ID07180034_Supporting_Documents_Part_10.pdf

U. S. AIR FORCE INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES 1

MANAGEMENT PLAN 2

Beale Air Force Base 3

Lincoln Receiver Site 4

(See INRMP signature pages for plan approval date) 10

Beale Air Force Base Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan

ABOUT THIS PLAN 1

This installation-specific Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is based on the U.S. Air Force’s (AF) 2 standardized Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) template. This INRMP has been 3 developed in cooperation with applicable stakeholders, which may include Sikes Act cooperating agencies 4 and/or local equivalents, to document how natural resources will be managed. Non-U.S. territories will 5 comply with applicable Final Governing Standards (FGS). Where applicable, external resources, including 6 Air Force Instructions (AFIs); AF Playbooks; federal, state, local, FGS, biological opinion and permit 7 requirements, are referenced. 8

Certain sections of this INRMP begin with standardized, AF-wide “common text” language that address 9 AF and Department of Defense (DoD) policy and federal requirements. This common text language is 10 restricted from editing to ensure that it remains standard throughout all plans. Immediately following the 11 AF-wide common text sections are installation sections. The installation sections contain installation-12 specific content to address local and/or installation-specific requirements. Installation sections are 13 unrestricted and are maintained and updated by AF environmental Installation Support Teams (ISTs) and/or 14 installation personnel. 15

NOTE: The terms ‘Natural Resources Manager’, ‘NRM’ and ‘NRM/POC’ are used throughout this 16 document to refer to the installation person responsible for the natural resources program, regardless of 17 whether this person meets the qualifications within the definition of a natural resources management 18 professional in DODI 4715.03. 19

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

ABOUT THIS PLAN .................................................................................................................................. 2 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................... 3 3

TABLE OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................ 7 4

TABLE OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................. 8 5

DOCUMENT CONTROL .......................................................................................................................... 9 6

INRMP APPROVAL/SIGNATURE PAGES ........................................................................................... 9 7

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... 10 8

1.0 OVERVIEW AND SCOPE ................................................................................................................ 11 9

1.1 Purpose and Scope .......................................................................................................................... 11 10

1.2 Management Philosophy ................................................................................................................ 12 11

1.3 Authority .......................................................................................................................................... 13 12

1.4 Integration with Other Plans ......................................................................................................... 16 13

2.0 INSTALLATION PROFILE ............................................................................................................. 19 14

2.1 Installation Overview ...................................................................................................................... 20 15

2.1.1 Location and Area ...................................................................................................................... 20 16

2.1.2 Installation History ..................................................................................................................... 22 17

2.1.3 Military Missions ....................................................................................................................... 23 18

2.1.4 Surrounding Communities ......................................................................................................... 24 19

2.1.5 Local and Regional Natural Areas ............................................................................................. 25 20

2.2 Physical Environment ..................................................................................................................... 29 21

2.2.1 Climate ....................................................................................................................................... 29 22

2.2.2 Landforms .................................................................................................................................. 31 23

2.2.3 Geology and Soils ...................................................................................................................... 33 24

2.2.4 Hydrology .................................................................................................................................. 39 25

2.3 Ecosystems and the Biotic Environment ....................................................................................... 43 26

2.3.1 Ecosystem Classification ........................................................................................................... 43 27

2.3.2 Vegetation .................................................................................................................................. 43 28

2.3.3 Fish and Wildlife ........................................................................................................................ 49 29

2.3.4 Threatened and Endangered Species and Species of Concern ................................................... 51 30

2.3.5 Wetlands and Floodplains .......................................................................................................... 86 31

2.4 Mission Impacts on Natural Resources ......................................................................................... 92 32

2.4.1 Natural Resource Constraints to Mission and Mission Planning ............................................... 92 33

2.4.2 Land Use .................................................................................................................................... 94 34

2.4.3 Current Major Impacts ............................................................................................................... 97 35

2.4.4 Potential Future Impacts .......................................................................................................... 100 36

2.4.5 Natural Resources Needed to Support the Military Mission.................................................... 101 37

3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ........................................................................ 101 38

4.0 GENERAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................... 102 39

5.0 TRAINING ........................................................................................................................................ 104 40

6.0 RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING ...................................................................................... 105 41

6.1 Recordkeeping ............................................................................................................................... 105 1

6.2 Reporting ....................................................................................................................................... 106 2

7.0 NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT .......................................................... 106 3

7.1 Fish and Wildlife Management .................................................................................................... 106 4

7.1.1 Hunting and Fishing Program .................................................................................................. 107 5

7.1.2 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement .................................................................................. 115 6

7.1.3 Migratory Birds ........................................................................................................................ 120 7

7.2 Outdoor Recreation and Public Access to Natural Resources .................................................. 124 8

7.2.1 Access ...................................................................................................................................... 124 9

7.2.2 Developed Recreation Areas .................................................................................................... 124 10

7.2.3 Dispersed Recreation Areas ..................................................................................................... 125 11

7.2.4 Recreation Demand .................................................................................................................. 126 12

7.2.5 Responsibilities and Coordination with Other Offices ............................................................ 126 13

7.2.6 Off-Road Vehicles ................................................................................................................... 127 14

7.3 Conservation Law Enforcement .................................................................................................. 127 15

7.3.1 Current Conservation Law Enforcement Activities and Program Emphasis ........................... 128 16

7.3.2 Source of Authority for Natural Resources Law Enforcement ................................................ 128 17

7.3.3 Training and Certification Requirements for Conservation Law Enforcement Personnel ...... 129 18

7.4 Management of Threatened and Endangered Species, Species of Concern and Habitats ..... 129 19

7.4.1 Status of Threatened and Endangered Species Inventories ...................................................... 129 20

7.4.2 Ongoing Threatened and Endangered Monitoring Programs .................................................. 131 21

7.4.3 Current Biological Opinions and Consultations for Threatened and Endangered Species, and 22 Their Terms and Conditions ............................................................................................................. 137 23

7.4.4 Health of Existing On-Installation Habitats of Concern .......................................................... 139 24

7.4.5 Relationship of Any On-Installation Habitats of Concern with Similar Local and Regional 25 Critical Habitat .................................................................................................................................. 139 26

7.4.6 Management Concerns ............................................................................................................. 140 27

7.5 Water Resource Protection .......................................................................................................... 142 28

7.5.1 Regional Water Issues .............................................................................................................. 142 29

7.5.2 Storm Water Management ....................................................................................................... 143 30

7.5.3 Nonpoint-Source Pollution ...................................................................................................... 146 31

7.5.4 Water Quality Monitoring ........................................................................................................ 147 32

7.5.5 Wastewater Treatment ............................................................................................................. 148 33

7.5.6 Drinking Water ........................................................................................................................ 148 34

7.6 Wetland Protection ....................................................................................................................... 149 35

7.6.1 Existing and Pending Section 404 and 401 Permits ................................................................. 149 36

7.6.2 Future Permitting Strategies ..................................................................................................... 149 37

7.6.3 Wetland Inventories and Delineations ..................................................................................... 150 38

7.6.4 On-base Wetland Restoration and Enhancement ..................................................................... 150 39

7.6.5 Long-term Monitoring of Wetlands ......................................................................................... 151 40

7.6.6 Wetland Protection Measures .................................................................................................. 151 41

7.7 Grounds Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 155 42

7.7.1 General Maintenance Issues ..................................................................................................... 155 43

7.7.2 Non-point Source Pollution from Grounds Maintenance ........................................................ 156 44

7.7.3 Solid Waste Programs Associated with Grounds Maintenance Activities............................... 156 45

7.7.4 Urban Forestry Program Management and Issues ................................................................... 156 46

7.7.5 Provision of Shade Trees in Developed Areas ......................................................................... 156 47

7.7.6 Enhancement of Visual Quality through Landscape Improvements ........................................ 157 1

7.7.7 Protection of Native Oaks within Developed Areas ................................................................ 157 2

7.7.8 Review of Firebreak Plan ......................................................................................................... 158 3

7.7.9 Introduction and Spread of Nonnative Plants .......................................................................... 158 4

7.7.10 Planning and Design of Landscape Projects .......................................................................... 158 5

7.8 Forest Management ...................................................................................................................... 159 6

7.8.1 Firewood Program.................................................................................................................... 159 7

7.9 Wildland Fire Management ......................................................................................................... 160 8

7.9.1 WFMP Roles and Responsibilities .......................................................................................... 160 9

7.9.2 Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy ....................................................................... 161 10

7.9.3 Wildfire Fire History on Beale Air Force Base ....................................................................... 161 11

7.9.4 Threats to the Mission and Natural Resources ......................................................................... 163 12

7.9.5 Prescribed Fire History on Beale Air Force Base .................................................................... 163 13

7.9.6 Wildland Fire Management Unit (FMU) Outcomes ................................................................ 163 14

7.9.7 Wildland FMU Planned Fuels Treatments ............................................................................... 164 15

7.10 Agricultural Outleasing .............................................................................................................. 165 16

7.10.1 Agricultural Uses ................................................................................................................... 165 17

7.10.2 Grazing Program .................................................................................................................... 165 18

7.11 Integrated Pest Management Program ..................................................................................... 180 19

7.11.1 Nuisance Wildlife Species Management ............................................................................... 180 20

7.11.2 Invasive Wildlife and Feral Animal Management ................................................................. 182 21

7.11.3 Invasive Plant Management ................................................................................................... 183 22

7.12 Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) ......................................................................... 187 23

7.12.1 Existing and Potential Wildlife Hazards ................................................................................ 188 24

7.12.2 Natural Resource BASH Program Support ............................................................................ 190 25

7.13 Coastal Zone and Marine Resources Management ................................................................. 194 26

7.14 Cultural Resources Protection ................................................................................................... 194 27

7.15 Public Outreach .......................................................................................................................... 195 28

7.16 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) ................................................................................... 195 29

8.0 MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................... 196 30

9.0 INRMP IMPLEMENTATION, UPDATE, AND REVISION PROCESS ................................... 198 31

9.1 Natural Resources Management Staffing and Implementation ............................................... 198 32

9.2 Monitoring INRMP Implementation .......................................................................................... 199 33

9.3 Annual INRMP Review and Update Requirements .................................................................. 202 34

10.0 ANNUAL WORK PLANS ............................................................................................................. 203 35

11.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................ 216 36

11.1 Standard References (Applicable to all AF installations) ....................................................... 216 37

11.2 Installation References ............................................................................................................... 216 38

11.2.1 Personal Communications. ...................................................................................................... 224 39

12.0 ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................... 225 40

12.1 Standard Acronyms (Applicable to all AF installations) ......................................................... 225 41

12.2 Installation Acronyms ................................................................................................................ 225 42

13.0 DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................................ 230 43

13.1 Standard Definitions (Applicable to all AF installations) ....................................................... 230 44

13.2 Installation Definitions ............................................................................................................... 230 1

14.0 Appendices ...................................................................................................................................... A-I 2 Appendix A. Annotated Summary of Key Legislation Related to Design and 3 Implementation of the INRMP.................................................................................................A-1 4 Appendix B. Summaries of Historic Beale AFB Management Plans...................................A-8 5 Appendix C. Beale AFB Plant List..........................................................................................A-10 6 Appendix D. Beale AFB Wildlife List ................................................................................... A-20 7 Appendix E. Profiles of Special Status Plant Know or Likely to Occur on Beale AFB and 8 Lincoln Receiver Site ...............................................................................................................A-36 9 Appendix F. Beale AFB AFI 32-7064 Base Supplements .....................................................A-44 10 Appendix G. Nest Box Plans and Monitoring Information .................................................A-87 11 Appendix H. Special Status Species Survey Protocols........................................................A-119 12 Appendix I. Tables of Reports Produced for Beale AFB Natural Resources Program...A-121 13 Appendix J. California White-node Syndrome Action Plan..............................................A-132 14 Appendix K. USACE Jurisdictional Wetland Delineation for Beale AFB .......................A-136 15 Appendix L. Wetland Protection Best Management Practices..........................................A-143 16 Appendix M. Beale AFB 2017 Grounds Maintenace Performance Work Statement......A-146 17 Appendix N. Beale AFB Approved Seed Mix......................................................................A-174 18 Appendix O. Beale AFB Approved Landscaping Plant List..............................................A-176 19 Appendix P. Plants that Provide Resources to Wildlife .....................................................A-186 20 Appendix Q. Beale AFB Firewood Permit Application......................................................A-195 21 Appendix R. Operating Agreement and Leases for Beale AFB Grazing Program..........A-197 22 Appendix S. Beale AFB Invasive Plant List ........................................................................A-211 23 Appendix T. Invasive Plant Species Management Guidelines Weed Toolkit…………...A-213 24 Appendix U. List of AF Approved Pesticides ......................................................................A-225 25 Appendix V. General Measures and Monitoring for Proposed Projects…..……………A-234 26

TABLE OF FIGURES 1

Figure 2.1.a. Regional Location. ................................................................................................................. 21 2 Figure 2.1.b. Regional Land Use . .............................................................................................................. 26 3 Figure 2.1.c. Local and Regional Natural Areas ......................................................................................... 28 4 Figure 2.2.a. Annual Precipitation Totals Recorded for Beale AFB 1959 – 2017 ...................................... 30 5 Figure 2.2.b. Minimum, Maximum, and Average Annual Temperatures at Beale AFB 1959 – 2017 . ..... 30 6 Figure 2.2.c. Topography of Beale AFB ..................................................................................................... 32 7 Figure 2.2.d. Geomorphic Surface at Beale AFB. ...................................................................................... 34 8 Figure 2.2.e. Soils on Beale AFB................................................................................................................ 37 9 Figure 2.2.f. Soils on LRS. ......................................................................................................................... 38 10 Figure 2.2.g. Water Bodies and Waterways at Beale AFB. ........................................................................ 41 11 Figure 2.3.a. Vegetation and Habitat Types on Beale AFB ........................................................................ 45 12 Figure 2.3.b. Vegetation Types and Land Use on LRS. ............................................................................. 47 13 Figure 2.3.c. Wetlands on Beale AFB. ....................................................................................................... 87 14 Figure 2.3.d. Wetlands on LRS. .................................................................................................................. 88 15 Figure 2.3.e. 100-Year and 500-Year Floodplains at Beale AFB ............................................................... 90 16 Figure 2.3.f. LRS Floodplain. ..................................................................................................................... 91 17 Figure 2.4.a. Existing Land Uses at Beale AFB. ........................................................................................ 98 18 Figure 7.1.a. Beale AFB Hunting Zones. .................................................................................................. 108 19 Figure 7.1.b. Nest Box Locations by Species and Wildlife Exclusion Zone. ........................................... 116 20 Figure 7.5.a. Beale AFB Storm Water Basins .......................................................................................... 145 21 Figure 7.6.a. On-base Vernal Pool and Stream Mitigation Sites. ............................................................. 152 22 Figure 7.9.a. Historic Fires on Beale AFB 1998-2017. ............................................................................ 162 23 Figure 7.10.a. Grazing Management Areas. ............................................................................................. 169 24 Figure 7.10.b. Future Grazing Parcels, Goat Grazing Route, and Wells. ................................................. 170 25 Figure 7.10.c. Grazing Program Infrastructure. ........................................................................................ 178 26 Figure 7.11.a. Invasive Plants Mapped on Beale AFB 2014-2016 ........................................................... 184 27 Figure 7.12.a. Wildlife Exclusion Zone. ................................................................................................... 189 28

TABLE OF TABLES 1

Table 2.1.b. Listing of Tenants and Natural Resource Responsibility. ...................................................... 23 2 Table 2.2.a. Summary Data from Climate Change Analysis ...................................................................... 31 3 Table 2.2.b. Soil Map Units within the Beale AFB Pasture Units. ............................................................. 36 4 Table 2.2.c. Surf ace Water at Beale AFB. ................................................................................................. 42 5 Table 2.3.a. Special-status Wildlife Species Known to Occupy Habitats on or Near Beale AFB or LRS. 52 6 Table 2.4.a. Acreage and Typical Facilities/Features of Land Uses on Beale AFB. .................................. 95 7 Table 2.4.b. Acreage of LRS....................................................................................................................... 95 8 Table 4.0.a. Installation Roles and Responsibilities.…………………………………………………….103 9 Table 7.1.a. Seasons, Special Hunts, and Limits for Game Species Found on Beale AFB. ..................... 110 10 Table 7.1.b. Base Policies from AFI 32-7064 Beale Supplement 1. ........................................................ 114 11 Table 7.4.a. Current Biological Opinions and Consultations for T&E Species ........................................ 138 12 Table 7.5.a. Characteristics of Beale AFB Storm Water Basins (SWB). ................................................. 146 13 Table 7.6.a. Wetland Mitigation for USACE 404 CWA Permit. .............................................................. 153 14 Table 7.6.b. Stream Mitigation for USACE 404 CWA Permit. ................................................................ 154 15 Table 7.6.c. Vernal Pool Mitigation Acres Passing and Failing Mitigation Criteria ................................ 155 16 Table 7.6.d. Vernal Pool and Stream Mitigation Acres Available. ........................................................... 155 17 Table 7.10.a. Beale AFB Desired Grazing Management Outcomes. ........................................................ 167 18 Table 7.10.b. Potential Effects of Grazing on Special-status Species Known to Occur on Beale AFB. .. 173 19 Table 7.10.c. Grazing Capacity in Animal Unit Months (AUMs) of Base Grazing Program Area. ........ 175 20 Table 7.11.a. Invasive Plant Species Present on Beale AFB and Current Status. ..................................... 185 21 Table 7.12.a. Total Bird/Wildlife Strikes for Beale AFB October 2016 – September 2017. ................... 190 22 Table 7.12.b. Record of BASH Depredation on Beale AFB from 2005-2018. ........................................ 191 23 Table 7.12.c. Common Species and Control Methods. ............................................................................. 193 24 Table 9.2.a. Natural Resource Environmental Assessments and AF Form 813s. ..................................... 200 25 Table 10.0.a. Project Work Plans. ............................................................................................................. 204 26

DOCUMENT CONTROL 1

Record of Review – The INRMP is updated not less than annually, or as changes to natural resource 2 management and conservation practices occur, including those driven by changes in applicable regulations. 3 In accordance with (IAW) the Sikes Act and AFI 32-7064, Natural Resources Management, the INRMP is 4 required to be reviewed for operation and effect not less than every five years. Annual reviews and updates 5 are accomplished by the base Natural Resources Manager (NRM), and/or an Installation Support Team 6 Natural Resources Media Manager. The installation shall establish and maintain regular communications 7 with the appropriate federal and state agencies. At a minimum, the installation NRM (with assistance as 8 appropriate from the NR Media Manager) conducts an annual review of the INRMP in coordination with 9 internal stakeholders and local representatives of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 10 state fish and wildlife agency, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, 11 where applicable, and accomplishes pertinent updates. Installations will document the findings of the annual 12 review in an Annual INRMP Review Summary. By signature to the Annual INRMP Review Summary, the 13 collaborating agency representative asserts concurrence with the findings. Any agreed updates are then 14 made to the document, at a minimum updating the work plans. 15

INRMP APPROVAL/SIGNATURE PAGES 16

The Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan for the Beale Air Force Base is hereby approved by 17 the undersigned. 18

______________________________________________ ____________________________ 20

Signature Date 21

______________________________________________ 23

Print Name 24

Title: WILL BE COMPLETED WHEN SPECIFIC SIGNATORY IS PROVIDED 25

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

The Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) is an interagency agreement clarifying how 2 Department of Defense (DoD) natural resources are managed on Beale Air Force Base (AFB) in compliance 3 with federal, state and local standards. This INRMP is prepared to achieve an ecosystem management 4 program that draws on a collaboratively developed vision of desired future ecosystem conditions integrating 5 ecological, economic and social factors. 6

This document is divided into chapters outlining general historic and contemporary information about Beale 7 AFB, the physical and biological environment, current and historic management practices, and management 8 goals and objectives. The INRMP is effective for five years from the date of last signatory; individual work 9 plans that accompany this plan are updated every two years. 10

Implementation of the INRMP will help ensure that Beale AFB lands continue to support present and future 11 mission requirements while preserving, enhancing, and, where possible, restoring ecosystem integrity. Over 12 the long-term, implementation of this and future INRMPs will guide base staff in maintaining or improving 13 the sustainability and biological diversity of all ecosystems on Beale AFB, supporting sustainable 14 economies, human use and the environment required for realistic military operations. 15

INRMP planning and decision-making is integrated with base comprehensive planning, proposed project 16 planning, pest management planning, Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) reduction planning, 17 airfield management planning, and cultural resources management planning. The INRMP was prepared 18 using information from reports, surveys, legal documents, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, and 19 personal communication with subject matter experts. This plan is the five-year update which builds upon 20 past management and INRMP plans. 21

Management policies in the INRMP include both broad and specific goals that promote a comprehensive 22 approach to addressing natural resource management issues. Various monitoring and reporting programs 23 are included as projects or recommendations in the INRMP, and many activities proposed in the plan 24 contain their own monitoring components. 25

The INRMP is a dynamic document that integrates all aspects of natural resource management and the 26 installation's mission. Its goals and objectives must be considered early in the planning process for projects 27 and mission changes on Beale AFB. All appropriate Beale AFB staff, offices, sections, flights, squadrons, 28 groups, wings and tenants must be aware of and comply with the INRMP for it to be an effective planning 29 document. 30

1.0 OVERVIEW AND SCOPE 1

This INRMP was developed to provide for effective management and protection of natural resources. It 2 summarizes the natural resources present on the installation and outlines strategies to adequately manage 3 those resources. Natural resources are valuable assets of the United States Air Force. They provide the 4 natural infrastructure needed for testing weapons and technology, as well as for training military personnel 5 for deployment. Sound management of natural resources increases the effectiveness of Air Force 6 adaptability in all environments. The Air Force has stewardship responsibility over the physical lands on 7 which installations are located to ensure all natural resources are properly conserved, protected, and used 8 in sustainable ways. The primary objective of the Air Force natural resources program is to sustain, restore 9 and modernize natural infrastructure to ensure operational capability and no net loss in the capability of AF 10 lands to support the military mission of the installation. The plan outlines and assigns responsibilities for 11 the management of natural resources, discusses related concerns, and provides program management 12 elements that will help to maintain or improve the natural resources within the context of the installation’s 13 mission. The INRMP is intended for use by all installation personnel. The Sikes Act is the legal driver for 14 the INRMP. 15

1.1 Purpose and Scope 16

The INRMP is intended to be consistent with the Sikes Act, at 16 U.S. Code (USC) 670(a)(1) that requires 17 the Department of Defense (DoD) to carry out a program for the conservation and rehabilitation of natural 18 resources on military installations and further requires each military department to prepare and implement 19 an INRMP for each installation under its control that has significant natural resources. Per Air Force 20 Instruction (AFI) 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resource Management, Section 3.2, Beale AFB is 21 considered a Category I installation as it has significant natural resources requiring conservation and 22 management. Criteria from AFI 32-7064 for identifying significant natural resources are as follows: 23

• The installation conducts on-the-ground actions to support military missions that require 24 conservation measures to sustain the natural resources and minimize impacts (e.g., soil erosion 25 control, water resource protection). 26

• Species listed as threatened or endangered in accordance with (IAW) the Endangered Species Act 27 (ESA) (16 USC 1531-1544) are present on the installation, or critical habitat has been designated 28 or is currently proposed on the installation, and active installation conservation measures are 29 necessary to conserve the species. 30

• Hunting, fishing or other natural resources-based outdoor recreation activities are allowed on the 31 installation. 32

• The installation operates outgrants (leases, licenses, permits) for livestock grazing and stable 33 operations that allow horseback riding on unimproved lands. 34

• The installation has significant Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) issues that require 35 habitat manipulation outside the managed airfield or require wildlife hazing or depredation 36 activities that are beyond the scope of standard Bird/Wildlife prevention, control, and dispersal 37 operations conducted under the auspices of a BASH Plan administered by the 9th Reconnaissance 38 Wing Flight Safety Office (9 RW/SEF). 39

• Important or unique biological resources are present, such as wetlands, species listed for state 40 protection, candidate species for federal protection, or unique habitats that provide essential loafing, 41 nesting or foraging areas for migratory birds, bats or other wildlife protected by state or federal 42 law. The unique character of a biological resource is determined through consultation with the U.S. 43 Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and state fish and wildlife agency, whereby it is established 44 that ecological issues related to the resource require a level of planning and management that can 1 only be addressed by an INRMP. 2

The INRMP provides goals for conserving and managing installation natural resources. Installation 3 management strategies are intended to ensure “no net loss” in the capability of Beale lands to support the 4 military mission of the installation by supporting sustainable ecosystems and complying with applicable 5 environmental laws and regulations. 6

This INRMP is the primary guidance document for managing natural resources on the 23,192 acres of land 7 on Beale Air Force Base (BAFB) and the 235-acre Lincoln Receiver Site (LRS). Beale AFB operates two 8 other Geographically Separated Units (GSU) in addition to LRS, but they do not require coverage under an 9 INRMP. The Oroville Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) site does not contain significant natural 10 resources, and Point Arena is closed and being prepared for disposal. The INRMP integrates all aspects of 11 natural resources management with the mission of Beale AFB and is the primary tool for managing the 12 ecosystem and habitats found on the base. Over the long term, implementation of this and future INRMPs 13 will guide base staff in maintaining and improving the sustainability and biological diversity of terrestrial 14 and aquatic ecosystems at Beale AFB while supporting sustainable economies, human use and the 15 environment required for military operations. This plan was prepared and coordinated with internal 16 stakeholders and local representatives of the USFWS, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration 17 (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 18

(CDFW). 19

1.2 Management Philosophy 20

INRMP planning and decision-making is integrated with base comprehensive, project, pest management, 21 BASH reduction, airfield management, and cultural resources management planning. The INRMP supports 22 the base mission requirements while complying with the Sikes Act, ESA, Migratory Bird Treaty Act 23 (MBTA), Clean Water Act (CWA), federal natural resource conservation laws and regulations, and various 24 executive orders (including Executive Order (EO) 11990, EO 11988, EO 13186, and EO 13112). 25

This 2018 INRMP addresses natural resources management at the ecosystem level. Managing ecosystems 26 involves treating the environment as a complex system of interrelated components rather than a collection 27 of isolated units and considers other factors such as base development, economics, community values, and 28 adjacent land uses. To address as many factors as possible in the INRMP, an interdisciplinary approach was 29 taken in preparation of the document. Plans created by subject matter experts (SMEs) in a broad range of 30 topics including vegetation, wildlife, wetlands, soils, grazing, landscape management and planning, 31 recreation planning, cultural resources, hydrology and water quality, habitat restoration, hazardous 32 materials, and physical sciences were used to develop this and previous INRMP documents. This INRMP 33 is prepared and implemented by the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron Installation Environmental Conservation 34 and Compliance office (9 CES/CEIEC). Beale AFB staff members outside of 9 CES/CEIEC who provided 35 input represent the installation command structure; 9th Reconnaissance Wing Safety Office (9 RW/SE); and 36 other military personnel involved in planning: 9th Civil Engineer Squadron Engineering Flight Planning (9 37 CES/CENP), 9th Civil Engineer Squadron Installation Management Flight (9 CES/CEIE), 9th Civil Engineer 38 Squadron Installation Environmental Remediation (9 CES/CEIER), 9th Civil Engineer Squadron 39 Installation Assets and Accountability (9 CES/CEIA), 9th Civil Engineer Squadron Facilities Operations 40 and Maintenance Flight (9 CES/CEO), 9th Reconnaissance Wing office of the Judge Advocate General (9 41 RW/JAG), 9th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services Flight (9 CES/FES), and 9th Force Support 42 Squadron Community Services Flight (9 FSS/FSW). 43

Information was also gathered in past development and annual updates of the INRMP from cattle lessees; 1 representatives from the surrounding communities; Yuba County; California State University, Sacramento 2 (CSUS); the USFWS; CDFW; NOAA NMFS; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regulatory 3 Branch; U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); and the U.S. Environmental Protection 4 Agency (EPA). Many of these agencies are signatory to plans that inform the INRMP; all of the information 5 and reviews were used in development of the 2018 INRMP. Management recommendations in the INRMP 6 include both broad and specific goals. An overall goal of ecosystem management is to preserve, improve 7 and enhance ecosystem integrity and support present and future mission requirements. This goal influences 8 all aspects of the INRMP. Some goals, such as improving habitat for special-status species, provide general 9 guidance for several INRMP issue areas. Highly specific goals relate to only one project or issue area, such 10 as range improvements to facilitate the distribution of livestock and reduce conflicts with the military 11 mission and other resources. 12

1.3 Authority 13

The Sikes Act, 16 USC 670 et. seq. provides for cooperation between the DoD and Department of Interior 14 (DOI) for the protection of natural resources on military lands. On 18 November 1997, Congress passed 15 the Sikes Act Improvement Amendment (SAIA), which required the preparation and implementation of an 16 INRMP to support the sustainable use by the public of natural resources to the extent that the use is 17 consistent with the needs of fish and wildlife resources. As stated previously, the SAIA also requires the 18 INRMP be prepared in cooperation with the USFWS and the fish and wildlife agency for the state in which 19 the military installation is located. The cooperation with the USFWS and the state fish and wildlife agency 20 is intended to "reflect the mutual agreement of the parties concerning conservation, protection and 21 management of fish and wildlife resources." 22

Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4715.03, Natural Resources Conservation Program, identifies 23 the DoD policies and procedures concerning natural resources management and INRMP reviews, public 24 comment, and endangered species consultation. INRMPs are required to be jointly reviewed by the 25 USFWS, NMFS, state conservation agency, and military proponent for operation and effect on a regular 26 basis, but not less often than every five years. 27

AFI 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resources Management implements the Sikes Act and the DoD directives 28 by establishing the INRMP as the primary planning document for natural resources at AF installations. AFI 29 32-7064 establishes the Installation or Wing Commander as the signatory authority for approval of the 30 INRMP. The Commander’s signature commits the AF to the goals and objectives of the INRMP. Once 31 signed by the cooperating agencies (USFWS and CDFW), the INRMP takes on the status of an interagency 32 compliance agreement. 33

Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 32-70, Environmental Quality, states: “ecosystem management of 34 natural resources draws on a collaboratively developed vision of desired future ecosystem conditions that 35 integrates ecological, economic and social factors.” To effectively integrate ecological, economic and social 36 factors along with the military mission into an effective ecosystem management program, the policy 37 directive further states: “On DoD installations, ecosystem management will be achieved by developing and 38 implementing INRMPs and insuring that they remain current.” 39

The Engle Act 10 USC 2671(a)(1) states that the United States is not subject to state law unless there is a 40 clear and specific waiver of sovereign immunity. However, the Engle Act includes a clear and specific 41 waiver requiring military installations to ensure that hunting, fishing and trapping activities on the 42 installation are IAW state fish and game laws and that these activities obtain appropriate state 43 permits/licenses. Therefore, those provisions in the California Code of Regulations (CCR) that pertain to 44 recreational hunting and fishing should be complied with. The Engle Act waiver, which the AF applies to 1 recreational hunting/fishing/trapping of game species on base, is not applicable to natural resources 2 management activities (e.g., wildlife surveys, wildlife handling, depredation). This means that any federal 3 government employee, contractor, or non-federal entity operating on the base, in compliance with federal 4 law, are immune. This includes exemption from requirements under Title 14 relating to Scientific 5 Collecting Permits (14 CCR 650) and Permits for Protected Animals (14 CCR 670.7). 6

A table of “Annotated Summary of Key Legislation Related to Design and Implementation of the INRMP” 7 is included as Appendix A to this plan. The table summarizes key legislation and guidance documents used 8 to create and implement this INRMP. Refer to the complete listing of policies, the Federal Registry and the 9 U.S. Code to ensure that all applicable guidance documents, laws and regulations are reviewed. Installation-10 specific policies, including state and local laws and regulations, are summarized in Table 1.3.a below. 11

Table 1.3.a. Installation-Specific Policies (including State and/or Local Laws and Regulations). 12

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

Base Recreation Access Policy*

Recreational use is limited to active duty or retired military and their family members, civil service personnel employed on Beale AFB and their families, and guests to the above. Hunting or fishing guests must be accompanied, and no more than two guests are allowed per hunting visit.

Title 14, CCR All hunting and fishing are done In Accordance With (IAW) Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), as adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission.

Hunting and Fishing Permits*

• A Beale AFB hunting or fishing permit is required for anyone hunting or fishing on the base in addition to any other permits required by the state.

• Hunting permits are valid 1 July-30 June. Fishing permits are valid 1 January-31 December.

• Hunters must attend an annual safety course sponsored by the 9 CES/CEIEC and the volunteer game wardens and receive a signed Safety Course Authorization form which can be used to buy a hunting permit.

• The following permits and licenses must be carried at all times when hunting or fishing: (a) valid California hunting or fishing license; (b) Applicable state hunting stamps (e.g.

waterfowl or upland game bird stamps); (c) annual Beale hunting or fishing permit, filled out in ink; and (d) any other species-specific permits or tags.

Fishing Restrictions*

• Fishing for native salmonids is catch and release only.

• Dry Creek and Beale Lake are closed to fishing from 16

October to 15 April.

• Fishing is not permitted in Pond 4 or ponds/lakes with active construction sites.

• Lakes are closed to fishing during dam repair/maintenance and replacement projects.

• Lakes are subject to special fishing restrictions after sport fish stocking.

Waterfowl Blind Policies*

• Blinds must be registered with 9 CES/CEIEC by September 1st.

• Blinds will not be placed within 150 yards of existing blinds or decoys in place.

• Blinds will be of the type that blend in with the surrounding environment and do not detract from the overall appearance of the area.

• Removable “net” like blinds will be used in areas where there is little shrub and tree growth and where permanent blind placement is not allowed.

• Permanent floating blinds are not allowed.

• Digging or the removal of live natural vegetation for the construction of blinds will not be permitted.

• Planting or creating blinds out of live…