ePlanning at the Bureau of Land Management

With ePlanning Version 2.0, the BLM is developing a new version of their current software to transition from a primarily custom-code based application to one that relies on Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) products and provides for a more robust application. In particular, the BLM has chosen to integrate a COTS Content Management System (CMS), as well as XML editing and publishing tools, into ePlanning.

Bureau of Land Management

Agency Profile

Land use planning in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is guided by both the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). These Acts ensure that land use planning is done in a transparent, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive manner. The BLM Land Use Planning Handbook provides specific guidance for preparing, amending, revising, maintaining, implementing, monitoring and evaluating BLM land use plans, which are referred to as “Resource Management Plans”. To implement these laws and procedures, BLM employs tools within their ePlanning software.

With ePlanning Version 2.0, the BLM is developing a new version of their current software to transition from a primarily custom-code based application to one that relies on Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) products and provides for a more robust application. In particular, the BLM has chosen to integrate a COTS Content Management System (CMS), as well as XML editing and publishing tools, into ePlanning.

The Problem

• Complex content that not only contains traditional text and graphics but also geo-spatial images from a Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Cumbersome review processes
• Must be able to audit comments and their resolution

The Solution

• Provide an XML-based publishing system for the BLM’s complex documents,
• Support a content management architecture, collaboration/review/approval functionality among government organizations, and enable the public to easily review and comment on BLM documents
• Track comment disposition and resolution, resulting in a more streamlined and efficient workflow for the BLM.

The Benefits

The BLM expects to achieve additional savings, efficiencies and greater control over the land use planning process life cycle.