Management of federally listed endangered species continues to be one of the most pressing issues for installation natural resource managers. There has been a growing effort in recent years to develop innovations in conservation approaches and regulatory mechanisms that can both increase mission flexibility as well as enhance species conservation outcomes (Li and Male 2020).
Historically, much of DoD’s endangered species work has been reactive, focusing on regulatory compliance and required agency consultations. Increasingly, however, DoD is pivoting to a more proactive approach to threatened and endangered species management that takes a broader perspective on where and how to recover species and reduce mission constraints. This includes an increased emphasis on conserving populations of “at-risk” species14 to avoid a need for their listing under the Endangered Species Act. It also includes an expanded focus on rebuilding listed species populations to achieve recovery goals (and ultimately delisting), rather than simply avoid further harm to the species. Recent successful species recovery efforts that have led to delistings include the black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), island night lizard (Xantusia riversiana), and Kirtland’s warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii).
To achieve more such species recoveries, there is a growing recognition that DoD needs to engage in partnerships and conservation actions that go well beyond installation boundaries. In addition to investing in buffer land protection (through easements or acquisitions as described above), this includes the ability to invest in off-base habitat stewardship and species management activities. For instance, as part of Eglin Air Force Base’s work on the endangered reticulated flatwoods Page 52 of 293 salamander (Ambystoma bishopi), the base supported species management efforts taking place on adjacent state-managed land. The capacity to fund such offinstallation management actions is possible due to new authorities under the Sikes Act that include the ability to provide lump sum endowments to cover the future costs of species management and improvement activities.
To promote additional regulatory flexibility in managing listed species on military lands, in 2018 DoD and the Department of the Interior established a Recovery and Sustainment Partnership (RASP) initiative. This joint effort is designed to develop collaborative conservation initiatives and innovative regulatory approaches with the potential to enhance conservation outcomes for listed and at-risk species. Central to this initiative is focusing attention on a set of priority species that offer opportunities for significant progress both in terms of species conservation and enhancing military effectiveness.
14Imperiled or vulnerable species that are not currently listed under the Endangered Species Act; see page xx for a more detailed definition of “species at risk” as used by DoD.
Next Page: Climate Adaption and Resilience
Author
Bruce Stein, Ph.D., Chief Scientist and Associate Vice President
National Wildlife Federation
Emerging Trends in DoD Biodiversity Conservation Sections
Emerging Trends in DoD Biodiversity Conservation
Flexibility in Endangered Species Management
Climate Adaption and Resilience
Box 1.3: Overview of INRMP Climate Adaptation Planning Process