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A natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) is the process of collecting, compiling,<br />

<strong>and</strong> analyzing information to make these determinations. The overall intent of the assessment<br />

regulations is to determine appropriate restoration <strong>and</strong> compensation for injuries to natural<br />

resources. Restoration actions are principally designed to return injured resources to baseline<br />

conditions (EPA 2009).<br />

At the Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS) facility, sustainability of natural<br />

vegetation cover has been a top priority in all planning efforts to ensure a realistic <strong>training</strong><br />

environment <strong>and</strong> quality wildlife habitat. All natural resources conservation activities are<br />

designed to maintain <strong>and</strong> enhance the <strong>training</strong> areas for soldiers, thus serving the military<br />

mission.<br />

In order to meet its sustainability objectives the MNARNG has requested funding<br />

through the Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) process to implement projects from<br />

the AHATS Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP). The AHATS INRMP,<br />

which was developed in concert with partners from the Minnesota Department of Natural<br />

Resources (MNDNR) <strong>and</strong> United States Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service (USFWS), provides a<br />

foundation for managing AHATS‟ natural resources. These NRDA l<strong>and</strong> management projects are<br />

intended to eliminate hazards relating to infrastructure, restore wildlife habitat, <strong>and</strong> help eliminate<br />

invasive species on the AHATS facility (Appendix M).<br />

2009 Conservation Program Report<br />

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)<br />

As part of the Environmental <strong>and</strong> Integrated Training Area Management (ITAM)<br />

programs, GIS is used to support management of these programs at the Army, NGB, <strong>and</strong><br />

MNARNG levels <strong>and</strong> is subsequently used to implement related resource management plans.<br />

GIS STANDARDIZATION<br />

Several MNARNG GIS goals <strong>and</strong> objectives are defined by federal, Army, <strong>and</strong> NGB<br />

regulations that govern management of GIS. These regulations pertain to data st<strong>and</strong>ardization <strong>and</strong><br />

conceptual design of the system. The goal is to coordinate data <strong>and</strong> GIS structure within the states<br />

as well as <strong>national</strong>ly. This coordination <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ardization is necessary to keep states <strong>and</strong><br />

<strong>national</strong> efforts organized.<br />

In accordance with these regulations, ITAM <strong>and</strong> Environmental related layers within the<br />

MNARNG GIS repository are compliant with the Spatial Data Structure for Facilities,<br />

Installations, <strong>and</strong> Environment (SDSFIE) version 2.6. Required data layers are based upon the<br />

NGB Common Installation Picture (CIP) <strong>and</strong> Army Sustainable Range Program (SRP) Quality<br />

Assurance Plans (QAP).<br />

Page 120

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