2-1 Management Decisions 

CHAPTER 2 

MANAGEMENT DECISIONS

INTRODUCTION 

BLM managers selected the management guidance of the Proposed Action (Alternative B), as 

the Approved RMP. Under the RMP, the 

BLM’s management focus will be to allocate 

resources to resolve resource use issues or conflicts and management concerns associated with 

the Monument, while complying with Presidential Proclamation 7394 and current BLM policies, initiatives, and guidance. The BLM will 

more intensively manage recreational use 

through additional development of facilities for 

visitor use and enjoyment of the area; resource 

protection; visitor health and safety needs; meeting land health standards; research and environmental education opportunities that are in compliance with the Proclamation; and protecting 

American Indian use areas and traditional cultural practices. The RMP allocates uses of resources and critical elements as discussed below 

and summarized in Chapter 4, “Management 

Plan Implementation.” Implementation of the 

RMP should resolve the issues and provide 

management direction for the next fifteen to 

twenty years. 

Up to this point in the planning process, proposed decisions have been presented by issue. 

Now that the RMP has been approved, the decisions to be implemented are presented in this 

chapter by resource program area (for example, 

“Lands and Realty” or “Special Status Species”). 

The narrative for each resource program is divided into three sections: Goals and Objectives, 

Management Actions, and Monitoring. These 

sections are described below: 

Goals and Objectives 

Land use plans ensure that the public lands are 

managed in accordance with the intent of Congress as set out in FLPMA (43 U.S.C. 1701 et 

seq.), under the principles of multiple use and 

sustained yield. As required by FLPMA and 

BLM policy, the public lands must be managed 

in a manner to protect the quality of scientific, 

scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air 

and atmospheric, water resource, and archeological values; that, where appropriate, will preserve and protect certain public lands in their 

natural condition; that will provide food and 

habitat for fish and wildlife and domestic animals; that will provide for outdoor recreation 

and human occupancy and use; and that recognizes the Nation’s need for domestic sources of 

minerals, food, timber, and fiber from the public 

lands by encouraging collaboration and public 

participation throughout the planning process. 

Land use plans are one of the primary mechanisms for guiding BLM activities to achieve the 

mission and goals outlined in the Department of 

the Interior Strategic Plan (USDI 2003). The 

KKTR RMP has established goals and objectives for management of the Monument and 

Planning Area. These goals and objectives are 

described by program and/or resource below to 

identify desired management results for the 

Monument and Planning Area. 

Management Actions 

Land use plan decisions identify resources to be 

applied and the means for application of resources to achieve the stated goals and objectives. “Management Actions” in this document 

include three types of resource management 

guidance. They are proclamation requirements (specific resources to be applied or applications required by the Proclamation); previously approved management actions (established management guidance believed to be 

moving conditions toward desired goals and objectives and therefore carried forward into the 

current Plan); and Approved Plan management 

actions (actions believed to have potential to 

contribute to more efficient and effective 

achievement of the goals and objectives). 
Chapter 2 2-2

“Management Actions” in the resource program 

sections below include all three types of program/resource management guidance. 

For each resource program, the “Management 

Actions” section is further divided into three 

subsections: “Allowable Uses and Actions,” 

“Implementation Decisions,” and “Support Services.” 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

This subsection summarizes allowable uses, restricted uses, and prohibited uses. It also includes management measures that will guide 

future day-to-day activity. 

Implementation Decisions 

By the approval of the Record of Decision, decisions have been made for the allocation and use 

of Federal lands, interests in lands, and resources 

in the Monument and Southwest Acquisition. 

Decisions have also been made for lands in the 

remainder of the Planning Area; however, these 

decisions can be implemented only if proposed 

acquisitions from willing sellers are completed 

or through Cooperative Management Agreements. 

Support Services 

This subsection identifies needs from three support programs: Lands and Realty (for lands 

and right-of-way/easement acquisition), Cadastral Survey, and Engineering. Needed support 

services will be identified in scheduling and 

budgeting for plan implementation. Many other 

programs such as Cultural Resources, Special 

Status Species, and Visual Resources will provide input into various aspects of plan implementation but are not considered “support services.” 

Monitoring 

This section describes plans for monitoring to 

assess progress toward meeting program or resource goals and objectives. In some cases, it 

discusses plans of action if monitoring indicates 

actions are not meeting goals and objectives, or 

if actions are no longer needed. Monitoring will 

help the BLM to detect and document natural 

and human-induced changes in resource conditions and visitor experiences, and offer insights 

into the effectiveness of resource management 

policies and objectives. It will enable personnel 

to understand what might be driving any 

changes requiring intervention (corrective management actions or strategies). 

Veterans Memorial Scenic Overlook
2-3 Management Decisions 

ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION 

Goals and Objectives 

The BLM’s goals in managing access and transportation are (1) to promote the safety of all users of the public lands [AT-1a] and (2) to minimize conflicts between the various users of those 

lands [AT-1b]. 

To meet these goals, the BLM designates all 

roads on public land in the Planning Area in one 

of the following three categories: open, closed, 

or limited (open for authorized administrative or 

emergency use only). The following criteria are 

used to place roads into one of the three categories: 

• In designating roads, the BLM considers the 

protection of resources such as valuable 

wildlife habitat, cultural resource values, 

traditional cultural properties, watershed, 

and recreational values. 

• When duplicate or multiple roads lead to the 

same location on public lands, the BLM 

considers closing and rehabilitating at least 

one of these roads to deter use and protect 

the watershed and other resources. 

• The BLM considers limited use on roads 

where (1) trespassing on non-public land 

would be encouraged by an open designation; or (2) the road crosses non-public land 

and is needed for administrative purposes, 

emergency rescue or fire, and no other open 

roads exist nearby. 

• The road serves as important access to facilities, recreational opportunities, or areas 

needed for program administration. 

• The road is reasonably located. 

• The road generally complies with resource 

management objectives. 

• Roads used for access under authorized livestock grazing leases or other authorization 

will not be restricted. 

Management Actions 

The Proclamation prohibits use of all motorized 

and mechanized vehicles off road, except for 

emergency or authorized administrative purposes. The Proclamation also requires that the 

management plan include appropriate transportation planning that addresses the actions, including road closures or travel restrictions, 

needed to protect the geologic, cultural, and biological objects of interest identified in the Proclamation (see Appendix A) and to further the 

purposes of the American Indian Religious 

Freedom Act of August 11, 1978 (42 U.S.C. 

1996). 

Numerous roads exist in the Monument and 

Planning Area, developed either by continuous 

casual use or for such purposes as removal of 

material excavated from the area’s old mines. 

Those roads not needed for visitation, safety, or 

administrative purposes will be closed. BLM 

staff will determine appropriate restoration 

measures such as stabilization and reseeding to 

prevent soil erosion. Such Best Management 

Practices for minimizing sediment pollution will 

be developed and implemented on a site-specific 

basis. (See “Soil and Water Resources” below 

for additional information.) 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

Of the 25.25 miles of vehicle transportation 

routes currently on Federal lands in the Planning 

Area (19.55 miles in the Monument and 5.7 

miles in the Southwest Acquisition), about 5.95 

miles will continue to be open to public use 

[AT-2], 7.8 miles will be limited to authorized 

administrative and emergency use only [AT-3], 

and 11.5 miles will be closed [AT-4], leaving 

13.75 miles of vehicle routes. (See Map 4 in the 

map pocket for road segment locations and 

Tables 2-1 and 2-2 for segment mileage and 

status.) 

Of the 8.43 miles of trails now on Federal land, 

about 1.9 miles will be closed [AT-5], 6.33 miles 

will be open to hiking and/or equestrian use 

[AT-6], and 0.2 mile will be limited to authorized 

administrative or emergency use [AT-7]. In addition, 0.9 mile of new trail will be constructed 

[AT-8] and Road Segment 103 (0.7 mile) will be 

closed to motorized and mechanized vehicles 

and converted to a hiking trail [AT-9], resulting 
Chapter 2 2-4

TABLE 2-1 

STATUS OF ROAD SEGMENTS IN THE MONUMENT 

Segment 

Number a 

Length

(miles) Type b Status 

100 0.70 Primitive road Closed 

100A 1.00 Primitive road Closed 

100B 0.40 Primitive road Closed 

100C 0.30 Primitive road Closed 

100D 0.10 Primitive road Closed 

100E 0.10 Primitive road Closed 

100F 0.30 Primitive road Closed 

101 0.80 Primitive road Closed 

101A 1.50 Primitive road Closed 

101B 0.20 Primitive road Closed 

101C 0.10 Primitive road Closed 

102 0.90 Primitive road Limited c 

102A 0.80 Primitive road Closed 

102B 0.90 Primitive road Closed 

102C 0.20 Primitive road Limited c

102D 0.10 Primitive road Limited c

103 0.70 Primitive road Closed d 

103A 0.20 Primitive road Closed 

103B 0.20 Primitive road Closed 

103C 0.20 Primitive road Closed 

103D 0.30 Primitive road Closed 

103E 0.10 Primitive road Closed 

104 0.40 Primitive road Closed 

104A 0.50 Primitive road Limited c

105 0.05 Primitive road Open 

106 0.10 Resource road Closed 

1011 (also known as Forest 

Service Road 266 and 

Tribal Road 92) 

5.90 Collector road Open e

1011A 1.00 Resource road Limited c 

1011B 1.50 Resource road Limited c 

Road Access Designation Mileage 

Open 5.95 

Limited 4.20 

Closed 9.40 

Notes: a See Map 4 (in the map pocket) for segment location. 

 b See the Glossary for definitions of these road types. 

 c Road segment limited to authorized administrative or emergency use only. 

 d Close road and convert to hiking trail, for use with proposed small developed 

 parking area and trailhead. 

 e Road will have different hours of operation summer and winter. It may be 

 closed at the fee station if it becomes impassible and be closed seasonally in 

 T. 17 N., R. 4 E., Sec. 30 for fire protection. 
2-5 Management Decisions 

TABLE 2-2 

STATUS OF ROAD SEGMENTS IN THE SOUTHWEST ACQUISITION 

Segment 

Number a 

Length 

(miles) Type b Status 

107 0.4 Resource Limited c 

107A 0.6 Primitive Limited c

108 1.7 Primitive Closed 

108A 0.2 Primitive Closed 

108B 0.2 Primitive Closed 

109 0.9 Resource Limited c

1011C 1.7 Resource Limited c

Road Access Designation Mileage 

Open 0.0 

Limited 3.6 

Closed 2.1 

Notes: a See Map 4 (in the map pocket) for segment location. 

 b See the Glossary for a definition of these road types. 

 c Road segment limited to authorized administrative 

 or emergency use only. 

in a total of 8.13 miles of trails. (See Map 4 in 

the map pocket for road and trail segment locations and Table 2-3 for segment mileage, status, 

and approved use.) 

BLM routes designated on Federal lands within 

the Planning Area include 5.9 miles of collector 

road (BLM Road 1011), 5.5 miles of resource 

roads, and 2.35 miles of primitive roads (see 

Tables 2-1 and 2-2). All of the resource roads 

and primitive roads are limited to authorized 

administrative and emergency use only; see the 

Glossary for road definitions. Mileage of roads 

in areas proposed for acquisition from willing 

sellers or potentially under Cooperative Management Agreements is unknown. 

Implementation Decisions 

Motorized and mechanized access for recreational visits to the Monument and Planning Area 

will be provided on 5.95 miles of road designated as open for public access [AT-2]. An additional 7.8 miles of road will have limited access for authorized administrative and emergency uses only [AT-3]. Resource protection 

will be provided by closing 11.5 miles of existing roads [AT-4] (see Tables 2-1 and 2-2, and 

Map 4 in the map pocket). As acquisitions are 

completed, roads in the acquired areas will be 

evaluated and designated as open for public use, 

limited to authorized administrative or emergency use as a part of the transportation system, 

or closed [AT-10] and identified for rehabilitation [AT-11]. 

The off-highway vehicle (OHV) designation for 

the entire Planning Area is “limited to designated roads and trails” for motorized and 

mechanized modes of travel [AT-12]. This 

means that visitors using motorized and mechanized travel must remain on designated roads 

and trails, except for authorized administrative 

use, emergency services, or valid existing rights. 

Under the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum 

classification, public motorized access is provided to approximately 1,987 Federal acres of 

the Planning Area. Limited motorized access 

for authorized administrative or emergency uses 

only is provided to another 2,048 acres. Nonmotorized access is available to approximately 

1,054 Federal acres [RU-5] (see Map 7). 

Designated hiking and equestrian trails will provide an additional 8.13 miles of access to 
Chapter 2 2-6

TABLE 2-3 

STATUS OF TRAIL SEGMENTS IN THE MONUMENT AND SOUTHWEST ACQUISITION

Segment 

Number a 

Length 

(miles) Current or Past Use 

Authorized 

Use Status 

T1 1.60 National Recreation Trail Hiking Open 

T2 0.70 National Recreation Trail Hiking Open 

T3 0.40 Recreation trail None Closed 

T4 0.03 Parking lot trail Hiking Open 

T5 0.20 Possibly used for Civilian 

Conservation Corps camp 

(1933-42) 

Hiking Limited b 

T6 0.30 Primitive trail—possibly 

used by livestock 

None Closed 

T7 1.10 Pack trail None Closed 

T8 1.30 Cañada Camada trail Hiking Open c 

T9 0.30 Canyon bottom access— 

Peralta Canyon 

Hiking Open 

T10 0.10 Pack trail None Closed 

L1 0.60 Livestock trail Hiking and 

equestrian use d

Open e 

L2 0.40 Livestock trail Hiking Open f 

L3 1.40 Livestock trail through wash Hiking and 

equestrian use d

Open e 

E1 0.90 Proposed new trail Hiking and 

equestrian use d

Develop and 

open 

Road Segment 

103 

0.70 Convert primitive road to 

hiking trail 

Hiking Close road, open 

as trail 

Trail Access Designation Mileage 

Open g 7.93

Limited 0.20 

Closed 1.90 

Notes: a See Map 4 (in the map pocket) for segment locations. 

 b Limited to authorized or emergency use only. 

 c Previously authorized—identify treadway and construct to Americans with Disabilities Act 

 standards. 

 d Equestrian use by permit only on a case-by-case basis. 

e Improve for use as hiking and equestrian trail. 

 f Improve for use as hiking trail. 

 g Includes 0.4 mile of livestock trail to be converted to hiking trail (L2), 2.0 miles of livestock 

 trails to be converted to hiking and equestrian trails (L1 and L3), 0.7 mile of road to be 

 converted to hiking trail (RS103), plus 0.9 mile of a new trail segment to be developed for 

 hiking and equestrian use (E1), and 1.3 miles of previously authorized hiking trail currently 

 under development (T8). 
2-7 Management Decisions 

Federal lands when construction is complete on 

all authorized trails [AT-6, AT-7, AT-8, AT-9]

(see Table 2-3 and Map 4 in the map pocket for 

trail segment designations). As acquisitions are 

completed, trails in the acquired areas will be 

evaluated and designated as open for public use, 

limited to authorized administrative or emergency use as a part of the transportation system, 

or closed [AT-13] and identified for rehabilitation [AT-14]. Additional trails will be developed if land acquisitions are completed [AT-15]. 

Trails may also be developed on private land 

through Cooperative Management Agreements 

[AT-16]. 

Access for research permits will be considered 

as authorized administrative use and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis [AT-17]. Research may include field work, specimen collection, or other types of scientific study. Permits 

will be issued after a thorough review of research goals, strategies, operational detail, and 

potential for resource disturbance. The duration 

of each permit will vary based on applicant performance (past and present), the resources being 

studied, the type and extent of resources, and 

other related factors. 

This trail leads from the cool, shaded Slot Canyon to 

the sunny Vista Point overlook.

If the North Edgeholding is acquired, it will initially be closed to public entry except access (1) 

on existing public roads or (2) with prior authorization from the Rio Puerco Field Manager. 

The BLM may allow a two-year period of resource survey and evaluation before making 

land and resource allocations. The BLM may 

provide guided tours in the interim. After consulting with potentially affected American Indian tribes, carrying out resource data inventory, 

including assessment of cultural resources, and 

implementing measures to mitigate potential 

adverse effects to cultural resources and other 

resources, the area will be opened with appropriate restrictions [AT-18]. 

BLM Road 1011 will have different hours of 

operation summer and winter. In addition, it 

may be closed at the fee station if it becomes 

impassible and be closed seasonally in T. 17 N., 

R. 4 E., Section 30 for fire protection [AT-19].

Roads and trails will be minimized in traditional 

use areas by road and trail closures and relocations [AIU-5]. 

Support Services 

 - Lands and Realty 

Acquisition of lands for resource protection is a 

needed support service. 

Acquisition of access easements is a support 

service needed for road access through the 

Monument. 

 - Cadastral Survey 

Cadastral survey is a support service needed for 

establishment of ownership boundaries and locating access easements to eliminate trespass on 

private property. 

 - Engineering 

Engineering support services are needed for design, construction, and maintenance of access 

and transportation facilities. 

Monitoring 

Road and trail use will be observed and recorded. This information will be used to support 

proposals for facility maintenance and development. It will also be used in considering the 

quality of the user experience and to determine 

need for additional roads and trails, especially 

on newly acquired lands. 
Chapter 2 2-8

AIR QUALITY 

Goals and Objectives 

The BLM’s objective for air quality is to prevent 

significant deterioration of the Class II airshed 

designated by the Clean Air Act [AQ-1]. Meeting this objective requires that the BLM’s own 

management actions and any authorizations 

granted for the use of public lands comply with 

and support local, state, and Federal laws. All 

BLM actions and use authorizations will be designed and stipulated to protect air quality in and 

adjacent to the Monument and Planning Area, 

and the nearby National Park Service Class I 

area, Bandelier National Monument [AQ-2]. 

Management Actions 

As stated above, meeting this air quality objective requires that the BLM’s own management 

actions and any authorizations granted for the 

use of public lands comply with and support local, state, and Federal laws. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

All BLM actions and use authorizations will be 

designed and stipulated to protect air quality in 

and adjacent to the Monument and Planning 

Area, and the nearby National Park Service 

Bandelier National Monument Class I area 

[AQ-2]. The Fire Management Program is most 

likely to propose actions and authorizations affecting air quality. 

Implementation Decisions 

None. 

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring 

Visual monitoring is required for prescribed fire 

projects and wildfires. Observations of smoke 

plume characteristics such as direction, rise, 

color and density of the plume, and the time of 

day of observations will be recorded on the VisEvening Primrose. ual Monitoring Form.
2-9 Management Decisions 

AMERICAN INDIAN USES AND 

TRADITIONAL CULTURAL 

PRACTICES 

Goals and Objectives 

The BLM 8120 Manual specifies a number of 

laws, executive orders, presidential memoranda, 

and secretarial orders that require governmentto-government consultation regarding cultural, 

historical, and religious concerns of American 

Indians [AIU-1]. Under these authorities the 

BLM seeks to ensure that tribal issues and concerns are given legally adequate consideration 

during decision making [AIU-2]. In addition, 

the BLM is committed to protecting sensitive 

information relating to tribal concerns, and to 

fostering good working relationships with the 

tribes. 

Management Actions 

Presidential Proclamation 7394 emphasizes the 

historical connection of the Pueblo de Cochiti to 

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 

and places special emphasis on furthering the 

purposes of the American Indian Religious 

Freedom Act. 

The BLM will continue close coordination and 

cooperation with the Pueblo de Cochiti in the 

day-to-day operations of the Monument and 

Planning Area. For actions requiring an environmental assessment (EA) and/or environmental impact statement (EIS) under NEPA, the 

BLM will consult with Cochiti, Santo Domingo, 

Jemez and Zia Pueblos, as well as any tribes that 

may come forward later to express concern 

about traditional cultural properties, places, and 

uses in the Monument and Planning Area. 

These tribes, the Hopi Tribe, and the Jicarilla 

Apache Nation, will be included in any consultation required by the Native American Graves 

Protection and Repatriation Act. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

For American Indian Uses and Traditional Cultural Practices, the BLM will follow the 

consultation practices described above under 

“Goals and Objectives.” BLM developments 

and recreation management policies will be oriented, in part, toward discouraging visitor use in 

sensitive areas identified by American Indians 

[AIU-3]. In addition, with appropriate advance 

notice, the BLM will consider brief, temporary 

closures of all or portions of the Monument and 

Southwest Acquisition to ensure privacy for traditional uses [AIU-4]. 

If the BLM acquires the North Edgeholding, it 

will initially be closed to public entry except 

access (1) on existing public roads or (2) with 

prior authorization from the Rio Puerco Field 

Manager. After consulting with potentially affected American Indian tribes and carrying out 

resource data inventory (not to exceed two 

years’ duration), the area will be opened with 

appropriate restrictions [AT-18]. 

Implementation Decisions 

Specific areas where American Indian uses and 

traditional cultural practices take place are not 

identified in this document because of the sacred 

nature of some of these uses. Also, visitors’ 

natural inquisitiveness could lead to higher levels of intrusion. Traditional use areas will be 

identified through the use of existing data on file 

and through consultation with tribes as part of 

the NEPA process and in compliance with 

NHPA. 

Roads and trails will be minimized in traditional 

use areas by road and trail closures and relocations [AIU-5]. 

The Pueblo de Cochiti will continue to be involved in management of the Monument and 

Planning Area through Cooperative Management Agreements. The Pueblo will continue to 

have close day-to-day participation in managing 

the Monument [AIU-6]. 

On an infrequent basis, the Pueblo can temporarily close roads for control of access to avoid disruption of tribal ceremonies [AIU-4]. 
Chapter 2 2-10

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring

Notes will be kept on file as to comments received through the tribal consultation process. 

Tribal concerns and issues will be documented 

in the files and reviewed periodically to ensure 

that they are being taken into consideration, particularly regarding management of traditional 

use areas. 

Tent Rock formations viewed from trail. 
2-11 Management Decisions 

CULTURAL RESOURCES 

Goals and Objectives 

The goals of the BLM’s Cultural Resources Program are defined in BLM Manual 8100. Managing cultural resources is viewed as an integrated 

system of identifying and evaluating cultural 

resources, deciding on their appropriate uses, 

and administering them accordingly [CR-1a]. 

The objectives are as follows: 

• Respond in a legally sufficient and professional manner to the legal authorities concerning historic preservation and cultural resource protection, and to the principles of 

multiple use [CR-1b]. 

• Recognize potential public and scientific 

uses of cultural resources on public lands, 

managing the lands and cultural resources so 

that these uses and values are appropriately 

protected [CR-1c]. 

• Contribute to land use planning and multiple 

use management in ways that (1) make optimum use of the thousands of years of land 

use history inherent in cultural resource information, and (2) safeguard opportunities 

for achieving appropriate uses of cultural resources [CR-1d]. 

• Protect and preserve in place representative 

examples of the full array of cultural resources on public lands for the benefit of 

scientific and public use by present and future generations [CR-1e]. 

• Ensure that proposed land uses avoid inadvertent damage to Federal and non-Federal 

cultural resources [CR-1f]. 

• Further the goals of the Department of the 

Interior and BLM Strategic Plans (USDI 

2003; USDI, BLM 1997), and the Government Performance and Results Act [CR-1g]. 

Management Actions 

In describing the elements to be protected within 

the Monument, the Presidential Proclamation 

places special emphasis on the remnants of human history scattered throughout the Monument. 

To protect these resources, the Proclamation 

states: “No person may use, injure, destroy, or 

remove any feature of this Monument without 

authorization, nor locate nor settle upon any of 

the lands” [CR-2]. 

The BLM complies with the National Historic 

Preservation Act through procedures described 

in the “Protocol Agreement Between New Mexico Bureau of Land Management and New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer” (signed 

in June 2004), or any later agreements [CR-3]. 

The original agreement normally requires intensive archeological survey (BLM Class III inventory) of areas that will be directly affected by a 

project or action. If archeological resources are 

found, the preferred course of action is to 

redesign the project to avoid them. If this is not 

possible, the BLM undertakes data recovery or 

other measures developed in consultation with 

the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer and the appropriate tribes to reduce adverse 

impacts. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

The BLM will follow the procedures described 

above for Cultural Resources. However, more 

stringent inventory requirements will be in effect, with larger buffers and Class III (intensive) 

inventory, in all questionable cases [CR-4]. For 

example, the following management measures 

will apply: 

Access and Transportation - The 1.05 miles 

identified for easement acquisition along BLM 

Road 1011 have already been inventoried for 

cultural resources. The agency has inventoried 

5.3 miles of roads open to public access. Before 

any further maintenance is done, the BLM will 

inventory the remaining 0.65 miles of “open” 

roads, as well as the 7.8 miles of roads limited to 

authorized administrative and emergency use 

only [CR-5]. The 11.5 miles of “closed” roads 

will also be inventoried if rehabilitation is 

needed following closure [CR-6]. 

Cultural resource inventory needs for 7.93 miles 

of “open” and 0.2 miles of “limited” trails are 

discussed below under “Recreation.” Of the 1.9 

miles of trails to be closed, 0.18 mile has been 
Chapter 2 2-12

inventoried, leaving 1.72 miles to be inventoried 

before any rehabilitation work is done [CR-7]. 

Lands and Realty - If the BLM acquires the 

North Edgeholding, it will initially be closed to 

public entry except access (1) on existing public 

roads or (2) with prior authorization from the 

Rio Puerco Field Manager. The restriction on 

access will be lifted after an assessment of cultural resources (not to exceed two years’ duration) has been accomplished, and measures implemented to mitigate potential adverse effects, 

including avoidance of cultural resources 

[AT-18]. 

Recreation - The BLM will address the secondary effects of recreational use on cultural resources by requiring inventory of expanded 

buffer areas around recreational developments 

[CR-8]. This will accommodate pedestrian activities such as hiking, picnicking, and sightseeing. Cultural resource inventories for parking 

areas, scenic viewing areas, picnic areas, and 

similar developments will include a minimum 

100-meter-wide buffer. For hiking trails, a 

minimum 30-meter-wide buffer will be inventoried on each side of the trail, resulting in examination of a 60-meter-wide corridor [CR-9]. Approximately 1.81 miles of “open” trails have 

already been inventoried, and survey of the remaining 6.32 miles of “open” and “limited” 

trails will be completed by the end of September 

2008 [CR-10]. 

Vegetation Treatments - In sensitive settings, 

vegetation treatments will be subject to Class III 

inventory if the use of fire or any form of surface disturbance is proposed, including vehicle 

use off road and dragging of slash [CR-11]. 

Based on current information, alluvial valley 

bottoms (Soil Map Unit 300, see Map 9) and 

slopes greater than 20 percent are considered not 

sensitive. Mesa tops and ridge tops are sometimes covered by extensive artifact scatters, 

which could limit some forms of vegetative 

treatment. 

Water Resources - Water wells are located on 

inholdings or edgeholdings. If these lands are 

acquired, the BLM will perform cultural 

resource inventories to ensure that no damage 

occurs in association with well use or maintenance [CR-12]. 

General - Aside from the measures described 

above, no special priority will be given to proactive inventory, protection, or interpretation of 

cultural resources in the Monument and Southwest Acquisition. Instead, proposals for proactive cultural resource management projects will 

be based on an evaluation of the importance of 

the resource, the nature and immediacy of 

threats to the resource, public demand for interpretation, the cost of the proposed remedy, and 

the availability of funding. Decisions about 

funding such projects will be made in the context of the need for similar projects throughout 

the Albuquerque District. 

Activities that involve excavation or collection 

of cultural materials will be discouraged, and 

will ordinarily be considered only when such 

materials face an immediate threat [CR-13]. 

Archeological resources within the Monument 

and Southwest Acquisition will be available for 

scientific study that does not involve excavation 

or collection of cultural materials [CR-14]. Exceptions to this policy will be made only after 

extensive consultation with all concerned 

American Indian tribes. 

Implementation Decisions 

The BLM will comply with the National Historic Preservation Act through procedures described in the “Protocol Agreement Between 

New Mexico Bureau of Land Management and 

New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer” (signed in June 2004) or any later agreements [CR-3]. The original agreement normally 

requires intensive archeological survey (BLM 

Class III inventory) of areas that will be directly 

affected by a project or action. If archeological 

resources are found, the preferred course of action is to redesign the project to avoid them. If 

this is not possible, the BLM will undertake data 

recovery or other measures developed in consultation with the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer to reduce adverse impacts. 
2-13 Management Decisions 

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring 

The condition of cultural resources will be monitored periodically as staff and funding permit. A 

sample of projects with the potential to affect 

cultural resources will be monitored to ensure 

that mitigation measures are successful. 

Manzanita—used for medicinal purposes by American Indians. 
Chapter 2 2-14

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 

Goals and Objectives 

The BLM must identify, inform, and consult 

with minority and low-income groups about 

Federal actions that may affect them, and should 

not disproportionately impact these groups in an 

adverse way [EJ-1]. Minority and low-income 

people will likely be affected by actions in the 

Monument and Planning Area. Therefore, they 

have been and will continue to be consulted and 

kept informed [EJ-2]. 

Management Actions 

The BLM will continue to identify, inform, and 

consult with minority and low-income groups 

about Federal actions that may affect them, and 

should not disproportionately impact these 

groups in an adverse way [EJ-1]. Minority and 

low-income people will be consulted and kept 

informed [EJ-2]. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

Minority and low-income people will be consulted and kept informed [EJ-2]. 

 Implementation Decisions 

None. 

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring 

Existing data sources will be used to track environmental justice concerns. 

Yellow Blanket Flower blooms in the 

Monument, adding a delightful spot of color 

against the tents. 
2-15 Management Decisions 

FIRE MANAGEMENT 

Goals and Objectives 

The goals of the Fire Management Program are 

to utilize approved fire use and mechanical treatments to restore and maintain primary natural 

resources and their processes where applicable 

in order to move the landscape from Fire Regime Condition (FRC) Class II and Class III to 

FRC Class I, as well as to reduce wildland fire 

hazard around recreational facilities and identified cultural resources [FM-1]. The BLM will 

apply mechanical fuel reduction and prescribed 

fire where applicable around vulnerable recreational facilities and prehistoric and historic cultural resources to avoid or reduce the probability 

of damage from wildland fire [FM-2]. 

Management Actions 

Three previous planning documents addressed 

fire management in Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks 

National Monument: Categorical Exclusion 

NM-010-2003-066: Tent Rocks Wildland-Urban 

Interface Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project 

(USDI, BLM 2003); Fire and Fuels Management Resource Management Plan Amendment 

and Environmental Assessment for BLM Lands 

in New Mexico and Texas (USDI, BLM 2004b); 

and Albuquerque Field Office Fire Management 

Plan (USDI, BLM 2004a). The decisions from 

these planning and NEPA documents have been 

incorporated into this stand-alone RMP. Lands 

within the Planning Area that meet the criteria 

for treatment have been identified as being in 

FRC Class II or Class III [FM-4]. KashaKatuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is identified as a separate Fire Management Unit 

(FMU). The Planning Area will be managed as 

FMU B/4 [FM-3] and managed to treat FRC 

Class II and Class III lands to move their condition toward Class I [FM-4]. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

The Appropriate Management Response (AMR) 

for FMU B/4 is to prevent wildland fires from 

spreading to private lands, cultural resources or 

improvements on BLM lands, other agencies’ 

lands, and to protect the public users. AMR will 

be used to manage all fires in accordance with 

management objectives based on current conditions and fire location [FM-5]. 

 Implementation Decisions 

Fire management treatments will be applied on 

acreages and areas identified on Map 5 to move 

the FRC class from Classes II and III toward 

Class I [FM-4]. The BLM will use Best Management Practices for vegetation treatments (see 

Appendix C) [VW-4]. Treatments will be prioritized based on percent slope, FRC class, access, 

and ownership of the areas to be treated. Only 

areas having slopes less than 15 percent (2,236 

acres in the Planning Area) will be treated. 

The NM Standards for Public Land Health 

(USDI, BLM 2000a) will be complied with in 

implementing fire management treatments 

[FM-6]. 

As part of the riparian development program, 

prescribed fires will be implemented for parts of 

the Peralta Canyon stream channel to reduce the 

cover of shrub species [RIP-5]. 

BLM Road 1011 may be closed seasonally in 

T. 17 N., R. 4 E., Section 30 for fire protection 

[AT-19].

Support Services 

 - Cadastral Survey 

Cadastral survey may be needed to identify 

boundaries to avoid implementing fire use and 

mechanical treatments on private lands without 

authorization. 

Monitoring 

Information will be collected on the fire and 

fuels treatment areas to determine the effectiveness of the program. 
Chapter 2 2-16

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/ 

SOLID WASTE 

Goals and Objectives 

The BLM investigates reported hazardous materials/solid waste sites, and initiates containment 

and/or removal actions on a case-by-case basis. 

Sites that are reported will be handled under current regulations, with potentially responsible 

parties identified and pursued based on best 

available information [HzM-1]. 

Management Actions 

No hazardous materials/solid waste sites are 

known to exist within the Planning Area. The 

BLM relies on routine fieldwork activities and 

non-BLM sources to discover and report spills 

or other releases of hazardous materials/solid 

wastes on public lands. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

The BLM investigates reported hazardous materials/solid waste sites, and initiates containment 

and/or removal actions on a case-by-case basis. 

Sites that are reported will be handled under current regulations, with potentially responsible 

parties identified and pursued based on best 

available information [HzM-1]. 

Implementation Decisions 

None. 

 Support Services 

 - Cadastral Survey 

Cadastral survey may be needed to determine 

ownership of lands at spill sites.

Monitoring 

Monitoring would result as a follow up to incident cleanups. 

Wildflowers, such as this Penstemon 

are commonly seen along the trails 

in the Monument. 
2-17 Management Decisions 

LANDS AND REALTY 

Goals and Objectives 

The goals of the Lands and Realty Program are 

to continue to acquire land and easements within 

the Planning Area, to protect the resources for 

which the Monument was established, and to 

ensure that any rights-of-way or land use permits 

issued are consistent with management goals for 

other resource programs and uses [LR-1]. 

Management Actions 

By proclamation, all Federal lands and interests 

in lands within the boundaries of the Monument 

are withdrawn from all forms of entry, location, 

selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition under the public land laws. This withdrawal applies under (but is not limited to) the mining 

laws and all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing. The only exception to this 

withdrawal would be an exchange that would 

further the protective purposes of the Monument. 

Lands and interests in lands within the Monument boundaries not owned by the United States 

are reserved as a part of the Monument if title to 

them is acquired by the United States. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

The Monument is subject to valid existing rights 

[LR-2]. 

Nothing in the Proclamation revokes any existing withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation; 

however, the Monument is the dominant reservation [LR-3]. 

No person may use, injure, destroy, or remove 

any feature of the Monument without authorization, nor locate nor settle upon any of the lands 

[LR-4]. 

The Protection Plan for Tent Rocks ACEC

(USDI, BLM 1987) included discussions of Cooperative Agreements with non-Federal landowners who would provide land with uses complementary to the ACEC values. These values 

have now become Monument values, and nonFederal lands within and adjoining the Monument will be acquired whenever willing sellers 

are available [LR-5]. The BLM will continue to 

seek Cooperative Management Agreements with 

non-Federal landowners if acquisition is not 

possible [LR-6]. While the Proposed RMP/ 

Final EIS was being prepared, the New Mexico 

State Land Office (SLO) acquired ownership of 

what had been the University of New Mexico 

property known in this document as the “North 

Edgeholding” (see Map 3). This adjoining parcel of approximately 9,268 surface acres is located north and northeast of the Monument. The 

BLM has discussed acquisition of these lands 

with the SLO. 

Lands and Realty management involves approximately 15,635 acres of surface and mineral 

ownership within the Planning Area, including 

the non-Federal lands recommended for acquisition (see Table 1-1). At the signing of the Record of Decision, surface ownership was 5,089 

acres Federal, 9,789 acres State, and 757 acres 

private. The BLM will manage the 5,089 acres 

of Federal surface under the RMP decisions contained in this document. The other 10,546 acres 

will be managed by owner decision or, where 

possible, by Cooperative Management Agreement to provide for some level of public use 

[LR-6]. If willing sellers are available in the 

long term, the BLM will seek to acquire the 

1,278 acres of non-Federal land within the 

Monument and the 9,268-acre North Edgeholding to complement management of Monument 

values [LR-5]. 

The Federal government owns 4,565 acres of 

minerals beneath the Monument. This acreage 

has been withdrawn from mineral entry by conditions of the Proclamation [LR-7]. As other 

minerals are acquired within the Monument, 

they will also be withdrawn from mineral entry 

under the Proclamation [LR-8]. 

All minerals under the 965-acre Southwest Acquisition are in Federal ownership. The North 

Edgeholding (9,268 acres) has split mineral 

ownership, with gold, silver, and quicksilver/ 
Chapter 2 2-18

mercury in Federal ownership and all other minerals in non-Federal ownership. The BLM will 

seek to acquire these mineral rights along with 

the surface. The BLM will withdraw all Federal 

minerals within the Planning Area, subject to 

valid existing rights [LR-9]. 

Implementation Decisions 

The 5,402 acres designated by Presidential Proclamation 7394 as the National Monument will 

also continue to be designated as an Area of 

Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) 

[LR-10]. The Monument/ACEC will be managed for Proclamation and ACEC resource values. Management emphasis for the area will 

continue to be on the interpretation of geologic 

and scenic values, and on intensive recreational 

uses, especially semi-primitive non-motorized 

recreation opportunities [LR-11]. 

These values will also be emphasized on lands 

acquired and managed in conjunction with the 

Monument [LR-12]. 

The 965-acre Southwest Acquisition recently 

purchased by the BLM will be managed in conjunction with the Monument, and is recommended for inclusion as part of the Monument 

(which would require Congressional legislation) 

[LR-13]. 

The BLM will seek to acquire the 1,278 surface 

acres (521 acres State, 757 acres private) within 

the Monument boundaries not presently in Federal ownership through exchange or purchase 

from willing sellers [LR-5]. The 837 acres (521 

acres State, 316 acres private) of non-Federal 

mineral ownership in the Monument will likewise be acquired if owners are willing. As other 

minerals are acquired within the Monument, 

they will also be withdrawn from mineral entry 

under the Proclamation [LR-8]. 

Lands and interests in lands acquired within the 

Monument boundary will become part of the 

Monument and ACEC. These will be withdrawn from entry or disposal except by exchange, as provided in the Proclamation 

[LR-14]. 

The 9,268-acre State-owned North Edgeholding 

is also identified for acquisition by exchange or 

purchase, and for management in conjunction 

with the Monument [LR-5]. It is also recommended for inclusion in the Monument (which 

would require Congressional legislation) 

[LR-15]. All mineral rights with this parcel are 

in non-Federal ownership except gold, silver and 

quicksilver, which are Federally owned. The 

non-Federal minerals will be acquired, if possible, to protect the Monument’s resource values 

[LR-9]. 

If the North Edgeholding is acquired, it will initially be closed to public entry except access (1) 

on existing public roads or (2) with prior authorization from the Rio Puerco Field Manager. 

The BLM may allow a two-year period of resource survey and evaluation before making 

land and resource allocations. The BLM may 

provide guided tours in the interim. After consulting with potentially affected American Indian tribes, carrying out resource data inventory, 

including assessment of cultural resources, and 

implementing measures to mitigate potential 

adverse effects to cultural resources and other 

resources, the area will be opened with appropriate restrictions [AT-18]. 

If acquisitions within the Monument boundaries 

are not completed, the BLM will seek to acquire 

a 1.05-mile easement on the portion of BLM 

Road 1011 that crosses private surface [LR-16]. 

This will ensure Federal control of access 

through the Monument. 

If non-Federal lands cannot be acquired, the 

BLM will seek management control through 

agreements with landowners [LR-6]. These 

agreements will be focused on improving management efficiency and visitor services, and on 

protecting Monument resource values and nonFederal property rights. 

While recognizing valid existing rights, the 

BLM will consider the Planning Area to be a 

right-of-way exclusion area. Rights-of-way for 

uses that do not currently exist will not be considered except for those that would support 

Monument purposes [LR-17]. 
2-19 Management Decisions 

Support Services 

 - Cadastral Survey 

Support services needed include ownership and 

boundary determinations for lands to be acquired or for which easements are needed. 

Monitoring 

Any rights-of-way in the Planning Area will be 

inspected according to a schedule established for 

each right-of-way to ensure compliance with the 

requirements of the BLM right-of-way regulations and this RMP. 

View towards Intensive Visitor Use Area from BLM Road 1011. 
Chapter 2 2-20

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

Goals and Objectives 

The BLM’s goals in permitting livestock grazing 

on public land, as stated at 43 CFR 4100.0-2, are 

as follows [LG-1]: 

• Promote healthy, sustainable rangeland ecosystems [LG-1a]. 

• Accelerate the restoration and improvement 

of public rangelands to properly functioning 

condition [LG-1b].

• Promote the orderly use, improvement, and 

development of the public lands [LG-1c].

• Provide for the sustainability of the western 

livestock industry and communities that are 

dependent upon productive, healthy rangelands [LG-1d].

• Establish efficient and effective administration of grazing on public rangelands 

[LG-1e].

Livestock grazing must be achieved in a manner 

consistent with land use plans, the principles of 

multiple use and sustained yield, environmental 

values, economic and other objectives stated at 

43 CFR 1610, the Taylor Grazing Act of June 

28, 1934, as amended (43 U.S.C. 315); and Section 102 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1740). 

Management Actions 

Presidential Proclamation 7394 states, “The Secretary of the Interior shall retire the portion of 

the grazing allotments within the Monument, 

pursuant to applicable law, unless the Secretary 

specifically finds that livestock grazing will advance the purposes of the Proclamation.” 

In accordance with the Proclamation, livestock 

grazing use will be discontinued on the 4,088 

acres of Federal land currently under two Federal grazing permits within the Monument 

[LG-2]. Acreage closed to grazing will be 

fenced and range developments removed if they 

are not converted to another purpose (e.g., wildlife waters, recreational uses) [LG-3]. Shortduration grazing on Federal land within the 

Planning Area may be allowed under a nonrenewable grazing permit if the BLM determines 

it will advance the purposes of the Proclamation 

[LG-4]. If such use is allowed, it is expected 

that it will be focused on helping to attain specific vegetative and ecological objectives. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

Before permitting short-term livestock grazing 

on Federal land within the Planning Area, the 

BLM will prepare an environmental assessment 

to determine the impacts of the proposed grazing 

use [LG-5]. If grazing use is approved, the 

BLM will issue a non-renewable grazing permit 

with terms for the proposed grazing period 

[LG-6]. As stated in the grazing regulations at 

43 CFR 4100, non-renewable grazing permits 

may be issued on an annual basis to qualified 

applicants when forage is temporarily available, 

provided that this use is consistent with multiple 

use objectives and does not interfere with existing livestock operations on public land. 

Under the requirements of Presidential Proclamation 7394, livestock grazing will be discontinued in the Monument unless it advances the 

purposes of the Proclamation [LG-2]. The BLM 

may permit seasonal, short-duration, nonrenewable opportunities for domestic livestock 

grazing to meet specific ecological objectives 

[LG-4]. This type of temporary authorized use 

could include integrated weed management 

(e.g., grazing of saltcedar and other invasive or 

noxious plants by livestock, intense grazing of 

downy brome in early spring), grazing to reduce 

fine fuels, intense livestock presence and supplemental feeding (not rangeland grazing) to 

produce “hoof impact” and distribute litter and 

seeds into the disturbed soil surface. 

As part of these short-duration permits, the BLM 

would specify terms and conditions for grazing 

to meet ecological and vegetative resource objectives [e.g., number and kind of livestock, period of use, percent allowable use, desired 

amount of residual vegetation (stubble heights) 

to be left post-grazing, specified areas for grazing or nonuse for monitoring, herding of ani-
2-21 Management Decisions 

mals]. Any proposed grazing studies must improve the knowledge and understanding of the 

Planning Area, and sustain the purposes of the 

Proclamation. 

Federally owned range improvements that cannot be effectively converted to such uses as 

wildlife waters or recreational uses will be removed [LG-3]. Privately owned range improvements will be removed by the permittee or 

purchased by the BLM, at fair market value, if 

they can be converted to other uses [LG-7]. 

Areas closed to grazing will be fenced [LG-3]. 

Implementation Decisions 

The following two actions are expected to improve vegetative and land health, watershed 

condition, and wildlife habitat condition in the 

short term on the specified lands (see Map 6): 

(1) livestock grazing on the 4,088 acres of Federal lands within the Monument currently under 

grazing permit will be discontinued [LG-2], and 

(2) no grazing permit will be issued for the 965-

acre Southwest Acquisition [LG-8]. If, in time, 

the BLM determines that short-duration grazing 

would help to achieve specific vegetative or ecological objectives within the Planning Area, a 

non-renewable permit for such use may be issued [LG-4]. 

Support Services 

 - Cadastral Survey 

Cadastral survey is needed to determine where 

fences should be placed to avoid livestock trespass into the Monument. 

Monitoring 

Monitoring would be required to determine the 

effectiveness of grazing used as a tool for “advancing the purposes of the Proclamation” if any 

short-duration grazing is allowed.
Chapter 2 2-22

NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT 

Goals and Objectives 

The goals and strategies identified in the BLM 

Partners Against Weeds (PAWS) action plan 

(USDI, BLM 1996) will be implemented as 

needed for noxious weed management for the 

Rio Puerco Field Office [NW-1]. A summary of 

portions of the PAWS action plan which need to 

be implemented immediately follows: 

Goal 1 - Prevention and Detection

The Field Office will delineate high priority areas for prevention of noxious weed infestation. 

Review and modify, where necessary, all activities authorized or conducted on BLM land for 

their potential to spread weeds. This includes 

evaluating the potential for noxious weed invasion in the effects analysis of each NEPA document. Newly introduced weed species will be 

identified and documented [NW-1a]. 

Goal 2 - Education and Awareness

The Field Office will conduct workshops for all 

field personnel to update their knowledge of 

noxious weeds, to include identification and the 

problems noxious weeds can cause. The Field 

Office will continue to work to establish county 

weed associations in developing and implementing outreach plans [NW-1b]. 

Goal 3 – Inventory

The Field Office will monitor all known populations of noxious weeds and update the inventory 

as needed on a yearly basis [NW-1c]. 

Goal 4 – Planning

Include provisions for noxious weed management in all BLM-funded or -authorized actions. 

See Weed Prevention Schedule, Appendix B 

[NW-1d]. 

Goal 5 - Integrated Weed Management (IWM)

The Field Office will determine the best management options using a combination of the four 

general categories identified for weed management—Cultural, Physical Control, Biological 

Control, and Herbicides (see Appendix B) 

[NW-1e]. 

Goal 6 – Coordination

The Field Office will continue and expand cooperation with other Federal agencies, State and 

county governments, organizations, and private 

landowners in the fight against weeds [NW-1f]. 

Goal 7 - Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and 

Technology Transfer

The Field Office will continue to work with the 

Cooperative Extension Service and others on 

research for control methods for noxious weeds. 

Monitoring programs will be established to determine if the BLM is meeting its management 

objectives with weed management programs 

[NW-1g]. 

Management Actions 

One exotic invasive weed species occurs extensively on Federal land within the Planning Area, 

downy brome grass or “cheatgrass” (Bromus 

tectorum). This grass has spread throughout 

New Mexico and the Western United States, and 

the likelihood of successfully controlling it is 

low. 

A few isolated individual saltcedar plants grow 

in the vicinity of the old pumice mines and in 

the bottom of Peralta Canyon. The Southwest 

Acquisition has a small population of exotic 

thistles. These isolated populations are considered to be easily controllable, while the cheatgrass will likely be very difficult to control. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

Monitoring and a vigorous integrated weed 

management program will be a part of Planning 

Area management (including on acquired land), 

in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures found in Instruction Memorandum 
2-23 Management Decisions 

NM-010-99-01 (“Noxious Weed Prevention 

Schedule for Albuquerque Field Office”—see 

Appendix B) [NW-2]. Any Cooperative Agreement that is developed for land use will also include provisions for weed monitoring and treatment [NW-3]. 

Implementation Decisions 

Noxious weed identification and treatment will 

be emphasized in the 241-acre intensive visitor 

use area to reduce weed introduction by recreation users [NW-4]. 

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring 

The Field Office will monitor all known populations of noxious weeds and update the inventory 

as needed on a yearly basis to determine if the 

BLM is meeting its weed management objectives. Ground-disturbing activities will be monitored for the life of the project for the presence 

of noxious weeds. Reclamation and revegetation areas will be monitored to determine the 

weed-free success of the revegetation, and 

revegetation will continue until successful. 

Saltcedar in bloom. 
Chapter 2 2-24

PALEONTOLOGY 

Goals and Objectives 

Paleontological (fossil) resources are of concern 

and require protection. Federal, State, and private lands within the Planning Area boundaries 

have the potential for paleontological resources. 

The BLM’s goal for managing these resources is 

to provide a consistent and comprehensive approach to identification, evaluation, protection, 

and use [P-1]. 

Management Actions 

No overriding Federal law specifically addresses 

paleontological resources. Management of the 

resource is directed principally under the Federal 

Land Policy and Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The following 

also afford protection of paleontological resources: the Antiquities Act of 1906, National 

Natural Landmarks Program under the Historic 

Sites Act of 1935, Executive Order 11593 (Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment) of 1971, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended), Federal Cave 

Resource Protection Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-691), 

and Secretarial Order 3104. Various subparts of 

Title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations address the collection of invertebrate fossils, fossil 

plants, and protection of paleontological resources from operations authorized under the 

mining laws. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

Any ground-disturbing activities on public land 

in the Planning Area will be considered on a 

case-by-case basis for the need to mitigate potential impacts to fossil resources [P-2]. 

The Proclamation states that no person may use, 

injure, destroy, or remove any feature of this 

Monument without authorization, nor locate nor 

settle upon any of the lands. This prohibition 

applies to invertebrate and vertebrate fossils, as 

well as plant fossils [P-3]. 

Fossils are relatively rare, fragile, and nonrenewable resources. Although no fossil resources 

have been documented within the Planning 

Area, if any are identified, they will be evaluated, managed, and protected on a case-by-case 

basis. Visitors will be encouraged to report fossil discoveries to the BLM [P-4]. 

Implementation Decisions 

None. 

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring 

Monitoring requirements will be established if 

fossil resources are identified in the Planning 

Area. 
2-25 Management Decisions 

PUBLIC LAND HEALTH 

Goals and Objectives 

Objectives for public land health are found at 43 

CFR 4180.1, which mandates the following 

conditions: 

• Watersheds are in—or are making significant progress toward—properly functioning 

physical condition (including their upland, 

riparian-wetland, and aquatic components) 

[PLH-1a]. 

• The soil and plant conditions support infiltration, soil moisture storage, and the release 

of water in balance with climate and landform [PLH-1b]. 

• The soil and plant conditions maintain or 

improve water quality, water quantity, and 

timing and duration of flow [PLH-1c]. 

• Ecological processes—including the hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycle, and energy 

flow—are maintained, or there is significant 

progress toward their attainment, to support 

healthy biotic populations and communities 

[PLH-1d]. 

Management Actions 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

The New Mexico Standards for Public Land 

Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing 

Management (USDI, BLM 2000a), approved by 

the Secretary of the Interior’s Decision of January 12, 2001, are carried forward into this RMP 

[PLH-2]. These standards include: (1) the upland sites standard; (2) the biotic communities 

standard (including native, threatened, endangered, and special status species); and (3) the 

riparian sites standard. The standards are described as follows: 

Upland Sites Standard - Upland ecological sites 

are in a productive and sustainable condition 

within the capability of the site. Upland soils 

are stabilized and exhibit infiltration and permeability rates that are appropriate for the soil type, 

climate, and landform. The kind, amount, 

and/or pattern of vegetation provide protection 

on a given site to minimize erosion and assist in 

meeting State and tribal water quality standards 

[PLH-2a]. 

Indicators for this standard may include but are 

not limited to: 

• Consistent with the capability of the ecological site, soils are stabilized by appropriate amounts of standing live vegetation, protective litter, and/or rock cover. 

• Erosion is indicated by flow pattern characteristics of surface litter soil movement, gullies and rills, and plant pedestalling. 

• Satisfactory plant protection is indicated by 

the amount and distribution of desired species necessary to prevent accelerated erosion. 

Biotic Communities Standard (Including Native, 

Threatened, Endangered, and Special Status 

Species) - Ecological processes such as hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycle, and energy flow support productive and diverse native biotic communities, including special status, threatened, 

and endangered species appropriate to site and 

species. Desired plant community goals maintain and conserve productive and diverse populations of plants and animals which sustain ecological functions and processes. Restoration 

should first be achieved with native, and when 

appropriate, non-native plants [PLH-2b]. 

Indicators for this standard may include but are 

not limited to the following: 

• Commensurate with the capability of the 

ecological site, plant and animal populations 

are: 

Productive 

Resilient 

Diverse 

Sustainable 

• Landscapes are composed of communities in 

a variety of successional stages and patterns. 

• Diversity and composition of communities 

are indicated by the kinds and amount of 

species. 
Chapter 2 2-26

• Endangered and special status species are 

secure and recovering, with the goal of delisting and ensuring that additional species 

need not be listed within New Mexico. 

Riparian Sites Standard - Riparian areas are in a 

productive, properly functioning, and sustainable condition, within the capability of that site. 

Adequate vegetation of diverse age and composition is present that will withstand high stream 

flow, capture sediment, provide for groundwater 

recharge, provide habitat, and assist in meeting 

State and tribal water quality standards 

[PLH-2c]. 

Indicators for this standard may include but are 

not limited to: 

• Stream channel morphology and stability as 

determined by: 

Gradient 

Width/depth ratio 

Channel roughness 

Sinuosity 

• Streambank stability as determined by degree of: 

Shearing and sloughing 

Vegetative cover on the bank 

• Appropriate riparian vegetation includes a 

mix of communities comprised of species 

 with a range of: 

Age 

Density 

Growth form

 Implementation Decisions 

The New Mexico Standards for Public Land 

Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing 

Management (USDI, BLM 2000), approved by 

the Secretary of the Interior’s Decision of January 12, 2001, are carried forward into this RMP 

[PLH-2]. The standards (described above) include: (1) the upland sites standard; (2) the biotic communities standard (including native, 

threatened, endangered, and special status species); and (3) the riparian sites standard. 

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring 

As resource development projects are implemented, they will be monitored to ensure that 

they are contributing to the maintenance or establishment of land health. 

After a great winter of snowfall Tent Rocks had welcome waterflow. 
2-27 Management Decisions 

RECREATIONAL USES 

Goals and Objectives 

The management goals for the BLM’s Outdoor 

Recreation Program are as follows [RU-1]: 

• Provide a broad spectrum of resourcedependent recreational opportunities to meet 

public needs and demands [RU-1a]. 

• Foster agency-wide efforts to improve services to the visiting public [RU-1b]. 

• Maintain high-quality recreation facilities to 

meet public needs and enhance the image of 

the agency [RU-1c]. 

• Improve public understanding and support 

by effectively communicating the BLM’s 

mission of multiple-use management to visitors [RU-1d]. 

For Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, the following additional objectives apply: 

Through the Cooperative Agreements between 

the Pueblo de Cochiti and the BLM, the two entities strive to achieve the following [RU-2]: 

• Enhance the manageability of the Monument [RU-2a]. 

• Provide for resource protection, and visitor 

health and safety [RU-2b]. 

• Provide outstanding customer service for 

visitors while controlling visitor use 

[RU-2c]. 

• Provide for economic opportunity through 

employment and services [RU-2d]. 

• Ensure continuity of traditional tribal practices [RU-2e]. 

• Maintain tranquility for the Pueblo de 

Cochiti [RU-2f]. 

Management Actions 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

As stated in the Proclamation, “for the purpose 

of protecting the objects identified, the Secretary 

shall prohibit all motorized and mechanized vehicle use off road, except for emergency or authorized administrative purposes” [RU-3]. 

The management actions of the Plan are expected to stabilize visitation at approximately 

50,000 visitors per year to minimize intrusion 

and resource degradation. 

The BLM will continue to manage the Monument as a fee site, as originally authorized by the 

Department of the Interior and Related Agencies 

Appropriations Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-134) 

[RU-4]. The agency will collect, retain, and reinvest collected fees at this site under the authority of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-447), which has replaced the previous fee collection authority. 

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act 

and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act 

empower the BLM to issue Special Recreation 

Permits according to its own procedures and fee 

schedules for uses such as group activities, 

commercial recreational tours, and other special 

recreational uses. Issuing permits is mandatory 

for commercial and non-commercial recreationrelated uses of BLM-administered Federal lands. 

The BLM may also require permits for any uses 

in special areas like the Monument where the 

agency determines that the law requires it. 

When issuing permits at Kasha-Katuwe Tent 

Rocks National Monument, the agency will continue to follow the guidelines found in the BLM 

Manual and Handbook H-2930-1, “Recreation 

Permit Administration.” 

For the following recreational elements, BLM 

management of recreation on the 5,089 acres of 

Federal land in the Planning Area is as follows 

(see Table 2-4): 

• The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum 

(ROS) system (see Appendix E) divides the 

area into three visitor experience zones—

semi-primitive motorized use (2,048 acres), 

semi-primitive non-motorized use (1,054 

acres), and roaded natural use (1,987 acres) 

(see Map 7) [RU-5]. 

• Hiking use will be available on 5.23 miles 

of trail and combined hiking and equestrian

use will be available on 2.9 miles of trail 

[AT-6]. 

• 5.95 miles of roads will be open to public use 

by motorized or mechanized vehicles [AT-2]; 
Chapter 2 2-28

TABLE 2-4 

ELEMENTS OF RECREATIONAL USE IN THE MONUMENT 

& SOUTHWEST ACQUISITION 

Element Description Comments 

Intensive visitor use area/fee site 241 Federal acres around National Recreation Trail and Scenic Overlook—existing facilities Day-use visitor facilities and 

services provided (fee site includes areas with special geologic features) 

Dispersed visitor use area 4,848 Federal acres—the BLM 

will work with private landowners to provide additional 

recreation opportunities and to 

assist in preventing trespass 

No BLM-built visitor facilities 

provided (except as needed for 

resource protection, or visitor 

health, safety and convenience) 

Collector roads 5.9 miles (See Tables 2-1 and 2-2) 

Resource roads 5.5 miles (See Tables 2-1 and 2-2) 

Primitive roads 2.35 miles (See Tables 2-1 and 2-2) 

Roads open to public use by motorized or mechanized vehicles  5.95 miles 

 (designated roads) 

(See Tables 2-1 and 2-2) 

Roads limited to authorized administrative or emergency use only  7.8 miles (See Tables 2-1 and 2-2) 

Roads closed 11.5 miles—includes 0.7 mile to 

be converted to hiking use 

(See Tables 2-1 and 2-2) 

Roaded Natural 

(see Appendix E) 

1,987 acres 

(39%) 

Buffer zone based around BLM 

Road 1011, a “better than primitive” road 

Semi-Primitive Motorized 

(see Appendix E) 

2,048 acres 

(40%) 

Primitive and resource roads, use 

on all but 0.05 mile limited to 

authorized administrative or 

emergency use only 

Semi-Primitive Non-motorized 

(see Appendix E) 

1,054 acres 

(21%) 

No road access 

Hiking trails 5.23 miles (See Table 2-3) 

Hiking/equestrian trails 2.9 miles (See Table 2-3) 

Equestrian use by permit only on 

case-by case basis 

Equestrian use (dispersed) Federal lands south and west of 

BLM Road 1011 

By permit only on case-by-case 

basis 

Mountain bike use Allowed on BLM Road 1011 

only* *When open to public use 

Research & educational activities Federal lands in Planning Area By special-use permit only on 

case-by-case basis 

North Edgeholding (Cañada de 

Cochiti property) 

9,268-acre State parcel in Planning Area proposed for acquisition If acquired: 

• May be closed to general 

visitation until resources assessed (assessment not to exceed 2 years duration) 

• Guided tours may be provided in interim 
2-29 Management Decisions 

7.8 miles of roads will be limited to author

 ized administrative or emergency use only 

 [AT-3].

• Manage the 241 acres around the picnic facilities, National Recreation Trail, scenic 

overlook, and special geologic features for 

intensive visitation and use [RU-6]. 

• Manage the remaining 4,848 acres for dispersed visitation and use, with no BLM facilities being built, except as needed for resource protection, or visitor health, safety 

and convenience [RU-7]. 

• Apply the rules of conduct for the protection of public land resources and visitors (as 

established at 43 CFR 8365). 

• Emphasize day use and prohibit camping or 

overnight occupancy [RU-8]. 

• Collect, retain, and reinvest collected fees

at Kasha Katuwe-Tent Rocks National 

Monument. 

• Continue the Cooperative Agreement with 

the Pueblo de Cochiti for assistance in fee 

collection. 

• Maintain BLM Road 1011/Forest Service 

Road 266/Tribal Road 92 through the InterGovernmental Agreement with the Pueblo 

de Cochiti to allow continued public access

to and through the Planning Area. The 

BLM, the Pueblo, and Sandoval County will 

be involved in this maintenance. 

• Issue Special Recreation Permits for commercial and non-commercial recreationrelated uses (e.g., group activities, commercial recreational tours), and for any other 

uses for which the BLM determines a permit 

is needed to support the recreation management objectives of the area and serve the 

public interest. 

• Issue special-use permits for research and 

educational activities on a case-by-case basis. 

• Use interpretive tools (e.g., signs, kiosks, 

brochures, websites, and on-the ground 

presence) to help protect the objects of cultural, biological, and geologic interest by 

enabling visitors to understand and appreciate these resources [RU-9]. 

Approval of the Record of Decision has changed 

the designation of the Planning Area from 

“ORV/OHV use limited to existing roads and 

trails” to “OHV use limited to designated roads 

and trails” for motorized and mechanized modes 

of travel [RU-10]. This change reduces the 

mileage available for public use within the Planning Area, as identified in the “Access and 

Transportation” section. Approximately 0.7 

mile of an existing road will be closed to motorized use and converted to pedestrian use [AT-9]. 

This will add to the existing trail system within 

the Planning Area that provides access to recreation resources. Mountain bikes and limited 

forms of motorized vehicles (except all-terrain 

vehicles and dirt bikes) will be allowed on the 

primary access road (BLM Road 1011) through 

the Planning Area when the road is open to public use [RU-11]. Equestrian use will be authorized on a case-by-case basis and directed to Federal lands in the Monument and Southwest Acquisition that are south and west of BLM Road 

1011 [RU-12]. BLM Road 1011/FS Road 

266/TR 92 and designated travel routes will be 

scheduled to receive maintenance. 

The BLM will maintain existing visitor facilities

in the intensive use area [RU-13], and build new 

ones, including hard-surfacing 5.9 miles of BLM 

Road 1011, as needed for resource protection, or 

visitor health, safety and convenience [RU-14]. 

The BLM will also work with other landowners 

in the Planning Area (1) to provide additional 

opportunities, where appropriate, to view the 

special geologic features and scenic values, and 

expand recreational use of the area, as well as 

(2) to prevent unwanted trespass on non-Federal 

lands [RU-15]. 

Visitors enjoy lunch at one of the many picnic tables.
Chapter 2 2-30

The BLM will make drinking water available 

for visitors in or near the Monument [RU-16]. 

Various alternative methods will be considered, 

including those listed below. Water pipelines, if 

used, will be buried adjacent to BLM Road 

1011/Tribal Road 92, as much as possible, to 

reduce surface disturbance. 

1. Drill a well with a well house that would 

include treatment facilities, a water pipeline 

delivery system, a storage tank with at least 

a 12,000-gallon capacity, and frost-free hydrants. 

2. Use an existing well on Pueblo de Cochiti 

Tribal land, State, or private land. This 

would require: 

a. Authorization through agreements, land 

exchange, or acquisition by purchase; 

b. Testing for flow and water quality; and 

c. Installation of water pipelines. 

3. Sell bottled water. 

If the North Edgeholding is acquired, the BLM 

may close it to general visitation for up to two 

years following acquisition, providing guided 

tours in the interim. After consulting with potentially affected American Indian tribes, carrying out resource data inventory, including assessment of cultural resources, and implementing measures to mitigate potential adverse effects to cultural resources and other resources, 

the area will be opened with appropriate restrictions [AT-18]. The BLM will utilize the provisions of the Cooperative Management Agreement with the Pueblo de Cochiti for assistance

during the closure to provide an on-the-ground 

presence until further resource studies are completed [RU-17]. 

While studies are ongoing, riparian study areas 

alongside the Peralta Canyon stream channel 

will be designated as off limits to such recreational uses as hiking and horseback riding to 

avoid damage to riparian habitat [RIP-10]. 

Implementation Decisions 

Under the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum 

classification, public motorized access is provided to approximately 1,987 Federal acres of 

the Planning Area. Limited motorized access 

for authorized administrative or emergency uses 

only is provided to another 2,048 acres. Nonmotorized access is available to approximately 

1,054 Federal acres (see Map 7) [RU-5]. 

The BLM will designate Federal lands within 

the Planning Area (including any acquired 

lands) as a Special Recreation Management 

Area (SRMA) [RU-18]. Acquired lands will be 

operated under the rules at 43 CFR 8365, as they 

support the purposes of the Proclamation. 

The Monument and Southwest Acquisition will 

be identified for day use only [RU-8]. If acquired, other parts of the Planning Area will also 

be day use only, unless a detailed evaluation 

(including a site-specific environmental analysis) of the resources in portions of the acquired 

lands shows capabilities of supporting camping 

without undue resource degradation [RU-19]. 

Acquired lands will also be studied for their 

suitability for equestrian use, including overnight pack trips [RU-20]. 

Hunting regulation will be coordinated with the 

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 

[RU-21]. 

Special geologic features, mainly the “tent 

rocks” themselves, will be protected on 167 

acres of Federally owned lands in the Monument 

for visitor viewing and observation. Proposed 

acquisitions, if completed, could increase this 

area to as many as 2,284 acres. These features 

contribute to the remarkable outdoor laboratory 

identified in the Proclamation. 

Visual Resource Management (VRM) Class II 

designation will be maintained on Federal lands, 

except on the 1,202-acre VRM Class III area 

provided to allow for facility improvement (see 

Map 11) [VR-3, VR-4]. Acquired lands will be 

inventoried and placed in one of these two 

classes based on the extent of cultural modification to the landscape; the need to implement future management actions or install facilities to 

accommodate visitor services; and the need for 

resource protection and rehabilitation [VR-6]. 

Noxious weed identification and treatment will 

be emphasized in the 241-acre intensive use area 
2-31 Management Decisions 

to reduce weed introduction by recreation users 

[NW-4]. 

Support Services 

 - Lands and Realty 

Lands and Realty support is needed for acquisition of public access across non-Federal lands. 

Lands and Realty support is also needed for acquisition of non-Federal lands identified in support of recreation use and development throughout the Planning Area. 

 - Cadastral Survey 

Cadastral survey is a support service needed for 

establishment of ownership boundaries to prevent trespass on non-Federal property. Cadastral 

survey may also be needed to ensure proper location of recreational facilities within the 

Monument and Planning Area. 

 - Engineering 

Engineering services will be needed for design, 

construction, and maintenance of visitor service, 

resource protection, and other appropriate recreation facilities to ensure the long-term use and 

enjoyment of the resources of the Monument. 

Monitoring 

The BLM will monitor visitor use on the Federal 

land in the Planning Area to quantify the number 

of recreational visits, types of recreational activities and use patterns, accomplishment of management objectives, and potential adverse impacts to resources and visitor experiences. The 

results of the monitoring will provide opportunities to identify actions to protect resources, enhance visitor experiences, and deal with health 

and safety needs in the area. 

The monitoring program may include such actions as: 

• Patrolling roads, trails, and areas to observe 

where recreation use is concentrated. 

• Installing trail and road traffic counters and 

site registers. 

• Establishing photo points in critical areas to 

monitor change. 

• Surveying visitors to better understand their 

values and expectations while using the area. 

Monitoring will help the BLM to detect and 

document natural and human-induced changes in 

resource conditions and visitor experiences, and 

offer insights into the effectiveness of resource 

management policies and objectives. It will also 

help the BLM to understand what might be driving the changes requiring intervention (corrective management actions or strategies). 

If funding and staff are available, the BLM will 

develop indicators and standards for monitoring 

to help determine if Monument resources are 

being adequately protected as directed in the 

Proclamation, and if the desired visitor experiences are being provided. Measurable indicators, including linear soil erosion baselines, 

photo points of manzanita, road/trail counters, 

and visual monitoring, will be selected for monitoring key aspects of the resources and visitor 

experiences. Standards represent points at 

which resource conditions and visitor experiences become unacceptable, not goals or desired 

conditions, but trigger points for determining 

when conditions have become unacceptable or 

are trending towards unacceptable. 

Monitoring results will be made available in a 

usable form and archived for future reference. 

Reports will be prepared each year, near the end 

of the calendar year, so they can be studied before the beginning of the next primary use and 

growing season, and needed management actions can be initiated. 

Monitoring will be directed at areas in which 

specific and important resource values and visitor experiences could be threatened. The 

Monument and Southwest Acquisition are experiencing increasing use that is affecting resources, infrastructure, and management. Some 

of the more common impacts to resources as the 

result of the increasing use are trail deterioration, picnic area deterioration, wildlife impacts, 

soil compaction, erosion, and loss of vegetation. 
Chapter 2 2-32

Some of the more common impacts to the visitor 

experience resulting from increased use are 

crowding, visitor conflicts, pets not under control, non-compliant behavior, trespass on nonFederal lands, undesirable traffic conditions on the roads, and lack of available parking spaces.

Two students explore the Slot Canyon while on a school 

field trip. 
2-33 Management Decisions 

RIPARIAN AREAS 

Goals and Objectives 

The management goals for the Riparian Program 

are to maintain, restore, improve, protect, and 

expand riparian-wetlands areas for their productivity, biological diversity, and sustainability so 

that they are in properly functioning condition 

[RIP-1a]. These goals were established in the 

Environmental Impact Statement for Riparian 

and Aquatic Habitat Management in the Albuquerque Field Office (USDI, BLM 2000b). 

The BLM’s Land Use Planning Handbook H1601-1 directs the agency to “Identify watersheds that may need special protection from the 

standpoint of human health concerns, aquatic 

ecosystem health, or other public uses. For riparian areas, identify desired width/depth ratios, 

streambank conditions, channel substrate conditions, and large woody material characteristics” 

[RIP-1b]. 

Management Actions 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

The BLM will attempt to acquire the State and 

private inholdings in the Planning Area [LR-5]. 

If these acquisitions are completed, the BLM 

will manage an additional 1.62 miles of the 

Peralta Canyon stream channel (less than 5 additional acres), along with three windmill wells. 

To assess the potential of Peralta Canyon to 

support riparian habitat, the BLM will conduct 

hydrologic studies and analysis, including appropriate stream flow monitoring of the channel 

(see Map 8). A riparian monitoring and development plan for these actions has been developed (USDI, BLM 2005b) [RIP-2]. 

The BLM will establish a program to monitor 

the magnitudes and durations of the flows 

through the 2.05 miles of Peralta Canyon on 

Federal land in the Monument using the following means: (1) three alluvial water table wells 

(one each in the upper, middle, and lower portions), and (2) two stream gauge stations (in the 

upper and lower portions) [RIP-3]. This program will be part of a larger study to determine 

whether the development of a riparian area along 

the Peralta Canyon stream channel is possible. 

Alongside the channel, the BLM will develop a 

3-acre exclosure on Federal land to monitor 

vegetation supported by available water during 

the runoff season. A vegetation inventory will 

be conducted along the stream channel within 

the exclosure and a comparable distance outside 

the exclosure [RIP-4]. 

Additional measures will include the following: 

(1) prescribed fires for parts of the Peralta Canyon stream channel to reduce the cover of shrub 

species [RIP-5]; (2) prescribed fires may be followed by herbicide treatment of re-sprouting 

shrubs [RIP-6]; (3) areas currently lacking in 

grass and forb species will be seeded [RIP-7]; 

and, (4) if riparian conditions develop, cottonwood, willow, and other riparian species will be 

planted [RIP-8]. 

If riparian vegetation becomes established in the 

stream channel, and the private inholdings are 

acquired, the entire riparian habitat within 

Peralta Canyon inside the Monument will be 

managed as a riparian area. The BLM will then 

assess the area for properly functioning condition [RIP-9]. As studies are being conducted, 

study areas alongside the Peralta Canyon stream 

channel will be designated as off limits to such 

recreational uses as hiking and horseback riding 

to avoid damage to riparian habitat [RIP-10]. If 

inholdings are not acquired, the BLM will pursue Cooperative Management Agreements with 

willing landowners to protect any riparian areas 

that develop on private land [RIP-11]. 

Implementation Decisions 

A riparian monitoring program will be established on a few acres of Federal land to determine the potential for riparian habitat development [RIP-3]. If potential is shown, a more intense riparian restoration program will be pursued [RIP-8]. Acquisition of the private land 

along Peralta Canyon from willing sellers could 
Chapter 2 2-34

increase this potential. Riparian habitat will be 

expanded to the extent that potential is indicated 

(see Map 8) [RIP-8]. 

Support Services 

 - Lands and Realty 

Lands and Realty support is needed for acquisition of the remaining 1.6 miles of the Peralta 

Canyon stream bottom. 

Monitoring 

To assess the potential of Peralta Canyon to 

support riparian habitat, the BLM will conduct 

hydrologic studies and analysis, including appropriate stream flow monitoring of the channel. 

A riparian development plan for these actions 

has been developed (USDI, BLM 2005b) 

[RIP-2]. 

Under this plan, the BLM will establish a program to monitor the magnitudes and durations of 

the flows through the 2.05 miles of Peralta Canyon on Federal land in the Monument using the 

following means: (1) three alluvial water table 

wells (one each in the upper, middle, and lower 

portions), and (2) two stream gauge stations (in 

the upper and lower portions). This program 

will be part of a larger study to determine 

whether the development of a riparian area along 

the Peralta Canyon stream channel is possible. 

Alongside the channel, the BLM will develop a 

3-acre exclosure on Federal land to monitor 

vegetation supported by available water during 

the runoff season. A vegetation inventory will 

be conducted along the stream channel within 

the exclosure and a comparable distance outside 

of the exclosure. Obvious changes toward a riparian plant community will trigger the initiation 

of more intense restoration activities. 
2-35 Management Decisions 

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC 

CONDITIONS 

Goals and Objectives 

The goal of this program is compliance with the 

principles of Environmental Justice. Consideration is given to the health and well-being of minority and low income communities and avoidance of inequitable distribution of adverse impacts to these communities [SE-1]. 

Management Actions 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

The social and economic conditions attributable 

to management of the Planning Area include 

social values associated with environmental 

education [SE-2] as well as economic values 

associated with part-time employment for 4 to 5 

persons and income to the Pueblo de Cochiti 

amounting to $25,000 to $50,000 per year 

[SE-3]. This figure is likely to increase over the 

life of this plan. In addition, some tourism dollars will be spent in the local and regional economy. However, the size of the local community 

does not encourage long stays and the percentage of out-of-state visitors is low (less than 25 

percent in 2002), so tourism income is expected 

to remain low. Acquired lands may add to 

Sandoval County’s entitlement acres, increasing 

the Federal government’s payment in lieu of 

taxes (PILT) to the County. (In 2004, PILT to 

Sandoval County amounted to $1.34 per entitlement acre.) 

Implementation Decisions 

Communities of concern have been consulted 

and informed. The Pueblo de Cochiti will continue to participate in management of the 

Monument and Planning Area [AIU-6]. 

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring 

Social and economic factors may be monitored 

through visitor use data collected as part of the 

Monument Recreation Management Program. 
Chapter 2 2-36

SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES 

Goals and Objectives 

The management objectives for the Soil and Water Resources programs are as follows: 

• Protect, maintain, or improve the quality of 

the soil, water, and air resources and watershed values associated with the public lands, 

including natural site productivity, air quality, and surface and ground water quality, 

quantity, and timing [SW-1a]. 

• Prevent deterioration of soil, air quality, and 

watershed conditions where technically and 

economically feasible, and rehabilitate areas 

in which accelerated erosion and runoff have 

resulted in unacceptable resource conditions 

[SW-1b]. 

• Prevent or minimize threats to public health 

and safety, damage to natural site characteristics, or economic losses due to floods, 

sedimentation, decreased water and air quality, or accelerated runoff and erosion 

[SW-1c]. 

• Prevent impairment of soil productivity due 

to accelerated soil loss or physical or chemical degradation of the soil resource [SW-1d]. 

• Ensure that BLM management actions and 

objectives are consistent with soil resource 

capabilities [SW-1e]. 

• Maintain or improve surface and ground 

water quality consistent with existing and 

anticipated uses and applicable state and 

Federal water quality standards [SW-1f]. 

• Minimize the harmful consequences of overland flow and surface runoff on or arising 

from BLM-administered lands [SW-1g]. 

• Provide for the physical and legal availability of water to facilitate authorized uses of 

the public lands [SW-1h]. 

Management Actions 

Presidential Proclamation 7394 did not reserve 

water as a matter of Federal law. However, any 

water use or rights reserved or appropriated by 

the United States on or before the date of the 

Proclamation are not reduced or relinquished. 

The Secretary of the Interior will work with appropriate State authorities to ensure that any water resources needed for Monument purposes are 

available. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

Management of the Soils and Water Resources 

programs involves direct activities as well as 

support for other program activities. The BLM 

will maintain water source inventories, participate in State water rights adjudications (none of 

which affect the Monument at this time), and 

evaluate watershed conditions in terms of erosion/sedimentation, water quality, and supply 

[SW-2]. As needed, the BLM will also plan, 

implement, monitor, and maintain watershed 

rehabilitation projects [SW-3]. 

The Soils and Water Resources programs will 

support facilities and land management activities 

in the Planning Area by providing input for 

properly locating facilities, hydrologic design, 

assessing impacts, and recommending mitigation 

measures. The soil types found in the Monument and Southwest Acquisition are shown on 

Map 9. Soils and water resources information 

for non-Federal lands in the Planning Area will 

be developed as needed when Cooperative Management Agreements or acquisitions are made. 

The “Access and Transportation” section of this 

RMP identifies which roads and trails will remain open for use, and which will be closed. 

For closed roads and trails to be rehabilitated, 

the BLM will implement appropriate protection 

measures (Best Management Practices) to minimize watershed impacts and/or restore natural 

conditions [SW-4]. The BLM will assess physical water availability and quality for visitor use, 

acquire water rights (if needed), and ensure continued compliance with the Safe Drinking Water 

Act [SW-5]. To assess the potential of Peralta 

Canyon to support riparian habitat, the BLM 

will conduct hydrologic studies and analysis, 

including appropriate stream flow monitoring of 

the channel [RIP-2]. 

For water resource management, the term “Best 

Management Practices” or “BMPs” is defined 

by 40 CFR 130, “Water Quality Planning and 

Management,” as “methods, measures, or prac-
2-37 Management Decisions 

tices selected by an agency to meet its nonpoint 

source control needs. BMPs include but are not 

limited to structural and nonstructural controls 

and operation and maintenance procedures. 

BMPs can be applied before, during, and after 

pollution-producing activities to reduce or eliminate the introduction of pollutants into receiving 

waters.” 

Implementation Decisions 

The New Mexico Standards for Public Land 

Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing 

Management (USDI, BLM 2000a), approved by 

the Secretary of the Interior’s Decision of January 12, 2001 and carried forward into this RMP, 

will be complied with [PLH-2]. The standards 

include: (1) the upland sites standard; (2) the 

biotic communities standard (including native, 

threatened, endangered, and special status species); and (3) the riparian sites standard. These 

standards are described in the “Public Land 

Health” section. 

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring 

Monitoring efforts conducted or supported by 

the Soils and Water Resources programs will be 

under the adaptive management approach. The 

levels of monitoring and the techniques employed will be adapted as necessary as monitoring efforts proceed and as understanding of resource conditions improves, ensuring efficient 

use of limited monitoring resources. 

If a local source of water is developed, it will be 

monitored to ensure compliance with the Safe 

Drinking Water Act. 

Snow emphasizes the layering of the tent 

walls. 
Chapter 2 2-38

SPECIAL GEOLOGIC FEATURES 

Goals and Objectives 

The Monument and Planning Area contain a 

unique combination of geologic features, including exposed faults, “tents,” and remarkably informative volcanic tuff outcrops; these are referred to as “special geologic features” in this 

Plan (see Map 10). By definition, these features 

have extremely well-represented geology, with 

high aesthetic and educational value. There are 

special geologic features on 167 acres of Federal 

land, 439 acres of private land, and 23 acres of 

State land in the Monument, as well as on 1,655 

acres of State land in the North Edgeholding 

(Cañada de Cochiti) proposed for acquisition. 

The BLM’s management goal is to protect these 

important, environmentally sensitive geologic 

resources in their natural condition (subject to 

ecological processes), while allowing recreation, 

and scientific research and collection [SGF-1]. 

Because the 4,565 acres of Federally owned 

minerals within the Monument have been withdrawn from mineral entry, only the 837 acres of 

non-Federal minerals (316 acres private and 521 

acres State) could be developed. If the nonFederal mineral resources are developed, the 

BLM’s management goal will be to protect the 

special geologic features to the extent possible 

[SGF-2]. 

Management Actions 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

The Proclamation states that the Monument “is a 

remarkable outdoor laboratory, offering an opportunity to observe, study, and experience the 

geologic processes that shape natural landscapes, as well as other cultural and biological 

objects of interest.” “For purposes of protecting 

the objects identified above, the Secretary shall 

prohibit all motorized and mechanized vehicle 

use off road, except for emergency or authorized 

administrative purposes” [AT-12]. 

The BLM will develop appropriate interpretive 

materials (e.g., signs, brochures) to explain the 

special geologic features such as tents, faults, 

and flows [SGF-3]. 

Scientific collection and research will be allowed only by accredited universities or other 

organizations under permit. Permits will be issued only in the areas determined to be the least 

susceptible to impacts and will not be issued in 

areas composed of the “tents.” When proposals 

are submitted for scientific research and collection in the Planning Area, the BLM will (1) 

evaluate the proposals and permit applications, 

(2) develop appropriate stipulations for geological resource protection, and (3) conduct compliance inspections. If the inspections indicate that 

any study is unduly and unnecessarily degrading 

the natural landscape within the Planning Area, 

the BLM will severely limit or eliminate study 

in affected areas [SGF-4]. 

Implementation Decisions 

Special geologic features will be protected on 

167 acres of Federally owned Monument lands 

for visitor viewing and observation. Identified 

acquisitions, if completed, could increase this 

area to as much as 2,284 acres. These features 

represent the remarkable outdoor laboratory 

identified in the Proclamation [SGF-5]. 

Support Services 

 - Engineering 

Engineering support will encourage development and maintenance of recreational and visitor 

use facilities so as to avoid degradation of the 

special geologic resources. 

Monitoring 

Photo monitoring points and a schedule will be 

established to observe change in the geologic 

features in the special geologic observation 

areas. 
2-39 Management Decisions 

SPECIAL STATUS PLANTS

Goals and Objectives 

The goal of the Special Status Plant Program is 

compliance with the Endangered Species Act. 

The BLM manages the public land to maintain, 

restore, improve, or enhance habitats which 

maintain or lead to recovery of Federally listed 

species populations and to preclude the need for 

listing proposed, candidate, and other special 

status species [SS-1a]. Special status species are 

species that are (1) officially listed, proposed for 

listing, or candidates for listing as threatened or 

endangered by the Secretary of the Interior under the provisions of the Endangered Species 

Act, (2) listed or proposed for listing by a state 

in a category implying potential endangerment 

or extinction, or (3) designated by the BLM as 

“sensitive.” Resource Management Plan decisions should do all that is reasonable to protect 

special status species and their habitat from degradation to the end that the species will not have 

to be listed as threatened or endangered. 

The objective of the Special Status Plant Program is to continue to monitor and inventory 

special status species and their habitats to ensure 

that appropriate management, protections, and 

mitigations are developed and applied [SS-1b]. 

Management Actions 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

No special status plant species have been identified within the Monument or Southwest Acquisition. Any plants located will be managed on a 

case-by-case basis [SS-2]. 

Implementation Decisions 

Any special status plant species located within 

the Planning Area will be managed on a caseby-case basis. Consultation with the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service for listed species will be 

carried out as required by the Endangered Species Act [SS-2]. 

Support Services 

 - Engineering 

Engineering support services may be needed to 

locate visitor use facilities in a manner so as to 

avoid degradation of special status plant species 

habitat. 

Monitoring 

The Special Status Plant Program will monitor 

and inventory special status species and their 

habitats to ensure that appropriate management, 

protections, and mitigations are developed and 

applied. 
Chapter 2 2-40

THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND 

SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES 

Goals and Objectives 

The goal of the Threatened, Endangered, and 

Sensitive Wildlife Species Program is compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The 

BLM manages the public land to maintain, restore, improve, or enhance habitats which maintain or lead to recovery of Federally listed species populations and to preclude the need for 

listing proposed, candidate, and other special 

status species [TE-1a]. Special status species 

are species that are (1) officially listed, proposed 

for listing, or candidates for listing as threatened 

or endangered by the Secretary of the Interior 

under the provisions of the Endangered Species 

Act, (2) listed or proposed for listing by a state 

in a category implying potential endangerment 

or extinction, or (3) designated by the BLM as 

“sensitive.” Resource Management Plan decisions should do all that is reasonable to protect 

special status species and their habitat from degradation to the end that the species will not have 

to be listed as threatened or endangered. 

The objective of the Threatened, Endangered, 

and Sensitive Wildlife Species Program is to 

continue to monitor and inventory special status 

species and their habitats to ensure that appropriate management, protections, and mitigations 

are developed and applied [TE-1b]. 

Management Actions 

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires 

special protection and management of Federally 

listed threatened and endangered (T&E), proposed, and candidate plant and animal species 

(16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, as amended). The BLM 

implements the ESA through its National Special Status Species Policy contained in BLM 

Manual 6840 [TE-2]. This policy directs the 

BLM to plan and implement programs to conserve T&E species, and to ensure that actions 

authorized, funded, or carried out do not jeopardize listed species or contribute to the need to 

list a species [TE-3]. This policy further charges 

BLM State Directors with the responsibility of 

giving state-designated species the same level of 

protection provided for Federal candidate species [TE-4]. 

Specifically, the BLM is to carry out the following: 

• Determine the distribution, abundance, and 

reasons for the current status, and habitat 

needs for candidate (and sensitive) species 

occurring on land administered by the BLM, 

and evaluate the significance of BLMadministered lands or actions in maintaining 

those species [TE-5a]. 

• For those species where BLM-administered 

lands or actions have a significant effect on 

their status, manage the habitat to conserve 

the species by the following means [TE-5b]: 

• Include candidate (and sensitive) species as 

priority species in land use plans [TE-5c]. 

• Develop and implement area-wide and/or 

site-specific management plans for candidate (and sensitive) species that include specific habitat and population management objectives designed for recovery, as well as the 

management strategies necessary to meet 

those objectives [TE-5d]. 

• Ensure that BLM activities that affect the 

habitat of candidate (and sensitive) species 

are carried out in a manner consistent with 

the objectives for those species [TE-5e]. 

• Monitor populations and habitats of candidate (and sensitive) species to determine 

whether management objectives are being 

met [TE-5f]. 

Allowable Uses and Actions

The BLM has made a “No Affect” determination 

for the Monument for all the listed, proposed 

and candidate species, and critical habitat identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as 

potentially occurring in Sandoval County 

[TE-6]. No current or potential habitat exists in 

the Monument to support these species. 

The BLM has identified 13 sensitive species as 

potentially occurring or having suitable habitat 

within the Monument and Southwest Acquisition. The BLM will manage these species in 
2-41 Management Decisions 

accordance with the BLM 6840 Manual if any 

are identified [TE-7]. 

The BLM will evaluate the Monument for new 

special status species as the special status species list for Sandoval County is updated [TE-8]. 

Implementation Decisions 

None. 

Support Services 

 - Engineering 

Engineering support services may be needed to 

locate visitor use facilities in a manner so as to 

avoid degradation of special status species habitat. 

Monitoring 

The Monument, Southwest Acquisition, and any 

acquired lands will be evaluated for potential 

habitats of known listed and other special status 

species. These evaluations will be updated as 

special status lists are updated and/or as the 

BLM acquires land in the Planning Area. 

Potential suitable habitats for listed or other special status species found on the Monument will 

be inventoried for their presence. Endangered 

Species Act consultation with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service will be initiated for listed species at that time and will determine further 

monitoring needs. Consultation with the New 

Mexico Department of Game and Fish could 

begin as well. 

Known populations of other special status species will be monitored according to current protocols or current best information. 

Changes in population trends will be evaluated. 

Negative changes will result in change in management of the Monument, and for listed species, re-initiation of Endangered Species Act 

Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service. 
Chapter 2 2-42

VEGETATION AND WOODLANDS 

MANAGEMENT 

Goals and Objectives 

BLM Handbook H-1601 states that the BLM’s 

goals for vegetation are to: (1) Identify desired 

future conditions for vegetative resources, including the desired mix of vegetative types, 

structural stages, and landscape and riparian 

functions, and provide for native plant, fish, and 

wildlife habitats. (2) Identify the actions and 

area-wide use restrictions needed to achieve desired vegetative conditions [VW-1]. 

The objectives of vegetation treatments are as 

follows: 

• Reduce the risk of hazardous vegetative 

fuels to human life and property [VW-2a]. 

• Reduce the risk or cost of fire suppression in 

areas of hazardous fuels buildup [VW-2b]. 

• Achieve other resource objectives (e.g., improve native plant and wildlife habitat) 

[VW-2c]. 

• Treat lands that are in Fire Regime Condition (FRC) Classes II and III [VW-2d]. 

• Maintain lands that are in FRC Class I 

[VW-2e]. 

Management Actions 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

Where needed, vegetation and woodland treatments will consist of prescribed fire, mechanical 

methods, physical removal of excess vegetation, 

and chemical methods [VW-3]. The BLM will 

follow Best Management Practices (BMPs) for 

vegetation treatments (see Appendix C). Some 

treatments may need to be combined with others 

for best results, and some areas may need to be 

treated repeatedly to achieve the desired results 

[VW-4]. 

Three previous planning documents addressed 

fire and fuels/vegetation management in KashaKatuwe Tent Rocks National Monument: Categorical Exclusion NM-010-2003-066: Tent 

Rocks Wildland-Urban Interface Hazardous 

Fuels Reduction Project (USDI, BLM 2003); 

Fire and Fuels Management Resource Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Assessment for BLM Lands in New Mexico and 

Texas (USDI, BLM 2004b); and Albuquerque 

Field Office Fire Management Plan (USDI, 

BLM 2004a). The decisions from these planning and NEPA documents have been incorporated into this stand-alone RMP. The Planning 

Area is identified as a separate Fire Management 

Unit (FMU). It will be managed as FMU B/4, 

defined as an area “where unplanned wildland 

fire is not desired because of current conditions” 

[FM-3]. Through proposed vegetation treatments, the BLM will focus on moving the landscape from FRC Classes II and III toward the 

desired future condition of FRC Class I (see 

Map 5 and “Fire Management,” above) [FM-4]. 

Implementation Decisions 

Woodlands and vegetative treatments will be 

applied on acreages and areas identified on Map 

5 to move the FRC class from Classes II and III 

toward Class I [FM-4]. The BLM will use 

BMPs for vegetation treatment (see Appendix 

C) [VW-4]. Treatments will be prioritized based 

on percent slope, FRC class, access, and ownership of the areas to be treated. Only areas having slopes less than 15 percent (2,236 acres in 

the Planning Area) will be treated. 

The NM Standards for Public Land Health 

(USDI, BLM 2000a) will be complied with in 

establishing woodlands and vegetative treatments as management moves toward desired 

future conditions [VW-5]. 

 Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring

Areas treated will be monitored for effectiveness 

of treatment and to determine needs for additional treatments to achieve the desired FRC 

Class I condition. 
2-43 Management Decisions 

VISUAL RESOURCES 

Goals and Objectives 

The BLM’s overall goal for visual resources is 

to manage Federal lands in a manner that protects scenic (visual) values [VR-1a]. The objectives for the two Visual Resource Management 

(VRM) classes assigned to Federal lands in the 

Planning Area are as follows. Additional information on visual resource management is contained in Appendix D. 

• Class II - Retain the existing character of the 

landscape, and prevent changes resulting 

from use authorizations and management actions that would attract attention. Changes 

in the landscape should repeat the basic 

elements of form, line, color, and texture 

found in the predominant natural features of 

the characteristic landscape [VR-1b]. 

• Class III - Activities and structures may attract attention but not dominate the view of 

the casual observer. Changes should borrow 

from the basic elements found in the natural 

features of the surrounding characteristic 

landscape [VR-1c]. 

Management Actions 

Both the Federal Land Policy and Management 

Act and the National Environmental Policy Act 

require that Federal (public) lands be managed 

to protect the quality of their scenic values. 

Presidential Proclamation 7394 created KashaKatuwe Tent Rocks National Monument under 

the Antiquities Act of 1906 to protect the complex landscape and spectacular geologic scenery. 

BLM Manual 8400 is the BLM’s guide for managing visual resources on Federal lands; visual 

resource management is a management responsibility shared by all resource programs. BLM 

Handbooks H-8410-1 (Visual Resource Inventory) and H-8431-1 (Visual Resource Contrast 

Rating) also provide guidance. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

Objectives for VRM Classes II and III will be 

used to guide management actions on the public 

lands within the Planning Area [VR-2]. In areas 

of intensive recreational use and along the existing primary vehicular route (BLM Road 1011) 

through the Monument, VRM Class III has been 

assigned to the 1,202 acres that encompass the 

immediate foreground (1⁄4 mile) surrounding the 

developed facilities (see Map 11). On the Class 

III lands, only activities and structures that 

would attract attention but not dominate the 

view of the casual observer will be allowed. 

Any changes would borrow from the basic elements found in the natural features of the surrounding characteristic landscape [VR-3]. VRM 

Class II has been assigned to the 3,887 remaining acres of public lands, where the intent will 

be to retain the existing character of the landscape by keeping implementation actions from 

attracting attention [VR-4]. 

The BLM will use a contrast rating process to 

determine the level of contrast acceptable under 

the assigned VRM class objectives. The contrasts will be measured by comparing the proposed project’s basic design elements of form, 

line, color, and texture with those same elements 

found in the landform, water, vegetative, and 

structural features of the surrounding landscape 

as observed from key observation points. Design principles, techniques, and mitigation 

measures will be applied to minimize visual impacts [VR-5]. 

The degrees of contrast are as follows: 

• None - Element contrast is not visible or 

perceived. 

• Weak - Element contrast can be seen but 

does not attract attention. 

• Moderate - Element contrast begins to attract attention and dominate the characteristic landscape. 

• Strong - Element contrast demands attention, will not be overlooked. 

Acquired lands will be inventoried and placed in 

VRM Class II or III based on the extent of cultural modifications to the landscape, the need to 

implement future management actions or install 

facilities to accommodate visitor services, and 

the need for resource protection and rehabilitation [VR-6]. 
Chapter 2 2-44

Implementation Decisions

VRM Classes II and III will be used to guide 

management actions on the public lands within 

the Planning Area [VR-2]. 

Support Services 

 - Engineering Support 

Engineering support services will help to locate 

facilities using effective design principles and 

techniques to create the minimum level of visual 

contrast and to maintain VRM classes through 

effective use of mitigation measures. 

Monitoring 

VRM design principles, techniques, and mitigation measures will be applied to projects within 

the Planning Area. Completed projects will be 

assessed to ensure that mitigation measures were 

successful. 

View of the Slot Canyon from BLM Road 1011. 
2-45 Management Decisions 

WILDERNESS AND WILDERNESS 

STUDY AREAS 

Goals and Objectives 

There are no wilderness study areas or designated wilderness within the Planning Area. 

Therefore goals and objectives were not established. 

Management Actions 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

There are no wilderness study areas or designated wilderness within the Planning Area. 

However, the Santa Fe National Forest’s Dome 

Wilderness and the National Park Service’s 

Bandelier Wilderness adjoin the north edge of 

the Planning Area. None of these special areas 

is expected to affect the others’ resource values. 

Implementation Decisions 

None. 

Support Services 

No support needs have been identified and none 

are anticipated. 

Monitoring 

None required. 

Native Thistle. 
Chapter 2 2-46

WILDLIFE HABITAT MANAGEMENT 

Goals and Objectives 

The management goals for the Wildlife Habitat 

Management Program listed below were carried 

forward from the Final Protection Plan for Tent 

Rocks, An Area of Critical Environmental Concern (USDI, BLM 1987). The BLM will manage the Planning Area in the following ways to 

maintain and improve healthy habitats for wildlife [WL-1]: 

• Promote awareness of wildlife values 

[WL-1a]. 

• Protect habitat for non-game birds and improve big-game winter habitat [WL-1b]. 

• Provide water development and rehabilitate 

grassland parks [WL-1c]. 

Management Actions 

Nothing in the Proclamation enlarges or diminishes the jurisdiction of the State of New Mexico 

over fish and wildlife management [WL-2]. 

Executive Order 13186 (2001) directs Federal 

agencies to “. . . promote the conservation of 

migratory bird populations . . . ” and to “. . . 

support the conservation intent of the migratory 

bird conventions by integrating bird conservation principles, measures, and practices into 

agency activities and by avoiding or minimizing, 

to the extent practicable, adverse impacts on migratory bird resources when conducting agency 

actions.” It is therefore important that the BLM 

provide adequate habitat for these bird species 

[WL-3]. 

Among the goals and objectives of the Vegetation and Woodlands Management Program are 

“provide for native plant, fish, and wildlife habitats” and “achieve other resource objectives 

(e.g., improve native plant and wildlife habitat)” 

[VW-1, VW-2c]. The goals of the Wildlife 

Habitat Management Program will be achieved 

to a large extent through the actions of the Vegetation and Woodlands Management Program. 

Likewise, other goals of the Wildlife Habitat 

Management Program will be achieved through 

the actions of other programs. For instance, 

when long-term livestock grazing is discontinued within the Monument, livestock water developments will be considered for conversion to 

wildlife waters [LG-3]. Wildlife and wildlife 

habitat will be among the features of the Monument interpreted for visitors with signs, kiosks, 

brochures, and websites [RU-9]. 

Allowable Uses and Actions 

The BLM will implement the following actions 

to maintain and enhance healthy habitats for 

wildlife populations within the boundaries of the 

Planning Area [WL-4]: 

• Conduct a complete biotic survey of the area 

to determine the plant and animal species 

present, including vascular and non-vascular 

plants; soil macro- and micro-invertebrates 

for each soil type; arthropods, mollusks, and 

crustaceans; and miscellaneous other invertebrates as they become known [WL-4a]. 

• Conduct breeding bird surveys on a regular 

and repeating schedule. If populations decline, develop a mitigation plan in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

and the New Mexico Department of Game 

and Fish (NMDG&F) [WL-4b]. 

• Survey the stream bottom of Peralta Canyon 

every three years for evidence of riparian 

and wetland development. If such development occurs, pursue a more intensive riparian restoration program with specific actions 

to protect and promote the development 

(based on best science). This will also be 

applied to any springs or seeps discovered 

[WL-4c]. 

• Fence the south and west boundaries of the 

Planning Area and any acquired lands to 

prevent damage to big-game winter habitat 

from trespass livestock [WL-4d]. 

• Coordinate wildlife management activities 

with the NMDG&F (including but not limited to game species management and special status species management) [WL-4e]. 

Implementation Decisions 

None. 
2-47 Management Decisions 

Support Services 

 - Lands and Realty 

Development of a transportation plan will support reduction of road miles and reduce habitat 

segmentation. 

 - Engineering 

Engineering support is needed for design, construction, and maintenance of visitor services, 

resource protection, and other appropriate recreation facilities to ensure long-term wildlife 

habitat improvement on public land. 

 - Cadastral Survey 

Cadastral survey is needed to establish lines for 

boundary fences. 

Monitoring 

The BLM will conduct a complete biotic survey 

of the area to determine the plant and animal 

species present. 

Breeding bird surveys will be conducted on a 

regular and repeating schedule. 

Overall habitat condition and trend monitoring 

will be conducted informally by the BLM. Apparent negative trends will be evaluated and may 

result in changes to Monument management. 

Special circumstances may necessitate monitoring of a specific species. These will be determined through special evaluation, and specific 

monitoring methods and schedules will be developed at that time.

Wilson’s Warbler.