Wilderness Characteristics
Guidance for the BLM
I. Introduction
II. Inventory Procedures
III. Planning
A. Background to LWCs in Planning
B. Factors to Consider When Protecting LWCs
C. Placing LWCs in the Land Use Planning Process
D. LWCs and Proposed Projects
Planning – Factors
Wilderness Characteristics
Guidance for the BLM
Considering lands with
wilderness characteristics
in land use planning:
Factors to Consider
Planning – Factors
Factor #1
Wilderness Characteristics
Review documented inventories
referenced in Land Use Plan
available to the public
Planning – Factors
Factor #2
Manageability
 Land status
 inholdings?
 access?
 split estate?
Planning – Factors
Factor #2
Manageability
 Land status
 External impacts
 incompatible activities pervasive &
omnipresent?
Planning – Factors
Factor #2
Manageability
 Land status
 External impacts
 Other laws
 additional statutory requirements?
 NPRPA
 O&C Lands Act
Planning – Factors
Factor #2
Manageability
 Land status
 External impacts
 Other laws
 Boundary modification?
 boundary road maintenance buffer?
 boundary vary by Alternative?
Planning – Factors
Factor #3
Other Resource Values & Uses
 Lost or degraded if LWC protected
 Preserved, recovered, or improved
if LWC protected
Planning – Factors
Factor #3
Other Resource Values & Uses
 Lost or degraded
 Preserved, recovered, or improved
 presence of other resources?
 development potential?
 compatibility with protection?
 resource availability?
 economic importance?
 Boundary modification?
Planning – Factors
Factor #4
recent Congressional action
 WSA released in legislation
 no longer managed under the IMP
 still have wilderness characteristics
(by definition as a WSA)
 immediate Congressional intent:
 do not preserve WCs on these areas
 circumstances may change
Planning – Factors
Wilderness Characteristics
Guidance for the BLM
Considering lands with
wilderness characteristics
in land use planning:
Factors to Consider
End of Module IIIB
Planning – Factors