Program Manager
Director, Natural Resources
(858) 307-1125

The Natural Resources Division is responsible for natural resource conservation and compliance aboard MCAS Miramar.  Primary resources of management and conservation concern involve threatened and endangered species, wetlands, invasive plant control, and soil conservation.

• Current Sensitive Resources Map
• NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION PROGRAM > United States Marine Corps Flagship > Electronic Library Display (marines.mil) 

Federal Laws and Applicable Regulations
(also see Chapter 6 - Integrated Natural Resources Mgmt. Plan)

Endangered Species Act

MCAS Miramar provides habitat that supports eleven (11) federally listed threatened and endangered species (2 birds, 3 invertebrates (fairy shrimp and butterfly), and 6 plants).  These species are widely distributed throughout the Station.  As a result, conservation and compliance with the Endangered Species Act is a primary focus the MCAS Miramar natural resource management program.  Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act requires that we consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding any action that “may affect” a threatened or endangered species.   

• U.S. Marine Corps Endangered Species Act Reference Guide (2013)
• Endangered Species Act, Section 7 links:
• Consultation Handbook 
• Consultation Regulations (50 CFR 402) 
• Consultation, Frequently Asked Questions 
• Endangered Species Conservation - Partnering with the Department of Defense

Guidelines for Preparing Biological Assessments for Section 7 ESA Consultation, MCAS Miramar

Clean Water Act
Section 404, Clean Water Act, requirements for permitting actions that would place dredge or fill material into “waters of the United States”, including wetlands, are of principle natural resources management concern on MCAS Miramar.  MCAS Miramar strives to avoid impacts to “waters of the U.S.”.  Avoiding impacts to “waters of the U.S.” conserves our resources and avoids the need for lengthy and time-consuming permit processing that delays mission accomplishment.

The Section 404 regulatory program is administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACoE), Civil Works, Regulatory section with oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  MCAS Miramar is within the Los Angeles District (ACoE) that has a local regulatory office in Carlsbad, California.

• Clean Water Act, Federal Regulations (33 CFR 320 - 332)
• Definition of Waters of the United States (33 CFR 328)
• Section 404 - Permit Required to Place Dredge/Fill in Waters of the U.S.
• Section 404 - Permitting Regulations (33 CFR 323)
• Section 404 Permit Process
• Section 404 Nationwide Permits with General Conditions (2021)
• Regional Conditions on using Nationwide Permits (Los Angeles District)

Migratory Bird Treaty Act

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 was codified as federal law to implement protective regulations for migratory birds traveling between the United States and Canada.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enforces the MBTA to prevent the unlawful pursuit, hunting, taking, capturing, killing or selling of birds meeting the classification of migratory.

• MBTA Protected Species List

• California Bird Species of Concern

Other Relevant Laws and Executive Policy

• Soil Conservation Act
• Federal Noxious Weed Act
• North American Wetlands Conservation Act
• Executive Order 11988 - Flood Plain Management
• Executive Order 11990 - Protections of Wetlands
• Executive Order 13112 - Invasive Species Control
• Executive Order 13834 - Efficient Federal Operations
• Environmental Practices on Federal Grounds Presidential Memorandum 60 FR 40837

Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, and USMC Policy

• MCO 5090.2 Volume 11, Natural Resource Management
• USMC Handbook for Preparing, Revising and Implementing Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans on Marine Corp Installations (October 2007)
• SECNAVINST 5090.8B- Policy For Environmental Protection, Natural Resources, and Cultural Resources Programs
• DoD Manual 4715.03 - Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) Implementation Manual (November 2013)
• DoD Instruction 4715.3 - Natural Resource Conservation Program (March 2011)
• DoD Directive 4150.7 "Pest Management Programs"
• DoD Directive 4715.1 "Environmental Security"

Operating Procedures for Wildlife Aboard the Installation

Wildlife Problems and Complaints

For issues involving snakes, rodents, rabbits, and insects:

• Call Public Works Trouble Desk at 307-1609/1619.

 For issues involving live birds, call the base Wildlife Biologist at 307-6498

• Natural Resources Division guidance for Migratory Birds
• Response for bird nest in vehicles and building
• Nesting Birds SOP

For issues involving land mammals aboard the installation, view the following SOP:

• SOP for injured or dead large wildlife 2020 (deer, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats)
• Bee Swarming Note (May 2020)

Endangered Species Act, Section 7 Consultation: – The Natural Resources Division staff for the Environmental Management Department processes these consultations on behalf of MCAS Miramar. Action proponents are responsible for ensuring the preparation of documentation needed to support Endangered Species Act consultation. Documentation requirements are described in the Endangered Species Act links above.

Clean Water Act, Section 404 Permitting: The Environmental Management Department processes Clean Water Act permitting applications on behalf of MCAS Miramar. The Natural Resources Division staff assists with Section 404 permitting, and the Environmental Engineering Division staff assists with associated Section 401 Water Quality Certifications. Action proponents are responsible for ensuring the preparation of documentation and/or permit applications needed. The Clean Water Act links above provide information regarding the permitting process and requirements.

Records

Endangered Species Act Consultations (Contact NRD)

Clean Water Act, Section 404 Permits (Contact NRD)

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP)
     The Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) for MCAS Miramar integrates the land use needs of the air station in support of its military mission with the management and conservation of natural resources.  The INRMP establishes MCAS Miramar's approach and guidelines relative to natural resources to accomplish this end.  This INRMP does not dictate land use decisions, rather it provides important resource and regulatory information to support sound land use decisions and natural resource management.

     The INRMP summarizes baseline resource information to ensure compliance with regulatory and planning processes, such as those required by the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and Clean Water Act.  It fulfills other responsibilities with regard to Department of Defense and Marine Corps policies, and legal requirements regarding natural resource planning.  The INRMP is annually reviewed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife and is updated and approved every five years.

Read the MCAS Miramar INRMP, by chapter:

• Contents, Endorsement and Executive Summary 
• Chapter 1 - Introduction 
• Chapter 2 - Land Uses 
• Chapter 3 - Physical Setting 
• Chapter 4 - Biological Resources 
• Chapter 5 - Management Areas 
• Chapter 6 - Planning Guidance 
• Chapter 7 - Natural Resource Management 
• Chapter 8 - Law Enforcement and Compliance 
• Chapter 9 - Implementation 
• References, Reviewers, Preparers
• Appendices

• Natural and Cultural Resources Awareness Presentation
• Environmental Conservation Online (San Diego County Endangered and Threatened Species List)   
• Vernal Pool Seasonal Change Slide Show   
• Vernal Pools: A Vanishing Habitat     

Practice

1. Range Operations and Training

Environmental Aspects

1. Protection of sensitive habitats for threatened and endangered species
   1. Operations or training exercises in natural areas of MCAS Miramar must be approved through the Public Works or Training Area Management Office in coordination with the EMD in order ensure the protection of plant and animal species.
   2. Prevent the taking of plant and animal species.
2. Streambed (riparian) areas
   1. Protect the environmentally sensitive stream areas, washes and other riparian areas on the installation so as not to disturb the ecosystem.
3. Vernal pools
   1. Vernal pools are ephemeral wetlands that host the endangered fairy shrimp during the rainy season.
   2. The Station is implementing measures to educate Marines and other personnel aboard MCAS Miramar about areas that are restricted for training and off-roading.
4. Bird Nesting
   1. MCAS Miramar is implementing measures to prevent bird nesting where incompatible with operations.
   2. If a bird nest contains eggs or young, it must be left alone until the young have flown away.

Impacts & Risks

1. The EMD (Environmental Management Division) works on protecting the natural resources present on the ranges so that the Station can support the Marine Corp's goal to attain mission readiness.
2. The EMD has worked on creating a map that identifies sensitive areas of biological significance at MCAS Miramar to prevent the degradation of the natural environment.

• Marine Corps Installations Command conducts triennial audits to review and monitor the program.  Internal review completed annually.