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Camp Lejeune’s Role in RCW Conservation

    Camp Lejeune became one of the first Department of Defense installations to enter Section 7 consultation with the USFWS, regarding protection and management of the RCW.   Camp Lejeune worked with the USFWS to establish guidelines for military training in RCW cluster sites.  Additionally, through Section 7 consultation, the Base lengthened timber rotations to 80 years for loblolly pine and 120 years for longleaf and pond pine.  Eventually Base natural resources managers began an aggressive prescribed burning regimen, mimicking the natural fire regime-creating the open forest to which the woodpecker is well adapted. 

    Camp Lejeune, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has developed and implemented the Mission-Compatible, Long-Range RCW Management Plan for the protection and recovery of the RCW.  Starting with 49 active clusters in1999, Camp Lejeune's recovery goal is to support 173 active clusters.  The Forestry Division has begun the long-term effort to restore longleaf pine to its historic range on the installation.  Restoration of the longleaf pine community through prescribed burning, and lengthening timber harvest rotation will benefit the RCW in both the short term and over the coming decades. The ultimate goal establishment of a healthy RCW population and supporting habitat that is free of all training restrictions.  This is the most positive outcome for both the birds and those training on the base.  In the interim, half of the new clusters involve restrictions while half are unencumbered, reducing work-arounds in RCW-occupied forests.

RCW management on Camp Lejeune falls into three general categories: cluster management, foraging habitat management, and population monitoring.  Separately, each is crucial to a successful RCW management program though without all three, management becomes disjointed and ineffective.  The Forest Management section essentially manages foraging habitat through the prescription process and prescribed fire. Cluster management and population monitoring are the responsibility of the Treatened and Endangered Species Section. 

    Cluster management includes ensuring that each RCW group is provided with a minimum of four usable cavities for roosting and/or nesting.  The exact location of the cavity tree is recorded as is the tree species, physical characteristics, cavity condition, and cavity status.  Each cavity tree is assigned a unique identification number.  In order to maintain a minimum of four cavities per group, the cavity trees are protected from fire by clearing vegetation from an approximate 4m radius at the base of the tree.  To prevent cluster abandonment from hardwood encroachment, the cluster is prescribed burned on a three-year rotation.  Further, if hardwoods or pines threaten to block access to the cavity, they are removed according to guidelines provided in the 1985 RCW Recovery Plan (USFWS, 1985). 

      Another aspect of cluster management is maintaining accurate field markings for the purpose of habitat protection.  Buffer zones, extending 200 feet from cavity trees, are reconfigured as cavity trees die or are established.  Existing markings are covered with black paint and new perimeters are established using white paint.  Reconfiguring buffer zones is a labor intensive process that is undertaken every two to three years unless training intensity warrants immediate attention.

Finally, Camp Lejeune's RCW population has been continually monitored since 1985.  Reproductive success, population demographics, and habitat use are captured annually.  The data is key to the successful management of the population while facilitating the military use of the land.  Decisions based on the best data and science available has allowed Camp Lejeune to support and enhance training opportunities while increasing the RCW population.

Q :Which woodpecker is the infamous RCW?

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Environmental Management Division	Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Installations & Environment Department	Last Updated:  August 13, 2002