Appendix - Integrated Natural Resources Management

A. Integrated Planning

1. Integrated natural resources management plans shall be maintained for properties under DoD control. These plans shall guide planners and implementors of mission activities as well as natural resources managers.

2. The plans shall be coordinated with appropriate Federal, State, and local officials with interest or jurisdiction in accordance with 32 CFR part 243 and with planners of DoD activities that impact on the natural resources. Conversely, new and continuing mission activities that impact on natural resources shall be coordinated with appropriate natural resources managers.

3. Natural resources management plans shall be continually monitored, reviewed annually, and revised by DoD natural resources management professionals. They shall be approved in accordance with DoD Components’ procedures at least every 5 years.

4. The natural resources management planning process shall invite public participation.

5. An integrated natural resources management plan shall meet the following criteria:

a. Natural resources and areas of critical or special concern are adequately addressed from both technical and policy standpoints.

b. The natural resources management methodologies shall sustain the capabilities of the natural resources to support military requirements.

c. The plan includes current inventories and conditions of natural resources; goals; management methods; schedules of activities and projects; priorities; responsibilties of installation planners and decisionmakers; monitoring systems; protection and enforcement systems; and land use restrictions, limitations, and capabilities.

d. Each plan segment or component (i.e., land, forest, fish and wildlife, and outdoor recreation) exhibits compatible methodologies and goals.

e. The plan is compatible with the installation's master plan and pest management program under DoD Directive 4150.7.1

6. A determination that the public may not have access to use natural resources under DoD control shall be included and explained in the applicable integrated natural resources management plan.

7. The environmental impact analysis for any proposed activity or project shall include an analysis of the compatibility of the proposal's impacts with affected natural resources management plans and objectives. Only after necessary revisions to management plans are made shall the new activity begin.

8. The planning requirements of DoD Directive 4710.1 2 may be met within the integrated natural resources plan.

9. Integrated natural resources management plans shall be a primary consideration during the master planning process and for land use and development decisions.

B. Natural Resources Management Plan

The integrated natural resources plan shall implement the following policies and requirements for each applicable program area:

1. Land Management

a. DoD lands shall be managed to support military activities, improve the quality of land and water resources, protect wetlands and floodplains and their functions, abate nonpoint sources of water pollution, conserve lands suitable for agriculture, control noxious weeds, and control erosion.

b. Costs for maintaining grounds shall be minimized by providing the least amount of mowed areas and special plantings necessary to accomplish management objectives and by the use of low maintenance species, agricultural outleases, wildlife habitat, and tree plantings.

c. Land management is an important use of appropriated funds. Also, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2667(d) revenues from the agriculture and grazing outlease program are available for:

(1) Administrative expenses of agricultural leases.

(2) Initiation, improvement, and perpetuation of agricultural outleases.

(3) Preparation and revisions of natural resources management plans.

(4) Implementation of integrated natural resources management plans.

d. When appropriate, land management plans shall address soils, water resources, soil and water conservation, wetlands and floodplains, grounds maintenance, landscaping, agricultural uses and potential, fire management, rangeland conditions and trends, areas of special interest, and management for multiple use.

e. Soil capabilities, water management, landscaping, erosion control, and conservation of natural resources shall be included in all site feasibility studies and in project planning, design, and construction. Appropriate conservation work and associated costs shall be included in project proposals and construction contracts and specifications. Such studies and work shall be coordinated with appropriate natural resources management professionals and plans.

f. Irrigation shall be limited to areas where it is essential to establish and maintain required vegetation or when an agricultural outlease contract allows it.

g. Appropriate natural resources conservation measures shall be included in outlease provisions.

h. Landscaping shall be functional in nature, simple and informal in design, compatible with adjacent surroundings, and complimentary to the overall natural setting of the area.

i. Land conditions, soil capability, and erosion status shall be monitored for all lands subject to disturbance (e.g., maneuver areas, commercial forest areas, and agricultural outleased areas). The data and analyses obtained shall be used in planning, environmental analyses, and decisionmaking at all levels of command.

2. Forest Management

a. DoD forest lands shall be managed for sustained yield of quality forest products, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and other uses that can be made compatible with mission activities.

b. Commercial forestry activities shall be commensurate with potential financial returns.

c. Forest products shall not be given away, abandoned, carelessly destroyed, used to offset costs of contracts, or traded for products, supplies, or services. Forest products may be used for military training. Individuals may be allowed to collect noncommercial or edible forest products if that use is addressed in the management plan for the areas involved. Forest products may be harvested to generate electricity or heat only if the Military Department's forestry account is paid fair market value.

d. Planned forest products sales shall continue on land reported as excess until actual disposal or transfer occurs. When forested areas are slated to be public parks or used for outdoor recreation, clearcutting is prohibited. However, thinning, intermediate cuttings, and salvage cuttings shall be accomplished if the management plan calls for such activity within the next 5 years. That portion of the proceeds from sales of land that is attributable to the value of standing timber on the land sold shall be deposited in the Military Department's forestry account.

e. Accounting and reporting for the proceeds and costs of the commercial forestry program are contained in DoD Instruction 7310.5.3 Costs associated with management of all forested areas (noncommercial and commercial) are valid uses of appropriated funds as well as proceeds from agricultural outleases and forest product sales.

f. When appropriate, natural resources management plans shall include current forest inventories, conditions, trends, and potential uses; analysis of soil data for forest potential; goals; protection and enforcement methods; maintenance of forested areas and access roads; improvement methods; harvesting and reforestation methods and schedules; and management for multiple use.

3. Fish and Wildlife Management

a. Lands and waters suitable for management of fish and wildlife resources shall be managed to conserve wildlife resources for the benefit of the public. Nongame as well as game species shall be considered when planning activities.

b. Endangered and threatened species and their habitats shall be protected and managed according to the Endangered Species Act and implementing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regulations and agreements. Management plans for installations with endangered species shall include:

(1) Coordinated protection and mitigation measures.

(2) Appropriate affirmative methods and procedures necessary to enhance the population of endangered species.

(3) Procedures and responsibilities for consulting with the FWS prior to funding or conducting any action likely to affect a listed species or its critical habitat.

c. The Sikes Act provides a mechanism whereby the Departments of Defense and the Interior and host States cooperate to plan, maintain, and manage fish and wildlife on military installations. Agreement by all 3 parties regarding the fish and wildlife management plan for an installation makes that plan a cooperative plan pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 670 et seq. A cooperative plan shall be adopted by an installation commander only after ensuring its compatibility with the rest of the integrated natural resources management plan.

d. Hunting, fishing, and trapping may be permitted within the carrying capacity of wildlife habitats. Harvesting of wildlife from DoD installations or facilities shall be done according to the fish and game laws of the State or territory in which it is located and under 10 U.S.C. 2671. Special permits shall be issued, in addition to required State and Federal permits or licenses, for fishing, hunting, or trapping on DoD property.

e. Hunting, fishing, and trapping fees may be collected under the authority of the Sikes Act to recover expenses of implementing a cooperation plan. The same Sikes Act fee shall be charged for a particular use to all users at a particular installation except senior citizens, children, and the physically handicapped. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the Heads of Military Services. Additional recreation fees may be collected under policies in DoD Directive 1015.6 4 and DoD Instruction 1015.2.5

f. Criteria and procedures for hunting, fishing, and trapping permits and fees shall be included in management plans. Fees collected under the authority of 16 U.S.C. 670 et seq. shall be used only to defray the costs of the fish and wildlife management program at the installation collecting the fees. Collected fees shall be accounted for and reported according to instructions from the Comptroller, Department of Defense (C, DoD), under a special fund entitled “Wildlife Conservation”—X5095. Unobligated balances shall be accumulated with current fee collections, and the total amount accumulated at an installation shall be available for obligation as apportioned by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

g. Whenever hunting, fishing, or trapping is allowed on DoD installations, enforcement of wildlife laws shall be addressed in the fish and wildlife management plan and carried out by trained enforcement officials under the direction of or in coordination with the wildlife manager.

h. The suitability of a military installation for fish and wildlife management shall be determined after consulting with the FWS and host State. Each installation shall be classified as one of the following:

(1) Category I—Installations with land and water resources suitable for fish and wildlife conservation. Each Category I installation shall maintain a wildlife management plan according to this part.

(2) Category II—Installations that lack adequate land and water resources for feasible fish and wildlife conservation.

i. The number of users of fish and wildlife resources may be limited on a daily or seasonal basis. Membership in an organization, including rod and gun clubs, shall not be a prerequisite for or get priority in receiving permits.

j. Habitat management is the basic means of improving wildlife resources. Introduction and reintroduction of species shall occur only in coordination with appropriate agencies and in accordance with a cooperative plan. When predator or animal damage control is a necessary part of natural resources management or mission performance, it shall be accomplished according to the cooperative plan, relevant laws and regulations, and in coordination with adjoining land managers.

k. Fish and wildlife conservation shall be considered in all site feasibility studies and project planning, design, and construction. Appropriate conservation work and associated funding shall be included in project proposals and construction contracts and specifications.

l. Priority shall be given to entering into contracts for services that implement wildlife management or enforce wildlife laws with Federal and State Agencies with responsibility for wildlife conservation.

m. Where appropriate, natural resources management plans shall address habitat management and enhancement, current wildlife and fish inventories and population trends, endangered and other special species management, game and nongame species management, access policy and user program, administration of user fee program, law enforcement, cooperating agencies’ responsibilities, and multiple use management.

4. Outdoor Recreation

a. Whenever practicable, DoD lands with suitable resources shall be managed to conserve and use natural resources for the outdoor recreation opportunities of present and future generations. The policies and procedures herein apply to outdoor recreation programs as defined in § 190.3 and supersedes those in DoD Directive 1015.6 and DoD Instruction 1015.2.

b. Conservation of outdoor recreation resources shall be considered in all plans, programs, site feasibility studies, and project planning and design.

c. Installations having resources suitable for outdoor recreation other than hunting, fishing, and trapping are encouraged to develop cooperative agreements or plans with other Federal Agencies and appropriate State Agencies to facilitate the development and management of those programs.

d. Public access to DoD properties for outdoor recreation shall be allowed whenever compatible with public safety and mission activities. User fees may be collected to recover expenses of managing natural resources for outdoor recreation, and access quotas may be established to reflect the carrying capacity of the areas involved. Public outdoor recreation opportunities shall be equitably distributed by impartial procedures, such as a first-come, first-served basis or by drawing lots. When public access must be withheld, that determination shall be explained in the natural resources management plan.

e. Off-road vehicle use shall be managed to protect natural resources, promote safety, and avoid conflicts with other uses of DoD properties. Use of off-road vehicles shall be monitored and evaluated regularly by natural resources management professionals. All land and water areas shall be closed to such use unless an environmental impact analysis in accordance with 32 CFR part 188 has been completed and the use is specifically approved and regulated. Specific areas that shall not be used by recreational off-road vehicles are those:

(1) Restricted for security or safety purposes.

(2) Containing fragile geological and soil conditions, flora or fauna, or other natural characteristics.

(3) With significant archeological, historical, paleontological resources.

(4) Designated as wilderness or scenic areas.

(5) Where noise would adversely affect other users, wildlife, or adjacent communities.

f. Whenever appropriate, outdoor recreation plans shall address inventories, trends, and management of resources suitable for outdoor recreation; aesthetics; development of opportunities and potential uses; potential user groups and access policy; user fee program; user ethics programs; and multiple use management.

5. Special Areas

Areas on DoD installations that contain natural resources that warrant special conservation efforts shall be identified. After appropriate study and coordination, such areas may be designated as Special Interest Areas. Upon such designation, the integrated natural resources management plan for the installation shall address the special management necessary for the area.