J-1503050-11(MCSF-BI) INRMP.pdf

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan

(2021 – 2025)

Marine Corps Support Facility (MCSF)

Blount Island

Contract W91278-16-D-0068

Task Order W9127818F0826

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (2021 – 2025)

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Record of Annual INRMP Review

Year Comments Review Date Reviewer Name/Title

2021 Initial Submittal

2022 Appendix B FWC INRMP Review, Appendix F(6) 2022 Wetlands Permit

(MCSF-BI) update, Appendix F(8) 2022 Alligator Survey

6/2/2022 Tracey Urban/

Environmental

Protection Specialist

Executive Summary This Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) coordinates natural resource conservation and management efforts with the land use and military mission requirements and responsibilities at the Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island (MCSF-BI). This is the third INRMP update prepared for MCSF-BI; it covers the 5-year period 2021 to 2025. The INRMP will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis by MCSF-BI staff and updated at 5-year intervals.

The primary mission of MCSF-BI is to contribute to the preparedness of U.S. Armed Forces. However, a number of laws, regulations, and guidance documents also require MCSF-BI to provide for conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources, sustainable multipurpose use of those resources, and public access to facilitate that use, subject to safety and military security requirements. Relevant federal laws can include but are not limited to the Sikes Act Improvement Act (SAIA), National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, as amended, and the Clean Water Act.

The SAIA requires the Secretaries of the military departments to prepare and implement INRMPs for each military installation unless exempted as a result of the absence of significant natural resources. Each INRMP must include the elements of natural resources management applicable to the installation. This INRMP also fulfills other responsibilities with regard to Department of Defense Instructions and Directives, as well as Department of the Navy and Marine Corps policies for natural resource planning, conservation, management, and rehabilitation in support of the Base’s military mission.

The preparation of an INRMP requires coordination with appropriate natural resource management agencies. Review copies will be distributed to state and federal natural resource management agencies.

Comments and responses to those comments will be incorporated into Appendix A of this INRMP.

Site Description and Background

MCSF-BI is located on the St. Johns River, approximately 7 miles west of the mouth of the St. Johns River and approximately 12 miles northeast of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Other nearby military installations include Naval Station Mayport at the mouth of the St. Johns River, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, 26 miles southwest of MCSF-BI, and the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, 35 miles north of MCSF-BI. MCSF-BI occupies 911.3 acres on the east half of Blount Island. A separate 331.4-acre parcel known as the Dayson Dredge Disposal Area is located approximately 0.5 mile northeast of Blount Island and adjacent to Heckscher Drive.

MCSF-BI hosts two commands, Blount Island Command (BICmd) and MCSF-BI. As the Marine Corps Logistics Command’s Executive Agent for Marine Corps Prepositioning Programs, BICmd plans, coordinates, and executes the logistics efforts in support of Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS) Program and the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program, Norway. MCSF-BI plans, coordinates, and executes facility maintenance, construction, environmental management, safety, communications/network services, and physical security efforts in support of Blount Island Command’s (BICmd) logistics mission of managing/executing the Marine Corps Strategic Prepositioning Programs.

MCSF Blount Island Mission

MCSF Blount Island (MCSF-BI) plans, coordinates, and executes facility maintenance, construction, environmental management, safety, communications/network services, and physical security efforts in support of BICmd logistics mission of managing/executing the Marine Corps Strategic Prepositioning Programs. MCSF-BI is a critical national defense asset that is a force projection platform supporting the training, sustainment, deployment, embarkation, redeployment, and reconstitution of the opposing forces (OPFOR). MCSF-BI is by design a lean, economy of force installation organization that largely outsources contractually to commercial services providers to execute installation services in support of its tenants.

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Natural Resources Description

Natural resources on MCSF-BI include various types of undeveloped areas, wetlands, and wildlife, including protected species.

Undeveloped areas occur primarily around the perimeter of MCSF-BI. In addition, small undeveloped areas are scattered across the site in the form of wooded patches and grassy fields. A narrow strip of woodland extends along the perimeter of MCSF-BI adjacent to the St. Johns River and is vegetated by trees and shrubs including live oak (Quercus virginiana), sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), chinaberry (Melia azedarach), camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), slash pine (Pinus elliottii), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), southern prickly ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis), and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera).

Wetlands at MCSF-BI include man-made stormwater management facilities and natural tidal marshes along the shoreline of the St. Johns River and in the tidal lagoon. Vegetation in the tidal marshes consists primarily of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), glasswort (Salicornia virginica), sea oxeye (Borrichia frutescens), needlerush (Juncus roemerianus), and sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense).

Several wildlife species that can be found on Blount Island are listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern by state or federal agencies (Table ES-1). In addition, numerous migratory bird species that are seasonal visitors to Blount Island are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Table ES-1. Protected Species Observed or Potentially Occurring at MCSF-BI

Common Name

Scientific Name

Federal Status

State Status

Notes

Mammals

West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus LT (CH) LT Observed in St. Johns River and MCSF-BI slipway.

Birds

Black Skimmer Rynchops niger NL LT Observed in DDA.

Least Tern Sterna antillarum NL LT Observed in onsite ponds and DDA. Nesting colonies observed in lighterage area.

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea NL LT Observed in onsite stormwater ponds and ditches.

Reddish Egret Egretta thula NL LT Observed in DDA.

Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja NL LT Observed in DDA.

Rufa Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa LT LT Observed in DDA. Bird species observed, but subspecies not confirmed.

Southeastern American Kestrel

Falco sparverius paulus

NL LT Observed onsite and in DDA. Bird species observed, but subspecies not confirmed.

Tricolored heron Egretta tricolor NL LT Observed in onsite stormwater ponds.

Wood Stork Mycteria Americana LT LT Observed in onsite stormwater ponds and DDA.

Worthington’s Marsh Wren

Cistothorus palustris griseus

NL LT Observed in DDA. Bird species observed, but subspecies not confirmed.

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Table ES-1. Protected Species Observed or Potentially Occurring at MCSF-BI

Common Name

Scientific Name Federal Status

State Status

Notes

Reptiles

American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis

SAT SAT Observed in onsite stormwater ponds and ditches.

Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus

NL LT Tortoise population was relocated in 2011, 2013, and 2015. Surveys have been conducted twice annually from 2013 to 2020, with gopher tortoises confirmed on the base during each event.

Eastern Indigo Snake Drymarchon corais couperi

LT LT Not observed during survey event in 2009; no evidence of species on MCSF-BI during subsequent gopher tortoise and reptile and amphibian surveys, though facility is within present range.

Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas LT LT Sporadic observances within the St. Johns River and adjacent waterways; dead and/or injured specimens observed on the East Point shoreline, and Base personnel are trained to contact FWC immediately if a dead or injured sea turtle is observed.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Caretta LT LT Sporadic observances within the St. Johns River and adjacent waterways; dead and/or injured specimens observed on the East Point shoreline, and Base personnel are trained to contact FWC immediately if a dead or injured sea turtle is observed.

Fish

Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus

LE (CH) LE Critical habitat designation includes waters of the St. Johns River adjacent to MCSF-BI.

CH = Designated Critical Habitat DDA = Dredge Disposal Area FWC = Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission LT = Threatened LE = Endangered NL = Not currently listed SAT = Listed Threatened Due to Similarity of Appearance to Another Species Source: FWC, 2018

Natural Resource Management

Natural resource management programs at MCSF-BI are intended to comply with regulatory requirements, foster stewardship of those resources entrusted to the Marine Corps, and not constrain the ability to achieve current and future military missions. The components of the MCSF-BI INRMP are designed to provide for ecosystem management through the integration of many activities, including inventory and monitoring of natural resources, providing for wildlife and fisheries management, integrated pest management programs that include control of exotic invasive plants, management of protected and other sensitive species, grounds maintenance and landscaping activities, environmental planning, emergency response, information management, public access where appropriate, and environmental education. The Planned Actions included in this INRMP may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect, West Indian manatee, American alligator, least tern, wood stork, and other protected species that utilize

MCSF-BI.

The Environmental Section of the Installation Division Office at MCSF-BI is responsible for managing the implementation of the INRMP, and for coordinating with other facility organizations, tenants, and contractors. Specific INRMP activities have been identified for each year of the 5-year planning period;

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these activities will be prioritized during annual reviews based on need and funding considerations.

Progress in implementing the INRMP will be tracked on checklists that apply to each year of the Plan.

Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. ES-1 Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... iv

1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1-1

1.1 Purpose and Requirement for the INRMP ....................................................................... 1-1

1.1.1 Regulatory Requirements and Legal Authority ................................................... 1-1

1.1.2 Guidance and Required Elements ...................................................................... 1-2

1.1.3 Natural Resource Management Laws and Regulations ..................................... 1-3

1.2 INRMP Development, Coordination, Evaluation, and Updates ....................................... 1-3

1.2.1 Public Comment .................................................................................................. 1-3

1.2.2 Resource Agency Coordination .......................................................................... 1-4

1.3 Military Natural Resources Stewardship .......................................................................... 1-4

1.3.1 History of Military Natural Resources Management............................................ 1-4

1.3.2 Emergence of Ecosystem Management Philosophy .......................................... 1-5

1.3.3 DOD Policy and Programs .................................................................................. 1-5

1.3.4 Blount Island’s Natural Resource Management Philosophy ............................... 1-6

1.4 INRMP and Natural Resource Management Goals ......................................................... 1-6

1.4.1 Blount Island Natural Resource Management Goals .......................................... 1-6

1.4.2 INRMP Goals ...................................................................................................... 1-6

1.5 MCSF-BI Natural Resource Management Structure ........................................................ 1-7

1.6 Relationship of the INRMP to Existing Plans and Orders ................................................ 1-7

1.7 Natural Resource Management Program and Project Funding ....................................... 1-8

1.8 Organization of the INRMP .............................................................................................. 1-8

2. Mission, Land Use, and Regional Setting ................................................................................. 2-1

2.1 Location and Mission ....................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.1 Location ............................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.2 Military Mission .................................................................................................... 2-1

2.2 Land Use .......................................................................................................................... 2-5

2.2.1 Blount Island ....................................................................................................... 2-5

2.2.2 Region ................................................................................................................. 2-5

3. Natural Resources ...................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1 Physical Environment ....................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.1 Climate ................................................................................................................ 3-1

3.1.2 Topography ......................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.3 Geology and Soils ............................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.4 Hydrology and Water Quality .............................................................................. 3-1

3.2 Biological Environment ..................................................................................................... 3-2

3.2.1 Plant Communities .............................................................................................. 3-2

3.2.2 Wildlife Species ................................................................................................... 3-3

3.2.3 Protected Species ............................................................................................. 3-17

3.2.4 Landscape Linkages and Wildlife Corridors ...................................................... 3-28

4. Natural Resources Management ............................................................................................... 4-1

4.1 Natural Resources Management Overview ..................................................................... 4-1

4.1.1 Philosophy and Guiding Principles ..................................................................... 4-1

4.1.2 Program Implementation ..................................................................................... 4-2 i

4.2 Ecosystem Management .................................................................................................. 4-2

4.2.1 General Ecosystem Management ....................................................................... 4-2

4.2.2 Regional Planning, Partnering, and Involvement ................................................ 4-3

4.3 Land Management ........................................................................................................... 4-3

4.4 Natural Resources Inventory............................................................................................ 4-3

4.4.1 Vegetation and Habitat Inventory and Mapping .................................................. 4-3

4.4.2 Long-term Trend Monitoring and Analysis .......................................................... 4-4

4.5 Surface Waters................................................................................................................. 4-4

4.5.1 Wetlands ............................................................................................................. 4-4

4.5.2 Riparian Habitat Management ............................................................................ 4-5

4.6 Wildlife Management ........................................................................................................ 4-5

4.6.1 Migratory Bird Management ................................................................................ 4-5

4.6.2 Other Wildlife Management ................................................................................. 4-6

4.6.3 Nuisance Wildlife Management........................................................................... 4-6

4.6.4 Game and Sport Fisheries Management ............................................................ 4-6

4.6.5 Wildlife Habitat Enhancement ............................................................................. 4-6

4.7 Integrated Pest Management ........................................................................................... 4-7

4.7.1 Integrated Pest Management Plan ..................................................................... 4-7

4.7.2 Insects ................................................................................................................. 4-7

4.7.3 Rodents ............................................................................................................... 4-7

4.7.4 Invasive Exotic Plants ......................................................................................... 4-8

4.8 Protected Species Management ...................................................................................... 4-8

4.8.1 Avoidance/Minimization and Awareness ............................................................ 4-8

4.8.2 Surveys/Monitoring and Habitat Management .................................................... 4-9

4.9 Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping ....................................................................... 4-10

4.10 Environmental Planning ................................................................................................. 4-12

4.11 Information Management ............................................................................................... 4-12

4.12 Natural Resource Related Public Access ...................................................................... 4-12

4.13 Environmental Education ............................................................................................... 4-13

4.14 Completed Actions During Previous INRMP Cycle ........................................................ 4-13

4.15 Recommendations for Further Management Implementation ....................................... 4-15

4.15.1 Development of a Habitat Quality Assessment Tool ......................................... 4-15

4.15.2 Continue Invasive Species Surveys and Eradication Projects ......................... 4-16

4.15.3 Continue Mosquitofish Stocking ........................................................................ 4-16

4.15.4 Native Vegetation Plantings Plan ...................................................................... 4-16

4.15.5 Continue Saltmarsh Mink Surveys .................................................................... 4-16

4.15.6 Perform Diamondback Terrapin Surveys .......................................................... 4-16

5. Timelines and Funding ............................................................................................................... 5-1

6. References ................................................................................................................................... 6-1

Appendices A Agency and Public Review Comments

B Species Observed at MCSF-BI

C Implementation Monitoring Tables

D Natural Resource Drivers ii iii

E Real Estate Agreements

F Natural Resource Survey Reports and Permits

(1) Invasive Exotic Plant Survey

(2) Cogon Grass Control Plan

(3) Woody Invasive Species Control Plan

(4) Bird Survey

(5) Amphibian and Reptile Survey

(6) Blount Island Reissuance Final Agency Action

(7) Gopher Tortoise Excavation and Relocation Results Report

(8) Alligator Survey

G Pest Management

H Climate Survey

I INRMP Revisions

Tables ES-1 Protected Species Observed or Potentially Occurring at MCSF-BI ........................................... ES-2 3-1 Number of each Amphibian and Reptile Species Captured or Observed Yearly during

Monitoring Events in 2016 through 2019 .................................................................................... 3-13 3-2 Wetlands on MCSF-BI ................................................................................................................ 3-17 3-3 Land Use at MCSF-BI and DDA ................................................................................................. 3-17 3-4 Protected Species Observed at MCSF-BI .................................................................................. 3-17 4-1 Completed Actions at MCSF-BI During Previous INRMP Cycle (2016 – 2020).......................... 4-14 5-1 Priority, Funding Source, and Relative Cost Requirements for FY 2021 – 2025 .......................... 5-1

Figures 2-1 Regional Location of Blount Island ............................................................................................... 2-3 2-2 Location Map ................................................................................................................................. 2-4 2-3 2019 Land Use Map ...................................................................................................................... 2-6 3-1 2019 Invasive Plant Species ......................................................................................................... 3-5 3-2 Breeding Bird Survey Results ....................................................................................................... 3-7 3-3 Breeding Bird Survey Results – Dayson Basin ............................................................................. 3-8 3-4 Reptile and Amphibian Survey Locations ................................................................................... 3-12 3-5 Wetland Map ............................................................................................................................... 3-16 3-6 Protected Species ....................................................................................................................... 3-19 3-7 Manatee Habitat .......................................................................................................................... 3-22 3-8 Gopher Tortoise Survey Areas.................................................................................................... 3-24 3-9 Alligator Survey Areas ................................................................................................................. 3-26 4-1 Shoreline Cleanup Area .............................................................................................................. 4-11

Acronyms and Abbreviations

°F Fahrenheit

BICmd Blount Island Command

CmdO Command Order

CO Commanding Officer

CWA Clean Water Act

DDA Dredge Disposal Area

DOD Department of Defense

DODD Department of Defense Directives

DODI Department of Defense Instructions

DPS distinct population segments

EO Executive Order

ESA Endangered Species Act, as amended

ESOH Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health

FD Formal Jurisdictional Determinations

FDEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection

FNAI Florida Natural Areas Inventory

FSA Florida Shorebird Alliance

FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

FY fiscal year

GIS Geographic Information System

HQMC Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps

INRMP Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan

ISO International Organization for Standardization

JAXPORT Jacksonville Port Authority

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act

MCO Marine Corps Order

MCSF-BI Marine Corps Support Facility – Blount Island iv

MPF Maritime Prepositioning Force mph miles per hour

MPS Maritime Prepositioning Ship

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service

OFW Outstanding Florida Water

PVC polyvinyl chloride

SAIA Sikes Act Improvement Act

STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

USC United States Code

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

USMC United States Marine Corps v

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1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose and Requirement for the INRMP

This Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) coordinates natural resource conservation and management efforts with the support of land use and military mission requirements and responsibilities at the Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island (MCSF-BI). The purpose of the INRMP is to document and assist, as required, in the development, integration, and coordination of natural resource management on MCSF-BI. Consistent with the use of MCSF-BI to support the preparedness of the Armed Forces, the INRMP also provides for:

Conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on MCSF-BI

Sustainable multipurpose use of those resources

Public access to facilitate that use, subject to safety and military security requirements

To maintain regular and continued use of land for military mission purposes, natural resource utilization must be:

Sustainable

Implemented in accordance with laws and regulations

Optimally integrated with existing Base plans and mission requirements, as mandated by both Department of Defense (DOD) and Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC) guidance

This INRMP describes MCSF-BI’s approach to natural resources management and stewardship, and summarizes baseline information and agreements through which compliance with regulatory and planning processes is accomplished. Federal laws requiring compliance include, but are not limited to, the Sikes Act Improvement Act (SAIA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act, as amended (ESA), and the Clean Water Act (CWA). This INRMP also fulfills other responsibilities with regard to Department of Defense Instructions (DODI) and Directives (DODD), as well as Department of Navy (DoN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) policies for natural resource planning, conservation, management, and rehabilitation in support of the Base’s military mission.

MCSF-BI’s INRMP provides technical guidance to persons planning and/or preparing Installation approvals, management actions, orders, instructions, guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures, and other plans for integrating natural resource management efforts into the Base’s planning and decision making processes. The INRMP is not for use by military personnel operating in the field. Field operations are directed to follow guidelines, plans, orders, or other approvals developed using this INRMP that have already undergone environmental compliance review including, where applicable, regulatory approvals and/or permitting. This INRMP provides necessary information to support sound land use and natural resource management decisions, but does not dictate those decisions.

1.1.1 Regulatory Requirements and Legal Authority

This INRMP meets the requirements established by the SAIA and the implementing directives of the DOD, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Sikes Act (Public Law 86-797, 16 United States Code [USC] 670a et seq.), as it existed prior to the SAIA, authorized the DOD and its component services to enter into partnerships with the Department of the Interior United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), State fish and wildlife agencies, and private entities. These partnerships were to result in cooperative agreements or plans that were “mutually agreed upon” by the military agency and other partners. Although these cooperative plans allowed for the development of natural resources programs on military installations, they were not mandatory. The SAIA made development and implementation of INRMPs mandatory to provide for sound natural resource management on military lands.

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The SAIA requires the Secretaries of the military departments to prepare and implement INRMPs for each military installation unless exempted as a result of the absence of significant natural resources. Each INRMP must include the elements of natural resources management applicable to the installation, including compliance with the terms and conditions of any relevant Biological Opinions issued by

USFWS.

This INRMP fulfills the statutory requirements under Public Law 105-85, Division B Title XXIX, November 18, 1997, 111 Statute 2017-2019, 2020-2033 (SAIA). Although several other laws require military installations to protect sensitive biological resources, the SAIA is viewed as an “umbrella” law with regard to natural resource management on military lands. This INRMP helps MCSF-BI comply with applicable Federal and State laws.

1.1.2 Guidance and Required Elements

The SAIA, Marine Corps Order (MCO) 5090.2, Environmental Compliance and Protection Manual, (HQMC, 1998), and the Handbook for Preparing, Revising and Implementing Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans on Marine Corps Installations (HQMC, 2007) were used to guide the preparation of this INRMP. As defined by SAIA, natural resource management programs on military lands should be consistent with the use of those lands to support the preparedness of the Armed Forces and should provide for:

Conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources

Sustainable multipurpose use of natural resources

Access to military installations for public use of natural resources, subject to safety and military security requirements

Additionally, the SAIA requires that an INRMP be consistent with the military use of the installation to support military preparedness and that each INRMP, to the extent appropriate and applicable, should provide for:

Fish and wildlife management, fish- and wildlife-oriented recreation; and appropriate habitat enhancement or modifications

Land management

Forest management

Wetland protection, enhancement, and restoration, where necessary for support of fish, wildlife, or plants

Integration of, and consistency among, the various activities conducted under the INRMP

Establishment of specific natural resource management goals and objectives and time frames for proposed action

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

Public access to the military installation that is necessary or appropriate subject to the requirements necessary to support safety and military security

Enforcement of applicable natural resource laws and regulations

No net loss in the capability of military installation lands to support the military mission of the installation

Such other activities as the Secretary of the military department defines as appropriate

Implementation of this INRMP will be achieved through the Planned Actions identified in Section 4.

Planned Actions are those actions that MCSF-BI will strive to implement within the duration of this Plan that will help achieve natural resource management goals and SAIA requirements. Planned Actions are

1-3 specific, measurable means to implement the INRMP and achieve or maintain desired conditions at MCSF-BI. To make sure that MCSF-BI continues to achieve its military mission, implementation of actions will be conducted in an adaptive manner, adjusting management priorities and methodologies to accommodate changing mission requirements and natural resource needs.

1.1.3 Natural Resource Management Laws and Regulations

MCSF-BI must satisfy certain laws and regulations for its mission to continue without disruption. Federal regulations, such as the ESA and CWA, require compliance to support continuance of the military mission. Additionally, Installation-specific considerations are defined by the mission, land uses that support the mission, Base location, and the natural resources that may be affected by the mission. The primary laws and regulations and their interaction with mission requirements create the basis for identifying natural resource management goals and objectives for MCSF-BI. Blount Island Command (BICmd), MCSF-BI’s primary tenant, was established in 1989 as a subordinate of the Commanding General, Command. As a significant support facility for global Marine Corps operations, the primary natural resource management driver is to make sure land use and facility capacity are sufficient to provide the logistic support for global operations. This requires port and loading facilities, short-term repair facilities for support equipment, infrastructure to support global coordination, and flexibility to alter resource utilization to meet any new mission objectives. Natural resource management considerations that help to support the long-term sustainability of the military mission and Base resources include:

Manage real property assets, real estate agreements, and military and nonmilitary activities so that land use activities are compatible with the mission and the needs of sensitive natural resources.

Comply with the ESA, and other applicable federal natural resource regulations such as the CWA, Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), through avoidance and minimization of impacts to sensitive species and their habitats on Base.

Monitor mission encroachment on natural resources and encroachment of natural resources on mission capability.

Prevent, where possible, degradation of sensitive resources and maintain sufficient undeveloped lands and varied vegetation for sensitive species.

1.2 INRMP Development, Coordination, Evaluation, and Updates

This section describes the process whereby this INRMP was prepared, agencies that are being provided an opportunity to review and comment on the document, and the public review process for the INRMP.

1.2.1 Public Comment

Through amendments to the Sikes Act, members of the public, advocacy groups, and interested citizens were afforded an opportunity to review and comment on the INRMP during its preparation. The SAIA requires that each military department provide an opportunity for the submission of public comments on the INRMP and on changes to any developed cooperative plans. The INRMP will be made available to the public, as required by the SAIA for a 45-day comment period beginning on August 2021. Notifications of the availability of the INRMP and the public review and comment period will be posted on the MCSF-BI homepage (www.bic.marines.mil), and a newspaper posting in The Florida Times-Union will reference the listing on the MCSF-BI homepage (Appendix A). Future revisions to the INRMP will be made available to the public as well.

MCSF-BI’s revised INRMP will be available to the public following the comment period. Comments received on the INRMP will be reviewed by the Base during its annual review of the INRMP and also during future updates of the INRMP.

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1.2.2 Resource Agency Coordination

Annual INRMP review meetings have been held since 2008 and will continue to be held with the supporting resource agencies listed below.

This document was reviewed by:

USFWS for compliance with the ESA

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for compliance with Essential Fish Habitat requirements and other applicable fisheries regulations and guidelines, including their mandate to track manatee populations

Florida State Historic Preservation Office for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act

Florida Coastal Zone Management Program for compliance with coastal zone regulations

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and St. Johns River Water Management District for compliance with State aquatic resource and water quality regulations

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for compliance with State protected species programs and consumptive recreation programs

Agency comments are included in Appendix A. These agencies will continue to be invited to annual INRMP review meetings at MCSF-BI.

1.3 Military Natural Resources Stewardship

This section provides a brief history of natural resource stewardship on military lands and concludes with a summary of the ecosystem management philosophy for MCSF-BI.

1.3.1 History of Military Natural Resources Management

DOD manages 25 million acres of public land. These DOD lands include national assets of unique ecological value and biological diversity. Military forces have been overseeing or managing public lands and natural resources, including lands set aside as national parks, since 1823 (Benton et al., 2008). Over the past four decades, the military has strengthened its commitment to natural resources management through adoption of both the philosophy and principles of ecosystem management.

The Conservation Programs on Military Reservations Act (Sikes Act), passed in 1960 (Public Law 86- 797), provided the first legal basis for wildlife conservation and public access for recreation on military lands. The Sikes Act also authorized the collection of fees and the development of cooperative plans by the military, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and State fish and game agencies. During this period policies encouraged consumptive uses of natural resources, such as agricultural leasing (Benton et al. 2008). Revenues generated from grazing and other programs such as forestry and hunting and fishing programs became the major source of funding for natural resources management programs on DOD installations.

Natural resources management programs continued to pursue multiple, consumptive use management strategies and training lands became increasingly degraded. DOD saw the need for natural resources management and ecological protection (Benton et al. 2008). Therefore, DOD established a natural resources management program office and many installations shifted natural resources managers into newly created environmental offices, strengthening environmental research and management activities.

DODD 4700.4 (Natural Resources Management Program), which called for development of INRMPs on military installations, was intended to balance competing interests. This set the stage for a different approach to resource management on military installations.

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1.3.2 Emergence of Ecosystem Management Philosophy

In order to support the military mission while managing natural resources, it was recognized that land management should be integrated with military operational and training objectives. Military departments audited programs and committed to complete biological resource inventories. The military began to develop partnerships and cooperatives with other government agencies and the private sectors to provide additional expertise and develop solutions to common problems. The USFWS, State fish and game agencies, U.S. Forest Service, and The Nature Conservancy were prominent among the many organizations invited to serve as partners in developing new strategies for DOD natural resources management (Benton et al., 2008).

In 1994, the DOD Ecosystem Management Policy Directive mandated that military installations use ecosystem management to:

Restore and maintain ecological associations that are of local and regional importance and compatible with existing geophysical components.

Restore and maintain biological diversity and manage for viable populations.

Restore and maintain ecological processes, structures, and functions.

Maintain ecologically appropriate perspectives of time and space and adapt to changing conditions.

In 1995, DOD, along with government and private stakeholders, participated in a national dialogue to develop policy guidance for enhancing and protecting DOD lands in a way that would be integrated with the military mission. The dialogue (often referred to as the Keystone Dialogue) revealed strong support by DOD for biodiversity conservation on military lands and affirmed that conservation of natural heritage is important on military lands for the following principal reasons (The Keystone Center, 1996):

Biodiversity conservation is essential to sustaining natural landscapes required for training and testing necessary to maintain military readiness.

Biodiversity conservation can help make sure that lands and waters are maintained in a healthy and natural condition that provides greater flexibility in land use for military operations.

Biodiversity conservation is central to ecosystem management, which has been embraced as DOD's natural resources management strategy.

Biodiversity conservation can expedite the compliance process and help avoid conflicts.

Biodiversity conservation demonstrates responsible stewardship of public lands and fosters good will within the communities surrounding military installations. This engenders public support for the military mission.

Biodiversity conservation is essential for the integrity of the natural environments that are home to our nation's soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines and can improve the quality of life of our nation's military personnel and their families.

1.3.3 DOD Policy and Programs

The goal of ecosystem management, as established by DOD, is that military lands support present and future training and testing requirements while preserving, improving, and enhancing ecosystem integrity.

Over the long term, this approach will maintain and improve the sustainability and biological diversity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems while supporting sustainable economies, human use, and the environment required for realistic training operations (DOD, 1996).

DODI 4715.3 (Environmental Conservation Program) established the following principles and guidelines:

Maintain and improve the sustainability and native biological diversity of ecosystems.

Administer with consideration for spatial and temporal scales relevant to natural processes.

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Support sustainable human activities.

Develop a vision of ecosystem health.

Develop priorities and reconcile conflicts.

Develop coordinated approaches involving appropriate stakeholders to manage ecosystem health.

Rely on best science and available data.

Use benchmarks to monitor and evaluate outcomes.

Use adaptive management that is flexible to accommodate advances in scientific understanding of ecosystems and changes in mission requirements.

Implement plans and programs that move toward a desirable range of future conditions.

DOD provides for the protection of species through management of ecosystems. This requires land managers to work with others to enhance information exchange and share information and resources for natural resources management.

1.3.4 Blount Island’s Natural Resource Management Philosophy

MCSF-BI’s overall approach to managing natural resources reflects the principles of ecosystem management, consistent with DOD and Marine Corps policy. The natural resource management approach on MCSF-BI is to develop, promote, and refine a comprehensive, ecosystem-based management program for resource conservation that provides maximum support of the military mission and infrastructure, while achieving sustainability of species and habitat diversity and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

1.4 INRMP and Natural Resource Management Goals

Natural resource management goals have been established at various levels and are incorporated into the MCSF-BI INRMP. Specific goals for natural resource management at MCSF-BI are discussed further in Section 4.

1.4.1 Blount Island Natural Resource Management Goals

Natural resources management goals are necessary to develop an integrated natural resources management program. Goals define management practices, make sure that different components of natural resource management do not operate at cross purposes, and can be used to establish priorities.

Natural resource management goals specifically adopted by MCSF-BI are:

Manage MCSF-BI’s natural resources in a manner that accommodates ongoing military mission requirements and adapts to accommodate future changes in military requirements.

Conserve and protect MCSF-BI’s natural resources in accordance with compliance requirements and sound stewardship principles.

Participate, where practicable, in regional natural resource management programs.

1.4.2 INRMP Goals

The purpose of the INRMP is to document and assist, as required, in the development, integration, and coordination of natural resource management on MCSF-BI. Goals established for the INRMP are:

Provide baseline information and conditions that support daily decision making and compliance with regulatory and planning processes.

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Identify practicable desired conditions for natural resources on MCSF-BI and establish specific natural resource program management goals and planned actions that will be implemented during the time frames for achieving and maintaining desired conditions on MCSF-BI.

Identify, document, and successfully implement and administer the INRMP and manage MCSF-BI’s natural resources.

Integrate the various natural resources management programs on MCSF-BI to reduce overlap and redundancy, which results in more efficient management of MCSF-BI’s natural resources and effective support of the military mission.

Identify desirable lower priority projects that may be completed if required resources become available.

Conduct periodic review, update, and reporting of program goals and degree of implementation of Planned Actions specified by the INRMP.

1.5 MCSF-BI Natural Resource Management Structure

Interaction and integration among multiple organizations at MCSF-BI make sure that the military mission and natural resource management are compatible. Organizations that are stakeholders associated with a particular area involved with resource management are involved in developing that part of the program.

That group comprises levels of management and operations at MCSF-BI, including the Commanding Officer (CO) and Base administrative staff, the Installation Management Office, Logistics and Operations Divisions of BICmd, other tenants, and contractors.

The Environmental Section coordinates implementation of the INRMP and other natural resources management activities at MCSF-BI. Those activities are communicated to Base management staff through weekly meetings that involve the Base CO and BICmd Deputy Director, as well as the heads of the individual departments and divisions. These meetings allow for natural resource management tasks to be coordinated with the MCSF-BI military mission, and for affected groups to be made aware of appropriate natural resource management information. Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health (ESOH) staff, in turn, coordinate with staff from other MCSF-BI groups, tenants, and contractors, as necessary, to complete the natural resource management activities.

1.6 Relationship of the INRMP to Existing Plans and Orders

The INRMP is not intended to replace existing Base orders, policy, operations guidance, or military management plans. The INRMP provides the framework for integration and coordination of natural resource management with other Base operations. This INRMP serves to facilitate integration of natural resource management with the military mission of BICmd. Development of future plans for MCSF-BI should reference the INRMP and make sure that proposed actions are consistent with the INRMP.

Specifically, the Environmental staff will verify consistency between the INRMP and the following plans:

Integrated Pest Management Plan

MCO 5090.2 Environmental Compliance and Protection Program

– MCSF-BI Integrated Contingency Plan

– MCSF-BI Title V Permit

– MCSF-BI Hazardous Waste Management Plan

– MCSF-BI Ozone Depleting Substance Plan

MCSF-BI Commanding Officer’s Environmental Management System Policy (ESOH-F-5.2.1050)

Command Order (CmdO) 5090.9 Hazardous Waste Program

CmdO 5090.15 Pollution Prevention Plan

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CmdO 5090.30 Energy and Water Management Program

CmdO 5092.1 Solid Waste Management and Qualified recycling Program

CmdO 5093.1 BICmd Hazardous Waste Management Plan

CmdO 5090.302 Hazardous Materials Security Program

CmdO 5090.1 NEPA

1.7 Natural Resource Management Program and Project Funding

MCSF-BI will seek appropriate funding for natural resources management and will establish priorities based on the amount of funds received. Not all natural resource related expenditures are identified in the INRMP (such as staff, supplies, and overhead), but Planned Actions within the INRMP that require funding should be incorporated into budget planning documentation. Costs associated with the implementation of Planned Actions will be identified at the earliest practicable stage in the development process and incorporated into appropriate funding requests. As budgets are reevaluated and funding allocations change, MCSF-BI must reevaluate and adjust INRMP Planned Actions, prioritization, and timeframes. Monitoring progress toward achievement of INRMP goals and the adaptive management of resources allows these adjustments to be made as part of the planned update process for the INRMP.

MCSF-BI has three sources of funding for implementing the INRMP. Environmental projects are entered into the Marine Corps’ compliance tracking system, known as ENCORE (Environmental Compliance and Operational Reporting).