The BLM Wyoming State Office has launched a web site that will host the resource management plans (RMPs) that it administers. The development was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in conjunction with the BLM. The primary objectives of developing the web site include providing widespread public access to current versions of the RMPs and their supporting data, and a streamlined method for maintenance of the RMP. The web site hosts the RMP text, including maps, figures, tables, and related spatial data, such as Geographic Information System (GIS) data.

Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), the BLM prepares RMPs that serve as the basis for all activities that occur on BLM- administered public lands. Resource management decisions established in the RMP define where activities will be allowed and under what conditions.

RMPs are dynamic documents and the responsibility for managing these plans exists at the BLM Field Office level where minor changes and amendments are made on paper. For the public to review the changes, they needed to come to the BLM office where the record is maintained. By developing the web site, there is now widespread, easy access to the information contained in RMPs and the background information used to support the RMP decisions. Additionally, the web platform streamlines methods for updating and maintaining the RMPs in-house, and for rapidly disseminating the most current RMP information to the public electronically.

At this time, three of BLM Wyoming's RMPs are available because of this web-based platform: Grass Creek, Pinedale, and Great Divide. In the next 30 days, the site will host the RMPs for Platte River and Kemmerer. The platform provides a navigable, printable version of the current RMP text, access to supporting spatial data in a web-hosted browser, cross-linkages between the spatial data and the RMP decisions, and an archived copy of the original RMP. Field Office contact information and an electronic feedback mechanism are provided.

As a result of the successful prototype, the BLM Wyoming State Office will transfer all 13 of the state=s RMPs to the web-based platform. This work will span several years and will be undertaken to support planned RMP revisions and amendments.

The web-based Wyoming RMPs are available at http://www.wy.blm.gov. The development work was funded by the DOE=s National Petroleum Technology Office through the DOE/BLM Federal Lands Technology Partnership. This Partnership conducts research to support increased access to public lands with improved environmental protection. Subsequent development work is being funded by the BLM Wyoming State Office.