Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Integrated <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Resources</strong> Management Plan [March 2012 - Update]<br />
Margarita River is the most biologically intact riparian corridor remaining in southern<br />
California (USFWS 1995a). Other areas on <strong>Base</strong> that support riparian communities include<br />
the drainages of the San Mateo, San Onofre, Las Flores, Aliso, and French watersheds and<br />
portions of Pilgrim Creek (San Luis Rey).<br />
RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION PROGRAM<br />
Management of riparian ecosystems is covered by the <strong>Base</strong>’s Riparian Conservation Plan<br />
(Appendix C). The riparian ecosystem conservation program is designed to sustain and<br />
improve the biological diversity of the riparian ecosystems on <strong>Base</strong>, as primarily evidenced<br />
by the abundance and distribution of threatened/endangered migrant birds like the least<br />
Bell’s vireo. The philosophy behind this conservation plan approach is to sustain and<br />
restore riparian ecosystem dynamics, such that natural plant and animal communities on<br />
<strong>Base</strong> are sufficiently resilient to withstand the array of disturbances and incursions<br />
occasioned by military training activities. The components of the ecosystem conservation<br />
program, particularly compliance with programmatic instructions and execution of<br />
management programs, are anticipated to offset current and planned training requirements<br />
and infrastructure maintenance activities. In the case of major construction projects, the<br />
ecosystem conservation program is supplemented by additional measures established in the<br />
reasonable and prudent measures and terms and conditions of the BO that covers the Plan.<br />
The <strong>Base</strong> has stated its commitment to achieving these goals through specific actions<br />
identified in the Branch programs in <strong>Chapter</strong> 4.<br />
To achieve greater mission flexibility in the Santa Margarita River, the plan calls for the<br />
maintenance of suitable least Bell’s vireo habitat, not only in the Santa Margarita River<br />
basin, but also in the other major drainages on the <strong>Base</strong>, enhancement of degraded areas in<br />
these drainages, maintenance of the least Bell’s vireo population at a minimum of 400<br />
singing males on <strong>Base</strong>, and promoting expansion of the southwestern willow flycatcher<br />
population above the 1994 level of 22 singing males, even though the species suffered a<br />
significant range-wide population decline in 2008.<br />
The Riparian Conservation Plan has an established set of “programmatic instructions” to<br />
avoid and/or reduce and minimize adverse impacts to the ecosystem. Military training and<br />
facilities’ maintenance units follow the guidance given in the programmatic instructions<br />
such as scheduling activities during the non-nesting season if feasible or selecting<br />
construction sites that would impact the least amount of riparian habitat possible, to avoid<br />
incidental take and adverse impacts. When adverse impacts cannot be avoided, the <strong>Base</strong><br />
offsets species/habitat loss of value and function by a program of habitat enhancements.<br />
<strong>Camp</strong> <strong>Pendleton</strong> also monitors habitat, species populations, predator control, and/or other<br />
management actions, as appropriate, and thereby establishes “baselines” from which to<br />
track progress toward goals.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 3 – <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Resources</strong> 3-17