Department of the Interior Department of Defense Cooperative Conservation Initiative: Getting Started in New Jersey St

1. Department of the Interior Department of Defense Cooperative Conservation Initiative: Getting Started in New Jersey Steve Bonner National Park Service

2. RANGE SPACE REQUIREMENTS • Higher performance systems • Stand-off & long-range weapons • Increasingly sophisticated training Smaller Force Doesn’t Mean Reduced Range/Airspace Need

3. ENCROACHMENT PRESSURESWork Both Ways Commercial Development Light Pollution Maritime Needs Population Encroachment Cultural Interests on Military Lands Air Quality Dust & Smoke Mission Realignment & Consolidation Noise Generation & Abatement Noise Generation & Abatement Radio Frequency Needs Radio Frequency Requirements Military Ability to Train Military Airspace Commercial Airspace Munitions Constituents Wilderness Designations Endangered Species and Provision of Wildlife Habitat Alternative Energy Sources Need for Water Reduced Flexibility for the Military and the Community

4. Sprawl Impacts Missions Great Smoky Mountains National Park Ft. Bragg, North Carolina

5. Compatible Use Buffering Authorities • 10 USC, Chapter 159, Section 2684a • Formerly known as “2811” • DOD may partner with conservation groups • Mechanism for $$ transfer outside traditional contracting • 10 USC, Chapter 159, Section 2694a • Formerly known as “2812” • DOD may transfer excess real property to conservation groups • Only one exercise of authority to date

6. Current Policy • Administration • Executive Order 13352, Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation – August 26, 2004 • DOD • Working with State and Local Governments to Combat Encroachment – August 23, 2004 • DOI • Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget letter – December 16, 2004 • Army • Army Range and Training Land Acquisitions and Army Compatible Use Buffers – May 19, 2003 • Navy • Navy Encroachment Partnering Program, CNI – Spring 2005

7. Current Projects • Ft. Sill, Oklahoma • Camp Shelby, Mississippi • NAS Corpus Christi • State of New Jersey • Ft. Bliss, Texas

8. New Jersey Case Study • Multiple Issues • Warren Grove Range safety issues • Statewide MTR issues • Multi-base development issues • Multiple Opportunities • Multi-base JLUS • An educated public and political environment • Leveraging state conservation funds • Existing networks of natural and recreational resources • Multiple Partners • Rutgers University • NJ Air National Guard • NJ Green Acres Program • NJ Conservation Foundation • Nature Conservancy • NJ Pinelands Commission • Local Land Trusts – as needed • Local Government – per installation • Military Services – per Policy/installation

9. Getting Started • Initial Interest • Installation • NGO • Local/State Govt. • Key Stakeholders • State Agencies • Local Government • Local Land Trust(s) • Business Community • Developers • Landowners • Communicate & Educate • Congressional meetings • Local Government meetings • State Agency meetings • Seek Small Commitments • NJ Guard MTR Data • TNC/Rutgers GIS Support • DON’T TRY TO DO IT ALONE!!

10. How DOI Helps • Advise DOD on Policy Development • Facilitate Communication with NGOs • Clearinghouse for Lessons Learned • Facilitation of Community Based Partnerships

11. Community Based Approach • Partnerships • Diversified Funding • Distributed Risk • Address Fears & Suspicions • Longer term viability • Stakeholder Empowerment • Greater potential for future funding • Reduce potential for political backlash • Ensure community control • Reconcile DOD needs with Economic Development desires

12. More Info? • Steve Bonner, DOI Project Officer • 512-916-5163 • steve_bonner@nps.gov