Environmental Assessment: For the Implementation of Eielson Air Force Base's Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan.

摘要

As mandated by the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a et seq.) as amended, the Secretary of Defense is authorized to carry out a program of planning for, and the development, maintenance, and coordination of, wildlife, fish, and game conservation and rehabilitation on each military reservation. This would be accomplished in accordance with a cooperative plan agreed upon by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, and the appropriate agency for the state in which the reservation is located. Each cooperative plan shall provide for fish and wildlife habitat improvements or modifications; range rehabilitation where necessary to support wildlife; control of offroad vehicle traffic; specific habitat improvement projects and related activities and adequate protection for species of fish, wildlife and plants considered threatened or endangered. As a general rule, once a cooperative plan is agreed to, no sale or lease of land on a military reservation, or sale of forest products from the land, may be undertaken unless the effects of the sale or leasing are compatible with the purposes of the plan. Cooperative plans are to be reviewed at least every five years. The current plan expires on 31 May 2003. Under the Proposed Action, the USAF proposes to implement the INRMP at a level that strives for a healthy balance between natural resource enhancement and stewardship, complimenting the military mission, and availability of resources required to accomplish the stated management goals and objectives. The Proposed Action is similar to the level of implementation under the existing INRMP, implementing 100 percent of the goals identified as high priority, 75 percent of medium priority goals, and 36 percent of low priority goals.