Final Environmental Assessment for Long-Term Vegetation Control for Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

This finding and the analysis upon which it is based were prepared pursuant to the President's Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act as put into effect by 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1500-1508 and the U.S. Air Force Environmental Impact Analysis Process as effectuated by 32 CFR Part 989. The Air Force has conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the probable environmental consequences for Long-Term Vegetation Control on Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida. The principal purpose of maintaining the habitats at Eglin AFB is to support military testing and training. Due to the varied needs of Eglin missions, a variety of habitats are necessary, ranging from dense forests to cleared ranges. To better maintain the spectrum of habitats, the Air Force proposes to reduce and/or phase out current mechanical vegetation management practices (mowing, roller drum chopping, chainsaws, hand-held saws) and allow for chemical vegetation management in areas where mechanical means are not possible or desirable. Program implementation would reduce vegetation control operation costs, erosion and stream sedimentation, and impacts to sensitive species and habitat associated with land test areas. Also, the Proposed Action would provide Eglin AFB natural resource managers with flexible vegetation management tools for sensitive species habitat improvement, particularly restoration of longleaf pine savannas for species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). Other portions of the reservation would be maintained in habitat conditions as required by the military mission.