INTRODUCTION
The importance of implementing an environmental stewardship program is that it will allow mission
accomplishment while minimizing endangerment to the environment or personnel.
PART A - COMMUNICATION OF GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS TO
SUBORDINATES
Each mission has, in some way, an impact on the surrounding environment. The environmental impact
considerations for each mission should be weighed and considered when possible in every situation. When
training subordinates to identify the environmental impact of a mission, the following elements should always
be present in training standards:
Identify hazards to the environment during mission analysis. Environmental hazards are conditions that
have the potential to pollute the air, soil, water, and/or degrade natural/cultural resources.
Assess probability of environmental damage/violations using risk-assessment matrices.
Make decisions and develop measures to reduce high risks.
Implement environmental measures by integrating them into plans, orders, SOP's, training performance
standards, and rehearsals.
Supervise and enforce environmental standards and train to the standard.
The most important technique for training subordinates to identify environmental risks and possible impact is
to make them think like they are in their house, and it is their health, land, and water at stake.
PART B - IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND
CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
AND REGULATIONS
Consequences of Environmental Degradation. Consequences of environmental degradation
include the following:
The loss of historical sites, vegetation, water resources, and wildlife.
Diminished quality of available realistic training areas.
Diminished operational security.
Ineffective tactical operations.
The creation of safety hazards to personnel and equipment.
An increase in training, maintenance costs, and litigation.
Benefits of Environmental Protection. There are many benefits of environmental protection:
Enhance combat readiness.
Ensure mission completion.
Conserve the fighting strength.
Protect the environment.
Reduce the Army's and nation's current and future cost for environmental restoration.
Consequences of Non-Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations. An
excellent way to communicate the consequences of noncompliance to subordinates is to explain, in general,
that noncompliance under the FFCA (Federal Facilities Compliance Act) can empower federal and state
regulatory agencies to impose fines on federal agencies (including the Army) for Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) violations. Penalties and intervention can take any of the following forms:
Fines.
Damage awards.
Intervention from the EPA and other federal, state, and regional agencies.
An increase in monitoring from federal agencies.
Unit leaders and their subordinates are required to comply with all federal, state, and local laws to protect the
environment. Violators can be held personally liable for cleanup costs and civil or criminal penalties.
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QM 5180
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