SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected Environmentvelopment of the OIP was issued on 23 October 2003. The Army is currently drafting the PTA ImplementationPlan pursuant to the USFWS BO.Biologically Significant Areas. Biologically Significant Areas (BSAs) contain varying levels of sensitiveplants established as a formal rating system by TNC. The abundance and diversity of sensitiveplants within an area are used to classify sensitivity. BSA 1 areas contain a high density of federallylisted endangered, proposed endangered, or candidate species. BSA 2 areas contain lower densities ofknown federally listed endangered, proposed endangered, or candidate taxa, or contain candidate taxaor other species of concern that are expected to be upgraded to federally protected status within thenext few years. BSA 3 areas contain stands of intact, relatively common native vegetation types withfew or no known occurrences of rare elements.Important habitat for sensitive snail species also exists in the SBCT ROI. Although this habitat hasnot been federally designated or proposed as critical habitat, it has been identified as containing thehabitat requirements necessary for supporting the federally listed and snail species of concern onOahu.Migratory Birds. A minimum of eighty migratory bird species have been observed on the island ofOahu and eleven species at Pohakuloa. These birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Act and ExecutiveOrder 13186 Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act ([MBTA] 16 U.S.C. 703), unless permittedby regulation (i.e., waterfowl hunting, incidental taking during DoD training and testing), it is illegalto “take” migratory birds, their eggs, feathers or nests. “Take” includes by any means or in any manner,any attempt at hunting, pursuing, wounding, killing, possessing or transporting any migratorybird, nest, egg, or part thereof. Under the MBTA, only the direct “take” of migratory birds requiresauthorization by USFWS. Actions that may adversely impact or indirectly “take” birds such as habitatdestruction or manipulation are not a violation of the MBTA unless migratory birds are killed orwounded during the activity. However, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the DoDand the USFWS to promote the conservation of migratory birds that was developed pursuant to EO13186 — Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds, address’ both direct andindirect take of migratory birds. The MOU identifies specific activities where cooperation betweenUSFWS and DoD will contribute substantially to the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.This MOU does not authorize the take of migratory birds.On 28 February 2007, the USFWS published the final rule on the take of migratory birds by theArmed Forces. This rule authorizes and explains the conditions for which the Armed Forces, and contractorsperforming a military readiness activity in association with the Armed Forces, can unintentionallytake migratory birds during military readiness activities (USFWS 2007c). If the ArmedForces determine that a proposed or an ongoing military readiness activity may result in a significantadverse effect on a population of a migratory bird species, then they must confer and cooperate withthe USFWS to develop appropriate and reasonable conservation measures to minimize or mitigateidentified significant adverse effects. Under certain circumstances, such unintentional take authorizationis subject to withdrawal to ensure consistency with the provisions of the migratory bird treaties.3.1.9.1 Schofield Barracks Military ReservationVegetation Community DescriptionsThe vegetation communities described below occur in multiple locations on the SBMR (which includesSBER and SBMP), WAAF on Oahu, and SRAA (at SBMR). The mixed fern/shrub communityis a fairly restricted community in the topmost reaches of the Koolau Mountains, where rainfall generallyexceeds 150 inches (USARHAW and 25th ID [L] 2001a).February 2008 3–59 2/25th SBCT Final EIS