Identifying priority science needs for strengthening the science foundation for decision making in the Bureau of Land Management

Background

BLM is committed to using science-informed decision making at every level and in every program of the agency to increase the science foundation, consistency, transparency, and defensibility of the agency’s decisions (Kitchell and others, 2015). A key first question is ‘What are the current priority science needs for the agency?’ In essence, what gaps in the science information currently available to BLM planners and managers may be hindering their ability to make effective, scientifically sound resource management decisions?

Project goal

Our goal is to work together with BLM to conduct a structured, repeatable analysis of priority science needs for the agency based on multiple lines of evidence.

Types of science information needs

We are focused on four types of science information that could strengthen the foundation for BLM planning and management decisions:

1. Quality data on the presence and condition of resources of concern.
2. Scientific studies relevant to the potential for proposed actions (for example, energy development, recreation) to impact resources (for example, rare species, water quality).
3. Reasoned and repeatable methods for quantifying potential effects of proposed actions on resources.
4. Effective actions for mitigating any negative impacts of proposed actions on resources of concern.

Approach

We are examining multiple publicly available documents to provide a comprehensive assessment of potential science information needs, including BLM management decisions, BLM Resource Management Plans, challenges to BLM planning and management decisions, BLM-authored Science Plans, and news media coverage of the BLM.

Anticipated benefit

Results can help BLM strategically fill current science and data gaps that can support consistent, science-informed decision making across the agency. One focus is developing online, searchable summaries and syntheses of science on high priority topics, such as greater sage-grouse and invasive annual grasses.

Science-Management Partnership

The USGS and BLM are working together as partners to coproduce this effort, with a goal of producing practical, actionable science that informs planning, policy, and management decisions on western lands (see Beier and others, 2017 for more information on coproduction).

Related Publications

Using public litigation records to identify priority science needs for managing public lands - Ecology & Society (ecologyandsociety.org)