Policy Analysis of Chapter 101a

This research analyzed the United States Air Force's ability to meet the two conditions required for exemptions of critical habitat designations that are authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. The research was limited to natural resources management on United States Air Force training ranges. Department of Defense exemptions can only be achieved if specific conditions exist. The conditions require the development and management of an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan that conserves threatened and endangered species and other natural resources to ensure the successful management of practices identified. The results of this project determined that United States Air Force's natural resources managers have Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans in place and have dedicated the resources to implement management polices identified in those plans. Electronic, internet-based surveys were used as the primary data collection tool. Phenomenological Analysis was used to perform an in-depth review of selected issues that were identified via the survey. Unexpected conclusions from this research highlighted a need for the United States Air Force to strengthen its education process for implementing new policies resulting from the implementation of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.