Opinion ID: 656190
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Compliance with NFMA

Text: 12 The Service regulations promulgated under NFMA require that in preparing an LRMP, the Service must consider a broad range of reasonable alternatives in order to comply with NEPA and to provide an adequate basis for identifying the alternative that comes nearest to maximizing net public benefits. 36 C.F.R. § 219.12(f) (1992). NLAA argues that the Service did not comply with this requirement because grazing levels under the various alternatives considered did not encompass a sufficiently broad range. The district court rejected this contention because the alternatives covered a broad spectrum from primarily commercially-oriented uses to primarily wilderness uses. 13 We agree with the district court. The Service considered nine different alternatives and projected the grazing outputs likely to result from these alternative plans. The projected grazing levels ranged from 100,000 AUMs to 91,800 AUMs for the period of 1991-2000. 4 One of the alternatives involved maintaining the then current grazing level of 98,400 AUMs. The alternative eventually adopted had a forecasted grazing output in the middle of the range of alternatives, at 98,100 AUMs for the 1991-2000 period. Since the maximum level of grazing possible without impairing range productivity was considered to be 101,600 AUMs, the range of alternatives included grazing outputs as close to 100% capacity. The Service was not required to scrutinize alternatives that could not reasonably be considered feasible options. Cf. Idaho Conservation League v. Mumma, 956 F.2d 1508, 1522 (9th Cir.1992) (noting that an agency need not consider alternatives known to be unacceptable at the outset). 14 NLAA also argues that the Service's consideration of the nine alternatives was insufficient because the grazing levels were predetermined and hardwired into the FORPLAN computer program used to compare the different alternatives. However, according to the Service, the grazing output levels were estimated by range managers familiar with the management standards involved in each of the alternative plans and with the particular allotments of land. NLAA does not cite any authority suggesting that the Service was required to rely on something other than estimations by its own managers. It is enough that there is evidence in the record that the grazing output levels were derived by professional estimation and were not arbitrarily selected. Cf. Perkins v. Bergland, 608 F.2d 803, 807 n. 12 (9th Cir.1979) (To prove that an agency used 'irrational' [scientific] methods ... a contesting party must show that there is virtually no evidence in the record to support the agency's methodology in gathering and evaluating the data.). Since the grazing levels were not arbitrarily imposed, we conclude that the Service considered a sufficiently broad range of alternatives.
15 The Service regulations require that the Service maintain records of the planning process. Title 36 C.F.R. § 219.10(h) provides:The Forest Supervisor ... shall develop and maintain planning records that document the decisions and activities that result from the process of developing a forest plan. Records that support analytical conclusions made and alternatives considered by the team and approved by the Forest Supervisor throughout the planning process shall be maintained. 16 36 C.F.R. § 219.10(h) (1992). NLAA contends that the Service failed to adequately document its methodology in calculating the projected grazing outputs. However, the Service did maintain handwritten worksheets reflecting the calculations made. We agree with the Service that section 219.10(h) does not require more detailed documentation of individual decisions made during the lengthy planning process. See Marathon Oil, 807 F.2d at 765 (noting that an agency's interpretation of its regulations is generally controlling). NLAA's additional assertion that the Service was specifically required to produce the scientific data and literature it considered is not supported by § 219.10(h) or any other authority cited by NLAA. 5 17