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Commissioners say BLM socioeconomic analysis relies on outdated 2012/2016 data
Summary
Commissioners and staff told the board the BLM socioeconomic section uses REMI/IMPLAN baselines from 2012 and 2016 and reports ranges between alternatives rather than a current, alternative-specific socioeconomic impact analysis; the county will add supporting socioeconomic information to the protest letter.
Commissioner Toman and county staff raised concerns that the BLM socioeconomic analysis in the FEIS relies on REMI/IMPLAN data from 2012 and 2016 and therefore does not reflect current conditions. "That's almost 10 years ago on the socioeconomic impacts," Toman said during questioning of staff.
Eric (staff) said the FEIS "only provided a range between alternative B and D" for some economic outputs rather than testing impacts tied to specific management actions and maps. He told the board staff will expand the socioeconomic section in the county's protest and said more detail would be appropriate if the county pursues an appeal. An attendee recommended adding a short statement in the protest noting that the FEIS used older baseline years and a range-based presentation rather than an independent, alternative-specific analysis.
