Attachment 5 Environmental Data.pdf

U. S. AIR FORCE INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES

MANAGEMENT PLAN

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON

(See INRMP signature pages for plan approval date)

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DRAFT

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson i

ABOUT THIS PLAN

This installation-specific Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is based on the U.S. Air Force’s (AF) standardized Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) template. This INRMP has been developed in cooperation with applicable stakeholders, which may include Sikes Act cooperating agencies and/or local equivalents, to document how natural resources will be managed. Non-U.S. territories will comply with applicable Final Governing Standards (FGS). Where applicable, external resources, including Air Force Instructions (AFIs); AF Playbooks; federal, state, local, FGS, biological opinion and permit requirements, are referenced.

Certain sections of this INRMP begin with standardized, AF-wide “common text” language that address AF and Department of Defense (DoD) policy and federal requirements. This common text language is restricted from editing to ensure that it remains standard throughout all plans. Immediately following the AF-wide common text sections are installation sections. The installation sections contain installation-specific content to address local and/or installation-specific requirements. Installation sections are unrestricted and are maintained and updated by AF environmental Installation Support Teams (ISTs) and/or installation personnel.

NOTE: The terms ‘Natural Resources Manager’, ‘NRM’ and ‘NRM/POC’ are used throughout this document to refer to the installation person responsible for the natural resources program, regardless of whether this person meets the qualifications within the definition of a natural resources management professional in DODI 4715.03.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PLAN .................................................................................................................................... i TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................. ii ACRONYMS .............................................................................................................................................. vii DOCUMENT CONTROL ........................................................................................................................... xi INRMP APPROVAL/SIGNATURE PAGES ............................................................................................. xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... xvi

1.0 OVERVIEW AND SCOPE

1.1 Purpose and Scope

1.2 Management Philosophy

1.2.1 Management Strategy at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)

1.3 Authority

1.4 Integration with Other Plans

2.0 INSTALLATION PROFILE

2.1 Installation Overview

2.1.1 Location and Area

2.1.2 Installation History

2.1.3 Military Missions

2.1.4 Surrounding Communities

2.1.5 Local and Regional Natural Areas

2.2 Physical Environment

2.2.1 Climate

2.2.2 Landforms

2.2.3 Geology and Soils

2.2.4 Hydrology

2.3 Ecosystems and the Biotic Environment

2.3.1 Ecosystem Classification

2.3.2 Vegetation

2.3.3 Fish and Wildlife

2.3.4 Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Concern

2.3.5 Wetlands and Floodplains

2.3.6 Other Natural Resource Information

2.4 Mission Impacts on Natural Resources

2.4.1 Natural Resource Constraints to Mission and Mission Planning

2.4.2 Land Use

2.4.3 Current Major Impacts

2.4.4 Potential Future Impacts

2.4.5 Natural Resources Needed to Support the Military Mission

3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

4.0 GENERAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

5.0 TRAINING

5.1.1 Installation Training

6.0 RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING

6.1 Recordkeeping

6.2 Reporting

6.3 Publications

7.0 NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

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7.1 Fish and Wildlife Management

7.1.1 Policy and Background

7.1.2 Fisheries Management

7.1.3 Wildlife Management

7.1.4 Ecosystem Management

7.2 Outdoor Recreation and Public Access to Natural Resources

7.2.1 Policy and Background

7.2.2 Public Access

7.2.3 Hunting and Fishing

7.2.4 Seasonal Activities

7.2.5 Outdoor Recreation Management

7.3 Conservation Law Enforcement

7.3.1 Policy and Background

7.3.2 Authority and Jurisdiction

7.3.3 Military Conservation Agent Program

7.3.4 Conservation Law Enforcement Investigators/Park Rangers

7.3.5 Cultural Resources Enforcement

7.3.6 Other Enforcement Areas

7.3.7 Enforcement Problem Areas

7.3.8 Manpower, Funding and Equipment

7.4 Management of Threatened and Endangered Species, Species of Concern and Habitats

7.4.1 Policy and Background

7.4.2 Protection of the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale on JBER

7.4.3 Harbor Porpoise

7.4.4 Harbor Seal

7.4.5 Bald Eagle

7.4.6 Species of Special Concern

7.5 Water Resource Protection

7.5.1 Policy and Background

7.5.2 Water Resources Management

7.5.3 Surface Water Quality Monitoring

7.5.4 Drinking Water Quality Monitoring

7.5.5 Groundwater

7.6 Wetland Protection

7.6.1 Policy and Background

7.6.2 Riparian Area Management Setback Requirements

7.6.3 Wetland Inventory and Monitoring

7.6.4 Wetland Management

7.6.5 Riparian Area Management

7.7 Land Management

7.7.1 Policy and Background

7.7.2 Management Issues and Planning

7.7.3 Airfield/BASH Program

7.7.4 Moose Run Golf Course

7.7.5 Eagleglen Fitness Park

7.7.6 Urban Forestry

7.7.7 Management Strategies for Vegetation Establishment

7.7.8 Vegetation Maintenance Programs

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7.7.9 Environmental Considerations

7.7.10 Gravel Resources

7.7.11 Mineral Leasing

7.8 Forest Management

7.8.1 Policy and Background

7.8.2 Forest Management Program Overview and Current Practices

7.9 Wildland Fire Management

7.9.1 Policy and Background

7.9.2 Wildfire Prevention

7.9.3 Wildfire Suppression

7.10 Agricultural Outleasing

7.10.1 Program Overview/Current Management Practices

7.11 Integrated Pest Management Program

7.11.1 Policy and Background

7.11.2 Program Overview/Current Management Practices

7.11.3 Invasive or Deleterious Fish and Wildlife Species

7.11.4 Noxious Plant/Invasive Species Management

7.12 Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH)

7.12.1 Policy and Background

7.12.2 Program Overview/Current Management Practices

7.13 Coastal Zone and Marine Resources Management

7.13.1 Policy and Background

7.13.2 Coastal Zone Protection Issues

7.13.3 Consistency with State Coastal Zone Management Program

7.14 Cultural Resources Protection

7.14.1 Policy and Background

7.14.2 Cultural Resources Implications for Natural Resources Management

7.15 Public Outreach

7.15.1 Policy and Background

7.15.2 Environmental Education and Interpretive Programs

7.15.3 Public Involvement and Community Outreach Opportunities

7.16 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

7.16.1 Program Overview/Current Management Practices

8.0 MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

8.1 JBER Natural Resources Goals and Objectives

8.2 Accomplishments

9.0 INRMP IMPLEMENTATION, UPDATE, AND REVISION PROCESS

9.1 Natural Resources Management Staffing and Implementation

9.1.1 Work Plans

9.1.2 Natural Resources Management Staffing

9.1.3 Implementation Funding Options

9.2 Monitoring INRMP Implementation

9.3 Annual INRMP Review and Update Requirements

9.3.1 Implementation and Review

9.3.2 Five-Year Review and Revisions

10.0 ANNUAL WORK PLANS

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APPENDICIES

APPENDIX A: References APPENDIX B: Definitions APPENDIX C: Laws and Regulations that May Affect JBER Natural Resources Management APPENDIX D: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Jurisdictional History APPENDIX E: Flora of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson APPENDIX F: Fauna of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson APPENDIX G: Partnership Documents Affecting Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson APPENDIX H: History of JBER Natural Resources Management APPENDIX I: Marine Mammal Observational Study Protocol and Results APPENDIX J: INRMP Correspondence and Comments Received

ASSOCIATED PLANS

TAB 1: Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (ICRMP) TAB 2: JBER Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (JBER SWPPP) TAB 3: Landscape Development Plan TAB 4: Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) TAB 5: Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard Management Plan (BASH) Plan TAB 6: Wildland Fire Management Plan TAB 7: JBER Storm Water Management Plan

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2-1: Installation/GSU Location and Area Descriptions Table 2-2: Listing of Tenants and NR Responsibility Table 2-3: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Climate Summary Table 2-4: Lakes and Ponds on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Table 2-5: Potential Species of Special Concern (Alaska) Table 2-6: Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Species Identified by USFWS or NOAA-NMFS Suspected or Recorded in the Upper Cook Inlet Project Area Table 2-7: Upper Cook Inlet Species Protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Species Protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act Observed in Knik Arm Table 2-8: Species of Special Concern Recognized for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Table 2-9: Wetland Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Classes on JBER Table 2-10: Wetland Descriptions by Vegetation and Hydrology Table 2-11: JBER Military Land Use Descriptions Table 4-1: General Roles and Responsibilities Table 7-1: Potential JBER Monitoring Species Table 7-2: Recommendations for Some Category A and B Activities Table 7-3: Native Seed mix Recommendation for JBER Airfields Table 7-4: JBER Cover Types and Acreages Table 7-5: JBER Estimated Annual Timber Harvest Table 9-1: Current JBER Natural Resources Management Staffing Table 10-1: FY 2016 Work Plan (with field work that occurred in 2017) Table 10-2: FY 2017 Work Plan with field work occurring in 2018 (as of 03/23/2018) Table 10-3: FY 2018 Work Plan with field work occurring in 2019

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Table 10-4: FY 2019 Programmed Work Plan Table 10-5: FY 2020 Programmed Work Plan Table 10-6: FY 2021 Programmed Work Plan Table 10-7: FY 2022 Programmed Work Plan Table 10-8: Reoccurring Budget Items Table 10-9: Annual In-house Tasks

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2-1: Location of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska Figure 2-2: Location of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska Figure 2-3: Historical Locations of Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson, Alaska Figure 2-4: Jurisdictional History and Ownership of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Land Figure 2-5: Daily Average High and Low Temperatures, with 25th to 75th percentile (inner band) and

10th and 90th percentile (outer band). Elmendorf Weather Station (2004-2012) Figure 2-6: Monthly Average Total Precipitation Figure 2-7: Probability of Precipitation at Elmendorf Weather Station (2004-2012) Figure 2-8: Fraction of Time Spent from the Various Wind Directions at Elmendorf Weather Station

(2004-2012) Figure 2-9: Soils on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 2-10: Watersheds, Surface Waters, and Topography on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 2-11: Ecotypes on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 2-12: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Critical Habitat Area in the Vicinity of JBER Figure 2-13: Wetlands on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 2-14: Land Use on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 2-15: Military Training Areas on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 4-1: Organizational Chart of the 673 ABW, Emphasizing the 673d CEI Environmental Element . 91 Figure 7-1: Moose Hunt Areas on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 7-2: Black Bear Authorized Hunting Areas on JBER Figure 7-3: Recreation Areas on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 7-4: Bald Eagle Nests on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 7-5: Water Monitoring Locations on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 7-6: Forested and Non-Forested Areas at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 7-7: Forest Harvest Management Activities at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Figure 7-8: Bird and Waterfowl Exclusion Zones on JBER vii

ACRONYMS

°F Fahrenheit 637 ABW 673d Air Base Wing 673 CEG 673d Civil Engineering Group 673 CES 673d Civil Engineering Squadron 673 CES/CEIE 673d CES, Environmental Element 673 CES/CEIEC 673d CES, Environmental Element, Compliance/Conservation 773 CES 773d Civil Engineering Squadron AAFES Army and Air Force Exchange Service ABW Air Base Wing ABWI Air Base Wing Instruction ACES Automated Cost Evaluation System ACES-PM Automated Civil Engineer System - Project Management ACMI Air Combat Maneuver Instrument ADEC Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation ADF&G Alaska Department of Fish and Game ADNR Alaska Department of Natural Resources AFCEC Air Force Civil Engineer Center AFI Air Force Instruction AFPD Air Force Policy Directive AFWA International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies APU Alaska Pacific University ARNG Army National Guard ASOP Airborne Standard Operating Procedures ATV All-terrain Vehicle BA Biological Assessment BAAF Bryant Army Airfield BASH Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard BCT Brigade Combat Team BEZ Bird Exclusion Zone BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act BLM Bureau of Land Management BMP Best Management Practices BO Biological Opinion C Candidate species CAC Common Access Card CAFI Cooperative Alaska Forest Inventory CBD Center for Biological Diversity CEG Civil Engineer Group CEMML Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act CES Civil Engineer Squadron CFR Code of Federal Regulations

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CIBW Cook Inlet Beluga Whale CLEO Conservation Law Enforcement Officer CWA Clean Water Act CY Calendar Year DoD Department of Defense DoDI Department of Defense Instruction DoDM Department of Defense Manual DOF Alaska Division of Forestry DOI Department of Interior DZ Drop Zone EA Environmental Assessment EAB Echelon Above Brigade EAFB Elmendorf Air Force Base EAP Environmental Action Plan EBC European Bird Cherry EFH Essential Fish Habitat EIAP Environmental Impact Analysis Process EIS Environmental Impact Statement EMP Environmental Management Plan EO Executive Order EOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal EPA Environmental Protection Agency ERF Eagle River Flats ESA Endangered Species Act ESRI Environmental Systems Research Institute FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FIA Forest Inventory and Analysis FISMP Federal Invasive Species Management Plan FLETC Federal Law Enforcement Training Center FONPA Finding of No Practicable Alternative FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact FRA Fort Richardson, Alaska FSP Field Sampling Plan FSS Force Support Squadron ft Feet FY Fiscal Year GEM Golf Course Environmental Management GIS Geographic Information System gpm Gallons per Minute GSA General Services Administration GSU Geographically-Separated Unit Ha hectare HAARP High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program

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ICRMP Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan ID/IQ Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity IED/C-IED Improvised Explosive Device/Counter Improvised Explosive Device INRMP Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan IPMP Integrated Pest Management Plan ITAM Integrated Training Area Management JBER Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson JBER-E Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson - Elmendorf JBER-R Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson - Richardson LRAM Land Rehabilitation and Maintenance LTEM Long-Term Ecological Monitoring LZ Landing Zone MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act MCA Military Conservation Agent METL Mission Essential Task List MFCMA Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act MOA Memorandum of Agreement MOA Municipality of Anchorage MOU Memorandum of Understanding MWH MWH Global Inc.

MWR Morale Welfare Recreation NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NHPA National Historic Preservation Act NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NRCS National Resources Conservation Service NWI National Wetlands Inventory NWP Nationwide Permit O&M Operation and Maintenance ORV Off-road Vehicle PDZ Potential Development Zones PEA Programmatic Environmental Assessment PSWCD Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control R&D Research and Development REV Relative Ecological Value RTLA Range and Training Land Assessment SERDP Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program SOW Statement or Scope of Work SRA Sustainable Range Awareness SRP Sustainable Range Program SWPPP Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan

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T&E Species Threatened and Endangered Species TA Training Area TRI Training Requirements Integration TSI Timber Stand Improvement U.S. United States UAA University of Alaska Anchorage USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USAF United States Air Force USAG-AK United State Army Garrison, Alaska USARAK United States Army, Alaska USC United States Code USDA United States Department of Agriculture USDA-APHIS-WS USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and Wildlife Services USFS U.S. Forest Service USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service UXO Unexploded Ordnance WEC Wildlife Education Center WFA Wetland Functional Assessment WFMP Wildland Fire Management Plan xi

DOCUMENT CONTROL

Record of Review – The INRMP is updated not less than annually, or as changes to natural resource management and conservation practices occur, including those driven by changes in applicable regulations.

In accordance with (IAW) the Sikes Act and AFI 32-7064, Natural Resources Management, the INRMP is required to be reviewed for operation and effect not less than every five years. Annual reviews and updates are accomplished by the base Natural Resources Manager (NRM), and/or an Installation Support Team Natural Resources Media Manager. The installation shall establish and maintain regular communications with the appropriate federal and state agencies. At a minimum, the installation NRM (with assistance as appropriate from the NR Media Manager) conducts an annual review of the INRMP in coordination with internal stakeholders and local representatives of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), state fish and wildlife agency, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, where applicable, and accomplishes pertinent updates. Installations will document the findings of the annual review in an Annual INRMP Review Summary. By signature to the Annual INRMP Review Summary, the collaborating agency representative asserts concurrence with the findings. Any agreed updates are then made to the document, at a minimum updating the work plans.

INRMP APPROVAL/SIGNATURE PAGES

On following pages.

xii xiii xiv xv xvi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Purpose and Scope

This Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) guides the management of installation land, water, air, and natural resources to support the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) mission and guarantee continued access to its land, air, and water resources for realistic military training and to sustain the long-term ecological integrity of the resources base and the ecosystem services it provides.

This INRMP is a routine update of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (2016). The INRMP applies to organizations internal and external to the 673 Air Base Wing (ABW) that are involved with or interested in the management or use of natural resources and lands on JBER.

This plan is part of the installation comprehensive planning process. It contains management strategies, goals, objectives, and actions/projects to guide the management of JBER lands and natural resources. It is intended to supplement the JBER Installation Development Plan and is itself supplemented by annual, agency-coordinated updates and other related JBER plans.

The physical scope of the plan is generally JBER lands. However, several remote training and support sites will be managed under the same strategies outlined in this INRMP.

This document also serves to outline the conservation and protection programs carried out on JBER to ensure conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered species on or adjacent to JBER, specifically the Cook Inlet beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) as required under Sec 4 (b)(3)(B)(i) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (PL 95-632, 16 United States Code [USC] 1531 et seq.), as amended through the 108th Congress.

INRMP Support of the Air Force Mission

Preparation and implementation of this INRMP is required by the Sikes Act (16 USC 670 et seq.).

Additional INRMP guidance and requirements are provided by the Department of Defense Manual (DoDM), 4715.03 INRMP Implementation Manual, (Nov 25, 2013); DoD Instruction (DoDI) 4715.03, Natural Resources Conservation Program (February 14, 2011); and Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resource Management (November 18, 2014).

This INRMP assists the 673 ABW in complying with other federal and state laws, most notably laws associated with environmental documentation, wetlands, endangered species, and wildlife management, in general. Compliance requirements, at least partially affecting implementation of the INRMP, are included in Section 1.3, Authority. This plan describes how the 673 ABW will implement provisions of AFI 32- 7064, Integrated Natural Resource Management (November 18, 2014) on JBER and adjacent waters.

Complete involvement in the JBER comprehensive planning process by environmental and natural resources personnel is critical to the successful implementation of this plan. Natural resources and environmental constraints must be formally included in the JBER Installation Development Plan (October 2015). Coordination and communication between engineering planners, community planners, and 673d Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources personnel are also critical, particularly in terms of coordinating new projects through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and JBER work order request process.

Medium and long-term installation planning should also be coordinated. Long-term changes in mission should be anticipated and planned for. Failure to coordinate between engineering designers, community

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Implementation of the INRMP directly supports the military mission in numerous ways. Avian and habitat monitoring projects contribute to airfield management by monitoring and manipulating movement of birds and reducing desirable avian habitat near runways thus minimizing bird aircraft strike hazard (BASH) risks.

In addition, potential human-wildlife conflicts are monitored and hazed, if needed, to prevent interruptions of military training and decrease any potential BASH risk. Human safety and catastrophic loss of personnel and/or aircraft is more likely to occur without these reoccurring natural resource initiatives.

This INRMP supports the military mission by protecting and enhancing lands upon which military training is critically dependent. Without an INRMP for guidance, incidental or even intentional adverse effects can occur to wildlife, wetlands, and ecological resources by personnel activities and actions to accomplish the military mission, such as training activities, construction, and maintenance. Conversely, these mission operations or support activities and indirect actions can be adversely affected by natural resources.

Summary of the Benefits of INRMP Implementation

INRMP implementation provides guidance of natural resources through adaptive ecosystem management necessary for the sustainment of military uses. The INRMP ensures the developed plans provide for the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on JBER and are consistent with the current use of JBER lands for the readiness of the Armed Forces. It also assists the 673 ABW in complying with federal and state laws.

Implementation of the INRMP

This INRMP is a living document utilizing an adaptive management approach to sustain natural resources on JBER. In implementing projects to achieve goals and objectives in the plan, assumptions leading to management decisions are based on the latest scientific information, past experience, and input from stakeholders. As projects are implemented under this plan, results will be reviewed and compared with initial assumptions. If some assumptions are shown to be invalid, adaptations will be made. This adaptive approach allows resource managers to make slight corrections in a timely fashion to conserve resources and ensure mission flexibility.

General Natural Resources Management Goals

Under the philosophy of ecosystem management, the focus of this plan will be to maintain or restore native ecosystem types across their natural range, including the suite of plants and animals that inhabit them in a healthy, functioning state. This landscape level, ecological approach will blend needs of the military mission with the health of the environment to ensure JBER ecosystems provide a landscape to support realistic military training, are diverse, productive, and economically sustainable. Below are JBER’s major goals identified for this plan. Projects and tasks supporting the goals and specific objectives are identified in Section 7, Natural Resources Program Management and Section 8, Management Goals, Objectives, and Projects.

Natural Resources Mission Statement: Support the military mission and enhance readiness by providing natural environments on JBER for training, minimizing conflicts between mission requirements and land and the natural resources it supports. Serve as stewards of the land by maintaining natural landscape features and ecosystem integrity at a broad landscape scale.

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The primary objective of the Air Force natural resources program is to sustain, restore and modernize natural infrastructure to ensure operational capability and no net loss in the capability of the Air Force lands to support the military mission of the installation.

Goal 1: Minimize conflicts between military mission, wildlife, natural resources, and land use.

Goal 2: Manage JBER natural resources under the guidelines and principles of adaptive ecosystem management, which aims to maintain functional ecosystems and natural diversity to include sustainable populations, native species, and ecological communities.

Goal 3: Manage human use of resources for long-term sustainability, by offering products and services at levels compatible with the military mission and ecosystem diversity, health, and productivity and placing equal emphasis on consumptive and non-consumptive use and conservation and preservation of natural resources on JBER consistent with Sikes Act requirements.

Goal 4: Contribute to the recovery of the Cook Inlet beluga whale.

Implementation of INRMP Goals and Relation to Changes in Management Direction.

Implementation of INRMP goals will not require a substantial change in management direction on JBER.

Management direction may change, specific to certain natural resources (land, plant, and wildlife) which may not have been directly managed originally. Such changes will be implemented to (1) support Air Force and Army missions on JBER, (2) respond to requirements agreed to by the Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) when all parties signed the updated “Memorandum of Understanding For A Cooperative Integrated Natural Resource Management Program On Military Installation” (July 29, 2013), (3) enact actions required in response to regulations by other federal agencies or the State of Alaska, and/or (4) respond to requirements of Air Force regulations, e.g., AFI 91-202, The US Air Force Mishap Prevention Program (5 Aug 2011).

Environmental Impacts of INRMP Implementation

This INRMP is not an environmental document prepared to satisfy requirements of NEPA. Prior to implementation of land disturbance type actions, or other proposed projects, the Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) will be performed, per NEPA, to determine environmental impacts. For further information see Section 9, INRMP Implementation, Update, and Revision Process in this INRMP and Section 3.7, Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) and INRMP Implementation of AFI32-7064 Integrated Natural Resource Management (November 18, 2014).

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1.0 OVERVIEW AND SCOPE

This INRMP was developed to provide for effective conservation, management, and protection of natural resources. It summarizes the natural resources present on the installation and outlines strategies to adequately manage those resources. Natural resources are valuable assets of the United States Air Force.

They provide the natural infrastructure needed for testing weapons and technology, as well as for training military personnel for deployment. Sound management of natural resources increases the effectiveness of Air Force adaptability in all environments. The Air Force has stewardship responsibility over the physical lands on which installations are located to ensure all natural resources are properly conserved, protected, and used in sustainable ways. The primary objective of the Air Force natural resources program is to sustain, restore and modernize natural infrastructure to ensure operational capability and no net loss in the capability of AF lands to support the military mission of the installation. The plan outlines and assigns responsibilities for the management of natural resources, discusses related concerns, and provides program management elements that will help to maintain or improve the natural resources within the context of the installation’s mission. The INRMP is intended for use by all installation personnel. The Sikes Act is the legal driver for the INRMP.

1.1 Purpose and Scope

Purpose of this INRMP is to manage and provide continued access to installation lands, waters, airspace, and natural resources to support the JBER mission for realistic military training. Additionally, its purpose is to sustain the long-term ecological integrity of the base resources and ecosystem services it provides, in accordance with the Sikes Act.

JBER is the congressionally directed combining of U.S. Army Garrison Alaska's Fort Richardson with Elmendorf Air Force Base under the over-riding management of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), effective 1 October 2010. For purposes of this document "Fort Richardson Alaska (FRA)" and "Elmendorf Air Force Base (EAFB)" usage will reflect actions conducted prior to joint basing. The usage of JBER, JBER- Richardson (JBER-R), and JBER-Elmendorf (JBER-E) usage represent post joint base basing actions, current and future actions.

This INRMP is a routine annual update of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (2016). The INRMP applies to organizations internal and external to the 673 Air Base Wing (ABW) that are involved with or interested in the management or use of natural resources and lands on JBER.

The physical scope of the plan covers JBER lands within the JBER installation boundary. The following remote training and support sites are part of JBER, but not actively managed by the strategies outlined in this INRMP; Eklutna Mountain Training Site, Gulkana Army Training Site, Kenai Airport Annex, and ACMI sites 1 - 8. Figure 2-1 shows the location of these sites. Further discussion of the remote sites is included in Section 2.1, Installation Overview.

This plan is part of the installation comprehensive planning process. It contains management strategies, goals, objectives, and actions/projects to guide the management of JBER lands and natural resources.

1.2 Management Philosophy

The principal purpose of DoD lands, waters, airspace, and coastal resources is to support mission-related activities. All DoD natural resources conservation program activities shall work to guarantee DoD continued access to its land, air, and water resources for realistic military training and testing, and sustain

FA500019RA002 JBER Paving Attachment 5 - Environmental Data the long-term ecological integrity of the base resources and the ecosystem services it provides, in accordance with section 670a-670o of title 16, United States Code (U.S.C.) (also known as the Sikes Act).

(DoDI 4715.03)

In 1994, DoD issued an Ecosystem Management Policy Directive. The directive defined the principles of ecosystem management and directed that ecosystem management become the basis of natural resources and land management in the DoD. In 1996, DoDI 4715.03, Environmental Conservation Program, was published, further amplifying and implementing the policy of ecosystem management.

DoDI 4715.03, Natural Resources Conservation Program (March 18, 2011) identifies DoD policy shall follow an ecosystem-based management approach to natural resources-related practices and decisions, using scientifically sound conservation procedures, techniques, and data.

Ecosystem Management

Ecosystem management is complex, with all of the variability and uncertainty found in ecosystems themselves. Ecosystem management often takes a high degree of manpower, time, money, education, and analysis. Benefits of managing natural resources by ecosystem management are enormous, affecting all biological systems within the parameters of the ecosystem.

DoDI 4715.03 defines ecosystem management as a goal-driven approach to managing natural and cultural resources that supports present and future mission requirements; preserves ecosystem integrity;

is at a scale compatible with natural processes; is cognizant of nature’s timeframes; recognizes social and economic viability within functioning ecosystems; is adaptable to complex and changing requirements;

and is realized through effective partnerships among private, local, State, tribal, and Federal interests.

Ecosystem management is a process that considers the environment as a complex system functioning as a whole, not as a collection of parts, and recognizes that people and their social and economic needs are a part of the whole.

DoDI 4715.03, Natural Resources Conservation Program (March 18, 2011) states that within the context of ecosystem-based management, natural resources management will include the following:

• Avoid single-species management and implement an ecosystem-based multiple species management approach, insofar as that is consistent with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

• Use an adaptive management approach to manage natural resources.

• Evaluate and engage in the information of local or regional partnerships that benefit the goals and objectives of the INRMP.

• Use best available scientific information in decision-making and adaptive management techniques in natural resource management.

• Foster long-term sustainability of ecosystem services.

AFI 32-7064 Integrated Natural Resources Management (November 18, 2014) states that the INRMP implements ecosystem management on AF installations, which follow the principles and guidelines in DoDI 4715.03, as well as the AFI 32-7064 guidance. The Air Force principles for ecosystem management identified in AFI 32-706 include the following:

• Maintain or restore native ecosystem types across their natural range where practical and consistent with military mission.

• Maintain or restore ecological processes such as fire and other disturbance regimes where practical and consistent with the military mission.

FA500019RA002 JBER Paving Attachment 5 - Environmental Data

• Maintain or restore the hydrological processes in streams, floodplains, and wetlands when feasible and practical and consistent with the military mission.

• Use regional approaches to implement ecosystem management on an installation by collaboration with other DoD components as well as other federal, state and local agencies, and adjoining property owners.

• Provide for outdoor recreation, agricultural production, harvesting of forest products, and other practical utilization of the land and its resources, provided that such use does not inflict long-term ecosystem damage or negatively impact the AF mission.

Biodiversity

In the early 1980’s, biodiversity and ecosystem management began to emerge nationwide as a better way of managing natural resources and public lands. Air Force policy began to move in this direction as well.

Department of Defense Directives for Biodiversity

In 1989, DoD Directive 4700.4 Natural Resources Management Program, (January 24, 1989) called for integration of the various natural resources programs, such as forestry, wildlife, and outdoor recreation, and the development of INRMPs. This important first step led to the military establishing partnerships with other natural resources and land management agencies that were already utilizing principles of ecosystem management.

The DoD Biodiversity Management Strategy (The Keystone Center, 1996) identifies the INRMP as the primary vehicle for implementing biodiversity protection on military lands. This implementation is conducted by:

• Monitoring and inventory efforts to provide information for adaptive management;

• protection of sensitive areas;

• use of native species and natural landscaping techniques;

• wetlands management and protection;

• conservation of biodiversity; and

• restrictions on activities that negatively affect biodiversity.

DoDI 4715.03 includes biodiversity directives to be followed whenever practicable, which include:

• Maintain or restore remaining native ecosystem types across their natural range of variation.

• Maintain or reestablish viable populations of native species on an installation, when practical.

• Maintain ecological processes, such as disturbance regimes, hydrological processes, and nutrient cycles, to the extent practicable.

• Manage and monitor resources over sufficiently long time periods to allow for adaptive management and assessment of changing ecosystem dynamics (i.e., incorporate a monitoring component to management plans).

The Air Force identifies biodiversity conservation as an integral part of ecosystem management. The AFI 32-7064 includes the following:

• Maintain or reestablish viable populations of all native species on AF controlled lands when practical and consistent with the military mission and not in conflict with airfield operations.

• Consider the effects of climate change in plans to restore native ecosystems.

FA500019RA002 JBER Paving Attachment 5 - Environmental Data

1.2.1 Management Strategy at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

The key to effective natural resource management is identifying compatible and sustainable multipurpose landscape components capable of supporting military training requirements and consumptive or non-consumptive recreational use. Managing biodiversity on JBER includes projects and tasks to identify and protect critical habitat, travel corridors of sensitive wildlife species, minimize fragmentation, and ensure sustainable populations of native species and communities remain intact and functional. Important ecological features are illustrated on GeoBase layers as a planning tool.

Biodiversity on JBER has been quantified in several studies throughout the history of the installation, prior to and since joint-basing. In order to manage biodiversity on JBER, and thus measure the impact of mission dependent activities on the environment, many stand-alone and recurring studies are conducted to measure biodiversity, and the ecological environment. Focused biodiversity studies include marine mammal surveys, boreal forest and wetland bird surveys, Bald and Golden Eagle surveys, vegetation ecology surveys, fish speciation and enumeration studies, and other wildlife species studies are frequently integrated across disciplines to efficiently gather information on habitat availability, usage, and quality.

Effective habitat management is necessary to ensure that populations of plants and wildlife that share natural resources with the military are sustainable. Whether from anthropogenic influence or naturally occurring conditions, changes in the landscape affect biodiversity. Non-self-sustaining fish populations in kettle lakes and the exclusion of salmon from upper Ship Creek as a result of constructed dams could represent a decrease in aquatic biodiversity for fish. Changes in the presence and abundance of vegetative ecotypes from climatic factors have been observed in alpine areas where tall shrub species are encroaching above elevations they’ve previously been known to occur. The potential impact of changes in habitat structure to wildlife utilizing the alpine habitat on JBER, such as Dall’s sheep and collard pika, will require further study. Additionally, changes to the availability, connectivity, and quality of wetlands tributary to anadromous waters may have an effect on fisheries, upon which the Cook Inlet beluga whale is dependent.

Changes in diversity and abundance of boreal wetlands and forest birds will be dependent on the connectivity and health of JBER’s forest and forested wetland resources.

Interfacing with military trainers, collecting and storing data, and utilizing the tools to analyze that data, including geographic information system (GIS), provides a better understanding of where compatible and sustainable multipurpose landscape components exist. Sustainable biodiversity can be attained by understanding military training requirements and identifying limiting ecological conditions.

Adaptive Management

Adaptive management is a process for managers to address and handle uncertainties and complexities inherent in natural systems by treating ecosystem management as an experiment (Leslie et al. 1996).

Adaptive management is an adaptive approach exploring alternative ways to meet management objectives, predicting the outcomes of alternatives based on the current state of knowledge, implementing one or more of these alternatives, monitoring to learn about the impacts of management actions, and then using the results to update knowledge and adjust management actions.

673d CES Natural Resources recognizes that current management methods are continually evolving and uses control treatments and monitoring to measure effects and efficiency of management techniques.

Emphasis is being placed on monitoring activities to help facilitate adaptive management. Results of monitoring management activities can change future management both for JBER and other natural resources managers.

FA500019RA002 JBER Paving Attachment 5 - Environmental Data

Air Force Policy

AFI 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resource Management (November 18, 2014) states that when preparing or revising an INRMP, ecosystem management principles and guidelines of DoDI 4715.03, Natural Resources Conservation Program (March 18, 2011) are considered. AFI 32-7064 specifies five Air Force principles for ecosystem management. AFI 32-7064 also states that biodiversity conservation is an integral part of ecosystem management, and that viable populations of all native species should be maintained or reestablished on all Air Force-controlled lands when practical and consistent with the military mission.

673 ABWI 32-7001, Conservation and Management of Natural Resources (February 15, 2013) states that JBER vegetation, wildlife resources, wetlands, lakes, and streams will be managed within the limitations of the overriding military mission under the principles of ecosystem management, and that the 673 ABW will strive to protect, improve, and enhance environmental quality on JBER. 673 ABWI 32-7001 further states that lands and natural resources will be managed with the following priorities in mind:

• First priority will be given to protection, preservation, and enhancement of habitat used by threatened and endangered species.

• Second priority will be given to maintaining biodiversity through the protection, preservation, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, particularly for species of conservation concern.

• Third priority will be given to development, management, and conservation of areas capable of providing intensive recreational use, such as winter sports areas, picnic areas, and nature trails.

Such areas will be maintained primarily for their recreational value.

• Fourth priority will be to manage the remaining areas for the greatest public benefit. This determination will be made based on an analysis of the ecological factors involved, supply and demand for resources, and both tangible and intangible social and economic values.

1.3 Authority

The Sikes Act (16 USC 670 et seq.): is the cornerstone legislative mandate that provides for natural resources management on Department of Defense (DoD) lands. The Sikes Act states, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program to provide for the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on military installations. To facilitate the program, the Secretary of each military department shall prepare and implement an integrated natural resources management plan for each military installation...

The Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670c-1) allows the Secretary of a military department to enter into cooperative agreements with the states, local governments, Native American tribes, nongovernmental organizations and individuals to provide for the maintenance and improvement of natural resources, or to benefit natural and historic research, both on and off DoD installations.

The Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670(a)(d)(2)) also encourages the Secretary of Defense, to the greatest extent practicable, to enter into agreements to use services personnel, equipment and facilities, with or without reimbursement, of the Secretary of the Interior or states in carrying out the provisions of this section.

Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4715.03: Natural Resources Conservation Program (February 14, 2011) requires that… installations prepare, maintain, and implement Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs) in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the appropriate State fish and wildlife management agency(s), and ensure that those plans are fully coordinated with appropriate installation offices responsible for preparing, maintaining, and implementing other programs and plans that may affect land use or be affected by land use decisions, to include but not be limited to operation and training plans, range sustainment plans, installation master

FA500019RA002 JBER Paving Attachment 5 - Environmental Data plans, outdoor recreation plans, integrated cultural resources management plans, pest management plans, and other installation plans as appropriate.

DoDI 4715.03 also has provisions for INRMP self-assessment and external reviews, to include annual reviews with stakeholders and external reviews for operation and effect no less than every five years, using Natural Resources Conservation metrics. INRMPs are to be updated or revised and evaluated as necessary, based on results of these reviews standards.

Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-7064: Integrated Natural Resources Management (November 18, 2014) implemented Air Force and DoD Policy Directives. It explains how to manage natural resources on Air Force property in the United States so as to be in compliance with state, federal and local laws and standards for natural resources management.

673d Air Base Wing (ABW) Instruction (673 ABWI) 32-7001: Conservation and Management of Natural Resources. This ABWI implements Air Force environmental and natural resources policy directives at the installation or wing level. It prescribes policies and responsibilities for the management and conservation of water, forest, fish, wildlife, and outdoor recreation resource access, resource enforcement and historical and archeological site protection on JBER. It details management priorities, program staffing, and requirements for plans and cooperative agreements. Basic objectives of the various programs are also described, as well as responsibilities of various base-level offices and units.

Other Air Force Guidance: Other guidance documents that have some bearing on natural resources management include current Air Force manuals on Pest Management Programs and Operations, which details pest management programs for the installation, 673 ABWI 32-2001 Fire Prevention Program, which covers wildland firefighting procedures and policy, and Air Force Policy Directive 32-70, Environmental Quality. Appendix C, Annotated Summary of Key Legislation lists other laws and regulatory instruments that may have bearing on natural resources management on JBER.

Other Related Authorities: Appendix C, Annotated Summary of Key Legislation lists federal laws, executive orders, Presidential memoranda, DoD directives/instructions, Air Force regulatory instruments, state laws, and other regulatory instruments that may affect implementation of this INRMP. The INRMP is prepared to assure compliance with these regulatory authorities.

Installation-Specific Policies (including State and/or Local Laws and Regulations)

673 ABWI 32-7001 Conservation and Management of Natural Resources

1.4 Integration with Other Plans

The INRMP is intended to supplement the JBER Installation Development Plan and is, itself, supplemented by annual, agency-coordinated updates and other related JBER plans (Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, Installation Restoration Management Plan, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, Golf Course Environmental Management Plan, Landscape Development Plan, Integrated Pest Management Plan, Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard Management Plan, the U.S.