Preserving Habitat While Maintaining Military Readiness — Camp Williams, Utah

OUR ROLE

The Conservation Fund and the National Guard Bureau (NGB) have entered into a Cooperative Agreement to help preserve key parcels of land in the vicinity of, or ecologically related to, Camp Williams. These efforts are being conducted under the U.S. Army’s Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) and Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) programs. The partnership will keep significant working landscapes and wildlife habitat adjacent to Camp Williams intact, minimizing incompatible development that threatens the installation’s training mission. The protection of the 662-acre “GSF Farms” is the initial conservation easement acquisition associated with the effort, and it will serve as the first step in preserving military readiness and protecting important landscapes.

WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS

Urban sprawl and loss of habitat adjacent to Camp Williams is happening at an accelerated rate. By preserving and protecting the unique habitat in the West Traverse landscape, WTCP is engaging in efforts that will benefit wildlife and plant species in the area, while limiting encroachment that constrains Camp Williams’ training activities. Mule Deer are a key example of the species that inhabit this area. They rely on the West Traverse landscape for critical migration corridors, breeding grounds and a winter range that sustains thousands of deer from year to year. WTCP is seeking designation as a Sentinel Landscape through theSentinel Landscapes Partnership, a nationwide federal, local and private collaboration dedicated to promoting natural resource sustainability and the preservation of agricultural and conservation land uses in areas surrounding military installations.

The Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) program is designed to minimize incompatible development and loss of habitat by utilizing permanent conservation easements, fee-sales, or other interests in land from willing sellers. In the case of conservation easements or similar agreements, the landowner retains ownership and rights to use the land for purposes specified in the agreement. Establishing buffer areas around the installation limits the effects of encroachment and maximizes land inside the installation that can be used to support the installation's mission.
Image credit: Camp Williams

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The foundation of Army operational readiness is highly trained soldiers. To conduct tough, realistic training, commanders require continued access to critical ranges and training lands.
Photo credit: Camp Williams

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West Traverse landscape provides ample opportunities for open space that is beneficial to quality of life initiatives for local communities, preserving and maintaining wildlife habitat, and protecting critical training lands for the military and law enforement.
Photo credit: iStockphoto

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Encroachment from population growth, urban development and environmental requirements limits the Army’s ability to fully utilize its installations for realistic combat training. Congress recently acknowledged the threat of encroachment to military readiness and provided a legislative tool that allows the Army to work with other government or private partners to establish buffer areas around active ranges and training lands.
Photo credit: Camp Williams

sand creek massacre national historic site