Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management Active
Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product—structured science syntheses—for facilitating use of the science information in public lands decisions.
Understanding potential environmental effects of proposed planning and management actions is a core responsibility of public lands management and is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages a large area of public lands in the United States and conducts many environmental impact analyses every year. Science information is foundational to this process.
Decision makers in the BLM and other public land management agencies rely on science and analytical tools to understand potential effects of proposed actions on people, animals, plants, watersheds, climate, and many other resources. However, comprehensive reviews of science relevant to agency decisions can be challenging. Agency staff often have limited time available to compile and synthesize existing science and data. In addition, staff regularly face new and diverse sets of management issues and may not always have the specific background, training, or expertise needed to synthesize information about a given issue or topic.
As a result, the BLM has identified a need to explore ways to help facilitate the integration of science information into its decisions and NEPA analyses.
To help address this need, an ongoing program of work has compiled and summarized recent, peer-reviewed science and data about priority topics such as sage-grouse (for example, Carter and others, 2020; Maxwell and others, 2023; Teige and other, 2023) and invasive grasses (for example, Poor and others, 2021). USGS and BLM have also worked together to synthesize existing science on major topics (for example, Hanser and others, 2018). In this project, we are developing a new type of product—science syntheses structured specifically to inform NEPA analyses on public lands.
Project Goal
Our goals are to produce multiple science syntheses, develop clear instructions for developing science syntheses, and begin to build a library of science syntheses on priority topics for resource managers in the BLM.
Approach
Scientists and managers at the USGS Fort Collins Science Center, BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, and USGS Land Management Research Program are collaborating to write several initial science syntheses (see list below).
As we develop these initial syntheses, we are gathering feedback from BLM staff about the organization, content, format, and potential uses of the syntheses. We also plan to conduct a formal feedback process with BLM staff about challenges and benefits to the use of these syntheses in NEPA analyses. The feedback and review processes are helping to refine the pilot syntheses, inform the development of subsequent syntheses, and maximize the usefulness of this new product for public land managers.
We will ultimately use our experience with these initial syntheses and agency feedback to write clear guidance and instructions for developing structured science syntheses for NEPA analyses. We will then apply the process by continuing to work with managers and science partners to create a library of science syntheses about priority management topics.
Anticipated benefits
Structured science syntheses package science information in a new way, with the intention of helping to bridge the research-management gap for public lands management (Carter and others, 2020). These syntheses can provide the BLM and other land management agencies with tailored, practical science products that can directly inform their NEPA analyses. In addition, by working to build a library of science syntheses over time, we will be providing resource managers with tailored products that they can use to readily inform a suite of complex, emergent, and high-priority public land management issues.
Interagency Science-Management Partnership
The USGS, BLM, and FWS are working together to coproduce this project to create practical, actionable science that informs planning, policy, and management decisions on public lands (see BLM’s Coproduction Toolkit for more information on coproduction).
Published science syntheses
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Effects of culverts on habitat connectivity in streams—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information about the potential effects of culverts on stream connectivity and subsequent effects on fish. We conducted a stru
-
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information about the potential effects of noise from oil and gas development on North American ungulates and small mammals, i
Related Structured Science Synthesis Projects
-
USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management
As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have...
-
Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal public land managers to assess potential environmental impacts of proposed actions. The USGS, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado State University, and North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center are working together to develop science syntheses that can facilitate considerations of climate change in...
-
Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions
Sage-grouse, iconic birds of the American West, have experienced dramatic reductions and fragmentation of habitat, resulting in significant conservation concern. Genetic information can help inform priorities for protection and habitat restoration as well as strategies for translocations, but may be difficult for resource managers to find, interpret, and use in their decision making. In this work...
Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions
USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management
Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome
Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource managers
Developing a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management
Developing a toolkit for coproducing actionable science to support public land management
Annotated Bibliography of Scientific Research on Greater Sage-Grouse
- Overview
Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product—structured science syntheses—for facilitating use of the science information in public lands decisions.
Understanding potential environmental effects of proposed planning and management actions is a core responsibility of public lands management and is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages a large area of public lands in the United States and conducts many environmental impact analyses every year. Science information is foundational to this process.
Decision makers in the BLM and other public land management agencies rely on science and analytical tools to understand potential effects of proposed actions on people, animals, plants, watersheds, climate, and many other resources. However, comprehensive reviews of science relevant to agency decisions can be challenging. Agency staff often have limited time available to compile and synthesize existing science and data. In addition, staff regularly face new and diverse sets of management issues and may not always have the specific background, training, or expertise needed to synthesize information about a given issue or topic.
As a result, the BLM has identified a need to explore ways to help facilitate the integration of science information into its decisions and NEPA analyses.
To help address this need, an ongoing program of work has compiled and summarized recent, peer-reviewed science and data about priority topics such as sage-grouse (for example, Carter and others, 2020; Maxwell and others, 2023; Teige and other, 2023) and invasive grasses (for example, Poor and others, 2021). USGS and BLM have also worked together to synthesize existing science on major topics (for example, Hanser and others, 2018). In this project, we are developing a new type of product—science syntheses structured specifically to inform NEPA analyses on public lands.
Project Goal
Our goals are to produce multiple science syntheses, develop clear instructions for developing science syntheses, and begin to build a library of science syntheses on priority topics for resource managers in the BLM.
Approach
Scientists and managers at the USGS Fort Collins Science Center, BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, and USGS Land Management Research Program are collaborating to write several initial science syntheses (see list below).
As we develop these initial syntheses, we are gathering feedback from BLM staff about the organization, content, format, and potential uses of the syntheses. We also plan to conduct a formal feedback process with BLM staff about challenges and benefits to the use of these syntheses in NEPA analyses. The feedback and review processes are helping to refine the pilot syntheses, inform the development of subsequent syntheses, and maximize the usefulness of this new product for public land managers.
We will ultimately use our experience with these initial syntheses and agency feedback to write clear guidance and instructions for developing structured science syntheses for NEPA analyses. We will then apply the process by continuing to work with managers and science partners to create a library of science syntheses about priority management topics.
Anticipated benefits
Structured science syntheses package science information in a new way, with the intention of helping to bridge the research-management gap for public lands management (Carter and others, 2020). These syntheses can provide the BLM and other land management agencies with tailored, practical science products that can directly inform their NEPA analyses. In addition, by working to build a library of science syntheses over time, we will be providing resource managers with tailored products that they can use to readily inform a suite of complex, emergent, and high-priority public land management issues.
Interagency Science-Management Partnership
The USGS, BLM, and FWS are working together to coproduce this project to create practical, actionable science that informs planning, policy, and management decisions on public lands (see BLM’s Coproduction Toolkit for more information on coproduction).
Published science syntheses-
Effects of culverts on habitat connectivity in streams—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information about the potential effects of culverts on stream connectivity and subsequent effects on fish. We conducted a stru
-
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information about the potential effects of noise from oil and gas development on North American ungulates and small mammals, i
Related Structured Science Synthesis Projects-
USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management
As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have...
-
Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal public land managers to assess potential environmental impacts of proposed actions. The USGS, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado State University, and North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center are working together to develop science syntheses that can facilitate considerations of climate change in...
-
Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions
Sage-grouse, iconic birds of the American West, have experienced dramatic reductions and fragmentation of habitat, resulting in significant conservation concern. Genetic information can help inform priorities for protection and habitat restoration as well as strategies for translocations, but may be difficult for resource managers to find, interpret, and use in their decision making. In this work...
-
- Science
Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions
Sage-grouse, iconic birds of the American West, have experienced dramatic reductions and fragmentation of habitat, resulting in significant conservation concern. Genetic information can help inform priorities for protection and habitat restoration as well as strategies for translocations, but may be difficult for resource managers to find, interpret, and use in their decision making. In this work...USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management
As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have...Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal public land managers to assess potential environmental impacts of proposed actions. The USGS, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado State University, and North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center are working together to develop science syntheses that can facilitate considerations of climate change in...Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource managers
Resource management decisions need to be informed by up-to-date, quality science and data. However there is sometimes an overwhelming number of scientific publications for managers to consider in their decisions. This project provides concise summaries of recent, peer-reviewed science and data products about different resources and topics of management concern, integrated into a searchable tool.Developing a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess potential impacts of proposed actions as part of their decision-making processes. Assessing potential cumulative effects is a challenging component of NEPA analyses. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a process that staff can use to strengthen cumulative effects analyses.Developing a toolkit for coproducing actionable science to support public land management
Coproduction is a highly collaborative approach to conducting science that focuses on producing actionable products that are used to inform natural resource management decisions. This project will develop an informational toolkit to facilitate coproduction between resource managers and science providers in the context of federal public land management.Annotated Bibliography of Scientific Research on Greater Sage-Grouse
The greater sage-grouse has been a focus of scientific investigation and management action for the past two decades. The sheer number of scientific publications can be a challenge for managers tasked with evaluating and determining the need for potential updates to existing planning documents. - Publications
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