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EMS
Natural Resources Management Program

natural resources
management Program

Program Manager Contact Information:
Natural Resources Management Program
Manager  |  252-466-3631

Natural Resources Program
Program Overview        
 

The intent of the Natural Resources Management Program is to provide for the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on lands used for military mission activities. The Natural Resources Management Program includes wetlands management, fish and wildlife management, land management, forest management, natural resources-based outdoor recreation, and threatened and endangered species management. The Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) is the program’s primary instrument for ensuring environmental compliance and support of mission requirements.

Environmental Requirements        
 

Marine Corps policy requires that all Marine Corps installations and activities comply with all applicable environmental requirements, which may include Federal, state, local, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Navy (DON), Marine Corps, and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point rules, regulations, and requirements. Legal and other environmental requirements related to the Natural Resources Management Program are maintained on the EM Portal.

Programs, Plans, Resources and Responsibilities        
 

Each United States Marine Corps (USMC) installation must manage its natural resources to provide for sustained military use of the land. The Natural Resources Management Program consists of several interrelated programs that each have specific environmental compliance requirements. Program areas that comprise the Natural Resources Management Program include wetlands management, forestry management, fish and wildlife management, land management, and outdoor recreation. A complete description of Natural Resources Management Program responsibilities is available on the EM Portal. Major components of the Natural Resources Management Program include:

  • Developing and maintaining the INRMP and Natural Resources Management Program to ensure compliance with DoD Instruction 4715.03 and the Sikes Act;

  • Managing wetlands, including reviewing projects and activities aboard the installation for wetland impacts, regulatory permitting, permit compliance, and also maintaining the program’s documents;

  • Managing fish and wildlife resources, including animal damage and nuisance control, game and non-game animal management, endangered species management, fisheries management, and wildlife law enforcement;

  • Managing forestry resources, including forest inventories, conditions, trends, and potential use, silviculture goals, maintenance of forested areas and access roads, forest and stand improvement methods, harvesting and reforestation methods and schedules, and protection and enhancement of other natural resources;

  • Managing land use, including the development and promotion of multiple uses for MCAS Cherry Point lands in accordance with USMC directives; and

  • Providing outdoor recreation by implementing a program for planning, development, maintenance, and coordination between the Natural Resources Division (NRD) and Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS).

Training and Communication        
 

The Natural Resources Management Program Manager ensures that personnel whose duties involve natural resources have the appropriate knowledge, skills, and professional training/education to carry out those responsibilities by reviewing training records and, when necessary, recommending to the Environmental Affairs Officer that appropriate opportunities for training/education be provided.

The Forestry Management Program Manager maintains training records for position and subordinate positions.

Practice-Aspect-Impact Risk        
 

The risk of negative environmental impacts from MCAS Cherry Point operations may be assessed by analyzing the practices that occur at the facility. Aspects are the characteristics of these practices that can cause an impact to the environment or other resources. It is Marine Corps policy that all Marine Corps installations identify and assess the environmental risk of the practices and aspects associated with each environmental program. Significant practices and/or aspects associated with this program include:

  • Aircraft combat training / Physical presence

  • Amphibious training / Physical presence

Objectives, Targets and Actions to Improve Performance        
 

When necessary, objectives and targets (O&T) are developed in order to minimize the environmental risks posed by the facility’s practices and to track progress towards achieving environmental goals. Any O&Ts related to the Natural Resources Management Program and their associated actions to improve performance are maintained on the EM Portal. Currently, there are no O&Ts associated with this program.

Audit and Evaluation of Compliance        
 

The Wetlands Management Program Manager / Natural Resources Specialist participates in the planning, design, and inspection of military construction projects to ensure compliance with wetlands laws, regulations, and policies. In addition, the Natural Resources Management Program is evaluated under each triennial Benchmark Environmental Compliance Evaluation (ECE). Findings and corrective actions from these audits are maintained on the EM Portal.

 

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Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point