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Delineating Draft Inventory Analysis Units for National Scenic and Historic Trails Inventory, Assessment, and Monitoring Programs

Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5060
Land Management Research Program
Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245060

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Abstract

As of 2024, there are 32 National Scenic and Historic Trails (NSHTs) in the system administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The BLM administers, manages, and protects 19 of these trails as part of its system of national conservation lands. Various laws, regulations, and policies require that the BLM conduct and maintain an inventory to protect trail-related resources, qualities, values, associated settings, and primary use or uses. There are set procedures for conducting inventory, assessment, and monitoring (IAM) of NSHTs, as outlined in volumes 1 and 2 of BLM Technical Reference 6280-1. One of the first steps in the IAM process is deciding the area along a trail to inventory. However, volumes 1 and 2 of BLM Technical Reference 6280-1 do not specify how the land area to be inventoried should be delineated. The BLM calls these focus areas for IAM efforts “inventory analysis units” (IAUs), which are defined as the geospatial boundary for the location of an inventory along a trail. This report reviews the approach used to delineate the IAUs for an inventory effort and identifies best practices for creating initial IAUs, termed “draft IAUs.” Draft IAUs would provide standardization across multiple management jurisdictions by applying the same parameters for their delineation. These draft IAUs would provide trail managers with an area surrounding NSHTs that would trigger the need for an inventory if a project were proposed within it and are meant to be refined during localized inventory efforts. The best practices herein are for creating draft IAUs using standard parameters for performing a viewshed analysis to identify a proxy of land to include in an initial inventory effort.

Suggested Citation

Lindley, S.M., Wilkins, E.J., Farley, C., Rogers, K., and Schuster, R., 2024, Delineating draft inventory analysis units for National Scenic and Historic Trails inventory, assessment, and monitoring programs: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2024–5060, 14 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245060.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

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Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Background
  • Methods Used to Inform This Report
  • Current (as of 2024) Methods for Inventory Analysis Unit Delineation
  • Best Practices for Draft Inventory Analysis Unit Delineation
  • Conclusions
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Inventory, Assessment, and Monitoring Procedure for National Scenic and Historic Trails
  • Appendix 2. Questions Used to Guide Group Discussion at the November 2023 IAM [Inventory, Assessment, and Monitoring] Evolution Meeting
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Delineating draft inventory analysis units for National Scenic and Historic Trails inventory, assessment, and monitoring programs
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2024-5060
DOI 10.3133/sir20245060
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Fort Collins Science Center
Description vi, 14 p.
Country United States
State New Mexico
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details