The Fort Indiantown Gap National Training Site, Lebanon and Dauphin counties, has been singled out for its outstanding environmental practices by winning the 2006 Army National Guard's Natural Resources Conservation Award.

The installation, which is the headquarters of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, was lauded for its work integrating land management practices with military training, and for providing recreational opportunities for the public.

The practices include establishing buffer zones; rotating training areas to control excessive erosion; upgrading tank trails, stream crossings and culverts to limit sediment; monitoring water quality; and controlling invasive species.

For recreational purposes, more than 2,400 members of the public are registered to hunt and fish at the installation. The pristine environment also attracts countless visitors who come to enjoy the scenery and count migrating raptors at the hawk watch located on Second Mountain.

"We are extremely proud of the work accomplished by our natural resources and training site staff," said Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, state adjutant general. "They continue to set the standard for the nation."

Since taking over management of the installation from the Army in 1998, Guard officials have doubled the wildlife and forestry staff and significantly increased funding for forestry and wildlife restoration projects. The Guard has also increased its outreach efforts to private and governmental organizations concerning environmental programs.

In the last five years, the environmental staff also completed two detailed environmental studies. In addition, dozens of studies of the installation's flora and fauna have been conducted in connection with environmental impact statements that were done for installation upgrades and the Guard's transformation to a Stryker brigade.

Col. Robert Hodgson, training site commander, credited military commanders and trainers with "buying-in" to the concept of a sound environmental policy.

"Their willingness to embrace conservation measures with the realistic and rigorous training requirements reflects the commitment of our entire organization," said Hodgson.

Stretching 17,000 acres across northern Lebanon and Dauphin counties, Fort Indiantown Gap has about 3,000 acres of grassland, 112 miles of streams, 294 acres of wetlands, and 12,000 acres of forest. It is Lebanon County's largest employer, with 1,900 people employed full-time.

In addition, more than 100,000 military personnel, law enforcement agents and civilians from across the nation receive training on the installation annually.

Links: Guided Tours of Regal Fritillary Butterfly Habitat at Fort Indiantown Gap

12/8/2006