SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected Environmentlevels compatible with other land management objectives, or eliminating the weed species from thearea (DECAM 2002a). Maintaining healthy native plant communities and revegetating disturbed areas,as necessary, are the most effective methods of preventing weed establishment and encroachmentat Fort Carson (DECAM 2002a).WildlifeTypical wildlife habitat types on FTC include short-grass prairie, pinyon-juniper woodland, andaquatic and riparian communities. The dominant terrestrial habitat types on FTC are grasslands,shrublands, and woodlands. Aquatic habitats on FTC are very limited and consist of wetlands, ripariancorridors, and open water. Existing data on wildlife species and descriptions of wildlife habitatspresent on FTC were obtained from the INRMP (DECAM 2002a).Western rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), triploid checkered whiptail (Cnemidophorus neotesselatus),and coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) are typical reptiles found on FTC. Wetlands support severalamphibian species found on FTC, including plains leopard frog (Rana blairi), northern leopard frog(Rana pipiens), and snapping painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). Fifty-seven species of carnivores, ungulates,and small mammals and numerous bird species are known to occur on FTC (USACE 2007a).Native and nonnative fish can be found at reservoirs at FTC (USACE 2005a), eight of which aremanaged for sport fishing (DECAM 2002a). The closest surface waters to the cantonment area, includingHaymes, Townsend, and Northside Reservoirs and Bird Farm Reservoirs, are man-made impoundmentsprimarily used for recreational fishing. Warm-water catch-and-release fisheries are foundat Northside, Small Bird, and Large Bird Reservoirs. Womak, Haymes, and Townsend Reservoirs arecurrently managed as cold-water fisheries (DECAM 2002a). Streams, especially spring-fed streams,also support native fish species on FTC (USACE 2005).Under the MBTA (16 U.S.C. 703), unless permitted by regulation (i.e., waterfowl hunting, incidentaltaking during DoD training and testing), it is illegal to “take” migratory birds, their eggs, feathers ornests. “Take” includes by any means or in any manner, any attempt at hunting, pursuing, wounding,killing, possessing or transporting any migratory bird, nest, egg, or part thereof. Under the MBTA,only the direct “take” of migratory birds requires authorization by USFWS. Actions that may adverselyimpact or indirectly “take” birds such as habitat destruction or manipulation are not a violationof the MBTA unless migratory birds are killed or wounded during the activity. However, theMOU between the DoD and the USFWS to promote the conservation of migratory birds that was developedpursuant to EO 13186 — Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds,address’ both direct and indirect take of migratory birds. The MOU identifies specific activities wherecooperation between USFWS and DoD will contribute substantially to the conservation of migratorybirds and their habitats. This MOU does not authorize the take of migratory birds.On February 28, 2007, the USFWS published the final rule on the take of migratory birds by theArmed Forces (USFWS 2007c). This rule authorizes and explains the conditions for which the ArmedForces, and contractors performing a military readiness activity in association with the Armed Forces,can unintentionally take migratory birds during military readiness activities. If the Armed Forces determinethat a proposed or an ongoing military readiness activity may result in a significant adverseeffect on a population of a migratory bird species, then they must confer and cooperate with theUSFWS to develop appropriate and reasonable conservation measures to minimize or mitigate identifiedsignificant adverse effects. Under certain circumstances, such unintentional take authorization issubject to withdrawal to ensure consistency with the provisions of the migratory bird treaties.February 2008 3–172 2/25th SBCT Final EIS