Camp Ripley Army Compatible Use Buffer …a learning experience (April 2008) Marty Skoglund Camp Ripley Environmental Supervisor

Camp Ripley 53,000 Acres

Background  Defense Authorization Act 2002  Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI)  ACUB proposal  Approval by NGB and Army

Why? Internal Military Training  Noise  Dust/Smoke External Land Use Changes  Development Pressure  Incompatible land use CONFLICTCONFLICT

ACUB is Not  Cure All  Short-term commitment  Accomplished single handily  Intended to provide more training land  Traditional way of doing business  Possible without community support  Without headaches

Mission Environment WHY? Community

Developing an ACUB proposal  Define strategy

MNARNG Strategy 1. Soldier Readiness is first and foremost. 2. Maintain Camp Ripley’s existing military mission. 3. Accommodate future missions without expanding its boundaries. 4. Maintain the natural environment. 5. Preserve current land use, particularly agriculture, forestry, recreation, and the rural character of the area. 6. Promote opportunities for public recreational use. 7. Willing landowners only and protect property rights. 8. Maintain strong community relations.

Developing an ACUB propoal  Define strategy  Understand what’s beyond fence line

1960’s through present day Time Frame 1930’s 1940’s 1950’s 1960’s

1963 Structures 2001 Structures

Population Percent Change by Township US Census Bureau Data

The above information is from the “Minnesota Population Projections ” Report from the Minnesota Planning State Demographic Center. Growth will be greatest in Twin Cities area Suburban counties. The St. Cloud and Rochester areas and the lakes area of north central Minnesota will also see strong growth throughout the next 30 years. Camp Ripley

Study Area Noise Complaints % by zip code Total Complaints 10 Mile Buffer

Noise Zones

Developing an ACUB proposal  Define strategy  Understand what’s beyond fence line  Delineate boundaries of ACUB

Priority Areas Priority Area No.1 Mississippi River Corridor (40,925 acres) Priority Area No. 2 Crow Wing River Corridor (30,838 acres) Priority Area No. 3 Lake Alexander Region (16,707 acres) Priority Area No. 4 Agricultural Region (22,453 acres)

Project Area  Comprised of 110,000 acres Includes 21 local units of government –3 Counties –5 Cities –13 Townships  Perimeter of Camp Ripley is 66 miles –Morrison County (47 miles 71%) –Crow Wing County (11 miles 17%) –Cass County (8 miles 12 %)

Developing an ACUB proposal  Define strategy  Understand what’s beyond fence line  Delineate boundaries of ACUB  Secure partner (s)

ACUB Partners  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources  Soil and Water Conservation Districts  The Nature Conservancy  Trust For Public Lands  Minnesota Land Trust  Parks and Trails Council  1000 Friends of Minnesota  Pheasants Forever  Ducks Unlimited  National Wild Turkey Federation  Minnesota Deer Hunters Association  Minnesota State Archery Association  Brainerd Lakes Audubon Society  MN Department of Transportation

Developing an ACUB proposal  Define strategy  Understand what’s beyond fence line  Delineate boundaries of ACUB  Secure partner (s)  Establish priorities

Criteria for Ranking Parcels  Military Criteria (80%) –Priority area –Road access –Distance to boundary –Size of parcel –Proximity to noise zones –Connectivity  Ecological Criteria (20%) –Sensitive species –Critical habitat –Surface water –Cultural resources

Developing an ACUB proposal  Define strategy  Understand what’s beyond fence line  Delineate boundaries of ACUB  Secure partner (s)  Establish priorities  Monitor Accomplishments

DNR 14 land deals 1,702 acres $3.349 million$3.349 million BWSR 11 land deals 2,311 acres $3.807 million$3.807 million ACUB Accomplishments

DNR 14 land deals 1,702 acres $3.349 million$3.349 million BWSR 11 land deals 2,311 acres $3.807 million$3.807 million ACUB Accomplishments Landowners waiting 140 land deals 21,000 acres $21 million estimate

Sample Conservation Easements  Kohn (DNR)  Nelson (BWSR)

Status of Camp Ripley ACUB  169 interested landowners represent 25,628 acres  Interest in easements (91%) and acquisition (9%)  Tremendous support from local units of government  $7.156 million to date in federal funding –$3.349 million DNR –$3.807 million BWSR  Enrolled 21,500 acres and leveraged $42 million

Findings of 2007 Rand Report on Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI)  "REPI appears to be effective so far." (they say appears because the program has only been around for a few years).  "Zoning will not substitute for buffering activities.“  "DoD has a relatively narrow time window, perhaps a decade, to make substantial gains in buffering installations.“  "REPI is under-funded. From our analysis, REPI could easily use $150 million per year to address encroachment."

Lessons learned Senior leadership support is imperative since ACUB is an enormous program requiring a lifetime commitment. Willing partners are essential to implementation and state agencies are postured to fulfill the role (e.g. DNR). ACUB is a very political process requiring local support preferably by resolution. Public Affairs personnel should be called on for their expertise. ACUB is a true test of community relations and you may be in for more than you bargained for. Community relations will impact our ability to carry out tomorrow's mission. As list of interested landowners grow we must be ready to execute or they will become impatient and drop out of the program. A formula based system to determine land value is the most expedient. Over 90% of landowners are interested in permanent conservation easements versus fee simple. Get involved in local comprehensive land use planning and zoning since ACUB is not the “cure all”.

For More Information  Camp Ripley Website:  Contact Marty Skoglund: (320)

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