INRMP_final_Public.pdf

FORT MCCOY

INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN

Prepared by

Directorate of Public Works

Environmental Division

Natural Resources Branch

Fort McCoy, Wisconsin

Effective 2012 until revised

INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN

Prepared By:

James Kerkman Forester

David Beckmann Wildlife Biologist

John Noble Fisheries Biologist

Tim Wilder Endangered Species Biologist

Gary Schnell Environmental Assessment Preparer

Mark McCarty Chief, Natural Resources Branch

Stephen Wagner Cultural Resources Project Manager (Contractor)

INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN (INRMP)

Approved By:

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012

CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES ............................................................................................................ i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... iii

1.0 OVERVIEW

1.1 AUTHORITY

1.2 PURPOSE

1.2.1 Compliance Requirements

1.2.2 Stewardship Requirements

1.3 SCOPE

1.4 GOALS

1.5 RESPONSIBILITIES

1.5.1 Directorate of Public Works (DPW)

1.5.2 Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security (DPTMS)

1.5.3 Directorate of Emergency Services (DES)

1.5.4 Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR)

1.5.5 Other Defense Organizations

1.5.6 Other Federal Agencies

1.5.7 State Agencies

1.5.8 Universities

1.5.9 Contractors

1.5.10 Monroe County Land Conservation Department (LCD)

1.5.11 Other Interested Parties

1.6 REVIEW AND REVISION PROCESS

1.6.1 Annual Review

1.6.2 Major Revision

1.7 MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

1.7.1 Ecosystem Management

1.7.2 Biodiversity

1.7.3 Landscape

1.7.4 Multiple-use

1.7.5 Science and Data Collection

1.8 OTHER PLAN INTEGRATION

2.0 CURRENT CONDITIONS AND USE

2.1 INSTALLATION INFORMATION

2.1.1 Description

2.1.2 Area Information

2.1.3 Land Use History

2.1.4 Fort McCoy History

2.2 FACILITIES

2.2.1 Overview

2.2.2 Cantonment

2.2.3 Housing

2.2.4 Recreation Areas

2.2.5 Transportation Systems

2.2.6 Water

2.2.7 Projected Changes in Facilities

2.3 MILITARY MISSION

2.3.1 Overview

2.3.2 Natural Resources Needed to Support the Military Mission

2.3.3 Effects of the Military Mission on Natural Resources

2.3.4 Effects of Natural Resources Management on the Mission

2.3.5 Future Military Mission Impacts on Natural Resources

2.4 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

2.4.1 Topography and Geology

2.4.2 Glacial Influence

2.4.3 Climate

2.4.4 Air Quality

2.4.5 Soils

2.5 ECOSYSTEMS

2.5.1 Fort McCoy Ecosystem

2.5.2 Tension Zone

2.6 GENERAL BIOTIC ENVIRONMENT

2.6.1 Water Resources

2.6.2 Flora

2.6.3 Floral Inventories

2.6.4 Fauna

2.6.5 Threatened and Endangered Species

3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND MISSION SUSTIANABILITY ..40

3.1 LAND USES

3.1.1 Standard Training Areas

3.1.2 Special Training Areas

3.1.3 North Impact Area (NIA)

3.1.4 Developed Areas

3.1.5 Wetlands and Fort McCoy Natural Areas

3.1.6 Experimental Plots and Study Areas

3.1.7 Recreation Areas

3.1.8 Wellhead Protection Area

3.1.9 Outleases and Easements

3.1.10 Shale Quarries and Sand Pits

3.1.11 Stump Disposal Areas

3.2 MANAGEMENT UNITS

3.2.1 Training Areas

3.2.2 Forestry Compartments

3.2.3 Special Management Areas

3.3 NATURAL RESOURCES CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS

3.4 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) REVIEW

3.4.1 NEPA Goals

3.4.2 NEPA Categories

3.5 PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIVE RESOURCE PLANNING

3.6 PUBLIC ACCESS AND OUTREACH

3.6.1 Outreach Objectives

3.6.2 Military Personnel Awareness

3.6.3 Public Awareness

3.6.4 Volunteer Programs

3.6.5 Environmental Education

3.6.6 Research Opportunities

3.7 ENCROACHMENT PARTNERING

3.8 STATE COMPREHENSIVE WILDLIFE PLAN

3.8.1 Additional Documents Citing Fort McCoy’s Ecological Significance

3.9 CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT

3.9.1 Wisconsin Climate Trends

3.9.2 Wisconsin Climate Projections

3.9.4 Affected Resources on Fort McCoy

3.9.5 Fort McCoy Management Actions

4.0 PROGRAM ELEMENTS

4.1 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES MANAGEMENT

4.1.1 Management Activities

4.1.2 Karner Blue Butterfly Surveys and Management

4.1.3 Gray Wolf Surveys and Management

4.1.4 Blanding’s and Wood Turtle Surveys and Management

4.1.5 Red-tailed Prairie Leafhopper Survey and Management

4.1.6 Phlox Moth Survey and Management

4.1.7 Bullsnake Surveys and Management

4.1.8 Regal Fritillary Surveys and Management

4.1.9 Bald Eagle Surveys and Management

4.1.10 Osprey Surveys and Management

4.1.11 Rough White Lettuce Surveys and Management

4.1.12 Cerulean Warbler Surveys and Management

4.1.13 Henslow’s Sparrow Surveys and Management

4.2 LAW ENFORCEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LAWS AND REGULATIONS

4.2.1 History and Authority

4.2.2 Jurisdiction

4.2.3 Enforcement Activities

4.2.4 Training

4.3 WETLANDS MANAGEMENT

4.3.1 Management Activities

4.4 FISHERIES PROGRAM – WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

4.4.1 Management Activities

4.4.2 Watershed Management - Lake Resources

4.4.3 Watershed Management – Stream Resources

4.5 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

4.5.1 White-tailed Deer Management

4.5.2 Hunting and Trapping Seasons

4.5.3 Habitat Management

4.5.4 Grassland (Prairie) Management

4.5.5 Game Species Surveys

4.6 FORESTRY

4.6.1 Forest Inventory

4.6.2 Timber Harvest

4.6.3 Forest Health

4.6.4 Timber Stand Improvement

4.6.5 Reforestation

4.7 VEGETATIVE MANAGEMENT

4.7.1 Vegetative Inventories

4.7.2 ITAM Vegetation Management

4.7.3 Grounds Vegetation Management

4.8 MIGRATORY BIRD MANAGEMENT

4.8.1 Management Activities

4.9 INVASIVE PLANT CONTROL

4.9.1 Management Activities

4.9.2 Invasive Plant Species Monitoring

4.10 PEST MANAGEMENT

4.10.1 Management Activities

4.11 LAND MANAGEMENT (SOIL EROSION)

4.11.1 Management Activities

4.12 AGRICULTURE/GRAZING OUTLEASES

4.12.1 Management Activities

4.13 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) MANAGEMENT

4.14 OUTDOOR RECREATION

4.14.1 Military Mission Considerations

4.14.2 Public Access

4.14.3 Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Programs

4.14.4 Other Natural Resources Oriented Outdoor Recreation

4.14.5 Safety and Security

4.15 BIRD/ANIMAL AIRCRAFT STRIKE HAZARD (BASH) PROGRAM

4.16 WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

4.16.1 Wildfire Partnerships

4.16.2 Priority Actions

4.16.3 Reducing Wildfire Potential

4.16.4 Management Activities

4.16.5 Wildland Fire Training

4.16.6 Prescribed Burns

4.17 NRB TRAINING

4.18 COASTAL/MARINE MANAGEMENT

4.19 FLOODPLAINS MANAGEMENT

4.20 OTHER LEASES

4.20.1 Management Activities

4.21 FORT MCCOY NATURAL AREAS MANAGEMENT (FMNA)

4.21.1 Management Activities

4.22 MILITARY LAND USE AREAS MANAGEMENT

4.22.1 North Impact Area (NIA)

4.22.2 Drop Zones (DZ), Air Assault Strip and Landing Zones (LZ)

4.22.3 Improved Ranges

4.23 DEVELOPED AREAS MANAGEMENT

4.23.1 Cantonment and Housing Area Management

4.23.2 Airport Management

4.23.3 Roads and Railroads

4.24 CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (CRM)

4.24.1 Cultural and Historic Resources

4.25 RTLA BIRD AND SMALL MAMMAL SURVEYS

4.26 SOIL RESOURCES INVENTORY AND MONITORING

4.27 DATA STORAGE, RETRIEVAL AND ANALYSIS

5.0 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN

5.1 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

5.1.1 Determine Project Need

5.1.2 Project Details

5.1.3 Project Approvals

5.1.4 Project Completion

5.2 ACHIEVING NO NET LOSS

5.2.1 Internal Constraints

5.2.2 External Constraints

5.3 USE OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS (CAS)

5.4 FUNDING

5.4.1 Budget Requirements Worksheet

5.4.2 Reimbursable Funds

5.4.3 Un-Resourced Requirements

5.5 NRB STAFFING

5.5.1 Volunteers

5.6 MONITORING PROGRESS

5.6.1 INRMP Implementation Assessment

6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSEMENT

6.1 INTRODUCTION

6.2 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION

6.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

6.4 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

6.5 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

6.6 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

6.7 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

6.8 CONCLUSIONS REGARDING SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS

6.8.1 Context

6.8.2 Intensity

6.9 LIST OF PREPARERS AND AGENCIES AND PERSONS CONSULTED

6.9.1 Preparers

6.9.2 Persons Consulted

Bibliography

APPENDIX A Acronyms

APPENDIX B Implementation Schedule

APPENDIX C Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Agreement

APPENDIX D Training Restrictions

APPENDIX E Streams, Lakes and Impoundments

APPENDIX F Species Lists

APPENDIX G Mound Prairie Sacred Area Management Plan

APPENDIX H Sample Prescribe Burn Management Plan

APPENDIX I Finding of No Significant Impact

APPENDIX J Public Review Comments and NRB Replies

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 i

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

Figure 1. Fort McCoy regional location….…………………….……………….…..12

Figure 2. Public land near Fort McCoy……….………………………….………

Figure 3. Facilities

Figure 4. Wellhead protection areas

Table 1. Fort McCoy construction projects

Figure 5. Soil types on Fort McCoy

Figure 6. Major watersheds on Fort McCoy

Figure 7. Reduction in time required for Eurasian Watermilfoil removal

Figure 8. Dredging operations on Hazel Dell Lake

Figure 9. Streams, lakes, impoundments, wetlands and natural areas

Figure 10. Fort McCoy trout trends

Figure 11. Land Cover Types

Figure 12. Succession model for dry upland plant communities

Figure 13. Oak savanna Figure 14. Northern red oak forest

Figure 15. Succession model for dry mesic upland plant communities

Figure 16a. Land Uses on North Post of Fort McCoy

Figure 16b. Land Uses on South Post of Fort McCoy

Figure 17. Female Karner blue butterfly

Figure 18. Student with Blanding’s turtle

Figure 19. Remote Water Sampling Devices

Figure 20. Streambank restoration and habitat improvement project

Figure 21. Prescribed burning

Figure 22. Gypsy moth trap

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 ii

Table 2. Grass mowing requirements

Table 3. Permit sales information

Figure 23. Prescribe burn locations

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) is to support the military mission at Fort McCoy from 2012 until revised by prescribing natural resources conservation measures that are integrated and consistent with federal stewardship requirements. It provides goals to guide natural resource programs and serves as a reference manual for understanding the management of Fort McCoy natural resources. It is also a support tool for the Fort McCoy Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM) program. Embedded within the INRMP is the Environmental Assessment for natural resources management on Fort McCoy.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Installations are required to prepare and implement an INRMP according to Army Regulation (AR) 200-1, the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a et. Seq.), the Under Secretary of Defense (DUSD ES)/EQ-CO memorandum, 8 August 1994 and 10 October 2002, and Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 4715.03 (Natural Resources Conservation Program), 14 Feb 2011.

This INRMP has the signatory agreement of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). This agreement signifies that the INRMP complies with the Endangered Species Act. Review of the INRMP is considered informal consultation with regard to the Endangered Species Act.

The Sikes Act, as amended in November 1997, requires that INRMPs include:

• fish and wildlife management, land management, forest management, and wildlife-oriented recreation;

• fish and wildlife habitat enhancement or modifications;

• 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 Plan;

• 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 for 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, subject to requirements necessary to ensure safety and military security;

• enforcement of applicable natural resource laws;

• no net loss in the capability of military installation lands to support the military mission of the installation;

• regular review of this INRMP and its effects, not less often than every five years;

• provisions for spending hunting and fishing permit fees exclusively for the protection, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife, including habitat improvement, and related activities in accordance with the INRMP;

• exemption from procurement of services under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 and any of its successor circulars; and

• priority for contracts involving implementation of this INRMP to state and federal agencies having responsibility for conservation of fish and wildlife.

This INRMP includes these items if they are applicable to natural resources management and land use at Fort McCoy.

SCOPE

The INRMP will provide the basis and criteria for protecting and enhancing natural resources using ecosystem management principles that are consistent with the military mission. The publication “Our

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 iv

Plan For Success” (Fort McCoy 2010) defines the Fort McCoy Strategic Plan for 2011-2015. Requirements in the INRMP apply to all activities, whether they are under the Fort McCoy command or a tenant organization, as well as units training or mobilizing on the installation. This INRMP is integrated with the Fort McCoy Master Plan, the Range Complex Master Plan, the Integrated Cultural Resources Plan, and other plans that address the land on Fort McCoy. Implementation of the INRMP is subject to the availability of funding and manpower and to the mission requirements. The Natural Resources Branch (NRB) will request the required funding through appropriate channels. When INRMP projects are not completed due to inadequate funding, manpower, a change in mission requirements, or other circumstances, NRB will review the INRMP’s goals to determine where adjustments are necessary.

RELATIONSHIP TO THE MILITARY MISSION

Fort McCoy serves as a Total Force Training Center that annually supports the year round training of approximately 120,000 reserve and active component US military personnel from all branches of the armed services. Fort McCoy’s Mission Statement is “Underpin readiness of the force by serving as a training center and a support site for power projection missions.” Fort McCoy supports power projection missions responsible for deploying military forces in support of contingency operations for war and goodwill missions. To accomplish this mission, realistic and quality training opportunities are necessary.

The mosaic of natural communities found on Fort McCoy and climate extremes ranging from warm summers to cold winters provides the military with a variety of realistic training scenarios.

This INRMP supports the military mission by outlining management objectives protecting and enhancing training lands upon which the mission is critically dependent. The INRMP also describes recreational opportunities associated with natural resources that are available to the Fort McCoy, local, and regional communities.

The INRMP describes the impacts of the military mission upon natural resources and means to mitigate these impacts. However, this INRMP does not evaluate Fort McCoy’s military mission, nor does it replace any requirement for environmental documentation of the military mission. Nothing in this INRMP will result in any net loss of land available for military training. The implementation of the INRMP will ultimately achieve mission support of the Fort McCoy Strategic Plan (2011-2015).

PARTNERSHIPS

This document was prepared in partnership and cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, representing the federal and state Sikes Act cooperating agencies, respectively. Other partners in this effort include universities, in addition to other federal, state, and local agencies. The INRMP Partnerships are essential for successful natural resource management and will help fulfill the Fort McCoy Strategic Plan Command Imperative to “Foster strategic partnerships to attain mutually beneficial mission results.”

PLANNED MAJOR INITIATIVES

This INRMP includes a description of ongoing and planned natural resource programs and projects at Fort McCoy. These major initiatives support three of the Strategic Plan Objectives: 1) Enhance Fort McCoy’s military value through improved training area utilization and land use initiatives; 2) Acquire, effectively use, and continuously conserve resources; and 3) Provide well-being programs that improve the quality of life for Soldiers, families, and employees. Most of these will either be continued or completed.

The most significant projects within this INRMP include:

a. Maintain existing areas of the oak savanna vegetation community and increase the acreage where compatible with military training.

b. Control and eliminate (when possible) invasive/exotic plants and animals that threaten native ecosystems, rare species, and training lands.

c. Conduct hunting and trapping seasons to maintain wildlife populations within the carrying capacity of the land.

d. Maintain and improve aquatic ecosystem integrity.

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 v

e. Manage the forest resource according to ecosystem management principles while providing a sustained yield of forest products.

f. Manage and protect all state and federal Threatened and Endangered (T&E) species using ecosystem management techniques while allowing the successful completion of the military mission.

g. Support Land Rehabilitation and Maintenance (LRAM) Program to rehabilitate, reconfigure, and sustain realistic and relevant training land resources.

h. Partner with Range and Training Land Assessment (RTLA) to monitor short- and long-term vegetation trends and responses to military training and natural resources management activities.

j. Manage and protect Fort McCoy natural areas and wetlands by avoiding all aspects of long- and short-term impacts and creating initiatives to enhance their natural value.

k. Coordinate and cooperate with other federal agencies, state agencies, and private environmental organizations to manage Fort McCoy’s natural resources.

l. Support the development of an Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) program.

m. Support the implementation of a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS).

n. Identify restrictions to the military training mission resulting from environmental/natural resource program management or policy and develop proposals to reduce these restrictions.

INRMP ORGANIZATION

This INRMP is organized in distinct categories.

• Chapter 1 introduces the purpose, scope, goals, and objectives of the INRMP and includes responsible parties and their roles in implementation of this INRMP. It lists compliance requirements, describes the review and revision process, management strategies, and integration with other plans.

• Chapter 2 focuses on the current conditions and use. It describes the regional land uses, the history and military use of Fort McCoy, and the physical environment and ecosystems.

• Chapter 3 addresses the environmental management strategy and mission sustainability portion of the INRMP. This includes consultation requirements with outside agencies, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, public access and outreach, and encroachment partnering.

• Chapter 4 describes the natural resource programs, including program goals and objectives.

• Chapter 5 covers how the INRMP will be implemented, including the funding process.

• Chapter 6 includes the embedded Environmental Assessment for the INRMP.

MONITORING INRMP IMPLEMENTATION

The INRMP will be evaluated through monitoring programs including the Environmental Program Assessment System, Army Environmental Database-Environmental Quality, and reviews by the Installation Management Command and the Army Environmental Command. The implementation schedule at Appendix B can provide a basis for evaluating plan implementation. The Environmental Management System (ISO 14001) is another monitoring system used.

The success of individual programs included in the INRMP will be evaluated by the effectiveness of programs in question. For example, white-tailed deer management will be evaluated by the estimated deer per square mile and lack of an obvious browse line in the forest.

FUNDING AND BENEFITS

Funding is primarily supplied by environmental funds secured through annual program budget submissions. However, the Department of Defense is reviewing current and future cost avoidance initiatives to reduce overhead, and realize cost reductions through efficiencies. Because of this, future budget submissions will be reviewed to incorporate as many cost savings efficiencies into our current business practices as possible. Forestry, fisheries and wildlife bring in revenue from timber sales and permit sales to supplement and support those programs. There are significant social-economic benefits from hunting and fishing to the local community and Fort McCoy recreation and housing programs. Timber

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 vi harvests also benefit Monroe County by providing a payment of 40% of timber sale profits to the county for roads and school use.

Implementation of this INRMP will improve the quality of training land. It will enhance mission realism through more realistic training lands. It will reduce maintenance costs and improve health and safety and the ability for long range planning at Fort McCoy. Nothing in this INRMP will result in any net loss of land available for military training.

The INRMP provides the basis for the conservation and protection of natural resources. It will help reduce vegetation loss and soil erosion due to military activities. It will reduce the potential for environmental pollution. It will provide biodiversity conservation. Plan implementation will increase overall knowledge of the operation of Fort McCoy ecosystems through surveys and research.

Both community relations and Fort McCoy’s environmental image, internal and external to the Department of Defense, will be enhanced. Quality of life for the Fort McCoy community and its neighbors will be improved. INRMP implementation will decrease long-term environmental costs and reduce personal and installation liabilities from environmental noncompliance.

SUMMARY

The INRMP outlines steps required to meet Department of Defense, US Army, and Fort McCoy legal obligations to provide for the stewardship of the natural resources on Fort McCoy, while enabling the accomplishment of the military mission. The INRMP has been developed through cooperation with appropriate regulatory agencies. This plan will not resolve all existing and/or future environmental issues.

It does, however, provide the guiding strategy, personnel requirements, and means to minimize and work toward resolution of such issues. Implementation of this INRMP is subject to the availability of annual funding, availability of manpower and subject to mission requirements. Fort McCoy will make best efforts to request funding through appropriate channels. Fort McCoy will review the plan’s goals and objectives to determine whether adjustments are necessary when projects identified in the plan are not implemented due to lack of funding, availability of manpower, mission requirements or other compelling circumstances.

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 1

1.0 OVERVIEW

1.1 Authority

Installations are required to have an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) according to the following directives:

• Army Regulation (AR) 200-1, Environmental Protection and Enhancement.

• The Sikes Act (16 USC §670a et seq), as amended.

• Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (DUSD), Updated Guidance for the

Implementation of the Sikes Act, 5 November 2004.

• Department of Defense Instruction 4715.03, Natural Resources Conservation Program.

• Environmental Effects of Army Actions, 32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 651.

• 32 CFR 190, Appendix-Integrated Natural Resources Management.

• Memorandum, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety and Occupational

Health (DASA-ESOH), 18 Sep 2006, INRMP Template.

1.2 Purpose

The purpose of the INRMP is to support the military mission at Fort McCoy from 2012 until revised by prescribing natural resource conservation measures that are integrated and consistent with federal stewardship requirements. It provides goals to guide programs and serves as a reference manual for understanding the management of Fort McCoy natural resources. It also serves as a support tool for the Fort McCoy Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM) program. With the encouragement of the Department of Defense (DoD) to adopt ecosystem management principles on all DoD lands, the NRB has developed this plan to integrate ecosystem management concerns into all natural resource management decisions. Embedded within the INRMP is the Environmental Assessment for natural resources management on Fort McCoy by containing the required documentation.

1.2.1 Compliance Requirements

Fort McCoy is Federally-owned property and must comply with all laws, mandates, and regulations concerning land management. In most cases it is necessary to document compliance. The NRB, along with other organizations from the Environmental Division of the Directorate of Public Works, oversee compliance with the following laws and regulations:

• The Clean Water Act

• Migratory Bird Treaty Act

• The National Environmental Policy Act

• The Endangered Species Act

• Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) 42 U.S.C. § 17094

• Federal Noxious Weed Act as amended, 1990

• Clean Air Act

• DoD Directives 4700.4 and 4150.7

• Department of Army (DA) regulations such as AR 200-1, 200-2, 350-4

• Fort McCoy regulations

• National Historic Preservation Act of 1966

• Archaeological Resources Protection Act

• Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

• American Indian Religious Freedom Act

• Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act

• Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping on Military Lands (Public Law 86-337)

• Wisconsin Best Management Practices for Water Quality

• SIKES Act (Sikes Improvement Act of 1997- Public Law 105-85)

• Wisconsin Administrative Rule; NR27, NR102, NR104 and NR105

• Executive Order (EO) 12962, 7 June 1995, concerning recreational fisheries

• EO 13007 concerning cultural resources

• EO 13112 Invasive Species

• EO 13352 Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 2

• EO 11988 and 11990 concerning wetlands and floodplains

• Noise Control Act of 1972

• Quiet Communities Act of 1978

• Department of Defense (DoD) Guidance of 1977

• 32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 651 – Environmental Analysis of Army Actions

• 36 CFR 800 concerning historic resources

• 36 CFR 79 concerning curation of historic artifacts

1.2.2 Stewardship Requirements

The INRMP directs natural resources management on Fort McCoy to assure sound stewardship of the public lands entrusted to the Army. Stewardship goes beyond the compliance requirements by committing Fort McCoy to protect, conserve, and enhance native flora and fauna. Specific examples of stewardship activities include:

• Monitor and manage the biotic and abiotic resources on Fort McCoy for the long-term sustainability of the military mission and ecosystem functions.

• Provide opportunities for extracting products of renewable resources in a sustainable fashion without significant impacts to the military mission or the environment. Examples include firewood, timber harvests, fishing, hunting, and trapping.

• Provide guidelines to support professional enforcement of natural resource laws.

• Involve the surrounding community in Fort McCoy’s natural resources program.

• Ensure that Fort McCoy natural resources management is coordinated with other agencies and conservation organizations.

1.3 Scope

The INRMP will provide the basis and criteria for protecting and enhancing natural resources using ecosystem management principles that are consistent with the military mission. Requirements in the INRMP apply to all activities, whether they are under the Fort McCoy command or a tenant organization, as well as units training or mobilizing on the installation. This INRMP is integrated with the Fort McCoy Master Plan, the Range Complex Master Plan (RCMP), the Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, the Integrated Wildland Fire Plan, and other plans that address the land on Fort McCoy.

Implementation of the INRMP is subject to the availability of funding and manpower and to the mission requirements. NRB will request the required funding through appropriate channels. When INRMP projects are not completed due to inadequate funding, manpower, a change in mission requirements, or other circumstances, NRB will review the INRMP’s goals to determine where adjustments are necessary.

1.3.1 INRMP Background

Natural resources management plans on Fort McCoy (then Camp McCoy) started with a forest fire agreement with the State of Wisconsin Conservation Department in 1948. In 1953 the US Forest Service prepared a timber management plan and in 1963 a Cooperative Agreement for managing fish and wildlife was signed by the State of Wisconsin, US Fish and Wildlife Service and Camp McCoy. Various fish and wildlife management plans and forest management plans were written and approved to guide natural resource management on the installation. The first INRMP was approved in 2000 with a first major revision in 2005. This document is the second major revision and will guide natural resources management from 2012 until revised.

1.3.2 Determination for Major Revision

A major revision is needed when there are significant changes to the installation’s mission requirements, its natural resources, or goals and objectives of the present INRMP. It was determined to undergo a major revision based on a few key changes in the past five years.

1.3.2.1 Strategic Objectives and Military Mission

In the past five years the mission focus was directed towards counter-insurgency operations. This centered on the use of forward operating bases and convoy defense and reaction training with very little overland maneuvering. It is anticipated that future training scenarios will involve more large-scale maneuver elements involved in a more conventional force-on-force field exercises, to include continued

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 3 counter-insurgency training. This means Fort McCoy most likely will see more mounted (wheeled and tracked vehicle) and dismounted (soldiers on foot) training and maneuvering across the landscape. It is expected there will be more brigade level exercises annually in the next few years with increased numbers of Soldiers training at Fort McCoy. These exercises may keep soldiers in the field for up to three weeks at a time.

1.3.2.2 Reduction of Training Restrictions

Internal training restrictions have reduced the amount of acres available for military training exercises. Reducing the amount and type of restriction will effect a change in natural resource management activities. Some changes under consideration include reducing or eliminating the maneuver set-back from wetlands and water bodies; removing Karner blue butterfly core areas, and reducing the limitations within Fort McCoy Natural Areas. Any of these changes may require more monitoring or mitigation measures to reduce negative effects to the natural resources.

1.3.2.3 Expected Funding Cuts

Funding cuts for all government programs are expected for the next five years. To prepare for less funding this INRMP identifies the projects that are critical to maintain a high quality military training environment as well as the natural resources that make Fort McCoy a valuable asset to the military.

1.3.2.4 Maintaining Oak Savanna

One of the major initiatives in the previous two INRMPs was to create and maintain oak savanna habitat. It has been determined that 16,730 acres of Fort McCoy (including the North Impact Area) are considered under savanna management with 13,675 acres (including the North Impact Area) can be considered high quality savanna. Investigations are on-going to determine the appropriate amount of savanna habitat for Fort McCoy. For the present time the goal is to maintain the amount of savanna present (approximately 27% of the installation).

1.3.2.5 Other

Other factors that lead to the decision to complete a major revision of the INRMP include:

• Installation reorganization that required moving natural resources management from Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security (DPTMS) to the DPW.

• Updating the five year Cooperative Plan with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

• Reducing the amount of information about the Integrated Training Area Management Program (ITAM) and Cultural Resources to rely on the ITAM Five-Year Plan and Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan to cover those programs.

• Adapting the INRMP to the DoD template for INRMPs.

1.4 Goals

The primary goals of the INRMP are:

• To ensure the installation operational mission will continue on a sustainable basis.

• To ensure that Army activities and natural resource conservation measures on Fort McCoy are integrated and meet or exceed Federal stewardship requirements.

• To address state and local concerns with regards to actions and management of Fort McCoy natural resources.

• To explain the background for natural resource management decisions, provide goals to guide programs, and serve as a reference manual for understanding the management of Fort McCoy natural resources.

• To provide natural resources support to the ITAM program.

• To serve as a basis for measuring the success or accomplishment of ecosystem management practices implemented on Fort McCoy.

• To serve as the Environmental Assessment for natural resources management on Fort McCoy.

• To enhance the quality of life for Fort McCoy personnel and the public in general.

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• To provide an outline of management objectives to other internal and external programs associated with Fort McCoy to reduce multiple-use and long-term planning conflicts.

1.5 Responsibilities

The Garrison Commander of Fort McCoy is ultimately responsible for implementation of the INRMP. The proponent for developing and implementing the INRMP is NRB, Environmental Division, Directorate of Public Works (DPW). Other organizations that have a large interest in the INRMP include:

Training Division within the DPTMS; Fire Prevention and Protection Division and Fort McCoy Police Department within the Directorate of Emergency Services (DES); and Community Recreation within the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR).

1.5.1 Directorate of Public Works (DPW)

The DPW is responsible for providing and managing Fort McCoy’s facilities and real property. It includes five divisions; Housing, Operations and Maintenance, Environmental, Master Planning, and Engineering. Services such as facility maintenance, snow removal, grass cutting, tree care, and custodial have been contracted. Since DPW oversees the contracted services, all references to the services will be termed as DPW.

DPW has five strategic objectives that provide direction and focus to the organization. These strategic objectives are listed below:

• Provide quality facilities and services to the organizations that support military training and force projection.

• Make environmental compliance and pollution prevention an integral part of our operational processes and maintain positive community relations.

• Conserve energy, seek alternative energy sources, and expand the opportunities to recycle and the use of recycled materials.

• Provide quality housing facilities for our assigned military population.

• Manage the natural and cultural resources in a way that will support the military training mission.

1.5.1.1 Environmental Division (ED)

The Environmental Division is comprised of three branches and is responsible for the NEPA, natural resources, cultural resources, hazardous waste, recycling, asbestos, air emissions, storm water pollution protection, oil/water separators, ozone depleting chemicals, radon gas monitoring, lead hazard reduction, site cleanup and closure, storage tank management, wellhead protection, landfill inspection, environmental noise management, pest management, Emergency Planning and Community Right-To- Know Act (EPCRA), military munitions and range response, drinking water, waste water, energy and others. This organization obtains all state and Federal environmental permits.

1.5.1.1.1 NRB

The NRB manages Fort McCoy’s natural resources and is comprised of Fisheries, Wildlife, Forestry, Threatened and Endangered Species (T&E), Cultural Resources and Pest Management. The NRB operates under the team concept to facilitate integrated land management. Decisions are reviewed by the NRB to ensure that management practices will fully benefit all resources and land uses. Recommendations are then provided to the Chief of the NRB for review. As needed, recommendations and decisions are sent forward to the Chief of the Environmental Division for review and approval.

1.5.1.1.1.1 NRB Mission

The mission of the NRB is to foster the wise stewardship of natural resources which will support and sustain:

• A realistic and relevant training environment.

• A productive operational base.

• Biological diversity.

• Commercial and recreational opportunities.

• Healthy biotic communities (i.e. minimize wildlife disease issues, tree health issues, at appropriate population levels, etc).

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1.5.1.1.1.2 NRB Goals

All NRB activities and responsibilities support the mission through the following goals:

• Enhance military mission opportunities through deliberate and responsible management activities when needed and through education and guidance.

• Comply with all Federal and state laws, mandates, and regulations that apply to Fort McCoy lands.

• Make ecosystem management the basis for land management decisions.

• Generate revenue to support future land management practices.

• Foster and maintain positive community relations.

1.5.1.1.2 Facilities and Grounds

The DPW contractor is responsible for the maintenance of grounds in developed areas (to include ranges and real property assets in the training areas, natural occurring erosion, fire breaks, etc.) and along right-of-ways. This includes, but not limited to, mowing, urban forest tree care, gardening and other miscellaneous grounds work.

1.5.1.1.3 Pest Control

Pest control operations on Fort McCoy are conducted by the DPW contractor and guided by the Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP), (last review and approval 2009) as required in AR 200-1. All pesticides used on Fort McCoy are reported to Pest Control for inclusion in the monthly report. Pest Control occasionally works outside the Cantonment Area to control nuisance plants (e.g. weeds), insects (e.g. wasps, ants), and animals (e.g. beavers, raccoons, mice). The NRB provides input to the IPMP.

1.5.2 Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security (DPTMS) The DPTMS oversees four divisions: Plans, Operations and Security Division, Airfield Division, Management Support Division and Training Division.

1.5.2.1 Training Division

Functions of the Training Division include: Range Branch, Training Support, Program Management, and Quality Assurance.

1.5.2.1.1 Range Branch

The Range Branch is comprised of the Range Officer, Range Safety, Range Operations Section, the Range Maintenance Section, and Integrated Training Area Management Program.

1.5.2.1.1.1 Range Officer

The Range Officer is responsible for the overall safe and efficient utilization of the Range Complex and for the maintenance and range management program; supervises internal operations of Range Branch which includes Range Operations, Range Safety, Range maintenance, and the ITAM program.

1.5.2.1.1.2 Range Operations

Controls and supervises the overall operation of the Range Complex to include scheduling, Range Control and Range Inspection section. Operates and maintains Range Facility Management Support System (RFMSS) for scheduling training facilities. Operates the Range Branch Radio Room (Range Control) during all scheduled range complex activities. Inspects, in-processes, and clears all ranges and training facilities within the Range Complex. Manages Restricted Air Space R6901A/B, in Accordance With (IAW) this regulation, AR 95-2, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance. Maintains the Officer in Charge and Range Safety Officer Range Safety Certification and Training Program. Provides hunting area closures for posting on the Fort McCoy game line IAW conflicts list and locks and unlocks access gates, as indicated on the game line IAW Range Gate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Maintains the Range Branch web site. Processes all unit special site and non-standard training requests. Ensures the Range Officer is fully briefed on Range Complex and Training Facility operational status, incidents and accidents.

1.5.2.1.1.3 Range Maintenance Section

Operates automated ranges and supervises the maintenance and upkeep of ranges and training facilities within the Range Complex. Maintains range target systems, devices and communications equipment.

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1.5.2.1.1.4 Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM) Program The ITAM is comprised of Range and Training Land Assessment (RTLA), Land Rehabilitation and Maintenance (LRAM), Training Requirements Integration (TRI) and Sustainable Range Awareness (SRA) Components. The Geographical Information System (GIS) is a supporting component to ITAM and DPTMS as a whole. The ITAM coordinator is the major player in keeping INRMP activities compatible with military training needs. The ITAM provides a management and decision making process to integrate Army training and other mission requirements for land use with sound natural resources management. It integrates elements of operational, environmental, master planning and other programs that identify and assess land use alternatives. The intent is to manage the lands in a sound manner to ensure no net loss of training capabilities and support current and future training and mission requirements. The ITAM program supports sound natural and cultural resources management practices and stewardship of land assets to support training, testing, and other installation missions.

1.5.2.1.1.4.1 RTLA

The RTLA component gives managers a standard method of collecting and analyzing land condition and trend data to make good land management decisions that promote sustained training and multiple-use of military lands. It incorporates relational database and GIS technologies to spatially maintain training load information, land conditions, and natural resources inventories. Such technology and data is then made as available as possible to all decision-making authorities related to Fort McCoy and to military units as needed for training events and environmental compliance.

1.5.2.1.1.4.2 LRAM

The LRAM component provides a preventive and corrective land rehabilitation and maintenance procedure to reduce the long-term impacts of training on Fort McCoy. It also focuses on the redesign or reconfiguration of existing training areas as needed to meet current and anticipated future training needs.

These efforts help installations maintain quality lands and reduce costs associated with land rehabilitation, additional land purchases or environmental litigation issues. The LRAM includes programming, planning, designing, and executing land rehabilitation, maintenance, and reconfiguration projects based on requirements and priorities identified in the TRI and RTLA components of the ITAM. Usual maintenance work is done with chainsaws, severe-duty shredder, bulldozers, tractor and disk. The NRB reviews the annual and emergency work-plans to make sure environmental laws are being followed and natural resources are protected or enhanced.

1.5.2.1.1.4.3 TRI

The TRI component provides a decision support procedure that integrates training requirements with land management, training management, and natural and cultural resources management processes and data derived from RTLA and NRB programs. The integration of all requirements occurs through continuous consultation between the NRB and other components of DPTMS and the environmental staff.

This INRMP is an implementing document and requires TRI input. The TRI also involves coordination with external agencies and Federal departments. The “Training-Environmental” interface ensures wise land-use planning and management decisions that meet regulatory compliance and training activity requirements. Information provided by TRI will help quantify training land carrying capacity.

1.5.2.1.1.4.4 SRA

The SRA component educates land managers on the military mission requirements for an installation as well educating land users on environmental limitations and sensitivity of the land resources.

Land users include military units, personnel within installation directorates, recreationalists, adjacent landowners, and any other agencies or persons that can impact installation activities associated with training or the land resources. Education focuses on identifying potential impacts to the land and ways that users can avoid or minimize the effects. The SRA can help to improve public relations by communicating the successes at sustaining mission activities while preserving Army land. This is done with help from the Public Affairs Office (PAO). Formats for SRA includes; Soldier field cards, leader handbooks, posters/photos, news articles, briefings, pamphlets/brochures, Fort McCoy website, maps, overlays and other media.

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1.5.2.1.1.4.5 GIS

The GIS is a supporting element of ITAM and the Range Branch overall. It provides spatial and tabular representation of training land and range assets both digitally and in hard copy. The GIS is a key element in all land management and planning activities. It provides a readily available analytical tool and is a major resource to archive actions taken within the training areas. The component also provides support projects to using units in the form of maps, photo imagery, and layouts of available ranges / training sites.

1.5.3 Directorate of Emergency Services (DES)

The DES oversees two divisions; Fire Prevention and Protection (FPP) and Fort McCoy Police Department. Both divisions are involved with INRMP issues.

1.5.3.1 Fire Prevention and Protection

The FPP oversees all fire protection and prescribed burning on Fort McCoy. Any prescribed burns planned by NRB require the review and approval of the Fire Chief. The FPP is the proponent for the Integrated Wildland Fire Management Plan (IWFMP). The IWFMP was completed in July 2008 and ties in closely with the INRMP. Reduction of fuel loads and fire hazards within the training areas of Fort McCoy is a key concern of FPP. The FPP and NRB work together to identify these sites and implement prescribed burns specifically for this purpose.

1.5.3.2 Fort McCoy Police Department

The Fort McCoy Police Department provides support and enforcement of firewood, fishing, hunting and trapping regulations. They provide input and recommendations for the yearly update and review of the Fort McCoy Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Laws and Regulations (FM Regulation 420-29) and are also responsible for controlling access to Fort McCoy. Close coordination between NRB program managers and the Fort McCoy Police Department is essential in achieving INRMP goals.

1.5.4 Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR) The DFMWR oversees three divisions; Business Activities, Management Support, and Community Recreation (CR). The CR includes Whitetail Ridge Ski Area, Pine View Recreation Area (PVRA), Fort McCoy Community Club, The Recreation Center, Rumple Fitness Center and other activities. They assist NRB by serving as a registration station for archery and turkey hunting seasons. The PVRA store also provides customer service to anglers and hunters purchasing Fort McCoy hunting and fishing permits through the Automated License Issuance System (ALIS).

1.5.5 Other Defense Organizations

1.5.5.1 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

The USACE is responsible for any transactions involving real estate. Standing trees are considered real estate so the Omaha District-USACE administers the commercial timber sales that occur on Fort McCoy. The NRB forestry staff does all the planning and fieldwork for timber sales and submits maps and information to the USACE. The USACE creates and sends an invitation for bid to interested logging and pulpwood contractors. The bid opening, depositing sale income, and closing out the sale are some of the USACE responsibilities. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fort McCoy and the Omaha District was approved in February 2006 (MOU # DACA45-9-05-6046) to detail the responsibilities, authorities, support services, and procedures of each organization.

The Minneapolis District-USACE issues permits involving wetlands and navigable waters projects through the local office in La Crescent, Minnesota. The Waterways Experimental Station provides research support for projects related to fish and wildlife management and military training.

1.5.5.2 Installation Management Command (IMCOM)

Fort McCoy is under the command and control of the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) – Central Region.

1.5.5.2.1 Army Environmental Command (AEC)

The AEC is a subordinate command of IMCOM and is responsible for administering the reimbursable programs covered by the INRMP. They include timber sales, permit sales, and

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 2012 8 agricultural/grazing outlease income and disbursements. The AEC uses a web-based program called Reimbursable Program Tracking Software (RPTS) to keep track of the income and requirements for each installation. Installations annually submit their funding requirements for commercial forestry, agricultural/grazing and permit sales to RPTS.