ensure proper consideration of fish, wildlife, and habitat needs. The Sikes Act requires
INRMPs to be reviewed at least every five years by the military and states. Air Force
Instruction 32‐7064, Integrated Natural Resources Management, guides the Air Force
implementation of the Sikes Act.
Sustainable Range Program
Encroachment on Army training and firing ranges has become a major concern in recent
years. Pressure from urbanization, environmental protection efforts, competition for
airspace and electromagnetic frequencies, and public perception of reduced national
security needs have limited mission capabilities and operations at multiple installations
nationwide. Furthermore, open ranges are increasingly becoming “islands” of biodiversity
amidst urban development. These concerns, in addition to public nuisances such as
smoke, noise, and lack of accessibility have led to public apprehension of the nature and
use of military ranges.
The Sustainable Range Program is the Army’s overall approach to improving the design,
operation, use, and management of its ranges to ensure the long‐term sustainability of
these facilities. The Sustainable Range Program’s core programs are the Range and
Training Land Program and the Integrated Training Area Management Program, which
focus on the optimal use and capability of the Army's ranges and training land. To ensure
the accessibility and availability of Army lands for ranges and training, the Sustainable
Range Program core programs are integrated with facilities management, environmental
management, munitions management, and other relative safety program functions to
support optimal use and capability.
Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Federal
Communications Commission
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first comprehensive update to a federal
telecommunication law in over 60 years and was, in large part, intended to open up the
marketplace to greater competition. Changes in the means through which information is
produced, accessed, stored, and shared made the federal government response
imperative. The increasing use and development of personal mobile phones, satellite
transmission, high speed fiber optics, and other related factors are often pushing
demand beyond system capacity.
New telecommunication tower siting requires compliance with the Federal
Communications Commission’s (FCC) environmental review standards and procedures,
including NEPA and ESA compliance, NHPA compliance, adherence to any applicable FAA
requirements, and structure registration with the FCC. The actual approval of physical
installations is subject to state and local permits and approvals; however, state and local
Background Report
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