The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is beginning development of a Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Eastern Interior Planning Area. The plan, known as the Eastern Interior RMP, will provide future direction for 8 million acres of public land including the White Mountains National Recreation Area, the Steese National Conservation Area, and the Fortymile area. In addition, it will cover BLM lands in the upper Black River and the greater Fairbanks area that are currently not included in an existing land use plan.

Resource management plans provide the BLM with comprehensive, long-term direction concerning the use and management of resources on BLM-managed public lands. The Eastern Interior RMP will establish goals and objectives for managing resources, and will outline the measures needed to achieve those goals and objectives. It will identify lands available for certain uses, along with any restrictions on those uses, and will identify lands closed to certain uses.

The planning process will take about three years to complete. Along with the RMP, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be developed as part of the planning process . An integral component of the Eastern Interior RMP is public involvement. Throughout the project, stakeholders and residents will have opportunities to participate and share their insights and comments. 

This Web site provides the latest information on the development of the Eastern Interior RMP and the EIS, including background documents, maps, meeting announcements, published bulletins and other documents. 

Link to the BLM Alaska Land Use Planning Website