UNCLASSIFIED Environmental Considerations During Contingency Operations; Why is it important? Michael Wolford United States Central Command Environmental Program Manager UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED Why is the Environment Important • Protect the Host Nation ’ s natural resources for future development • Protect the Host Nation ’ s cultural and historical sites • Strengthen the relationship between the US and the Host Nation • Reduces the cost of operations • Health and safety of our soldiers • Establishes guidance for commands – Demonstrates our National ethos and Military values – Improves force protection – Explains regulatory requirements – Outlines responsibilities by echelon and among the coordinating and special staffs UNCLASSIFIED
Environmental Considerations UNCLASSIFIED During Contingency Operations Training Activities Operational Activities More Different procedures, Command Priority, Base Support Command Emphasis, HN Laws, Sustainable Operations Contractor Support Continuity of Command and Personnel, Contractor Support Host Nation Infrastructure, HN Laws, Support Logistics, Level of Contractor Support Mission Requirements, Commander ’ s Intent, Local Conditions, Level and Type of Contractor Support, Intensity of Combat Operations Less Combat Home SRO Other Other Support Post Post Nation Phases of Employment UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED Integrating Environmental Considerations • Planning Environmental considerations should be part of all operations orders o Standard Operating Procedures in place before deployment o Trained personnel on planning staffs o • Training Basic awareness for all soldiers o Institutional training should be developed to set the correct mindset o Environmental officers require specialized training o • Operations Follow standard operating procedures/guidance o Commanders must enforce environmental standards o • Consistent Management Approach Ensure overarching policies are in place so subordinate unit ’ s SOPs implement o a consistent approach Provides a common picture of needed training for all members of the military o • Materiel Solutions o We are very cautious of commercial materials; they meet their advertised capabilities UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED Policies • US Laws normally do not apply • Department of Defense (DoD) Policies • DoD Instruction 4715.05G, Overseas Environmental Baseline Guidance Document (OEBGD) • DoD Instruction 4715.19, Use of Open Air Burn Pits in Contingency Operations • Final Governing Standards (FGS) – Country Specific • CENTCOM Regulations • CCR 200-1 – Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Assets • CCR 200-2 – CENTCOM Contingency Environmental Standards UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED Training • All personnel need basic environmental training • Little if any environmental or sustainability training occurs once deployed. • Training centers should include environmental or sustainability considerations in their pre-deployment scenarios. o Hazardous Materials o Hazardous Waste o Solid Waste o Wastewater o Local historical and cultural sites and customs o Endangered Species and other natural resources UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED Operations • Principles for environmental protection change in areas of conflict o Combat mission first o Avoid unnecessary impacts o Analyze environmental considerations and impacts o Involve the host nation if possible UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED Base Operations • Environmental Program areas o Air, Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Management, Cultural/Historical, Noise, Operational • Elements of a Good Environmental Program o Command buy in absolutely necessary o Cover each environmental program area o Establish reporting requirements for each level of command o Maintain records for the life cycle of the base o Properly staff your environmental program • Assign responsibilities o Select and train an environmental officer or hire an environmental professional for the base program o Ensure commanders understand and enforce the program components/ standards UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED Resource Reduction Requirements • Energy management • Waste Management – Every base/camp can run – Develop water re-use on multiple/alternative optimize water use power sources – Develop re-usable, re- – Develop fuel cells for elect/ configurable, designer water/heat generation packaging – Self-sufficient bases/camps – Improve waste disposal – Higher efficiencies, quieter – Waste to energy (last operations (Generators) option) Imagine -Gen sets powered by syngas from waste. -Recycled water -Mini-grid systems that better distribute -Captured waste heat. power. UNCLASSIFIED
Reducing Resource Requirements UNCLASSIFIED Why it ’ s Important • Force Protection Issues o Intelligence – Waste indicates unit size, type, and missions o Physical Security – Contractor access and terrorist threat o Health and Safety • Sustainment: Resources, Transportation & Disposal o Water: 9-109 gallons/person/day o Diesel Fuel (Generators): 1-5 gallons/person/day o Wastewater: 1.5-44 gallons/person/day o Trash: 8-20lbs/person/day UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED Reducing Resource Requirements • Initial o Wastewater ‘ Dumped ’ o Combustible solid waste burned o Non-combustible solid waste stockpiled o Hazardous waste (Non-Medical) stockpiled • Intermediate o Black water collected by HN contractor/plan for sanitation system o Combustible solid waste burned in thermal destruction equip. o Non-combustible solid waste collected by HN contractor/Recycle o Hazardous waste (Non-Medical) recycled/transferred to disposal sites • Long-Term o Sanitation system established/contractor to HN sanitation system o Waste minimization/reuse established; incinerators; or HN disposal contracts o Recycling program developed for solid, hazardous, and POL wastes o Establish HW treatment sites UNCLASSIFIED
Environmental Considerations UNCLASSIFIED During Contingency Operations QUESTIONS? UNCLASSIFIED
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