Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan

USAG Stuttgart

FINAL

Prepared by:

Natural Resource Innovations GmbH

June 2019

U.S. ARMY GARRISON STUTTGART

This page intentionally left blank i

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PURPOSE

The purpose of this plan is to document the desired natural resource conditions and describe the policies and programs at USAG Stuttgart that are designed to accomplish a specific set of goals for the five-year planning period from 2015-2019. The plan was developed under the concepts of: sustainable use of army lands, natural resources management, biodiversity protection and ecosystem management.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

This plan has been written in accordance with the Environmental Final Governing

Standards for Germany as well as Army Regulation 200-1 and all applicable

Department of Defense standards.

SCOPE

Geographical scope:

The USAG Stuttgart consists of nine locations: eight cantonment areas and one training area. Some locations contain several individual sites, together comprising

17 sites, all of which are located in the Stuttgart area in central Baden-

Württemberg, Germany. The present total acreage of USAG Stuttgart is approximately 2,402 acres (972 hectares). More than half of the total acreage is occupied by the Local Training Area Boeblingen, which is 1,419 acres

(574 hectares).

The underlying geology is characterized by a strata dip from the northwest to the southeast. The sandstone and Muschelkalk (shell limestone) layers in the northwest of the garrison submerge and are overlapped by geological formations of the Keuper in the central area. Subsequently, the southwestern installations are characterized by Jurassic formations covering the Keuper. The natural soils in the area are generally fertile and often contain Loess, which was deposited during the

Paleozoic era.

Open water bodies within the USAG Stuttgart are principally limited to the training area. There are several small creeks within the training area as well as several ponds, which are of non-natural origin. Those ponds, however, represent valuable ecological habitats today. The largest pond has an approximate size of 0.7-0.8 ha

(1.7-1.9 acres) and a maximum depth of 2 meters.

The nutrient-poor grassland areas of the training area are of great ecological significance, providing habitats for rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species.

ii

RELATIONSHIP TO THE MILITARY MISSION

The USAG Stuttgart has the mission to provide command and control, communications and Base Operations to assigned and attached units.

Furthermore, facility support services and quality-of-life programs and activities are provided to service members, civilians, retirees and their families. An additional central objective is to allow units to accomplish training objectives in realistic environments in accordance with U.S. Army and NATO doctrine, under the published Rules of Engagement.

In order to achieve its mission and maintain readiness standards, the U.S. Army must have lands that are capable of supporting training and other functions indefinitely. Consequently, land and natural resources are some of the U.S. Army’s most valuable assets. The dual concepts of managing for sustainable natural resources and a sustainable “outdoor classroom” used for training are complimentary.

Sustainable use of the complex combination of resources found at USAG Stuttgart can be achieved through effective management programs that integrate training and other mission requirements with state-of-art resources management programs and by providing appropriate management goals.

• The primary natural resource needed for the military training mission is an area with a balanced portion of forested and open land, which is uninhabited, providing realistic training conditions.

• During decades of military use, the training area has not been subjected to fertilizer or pesticide use, or any other negative factors of intensive farming and forestry. Studies show that biodiversity is much higher within the training area compared to adjacent lands, which have either been built-up or are used as farmland or industrial, production-based forestry.

• Natural resource management on military lands has a tremendous influence on the quality and sustainment of the mission. When natural resource management is synchronized with the mission, it is a primary training enabler.

Conversely, improperly conceived and executed programs can have a very negative, adverse effect on the mission. The relationship between natural resource management and military activities is therefore mutually dependent.

PARTNERSHIPS

For the development and implementation of this INRMP, the most significant partners for the USAG Stuttgart are;

• Environmental Division (ED)

• 7th Army Training Command Training Support Center (TSC)

• Operations and Maintenance Division (O&M)

• Institute for Federal Real Estate or Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben

(BImA) - representing the landowner.

• Federal Forest Service (Bundesforst) – serving as the land management department under the BImA.

• State Forest Agency (Landesbetriebs ForstBW) iii

• Regierungspräsidium (RP) Stuttgart

• Local nature protection agencies

PLANNED MAJOR INITIATIVES

Over the next five years, the following major recurring natural resource management initiatives are required for the U.S. Garrison Stuttgart in order to fulfill its sustainability responsibilities. The initiatives incorporated into this INRMP are:

1. Implement Natura 2000 management guidelines and measures determined by the Natura 2000 Management Plan for area 7220-311, which was developed by the State of Baden-Württemberg Nature Protection agency and outlined in

Sections 4.9 and 6.0 of this document.

2. Implement threatened and endangered species (TES) management measures for the local training area (LTA) as outlined in the TES

Management Plan (Section 6.2).

3. Continue implementation of the TES surveying program to support the success of the management measures.

These three recurring initiatives fulfill Army Environmental Guidance, Host Nation legal requirements, the European Union Natura 2000 Habitat Directive and demonstrate the commitment of the Stuttgart Garrison in providing professional management for the habitat of many threatened and endangered species. Further details about these requirements are given in Section 6.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITIVE EFFECTS THE PLAN WILL HAVE ON THE

INSTALLATION AND THE MISSION

The natural resource management programs detailed in this plan have been designed to support and enable the mission and concurrently preserve, protect and enhance the environmental and ecological conditions of USAG Stuttgart. This will:

• Ensure that the U.S. Army has maximized the quality of the training lands with the highest carrying capacity capable of supporting the mission indefinitely into the future;

• Guarantee that habitats and species are not only properly protected, but that whenever possible, conditions will be enhanced so as to increase their ecological value;

• Limit negative impact on the USAG Stuttgart and Federal Republic of Germany

(FRG) community environments;

• Enhance host nation attitudes and cooperation;

• Provide the desired quality of life for all permanently and temporarily assigned soldiers/personnel and family members, and;

• Provide the installation with economically feasible and efficient natural resources management operations.

iv v

APPROVALS

This Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) addresses environmental management requirements specific to the U.S. ARMY GARRISON STUTTGART.

This INRMP satisfies the requirement to develop and maintain environmental management plans as outlined in the Final Governing Standards (FGS) Chapter 13 for

Germany. The FGS states that this INRMP must be reviewed annually and updated at least once every 5 years.

Prepared By:

ANJA EMMENECKER

Chief Environmental Division

DPW USAG Stuttgart

Date

MARISA K. BARRIE

Director of Public Works

USAG Stuttgart

Date

Approved By:

MATTHEW T. ZIGLAR

COL, CA

Commanding

Date vi vii

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ I

APPROVALS ................................................................................................................................. V

LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................. X

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE

1.2 OVERALL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1.4 ORGANIZATION OF THE PLAN

1.5 PLAN INTEGRATION

1.6 REVISION

1.7 INSTALLATION POLICIES

1.8 POINTS OF CONTACT

1.9 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (EPAS)

1.10 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW GUIDE (ERG)

1.11 BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIVE RESOURCE PLANNING

1.12 LIMITED PUBLIC ACCESS

2.0 MILITARY MISSION

2.1 NATURAL RESOURCES NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE MILITARY MISSION

2.2 EFFECTS OF THE MILITARY MISSION ON NATURAL RESOURCES

2.3 POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE MILITARY MISSION ON NATURAL RESOURCES

2.4 MISSION CHANGES AND FUTURE MISSION IMPACTS ON NATURAL RESOURCES

2.5 IMPACTS OF NATURAL RESOURCES ON THE MISSION

2.5.1 NATURAL RESOURCE CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS

2.5.2 IMPACT REGULATION (EINGRIFFSREGELUNG) UNDER NATURE PROTECTION LAW

3.0 CURRENT CONDITIONS AND USE

3.1. SETTING

3.1.1 LOCATION AND LAND OWNERSHIP

3.1.2 ACREAGE AND ACQUISITION

3.1.3 LAND USES

viii

3.1.4 LAND MANAGEMENT UNITS

3.1.5 DESIGNATED NATURE CONSERVATION AREAS

3.2 FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

3.3 REGIONAL LAND USE

3.4 SHORT HISTORY AND PRE-MILITARY LAND USE

4.0 NATURAL RESOURCES AND CLIMATE

4.1 GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING

4.2 CLIMATE

4.3 TOPOGRAPHY

4.4 GEOLOGY

4.5 SOILS

4.6 WATER RESOURCES

4.6.1 SURFACE WATER

4.6.2 GROUNDWATER

4.6.3 WATER PROTECTION AREAS

4.7 ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES AND BIOTOPES

4.7.1. POTENTIAL NATURAL VEGETATION (PNV)

4.7.2. EXISTING VEGETATION

4.8 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES (TES)

4.8.1 REGULATORY LEVELS FOR SPECIES AND HABITATS

EUROPEAN UNION NATURA 2000 DIRECTIVES

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

STATE OF BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG

4.8.2 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES (TES) IN THE USAG STUTTGART

4.9 NATURA 2000

4.9.1 NATURA 2000 NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS

4.9.2 NATURA 2000 AREAS WITHIN THE USAG STUTTGART

4.9.3 NATURA 2000 MANAGEMENT PLAN - GLEMSWALD AND STUTTGARTER BUCHT

4.10 WETLANDS AND DEEP WATER HABITATS

4.11 FLORA

4.12 FAUNA

5.0 NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM STRUCTURE

5.1 INSTALLATION ORGANIZATIONS

ix

5.2 OTHER DEFENSE ORGANIZATIONS

5.3 GERMAN AGENCIES

5.4 CONTRACTORS

6.0 NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

6.1 INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

6.1.1 FUNDING FOR CANTONMENT AREAS

6.1.2 FUNDING FOR TRAINING AREAS

6.2 TES MANAGEMENT & NATURA 2000 MANAGEMENT

6.2.1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND POINTS OF CONTACT

6.2.2 PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND STATUS

6.2.3 INVENTORYING AND SURVEYING

6.2.4 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

6.2.5 MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND CONCERNS

6.2.6 MANAGEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR

IMPLEMENTATION

6.2.7 PROJECT/PROGRAMS PRIORITIES AND FUNDING OPTIONS

6.2.8 COST SAVING OPPORTUNITIES

6.2.9 IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

6.2.10 COMMAND SUPPORT

6.3 WETLANDS AND DEEP WATER HABITATS MANAGEMENT

6.4 FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

6.5 FORESTRY MANAGEMENT

6.5.1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND POINTS OF CONTACT

6.5.2 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND ENFORCEMENT

6.5.3 ORGANIZATION OF THE BUNDESFORST

6.5.4 PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND STATUS

6.5.5 INVENTORYING AND SURVEYING

6.5.6 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

6.5.7 MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND CONCERNS

6.6. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

6.6.1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND POINTS OF CONTACT

6.6.2 PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND STATUS

6.6.3 INVENTORYING AND SURVEYING

6.7 INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT

x

6.8 PEST MANAGEMENT

6.8.1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND POINTS OF CONTACT

6.8.2 PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND STATUS

6.8.3 INVENTORYING AND MONITORING

6.8.4 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

6.8.5 MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND CONCERNS

6.8.6 MANAGEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR

IMPLEMENTATION

6.9 TRAINING AREA LAND MANAGEMENT

6.9.1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND POINTS OF CONTACT

6.9.2 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND ENFORCEMENT

6.10 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) MANAGEMENT

6.11 OUTDOOR RECREATION

6.11.1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND POINTS OF CONTACT

6.11.2 PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND STATUS

6.12 WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

6.13 TRAINING OF NATURAL RESOURCE PERSONNEL

6.14 WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

6.14.1 RESPONSIBILITIES AND POINTS OF CONTACT

7. IMPLEMENTATION

7.1 PROCESS OF PREPARING PRESCRIPTIONS

7.2 NO NET MISSION LOSS

7.3 USE OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Acronyms

Appendix 2 References

Appendix 3.1 Development Constraints Maps

Appendix 3.2 Protected Areas Maps

Appendix 4 Laws and Regulations

Appendix 5 Relationship between German and U.S. Legislation

Appendix 6 Nature Protection Areas

Appendix 7 Model Grounds Maintenance

Appendix 8 Urban Tree Management xi xii

U.S. ARMY GARRISON STUTTGART

INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN

RECORD OF REVISIONS

Revision

No. Date Name and Title Signature Pages Affected

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) has been prepared for the

U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart in accordance with the Environmental Final Governing

Standards (FGS) for Germany, Chapter 13 – Natural Resources and Endangered Species.

1.1 PURPOSE

The primary purpose of an INRMP is to ensure that natural resources conservation measures and military operations on the installation are integrated and consistent with legal requirements. This document is a long-term planning tool intended to guide the installation commander in the management of natural resources, while protecting and enhancing installation resources for multiple use, sustainable yield, and biological integrity. The Final

Governing Standards for Germany (G-FGS) provide specific standards for environmental protection for the Department of Defense (DOD) and for organizational components for the

USAG Stuttgart. The FGS implement DOD Instruction 4715.5, Overseas Environmental

Baseline Guidance Document (OEBDG).

The Garrison commander is required to provide plans and programs to ensure proper protection, enhancement, and management of applicable natural resources and any biological species declared protected, threatened or endangered by either the United States or the Host Nation. This plan adheres to the FGS Chapter 13 regulations for Germany, detailing the requirements for natural resource management that support the installation mission, as well as harmonize with the landscape. Implementing the INRMP ensures sustainable use of lands for military training and other mission activities.

As defined in the Defense Environmental Programs Annual Report to Congress (DEP ARC) each installation requiring an INRMP is evaluated on a “red-yellow-green” basis at the end of the fiscal year using the seven focus areas listed below;

• INRMP Impact on Installation Mission

• INRMP Implementation

• Partnership/Cooperation and Effectiveness

• Team Adequacy

• Status of Federally-Listed Species and Critical Habitat

• Ecosystem Integrity

• Fish and Wildlife Management and Public Use

1.2 OVERALL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Overall goals and objectives of this plan include:

GOAL 1: Enhance the training mission of USAG Stuttgart by maximizing the availability and accessibility of training lands through implementation of a land management program that enables and sustains the outdoor training classroom.

I. OBJECTIVE – Ensure that no additional open land is lost, for example by reforestation, invasive species, etc., resulting in a net loss of training land (IAW AR

200-1, Section 4.3.d.(1)(g))

II. OBJECTIVE – Repair all major erosion problems caused by maneuver activities within 1 year of damage occurring to avoid net loss of training space.

III. OBJECTIVE – Provide increased operational theater realism through vegetation management activities, removing encroaching vegetation and forest where mission essential training requirements are identified.

IV. OBJECTIVE – Survey invasive species and ensure that there is no significant increase in numbers of invasive species.

GOAL 2: Sustain the natural resources of USAG Stuttgart by meeting all compliance requirements.

I. OBJECTIVE – Implement the INRMP (IAW The Final Governing Standards (FGS)

– Germany C13.3.4.2. and IAW AR 200-1, Section 4.3.d.(1)(b)) by;

• actively requesting, receiving, and using funds for priority projects and activities,

• ensuring that sufficient numbers of professionally trained natural resources management personnel are available to perform the tasks required by the

INRMP,

• coordinating at least annually with all cooperating offices and,

• documenting specific INRMP actions undertaken each year.

II. OBJECTIVE – Support MILCON projects with baseline surveys.

• continue annual T&E species and habitat resurveys (PLS) for key species to establish baselines for MILCON planning and mitigation measures IAW the

DD 1391, and to satisfy ERG requirements and establish alternative site options.

• Establish eco-account IAW state forest and nature protection laws to bring additional flexibility to the MILCON site selection process.

III. OBJECTIVE – As a minimum, maintain the current status of the T&E species.

• maintenance and reclamation of open-land habitats, wetlands and reduction of forest and other vegetative encroachment.

• installation, repair and replacement of bat boxes.

• continue habitat tree surveys identifying valuable nesting sites for endangered birds and bats.

• continued inventory and maintenance of rare fruit tree species.

IV. OBJECTIVE – Initiate an invasive species survey and implement eradication, measures, ensuring a 15% reduction each year.

GOAL 3: Maintain the quality of life of soldiers and their dependents. For example, by improving outdoor recreational activities and by maintaining a safe and attractive living and working environment.

Department-Specific Goals

Master Planning Goals:

• Provide sustainable facilities (sustainability in regard to the conservation of natural resources).

• Integrate U.S. military communities and facilities into the surrounding landscape.

• Implement site zoning (residential, industrial/commercial, military).

Training Support (TSC) Goals:

• Sustain ranges and training land by implementing the Sustainable Range

Program (SRP) to integrate live training programs to maximize range and training lands’ capability, availably and accessibility in an economic and environmentally sound manner.

• Improve roads, drainage, erosion control and vegetation control.

• Reduce unauthorized and unwanted access to the LTA (walkers etc.) .

• Build partnerships with Environmental Division to generate a combined effort to meet goals.

O&M Goals (Water Resources Management):

• Earlier integration of water supply and wastewater issues into the construction planning process.

• Monthly surveying of water consumption and equip all buildings with individual water meters, allowing initiation of targeted measures to reduce water consumption.

• Reduce water consumption by installing flow reducers in all buildings.

• Integrate into the Energy Conservation Program

1.3 Management Philosophy

This INRMP was developed under five main concepts:

• sustainable use of military lands;

• biodiversity protection;

• natural resource compliance and management;

• ecosystem management; and

• economic efficiency.

In order to execute its operational mission and maintain readiness standards, the U.S. Army must have lands that enable realistic training and are capable of supporting mission functions and flexible training scenarios indefinitely into the future. Consequently, suitable training land is one of the U.S. Army’s most valuable assets. Sustainable use of these resources can be achieved through effective land management programs that enhance the training mission, maintain the training carrying capacity, and, as a tactical windfall, sustain the natural resources that contribute to the successful execution of that mission. As outlined in Army Environmental Policy signed by the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Army, “sustainability means developing operational procedures that support our mission in the present without compromising our ability to accomplish our mission in the future”. Natural resource sustainability involves management with the goal of maintaining or increasing the resource’s value indefinitely into the future. The sustainability goal of the U.S. Army is to manage all aspects of natural resources in a way that enables training objectives while limiting multiple use of the training area. Multiple uses include, but are not limited to mission activities, outdoor recreation, aesthetic value, forest management, and preservation.

Biodiversity is defined by U.S. Army Regulation 200-1 as “the variety of life and its processes, including living organisms, the differences among them, and the communities and ecosystems in which they occur”. Protecting and enhancing biodiversity is one main objective of the U.S. Army’s natural resource management program because a more bio diverse habitat is a more stable habitat. Biodiversity consists of many elements of the natural environment, including indigenous ecological communities, native species and their associations, and ecosystem functions such as predation, grazing, nutrient cycling, and wild fire. Biodiversity is best measured by the variety of natural communities and the variety of natural functions that occur within and among these communities, rather than the numbers of species present. Management for maximum biodiversity helps to ensure ecosystem health, which in turn ensures sustainable use to accomplish military missions.

Ecosystem management is the tool that the U.S. Army uses to protect and enhance biodiversity and to achieve sustainable use for military activities. This approach favors management that considers natural resources at a community or ecosystem level and de-emphasizes management at the single species level. The quality, integrity and connectivity of the ecosystem are the main objectives in this approach, and it is assumed that within this broader scheme, individual species will prosper. This approach does not mean that individual rare species are neglected. Rare species are important components of ecosystem biodiversity and are provided legal protection in many instances, and therefore must be considered, particularly during project planning.

1.4 ORGANIZATION OF THE PLAN

The natural resource management programs for the installation have identified goals designed to address management issues and concerns. The Project/Program Priorities section of each program are defined as Highest Priority, Important, or Less Important.

1.5 PLAN INTEGRATION

Management of real property facilities, training ranges, and the natural environment at

Army installations is influenced by many internal and external factors. Guiding this management is a collection of plans written to aid decision makers, all of whom are struggling to meet mission requirements with increasingly limited natural and financial resources. The content of these planning documents as well as the planning procedures to create the documents are specified in Army Regulat ions (AR), Army

Pamphlets (PAM), and other guidance documents. The Army Regulations are crafted to establish Army policy, ensure compliance with Federal laws, respond to DoD

Directives, and outline standardized procedures for installation-level planning.

Environmental and Natural Resource-specific planning documents developed within the USAG Stuttgart include:

- Spill Prevention and Response Plan (SPRP)

- Potable Water System Master Plan (PWSMP)

- Storm water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP2)

- Water Emergency Contingency Plan

- Asbestos Management Plan

- Hazardous Waste Management Plan (HWMP)

- Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan (ICRMP)

- Threatened and Endangered Species (TES) Habitat Survey at the Local Training area Boeblingen

- Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP)

- Range Management Plans

This INRMP is intended to integrate the various planning documents by providing cross references where applicable. This INRMP in combination with its supporting planning documents provide an integrated USAG Stuttgart Command response to its natural resource management and sustainability obligations and responsibilities.

1.6 REVISION

The INRMP will be reviewed annually by a team of stakeholders and revised as necessary by USAG Stuttgart ED and ITAM personnel to attain U.S. Army sustainability goals. A major revision is recommended to be accomplished at least every five years. The initial plan will be signed by the U.S. ARMY GARRISON Commander. As soon as the initial plan and major revisions are made, it will be sent through official channels to IMCOM-EUROPE for approval. The Environmental Quality Control Committee (EQCC) is responsible for the maintenance of the plan.

• Annual Reviews

Annual reviews facilitate ‘adaptive management’ by providing an opportunity to review the goals and objectives of the plan, as well as establish a realistic schedule for undertaking proposed actions. As a minimum requirement, it is recommended to annually evaluate whether:

- all critical projects (‘highest priority’ projects) and activities have been programmed into the budget and that implementation is on schedule.

- projects and activities included in the INRMP for the upcoming year have been identified and programmed for. An updated project list does not necessitate revising the INRMP if the goals and objectives remain unchanged.

- all required natural resource positions are filled or are in the process of being filled;

- all required coordination has occurred or is in process;

- all significant changes to the installation’s mission requirements or its natural resources have been identified;

- the INRMP goals and objectives are still valid; and

- no net loss of training capability has occurred due to implementation of the

INRMP in accordance with AR 200-1, Section 4.3.d.(1)(g).

The INRMP Update Report Form, which is included at the beginning of this document, will be used to document any projects or actions (management goals) which needed to be altered, removed or newly-created.

• 5-Year Review for Operation and Effectiveness

Major revisions for operation and effectiveness are recommended to be performed at a minimum frequency of every five years. (IAW Sikes Act and AR 200-1))

Furthermore, certain developments may also necessitate an INRMP revision. These developments include, but are not limited to the following:

- A change in mission requirements or intensity of land use.

- A significant change in natural resource baseline condition; for example, a substantial change in population for a listed species or a new invasive species.

- The current INRMP has proven inadequate, was unable to be implemented, or monitoring has shown projects to be ineffective in meeting natural resource management goals.

- Natural resource management goals have changed or the planning horizon of the previous INRMP has expired.

1.7 INSTALLATION POLICIES

The principal installation policies established to attain natural resources management goals at the USAG Stuttgart include:

• Maintaining sustainable use of army lands through the conservation of existing resources;

• Enhancement of the quality of life for residents by incorporating the conservation of natural resources into the planning process;

• Integrating surrounding land uses into the military mission through proper administration of programs that provide planning and surveying of the natural resources and strategic re-design of problem areas;

• Reduction of operational costs by using sound natural resource management practices in the on-going maintenance of the facility;

• Fulfillment of sustainability responsibilities through surveying, protection and enhancement of the existing natural resources;

• U.S. Army and allied army personnel participating in training are required to read and understand the environmental awareness educational aids supplied by the installation;

• Movement into off-limits areas is strictly prohibited. Observe restrictions on movement of vehicles in those areas designated on off-limit overlays and marked with Seibert Stakes;

• Wheeled and tracked vehicles will not be operated in “Seibert Stake” areas unless specifically authorized by the appropriate authorities;

• Prevent tracked vehicles from making locked tread turns or neutral steer maneuvering unless it is absolutely necessary;

• All personnel must be safety conscious at all times and understand and comply with appropriate safety regulations when dealing with natural resource issues;

• Care will be taken to prevent the destruction of ant hills in forests, as these ants are protected species and managed by the Federal Forestry Service for controlling tree damaging insects;

• Vehicles can drive anywhere except in areas marked with Seibert Stakes,

• Plan and execute bridging operations only at suitable sites;

• Conduct movement into assembly or bivouac areas in vehicle columns to reduce damage to road shoulders and culverts;

• Do not build ground fires, cut or damage trees unless authorized by the Federal

Forestry Representative. (i.e. nailing signs to trees);

• Do not create new roads or parking areas in training lands unless authorized by

Range Control TSC Chief, 431-2474. Building 2948 RM213,

• Do not dig trenches, ditches, survivability, or individual fighting positions unless authorized by Range Control;

• Do not fire weapons at or otherwise harass wildlife;

• Clean up and/or report spills of fuel/oil;

• Do not leave trash in the field or bury trash in the ground;

• In cantonment areas, owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets;

• Do not litter;

• Vehicle idling is prohibited;

• Any permanent planting in the cantonment areas shall be coordinated with the

Department of Public Works, O&M Division;

• Excessive leaf collection and mowing is a waste of money and detrimental to the environment. Seek to reduce such activities by setting aside natural meadow areas in rarely used (semi-improved) areas;

• The use of pesticides is prohibited unless applied by a certified pest controller;

• Use of salt for snow and ice removal is limited. Only salt/gravel mixtures shall be applied; and

• Trash shall be ‘SORTed’ and the respective containers shall be used.

1.8 POINTS OF CONTACT

Natural resources management point of contact (POC) information for the installation and

German agencies are presented in Tables 1.8.1 and 1.8.2, respectively.

Table 1.8.1 U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart - INRMP Points of Contact

Primary Point of Contact

Program Location Responsible

Department

Title Name Building Tel. Number

ITAM Program Management

Regional Training Support Division West

TSC Stuttgart

ITAM Program Stuttgart

Grafenwöhr

Wiesbaden

Stuttgart

Stuttgart

USAREUR,

HQ 7th JMTC

SRP

TSC

TSC

USAREUR ITAM Program

Manager

RTLP/ITAM Specialist

TSC Chief

LTA Coordinator

Aaron Eckert

Mr. Damian Owens

Mr. Charles Fray

Mr. Ruben Montez

Camp Normandy

Bldg. 3007

McCully, Bldg. 6258

Panzer, Bldg. 2948

Panzer Range Bldg. 3012

DSN: 475-6902

DSN: 546-6181

DSN: 431-3792

IMCOM-E Natural Resources

Management

Sembach IMCOM-E Env. Prot. Specialist Ms. Nicole Sikula DSN: 544-4509

Wildlife Management Stuttgart DPW-ED Env. Prot. Specialist Ms. Inga Gebhard 3318 DSN: 421-6132

Outdoor Recreation Stuttgart MWR – Recreation

Division

Outdoor Recreation Manager Mr. Mendoza 2953 DSN: 431-2774

Rare, Threatened and Endangered

Species Management

Stuttgart DPW-ED Env. Protection Specialist Ms. Inga Gebhard 3318 DSN: 421-6132

Wetlands Management Stuttgart DPW-ED Env. Prot. Specialist Ms. Inga Gebhard 3318 DSN: 421-6132

Water Resources Management Stuttgart DPW-ED Chief ED Mr. Patrick Griffin 3318 DSN: 421-6131

- Water Resources Quality

- Water/Wastewater Treatm.

Landstuhl

Stuttgart

CHPPM

O&M

Env. Protection Specialist

Chief O&M

Lt. Beman

Mr. Godin

CIV:

06371-867048

DSN: 421-6291

Forest Management Sembach IMCOM-E Envir. Prot. Specialist Mr. Christoph Graner DSN: 544-4507

Primary Point of Contact

Program Location Responsible

Department

Title Name Building Tel. Number

Pest Management Stuttgart DPW, O&M PM-Coordinator Ms. Wahl 2318 DSN: 421-6261

Fire Management Stuttgart Fire and EmergencyFire Chief Mr. Doersam 3318 DSN: 430 2064-4509

Cultural Resources Stuttgart DPW-ED Env. Protection Specialist Ms. Gebhard 3318 DSN: 421-6132

Grounds Maintenance and Vegetation Management

Stuttgart DPW, O&M Grounds Maintenance

Coordinator

Ms. Wahl 2318 DSN: 421-6261

Table 1.8.2 German Agencies - INRMP Points of Contact

Program Responsible Agency Address Primary Point of Contact

Title Name Telephone Number

Forest Management Bundesforstamt Zeurengasse 79

72469 Meßstetten

Director Forestry Office (Leiter Forstamt)

Dr. Goetze CIV: 07431/9493312

Bundesforst Revierleiter Friedrich List Straße 24

71032 Boeblingen

District Forester

(Revierleiter)

Mr. Ganz CIV: 07031/287239

Host Nation (Landowner)

Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben

Hauptstelle Koblenz – Sparte

Verwaltungsaufgaben

Morlauterer Str. 21

67657 Kaiserslautern

Administrator

(Sachbearbeiter)

Mr. Kulke CIV: 0631/3722-238

Nature Protection Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart

Ref. 56 Naturschutz

Ruppmannstr. 21 70565 Stuttgart

Administrator

(Sachbearbeiter)

Ms. Mödinger CIV: 0711/90415607

Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart

Ref. 55 Naturschutz und Recht

Ruppmannstr. 21 70565 Stuttgart

Administrator

(Sachbearbeiter)

Ms. Säle CIV: 0711/90415501

UNB Landeshaupstadt Stuttgart

Amt für Umweltschutz

Gaisburgstraße 4 70182 Stuttgart

Section Chief (Abteilungsleiterin)

Ms. Kuebler CIV: 0711/21688702

UNB Boeblingen

Landratsamt Boeblingen

Parkstraße 16 71034 Böblingen

Chief Administrator

(Sachgebietsleiterin)

Ms. Misch CIV: 07031/6631256

UNB Stadt Kornwestheim

Stabsstelle Umwelt- und Klimaschutz

Jakob-Sigle-Platz 1 D-70806 Kornwestheim

Administrator (Sachbearbeiter)

Ms. Hartkorn CIV: 07154/2028370

FFH Management Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart

Referat 56 - Naturschutz und Landschaftspflege

Ruppmannstr. 21

70565 Stuttgart

Administrator

(Sachbearbeiter)

Mr. Waldmann CIV: 0711/90415622

Water Management Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart

Amt für Umweltschutz

Gaisburgstr. 4

70182 Stuttgart

Administrator

(Sachbearbeiter)

Mr. Seethaler CIV: 0711/21688434

1.9 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (EPAS)

Formerly known as Environmental Compliance Assessment System (ECAS), the

Environmental Performance Assessment System (EPAS) Program was first developed and implemented by HQDA in 1991-92 in response to the recommendation made by the USEPA in 1986. Active Army installations are assessed for compliance performance approximately every three years as recommended by the Department of

Defense (DoD).

The EPAS Program includes both external and internal assessments. External assessments are conducted by a team of environmental experts assembled by the U.S.

Army to evaluate a facility’s level of compliance with applicable environmental regulations. Since experts who are not from the installation perform the audits, the resulting report provides a good indication of a facility’s compliance posture.

Internal assessment is required by Army directives and is one of the most effective tools for understanding regulatory requirements and achieving compliance. The internal assessment is considered to be a systematic, documented, objective, and comprehensive environmental compliance review of installation processes, facilities, and the practices. Installation personnel or their designees conduct the assessments and is to be completed within a 12-month period.

1.10 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW GUIDE (ERG)

The purpose of the Environmental Review Guide (ERG) is to provide environmental guidance to USAREUR environmental coordinators and project planners during the earliest stages of project/activity planning. The ERG is a tool to help USAREUR installations comply with AER 200-1, AR 200-1, DoD Directive 6050.7, EO 12114, and the FGS for projects or activities that occur within the jurisdiction of a foreign nation and that would be examined in an environmental document prepared unilaterally by the

United States.

The ERG assists planners in forecasting and mitigating potentially adverse environmental effects. It is designed as an ‘early warning system’, identifying sensitive environmental issues in the earliest stages of all proposed projects/activities. This allows for mitigation of potential impacts prior to the initiation of projects and various activities. Without an environmental review, or in the case of an inadequate review, a project or activity may not be approved, the approval may be delayed, or a project/activity may be suspended.

ERG software is used by the Army in Europe as a tool to conduct Environmental

Reviews. The current version is available from IMCOM-E.

Environmental Reviews should be conducted in early stages of project planning and programming:

• prior to submitting DD 1391s and preparing DA 4283s,

➢ before 35% of design is started,

➢ before initial planning and cost estimates are complete,

➢ before site location is selected, and

➢ before construction starts.

Responsibilities related to environmental reviews:

➢ Commanders are responsible for integrating environmental impact analyses into project planning.

➢ Project proponents and planners are responsible for programming, planning and implementation.

➢ Project proponents, planners and environmental division must complete review together.

According to DoD Directive 6050.7 and EO 12114, Environmental Reviews (ERs) have to be conducted “for all projects and actions that have the potential to adversely impact the environment”. For all major projects with the DD Form 1391 certification process according to AR 415-15, conducting a complete ER using the ERG software is mandatory. For all minor projects using OMA funds and not exceeding the $750,000 limit (Work Request, DA-Form 4283-E-R), ERs without using ERG software are allowed. As part of the Memo “Request for Environmental Review”, 25 Aug 07, IMCOM-

E released a Request for Environmental Review Form (RER Form), to provide a quicker evaluation method. The RER Form is included in the AER 200-1 of 8 May 2012.

1.11 BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIVE RESOURCE

PLANNING

Every two years, local chapters of German nature protection societies (Schwäbischer

Albverein, Naturschutzbund (NABU), Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV) and IBM-

Wandergruppe) conduct a Landscape Preservation Day (Landschaftspflegetag) on the

LTA. During this event, up to 90 volunteers from the nature societies fight against shrub encroachment on valuable heath areas which are approximately 65 HA large (“Rotes

Steigle”). Volunteers generally focus on the removal of tree shoots on areas where sheep grazing is not possible.

1.12 LIMITED PUBLIC ACCESS

As previously mentioned, local chapters of German nature societies carry out a landscape preservation day once a year on the LTA and are therefore granted access to the training area.

An agreement that expires on 31 December 2019 was renegotiated on 12. April 2019 between the local NABU chapter and the U.S. Army Europe G8, International Agreements

Divsion (“An Evening Walk on the LTA Boeblingen”), granting access to the NGO’s one day per year, where people are invited for an evening walk on the LTA. The exact date must be coordinated with the U.S. Army at least 60 days in advance. Certain conditions apply for this agreement. For details of the agreement contact the ED.

Additionally, there is an agreement in place to allow public access through the LTA for pedestrians and bicycles via the Musberger Strasse, but this is only intended to be a thoroughfare, and not an entry point to the entire LTA. With this in mind, unauthorized public access has become a serious problem on the LTA. It has been continuously observed that people leave the official access trail (Musberger Sträßle), or enter from other points on the boundary, and unlawfully enter the training area. This is detrimental to both the training mission, causing health and safety issues, as well as detrimental to some of the critical habitats in the LTA. Specifically regular dog walking poses a threat by way of harassment of local fauna, as well as adding harmful excrement to nutrient sensitive biotopes such as wetlands and dry meadows. Dogs have also been observed chasing animals that are used to graze the open areas for vegetation control and therefore cause undo stress and difficulty for the animals and shepherds.

It recommended therefor by both the USAG Garrison Environmental Division and the

USAREUR Training Support Center that the signage on the boundary of the training are be changed from “Enter at Your Own Risk” to “DO NOT ENTER”.

2.0 MILITARY MISSION

USAG Stuttgart is part of IMCOM Europe, and has two prime missions; to provide command, control, communications and Base Operations to assigned and attached units, and to provide realistic combined arms training for the United States Army, Europe, the

Seventh Army's task forces as well as the 10th Special Forces Group, 554th Military Police

Company and the Navy Seals, which all use the Local Training Area Boeblingen.

The largest customers of the USAG Stuttgart are the headquarters of the United States

European Command (EUCOM) and United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).

An additional mission of the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart is to provide facility support services and quality-of-life programs and activities to 12,500 service members, civilians, retirees and their families in its area of operation. This area encompasses the installations contained within the cities of Stuttgart, Boeblingen, Vaihingen and Möhringen. All Armed

Forces, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, are supported by the USAG Stuttgart. The USAG Stuttgart is under the responsibility of U.S. Army Europe

(USAREUR) and the 7th Army. For more information, go to the USAG Stuttgart homepage

(www.stuttgart.army.mil).

Specific mission objectives of the USAG Stuttgart include the following:

- Allow units to accomplish training objectives in realistic environments in accordance with U.S. Army and NATO doctrine, under the published Rules of

Engagement

- Provide facilities for house-to-house combat

- Provide Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI)

- Enhance Host Nation attitudes and cooperation

- Limit negative impact on the installation and Federal Republic of Germany community environments

- Provide desired quality of life standards for all permanently and temporarily assigned soldiers/personnel and family members.

The USAG Stuttgart is composed of administrative and service organizations to provide support for all military organizations, service members, families, and DoD civilians.

2.1 NATURAL RESOURCES NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE MILITARY

MISSION

The primary natural resource needed for the military training mission is a large area of uninhabited land of mixed forest and open land, that provides realistic training conditions.

The vegetation, topography and water resources must be varied enough to create a challenging test environment for the equipment, vehicles and soldiers to mimic real battle situations. It is important that training space is maximized while meeting natural resource diversity and requirements as to not jeopardize the army mission. The landscape needs to represent conditions that soldiers are likely to encounter in a real battle situation in order to facilitate realistic and effective training.

When properly executed, vegetation management is the ultimate training enabler. In contrary, poor vegetation management has the potential to be a detriment to training.

At the USAG Stuttgart, and particularly the Boeblingen LTA, the main challenge of natural resource management has been to cope with encroachment of woody vegetation, which increased following a reduction of training with tracked and wheeled vehicles. This has led to a steady decline in the open areas needed to support the diverse training missions, which has been taking place over a number of years. As a result, the impact on the valuable natural resources on the remaining open areas has increased.

Efforts by the Stuttgart ED are specifically directed to assure the continued non-constrained military use; primarily bivouacking, navigation and orientation exercises. Simultaneously, measures are also aimed at averting negative impacts on habitats and endangered species.

2.2 EFFECTS OF THE MILITARY MISSION ON NATURAL RESOURCES

As the forces stationed within the USAG Stuttgart area use minimal heavy equipment such as tanks or heavy trucks, there are only minor impacts (erosion) on the existing natural resources caused by vehicle movement. However, construction and other projects can directly impact natural resources by sealing soils and completely altering the natural landscape. These impacts must be offset by legally required compensation measures as required by the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg Nature Protection law.

Another possible impact on natural resources is the fragmentation of wildlife habitats caused by fences. The fencing along the public access trail (Musberger Sträßle) to minimize unwanted access by pedestrians, is one example. To help mitigate this impact, game passages where installed to allow for population exchange.

On several sites within the Garrison, activities such as hazardous substance storage, vehicle washing, motor pool operations, fertilizer and pesticide application, and sewage disposal have the potential to contaminate groundwater if these activities are not properly managed. Poorly regulated use of imported pesticides by military families can increase the amount of active ingredients released into the ecosystem. Construction of new buildings has the potential to cause the permanent disappearance of important habitats.

2.3 POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE MILITARY MISSION ON NATURAL

RESOURCES

At the LTA, the military mission has a variety of positive effects on natural resources. The installation has continuously served as a military training area since before WWII. The U.S.

Army started using the area as early as 1945. Consequently, land use and management practices vary significantly from the surrounding area. Areas outside the LTA consist primarily of built-up areas, agriculture lands where modern farming practices are used, and intensively managed forest areas. During more than sixty years of military use, the training area has not been subjected to fertilizer and pesticide use or other negative impacts of intensive farming. Compared to adjacent agricultural or forest land, biodiversity is much higher within the training area. In fact, military training areas are generally among the most biologically diverse areas, and the diversity is a direct result of the military mission. This is a universally recognized concept within the Host Nation, the U.S. and international scientific communities. Additionally, there have been several studies indicating the dependence of many endangered species and habitats on disturbance, including the type which occurs on military training areas. Many of these studies are quoted in Appendix

2.

2.4 MISSION CHANGES AND FUTURE MISSION IMPACTS ON NATURAL

RESOURCES

Natural resources will continue to be impacted by construction projects in the future and will most likely contribute to habitat loss and degradation of natural resources. In the course of the Army’s transformation in Europe and the evolution of the Army’s mission, the enduring installations face new responsibilities. In 2007, for example, the headquarters of AFRICOM was established within Kelley Barracks, resulting in population growth. There is still the need for a greater capacity to serve this growing community. The following are a few examples of major construction projects planned to address this issue:

Site Description Est. Funding

Robinson Barracks Replace Elementary School $ 41 M FY18 Funded

Panzer Kaserne Construct Commissary $ 40 M FY18 Funded

Panzer Kaserne Expand/Repair Bldg. 2901 (MARFOR) $ 42 M FY19 Programmed

Airfield Construct DLA Fueling Station $ 2 M FY20 Programmed

Robinson Barracks Construct Connector Road to support new Elementary School

$ 4 M FY22 Request

Kelley Barracks Construct AFRICOM Headquarters $ 152 M FY 26 Request

Detailed information on future changes to mission related activities is included in the

USAG Stuttgart Master Plan.

The current trend for the U.S. Army to train with lighter and quicker response troops rather than conducting large area tactical maneuvers has already resulted in a lack of

(heavy vehicle) disturbance on many training grounds. Disturbance-dependent species decline where training intensity is reduced, and the formerly mosaic-like habitat structures are missing, resulting in less diverse biotopes. In the Boeblingen LTA, tanks have not been used for several years and there is currently no plan to reintroduce heavy vehicle training in the area. To supplement the lack of disturbance, management actions like sheep grazing, mowing and the creation of small ponds are in progress and need to be increased to maintain habitats for disturbance dependent species.

2.5 IMPACTS OF NATURAL RESOURCES ON THE MISSION

Natural resources, primarily vegetation and endangered species, have the greatest potential to negatively affect the mission, primarily, by limiting areas that are suitable and available for training. Invasive species, especially plant species, can also overtake and close off open areas, [e.g.: Eagle Fern/Adlerfarn (Pteridium aquilinum)] and negatively impact habitats and species. Some plant species even constitute health hazards, [e.g. Giant

Hogweed/Riesenbärenklau (Heracleum mantegazzianum)] and render them unusable for training.

One of the main objectives for the period FY14-18 was the execution of an “Invasive

Species Survey” that covers the LTA as well as the cantonment areas. The survey was completed in 2016 by the Firm IVL, and delivered in English and German. Accompanying the survey are geospatial layers defining the extent of the two species named above, in addition to the identification of alder (Alnus glutinosa) as an encroaching species on the open areas that needs urgent attention for reasons of both habitat preservation and training mission impact.

2.5.1 Natural Resource Consultation Requirements

For the U.S. Army Garrisons in Europe, the natural resources consultation requirements are different from those applied to Garrisons located in the USA. In

Germany, the land used by the U.S. Army is owned by the BImA, represented by the

Bundesforst.

All construction work…