An important part of managing natural resources is to understand the composition or vegetation of the project lands as described under the NVCS. Once these types are known, the next step is to assess the condition of the lands to further understand where resources should be directed to improve, enhance or sustain the current condition.

A performance measure has been adopted to address the condition of Corps lands and to track our performance in improving the lands to insure they are sustainable for future generations. We are asking that you assess your lands by vegetation type and determine their condition status as either degraded, transitioning or sustainable. This is an important process, because you will be able to submit work plan budget packages to improve sustainable lands thus improve the sustainable lands performance measure which is calculated from your inputs into OMBIL.

a. Sustainable – Meeting desired state. The acreage is not significantly impacted by any factors that can be managed and does not require intensive management. The acreage also meets operational goals and objectives set out in project OMP or other applicable management document. These acres are considered healthy and sustainable for future generations. Only minor management practices may be required to maintain the health.

b. Transitioning – Managed to meet desired goals. The acreage is impacted by human or other environmental factors that require management of the acreage to meet goals and objectives outlined in the project OMP or other applicable management document.

c. Degraded – Does not meet desired goals. The acreage is significantly impacted by human or other environmental factors that prevent the acreage from meeting desired goals outlined in the project OMP or other management documents. The acreage is not considered healthy. Intense management may be required to meet desired goals.

d. Not Assessed – The acreage has not been assessed against operational goals and objectives and thus a condition rating cannot be determined.

The following documents are provided to assist in consist application of this condition rating, but understand that you, or your local responsible professional, know best the resources of your project and can make the determination of the amount of lands that are sustainable, transitioning or degraded. (Please refer to the OMBIL Environment-Stewardship help manual for further definitions).

Spreadsheet of environmental factors that may change the condition of our fee lands. This spreadsheet provides examples of factors that may prevent lands from being sustainable.

Sustainable lands performance measure. This document on the condition of lands was submitted as part of the FY 2006 budget package and provides further detail on the performance measure.

Tools developed by NatureServe for assessing conditions.

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Updated Mayy 2019