This technical reference outlines the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) process for assessing the functioning condition of riparian areas on public lands. Emphasis is placed on the interaction of vegetation, landforms/soils, and hydrology in defining capability and potential of an area. The importance of using an interdisciplinary team is also stressed. The document describes all four categories of functioning condition--proper functioning condition, functional--at risk, nonfunctional, and unknown, and discusses management strategies for each.