Department of Defense Natural Resources Program

Department of Defense Natural Resources Program
Name	Department of Defense Natural Resources Program
Formed	20th century
Jurisdiction	United States
Parent agency	Department of Defense (United States)

Contents

Department of Defense Natural Resources Program The Department of Defense Natural Resources Program is a component of the United States Department of Defense responsible for managing natural resources on military lands across installations such as Fort Bragg, Naval Base San Diego, and Joint Base Lewis–McChord. It integrates conservation measures associated with statutes like the Sikes Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 while coordinating with agencies such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the United States Forest Service. The Program balances training and readiness priorities involving units like U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and United States Marine Corps forces with stewardship obligations tied to historic efforts such as the Conservation Reserve Program and regional initiatives like the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

Overview

The Program oversees management of lands and waters on installations including Fort Hood, Camp Pendleton, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Eglin Air Force Base to conserve species listed under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and state laws in coordination with entities such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. It addresses issues from invasive species control, influenced by cases like the Emerald ash borer responses, to habitat restoration aligned with projects sponsored by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Organizationally, it interacts with offices such as the Office of the Secretary of Defense (United States), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Defense Logistics Agency to align resources with installation missions including those of Air Combat Command and U.S. Southern Command.

Statutory authorities guiding the Program include the Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997, the National Environmental Policy Act, and provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 as implemented through directives issued by the Office of Management and Budget and memoranda from the Secretary of Defense (United States). Compliance mechanisms reference consultations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 with the National Marine Fisheries Service and permit processes akin to those overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act. Policy instruments include guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency and interoperability with international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity as reflected in interagency planning involving the Department of the Interior (United States).

Components include natural resources inventories, integrated natural resources management plans (INRMPs), habitat restoration programs, and recreational management on installations such as Fort Benning and Naval Station Norfolk. Activities range from prescribed fire programs coordinated with United States Fish and Wildlife Service refuge managers to threatened and endangered species recovery actions involving partners like the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Program supports military construction siting reviews, cultural landscape conservation linked to National Historic Preservation Act responsibilities, and outdoor recreation permitting analogous to practices at Yellowstone National Park and Yosemite National Park.

Implementation is effected through installation natural resources offices, regional commands such as U.S. Northern Command, and central oversight by staff in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment. Management practices employ planning frameworks used by Bureau of Land Management and monitoring protocols developed with the National Ecological Observatory Network. Funding sources include appropriations from Congress, cooperative agreements with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and partnerships with conservation organizations like The Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited. Training for staff often draws on curricula from the National Conservation Training Center and professional standards recognized by the Society for Range Management.

The Program maintains partnerships with federal partners including the Department of the Interior (United States), state wildlife agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, tribal governments like the Navajo Nation, and nongovernmental organizations including Audubon Society and World Wildlife Fund. Stakeholder engagement processes mirror practices used in consultations under the Historic Preservation Act and landscape-scale initiatives like the Chesapeake Bay Program, involving municipalities, utilities, and academic institutions such as Colorado State University and University of California, Davis. International cooperation occurs through exchanges with counterparts in NATO partners and agencies involved in multinational training areas such as Grafenwoehr Training Area.

Monitoring programs use methods employed by the North American Breeding Bird Survey and the Long Term Ecological Research Network to assess outcomes for species like the red-cockaded woodpecker, sage-grouse, and marine species monitored by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Research collaborations with institutions such as the U.S. Geological Survey and universities generate data on ecosystem services, climate resilience, and land-use impacts comparable to studies produced for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Adaptive management cycles integrate lessons from restoration projects funded by the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program and evaluation frameworks used by the Government Accountability Office to refine INRMPs, inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses, and support installation readiness while conserving biodiversity.

Category:United States Department of Defense programs