Procedural Integration in Support of Sustainability at Army Installations
Abstract
The Army Strategy for the Environment, (ASA (I&E), 2004), sets a new tone for the Army Environmental Program. The Army will "transition from a compliance-based environmental program to a mission-oriented approach based on the principles of sustainability" (p. 1). Although principles and concepts of sustainability and sustainable development are becoming increasingly clear and accepted both in the Army and throughout policy circles, the methods and tools designed to enable movement toward sustainable communities, regions or installations are not. The Army Strategy recognizes a need for applicable tools and methods, and the Army plans to "develop the necessary objectives, initiatives, monitoring and assessment tools and procedural changes to assure progress" toward the aggressive goals set in the Strategy (p. 7). Furthermore; "Where tools and management initiatives exist, they will be applied; where they do not, [the Army] will develop them" (p. 7). The research reported in this document focused on the challenging task of translating sustainability policy goals into concrete action. This research specifically examined three tools that are currently required for planning and decision-making at Army installations: Comprehensive Planning (Real Property Master Planning Process), Environmental Impact Assessment (compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act) and Environmental Management Systems. These procedural tools have been associated with implementation of sustainable development in a variety of contexts, and as such, the Army is in a unique position to innovate. The research utilized literature from multiple sources, including Army documents and academic journals, in an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each of these procedures for their applicability in support of sustainable installation policy goals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA593167