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RAMP Defined |
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RAMP = Recreation Area Management Plan The
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) periodically develops plans for
managing the land and resources under their control. The last such
plan for the Imperial Sand Dunes was published in July 1987 and
it also included an Environmental Assessment. To give you an idea
of what the RAMP is all about here are some quotes from that 1987
RAMP: “The RAMP represents an overall strategy for utilizing limited funding to meet the challenges of management in the Imperial Sand Dunes through the year 2000, within the framework of the California Desert Plan. The RAMP presents a coordinated implementation strategy organized around five funding levels…” So, when it’s all boiled down, it’s just a plan: a management strategy. In 1987 the BLM planned for the next 13 years. Some of the things they planned for happened, some did not. Some things were unforeseen and not planned for, but then it’s just a plan, not a crystal ball. The important thing to remember is that this becomes the "Bible" for operating the dunes for the next 10 to 15 years. Future managers of the ISDRA will refer to it for policy, guidance, and direction. |
| What's a DEIS and why do we need one? |
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DEIS stands for Draft Environmental Impact Statement. We have threatened and endangered species in the dunes now - that requires a Environmental Impact statement rather than just an Environmental Assessment like last time. A draft is done first so that all interested parties can comment on it. It contains in depth research to determine impact on environment, recreation, socioeconomic factors, health, safety, traffic, air quality, noise, cultural resources, water, law enforcement, public safety, etc. Usually, in a DEIS, 4 alternative plans are superficially developed. In the DEIS, the BLM reviews the four Alternative Plans (RAMPS) and determines why one is better than the rest. That one becomes the "Preferred Alternative" and is more fully developed into a separate document. That document then becomes known as the Draft Recreation Area Management Plan or DRAMP. |
| Next Steps in the Process |
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The BLM is obligated to consider and respond to all valid comments. They will be published in the final EIS Comments
needs to be specific and doable. We need to give the why, what,
when, where, and how of an idea we wish to see incorporated into
the next RAMP. If there are faulty assumptions or faulty data, we
need to explain why - pointing out the page and paragraph is beneficial See
below for other web pages and an outline to help you write your
comments. After the comment period is over, the BLM will go back and produce the final EIS and RAMP documents and submit them to US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for an opinion. The USFWS looks to see if the plan is in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. If it is, they give what is known as a "No Jeopardy Opinion" and the plan is made official by a Record of Decision (ROD) in the Federal Register. At that point, there is a 30-day protest period. The goal of the BLM is to have all this done by October 1, 2002 in time for the next riding season. |
| What's in the New RAMP |
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Some of what the BLM Intends:
Links to ROS Classifications (3.5 person
per vehicle) |
| Outline of comments |
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Our outline contains much more information and will be a tremendous help in writing your comments. Click
here for the Microsoft Word version of the outline. Here's the PowerPoint Presentation we are using at the info meetings - 640k so be patient
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