BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

A
Suggested citation:

Rodgers, K.E., R.A. Boyd, T.H. Alexander, and L.A. Ford. 2015. 

Bureau of Land Management Air Resource Management Program 

Strategy 2015-2020. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land 

Management, National Operations Center, Denver, CO.

Production services provided by: 

Bureau of Land Management

National Operations Center

Information and Publishing Services Section

P.O. Box 25047

Denver, CO 80225

BLM/WO/GI-15/007+7400
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Air Resource Management 

Program Strategy 

2015-2020

Authors:

Kerry E. Rodgers, Physical Scientist

BLM Washington Office, Washington, DC

Robert A. Boyd, Assessment and Monitoring Branch Chief

BLM National Operations Center, Denver, CO

Theresa H. Alexander, Air Resource Specialist

BLM Washington Office, Washington, DC

Larisa A. Ford, National Soil, Water, and Air Program Lead

BLM Washington Office, Washington, DC

FEBRUARY 2015
Table of Contents

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2. Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.1 Environmental Protection Agency and State, 

Tribal, and Local Governments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.2 Bureau of Land Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.3 Other Federal Land Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3. Goals and Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.1 Objective 1: Limit pollutant emissions to the atmosphere. . . . . . 6

3.2 Objective 2: Strengthen working relationships and 

increase collaboration with federal partners, states, 

and other stakeholders concerned about air resources 

on public lands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3.3 Objective 3: Improve effectiveness and efficiency of 

air quality analyses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.4 Objective 4: Improve availability and access to 

air quality monitoring data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3.5 Objective 5: Enhance and maintain technical 

expertise relevant to air resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

List of Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

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Executive Summary

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Air Resource Management 

Program manages air resources and air quality related values on 

BLM public lands in a manner that complies with the Clean Air Act, 

Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and National Environmental 

Policy Act, as well as state, tribal, and local requirements. This 5-year 

strategy will enable the BLM’s air program to meet challenges posed 

by the increasing demand for resource development and recreational 

opportunities on public lands. This strategy highlights those 

challenges; describes the interrelated roles and responsibilities of 

federal, state, tribal, and local agencies with respect to air 

resources; and outlines four overarching goals and five specific 

objectives supporting BLM efforts to protect and improve shared 

air resources. Emphasis on proactive measures that reduce 

emissions, regional air resource assessments, and improved 

monitoring and data management will be critical to its success. This 

strategy also offers opportunities for continual learning that can inform 

the BLM’s air resource management actions as well as its other resource 

management decisions.

This strategy identifies the goals and objectives the program will 

address over the next 5 years. The goals include: (1) reduce and mitigate 

pollutant emissions to promote environmental stewardship; (2) improve 

the effectiveness of air quality analyses by conducting regional-level 

assessments in collaboration with stakeholders; (3) strengthen the BLM’s 

abilities to address emerging issues, such as more stringent regulatory 

standards for ozone and policy direction to reduce greenhouse gas 

emissions; and (4) build relationships with stakeholders to reduce 

conflict and promote collaborative efforts to achieve and maintain 

good air quality. The objectives include: (1) limit pollutant emissions 

to the atmosphere; (2) strengthen working relationships and increase 

collaboration with federal partners, states, and other stakeholders 

concerned about air resources on public lands; (3) improve effectiveness 

and efficiency of air quality analyses; (4) improve availability and access 

to air quality monitoring data; and (5) enhance and maintain technical 

expertise relevant to air resources.

The Air Resource Management Program will continue to coordinate 

its activities with other BLM programs responsible for decision and 

management of use authorizations, resource uses, and resource 

conservation and protection. The program will focus on collaboration 

with other federal agencies on common air issues and cooperation with 

state agencies responsible for compliance, monitoring, and enforcement 

of air quality regulations.

BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

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1. Introduction

In managing about 245 million 

surface acres of public lands and 

700 million subsurface acres of 

mineral estate, the Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) in the U.S. 

Department of the Interior (DOI) 

initiates and authorizes energy 

development, mineral extraction, 

timber harvesting, grazing, 

recreational opportunities, and 

other activities that can affect air 

resources by releasing pollutants 

to the atmosphere. The Federal 

Land Policy and Management 

Act (FLPMA) directs the BLM 

to manage the public lands on 

the basis of “multiple use” and 

“sustained yield” principles.

FLPMA and two other Federal 

statutes—the Clean Air Act (CAA) 

and the National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPA)—guide the 

BLM’s management of air 

resources. Several provisions of 

FLPMA are relevant: (1) FLPMA 

declares a policy that the BLM 

will manage the public lands in a 

manner that will protect the quality 

of air and atmospheric values, 

among other resources; (2) FLPMA 

requires the BLM’s land use plans 

to provide for compliance with 

applicable air pollution standards 

or implementation plans, among 

other laws; and (3) FLPMA 

requires the BLM’s leases or other 

instruments authorizing use or 

development of public lands to 

include provisions allowing the 

BLM to revoke or to suspend the 

lease for violation of terms that 

require compliance with air quality 

standards or implementation 

plans. While the CAA defines 

a regulatory framework for 

protecting and improving the 

nation’s air quality, the BLM’s air 

resource management decisions 

may, in appropriate circumstances, 

complement CAA requirements, 

particularly to protect the public 

lands, as broadly defined in 

FLPMA, from unnecessary and 

undue degradation. NEPA, 

which requires the BLM to 

analyze potential environmental 

impacts of actions it initiates or 

authorizes and to discuss means 

to mitigate adverse environmental 

impacts, offers a process for 

identifying air resources that 

should be considered during the 

environmental review process.

The BLM is facing increasingly 

complex and critical air resource 

issues that affect its ability to 

authorize many activities and uses. 

The BLM also is facing challenges, 

protests, and litigation regarding 

air quality analyses in planning 

and NEPA documents, including 

analyses of regional air pollution 

issues, impacts to sensitive areas, 

and mitigation measures. It is 

critical for the BLM to address 

these matters in order to (1) 

appropriately authorize activities 

and uses consistent with FLPMA’s 

“multiple use” and “sustained 

yield” principles and FLPMA’s 

instructions to protect air and 

atmospheric values and (2) ensure 

CAA compliance. Addressing 

these matters also could increase 
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

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certainty in the BLM’s planning and 

NEPA processes, benefiting the 

BLM, its government partners, and 

other stakeholders. By ensuring 

that analyses of cumulative air 

quality impacts of major planning 

and project decisions adequately 

address regional air pollution 

issues, sensitive areas, and 

mitigation, the BLM could reduce 

costs and delays associated with 

protests, appeals, and litigation. 

The BLM is already seeing 

results of implementation 

of a memorandum of 

understanding (MOU) 

signed in June 2011 by 

the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA), DOI, 

and U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA), 

which commits the signatories 

to a clearly defined, efficient 

approach to compliance with 

NEPA regarding air quality in 

connection with oil and gas 

development on federal lands.

The BLM will address air resources 

over the next 5 years by increasing 

emphasis on: (1) proactive 

measures that reduce traditional 

pollutant and greenhouse 

gas (GHG) emissions to the 

atmosphere; (2) collaborative, 

regional air resource assessments; 

(3) monitoring and effective 

data management; (4) improved 

relationships with other agencies 

and stakeholders; and (5) access 

to sufficient expertise so managers 

can make informed and effective 

decisions. The BLM anticipates 

that this strategy will support its 

efforts to protect and improve 

air resources, consistent with its 

authority under FLPMA.

2. Roles and Responsibilities

Federal, state, tribal, and local 

agencies have distinct roles and 

responsibilities under the legal 

framework governing air resource 

management. Air resources 

cross geographic and political 

boundaries and are important to 

numerous government entities, 

interest groups, and the general 

public. Therefore, the BLM must 

collaborate with all levels of 

government, stakeholders in the 

private and nonprofit sectors, and 

members of the public to protect 

and manage air resources on 

public lands.

2.1 Environmental Protection 

Agency and State, Tribal, 

and Local Governments

The CAA assigns primary 

regulatory responsibility for 

national air quality to the EPA. 

The EPA has established national 
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

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ambient air quality standards 

(NAAQS) to protect public 

health and welfare, national 

goals to improve visibility, and 

regulations to reduce emissions 

from stationary and mobile 

sources. Subject to EPA oversight, 

state, some tribal, and some 

local air regulatory agencies are 

responsible for implementing, 

maintaining, and enforcing plans 

to meet the NAAQS and comply 

with other CAA regulations within 

their respective jurisdictions. These 

agencies have either adopted the 

federal air regulations or have 

established their own air quality 

regulations, which may be more, 

but not less, stringent than the 

federal standards. The EPA also 

is responsible for reviewing and 

commenting on other federal 

agencies’ NEPA documents and 

for rating those agencies’ analyses 

and environmental impacts of 

proposed actions.

2.2 Bureau of Land 

Management

The BLM manages the public 

lands on the basis of the “multiple 

use” and “sustained yield” 

principles described in FLPMA, 

which directs the BLM to manage 

the public lands in a manner that 

will protect the quality of air and 

atmospheric values, among others. 

The BLM also must ensure that 

BLM-authorized activities comply 

with the CAA and all applicable 

federal, state, tribal, and local air 

quality laws and regulations. The 

CAA gives the BLM an affirmative 

responsibility to protect air quality 

related values (AQRVs) (including 

visibility) in the “Class I” areas that 

it manages (Class I areas include 

designated wilderness areas 

exceeding 5,000 acres). One way 

in which the BLM manages air 

resources is by establishing goals 

and objectives in land use plans 

that must, at a minimum, comply 

with regulatory standards; these 

goals and objectives also may give 

effect to FLPMA’s instructions to 

protect air and atmospheric values.

2.3 Other Federal Land 

Managers

Other federal land management 

(FLM) agencies—namely, the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), 

National Park Service (NPS), and 

U.S. Forest Service (USFS)—are 

required to protect air quality and 

AQRVs under their respective 

enabling legislation. FLM 

agencies also have an affirmative 

responsibility under the CAA to 

protect AQRVs (including visibility) 

within Class I areas, including 

many larger national parks and 

wilderness areas. When activities 

initiated or authorized by the BLM 

are located in or near Class I areas, 

the affected FLM agency reviews 

the relevant air quality analyses 

and may comment on the potential 

air quality impacts and recommend 

appropriate mitigation measures.
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

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3. Goals and Objectives

This strategy is designed to 

position the BLM Air Resource 

Management Program as a leader 

in protecting air resources while 

helping the BLM to continue to 

meet its multiple-use mandate 

for managing public lands, which 

includes authorizing activities 

needed to meet increasing 

demands for resources and 

recreational opportunities. This 

strategy includes the following 

overarching goals:

n Reduce and mitigate pollutant 

emissions to promote 

environmental stewardship.

n Improve the effectiveness of air 

quality analyses by conducting 

regional-level assessments in 

collaboration with stakeholders.

n Strengthen the BLM’s abilities to 

address emerging issues, such 

as more stringent regulatory 

standards for ozone and policy 

direction to reduce GHG 

emissions.

n Build relationships with 

stakeholders to reduce conflict 

and promote collaborative 

efforts to achieve and maintain 

good air quality.

The BLM will pursue the following 

five specific objectives to achieve 

these goals.

3.1 Objective 1: Limit 

pollutant emissions to the 

atmosphere.

The BLM will adopt a more 

proactive approach to manage 

air resources at regional scales 

to address challenges resulting 

from more stringent air quality 

regulatory standards, increasing 

population growth and 

urbanization, and accelerating 

development of public lands. This 

approach will require the BLM 

to collaborate with stakeholders 

to maintain or improve overall 

air quality and prevent violations 

of regulatory standards. In 

addition, Executive Order 13514, 

titled “Federal Leadership in 

Environmental, Energy, and 

Economic Performance,” 

released October 5, 2009, and 

Secretarial Order No. 3289, 

titled “Addressing the Impacts 

of Climate Change on America’s 

Water, Land, and Other Natural 

and Cultural Resources,” as 

amended February 22, 2010, direct 

agencies to reduce GHG emissions 

associated with their activities. 

The BLM’s air quality monitoring, 

modeling, and related activities are 

intended to inform and support 

the ultimate objective of limiting 

emissions.

In support of this objective, the 

BLM will:

n Continue to develop policy 

to reduce pollutant and GHG 
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emissions from fluid and solid 

mineral development and 

production by increasing the 

use of cost-effective best 

management practices (BMPs) 

and technologies. Emissions from 

these activities, including carbon 

dioxide and methane, contribute 

to air resource issues in many 

states, have been associated 

with protests and lawsuits by 

interest groups, and have been 

a source of conflict with other 

federal agencies.

n When developing or revising 

resource management plans 

(RMPs), the BLM works with 

stakeholders to develop effective 

air resource management goals 

and objectives to maintain or 

improve air quality. Traditionally, 

goals and objectives in 

existing RMPs have focused 

on compliance with the CAA 

and other regulatory standards. 

Future planning goals and 

objectives also should reflect 

FLPMA’s separate instruction 

to protect air and atmospheric 

values in managing the 

public lands, giving greater 

consideration to other factors 

including comprehensive air 

quality management concepts.

n Coordinate and share 

information with other agencies 

and stakeholders with relevant 

expertise to maintain consistent, 

up-to-date lists of accepted 

BMPs and technologies 

for reducing emissions and 

mitigating impacts from 

authorized activities.

n Pursue opportunities to 

practice adaptive management. 

Consistent with applicable law 

and lease rights and obligations, 

this may include using air 

monitoring data to require 

the adoption of BMPs, control 

technologies, or other mitigation 

measures under existing leases, 

as needed to address emerging 

air quality problems and new 

regulatory requirements. For 

example, if an operator has plans 

to initiate development of, or 

continue developing, federal oil 

and gas resources, the BLM may 

require the use of mitigation 

measures as conditions of 

approval on proposals (i.e., 

applications for permits to drill, 

or APDs) to develop existing 

and newly issued leases, 

provided that there has been 

compliance with NEPA and that 

the mitigation measures are 

consistent with the terms of the 

leases.

n Continue using BMPs for 

smoke management related 

to the use of prescribed fire, 

and continue adherence to 

state-specific regulations and 

permit requirements regarding 

prescribed burning. Pollutant 

emissions from prescribed fires 

can be minimized by practices 

such as selecting the conditions 

under which burning occurs 

(weather and fuel conditions), 

ignition methods and patterns, 

and cleanup procedures. 

Compared to wildfires, good 

smoke management of 

prescribed fires allows emission 

of only a fraction of pollutants.
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

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3.2 Objective 2: Strengthen 

working relationships and 

increase collaboration with 

federal partners, states, 

and other stakeholders 

concerned about air 

resources on public lands.

Collaboration among the BLM, 

other FLM agencies, the EPA, 

other air regulatory agencies, 

and stakeholders is essential 

to successful air resource 

management. Land use planning 

and NEPA processes offer 

opportunities for collaboration on 

specific decisions that affect air 

resources, particularly with other 

FLM agencies and the EPA. Other 

opportunities for collaboration 

include air monitoring data 

collection, air quality modeling 

analyses, selection of appropriate 

BMPs and emission control 

measures, and regional air quality 

planning activities.

In support of this 

objective, the BLM will:

n Increase collaboration 

with the EPA and other 

FLM agencies. Collaboration 

can be challenging because 

(1) each agency has unique, 

often competing responsibilities; 

and (2) stakeholders bring 

diverse perspectives to air 

resource management.

- To increase collaboration in the 

NEPA process to inform federal 

oil and gas decisions, an MOU 

between the USDA (on behalf 

of the USFS), DOI (on behalf 

of the BLM, FWS, and NPS), 

and EPA establishes common 

procedures for analyzing 

and mitigating impacts to air 

quality and AQRVs associated 

with oil and gas planning, 

leasing, and field development 

activities on federal lands.

- The BLM and the other 

participating agencies will 

continue to collaborate, 

provide joint training 

opportunities, and develop 

specific training, as necessary, 

to implement the MOU 

requirements.

n Engage partners in planning and 

management efforts to support 

regional air quality improvement. 

In addition, the BLM will engage 

cooperating agencies with 

special expertise or jurisdiction 

by law, as well as coordinate 

actions with other state, 

local, and tribal governments, 

early in the NEPA process to 

produce more effective land use 

authorizations and plans that 

adequately address relevant 

issues.

n The BLM will continue to 

participate in regional, 

interagency work groups and 

partnerships to build working 

relationships, share information, 

and avoid duplication of efforts. 

Such efforts include the:

- Federal Leadership Forum 

(FLF). The FLF is a consortium 

of states (Colorado, Utah, and 

Wyoming), FLM agencies, and 

EPA Region 8 (serving several 
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020 9

states and tribal nations in 

the Rocky Mountain region) 

that addresses issues and 

coordinates policy in areas of 

common concern.

- Western Regional Air 

Partnership (WRAP). WRAP 

is a voluntary partnership 

of states, the EPA, FLM 

agencies, tribes, and local air 

agencies that is dedicated to 

understanding regional air 

quality issues in the West. BLM 

representatives currently serve 

on the WRAP board and plan 

to participate on the WRAP 

Technical Steering Committee 

(re-formed in 2014) to address 

air issues related to oil and gas 

development.

- Western States Air Resources 

Council (WESTAR). WESTAR 

is a group of 15 states that 

promotes the exchange 

of information, serves as a 

forum to discuss western 

regional air quality issues, 

and shares resources for the 

common benefit of members. 

FLM agencies participate in 

WESTAR as partner agencies.

- Four Corners Air Quality 

Group. This group is convened 

by the states of New Mexico 

and Colorado as a forum for 

individuals interested in air 

quality in the Four Corners 

region of New Mexico, 

Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. 

Previously known as the Four 

Corners Air Quality Task 

Force, the group published a 

report on possible mitigation 

strategies for air quality in 

November 2007. Group 

participants include private 

citizens and representatives 

from public interest groups; 

universities; industry; and 

federal, state, tribal, and local 

governments.

- Smoke Committee (SmoC) 

of the National Wildfire 

Coordinating Group (NWCG). 

The BLM participates in the 

SmoC of the NWCG, which is 

comprised of representatives of 

federal agencies that engage in 

wildfire management, state and 

local air regulatory agencies, 

and interest groups.

3.3 Objective 3: Improve 

effectiveness and efficiency 

of air quality analyses.

Air resource managers and 

regulatory agencies request 

increasingly complex analyses to 

assess increasing emissions of air 

pollutants across the West and 

to address challenges resulting 

from more stringent regulatory 

standards. These analyses can be 

challenging, time consuming, and 

expensive. The BLM and other 

FLM agencies have dedicated 

significant resources to develop 

predictive numerical models for 

conducting air quality analyses 

for individual projects. Analyses 

conducted on a project-specific 

basis are of limited long-term 

use and often do not address 

the larger issue of regional air 

pollution. A combination of 
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

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regional predictive numerical 

models and site-specific analyses is 

a better approach for addressing 

regional air pollution, meeting 

new regulatory requirements, and 

allowing activities to be authorized 

in a timely, cost-effective manner.

The BLM will continue supporting 

the use of collaboratively 

developed regional models, 

which will provide the BLM and 

other air resource managers with 

tools to fully assess cumulative 

impacts for NEPA analyses and to 

address long-term planning issues. 

NEPA analyses conducted to 

authorize plan- or project-specific 

activities will reference regionallevel analyses but be based on 

approaches appropriate for planor project-specific analyses, such 

as emissions inventories, simplified 

screening models, or qualitative 

assessments.

In support of this objective, the 

BLM will:

n Continue cooperating with 

stakeholders (e.g., the FLF) on 

a pilot project to develop and 

operate a regional air quality 

data warehouse and modeling 

repository for Colorado, Utah, 

and Wyoming, and expand to 

include other states.

n Continue participating in the 

Four Corners Air Quality Group 

on collaborative efforts to 

assess, manage, and mitigate air 

quality impacts in northwestern 

New Mexico and southwestern 

Colorado.

n Continue working with the EPA 

and other agencies, states, and 

other stakeholders to utilize 

existing air quality datasets 

and to develop new regional 

air quality assessments and 

additional regional modeling 

capacity.

n Develop guidance to assist 

BLM field offices with selecting 

appropriate NEPA air quality 

analyses for plan- and projectspecific activities that are not 

covered by the June 2011 air 

quality MOU. The guidance 

may include information about 

emissions inventories and 

calculators, screening models, 

predictive models, relative costs, 

preparation time, and technical 

limitations.

3.4 Objective 4: Improve 

availability and access to air 

quality monitoring data.

Air quality monitoring data 

supports and informs BLM 

management decisions and 

those of other FLM agencies. 

Prior to authorizing activities, 

for example, the BLM uses such 

monitoring data to establish 

baseline conditions and evaluate 

trends, to assess the effects of 

air emissions on other natural 

resources such as vegetation 

and water, and to calibrate and 

validate numerical predictive 

models. Accordingly, air quality 

monitoring data is important 

to many facets of air resource 

management. Other public and 
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

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private organizations, including 

several federal organizations, use 

air quality monitoring data to study 

long-term trends. In addition, 

federal and state air regulators 

use air quality monitoring data to 

designate areas as in attainment 

or nonattainment of the NAAQS 

and to identify exceedances of the 

NAAQS over time.

Traditionally, the BLM has relied 

on data collected from existing 

monitoring networks maintained 

by regulatory agencies and has 

collected its own data as needed 

to address specific monitoring 

needs. In recent years, significant 

development has occurred on 

BLM lands in remote areas that 

have not been included in existing 

monitoring networks, which focus 

on monitoring conditions in more 

populated, urban areas.

Systematic processes also are 

lacking for storing, managing, 

and sharing air quality and 

meteorological data among 

various agencies and stakeholders. 

Agencies must expend significant 

time and resources to compile 

data from various sources when 

conducting assessments and 

analyses; many of these efforts are 

redundant, as they are conducted 

for individual projects within the 

same geographic areas.

In support of this objective, the 

BLM will:

n Increase the number of air 

quality monitoring stations in 

areas lacking sufficient data to 

establish baseline conditions, 

assess trends in air quality 

conditions, calibrate and 

validate predictive models, 

and evaluate compliance with 

regulatory standards. The 

BLM will coordinate with air 

regulatory agencies and other 

FLM agencies to install or 

maintain stations in locations 

that increase effectiveness of 

existing monitoring networks. 

Priorities will be placed on 

monitoring ozone, particulate 

matter, hazardous air pollutants, 

and other pollutants related to 

oil and gas activities.

n Expand the use of portable 

instruments to address specific 

short-term data needs, such 

as monitoring seasonal ozone 

concentrations associated 

with oil and gas activities and 

temporary smoke monitoring for 

prescribed fire events.

n Improve the efficiency of data 

collection, reduce overall costs, 

and leverage resources through 

cooperative arrangements with 

air regulatory agencies and 

collaborative partnerships with 

proponents.

n Cooperate with the FLF and 

others on a pilot project to 

develop and operate a regional 

air quality data warehouse 

and modeling repository for 

Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. 

The data warehouse will provide 

a systematic approach for 

agencies to store, maintain, 

and share air quality and 

meteorological data. Once fully 

implemented, the pilot project 
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

12

may be expanded to include 

other areas with similar air quality 

issues.

n Develop guidance for BLM 

field offices on approaches and 

considerations for air quality 

monitoring and effective uses 

of monitoring data to support 

decisionmaking.

3.5 Objective 5: Enhance 

and maintain technical 

expertise relevant to air 

resources.

BLM managers require access 

to sufficient expertise and 

information to make informed and 

effective land use planning and 

management decisions, assess 

resource conditions, comply with 

changing regulatory requirements, 

and develop effective relationships 

with stakeholders. The BLM is 

facing an increase in both the 

volume and the technical demands 

of the work required to meet 

applicable legal requirements and 

the goals of this strategy.

In support of this objective, the 

BLM will:

n Continue to work to ensure the 

BLM Air Resource Management 

Program has adequate and 

appropriate air resources staff 

to handle growing complexity 

and challenges. Such specialists 

provide subject matter 

expertise throughout the BLM, 

coordinating with field office 

air contacts to assist with air 

resource management and the 

development of relationships 

with stakeholders.

n Increase the effectiveness of 

air contacts and line managers 

by ensuring access to relevant 

information, basic training, and 

communications with the core 

staff of air resource specialists. 

The BLM Washington Office 

and the National Operations 

Center are initiating an effort 

to improve the content of the 

BLM’s air resources website to 

better support the needs of air 

contacts; this website will be 

maintained on a regular basis to 

ensure that its content remains 

relevant. An air resources 

SharePoint site also has been 

developed to support interactive 

information exchange and 

communication among the air 

resources team within the BLM.

n Develop basic training courses 

to improve comprehension and 

awareness of management, 

technical, and regulatory issues. 

The National Training Center is 

preparing an introductory, webbased soil, water, and air course 

with a team of air resource 

specialists and other subject 

matter experts. Staff also will be 

encouraged to attend training 

courses available through other 

agencies to increase knowledge 

and build personal working 

relationships.

n Develop and issue air program 

guidance to ensure consistent 

approaches are used, and 

provide references for air 
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

13

contacts and line managers to 

address technical and process 

questions. BLM Manual Section 

7300 was issued in 2009 to 

document the authority, policy, 

objectives, program structure, 

roles, and responsibilities for the 

BLM Air Resource Management 

Program. The BLM will develop a 

handbook addressing technical, 

regulatory, and management 

considerations for the program.

n Increase internal communication 

and interaction with smoke 

management staff in the fire 

directorate to ensure the BLM fully 

utilizes available expertise and 

to ensure all parties are aware of 

and understand existing policies 

and regulations. Air resources 

and smoke management programs 

are managed under different BLM 

directorates, and it is important 

to facilitate coordination across 

staffs in many offices.

4. Conclusion

The goals and objectives 

described in this 5-year strategy 

will enable the BLM Air Resource 

Management Program to meet 

challenges posed by the increasing 

demand for resource development 

and recreational opportunities 

on public lands. This strategy will 

enable the BLM to continue to 

protect air resources while carrying 

out FLPMA’s multiple-use mandate 

for managing public lands. New 

emphasis on proactive measures 

that reduce emissions, regional air

resource assessments, and 

improved monitoring and 

data management will be 

critical to its success. 

Collaborative relationships with 

other agencies and stakeholders, 

plus heightened air expertise 

within the BLM, will be equally 

important. The strategy also 

offers opportunities for continual 

learning that can inform the BLM’s 

air resource management activities 

as well as its other resource 

management efforts.
BLM AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGY 2015–2020

14

List of Acronyms

AQRV – air quality related value

BLM – Bureau of Land Management

BMP – best management practice

CAA – Clean Air Act

DOI – Department of the Interior

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency

FLF – Federal Leadership Forum

FLM agency – federal land management agency

FLPMA – Federal Land Policy and Management Act

FWS – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

GHG – greenhouse gas

MOU – memorandum of understanding

NAAQS – national ambient air quality standards

NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act

NPS – National Park Service

NWCG – National Wildfire Coordinating Group

RMP – resource management plan

SmoC – Smoke Committee

USDA – U.S. Department of Agriculture

USFS – U.S. Forest Service

WESTAR – Western States Air Resources Council

WRAP – Western Regional Air Partnership