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Minimum Requirements Analysis

Conducting a minimum requirements analysis follows the direction of both law and agency policy and helps land managers make informed decisions. Although there are a number of different minimum requirements forms available for use, the form referenced here is the Minimum Requirements Decision Guide, or MRDG, developed by the interagency Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center. In addition to the documents provided here, the Carhart Center also offers a free Minimum Requirements Analysis online training course.

Minimum Requirements Decision Guide, 2012 Revision

This revised Minimum Requirements Decision Guide (MRDG) is designed to assist wilderness managers in making stewardship decisions. Units with special provisions mandated by legislation subsequent to the Wilderness Act of 1964 must insure full consideration of these other legal requirements. Wilderness managers in Alaska must insure that their decisions are in accordance with the provisions of ANILCA.

Process Outline Provides a brief outline of the MRDG process.

Overview Provides general information on the origin of the MRDG process, how to use it, and how it relates to emergencies, NEPA, planning.

Instructions Provides guidance on how to fill out worksheets.

Workbook Provides an Excel-based fill-in form that all agencies can use to display and compare proposed alternatives and document decisions.

Agency Guidelines Provides additional agency-specific guidance, if necessary, or desired. Bureau of Land Management Guidelines Fish and Wildlife Service Guidelines Forest Service Guidelines National Park Service Guidelines

Evaluation Guide Provides section-by-section guidance on what an unacceptable, acceptable or outstanding MRDG contains.

Case Study Examples The following case study examples appear in a variety of formats that may not exactly match the latest MRDG format available above. The MRA process and the MRDG have evolved over the years through use by wilderness managers and the lessons learned have been integrated into each subsequent revision. The examples provided here should be used as a reference while following agency guidelines and using the current MRDG Instructions and Worksheets as needed. Fence Removal Fire Restoration - BAER Fish Weir - structure, motorized equipment Fish Weir - helicopter Fish - restoration of native species Grazing - chainsaw, motor vehicle Human Waste - river Non-native Invasive Plants - herbicides, hand-pulling, grazing Non-native Invasive Plants - herbicides, helicopter Oil Spill Cleanup - motorized equipment, motor vehicle, helicopter Power Line Hazard Tree Removal Restoration - Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Road Decommissioning Trail Bridge Failure - structure, helicopter Trail Bridge Washout - structure Trail Maintenance - clearing fallen trees Trail Reconstruction - fire, structures, helicopter Trail Reconstruction - rock drill Wildlife Survey - helicopter Wildlife Protection - education

Alaska Supplement Provides assistance in adapting the use of the MRDG to Alaska's wilderness units with respect to the Wilderness Act of 1964 (PL 88-577) and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA), as amended, (PL 96-487).

AFWA Minimum Requirement Decision Process Outline Outlines the Minimum Requirements Decisions Process for certain proposed projects within wilderness proposed by State fish and wildlife agencies.