U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Protecting the Air Force Academy’s 19,000-acre wild lands is a full-time concern.
Brian Mihlbachler, the base natural resources manager, heads a staff of three who manage the wildlife, range lands, wetlands and lakes on the installation.
Mihlbachler said the hottest natural resources topics at the Academy are the effect of off-base storm water on the environment, water quality, infrastructure and protecting the habitats of threatened-species.
The Academy is taking part in a $4 million project managed by the City of Colorado Springs and Colorado Springs Utilities to reduce sediment buildup in Monument Creek caused by runoff.
“The three-phase project was identified as a high priority in the Monument Creek Watershed Restoration Master Plan,” Milhbachler said.
The project was developed through a partnership between the Fountain Creek Watershed Flood Control and Greenway District, the City, El Paso County, the Air Force Academy, and Colorado Springs Utilities.
Watershed Moment
Phase 1 included improvements to concrete drop structures to reduce the energy of runoff water eroding the channel, re-grading the channel to create a floodplain, and planting vegetation to provide habitat and protect city infrastructure, between Voyager Parkway and I-25. This phase was completed in March.
Phase 1 was funded by a federal Natural Resources Conservation Service grant, Colorado Springs Utilities, and city funds dedicated to storm water projects, for $1.3 million.
Phase 2 is taking place between Voyager Parkway and I-25 and scheduled to last through the year. This phase is expected to cost $1.1 million.
“The City of Colorado Springs is working on their environmental and Academy approvals for Phase 2, but the project is on schedule for construction during the fall and winter,” Milbachler said.
Phase 2 improvements focus on small repairs to the channel near Voyager Parkway and large repairs close to I-25 where severe erosion has occurred. The work is expected to improve habitat and significantly reduce the amount of sediment entering Monument Creek.
Phase two is expected to cost $1.1 million.
Originally scheduled to occur this year, Phase 3 renovations between Monument Creek to the New Santa Fe Regional Trail are on hold, Milhbachler said.
Phase 3 improvements include stabilizing the channel between Monument Creek and upstream to the New Santa Fe Regional Trail west of I-25. This section of channel is approximately 2,500 feet long and has deteriorated due to erosion and sediment buildup.
“Phase 3 is currently on hold pending funding, but the City indicates they plan to construct this project maybe as early as 2019,” Milhbachler said.
Phase three is expected to cost $1.3 million.
Other Challenges
The Natural Resources office team isn’t just concerned with water issues.
“Other challenges requiring management include weeds, forest diseases, pests and wildland fires,” he said.
Another hot topic is vehicle accidents involving deer.
To decrease these accidents, the Academy has hosted annual deer hunts offered since the 1980’s.
Last year, there were 32 reports of vehicles colliding with a deer at the Academy.
“Hunting is the most effective and efficient practice for managing the deer and elk population to protect our habitat, promote animal health and reduce wildlife-vehicle accidents,” Mihlbachler said.
Academy staff escorts the hunters for safety and security reasons. The general public can apply for the deer hunt through the state, but elk hunting is done by lottery through the Natural Resources website, www.usafa.isportsman.net.
The Academy’s Natural Resources team manages the natural resources at Farish Recreation Area, near Woodland Park, and the Bullseye Auxiliary Airfield, near Ellicott.
Seventy percent of Academy property is natural open space, home to Mule and White- tailed deer, Elk, Turkey, black bears, coyotes, beavers and cougars, among other wildlife, Mihlbachler said.
“The abundance of wildlife – especially deer and elk – can cause problems.”
The isportsman.net website includes fishing permit, hiking trail and management and conservation activities information.
Visit www.usafa.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1048511/academy-supports-monument-branch-repair-project for more information on the Monument Branch Repair Project.