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ERDC/CRREL SR-02-2
To demonstrate the beneficial effects of land management on Fort Carson,
the LCTA program is working to implement a program similar to that used by the
Idaho National Guard. In Idaho, Dana Quinney has stated that the comparison of
off- and on-post monitoring plots has been helpful. We believe this will be bene-
ficial at Fort Carson, as grazing is no longer permitted on post, but does occur
nearby.
Land management procedures at Fort Carson. Jeff Linn, Directorate of
Environmental Compliance and Management (DECAM)
The Directorate of Environmental Compliance and Management is charged
with managing the natural and cultural resources at Fort Carson and the Pion
Canyon Maneuver Site. It is also required to support its primary customer, the
soldier. It is through a variety of land-management practices that we are able
to provide the soldier with high-quality realistic training lands. We strive to
improve our management by reevaluating our practices. One such effort is to
improve our seed mixes to use more native plant materials that are resistant to
training activities and that can germinate quickly in a semi-arid environment. It is
through a partnership with CRREL and the USDA Agricultural Research Station
in Logan, Utah, that this progressive advancement is possible.
Both Fort Carson and Pion Canyon support a variety of training exercises
using tactical vehicles such as Abrams tanks, aircraft, howitzers, and humvees.
Activities include large-scale training exercises, digging anti-tank trenches and
hull defilades, using woodlands for concealment, live firing, bivouacking, and
dismounted training. While these activities are essential to prepare our soldiers
for war, they do have an impact on the natural resources. The challenge is to
restore the land for future training activities. Fort Carson approaches this chal-
lenge in several ways.
Education. Soldiers are instructed not to damage or destroy trees. The pion
pines and junipers are slow-growing and suitable replacements can take up to 60
years to provide adequate concealment.
Revegetation. Areas disturbed by training are reseeded annually. As many
as 5,000 acres are reseeded annually, with most of the work being performed
by contract managed and funded by the Integrated Training and Management
(ITAM) program. Drill seeding is used primarily, with broadcast seeding in areas
where maneuvering of equipment is difficult. "Critical-area seeding" is used on
drastically disturbed areas: the area is first drill seeded and then native grass hay
is blown on and crimped into the soil.
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