How does BLM evaluate an ACEC nomination?
Nominations for ACECs must stand the test for relevance and importance before they are evaluated for ACEC designation. To make this determination, a BLM interdisciplinary team uses information from both internal and external sources including other federal agencies, state and local government, conservation groups, research institutions, expert opinions, etc. Nominated areas meeting relevance and importance criteria become proposed ACECs, and are considered in the array of Resource Management Plan (RMP) alternatives. Each proposed ACEC is considered for designation in at least one of the management alternatives. The need for special management attention and the effects of applying such management are assessed in the environmental analysis. See Chart of ACEC Process.
