SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected EnvironmentGroundwater movement in the northeastern corner of the PCMS is toward the northeast; groundwatermovement throughout the remainder of the installation is toward the east and southeast. Groundwateris recharged primarily from precipitation and subsurface inflow from neighboring aquifers (DECAM1998).Groundwater QualityPrevious groundwater quality testing determined that the groundwater beneath the PCMS containsconcentrations of dissolved solids, sulfate, iron, manganese, nitrate, chloride, fluoride, selenium, andradionuclide constituents that exceed domestic or public use water quality standards. The water qualityin the aquifer is adequate for wildlife and livestock and for fire suppression (DECAM 2002a and1998). There are approximately 95 wells on the PCMS, and approximately 30 wells are functional.Some of the major wells are connected to distribution lines that fill stock tanks for wildlife managementand fire suppression (DECAM 2002a).3.3.3 WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT3.3.3.1 Wildfire Management DirectionThe DECAM has three roles in the FTC and the PCMS fire management policy. The first role is as anon-site advisor to the Incident Commander. When a fire occurs, a DECAM representative recommendsfire suppression options as they relate to resource protection. The second role is to assist theFire Department actively with suppression and prescribed fire management and planning. The thirdrole is selecting locations for prescribed fires (DECAM 2001a). Generally, prescribed fires are usedon FTC and the PCMS to reduce natural fuels on the range. If the fuels are not controlled, rangelandwildfires may get out of control. Between 1998 and 2000, the DECAM participated in more than 150wildland and prescribed fires.Unacceptable resource impacts are avoided as much as possible through rapid, aggressive suppression.When a large and/or potentially significant resource impact wildfire occurs, a DECAM memberresponds to the fire site. A full range of initial suppression actions, from high-intensity aggressive actionsto low-intensity surveillance activities, are planned to meet the management objectives of individualland units, while being cost effective. The application of options is flexible and subject to revisionas conditions change. Such planned actions are based on land management objectives, values atrisk, and costs associated with suppression strategies.Suppression actions are based on planned analysis consistent with land management objectives includingthe threat to life and property. DECAM personnel advise the on-site Incident Commanderconcerning suppression methods that may be used to minimize resource losses. No wildfire situation,with the possible exception of a threat to human life, requires unnecessary exposure of firefightersand equipment to dangerous situations.In areas where a high level of protection has been identified, fire suppression consists of responsesthat usually completely suppress or control the fire. High suppression protection is broken into threeresource protection subcategories of critical, high, or moderate. For example, housing areas or otherstructures on FTC and the PCMS may be classified as “critical” protection, but training areas may beclassified as “moderate” protection. Therefore, each would have a different response mode. Regardlessof the level of protection, the Incident Commander decides “how” each fire is to be handled forinitial response. The DECAM representative is at the fire site to advise the Incident Commander onsuppression options that would protect resources. Specific tactics for the suppression of wildland firesare generally taken or adapted from the Field Reference Guide for Control of Wildlife Fires (NationalWildfire Coordinating Group 1989).February 2008 3–146 2/25th SBCT Final EIS