Cultural Resources

As stewards of public lands, the National Guard Bureau (NGB) and Arizona Army National Guard (AZARNG) are charged with protecting the existing natural and cultural features. This requires close coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, including the Arizona State Historical Preservation Office on cultural resources, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on ecological resources. In consideration of the integrated long-term planning approach of closure activities at the Open Burn/Open Detonation (OB/OD) Area, it is anticipated that significant impacts to cultural resources will mostly be avoided. The prescribed management and compliance actions required by federal and state legislation shall stress the integration of cultural resource management with ongoing OB/OD Area plans and operations.

All site-disturbing activities associated with the closure of the OB/OD Area will be planned and managed to ensure that the appropriate cultural resource management practices are incorporated into field activities, and that those activities are conducted in compliance with federal and state legislation that govern the treatment of these resources. The overall approach for the management of cultural resources associated with the OB/OD Area closure is to identify any potential cultural resources located in project sites where site-disturbing activities are planned. As of December 2002, more than 200 archaeological sites have been identified on the Camp Navajo facility.

Natural Resources

There are two species eligible for protection under the Endangered Species Act: the Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO) and the Bald Eagle. Both are categorized as threatened species. Threatened species status implies that a species is in imminent jeopardy of becoming endangered.

The spotted owl is mottled in appearance with irregular white and brown spots on its abdomen, back and head. Although the spotted owl is often referred to as a medium-sized owl, it ranks among the largest owls in North America. Critical habitat for the MSO has been designated in the southern section of Camp Navajo, including a portion of the southern part of the OB/OD Area. Additionally, a Protected Activity Center (PAC) established for this species, comprising 769 acres, includes the southeastern section of the OB/OD Area. Guidelines have been established for the recovery of the species (Recovery Plan for the Mexican Spotted Owl) and all activities within the PAC will adhere to the guidelines.

Mexican Spotted Owl

After being listed as an endangered species in 1978 following a dramatic drop in population that began at the turn of the century, the Bald Eagle's status was upgraded to Threatened on August 11, 1995. Because of the increase in population, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was proposing the bald eagle be declared fully recovered by July 2000. However, the decision was delayed until they figure out how they will manage the species once it is taken off the list. Even if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removes the bald eagle from the "threatened" species list, it will still be protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940.

A bald eagle held by LTC Tosi, Garrison Commander, and an Arizona Game and Fish Department technician.