Natural Resources
The Navy, along with other military services, shares its training
environments with the wildlife, plants and animals that rely on the land
and ocean ecosystems of the Mariana Islands Range Complex.
Understanding these complex environments and taking the necessary
precautions to minimize effects of military activities on these resources
are Navy priorities.
Putting the Latest Science and Technology to Practical Use
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
process allows the U.S. Military an opportunity to review and assess its operations,
ensuring that the benefits of recent scientific and technological advances
are applied toward minimizing environmental effects. As part of this
process, scientists compile and analyze all currently available data
and research with a focus on understanding species distribution, abundance,
and movement patterns with respect to the Navy’s proposed actions.
Examples of Scientific Data and Research
Integrated Natural/Cultural Resources Management Plans: Comprehensive and integrated management
plans
Marine Resource Assessments: Comprehensive
reviews of protected species sighting, stranding, and survey data, as well
as peer-reviewed literature and National Marine Fisheries Service reports, including stock
assessments and recovery plans.
Density Estimates: Estimates of species
abundance in a study area based on analysis of shipboard and/or aerial survey data.
Scientific Literature and Study Results:
Results of research focused on hearing and diving physiology, behavioral responses to human generated sound, and reducing the effects of sound (e.g.,
Sound Propagation and Effects Modeling).
Strategic Environmental Research and
Development Program (SERDP): A program that funds innovative environmental
technologies for the Department of Defense (DoD).
Environmental Security
Technology Certification Program: A program that promotes innovative
environmental technologies through demonstration and validation at DoD sites.
The Navy’s Ongoing Protective and Conservation Measures
Environmental protection efforts have been a
standard component of Navy operations for decades, enabling vital Navy
training while protecting the terrestrial and
marine environments. The Navy
has developed a sophisticated set of procedures and tools to avoid harm and
minimize effects to terrestrial and marine species and habitats. To protect
and safeguard the marine
resources, every Navy ship and its crew are
thoroughly trained in and follow specific standard operating procedures.
Avoiding Important Habitats and Marine Protected Areas
Marine Protected Areas are important
habitats for marine species. Officers are aware of Marine Protected Areas
and implement measures to avoid these areas.
Terrestrial Measures
Terrestrial measures include vegetative restoration, endangered species
surveys and management, and wetlands surveys and management.
Establishing Standoff Distances for Marine Species
Naval vessels maneuver to keep at least 500
yards away from observed whales
Posting Shipboard Lookouts
Navy shipboard lookouts (also referred to as
“watchstanders”) are highly qualified and experienced observers that undergo
extensive training to certify that they have the necessary skills to detect
activity on the water that could be marine mammals. These personnel undergo
extensive training and learn their role in environmental protection, laws
governing the protection of marine species, and the Navy’s commitment to
environmental stewardship.
Monitoring for Marine Species Prior to Training Exercises
Prior to training, Navy personnel monitor
the ocean area, both visually and acoustically, for marine mammal activity.
If the animals are present, the training activity is altered or suspended to
minimize the potential for effects.
Supporting Vital Marine Mammal Research
The U.S. Navy is a world leader in marine
mammal research and provides nearly $10 million dollars every year to
universities, research institutions, Federal laboratories, private
companies, and independent researchers around the world to increase the
understanding of marine mammal physiology and behavior. This research also
helps the Navy identify species that can be affected by sound in the water.
Seventy percent of all U.S. research on the effects of human-generated sound
on marine mammals and 50 percent of such research conducted worldwide is
sponsored by the U.S. Navy. Major topics of Navy-supported research include:
(1) Better understanding marine species distribution and important habitat areas.
(2) Developing methods to detect and monitor marine species prior to and during training.
(3) Understanding the effects of sound on marine mammals, turtles, and fish.
(4) Developing tools to model and estimate potential effects of sound.
Minimizing Potential Effects to the Environment
Defending the U.S. and protecting military personnel requires continuous and realistic training in the air, on land and
at sea. The Mariana Islands Range Complex provides unique conditions and an
ideal setting for the U.S. military to conduct this essential training.
Protection of our environmental and natural
resources is an integral part of the military training program. The Navy is
preparing the Mariana Islands Range Complex Environmental Impact
Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to assess the
potential effects of training on environmental, cultural and socioeconomic
resources in and around the range complex.
The EIS/OEIS process also provides an
opportunity for the U.S. military to openly review and assess its current and planned
operations at a comprehensive range complex level and ensure that the
benefits of operational, scientific and technological advances are applied
toward minimizing effects.
Evaluating Resources
The natural resources in and around the Mariana Islands Range Complex are enjoyed by many for their livelihoods,
recreation purposes and aesthetics. The waters and coastal areas around the
range complex are popular for sport fishing, commercial fishing, diving, and
other recreational activities (e.g., boating or kayaking). Commercial ships
also use the waters and coastal areas around the range complex.
Navy operations and commercial and
recreational ocean activity have coexisted in the Mariana Islands Range
Complex for decades. The Navy’s public safety and protective measures, such as advance notification of scheduled activities, minimize inconveniences to
public interests and help ensure a continued safe and cooperative
coexistence.
The Navy understands and recognizes the
potential for training activities to affect the community and fishing
industries and takes proactive steps to minimize these effects. As part of
preparing the EIS/OEIS, the Navy will carefully evaluate potential effects
of its current and proposed activities on:
Terrestrial wildlife and plants
Marine mammals
Fish
Sea birds
Air quality
Water quality
Cultural resources
Socioeconomics
Other resources as identified