BACKGROUND
Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP)

INTRODUCTION | Training Mission | BACKGROUND | Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan | Cooperative Agreements | Organization/Staffing | PROGRAM SUMMARY | SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS | Overall Conservation Mgmt | Ecosystem Mgmt | Forest Mgmt | Land Use Mgmt | Wildlife Mgmt | Pest Mgmt | Conservation Education | Community Relations | Mission Enhancement | Environmental Enhancement |
Natural Resource Compliance Program | CONCLUSION | Home
The INRMP is a comprehensive plan for managing Camp Ripley’s natural resources. It not only includes all the components of Army Regulation 200-3 (e.g., land rehabilitation, pest management, forestry, wildlife, etc.; see Figure 2 for a list of program areas), but was also developed in concert with the Camp Ripley Site Development Plan. This ensured compatibility with military land use activities while maintaining the integrity of sound natural resource management practices. The INRMP is also unique since it incorporates innovative management strategies above and beyond those addressed in AR 200-3.

The INRMP is a dynamic document subject to change as additional research and development yield more accurate information about resource management at Camp Ripley. Therefore, annual updates are necessary as more accurate resource data is collected or policy changes occur.

Since implementing the Integrated Training Area Management program in 1989, over $2 million has been expended on Camp Ripley’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Program. The INRMP was completed in 1994 and finalized in October 1997 as part of an environmental assessment. With completion of environmental review of the INRMP, staff have initiated the first annual update to the plan. This effort is scheduled for completion in September 1999, and will highlight accomplishments since the plan was prepared, including development of management plans for native grasses, black bears, red-shouldered hawks, and Blanding's turtles. Additional planning activities underway are in Table 2.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2. Environmental planning activities underway.

Project

Expected Completion Date
Erosion control and site restoration plan

2/99
Pest management plan

2/99
Cantonment Area tree management plan

6/99
Endangered species management plan

12/99
Cultural resource management plan

12/99
Gray wolf management plan

12/99
White-tailed deer management plan

12/00
Forest inventory and management plan

12/00
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooperative Agreements

INTRODUCTION | Training Mission | BACKGROUND | Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan | Cooperative Agreements | Organization/Staffing | PROGRAM SUMMARY | SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS | Overall Conservation Mgmt | Ecosystem Mgmt | Forest Mgmt | Land Use Mgmt | Wildlife Mgmt | Pest Mgmt | Conservation Education | Community Relations | Mission Enhancement | Environmental Enhancement |
Natural Resource Compliance Program | CONCLUSION | Home
In the interest of sound natural resource management on Camp Ripley, the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs has developed partnerships with a variety of organizations and resource agencies. These partnerships have resulted in formal interagency agreements that have been extremely cost effective and beneficial:
  • University of Minnesota: agreements for a tactical vehicle study and studies of wildlife at Camp Ripley (red-shouldered hawk, black bear, gray wolf) (1990 – 1998).
  • Minnesota State Colleges and Universities: agreements to secure environmental internships in natural resource management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), pollution control, and environmental awareness (Saint Cloud State University, Central Lakes College, and Alexandria Technical College) (1996 – 1998).
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR): cooperative agreement for the management of natural resources and an interagency agreement to conduct comprehensive flora and fauna surveys, first executed in 1989. This partnership has produced over $1 million in contracts and numerous technical documents (1989 – 1998).
 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Camp Ripley’s partnerships with the DNR have produced some of the best research on endangered species in the state. Camp Ripley’s environmental staff is top notch."

—Pam Perry, Nongame Specialist, MN DNR
 








 

  • North Dakota State University: interagency agreement for the study of a state threatened species (Blanding’s turtle) (1996 – 1997).
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service: joint powers agreement to develop a native grass management plan and an erosion control management plan (1996 – 1998).
  • Army Environmental Center: interdepartmental agreement for the demonstration of tactical concealment management (1996 – 1998).
  • Other agencies: including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Mississippi Headwaters Board, The Wildlife Society, the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
 

 

 

 

 


 

"Camp Ripley’s collaboration with the Nature Conservancy has been a shining example of how a seemingly disparate partner can contribute to the protection of biological diversity. Since 1991 the Camp’s cutting-edge environmental monitoring and research programs have helped preserve some of the state’s most unique wildlife species. Marty Skoglund and his staff continue to be outstanding environmental stewards of Camp Ripley’s natural resources."

—Rob McKim, State Director, The Nature Conservancy of Minnesota
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organization/Staffing

INTRODUCTION | Training Mission | BACKGROUND | Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan | Cooperative Agreements | Organization/Staffing | PROGRAM SUMMARY | SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS | Overall Conservation Mgmt | Ecosystem Mgmt | Forest Mgmt | Land Use Mgmt | Wildlife Mgmt | Pest Mgmt | Conservation Education | Community Relations | Mission Enhancement | Environmental Enhancement |
Natural Resource Compliance Program | CONCLUSION | Home
The Camp Ripley Environmental office is part of the Minnesota National Guard environmental team. Camp Ripley personnel have statewide responsibility for all conservation programs which, among other things, includes natural and cultural resource management at Camp Ripley. Success of the conservation program at Camp Ripley is attributable to a partnership between the environmental and military operations offices, represented by a shared Training Area Coordinator position. This partnership has enabled the Minnesota National Guard to provide a quality training experience for its Soldiers without sacrificing the integrity of Camp Ripley's natural and cultural resources. Figure 2 illustrates the organizational structure including principal program areas, derived from the INRMP, that are divided among environmental and operations personnel.

The team that comprises the Camp Ripley Environmental office is exceptionally efficient. The Office has completed a broad range of significant projects with competence and finesse. Through the unequivocal support of post commander COL Terry J. Dorenbush, programs described here have been directed by Environmental Supervisor Marty Skoglund. The core members of the Environmental office are Jay Brezinka, coordinator of Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM) and Environmental Awareness programs, Brian Dirks, coordinator of wildlife research programs, Bill Brown, coordinator of forestry and other field programs, CPT Keith Ferdon, Training Area Coordinator, and Craig Erickson, coordinator of GIS programs. Seasonal employees contribute to projects as needed.

 

INTRODUCTION | Training Mission | BACKGROUND | Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan | Cooperative Agreements | Organization/Staffing | PROGRAM SUMMARY | SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS | Overall Conservation Mgmt | Ecosystem Mgmt | Forest Mgmt | Land Use Mgmt | Wildlife Mgmt | Pest Mgmt | Conservation Education | Community Relations | Mission Enhancement | Environmental Enhancement |
Natural Resource Compliance Program | CONCLUSION | Home