Sec 37-620.21. Holistic resource management program

A. The state land commissioner may coordinate the development of a process of using holistic resource management planning methods to incorporate the critical habitat requirements of plant and animal species with the resource use requirements of this state. If developed, this planning process shall be used as a model for developing specific area plans and developing conservation agreements with the United States fish and wildlife service to alleviate the need for critical habitat designations in this state. In developing the planning process the commissioner may consult with:

1. Holistic resource management practitioners and experts.

2. Federal and state land and wildlife management agencies.

3. Natural resources commodity groups.

B. The commissioner may test the holistic resource management planning process developed under subsection A by developing a plan for at least two areas that are currently proposed as critical habitat for one or more species of concern. The commissioner may develop the plan in conjunction with:

1. Affected land owning and land management entities.

2. Lessees or permittees of land in the planning area.

3. Known land use groups in the planning area.

4. Natural resource conservation districts.

5. Environmental organizations that are incorporated under the laws of this state or that are qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the United States internal revenue code for federal income tax purposes.

C. If a test plan is developed, the commissioner and entities that are identified under subsection B shall select planning areas based on at least the following factors:

1. The planning area must be large enough in size to represent a management unit for purposes of logging, grazing, mining or other land use activities.

2. The planning area must contain proposed or designated critical habitat of the species of concern.

D. The state land department is the central repository for all holistic resource management plans that are developed pursuant to this section.