Research Plan To Evaluate the Relationship Between Maneuver Training Activities and Red-cockaded Woodpecker Populations and Habitats on Fort Stewart, GA

Abstract

Abstract : The U.S. Army must maintain an adequate land base to meet current and future requirements for realistic training and operations in support of its mission. To fulfill long-term mission requirements, the military must achieve environmental objectives of sustainability of training lands and full compliance with conservation requirements under law. The Army is committed to maintaining its role as a national leader in the conservation of threatened and endangered species on Army lands. The purpose of this research plan is to develop and implement protocols to evaluate the relationship between maneuver training activities and Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) populations and habitats on Fort Stewart, GA. This research plan meets requirements of the 1996 Guidelines for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker on Army Installations and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) October 1996 biological opinion to develop and implement a peer-reviewed monitoring program to evaluate potential training effects on RCWs. It is anticipated that the 1996 Army guidelines will be implemented on Fort Stewart prior to the 2000 RCW breeding season pending completion and approval of the installation's Endangered Species Management Plan.