45SW_INRMP_MainBody_1.pdf

INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN

FOR THE 45th SPACE WING

Patrick Air Force Base Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Malabar Transmitter Annex Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex

45TH Space Wing Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan i

Executive Summary

This document outlines a long-term plan for the 45th Space Wing (45 SW) to manage natural resources in compliance with relevant statutes, executive orders, Presidential memoranda, regulations, and Air Force-specific requirements. This Plan, the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), referenced at 45 SW Plan 32-7064, is a component of the base’s General Plan and serves as the commander’s decision document for natural resources management actions and associated compliance procedures. The INRMP integrates the 45 SW’s natural resources management program with ongoing mission activities for sustainability while conserving and protecting natural resources.

The 45 SW is committed to a proactive, interdisciplinary management strategy focused on an ecosystem-based approach to natural resources management. This strategy includes the Air Force objective of sustaining and restoring natural resources to uphold operational capabilities while complying with federal, state and local standards that protect and conserve wildlife, habitat, and the surrounding watershed. The INRMP outlines a plan to implement this strategy by identifying (1) baseline information on the physical and biotic environment, (2) the military mission and its potential effects on natural resources, (3) recommended goals, objectives, projects, and follow-on monitoring for key natural resource management areas, (4) personnel, funding and support required for implementation of the INRMP and its recommended projects, and (5) opportunities for consultation with stakeholders in the implementation process.

A diverse array of protected wildlife inhabit, utilize and frequent 45 SW installations.

Key natural resource management goals for the 45 SW continue to be the effective:

assessment, monitoring and management of the Florida Scrub-jay; conservation and monitoring of sea turtles; light management; scrub habitat management;

management of the Southeastern beach mouse; conservation of estuarine wetland habitat; gopher tortoise monitoring; and invasive species control. Specific management goals and objectives have been defined for natural resources on 45 SW installations (refer to Chapter 7). A work plan has been developed that identifies projects that implement the management goals and objectives of the INRMP (refer to Chapter 8.1). Some benefits of INRMP implementation include direct and indirect protection of threatened and endangered species and their habitat, conservation of a diverse array of coastal, marine and estuarine ecosystems, restoration of impacted lands through removal of invasive species leading to reutilization, etc.

This INRMP supports the Air Force mission by providing the steps needed to fulfill all compliance requirements related to natural resources and to foster environmental stewardship at the 45 SW. Therefore, full compliance and sound stewardship are dependent on the implementation of the INRMP through the appropriation of funds for the recommended projects. Additionally, annual reviews with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will ensure that the INRMP remains current and relevant.

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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AF United States Air Force AFCEE Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence AFI Air Force Instruction AFPD Air Force Policy Directive AFSPC Air Force Space Command AICUZ Air Installation Compatible Use Zones AOC Areas of Concern APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

BASH Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard BMP Best Management Practice BO Biological Opinion

CCAFS Cape Canaveral Air Force Station CGP Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Large and

Small Construction Activities CO Conservation Law Enforcement Officer CS Confirmation Sampling CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act dB Decibel DNL Day-Night Average Noise Level DoD Department of Defense DoDD Department of Defense Directive DoDI Department of Defense Instruction

EA Environmental Assessment EELV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle EFH Essential Fish Habitat EIAP Environmental Impact Analysis Process EIS Environmental Impact Statement ER Eastern Range ERP Environmental Resource Permit ERP Environmental Restoration Program

FDEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection FHHA Florida Hog Hunters Association FL Florida FNAI Florida Natural Areas Inventory FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact FOTW Federally-Owned Treatment Works FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service iii

GEM Golf Course Environmental Management program GIS Geographical Information System

HABS Historic American Buildings Survey HAER Historic American Engineering Record HAPC Habitat Area of Particular Concern

IWFMP Integrated Wildland Fire Management Plan INRMP Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan IPMP Integrated Pest Management Plan IRL Indian River Lagoon IRP Installation Restoration Program ITL Integrated Transfer and Launch IWW Industrial Wastewater

JBOSC Joint Base Operations Support Contract JDMTA Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex JDSP Jonathan Dickinson State Park

KSC Kennedy Space Center

LMP Light Management Plan LOS Line of Sight LPS Low Pressure Sodium

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act MINWR Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge MSA Metropolitan Statistical Area MSGP Multi-Sector General Permit MSL Mean Sea Level MTA Malabar Transmitter Annex

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NOTU Naval Ordnance Test Unit NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NWI National Wetlands Inventory

PA Preliminary Assessment PAFB Patrick Air Force Base

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ROCC Range Operations Control Center RPC Regional Planning Council

SAFMC South Atlantic Fishery Management Council iv

SAIA Sikes Act Improvement Act SCS Soil Conservation Service SOW Statement of Work SJRWMD St. Johns River Water Management District SLC Space Launch Complex SRM Solid Rocket Motor SW 45th Space Wing SWMU Solid Waste Management Units SWP3 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

T&E Threatened and Endangered Species

UCF University of Central Florida USGS United States Geologic Survey

VIB Vehicle Integration Building

WWTF Wastewater Treatment Facility v

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

1.2 Authority

1.3 Responsibilities

1.3.1 45th Space Wing Commander

1.3.2 45th Civil Engineering, Environmental Flight

1.3.3 Staff Judge Advocate

1.3.4 Others

1.4 Management Philosophy

1.5 Conditions for Implementation and Review

2.0 INSTALLATIONS OVERVIEW

2.1 Location and Area

2.2 Installation History

2.3 Military Mission

2.4 Surrounding Communities

2.5 Regional Land Use

2.6 Local and Regional Natural Areas

3.0 Physical Environment

3.1 Climate

3.2 Landforms

3.3 Geology and Soils

3.4 Hydrology

4.0 Ecosystems and the Biotic Environment

4.1 Ecosystem Classification

4.2 Vegetation

4.3 Fish and Wildlife

4.4 Threatened and Endangered Species

4.5 Wetlands

4.6 Other Natural Resource Information

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5.0 Mission Impacts on Natural Resources

5.1 Land Use

5.2 Current Major Impacts

5.3 Potential Future Impacts

5.4 Natural Resources Needed to Support the Military Mission

5.5 Natural Resource Constraints to Missions and Mission Planning

6.0 Natural Resource Program Management

6.1 Natural Resources Program Management

6.1.1 Defense Organizations

6.1.2 Other Federal Agencies

6.1.3 State Agencies

6.1.4 Local Agencies

6.2 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

6.3 Fish and Wildlife Management

6.4 Management of Threatened and Endangered Species and Habitats

6.5 Water Resource Protection

6.5 Wetland Protection

6.7 Grounds Maintenance

6.8 Forest Management

6.9 Wildland Fire Management

6.10 Agricultural Outleasing

6.11 Integrated Pest Management Plan

6.12 Bird/Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH)

6.13 Outdoor Recreation

6.14 Coastal Zone Management/Coastal and Marine Resources

6.15 Cultural Resource Protection

6.16 Enforcement

6.17 Public Outreach

7.0 Management Goals and Objectives

8.0 Implementation

8.1 Natural Resource Management Staffing

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8.2 Annual Coordination Requirements

8.3 Monitoring INRMP Implementation

8.4 Work Plans

Literature Cited viii

List of Figures Figure 1: 45 SW Installations Figure 2: CCAFS and Vicinity Figure 3: JDMTA and Vicinity Figure 4: MTA and Vicinity Figure 5: PAFB and Vicinity Figure 6: 45 SW Organizational Chart Figure 7: Natural Areas in Vicinity of CCAFS and PAFB Figure 8: CCAFS Soil Map Figure 9: JDMTA Soil Map Figure 10: MTA Soil Map Figure 11: PAFB Soil Map Figure 12: CCAFS Hydrologic Resources Figure 13: Flood Zone Locations at PAFB Figure 14: Jurisdictional Wetlands on PAFB Figure 15: Florida Perforate Cladonia Figure 16: Eulophia alta Figure 17: CCAFS Land Cover Year 2000 Figure 18: JDMTA Land Cover Year 2003 Figure 19: MTA Land Cover Year 2003 Figure 20: PAFB Land Cover Year 2003 Figure 21: American Alligator Figure 22: Nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtle Figure 23: Juvenile Green Sea Turtle Figure 24: Nesting Green Sea Turtle Figure 25: Nesting Leatherback Sea Turtle Figure 26: Eastern Indigo Snake Figure 27: CCAFS Historic Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Activity Figure 28: CCAFS Historic Green Turtle Nesting Activity Figure 29: PAFB Historic Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Activity Figure 30: PAFB Historic Green Turtle Nesting Activity Figure 31: Florida Scrub-jay ix

Figure 32: Piping Plover Figure 33: Arctic Peregrine Falcon Figure 34: American Kestrel Figure 35: Bald Eagle Figure 36: Wood Stork Figure 37: Least Tern Figure 38: Southeastern Beach Mouse Figure 39: West Indian Manatee Figure 40: Gopher tortoises Figure 41: CCAFS Estuarine Wetlands Figure 42: Culvert in the ITL Area Figure 43: PAFB Land Use Figure 44: Mechanical Land Clearing Figure 45: Light Shield at SLC 37 Figure 46: CCAFS Prescribed Fire Schedule

List of Tables Table 1: 2005 Population Data Table 2: Brevard County Temperature Data Table 3: Brevard County Precipitation Data Table 4: CCAFS Soil Data Table 5: MTA Soil Data Table 6: PAFB Soil Data Table 7: CCAFS Existing Land Use Table 8: MTA Existing Land Use Table 9: Natural Resource Opportunities and Constraints Table 10: CCAFS Work Plan Table 11: JDMTA Work Plan Table 12: MTA Work Plan Table 13: PAFB Work Plan

Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The 45th Space Wing (45 SW) installations’ biodiversity present unique opportunities to safeguard Florida’s increasingly scarce natural resources while securing future mission success. The continued success of both the conservation of the 45 SW’s natural resources and the military mission are integrated together in the development and implementation of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) and its associated goals, objectives and projects. The INRMP is a multi-year long range plan. This INRMP represents a commitment by the U.S. Air Force (AF) to protect the integrity and value of the 45 SW’s abundant natural resources.

This INRMP is prepared according to Air Force Instruction (AFI) AFI 32- 7064, Integrated Natural Resources Management. Implementation of the INRMP supports the numerous military, civilian and commercial operations at the 45 SW with an emphasis on ecosystem sustainability.

Installations included in this plan are:

• Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

(CCAFS), FL

• Jonathon Dickinson Missile

Tracking Annex (JDMTA), FL

• Malabar Transmitter Annex (MTA), FL

• Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB), FL

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of the INRMP is to provide strategic guidance for natural resources management of 45 SW properties. The INRMP serves as a key component to the 45 SW’s General Plans, which provide background and rationale for the policies and programming decisions related to land use, resource conservation, facilities and infrastructure development, and operations and maintenance at the 45 SW’s installations. The INRMP supports the 45 SW mission by identifying the natural resources present on the Wing, developing management goals for these resources, and integrating these management objectives into the military requirements for launch operations/support and regulatory compliance.

The INRMP is the principal document that guides natural resource management activities at the 45 SW; it identifies the natural resources present and contains the management goals, objectives, and projects that define the specific management actions for each installation. As an integrated plan, this document and its component plans contain the environmental data and management objectives necessary to both ensure mission success and conserve the biodiversity present on the 45 SW. The INRMP will be used by the 45 SW as the guidance and management document for all natural resource management activities.

As identified in the Sikes Act Improvement Act (SAIA), INRMPs must address the following: (1) conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on military installations; (2) sustainable multipurpose use of the resources to include hunting, fishing, trapping, and non-consumptive uses; (3) fish and wildlife management, land management, forest management, and fish- and wildlife-oriented recreation;

(4) fish and wildlife habitat enhancement or modifications; (5) wetland protection, enhancement, and restoration, where necessary for support of fish, wildlife, or plants; (6) integration of, and consistency among, the various activities conducted under the plan; (7) establishment of specific natural resource management goals and objectives and time frames for proposed action; (8) sustainable use by the public of natural resources to the extent that the use is not inconsistent with the needs of fish and wildlife resources; (9) public access to the military installation that is necessary or appropriate subject to the requirements necessary to ensure safety and military security; (10) enforcement of applicable natural resource laws (including regulations);

and (11) no net loss in the capability of military installation lands to support the military mission. Due to security restrictions at the 45 SW, public access is restricted except during daylight hours along PAFB beaches excluding extreme terrorist threat conditions and at the Wing Commander’s discretion. Multipurpose use of the installations and varying military mission constraints are addressed in this INRMP.

This INRMP covers over 18,400 acres of upland, estuarine, and marine resources within four installations on mainland Florida. Detailed guidance is provided in the INRMP to fulfill natural resources management compliance while also fostering environmental stewardship at the 45 SW. The Plan is organized into five principal sections:

(1) an overview of the current status and conditions of the natural resources; (2) identification of potential impacts on natural resources; (3) discussion of the key natural resource management issues; (4) management recommendations that incorporate goals and objectives for each of the key natural resource management issues; and (5) specific activities for effective implementation of the INRMP.

Detailed operational component plans for specific natural resources, such as the Florida Scrub-jay and nesting sea turtles, are included as tabs.

The development of this plan and its contents, as detailed above, were coordinated with both state and federal natural resource management agencies. Specifically, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were parties to the development of this plan. Their input, as well as the regulatory and land management experience of the 45 SW natural resource managers, ensures this plan is consistent with federal mandates for land stewardship. As a part of the implementation of the INRMP and the management of the 45 SW’s natural resources, periodic meetings and site visits are conducted by SW personnel, FWS, NMFS, and FWC to assess the natural resource management efforts of the 45 SW.

This level of coordinated planning also ensures that the INRMP and its objectives are consistent with state and federal land stewardship mandates.

1.2 Authority

The INRMP facilitates compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory and statutory requirements. The INRMP implements the applicable programs and procedures described in the following documents: Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resource Management (17 September 2004); AFI 32-7065, Cultural Resources Management (01 June 2004); AFI 13-212, Volume 1, Range Planning and Operations (07 August 2001); AFI 91-202, The U. S.

Air Force Mishap Prevention Program (01 August 1998); Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 32-70, Environmental Quality (20 July 1994); Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 3200.15, Sustainment of Ranges and Operating Areas (OPAREAS) (10 January 2003), ; DoDD 4715.1, Environmental Security (24 February 1996); DoDD 4715.11, Environmental and Explosives Safety Management on Department of Defense Active and Inactive Ranges within the United States (10 May 2004); Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 4715.3, Environmental Conservation Program (3 May 1996); and Sikes Act Improvement Amendments (SAIA, 1997).

1.3 Responsibilities

Responsibilities associated with the creation, implementation and review of the INRMP are detailed in Chapter 1.2 of AFI 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resources Management. Listed below are the responsibilities at the installation level associated with INRMP implementation and compliance.

1.3.1 45th Space Wing Commander The 45 SW Commander ensures that an INRMP is developed and maintained and also approves the INRMP and certifies the annual review of the INRMP as valid and current. The commander also ensures that funding and staffing are sufficient to implement the INRMP.

1.3.2 45th Civil Engineering, Environmental Flight The 45th Civil Engineer Squadron Commander and staff ensure that plans and studies supporting the INRMP are accomplished as necessary. Natural resource management-related responsibilities in the Environmental Flight include:

• maintaining an organization with the resources available to accomplish the INRMP and provide for the training of natural resources management personnel;

• implementing this INRMP and its programs to ensure the inventory, delineation, classification, and management of all applicable natural resources;

• coordinating with local, state, and federal governmental and civilian conservation organizations relative to natural resources management;

• ensuring the ongoing and timely coordination of current and planned land uses between mission, natural resources, environmental, legal, and master planning;

• ensuring all installation personnel are aware of and comply with procedures and requirements necessary to accomplish objectives of this INRMP together with laws, regulations, and other measures that promote environmental quality;

• reviewing all environmental documents, construction designs, and proposals to ensure adequate protection of natural resources and ensuring that technical guidance presented in this INRMP is adequately considered;

• inspecting and reviewing mitigation measures that have been implemented or recommended for the protection of natural resources;

and

• enforcing laws and regulations related to the environment and natural resources.

1.3.3 Staff Judge Advocate

The Staff Judge Advocate provides legal advice, counsel, and services to command, staff, and subordinate elements at the 45 SW. Specific Staff Judge Advocate responsibilities with regard to integrated natural resources management include:

• conducting legal research and preparing legal opinions pertaining to interpretation and application of laws, regulations, statutes, and other directives;

• coordinating with the Department of Justice, Litigation Division of the Office of the Judge Advocate General, and other governmental agencies on matters pertaining to litigation for the federal government; and

• advising the 45 SW on compliance with environmental laws.

1.3.4 Others

Implementation of this INRMP requires assistance from other directorates and divisions such as Contracting and Logistics (procurement), Safety, Security Forces (general enforcement), Comptroller (budget process), commanders of major subordinate organizations, and commanders of assigned tenant units and activities.

1.4 Management Philosophy

An implemented INRMP benefits the 45 SW by ensuring that its lands are sustainable and able to support present and future mission requirements while integrating natural resource management activities. The INRMP also provides a rationale and science-based framework for natural resource management activities at the

45 SW.

Natural resource managers and Wing personnel continually strive to identify areas of mutual benefit where natural resource management activities also support mission requirements. Many of the natural resource management activities contained in the INRMP provide for the conservation of natural resources as well as support mission requirements. Examples of these innovative techniques that integrate mission objectives into natural resource management activities include:

• fuel load reduction through prescribed fire;

• creation and maintenance of open areas such as lines of sight, security clear zones, and utility corridors in a manner that enhances scrub habitat;

• use of sea turtle friendly low pressure sodium and amber shielded lighting in compliance with the Endangered Species Act for facilities that require illumination, and;

• expenditure of conservation funds for Florida Scrub-jay habitat improvements that benefit both the managed species and the 45 SW mission by clearing land and reducing fuel loads.

To achieve these benefits, the INRMP establishes goals, objectives and a work plan for a desired land condition for the 45 SW. Implementation of the INRMP will result in a desired land condition for the 45 SW that sustains and restores native ecosystems and is based on ecosystem management principles established by the Air Force.

The ecosystem management principles, when consistent and practical with the 45 SW mission, seek to do the following:

• maintain or restore native ecosystem types;

• maintain or reestablish viable populations of native flora and fauna;

• identify and eradicate exotic and invasive species;

• maintain and restore hydrological processes; and

• identify and manage imperiled natural communities and species.

Implementation of these ecosystem management principals will not be a significant change in management direction at the 45 SW.

The 45 SW natural resource management program evaluates the ecological impacts of the 45 SW mission in order to document potential effects and minimize the mission-related impacts to the 45 SW’s natural resources. Implementation of new management techniques or any type of management activity whose natural resource impacts are not fully understood are tied directly to implementing a corresponding monitoring program. This adaptive approach integrates management activities with on-going scientific monitoring. The scientific monitoring provides reliable data that is used to identify trends and causal relationships, which in turn is used to determine the positive and negative impacts of management activities.

The results of the monitoring programs are integrated into the overall goals and objectives of the INRMP.

As a component to the Base General Plan, the INRMP supports the 45 SW comprehensive planning process by outlining general natural resource management goals and objectives at the installation-wide level. The INRMP integrates all management activities and plans potentially dependent or interfacing with natural resources at the 45 SW. The INRMP outlines the constraints and opportunities associated with the natural resources at the 45 SW. This plan also serves as the environmental guidance document for base planners. 45 SW planners consult the INRMP and Wing natural resource personnel on the potential constraints to mission-related activities associated with the Wing’s biological assets. The development and modification of the INRMP are coordinated with the 45 SW comprehensive planning process.

Significant changes to the management techniques contained in the INRMP will be incorporated into the General Plan.

Due to the large size of the resource base, as well as staffing and fiscal limitations, strategic planning is used to prioritize natural resource management goals. The 45 SW INRMP’s goals and projects represent an ecologically sensitive approach to operational planning with integrated risk management. Work plans that implement the INRMP’s goals and objectives are found in Section 8.0 of this plan.

1.5 Conditions for Implementation

and Review The Sikes Act requires that the 45 SW review the INRMP on a regular basis, but not less than every five years.

Implementation of INRMP annual review and revisions are conducted by 45 CES/CEVP to evaluate the effectiveness of management approaches and propose modifications as necessary in support of adaptive management. The 45 SW shall annually review the INRMP in coordination with FWS, NMFS, FWC, and other major stakeholders, and obtain review certification by the Wing Commander.

The annual review will address the following:

• the effectiveness of management activities;

• the achievement of the goals and objectives;

• the planning of future management activities; and

• recommendations for revisions, if needed.

During the annual review, newly obtained research and/or monitoring data and information pertaining to resource management activities conducted during the previous twelve months will be incorporated into the plan. If no significant revisions are identified during the annual review, the 45 SW will prepare a memorandum for the reviewing agencies and the 45 SW to sign stating that the plan was fully implemented and that the management schemes are effective.

If the annual review reveals the need for significant revisions to the INRMP, then 45 CES/CEV shall initiate a full revision of the INRMP. Actions proposed in the INRMP may constitute a major federal action under NEPA.

Therefore, all major federal actions proposed in the INRMP must be evaluated in accordance with Title 32, CFR, Part 989, Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP).

2.0 INSTALLATIONS OVERVIEW

This section presents an overview of the 45 SW installations covered in this plan, their missions, and areas surrounding the installations.

2.1 Location and Area

CCAFS

CCAFS is located in the state of Florida along the Atlantic Coast in Brevard County. CCAFS is situated on the Canaveral Peninsula, which is a barrier island approximately 155 miles south of Jacksonville, 210 miles north of Miami, and approximately 60 miles east of Orlando. The northern boundary of CCAFS abuts the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) boundary on the barrier island. The southern boundary abuts Port Canaveral. CCAFS is bounded to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and to the west by the Banana River. CCAFS occupies approximately 15,800 acres.

Figure 1 details the locations of all the installations covered in this plan.

Figure 2 details CCAFS’s location on Florida’s Atlantic Coast.

JDMTA

The Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex consists of approximately 11 acres of developed land, rosemary scrub, and scrub island vegetation in the southern end of Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP) in Martin County. Located on Florida’s East coast, Martin County is approximately 90 miles north of Miami.

JDMTA provides radar, telemetry, communications, command and timing instrumentation data from space vehicle launches at CCAFS and KSC.

Figure 3 shows JDMTA’s location.

MTA

Malabar Transmitter Annex (MTA) is located at 5060 South Minton Road (SR 509) in Palm Bay, Florida. MTA consists of the entire 25th Section of Township 28 South, Range 36 East, in Brevard County. The site is approximately eight miles southwest of Melbourne and 35 miles southwest of CCAFS. This square mile section comprises 640 acres of mesic and wet flatwood forest, grassy fields, abandoned runways, and numerous transmitter antennas, support buildings, and CE training areas.

Figure 4 displays MTA’s location.

PAFB

PAFB is located on a barrier island on the central east coast of Florida. PAFB is located in Brevard County and is south of the city of Cocoa Beach. The main base covers approximately 2,002 acres of developed land and some coastal dune and estuarine habitat.

PAFB is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Banana River on the west. PAFB is presently the home of Headquarters, 45 SW, a unit of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). Figure 5 displays PAFB’s location.

2.2 Installation History

CCAFS

The Ais Indians were the primary occupants of the CCAFS area throughout the period when explorers and settlers arrived in Florida.

Introduced European diseases and raids by rival tribes and settlers lead to the eventual extinction of the Ais tribe.

Cape Canaveral remained largely uninhabited until the mid-nineteenth century when a lighthouse was established at the Cape. By the 1880’s, a number of homesteads existed on CCAFS along the Banana River.

These homesteads focused primarily upon growing citrus. After the turn of the century, the focus on citrus production shifted to a wider range of livelihoods suitable to a maritime environment.

New homesteaders entered the area from 1900 through 1920. This wave of homesteaders settled the interior of the Cape particularly along the new road improvements established after the 1920’s. Some commercial enterprises as well as planned subdivisions were established between 1920 and 1940.

However, the area retained its isolated nature through its acquisition by the Federal government.

The Federal government’s interest in Cape Canaveral increased in the late 1940’s when the Federal government began buying land from the state to establish a long-range proving ground.

A committee formed by the DoD in 1946 was charged with the task of finding a suitable missile test center.

Subsequently, the Long Range

Proving Ground on Cape Canaveral was established in 1949 under jurisdiction of the Air Force. In the same year, the Naval Air Station, located 20 miles to the south of the Cape, was reactivated and renamed Patrick Air Force Base.

The land use at Cape Canaveral has been impacted over the past 50 years due to Air Force development and fire suppression (Oddy et al., 1999). Oddy et al. further note that few studies of the CCAFS area were conducted prior to DoD acquisition and aerial photography from 1943 indicate CCAFS was an open, shrubby and herbaceous landscape with forests found primarily along the Banana River (1999).

JDMTA

JDMTA is utilized under a Land Lease option executed on 22 December 1978 between the State of Florida and the U.S. Government. Three parcels of land compose JDMTA within Jonathan Dickinson State Park. They consist of

8.49 acres, 2.12 acres, and 0.9 acres.

They are designated as Tracts 100LE- 1, 100LE-2, and 100LE-3, respectively.

These parcels constitute the main compound, boresight tower, and the land and road connecting the installation and boresight tower. Prior to the establishment of the tracking annex, the land use at JDMTA was in a natural state compatible with the State Park.

Figure 1: 45 SW Installations

Figure 2: CCAFS and Vicinity

Figure 3: JDMTA and Vicinity

Figure 4: MTA and Vicinity

Figure 5: PAFB and Vicinity

MTA

The transmitter and support facilities were built on government property originally used by the U. S. Navy for auxiliary airfield operations during World War II. MTA was chosen as the site for the Air Force transmitter facility to prevent radio transmissions from interfering with operations at CCAFS.

The U.S. Navy constructed the airfield during World War II as a satellite airfield for pilot training at what is now the Melbourne International Airport.

When this location was chosen for the transmitter site, there was virtually no development in this area of Brevard County. Currently the installation is completely surrounded by some type of development. Historic photos indicate that flatwood forests historically dominated MTA and much of MTA was clear cut prior to 1960.

PAFB

The pre-history of PAFB mirrors that of CCAFS. The U.S. Navy established the installation in 1940 as the Banana River Naval Air Station. The Naval Air Station served as an active base for anti-submarine sea-patrol planes during World War II. After the installation’s deactivation in 1947, it was transferred to the Air Force in 1948. It was renamed Patrick Air Force Base in 1950 in honor of the chief of the U.S. Army Air Service from 1921 to 1927, Major General Mason M. Patrick. At this time the Air Force began developing the Eastern Test Range. From 1950 to present, the 45 SW, formerly the Eastern Space and Missile Center (ESMC), has been responsible for launch, test and support operations associated with the cruise missile program, ballistic missiles, the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs, and the Delta, Atlas, and Titan programs.

Land use studies at PAFB prior to DoD acquisition are not existent. Prior to DoD acquisition, it is believed that the current site of PAFB was relatively undisturbed. The vegetative composition of the area likely consisted of mangrove forests along the Banana River shoreline and an undisturbed coastal dune area along the Atlantic Ocean. The areas between the river and ocean were likely similar to that of CCAFS and consisted of coastal strand (open, shrubby and herbaceous landscape). Since DoD acquisition in the 1940s, the land has been disturbed by development associated with the establishment of the military installation.

2.3 Military Mission

The stated mission of the 45 SW is to assure access to the high frontier and to support global operations. The 45 SW has the following four mission areas:

1. Eastern Range operations;

2. launch operations and support;

3. expeditionary and contingency readiness; and

4. base and people support.

AFSPC defines the mission, organization, and responsibilities of the 45 SW. The 45 SW is responsible for providing launch capability for government, civil, and commercial launches from CCAFS and operates the Eastern Range for the AFSPC.

The 45 SW also provides launch facilities, property and services to support NASA, commercial space operations and the Navy’s Naval

Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) program for missile tests and submarine operations. The 45 SW Support Group manages CCAFS, but most of the other Wing organizations also have representatives on the Cape. The 45 SW organizational chart is depicted in Figure 6.

A primary function of the 45 SW is the operation of the Eastern Range (ER).

The ER consists of tracking stations at CCAFS, mainland annexes, and down range tracking stations on islands located in the Caribbean Sea and South Atlantic Ocean. The 45 SW is the primary missile and rocket launch organization for the Air Force on the East Coast. All launch countdown activities and many government and contractor support operations utilize the ER.

Wing personnel provide range safety and weather forecasting services to CCAFS. KSC’s helicopter and airplane fleet, along with other visiting NASA aircraft are serviced at PAFB hangars.

The Range Operations Control Center (ROCC), radar tracking and weather monitoring instruments are located at CCAFS. In addition to Air Force launches, the ER also supports NASA, contractor, and foreign government missions, including NASA’s shuttle program.

Tenants are other military, government or commercial organizations not directly associated with the 45 SW that enhance or contribute to the stated Space Command/45 SW mission.

Many of these tenants are housed on PAFB, but the services they provide are used on both bases. Tenants on 45 SW stationed at PAFB are:

• Air Force Reserve Command (920th Rescue Wing);

• Army Corps of Engineers (COE);

• Defense Equal Opportunity

Management Institute (DEOMI);

• Air Force Office of Special

Investigations;

• Department of State/Air Wing;

• Air Force Technical Applications

Center (AFTAC);

• National Geospatial Intelligence

Agency (NGA-ERNST);

• Joint Stars Joint Test Force

(JSTARS);

• Florida Air National Guard, 114th

Combat Communications.

The following tenants are directly stationed on or have a major focus of interest on CCAFS:

• 17th Test Squadron, Det 3 (17 TS, Det 3);

• Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal

(EOD);

• Det 1, 2 SOPS

• 605th Test & Evaluations Squadron, Det 2 (Det 2, 605TS);

• NASA;

• NOTU;

• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG);

• Military Sealift Command (MSC);

and

• National Reconnaissance Office

(NRO).

Figure 6: 45 SW Organizational Chart

The following contractor organizations also support the 45 SW:

• Lockheed Martin Astronautics;

• United Launch Alliance;

• Boeing;

• SCLS for Launch Operations

Support;

• SpecPro; Environmental Support

Contract.

2.4 Surrounding Communities

Three of the four installations covered in this plan are located in Brevard County, Florida. JDMTA, the only installation in the plan located outside of Brevard County, is located in Martin County, Florida.

CCAFS

CCAFS is located in close proximity to several municipalities in Brevard County. The closest municipality is Cape Canaveral, which is located on the south side of Port Canaveral and has a population of 10,034 (BEBR, 2005). The city of Titusville and the unincorporated area of Merritt Island are also located proximate to CCAFS.

Table 1 provides population data for Brevard County and its municipalities.

A varied mix of land uses are found adjacent to CCAFS. The installation is bordered to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and to the West by the Indian River Lagoon. These water bodies serve as natural buffers to the installation and the Atlantic waters facilitate the launch of space launch vehicles because vehicles can ascend from CCAFS over the Ocean.

Table 1: 2005 Population Data

Brevard County 530,452 Cape Canaveral 10,034

Cocoa 17,606

Cocoa Beach 12,880 Indialantic 3,059

Indian Harbour Beach 8,672 Malabar 2,843

Melbourne 75,060 Melbourne Beach 3,405 Melbourne Village 719

Palm Bay 91,888 Palm Shores 942 Rockledge 24,570

Satellite Beach 11,205 Titusville 43,685

West Melbourne 15,059 Brevard-Unincorporated 208,825

Source: 2005 University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research

The northern border of CCAFS abuts the Kennedy Space Center. Potential encroachment impacts along the KSC border are inconsequential due to the similar nature of the operations conducted at CCAFS and KSC.

The southern border of CCAFS abuts Port Canaveral, a growing commercial and tourist port. The expansion of the Canaveral Port Authority has the potential to impact operations at CCAFS. The primary concern is the increase in human traffic and the associated impacts to safety and access. Tourists using the port facilities do not access CCAFS and recent transportation infrastructure improvements to SR A1A, SR 528 and SR 401 improved traffic flow in and around the Port. Increased marine traffic in the waters of the Port is also a security concern for CCAFS. Security personnel regularly patrol the Port waters to ensure unauthorized personnel do not access CCAFS via the Port.

JDMTA

JDMTA is located at the southern end of Martin County on Florida’s East coast. JDSP surrounds the annex on three sides. Outside of the state park, the primary land use is residential.

Due to the small size of the installation and its facilities, the operations and size of JDMTA are not likely to expand.

Potential encroachment impacts are associated with a change in use of the state park lands. The state park is currently used for conservation and recreation and no land use changes are anticipated at the state park in the future.

MTA

MTA is located within the city of Palm Bay. Palm Bay’s 2005 population was approximately 91,888 (BEBR, 2005).

MTA is surrounded by residential development on the west and north sides immediately adjacent to the property boundary. Minton Road borders the installation’s east side and the Melbourne Tillman Canal borders the south boundary.

Encroachment is a serious concern to operations at MTA. Due to rapid development in the City of Palm Bay, residential housing units now surround MTA. This increase in residential land use surrounding the installation requires the Wing to notify adjacent residents prior to substantial training operations and controlled burns.

Adjacent residents have expressed disapproval of noise and smoke due military training and controlled burn operations.

PAFB

Similar to CCAFS, PAFB is bordered to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and to the West by the Indian River Lagoon.

These water bodies serve as natural buffers to the installation. PAFB borders unincorporated portions of Brevard County to both the north and south of the installation. The primary land use of these unincorporated areas adjacent to PAFB is urban.

Encroachment has already occurred at PAFB to the extent that there is little vacant land adjacent to the northern and southern boundaries of the installation. The surrounding communities have expressed concern over aircraft noise despite language written into their deeds noting the base’s military mission.

2.5 Regional Land Use

Florida is a peninsula located in the southeastern United States. The state is bordered to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and to the west by the Gulf of Mexico. Florida shares borders with Alabama and Georgia to the north.

Florida is divided into several regions for political and planning purposes.

Specifically, Florida has eleven regional planning councils (RPCs).

Brevard County is located in the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Martin County, home to JDMTA, is located in the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. The RPCs are responsible for coordinating land use planning amongst local governments.

Florida is also divided into five regional water management districts. Brevard County is located in the St Johns River Water Management District and Martin County is located in the South Florida Water Management District. The water management districts are responsible for regulating the supply of drinking water and conserving the state’s water resources.

For demographic and economic purposes, the state is divided into multiple statistical areas. Brevard County is located in the Melbourne- Titusville-Palm Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Martin County is located in the Ft. Pierce-Port St.

Lucie MSA.

From an ecological standpoint, Florida is unique in that both temperate and tropical flora are found in the state.

The transitional area in Florida between the temperate and tropical zones occurs around Cape Canaveral (Ewel and Myers, 1990). Because of this, CCAFS supports a large diversity of floral species and plant communities. Additionally, urbanization and development throughout Florida has reduced the regional occurrence of many of the plant communities and wildlife found on CCAFS, as well as the other 45 SW installations. Due to the destruction of wildlife habitat and native plant communities associated with urban development, the natural resources found on 45 SW installations are regionally significant and managed accordingly.

2.6 Local and Regional Natural

Areas

CCAFS

Natural areas in the vicinity of CCAFS include the 140,000 acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, the Canaveral National Sea Shore and Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral.

CCAFS, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore, all of which are federally owned, represent the largest contiguous stretch of undeveloped land along Florida’s Atlantic coast and contain a significant amount of biological and cultural resources.

Figure 7 depicts lands identified by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) that have natural resource value and are being managed at least partially for conservation. This figure encompasses areas along the Atlantic coast, Indian River Lagoon and St.

Johns River and highlights the large amount of lands managed for conservation in proximity to CCAFS.

JDMTA

Adjacent to JDMTA is Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which consists of 11,383 acres in southern Martin County. Natural communities within the park include:

• mesic/dry flatwoods;

• depressional marsh;

• scrub;

• floodplain forest;

• strand swamp; and

• hydric hammock.

The occurrence of the depressional marshes in the otherwise flat landscape is due to the local topography and soils that prevent rapid runoff or infiltration.

MTA

Several undeveloped, natural areas are close to MTA. The Malabar Scrub Sanctuary, established by the Brevard County Environmental Endangered Lands Program, is approximately seven miles to the east on Malabar Road. Also, the 113 acre Turkey Creek Sanctuary is approximately four miles to the east of MTA. Figure 7 depicts lands proximate to MTA that have natural resource value.

PAFB

The majority of the coastal land on PAFB has remained relatively undeveloped. Exceptions include the area around the former Officers’ Club, Collocated Tides Club (former Non- Commissioned Officers’ Club), and a radar site near the south end of PAFB.

Riprap is present along PAFB’s beach behind the radar tracking facility, and a sea wall was constructed along the North Beach housing and former Officers’ Club facility and parking lot.

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge to the south, and federally owned lands (CCAFS, KSC, and Canaveral National Seashore) to the north are considered natural areas in the vicinity of PAFB; however, all of these areas are greater than 10 miles from PAFB and do not provide ecological connectivity to natural areas on PAFB.

3.0 Physical Environment

3.1 Climate

Long, relatively humid summers and mild winters characterize the climate at the 45 SW installations in Florida. The temperatures in both summer and winter are moderated by the waters of the Indian River Lagoon system and the Atlantic Ocean. Rainfall is heaviest in the summer. In an average year approximately 65 percent of the annual rainfall occurs from June through October. The remaining 35 percent of rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the average year.

Maximum temperatures in summer show little day-to-day variation.

Minimum temperatures in winter may vary considerably from day-to-day, largely due to cold fronts that move across the United States from the northwest to the east and southeast.

Temperatures seldom drop below freezing. Table 2 and Table 3 summarize the temperature and rainfall data for Brevard County.

In Brevard County, the average date of the first freeze is 30 December and the average date of the last freeze is 27 January. Prevailing winds are generally from the north and east, except in March, when southerly winds prevail.

Most rainfall in summer occurs as afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Daylong rains in summer are rare, but two to three inches may fall within one or two hours. Rainfall in excess of eight inches during a 24-hour period will occur on average once every 25 years.

This activity is generally associated with a tropical storm or hurricane.

All 45 SW installations are vulnerable to hurricanes and the associated storm tides and surges. Historic data show that the storm tide height for a Category 5 (strongest) hurricane would reach 15 feet, inundating most of CCAFS and PAFB. The high winds associated with hurricanes necessitate adherence to special construction codes, established to reduce wind load-damage to structures. Tropical storms affect the area anytime from early June through mid-November.

Figure 7: Natural Areas in Vicinity of CCAFS and PAFB

Table 2: Brevard County Temperature Data

Table 3: Brevard County Precipitation Data

Precipitation Average Number of days with rainfall of

One year in 10 will have-

Month

Average total Inches

Less than Inches

More than Inches

0.10 inch or more

0.50 inch or more

January 1.87 0.1 5.1 4 2 February 2.36 1.3 4.1 5 2 March 3.66 0.2 9.0 6 3 April 3.42 1.7 6.5 5 3 May 3.18 0.7 7.5 6 2 June 7.73 3.4 8.4 10 4 July 7.67 5.9 14.4 13 5 August 6.95 2.3 19.8 9 5 September 8.75 3.6 16.0 12 6 October 6.18 3.2 13.7 6 5 November 2.18 0.5 5.2 3 1 December 2.01 0.5 4.3 4 1 Annual Total 55.96 43.7 81.7 85 39

Temperature Average number of days with temperature-

Month Average daily °F

Average daily maximum °F

Average daily minimum °F 90°F or more

32°F or lower

January 60.3 72.4 48.2 0 2 February 62.9 74.7 51.0 0 1 March 65.8 78.0 53.6 1 * April 70.9 82.4 59.4 2 0 May 76.3 87.6 65.0 9 0 June 79.9 90.8 68.9 20 0 July 81.3 91.9 70.7 26 0 August 81.7 91.9 71.4 26 0 September 80.1 88.9 71.1 14 0 October 74.0 83.3 64.9 3 0 November 67.3 78.0 56.6 0 * December 61.5 73.0 49.9 0 1 Annual Mean

71.8 82.7 60.9 101 0

3.2 Landforms

CCAFS

Florida’s coastal zones are subdivided into five geomorphologic elements. Of these five elements, CCAFS is associated with the east-coast barrier system (Randazzo & Jones, 1997).

Cape Canaveral is a geologically recent barrier island complex and was formed after sea levels rose when the Wisconinian glaciers retreated (Davis, 1997). Cape Canaveral is mapped as Holocene in age. Brooks (1972) suggested that the formation of the Cape Canaveral peninsula began approximately 7,000 years ago.

The CCAFS topography consists of a series of relic dune ridges. These ridges indicate that gradual beach deposits occurred throughout time.

New beach deposits were laid down in southerly and easterly directions, resulting in a series of abandoned beach ridges to the north of each newly formed ridge. The land surface is level to gently sloping with elevations that range from sea level to 20 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

JDMTA

According the USGS, JDMTA is located in the Atlantic Coastal Ridge physiographic subdivision of Florida (USGS, 1978). The Atlantic Coastal Ridge is a geologic shoreline feature estimated to have formed up to 140,000 years ago when the sea level was as much as 30 feet above the present level (Brevard EELS, 2006).

Earlier in Florida’s history, the sea level was much higher than present and the…