Missions Sustained: The Sikes Act in Action NMFWA March 2018
The Partnership Established in 2013 National IAA 100% funded by AFCEC-EQ-NR Cross-programmatic delivery w/in FWS Air Force Liaison and Sikes Act Coordinators Opportunities!
The Challenge 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Department of Defense Source T&E Species on DOD Lands: Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations & Environment) Conservation Data Source: NatureServe and its Natural Heritage member programs. Copyright: 2003 NatureServe 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Department of Defense National Park Service Fish and Wildlife Service Forest Service Bureau of Land Management Number of Federally Listed Species Millions of Acres of Land
Air Force Natural Resource Program 10M acres (32% of DoD) 94 installations require INRMPs 125 federally listed species 235,000 acres of wetlands 20,000 hunting and fishing permits annually
Roles and Responsibilities Federal-to-Federal collaboration on development and implementation of INRMPs INRMP development w/FWS INRMP review and approval IMRMP project implementation Reach-back to FWS for technical expertise and assistance
Shared Conservation Priorities $$$ efficient, effective conservation Conservation of species and their habitats Prevent new listings Identify opportunities Facilitate de-listing Encroachment Strong, diverse workforce Invasive species Trusted Partner w/States and Tribes More!!!
Partnering with Air Force Since 2013, $55M invested w/FWS for: Cooperatively plan conservation Collaboratively implement INRMP priorities Strategically deploy FWS staff Cross-programmatic effort Field, Regional and National level FWS and Air Force personnel working together on installations
Reimbursed Employees = 1 FTE < 1 FTE Minot AFB Malmstrom AFB Grand Forks AFB = 1 FTE Mountain Home AFB Ellsworth and Offutt AFBs (not programmed in FY18) < 1 FTE Beale AFB Hill AFB F.E. Warren AFB Travis AFB Buckley AFB Scott AFB HQ FWS (2) Air Force Academy (4) McConnell AFB Vandenberg AFB Peterson / Schriever/ Cheyenne Mountain AFB Arnold AFB San Diego Space Surveillance Station R4 Liaison Tyndall AFB Hurlbert Field AFB JBSA AFB (2) Hawaiian Islands Avon Park AFR MacDill AFB JBPH
Examples of Collaboration Improved INRMP Compliance Enhanced INRMP Implementation National Pollinator Strategy Wildland Fire Support Conservation Law Enforcement Support BASH Program Support Programmatic Biological Assessment for Air Field Operations Florida Strategic Plan for Sustaining Military Readiness
Value of Collaboration Increases conservation successes Stretches limited resource $$$s Reduces regulatory burdens Increases recreational opportunities Facilitates reach back w/trusted partner
Outcomes of Collaboration Delistings and down-listings Meeting the missions and priorities of DOD and DOI/FWS across larger geographic scope Shaping INRMPs to address shared conservation priorities Enhanced conservation delivery Increased trust and appreciation for respective missions
Key Message This Partnership is a force multiplier for conservation. Together we accomplish much more than we could alone to meet our respective missions for the benefit of the American people!
Contact Info: Leslie Hartsell U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Air Force Liaison Joint Base San Antonio, TX 571-329-0677 Leslie_Hartsell@fws.gov