Tango Range Expansion

The Tango Range Expansion project proposes modernization and conversion of the Tango Range to serve as a “25-meter zero range” attached to the Sierra Automatic Record Fire 300m range (see Figure 4-6). This is proposed due to significant training needs and will allow units to zero and familiarize their weapons adjacent to the qualification range. Presently troops travel over seven miles away for this training. This project proposes clearing of PPSO. This work is recognized by NHESP to be a take by the MAARNG under MESA. This information was provided to NHESP in a MESA review letter dated 23 September 2019, prepared by BETA Group, Nover-Armstrong which is included as Appendix D.

This expansion will include increasing the firing range from 8 lanes to 32 lanes. Because the Tango Range is a 25m “zero” range, the design includes narrow (13± feet wide) firing lanes. The existing firing line and target line will be moved 126± feet to the north and the containment berm will be moved approximately 115 feet to the north. This shift will allow for concurrent use of the Tango Range and the Sierra Range (located to the east of Tango Range). Both the firing line berm and containment berm will be graded to drain water to the east and west of the range.

The project was designed to minimize clearing of mapped habitat, while still achieving the goals of the project. In total, the project will result in clearing 68,394 square feet (<1.6 acres) of PPSO habitat for the purposes of expanding the firing range, which includes material staging and laydown areas. For the purposes of this assessment, we have rounded the impact number up to 2.0 acres as shown in the table below.

To mitigate impacts to the state listed rare Lepidoptera (an order of insects that includes butterflies and moths) mapped within the site, the MAARNG is proposing to install downward facing, yelspectrum, low-wattage lights to replace the existing lights currently in use on the observation tower. No additional lighting, beyond what currently exists, is proposed for this range. Range lighting use will be limited to an as needed basis (e.g., night firing) to minimize impacts to moths and other vertebrate and invertebrate species. Long-term range maintenance will be consistent with the site’s current condition and will involve vegetation mowing once or twice per month depending on vegetation growth. Table 4-7 outlines proposed impacts.

Table 4-8 provides details on proposed mitigation.

Table 4-7: Tango Range Expansion Impacts

Guild Associations Mitigation Required Per MESA Acres of Impact

Total Mitigation Acreage Required

Pine Barrens Guild 2:1 (Threatened) 2 4

Eastern Box Turtle 1.5:1 (Species of Special Concern) 2 3

MPMG Range Conservation and Management Permit Application 4.0 Proposed Project at Camp Edwards

Table 4-8: Tango Range Expansion Mitigation

Mitigation Standard Location Acres of

Mitigation Comments Land Preservation Primary Forest Canopy Retention Area (for

Eastern Box Turtle) 3 1:5:1 ratio

Total Land Preservation 3

#1 Mechanical Forestry Pine Barrens Mitigation Focal Area – Western

Unit 2.5 30% of 8 (4:1); 2019

#2 Prescribed Burn Pine Barrens Mitigation Focal Area – Western

Unit (Total Burn = 399) 5.5 70% of 8 (4:1); 2019

#3 Continued Management Pine Barrens Mitigation Focal Area – Western

Unit 8 4:1 ratio

Total Management 16 8:1 provided

The Tango Range Expansion project will use the established mitigation bank to achieve net benefit through the following actions:

x Standard #1 Mechanical Forestry: 30% of impacts mitigated through mechanical forestry = 2.5 acres. Mitigation of 8.0 acres has already occurred.

x Standard #2 Prescribed Burn: 70% of impacts mitigated through prescribed fire = 5.5 acres.

Mitigation has been provided from the 2019 burn of 399 acres.

x Standard #3 Continued Management: Continued management and maintenance through prescribed burns for 32.0 acres (years 3-9)

x Standard #4 Manage Grasslands: Regular mowing of the range floor will continue from April through September and will likely be on a monthly basis. Range floor will continued to be managed as grasslands.

x Standard #5 Monitoring and Research: Monitoring will be performed for the Eastern Box Turtle and pine barren moths including the following:

o Construction phase BMPs to include Eastern Box Turtle searches and either exclusion barriers or radio-telemetry tracking of individuals. A plan is presently in development to support BMPs.

o Extended monitoring of transmittered turtles (if used for specific projects)

o Development of focal and statistically robust moth monitoring plan (contract and coordination with MassWildlife)

o Implementation of moth monitoring plan to include Tango Range Expansion and associated mitigation

o Continued monitoring of Eastern will, support of MassWildlife Eastern Whip-poor-will research, and site-wide avian point count surveys.

Based on the above standards, a net benefit for the pine barrens habitat take will be achieved through 32.0 acres of mechanical forestry to restore PPSO with open canopy condition, 32.0 acres of initial prescribed burning, and 32.0 acres of prescribed burning as continued management of grasslands. Note that the acreages requires were all exceeded during 2019 through mitigation projects, planned, funded, and explicitly associated with this overall mitigation strategy. This strategy includes the Wheelock Overlook harvest and prescribed burning in burn unit RAW2, which is approximately one mile from the proposed Tango Range Expansion project.

MPMG Range Conservation and Management Permit Application 4.0 Proposed Project at Camp Edwards

Sierra Range

Former portion of Tango Range is managed through mowing for habitat. May be used for material stockpiles

(temporary).

View of Tango Range looking south with new range configuration (including expansion) within red border. Mitigation area shown with yellow border.

Existing Tango Range with new range configuration within red border. Expansion of berm and areas to be widened and maintained are not shown in this sketch.

Figure 4.6: Tango Range Expansion Photographs

MPMG Range Conservation and Management Permit Application 4.0 Proposed Project at Camp Edwards