MISSION STATEMENT
The primary role of the section is to assure continued Marine Corps access to training lands through proper management of sensitive natural and cultural resources under Marine Corps stewardship. Training can be destructive to land and its resources. Unless properly managed, Marine Corps lands can become damaged to the point where realistic training can no longer take place. Land is a finite, valuable commodity. Marine Corps use of land must be sustainable so the Marine Corps may use its lands frequently and repeatedly. In addition, the American people have placed intrinsic values on certain natural and cultural resources. These values have been translated into laws requiring the Marine Corps to protect and preserve natural and cultural resources. Failure to comply with these laws can lead to judicial, legislative and executive decisions denying the Marine Corps access to land for training. Accordingly, the Conservation Section assists installations and the operating forces in the management of natural and cultural resources to ensure the sustainability of readiness training on Marine Corps land and to ensure compliance with laws governing the protection of sensitive resources.
NATURAL RESOURCES
THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (USMC) SERVES AS CUSTODIAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD OF APPROXIMATELY 3 MILLION ACRES OF SOME OF THE MOST ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AND DIVERSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD, INCLUDING PORTIONS OF THE SONORAN DESERT, SOME OF THE LAST REMAINING SUB-TROPICAL RAIN FOREST IN ASIA, AND NUMEROUS FRESH AND SALTWATER WATERS AND WETLANDS. THESE AREAS PROVIDE HABITAT FOR AN ABUNDANCE OF WILDLIFE SPECIES INCLUDING 56 FEDERALLY LISTED THREATENED AND ENDANGERED PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES. MORE...
NATURAL RESOURCES OUTREACH
NATURAL RESOURCES PLANS
NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY
CULTURAL RESOURCES
THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (MARINE CORPS) SERVES AS CUSTODIAN AND STEWARD OF APPROXIMATELY 3MILLION ACRES OF LAND CONTAINING A DIVERSITY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND COLLECTIONS, HISTORIC BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES, AND OBJECTS, CULTURAL LANDSCAPES, AND RESOURCES OF TRADITIONAL, RELIGIOUS, OR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE TO NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES OR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATIONS. THESE RESOURCES REFLECT THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF HUMAN ACTIVITY, INCLUDING IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY AND THE ROLE OF THE MILITARY IN THAT HISTORY, AND EMBODY OUR SHARED HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES. MORE...
CULTURAL RESOURCES DOCUMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA), SIGNED BY PRESIDENT NIXON IN 1970, ESTABLISHES A NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY WITH GOALS OF PROTECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDES A PROCESS FOR IMPLEMENTING THESE GOALS WITHIN FEDERAL AGENCIES. THE NEPA IS A PROCEDURAL LAW REQUIRING FEDERAL AGENCIES TO INCORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THEIR PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AND REQUIRING THE USE OF A SYSTEMATIC AND INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH. MORE...
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMPLETED
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING IN-PROGRESS