Purpose and Need for the Plan

The need for the North Dakota RMP revision is to address changes in resource conditions, shifting demands for resource uses, new technologies, new program and resource guidance and policies, and new scientific information since the development of the 1988 RMP. The purpose of the RMP revision is to develop management direction to guide future land management for BLM-managed lands and minerals in North Dakota.  The BLM has identified four specific purposes to describe BLM’s distinctive role in the North Dakota landscape: (1) provide opportunities for mineral and energy development, (2) contribute to the conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered and special status species, (3) provide recreational opportunities and improve access to BLM-managed lands, and (4) manage for other social and scientific values.

Cooperating Agencies

The BLM is the lead agency for the North Dakota RMP/EIS. The following 11 agencies are currently participating as cooperating agencies:

  • North Dakota Parks and Recreation

  • Billings County

  • Bowman County

  • McKenzie County

  • Mountrail County

  • US Army Corps of Engineers

  • US Environmental Protection Agency

  • US Fish and Wildlife Service

  • US Forest Service, Dakota Prairie Grasslands

  • National Park Service

  • Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Scoping

The BLM initiated public scoping for the North Dakota RMP/EIS with the publication of a Notice of Intent on July 28, 2020 (85 Federal Register 45438). The BLM hosted two virtual public scoping meetings on August 18 and August 20, 2020. The comment period ended on August 28, 2020. The BLM received 14 unique submissions that contained 85 separate substantive comments. The planning issues identified through scoping are presented in the North Dakota RMP/EIS Scoping Report.

 
 
 
 

For more information on the North Dakota RMP/EIS, please visit the project’s BLM ePlanning website or contact Kristine Braun, Eastern Montana/Dakotas Planning and Environmental Coordinator, at 701-227-7725.

To be added or removed from the mailing list, please send an email to blm_mt_north_dakota_rmp@blm.gov.

Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service (FedRelay) at 1-800-877-8339 TTY/ASCII to contact the above individual during normal business hours or to leave a message or question after hours. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.