The team has a mix of skills representing the biological, physical, and human elements, and includes a line officer and a research scientist. Guidelines developed by the Ecosystem Managemen Team are to be used by BLM and Forest Service employees for planning and management in our areas of responsibility. Also affected by our ecosystem management strategy are all interested publics and agencies who choose to be involved with the landscapes we manage. Major ongoing priorities of the team include training and education for implementation of ecosystem management, improving consistency between agencies, and information management. Ecosystem management and its principles are understood and supported within the communities.
Credible science is available and used as a foundation for making decisions.
After a series of meetings, the team worked out a generic form which begins the process but allows both agencies to act independently as their specific regulations direct. This way both agencies will have the same starting point but still allow individual flexibility. Those employees most affected are the BLM and Forest Service units with mineral activity. The public will likely find the standard forms a welcome relief - especially those who do business with both agencies. The major benefit is for the public using the permit process.