Composite Training Unit Exercises and Joint Task ... - Govsupport.us

COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Chapter 33.2.4 Land Areas3.2.4.1 San Clemente Island3.2.4.1.1 Surface WatersSCI has no perennial streams. During the winter, storm waters supply numerous intermittent streamslocated in steep canyons on SCI. Surface waters persist through the dry season in constructedimpoundments and in bedrock plunge pools located in the deeper portions of major canyons. Accordingto the Basin Plan, potential beneficial uses for inland surface waters of SCI include municipal anddomestic water supply, groundwater recharge supply, contact water recreation, non-contact waterrecreation, warm freshwater habitat, wildlife habitat, and habitat for rare, threatened, or endangeredspecies (California Regional Water Quality Control Board [CRWQCB], 1994).3.2.4.1.2 GroundwaterLittle information is available on groundwater resources on SCI. Drilling to date has only locatedbrackish aquifers. The island is generally a volcanic monolith, and may lack a groundwater aquifer (U.S.Navy 1954). According to the Basin Plan, potential beneficial uses for groundwater on SCI includemunicipal and domestic water supply and industrial service supply (CRWQCB, 1994).3.2.4.2 Naval Base Coronado - SSTCThere are no naturally occurring streams or other watercourses on NB Coronado. The area is susceptibleto local storm flooding or seismic sea waves, however, due to the low-lying, flat terrain. NB Coronadodepends upon the City of San Diego Water Utilities Department for potable water.3.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCESCOMPTUEX and JTFEX activities will occur primarily in the offshore marine environment, althoughexisting ranges in the nearshore, bays and estuaries, and terrestrial environments will be used for sometraining activities.3.3.1 Regulatory FrameworkNumerous Federal laws protect biological resources within the affected area. The Navy has adopted anaggressive program to address the often-conflicting demands of military readiness and resourceprotection.The Sikes Act Improvement Act (SAIA) of 1997 (Public Law 105-85 Div B, Title XXIX, 18 November1997) amended the Sikes Act of 1960 to require all DoD branches to prepare and implement INRMPs, inconsultation with Federal and State fish and wildlife agencies, for each military installation withsignificant natural resources. The goal of the INRMP is to achieve sustainable natural resourcesmanagement while ensuring no net loss in the capability of installation lands to support the militarymission.The Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. § 1531) provides for the conservation of species that areendangered or threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range, and theconservation of the ecosystems on which they depend. The listing of a species qualifies it for increasedprotective measures: critical habitat necessary for the continued survival of the species may bedesignated, and a recovery plan is prepared that identifies conservation measures to help increase speciesnumbers. In addition, Section 7 of the ESA requires all Federal agencies to use their authorities toconduct conservation programs and to consult with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (or3-7 February 2007