Integrated Training Area Management EA and Final FNSI

Project NameEddy Drop ZoneVegetationManagement –BurnEddy Drop ZoneVegetationManagement –MowBison PlotVegetationManagement –BurnBison PlotVegetationManagement –MowProject DescriptionThis project will provide for effect vegetation management within the Eddy Drop Zone through a 12-yearrotational burning cycle, with burning taking place on years 1 and 7. Maintaining safe drop zonecondition requires the removal of woody vegetation in favor of native grasses. Burning will be combinedwith rotational mowing to remove live stem and woody debris from within the drop zone boundaries. Thisproject will provide for the propagation of native grasses by improving soil conditions through theintroduction of burn residue and will maintain effective plant based erosion control by leaving rootmasses intact.This project will provide for effect vegetation management within the Buffalo Drop Zone through a 12-year rotational mowing cycle, with mowing taking place on years 4 and 10. Maintaining safe drop zonecondition requires the removal of woody vegetation in favor of native grasses. Mowing will be combinedwith rotational burning to remove live stem and woody debris from within the drop zone boundaries. Thisproject will provide for the propagation of native grasses by improving soil conditions through theintroduction of decomposing mulch-type residue and will maintain effective plant based erosion controlby leaving root masses intact.This project will provide for effect vegetation management within the Bison Plots located off of MeadowsRoad through a 6-year rotational cycle of burning, mowing and fertilizing, with burning taking place onyear 1. Maintaining healthy grass stands requires the removal of thatch and non-desired plant species.Burning will improve soil conditions and promote the propagation of mono-type grass stands through theintroduction of burn residue and will maintain effective plant based erosion control by leaving rootmasses intact.This project will provide for effect vegetation management within the Bison Plots located off of MeadowsRoad through a 6-year rotational cycle of mowing, burning and fertilizing, with mowing taking place onyear 4. Maintaining healthy grass stands requires periodic stem length reduction. Mowing will improvesoil conditions and promote the propagation of mono-type grass stands through the introduction ofdecomposing stem debris and will maintain effective plant based erosion control by leaving root massesintact.ApproximateAcresImpacted2072074848Bison PlotVegetationManagement –FertilizeOber TrainingArea TrainingArea RotationPlanButch TrainingArea TrainingArea RotationPlanObservation PostTraining AreaTraining AreaRotation PlanThis project will provide for effect vegetation management within the Bison Plots located off of MeadowsRoad through a 6-year rotational cycle of fertilizing, mowing and burning, with fertilizing taking place onyears 1 and 4. Maintaining healthy grass stands requires the periodic introduction of the essential plantnutrients nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulfur. Fertilizing will improve soil conditions andpromote the propagation of mono-type grass stands through the introduction of additional plant nutrientsand will maintain effective plant based erosion control by promoting root growth.The Ober Training Area, located within the Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, is used by troops to maintainmilitary readiness and preparedness. Impacts from the use of the area are typical of military trainingexercises and include trail proliferation, vegetation damage, exposure of soil, road and trail degradationand impaired access. These impacts, if left untreated, can decline and result in erosion and impaireddrainage/hydrology. This project will mitigate training impacts by improving the health of existingvegetation through mowing, hydro-axing and fertilizing; the establishment of new vegetation in exposedarea by hydro-seeding; the closing of unnecessary trails; the improvement of drainage through gradingand the installation of water bars and culverts; and the reshaping and restoration of areas damaged byvehicles and equipment.The Butch Training Area, located within the Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, is used by troops tomaintain military readiness and preparedness. Impacts from the use of the area are typical of militarytraining exercises and include trail proliferation, vegetation damage, exposure of soil, road and traildegradation and impaired access. These impacts, if left untreated, can decline and result in erosion andimpaired drainage/hydrology. This project will mitigate training impacts by improving the health ofexisting vegetation through mowing, hydro-axing and fertilizing; the establishment of new vegetation inexposed area by hydro-seeding; the closing of unnecessary trails; the improvement of drainage throughgrading and the installation of water bars and culverts; and the reshaping and restoration of areasdamaged by vehicles and equipment.The Observation Post Training Area, located within the Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, is used bytroops to maintain military readiness and preparedness. Impacts from the use of the area are typical ofmilitary training exercises and include trail proliferation, vegetation damage, exposure of soil, road andtrail degradation and impaired access. These impacts, if left untreated, can decline and result in erosionand impaired drainage/hydrology. This project will mitigate training impacts by improving the health ofexisting vegetation through mowing, hydro-axing and fertilizing; the establishment of new vegetation inexposed area by hydro-seeding; the closing of unnecessary trails; the improvement of drainage throughgrading and the installation of water bars and culverts; and the reshaping and restoration of areasdamaged by vehicles and equipment._____________________________________________________________________________________________Environmental AssessmentUnited States Army Alaska, Integrated Training Area Management ProgramManagement Plan A-848272727