The Army and Environmental Compliance Essay example -- Environmental I

The Army and Environmental Compliance Since the inception of National environmental awareness and protection policies in the 1970’s, the Army has had to adjust how it conducts training. The development of Army environmental compliance programs, policies and strategies enable the Army to fulfill federal and state requirements governing the use of natural resources, while balancing the need for essential training to maintain combat readiness and relevance. As a direct result of positive environmental stewardship, inclusion of environmental compliance enables the Army to provide continuity of operations while protecting the environment. United States Environmental Policy The modern day involvement of the United States Army’s responsible environmental stewardship began over 40 years ago and continues unabated today. The catalyst was the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), signed into law in 1970, which established national policy for the protection of the environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2011), the Council of Environmental Quality was created to ensure federal and state agencies assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions through scientific analysis and that decisions made include public involvement. Thus, the NEPA process provides the public with information about the Army’s decisions and a mechanism to become informed and involved in actions that impact their environment, health and quality of life. Department of the Army regulation 200-1, Environmental Protection and Enhancement (2007), requires â€Å"the Secretary of the Army to serve as trustee for the natural and cultural resources managed by the Army†. This designation also includes responsibility... ..., Vol. 65, No. 81, April 26, 2000 (p. 24595). Retrieved from http://www. archives.gov/ federal-register/executive-orders/2000.html Office of the Assistance Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment. (2004). The Army Strategy for the Environment. Washington, D.C. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://www.asaie.army.mil/Public/ESOH/doc/ArmyEnvStrategy.pdf U.S. Army Environmental Command. (2011). About us. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://aec.army.mil/usaec/aboutus.html U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). National Environmental Policy Act. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://www.epa.gov/compliance/basics/nepa.html#federalrole U.S. Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional Committees (2008). Military Training Compliance with Environmental Laws. Retrieved May 19, 2012, from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08407.pdf