Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective
Date: 2/1/08
Series: Environmental Quality
Programs
Part 522: Adaptive Management
Chapter 1: Adaptive Management Implementation Policy
Originating Office: Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance
522 DM 1
1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide
implementation policy guidance for Department of the Interior bureaus and
offices to incorporate adaptive management strategies into their land and
resource management decisions.
1.2 Scope. This chapter applies to all DOI bureau and office
activities involving the management of Federal lands and resources under the
jurisdiction of DOI.
1.3 Definition. Building on the definition developed by the National
Research Council, adaptive management is operationally defined in The Technical
Guide as follows:
Adaptive Management - Adaptive Management is a decision process that promotes flexible decision making that can be adjusted in the face of uncertainties as outcomes from management actions and other events become better understood. Careful monitoring of these outcomes both advances scientific understanding and helps adjust policies or operations as part of an iterative learning process. Adaptive management also recognizes the importance of natural variability in contributing to ecological resilience and productivity. It is not a ‘trial and error’ process, but rather emphasizes learning while doing. Adaptive management does not represent an end in itself, but rather a means to more effective decisions and enhanced benefits. Its true measure is in how well it helps meet environmental, social, and economic goals; increases scientific knowledge; and reduces tensions among stakeholders.
1.4 Policy. The
Department’s policy is to encourage the use of adaptive management as
appropriate as a tool in managing lands and resources.
1.5 Implementation: Adaptive Management: The U.S. Department of the Interior Technical
Guide is the technical basis for adaptive decision making for the
Department and bureaus. Bureaus should
incorporate the operational components identified in the Technical Guide –
including the evaluation of success – into internal programmatic guidance as
needed to assure appropriate application.
Bureaus may achieve better resource management outcomes through
cost-effective cooperative conservation based on adaptive management. Bureaus and offices are required to:
A. Conduct all adaptive management activities
in full compliance with applicable laws and other authorities.
B. Conduct appropriate and applicable
environmental monitoring to determine resource status, promote learning, and
evaluate progress toward achieving objectives whenever using adaptive management.
C. Incorporate adaptive management principles,
as appropriate, into policies, plans, guidance, agreements, and other
instruments for the management of resources under the Department’s
jurisdiction.
1.6 Responsibilities.
A. The Assistant Secretary - Policy,
Management and Budget is responsible for overseeing the Department’s
compliance with this policy and designating a chair for the Adaptive Management
Working Group (AMWG).
B. The Program Assistant Secretaries
are responsible for ensuring that their subordinate bureaus and offices comply
with the policy in this chapter.
C. The Heads of Bureaus and Offices
are responsible for:
(1) Ensuring that their organizations comply
with this policy.
(2) Developing appropriate bureau or office
policy and guidance to address adaptive management as it relates to
bureau-specific missions and legislation.
The policy and guidance should be consistent with the conditions for use
identified in the technical guide.
(3) Incorporating and applying adaptive
management as appropriate.
(4) Providing technical support for
Departmental reviews of adaptive management activities and associated policies
when requested.
(5) Appointing an employee with appropriate
technical expertise to represent the bureau or office on the AMWG. Representatives are required for the
following bureaus and offices: Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Office of Environmental Policy and
Compliance, U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Management Service, and Office of
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
Heads of other bureaus and offices are encouraged, but not required, to
appoint a representative to the AMWG.
(6) Ensuring that persons conducting adaptive
management activities have the appropriate training necessary to ensure their
understanding of adaptive management, so as to conform to this policy.
D. The Office of Environmental Policy and
Compliance is responsible for:
(1) Serving as the lead Office for revising
this policy when warranted by changes in technical information, Federal
statutes, regulations, or other conditions.
Any bureau or office can initiate changes by contacting the Office of Environmental
Policy and Compliance.
(2) Soliciting and considering the views of all
interested Departmental offices and bureaus when the Department contemplates
changes in this policy.
(3) When requested, providing technical
assistance and guidance to Departmental offices and bureaus in understanding
and implementing adaptive management.
E. The Adaptive Management Working Group
is responsible for:
(1) Developing a charter to direct the
operations of the AMWG.
(2) Providing communication, coordination and
oversight of training, research, and technical assistance to bureaus on
adaptive management.
(3) Updating the Adaptive Management Technical
Guide when necessary, and providing supplemental guidance as needed.
(4) The AMWG will be led by a Departmental
executive designated by the Assistant Secretary - Policy, Management and
Budget.
1.7 Guidance. Guidance is published in Adaptive Management: The U.S.
Department of the Interior Technical Guide, available at http://www.doi.gov. The Technical Guide is a key component of the
Department’s adaptive management training program and Web site. The Technical Guide indicates that adaptive
management is not applicable to all resource management situations. The guide identifies conditions under which
adaptive management may be warranted.
These conditions include an opportunity to apply learning, clear
management objectives, and monitoring systems with a reasonable expectation of
reducing uncertainty.
2/1/08 #3786
New