Draft EIS Appendix 17 

APPENDIX 17—MONITORING AND EVALUATION 

INTRODUCTION

Management actions identified for the Rawlins Resource Management Plan Planning Area (RMPPA) are 

based on studies and the best scientific and commercial information available. However, conditions may

change during the life of the land use plan. Experience has shown that implemented management actions 

can be improved as new technology and new information become available. It is also possible that 

changes in land use will require a different management action to protect the resources. To address the 

changing conditions and provide management flexibility that uses best management practices, the 

Rawlins Field Office (RFO) conducts monitoring and evaluation, which measures the effectiveness of

existing actions through monitoring and application of new scientific research. Monitoring and evaluation

not only analyzes the current resource conditions as a result of implemented actions but also identifies and 

recommends alternatives or modified actions, as necessary, to reach established objectives and goals. This 

process provides the optimum means to check the effectiveness of management actions. Because the 

capability to conduct the process at the optimum level can vary from year to year, monitoring will be 

prioritized. 

Decisions 

Goals and objectives identified in the Record of Decision (ROD) for the land use plan will provide the

direction for managing each resource. These goals and objectives are the foundation for developing a

monitoring system to track the results of the management actions. Indicators that represent resource

conditions or change are identified for monitoring. Performance standards are developed at the activity 

planning level as guided by the resource goals in the land use plan. Performance standards consider

national and state established standards such as the Standards for Healthy Rangelands and others that may

have been developed for specific landscapes or resource conditions. Monitoring methods are selected

and/or designed to read the indicators as scheduled in the Resource Monitoring Table (see Table A17-1). 

In addition, data sources for studies and scientific research are identified and selected for use before the 

process is implemented. 

Those actions that are not producing desired results would be modified or replaced based on the

assessment of the new data. Where change can be accomplished through an administrative determination 

or a categorical exclusion, the RFO will make that decision through normal business practices. Changes

that require amending the land use plan will follow the amendment process, including the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance and public input. 

Following the ROD for the Resource Management Plan (RMP), as part of the implementation planning, a 

monitoring plan would be developed. In addition, monitoring plans would be developed during 

implementation activities and activity plan development. 

Data Collection 

Monitoring methods are implemented to collect data that detects any change in the indicators. Monitoring 

techniques consider when, where, and how often the monitoring will have to be repeated. Because much 

of the monitoring data is being collected by other federal and state agencies, a system should be

established to regularly collect and coordinate this data. Scientific research, the most elusive of all the 

data, will require each resource specialist’s close attention to new technology and the results from 

research that can be attributed to best management practices for a resource. Developing technologies or 

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Appendix 17 Draft EIS 

better understanding of information needs may result in changes to the monitoring methods and what is 

being measured. This issue will be addressed during the assessment step. 

The information collected through monitoring provides a variety of information that is applicable to one 

or more resource uses. Therefore, monitoring methods should be designed to address as many uses as 

possible. Existing monitoring and data collection from other federal, state, private, or educational 

institutions would be used where available. This action would increase the effectiveness and efficiency of 

the monitoring program by eliminating duplication and conflicting information. 

Data Analysis 

The data collected from all monitoring, studies, and scientific results will be analyzed to determine the 

change that has occurred as a result of management actions. When a change in resource conditions has 

been determined, resource specialists and other agency specialists will consult to determine what use or 

action caused the change. Data analysis will be conducted on a predetermined schedule. This schedule 

should take into consideration the data collection frequency for detecting change. Data will also be

recorded and organized to facilitate analysis that will be used to assess management actions. 

Assessment 

The analyzed data will be assessed to determine whether the resource conditions are meeting the planned 

goals and objectives as defined by the performance standards; if a change has occurred, what is the cause;

and what appropriate action should be taken to achieve the desired outcome of a management action. New 

technology and management methods will be reviewed to determine their applicability for use in

modifying or replacing current management actions. Occasionally, evaluation of monitoring data may

indicate the need for changing the goals and objectives, which would require reinitiating the 

NEPA/planning process. Where the assessment indicates that the goals and objectives are still valid but 

the outcome as defined by the performance measures is not being achieved, a change or modification in 

management actions is warranted. To the degree that those changes have been analyzed in the original 

NEPA document, no additional NEPA would be required. If those changes have not been previously

analyzed, supplemental NEPA will be required. 

The assessment will develop recommendations to be considered by management for continuation, 

modification, or replacement of current management actions. Because adoption of a new management 

action may require changes in the monitoring plan, the assessment will also evaluate the effectiveness of

the monitoring and data collecting methods and will recommend continual use, modification, or 

elimination. 

An assessment team will be established that includes disciplines, expertise, and other agency involvement

for conducting a thorough and complete assessment. An assessment schedule should be developed that 

ensures management actions are evaluated before an irreversible resource condition occurs. 

RESOURCE MONITORING TABLE

The Resource Monitoring Table (see Table A17-1) identifies the indicator that will be monitored to detect

change in resource conditions, the method or technique of monitoring, the locations for monitoring, the 

unit of measurement for monitoring, the frequency and duration for monitoring, and the action triggers or 

thresholds that indicate the effectiveness of the management action. 

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The actual indicator, amount, and frequency of monitoring will depend on the consideration of resource

sensitivity, number of activities potentially affecting a resource, and manpower and funding. The actual

monitoring plans would be developed during implementation activities and activity plan development. 

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Appendix 17 Draft EIS 

Table A17-1. Resource Monitoring Table 

Indicator Method or Technique Location Unit of Measure Frequency and Duration Action Trigger 

Air QualityAir quality Ambient air 

sampling and air quality modeling

Area wide Parts per million Hourly to 24-hour 

samples as perstandards 

Exceeding National Ambient Air QualityStandards. (BLM will inform the appropriate regulatory agencies (Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality-Air Quality Division [WDEQ-AQD] and EPA) if dispersion modeling estimates a potential exceedance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards [NAAQS] or Wyoming Ambient Air Quality Standards [WAAQS]. The regulatory agencies are responsible for determining whether an actual exceedance has occurred.) 

Gaseous and particulate critical air pollutants 

Emission inventory Area wide Pounds per hour and 

tons per year. 

Annually Whenever detected

Cultural Resources National register eligible sites 

Site inspection Area wide Disturbance Annually Disturbance as a result of land uses or vandalism 

Fire Fire fuels Site inspection Wildland Urban 

Interface and industrial interface areas

Acres Annually Presence of fire fuels that present a risk to 

communities and industrial sites 

Vegetation condition 

Ecological sitecondition and trend studies 

Vegetation types where there is a history of fire inthe ecosystem

Representativesample 

Annually Vegetation growth trend is moving away from

desired conditions for the vegetation type

Resource and property damage 

Fire behavior Individual fire Fire temperature, 

flame length, burn rate, and acres burned 

While fire is burning 

Acres burned and fire intensity exceeds prescription 

ForestryForest Health Ecological site 

condition and trend 

Forested lands Representative

sample area 

Every 3 to 5 years Disease, insect infestation, or encroachment of 

undesirable plant species threatens forest health 

Timber stands Timber stand exam Commercial 

forested areas

Board feet, age class, and damages 

Every 10 to 20 years

Basal area growth does not meet timber typestandards 

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Indicator Method or Location Unit of Measure Frequency and Action Trigger Technique Duration

Lands and RealtyRights-of-Waycompliance 

Site inspection Area wide Site Annually Noncompliance or nonuse 

Livestock Grazing Vegetation condition 

Ecological sitecondition 

All areas beinggrazed

Representativesample of grazed area

Annually Conditions do not meet the goals and objectives 

for vegetation community or the Standards for Healthy Rangelands and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management 

Vegetation trend Ecological site 

trend 

All areas beinggrazed

Representativesample of grazed area

Every 3 to 5 years Vegetation type not moving toward objectives 

and goals 

Forage utilization Utilization study plot 

or site visit 

All areas beinggrazed

Representativesample of grazed area

During or after area has been grazed

Key plant vigor is deteriorating

Livestock numbers Counts and site

visits 

All allotments Number Annually or when 

the livestock is moved on or off the allotment 

Exceeds permitted numbers and over use forvegetation condition 

Minerals Surface disturbance 

Remote sensing or site inspection 

Mineraldevelopment sites 

Acres disturbed Annually Acres disturbed are exceeding the range 

established for the area 

Compliance withauthorization 

Area inspection Area wide Compliance During operations 

or annually

Noncompliance 

OHV Surface disturbance 

Remote sensing or site visit 

Site Acres of disturbance Annually Disturbance has exceeded the baseline, 

accelerated soil erosion is occurring, and vegetation is being removed 

Paleontological Resources Significant paleontologicalresources 

Site Inspection Site Degradation or loss of 

significant fossil resources 

Annually Loss or damage to significant fossil resources 

resulting from human or natural causes 

Recreation General recreation use 

Inspection or remote sensing 

Area wide, withemphasis on dispersed recreation 

Change over time and visitor days

Annually When change is causing undue or unnecessary

degradation of the site or area

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Appendix 17 Draft EIS 

Indicator Method or Location Unit of Measure Frequency and Action Trigger Technique Duration

Concentrated recreation use

Inspect developed recreation sites or areas that havefacilities 

Recreation site Condition of recreation 

site, facilities, and visitor days

Annually When change is causing undue or unnecessary

degradation of facilities and use areas 

Compliance withcommercial authorization 

Administrative review, site inspection 

Activity site Permit stipulations, 

resource conditions, and site restoration 

During and after an event 

When noncompliance is determined or degradation of resources are occurring

Special Management Areas Resource condition 

Site visit or remote sensing 

Special management area 

Amount of degradation or loss of resources 

Every 1 to 5 years Undue or unnecessary degradation or loss of

resources as a result of human or natural causes 

Transportation and Access Management Roads and vehicle routes 

Road and vehicle route inspectionthrough on siteinspection or remote sensing 

Area wide Miles Annually When conditions represent a hazard to life and 

property

Vegetation Trend Appropriate method

from National Range Handbook 

Area wide Representative

sample 

Every 3 to 5 years Vegetation change from baseline or moving away

from ecological status desired

Vegetation change Photo Points Area wide Representative

sample of vegetation type

Every 2 to 10 years

Used in conjunction with other methods to detect desirable and undesirable changes occurring to vegetation as a result of land uses 

Precipitation Weather stations Representative

sample to detect precipitation patterns 

Inches of precipitation Monthly and

annually

Precipitation insufficient for plant growth 

Noxious Weed trend 

Remote sensing or site visit 

Area wide Acres of established 

weeds and potential habitat areas 

Continuously Weed species are spreading or becoming 

established in new areas 

Special Status Species 

Site inspection Special Status 

Species habitats 

Population and trend Annually When there is a declining trend in populations 

Wetland/Riparian Condition 

Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) 

Area wide Stream miles and 

acres along with rating 

Yearly, following the Standards and Guidelines (S&G) schedule for locations 

Ratings below PFC, defined by the ability of the wetland site to maintain itself and for riparianareas to withstand a 2-year storm event 

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Indicator Method or Location Unit of Measure Frequency and Action Trigger Technique Duration

Visual Resources Intrusions Remote sensing or 

site visit 

Class I and II areas 

Impacts of an individual intrusion 

Annually When the intrusion exceeds the definition of the 

classification 

Water Quality, Watershed, and Soils General water quality 

Water sampling surveys using the Beneficial use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) Wyoming stateprotocol

Rivers and streams, locations selected to coincide withS&G schedule

Representativesample of water quality in standard units depending on parameter 

Yearly, following the S&G schedule for locations 

When quality does not meet state standards or water quality can be improved by BLM management actions 

Surface water quality of waterbodies listed onState 303d list as threatened or impaired 

Sampling and monitoring design depends on parameters thatrequired listing

Watersheds where water bodies are listed

Typically includes coordination with other agencies and adeveloped water monitoring program 

Seasonally, during period when water body is listed 

When trend in water quality is not toward improving conditions for delisting 

Project-specificsurface water quality 

Sampling, modeling, and/or monitoring design depends on parameters thatcould be impacted from project actions 

Surface watersthat may beimpacted byBLM management actions 

Representativesample of water quality in standard units depending on parameter or modeling results 

Seasonally, during period when water body may beimpacted 

When quality does not meet state standards or water quality can be improved by BLM management actions 

Ground water quality 

Ground water sampling 

Where groundwater resources are used (stock watering or water supplies for campgrounds)

Representativesample of water quality in standard units depending on parameter 

Varies by project when they areestablished and campgrounds monthly 

When water quality does not meet needs foruses 

Groundwater resources, potential impacted by resourcedevelopment 

Monitoring wells, sampling and modeling 

Area wide Depth to groundwater, 

water quality parameters 

Monitoring wells may collect continuously, frequency and duration driven byproject specifics 

A significant environmental impact not considered or disclosed in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process 

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Appendix 17 Draft EIS 

Indicator Method or Location Unit of Measure Frequency and Action Trigger Technique Duration

Channel geometry Riparian Cross

Sections 

Area wide Change in stream 

channel (width, depth, side channel modification and bank sloughing 

Every 1 to 3 years When channel conditions could be improved by

BLM management actions 

Soil erosion uplands 

Visual observation and surveyederosion pins 

Area wide where land use activities are occurring 

Soil loss in tones per acre 

Visuallyexamination while land use activity is active and annually site surveys 

When soil loss is accelerated beyond naturallevels or beyond those considered or disclosed in the NEPA process 

Soil erosion onstream banks and floodplains 

Visual observation and surveyederosion pins 

Area wide where land use activities are occurring 

Area affected insquare feet or acres 

Visuallyexamination while land use activity is active and annually surveythe site 

Accelerated streambank soil loss 

Soil compaction Penetrometer or 

visual inspection 

Area affected byland use activities 

Pounds per square inch 

1 to 2 times annually

Compaction restricts water infiltration and plant growth 

Soil compaction, porosity,permeability, and depth to water

Monitoring wells (peizometers) 

Riparian areas Depth to water table Every 2 to 3 years Water table is shrinking beyond average 

precipitation fluctuations 

Stream flow Stream Gauging

Stations 

Area wide Water volumes, times 

of flows, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and sediment loads

Monthly or during storm events 

Trends indicate increased sediment load and deterioration in water quality 

Wild Horses Horse numbers Horse counts Herd 

management areas 

Number of animals Annually When numbers exceed established HML ranges 

Horse blood Blood sampling Herd 

management areas 

Blood analysis to determine animal health and genetic typing 

When horses are gathered 

Blood samples show deteriorating herd health or a genetic change 

Wildlife and Fisheries Big game Aerial and field Crucial wildlife Numbers during Annually Downward trend in animal occupancy 

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Indicator Method or Location Unit of Measure Frequency and Action Trigger Technique Duration

seasonal habitat inspections habitat areas occupancy periods Special Status Species occupancy and productivity

Air and site inspections 

Habitat areas and established buffer zones 

Numbers during occupancy periods 

Annually When there is a declining trend in populations 

Threatened andEndangered species occupancy and productivity

Air and site inspections 

Habitat areas and established buffer zones 

Numbers during occupancy periods 

Annually When there is a declining trend in populations 

Macroinvertebrate Indicator species 

Collectingmacroinvertebrate species 

Perennial streams 

Species and condition of macroinvertebrates 

Every 2 to 10 years

When microinvertebrates that represent goodquality water are not present in the stream 

Neotropical birdhabitat 

Site visit Area wide Numbers during 

occupancy period 

Every 2 to 3 years Declining trend in habitat occupancy 

Raptors Site visit Area wide Nest occupancy rate Every 2 to 5 years Declining trend in nest site occupancy Sage-grouse Lek site visit Lek sites Number of male and 

females (occupied or unoccupied) 

Annually Declining trend in the number of males and 

females 

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