Enacted in 1960, the Sikes Act provides the authority and defines the responsibilities to facilitate โeffectual planning, development, maintenance, and coordination of wildlife, fish, and game conservation and rehabilitation in military reservations.โ The act is named after Rep. Robert L.F. Sikes, Democrat representing Northwest Florida, home to Eglin AFB and other major DoD installations. The full text of the act may be found at https://fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/2004SikesAct%20NMFWA.pdf.
In its original form, the Sikes Act mainly addressed public access to military lands for hunting and fishing activities. Over the years the act has been significantly strengthened, and its scope expanded, to the point that it now represents a comprehensive law mandating the conservation of all aspects of natural resources on military lands.
Sikes Act amendments (1997)โThe most significant set of amendments to the Sikes Act, collectively known as the Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997, was enacted with the strong support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (representing state fish and game agencies). Major provisions of the Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997 include:
- There is a mandatory requirement for all DoD installations with natural resources to prepare a comprehensive Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP).
- The INRMP must be prepared in cooperation with FWS and the pertinent state fish and game agency.
- Public comment is required on the INRMP.
- The INRMP must be implemented.
Subsequent modifications to the Sikes Act, mainly through provisions specified in the Defense Authorization Act, have addressed a number of issues, ranging from providing disabled veterans with access to hunting and fishing programs on military, to control of invasive species, and compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The more important of these provisions are discussed below.
Next Page: Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Author
J. Douglas Ripley, Environmental Consultant U.S. Air Force (Retired)
With updates and Additional contributions by: James van Ness, Senior Level Attorney Advisor Office of the Secretary of Defense