2020-2024
2020 NMFWA Workshop
2021 NMFWA Workshop
2022 NMFWA Workshop
2023 NMFWA Workshop
2024 NMFWA Workshop
Monday
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Recent changes and interpretation
Instructors: Dr. Richard Fischer, DoD Partners in Flight /
Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Eric L. Kershner, Division of Migratory Bird Management,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Eric L. Kershner, Division of Migratory Bird Management,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This half-day interactive workshop will use a scenario based format to provide an overview of migratory bird-related requirements, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Migratory Bird “Readiness” Rule, and Executive Order 13186 and the associated Memorandum of Understanding. It will cover recent changes in interpretation of the MBTA; explain how, when, and where regulations apply; implications for enabling mission; and the importance of communication and collaboration across pillars at the installation level. This course will present and discuss a wide variety of real and simulated migratory bird scenarios on DoD lands, and describe differences in regulations and guidance between USFWS and DoD. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own migratory bird scenarios from installations such that we can discuss and provide insight on how to address in a mission-support framework.
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Training Overview
Introduction to a half-day interactive workshop will use a scenario based format to provide an overview of migratory bird-related requirements, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Migratory Bird “Readiness” Rule, and Executive Order 13186 and the associated Memorandum of Understanding. 
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: 101
A discussion and overview of the basics of the Migratory Bird Act
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Implementation on DoD Installations
A discussion of current DOD Guidance on the implementation of the MBTA on DoD Installations.
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Species Protected and Others at Risk List
A discussion of species protected by the MBTA.
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: DoD Mission Sensitive SpeciesA discussion of species (and their habitats) having the highest potential to impact the military mission should they become Federally listed.
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: EO 13186; Federal Agency Responsibility
A discussion of Federal Agency responsibility to protect migratory birds under Executive Order 13186.
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Drone Sessions
| Introduction to sUAS use in Conservation Management |
| sUAS Capabilities |
UAS Sesssion from NMFWA 2020
| UAS Session |
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Recent changes and interpretation
Instructors: Dr. Richard Fischer, DoD Partners in Flight /
Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Eric L. Kershner, Division of Migratory Bird Management,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Eric L. Kershner, Division of Migratory Bird Management,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This half-day interactive workshop will use a scenario based format to provide an overview of migratory bird-related requirements, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Migratory Bird “Readiness” Rule, and Executive Order 13186 and the associated Memorandum of Understanding. It will cover recent changes in interpretation of the MBTA; explain how, when, and where regulations apply; implications for enabling mission; and the importance of communication and collaboration across pillars at the installation level. This course will present and discuss a wide variety of real and simulated migratory bird scenarios on DoD lands, and describe differences in regulations and guidance between USFWS and DoD. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own migratory bird scenarios from installations such that we can discuss and provide insight on how to address in a mission-support framework.
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Training Overview
Introduction to a half-day interactive workshop will use a scenario based format to provide an overview of migratory bird-related requirements, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Migratory Bird “Readiness” Rule, and Executive Order 13186 and the associated Memorandum of Understanding.
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: 101
A discussion and overview of the basics of the Migratory Bird Act
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Implementation on DoD Installations
A discussion of current DOD Guidance on the implementation of the MBTA on DoD Installations.
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Species Protected and Others at Risk List
A discussion of species protected by the MBTA.
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: DoD Mission Sensitive SpeciesA discussion of species (and their habitats) having the highest potential to impact the military mission should they become Federally listed.
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act: EO 13186; Federal Agency Responsibility
A discussion of Federal Agency responsibility to protect migratory birds under Executive Order 13186.
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Tuesday
DoD Policy Update
Natural resources Program Overview & Update
Ryan Orndorff & Gary Frazer
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Ryan Orndorff, Program Director, DoD Natural Resources
Program with a Guest Appearance by Gary Frazer, Assistant Director, Ecological Services Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The DoD Natural Resources (NR) Program policy presentation will provide an overview of the DoD NR Program’s current priorities, challenges, and initiatives. It will highlight recent accomplishments, provide an overview of the program based on the annual Environmental Review, discuss new opportunities, tolls, and training, and encourage outreach and engagement. Additionally, USFWS will provide a brief overview of the new Endangered Species Act consultation regulations, the status of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and USFWS and DoD’s Recovery and Sustainment Partnership. 
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Annual Members Meeting
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The Members Meeting brings together NMFWA
members to discuss accomplishments over the past year and lay a path forward for continued success. Highlights will include an introduction of the current and future Board of Directors in attendance, a wrap-up of the past year’s positions, and a review of the current budget. Members will be asked to provide their input on the direction that NMFWA is taking and also identify issues that they feel should be addressed.
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DoD Breakout's
The DoD Breakout Sessions are your chance to hear from and speak to your Service Headquarters representatives, meet and greet your sibling installations, and get information on the upcoming fiscal years from the Washington perspective.
Air Force
Air Force
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Ms. Michelle M. Steinman, Air Force Wildland Fire
Branch, and Mr. Zach Rigg, Natural Resources Specialist, Air Force Civil Engineer Center Ms. Steinman will report on the status of the Air Force Wildland Fire Program. Mr. Rigg will discuss integration of Air Force Wildland Support Modules into the INRMP coordination and execution process.
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Mr. Kyle B Russell, Deputy Chief, Air Force BASH Team,
Air Force Safety Center Wildlife Biologist Kyle Russell will provide and update on the Air Force BASH program. Mr.Russell will provide the latest statistics on bird/wildlife strikes and discuss current and future initiatives to enhance flight safety on Air Force installations.
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Mr. John Joyce, Chief of Conservation, Joint Base
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has a unique role for supporting training and operations for all of the military services. Mr. Joyce leads a dynamic program that integrates conservation into all aspects of Joint Base operations. John will discuss past and present natural resources management initiatives, lessons learned, and provide his insights on the future of natural resources conservation within the Department of Defense.
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Mr. Clair Russell Lawrence III, Natural Resources Manager,
Hill AFB & UTTR Mr. Russ Lawrence will provide an overview of a comprehensive program to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive species, and prevent severe wildfires on the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR). Russ will emphasize how working with range operators as partners in land management significantly enhances program success.
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Ms. Melanie Kaeser, Wildlife Biologist, Fish and Wildlife
Service, and Mr. Jared Kwitowsky, Wildlife Biologist, Tyndall AFB In October 2018, Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida panhandle, with a devastating blow to Tyndall Air Force Base. Since then, the Air Force and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are partnering to direct the recovery of the forest and coastal ecosystem, and have enlisted the support of other government and non-government entities in their restoration plans. Melanie and Jared will discuss their accomplishments thus far, and future plans for restoring the historical coastal dune and longleaf pine ecosystem on parts of the installation.
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Army
Army
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HQDA Perspective
Moderator: John Housein, Army Environmental Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9 Mr Housein presents and discuss Conservation Programs from the HQDA perspective
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US Army Environmental Command (USAEC)
Matt Mattox Chief – Conservation Branch US Army Environmental Command (USAEC) Mr Mattox presents and discuss Conservation Programs from the USAEC perspective
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Mission Success & Collaborative Conservation Partnerships
Jeff Underwood USFWS Mr Underwood presents and discuss successful collaborative partnerships between the Army and USFWS under the Sikes Act.
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Army National Guard
Army national Guard
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ARNG Breakout from NMFWA 2020
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ARNG Breakout Session Moderators: Moderator: Alisa Dickson, Conservation Team Leader/Army National Guard Directorate Michele Richards, ARNG Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) Conservation Committee Deputy Chair and EAC Wildland Fire Working Group Chair. This breakout will include a short presentation to go over various changes at the headquarters as well as updates on the following topics: threatened and endangered species, Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) program, proposed new rules for Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and proposed Army National Environmental Protection Act (ACT) regulations. This will be followed by the EAC Conservation Committee and Working Group updates. All questions submitted in advance will be addressed with enough time for an open forum to address any topics brought up by the attendees. | ||
Navy
Navy
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DON Conservation Update Jennifer Scarborough Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy
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OPNAV N45 Update
NMFWA 2020 |
Dr. Kelly Ebert
703.695.5191 mary.k.ebert@navy.mil |
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Vertical Divider
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US Fleet Forces Environmental Readiness
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CNIC Update
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CNIC Update from BryanHall58 |
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NAVFAC as an Enabling Function
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Natural Resources Management NAVFAC Atlantic
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Thad McDonald
NAVFAC Atlantic |
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NAVFAC Pacific Natural Resources Program
Justin Fujimoto
Justin Fujimoto
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Navy Region Hawaii
Natural Resources Program Overview
Natural Resources Program Overview
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Joint Region Marianas
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Navy Region Southwest/ NAVFAC SW
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Navy Region Northwest/ NAVFAC NW
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Navy Region Souteast/ NAVFAC SE
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Robby Smith
Navy Region Southeast Natural Resources Manager NAVFAC SE Natural Resources Section Head |
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Navy Region Mid Atlantic
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Naval District Washington
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NAVFAC EURAFCENT
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NAVFAC Far East
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NAVFAC Conservation Website
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Tom Mayes
NAVFACHQ EV2 |
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Wendsday
Working Groups
Pollinators
Pollinators Working Group Meeting
Co- Chairs:
Jacklyn Ferrer-Perez, AIM Ft Hood
Dr.Douglas Burkett, OSD Armed Forces Pest Management Board
Jacklyn Ferrer-Perez, AIM Ft Hood
Dr.Douglas Burkett, OSD Armed Forces Pest Management Board
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The 2020 NMFWA Pollinator Working Group will briefly review activities from 2019, vote for a new Pollinator Working Group Co-Chair, and then canvas members to stimulate group discussion on concerns and future needs related to DoD pollinator management. For 2020, the working group topics covered in this session will be working group member and stakeholder driven and could include topics such as funding priorities, best management practices, research needs, inter and intra-agency collaboration, policy needs, priority pollinator concerns, desired list-server content, outreach materials, and planning. This session will likely end with ideas for future desired training and technical sessions at the 2021 NMFWA conferences/workshops.
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Climate Change
Climate Change Working Group Meeting
Co-Chairs:
Linda Brown, Texas Military Department,
Christy Wolf, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Detachment Fallbrook
Linda Brown, Texas Military Department,
Christy Wolf, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Detachment Fallbrook
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Concerned about climate change? Overwhelmed by climate projections and potential implications? You’re not
alone! Often referred to as a “threat multiplier”, climate change is expected to greatly affect ecosystems and the ability of land and resources to support the military mission. Come join our annual business meeting for the Climate Change Working Group, meet the CCWG officers and Committee members, hear from Ryan Orndorff (DOD Natural Resource Program Director) on DOD policy and guidance, see what we’ve been working on for the past year, contribute your ideas for the year ahead, and learn how to get involved.
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Fish and Wildlife recreation
Fish and Wildlife Recreation Working Group Meeting
Co-Chairs:
Brandon Martin, Natural Resource Manager, Army National Guard, Fort Pickett Military Training Center, Blackstone, VA, brandon.t.martin26.nfg@mail.mil;
Richard Riddle, Wildlife Biologist, Pinon CanyonManeuver Site, Model, CO, richard.r.riddle.civ@mail.mil
Brandon Martin, Natural Resource Manager, Army National Guard, Fort Pickett Military Training Center, Blackstone, VA, brandon.t.martin26.nfg@mail.mil;
Richard Riddle, Wildlife Biologist, Pinon CanyonManeuver Site, Model, CO, richard.r.riddle.civ@mail.mil
Fish and Wildlife recreation is available on many DoD installations and can be managed in a variety of ways. At this meeting, Doug Howlett will discuss the use of iSportsman across the DoD and how this service is helping program managers better facilitate outdoor recreation on public lands. Best practices, statistics, and comparison and contrast of iSpotsman use across different installations will be discussed. As time allows, we will also have an open floor discussion about other successful programs, as well as current ideas/issues between services. The meeting will wrap up by theworking group electing a new co-chair.
Technical Sessions
Fish and Wildlife Recreation on DoD Installations
Pioneering Safer Big Game Survey Techniques Utilizing Military UAVs
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Michael Tucker, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA,
michael.j.tucker@usmc.mil After a near fatal helicopter accident during a deer and bison survey, the Camp Pendleton Game Wardens office partnered with multiple military units to utilize military UAVs to conduct big game surveys. This presentation will discuss big game survey methods with UAVs and the advanced capabilities and limitations of UAVs.
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Urban Deer Hunting Opportunities in the Wildlife Urban Interface
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Kevin Walter, Fort Belvoir,
kevin.e.walter8.civ@mail.mil This presentation will be on the establishment and management of an urban white-tailed deer hunting program. Topics will include how to go about creating a hunting program on installations located in highly populated urban settings as well as in/around family housing/barracks/office buildings, requirements for those wishing to participate in the program, incentives for those that participate, and getting installation staff (HQ, Law Enforcement, and Safety) to buy into the program. Other topics include establishment of permits and administration of program.
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Fisheries Management 101
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Vic DiCenzo PhD, Solitude Lake Management, vdicenzo@solitudelake.com
Fisheries management is a challenging and exciting process of planning and taking actions to manipulate fish populations, habitat, and people to achieve specific human objectives. Therefore, fisheries management first requires broad goals that meet stakeholder values. Then, sampling fish populations and habitat provides managers with an understanding of the characteristics and dynamics of fisheries which then drive management strategies. Fisheries data used to inform management actions include relative abundance, size structure, and condition. Quality habitat typically includes native aquatic vegetation, good water quality, and complex structure. This presentation describes how managers can employ
fisheries management strategies to improve the quality of their fisheries and provide exceptional recreational opportunities. Further, fisheries management planning at the Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center in Blackstone Virginia on 14 lakes will provide examples of an active fisheries management program. |
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Unique Hunting Opportunities on Training Lands and Semi-Urbanized Areas of the U.S. Air Force Academy
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Brian Mihlbachler, USAFA Natural Resources Manager,
brian_mihlbachler@fws.gov The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) utilizes public hunting to manage the deer, elk, and turkey populations to protect habitat, promote animal health, and reduce wildlife-vehicle accidents or other human conflicts. Depending on the game species, hunters are either escorted or unescorted by natural resources staff and volunteers. Although 70% of the 18,455 acre installation is natural open space, there are many interspersed land uses (railroad, highway, trails, housing, airfield, training areas, etc.) that must be considered to safely and effectively implement the hunting program. USAFA works closely with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to monitor the game populations and establish annual harvest objectives. CPW considers USAFA’s hunting program to be a model for urban wildlife management (especially for deer) and often cites the success of the program in their discussions with the City
of Colorado Springs about how to control their ever increasing wildlife issues. |
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Best Practice Sharing with iSportsmen
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Doug Howlett, Chief Operating Officer iSportsman
An overview of the iSprortsman program, its tracking features, benefits and uses on a military installation.
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Climate Change: Sea Level Rise and Shoreline Resiliency
Prediction vs. Projection – Setting useful expectations to support coastal resilience
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Melinda Clarke, CEMML, Colorado State University
There is a significant amount of uncertainty involved in developing estimates of future changes to temperature, precipitation and other climatic variables. Although climate projections are the basis of vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning, the further out in time the models provide estimates, the less precise the outputs from those models. Using results from a recent coastal resilience project, this presentation will discuss the current state of models used for projecting future climate scenarios, sea-level rise and vegetation conditions. I will also discuss the types of information that managers can obtain and approaches for addressing uncertainty in areas where information is lacking.
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Joint Land Use Planning and the Sea Level Rise Connection for Natural Resource Managers
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Chris Overcash, PE, BCEE, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC
Located on the banks of the northwestern shores of the Chesapeake Bay, the US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) developed a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) along with Harford County, Maryland and a number of other stakeholders. One recommended outcome of the 2015 JLUS was to develop a regional strategy to quantify sea level rise and a long term-regional plan to avoid/minimize the expected impacts from sea level rise. To address this need, the stakeholders developed a study: Planning for Coastal Resiliency in the Northern Chesapeake Bay. The study completed in 2019 included specific actions such as the creation of natural and nature-based features that could be implemented through managing dredge material on a regional scale. This presentation will explore the findings from the JLUS report including sea level rise projections and vulnerabilities of both natural and built infrastructure in the region. The presentation will also provide an overview of coastal resilience strategies and measures available and the possible adaptation solutions for coastal areas. The specific resilience project types and examples discussed will also provide DoD Installation Natural Resources Managers with tools that can be utilized when addressing goals and objectives associated with sea level rise challenges related to the implementation of DoDM 4715.03. Project types to be discussed will be focused on solutions related to natural and nature based features as well as those which have a focus on improving water quality and various habitat types.
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Natural Resource Management and Climate Change – Moving Beyond the Studies and into the Implementation Phase
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Samuel Whitin, Coastal Resilience Director, EA
Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC The toolbox of available ecosystem restoration techniques has expanded in large part to a recognition by practitioners and regulatory agencies of the impacts associated with climate change. As such, there is now the understanding that long-term benefits of certain project types outweigh the short-term negative impacts which traditionally became roadblocks to implementation. This presentation will focus on those specific project types where the recognition of climate change has precipitated new funding sources previously unavailable to natural resource management practitioners. Case studies will be presented on how funding, planning, and implementation is carried out for natural resource management focused on relief from the impacts of climate change as related to dam removals, dredge material placement, and invasive species control.
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Pollinator Conservation on DoD Lands
Fort Hood Monarch Butterfly Monitoring and Tagging Project Results
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Charlie E. Plimpton, Adaptive and Integrative Management Program, Fort Hood Natural Resources Management Branch, Fort Hood, TX; plimptonc@gmail. com
Fort Hood military installation is an important stopover site for the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) species during their fall migration. The installation falls in the center of the migration pathway and provides multiple sites for roosting and foraging with over 200,000 acres of pollinator-friendly habitat. Since September 2017, the Adaptive and Integrative Management program on Fort Hood military installation has implemented a monarch butterfly tagging project to identify areas on the installation used by the species during fall migration. With our participation in the citizen science based Monarch Watch tagging program, Fort Hood has collected three years of data on monarch butterfly habitat preferences, behaviors, wing measurements, fat/mass scores, and OE (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha) presence.
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The US Army Corps Regulatory Program
Demystifying the Corps Regulatory Program
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Jeremy Grauf, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha
District Regulatory Branch, jeremy.grauf@usace.army.mil The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has been regulating activities in the nation’s waters since 1890. The primary regulatory authorities and responsibilities of the Corps are based on the following laws. Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. §403), which prohibits the obstruction or alteration of navigable waters of the United States without a permit from the Corps. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1344), which prohibits the discharge of dredged and/or fill material into waters of the United States without a permit from the Corps. The Corps’ regulatory program is committed to protecting the Nation’s aquatic resources and navigation capacity, while allowing reasonable development through fair and balanced decisions. This presentation will go over the history of, the authorities for, and changes within the Corps’ Regulatory Program. For any work that may be regulated by the Corps of Engineers, it is encouraged to coordinate early and often.
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Thursday