SURFACE DISTURBING ACTIVITY. Any authorized action that disturbs vegetation and surface soil, 

increasing erosion potential above normal site conditions. This definition typically applies to 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-21 
 

Glossary 

mechanized or mechanical disturbance. However, intense or extensive use of hand or motorized hand 

tools may fall under this definition. Examples of surface disturbing activities are construction of well 

pads and roads, pits and reservoirs, pipelines and power lines; mining; and vegetation treatments. 

SURFACE OCCUPANCY. Placement or construction on the land surface of semipermanent or 

permanent facilities requiring continual service or maintenance. Casual use is not included. 

TAKE. As defined by the Endangered Species Act, “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, 

capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct.” 

TEMPORAL MANAGEMENT. As used in this document, intensive control of the period during which 

BLM will allow activities that are physiologically disturbing or disruptive to normal wildlife activities 

such as elk migration. 

THREATENED SPECIES. Any plant or animal species defined under the Endangered Species Act as 

likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its 

range; listings are published in the Federal Register. 

TIMING LIMITATION. A stipulation that prohibits surface disturbing or disruptive activities during 

specified times to protect identified resource values during sensitive periods (see also Stipulation 

Category). 

TRADITIONAL CULTURAL PROPERTY (TCP) SITE. A cultural resource known to be perceived 

by a specified social and/or cultural group as important in maintaining the cultural identity, heritage, or 

well-being of the group. In the planning area, this mainly pertains to cultural sites that are sensitive to 

Native American tribes. 

TURBIDITY. An interference to the passage of light through water due to insoluble particles of soil, 

organics, microorganisms and other materials. 

UNAVAILABLE FOR LEASING. Decision made in this RMP. No new oil and gas leases would be 

sold in areas with this designation. 

UNOCCUPIED LEK. (Formerly termed “historical lek”.) There are two types of unoccupied leks, 

“destroyed” or “abandoned.” Management protection will not be afforded to unoccupied leks. 

UPLANDS. Lands at higher elevations than alluvial plains or low stream terraces; all lands outside the 

riparian-wetland and aquatic zones. 

UTILIZATION. The proportion of the current year’s forage production that is consumed by grazing 

animals. Utilization is usually expressed as a percentage. 

VEGETATION COVER. The proportion of land or ground surface of an area covered by vegetation. 

VIEWSHED. The landscape that can be directly seen under favorable atmospheric conditions from a 

viewpoint or along a transportation corridor. 

VISUAL RESOURCE. Visible feature of the landscape, such as land, water, vegetation, animals, and 

other features that make up the scenery of an area. 

G-22 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

VISUAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (VRM). The system by which BLM classifies and manages 

scenic values and visual quality of public lands. The system is based on research that has produced 

ways of assessing aesthetic qualities of the landscape in objective terms. After inventory and evaluation, 

lands are given relative visual ratings (management classes), which determine the amount of 

modification allowed for the basic elements of the landscape. 

VISUAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (VRM) CLASSES. Visual resource management classes 

define the degree of acceptable visual change within a characteristic landscape. A class is based on the 

physical and sociological characteristics of any given homogeneous area and serves as a management 

objective. The four classes are described below: 

Class I provides for natural ecological changes only. This class includes primitive areas, some natural 

areas, some wild and scenic rivers, and other similar areas where landscape modification activities 

should be restricted. 

Class II areas are those areas where changes in any of the basic elements (form, line, color, or 

texture) caused by management activity should not be evident in the characteristic landscape. 

Class III includes areas where changes in the basic elements (form, line, color, or texture) caused by 

a management activity may be evident in the characteristic landscape. However, the changes should 

remain subordinate to the visual strength of the existing character. 

Class IV applies to areas where changes may subordinate the original composition and character; 

however, they should reflect what could be a natural occurrence within the characteristic landscape. 

WATER DISPOSAL PIT. A pit designed under the authority of Onshore Oil and Gas Order #7 for 

containment of produced water (water produced in conjunction with oil and gas production) as defined 

in said order. Water disposal pits can be temporary or permanent. 

WATER TABLE. The plane surface between the zone of saturation and the zone of aeration. Measured 

as the elevation where the groundwater surface is at equilibrium with atmospheric pressure. The water 

table is typically measured with a shallow groundwater well and is equal to the elevation of the water 

surface in the well. This term is typically not used in reference to confined aquifers or aquifers under 

pressure. Also known as the groundwater table, groundwater surface, water level, and saturated surface, 

among others. 

WATERSHED. All lands that are enclosed by a continuous hydrologic drainage divide and lie upslope 

from a specified point on a stream. 

WETLANDS. Varies in meaning depending on the methodology used to determine its wetland 

characteristics. Typically wetlands must have plants associated with anaerobic soil conditions (no 

oxygen and saturated with water), evidence of modeling (metal deposits) or other hydric soil indicators, 

and have the hydrology to allow for the location to be fully saturated at or near the soil surface for at 

least two weeks in a typical year. Wetlands can include standing water at or near the surface (typically 

not more than 2 meters deep), or saturated banks along flowing water such as riparian areas. (See also 

Wetlands/Riparian.) 

WETLANDS/RIPARIAN. Areas exhibiting vegetation or physical characteristics that reflect the 

influence of surface or subsurface water. These areas include lands adjacent to, or contiguous with, 

perennially and intermittently flowing rivers, streams, springs and seeps; meadows, playas, and the 

shores of lakes and reservoirs with stable water levels, among others. Excluded are ephemeral streams 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-23 
 

Glossary 

or washes that lack typical riparian vegetation. These areas can typically be identified by the plant 

communities that are present (see definitions for Wetland and Riparian Plant Communities). 

WILD HORSE HERD MANAGEMENT AREA. Areas established by the Authorized Officer for the 

maintenance of wild horse and burro herds. Herd management areas are established in consideration of 

the appropriate management level for the herd, the habitat requirements of the animals, the relationships 

with other uses of the public and adjacent private lands, and the constraints contained in 43 CFR 

4710.4. 

WILD, SCENIC, OR RECREATIONAL RIVER AREAS. The three classes of what is traditionally 

referred to as a “wild and scenic river.” Designated river segments are classified as wild, scenic, and/or 

recreational, but the segments cannot overlap. 

•	 Wild River Areas. Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally 

inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive and waters 

unpolluted. These represent vestiges of primitive America. 

•	 Scenic River Areas. Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments, with 

shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive and shorelines largely undeveloped, but accessible 

in places by roads. 

	 Recreational River Areas. Those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road 

or railroad, that may have some development along their shorelines, and that may have undergone 

some impoundment or diversion in the past. 

WILDERNESS. A congressionally designated area defined by the Wilderness Act of 1964, 16 USC 

§1131(a), as undeveloped federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent 

improvements or human habitation, that is protected and managed to preserve its natural conditions and 

that (1) generally appears to have been affected mainly by the forces of nature, with human imprints 

substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined 

type of recreation; (3) has at least 5,000 acres or is large enough to make practical its preservation and 

use in an unimpaired condition; and (4) may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of 

scientific, educational, scenic, or historic value. 

WILDERNESS STUDY AREA (WSA). Areas designated under Section 603 of FLPMA and evaluated 

by the Congress for possible inclusion as a Wilderness Area in the National Wilderness Preservation 

System. 

WILDLAND FIRE. Any non-structural fire that occurs on wildland. 

WILDLAND FIRE USE FOR RESOURCE BENEFIT (WFURB). The management of naturally 

ignited wildland fires to accomplish specific prestated resource management objectives in predefined 

geographic areas outlined in fire management plans. 

WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE (WUI). The line, area, or zone where structures and other human 

development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. 

WILDLIFE SERVICES (WS). A division of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS) that is responsible for the control of animals that are causing economic losses to agriculture, 

damage to property, or hazards to human health. (See also Animal Damage Control.) 

G-24 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Glossary 

WITHDRAWAL. Withholding an area of federal land from settlement, sale, location, or entry under 

some or all of the general land laws for the purpose of limiting activities under those laws in order to 

maintain other public values in the area or reserving the area for a particular public purpose or program; 

or transferring jurisdiction over an area of federal land, other than property governed by the Federal 

Property and Administrative Services Act (40 USC 472), from one department, bureau, or agency to 

another department, bureau, or agency. 

WOODLANDS. See BLM Woodlands. 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan G-25