Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Natural Resource Division

Natural Resource Division Mission

To support the operational requirements of a Marine Aircraft Wing and other units operating on MCAS Miramar by ensuring compliance with federal laws and regulations regarding natural and cultural resources. To uphold the guidelines and policies in Marine Corps Order P5090.2A: Environmental Compliance and Protection Manual

Primary Natural and Cultural Resource Issues on MCAS Miramar

• COASTAL SAGE SCRUB

• STREAMBED (Riparian) AREAS

• VERNAL POOLS

•PRE-HISTORIC OR HISTORIC SITES

Federal Laws and Regulations Most Applicable to MCAS

Miramar

• National Historic Preservation Act

• Archaeological Resources Protection Act

• Endangered Species Act

• Migratory Bird Treaty Act

• Clean Water ActCalifornia gnatcatcher Federally threatened

PRE-HISTORIC OR HISTORIC SITES

• There are more than 150 pre-historic and historic sites recorded on MCAS Miramar

• Nine sites appear eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

• These areas need to be protected and off limits.

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT

• “Historic properties” are any pre-historic (archaeological) or historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects.

• Requires consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office prior to authorizing an action which may affect a “historic property”.

• Establish a program for the preservation of “historic properties” nationwide.

• Failure to follow process could result in lawsuit.

ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES PROTECTION ACT

• Prohibits the unauthorized excavation, removal, damage, or trafficking of historic or archeological materials.

• Requires permits for removal of materials from federal properties, including Miramar.

• Penalties to individuals could include fines up to $100,000 and 5 years imprisonment.

EAST MIRAMAROAK CANYON

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT• Requires consultation with the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Services prior to authorizing any action that may affect an endangered species.

• Prohibits the taking, importation, and commercialization of endangered species in interstate and foreign commerce.

• “Taking” means “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in such conduct.”

• Penalties to individuals could include fines up to $200,000 and 1 year imprisonment per take.

• Unit violations could result in additional restrictions on operations and costly damage repair.

SPECIES OF REGIONAL CONCERN

Loggerhead Shrike

Brazilian Free-tailed Bat SD Horned Lizard

MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT• Makes it unlawful to pursue, hunt, kill, capture, posses,

sell, purchase, or barter any migratory bird; including their feathers, nest or eggs.

• Migratory Bird Hunting Act exempts certain specific hunting activities.

• ONLY FIVE BIRDS ON MCAS MIRAMAR ARE NOT PROTECTED

1) House Sparrow

2) European Starling

3) Common Pigeon

4) California Quail

5) Wrentit

• Penalties could include fines and possible imprisonment

Great Horned Owl Babies

CLEAN WATER ACT

• Requires permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to carrying out an action which dredges or fills any waters of the U.S., including wetlands.

• Requires water quality protection certification from Regional Water Quality Control Board.

• Penalties to individuals could include fines up to $50,000 and 3 years imprisonment.

• Unit violations could result in additional restrictions on operations and costly damage repair.

VERNAL POOLS

• Seasonal wetlands resembling small, shallow pools that form during the winter rainy season.

• 97% have been destroyed in San Diego County.

• Of the remaining vernal pools, MCAS Miramar has approximately 124 acres mapped.

VERNAL POOLSPECIES• Regulated by the

Endangered Species Act and sometimes the Clean Water Act.

• Habitat for 6 species protected under the Federal ESA.

CA Orcutt Grass

SD Button Celery

CA Spreading Navarretia

SD Mesa Mint

Fairy Shrimp

VERNAL POOLS

Habitat Destruction Occurs From: *Development*Off road vehicle activity*Concentrated foot traffic*Other ground disturbing activities

Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat

Del Mar Manzanitar California Gnatcatcher Site

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Riparian HabitatVernal PoolsVernal Pool Watersheds

Vernal Pools and Watersheds

STREAMBED (Riparian) AREAS

• Streambed (riparian) areas occur where surface water seasonally flows and supports large, dense stands of vegetation such as trees.

• MCAS Miramar has 310 acres

• Habitat for the endangered Least Bell’s vireo and willowy monardella.

Least Bell’s vireoVireo bellii pusillus

STREAMBED (Riparian) AREAS

• Regulated by the Clean Water Act and possibly the Endangered Species Act.

• Habitat loss due to development and off-road vehicle activities

Willowy MonardellaStatus: Federally endangered

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Riparian Habitat

Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat

Del Mar Manzanitar California Gnatcatcher Site

Riparian Habitat

and Species

CAUTION!!!

FISH PONDFISH POND

MCAS MIRAMAR WILDLIFE

QUESTIONS?

Mountain Lion

Coyote

Mule Deer

SD Alligator Lizard

Western Spadefoot