SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental Consequencesminimize impacts to wildlife populations. USARAK would continue to conduct a detailed study toassess the effects of noise on wildlife.Additionally, USARAK is considering development and implementation of an information andeducation program for personnel using USARAK lands. Emphasize conservation of wildlife andnatural resources; develop protocol to reduce wildlife disturbance and negative wildlife-humaninteractions (e.g., bear or moose attacks). This would enhance the conservation of wildlife resourceson USARAK lands. Develop and implement an information and education program for personnelusing USARAK lands. This would enhance the conservation of fisheries resources on USARAKlands.Introduction and spread of invasive plants and noxious weeds. Management of invasive plant speciesis an issue of concern on USARAK lands. The Land Condition Trend Analysis program monitorsvegetation and documents invasive plant species. These species are managed using integrated pestmanagement techniques, whereby chemical control is minimized.Increasing construction at FRA, increasing the number of people, and increasing the number ofvehicles could increase the number and type of nonnative plants, including noxious weeds. However,because the invasive species problem is currently minimal, and USARAK is committed to proactivemanagement, less than significant impacts from noxious weeds are expected.No ImpactsImpacts to Threatened and Endangered Species: Construction new ranges at FRA to accommodatethe SBCT would temporarily increase human presence and activity at construction sites. However, nofederal or state threatened, endangered, or candidate plant or animal species are found within or nearlands used by USARAK. Listing the Cook Inlet beluga whale population as endangered is proposed;however, range construction projects would be located several miles from Cook Inlet, and no impactsto beluga whales are expected.Several species of concern are found on USARAK lands. USARAK’s policies for management ofendangered species are outlined in the INRMPs for each post (USARAK 2007). Endangered speciesmanagement goals and objectives include protection and conservation of endangered or threatenedspecies found on USARAK posts, identification and delineation of species and their habitats, andcompliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. USARAK would conduct planning for theendangered species program; implement an inventory and monitoring program to identify the locationand distribution of any rare, uncommon, or priority species; and protect habitats of these species.There is no endangered species management plan unless a federally listed endangered or threatenedspecies is found on an installation. The USARAK ecosystem management program also monitorsspecies of concern. No range construction would be necessary at DTA; therefore, impact analysis isNot Applicable.5.3.10.3 Impacts from Live-Fire TrainingLess Than Significant ImpactsImpacts to wetlands. Increased live-fire training associated with the SBCT could cause direct andlong-term impacts to wetlands. An increase would result in moderate physical disturbances to wetlandareas and an increase in pollutants and hazardous materials. Impacts, however, would be limited toexisting impact areas. The frequency of training would increase, and the number of rounds and theFebruary 2008 5-107 2/25th SBCT Final EIS