to monitor the air quality conditions in their state and region. Areas that are
in nonattainment may be impacted by restrictions placed on driving and air
operations, as well as economically by restrictions placed on federal funding
opportunities.
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act (CWA) governs the management of water resources
and controls and monitors water pollution in the US. The CWA establishes
the goals of eliminating the release of toxic substances and other sources of
water pollution to ensure that surface waters meet high quality standards. In
so doing, the CWA prevents the contamination of nearshore, underground,
and surface water sources.
The CWA’s scope is extensive and relates not only to drinking water but also
to stormwater. Some states have rigorous regulatory programs, while
others may have programs which meet only the minimum CWA
requirements. In addition, the application of standards and requirements
will vary in relationship to the physical setting (climate, topographic and soil
conditions, etc.). Implementation of the CWA in and around a military
facility can be either a hindrance to compatibility, a beneficial element, or
perhaps even both simultaneously, depending upon the specific
circumstances.
Per the CWA, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that
discharge pollutants into US waters. Point sources are discrete conveyances
such as pipes or man‐made ditches. According to the law, individual homes
that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not
have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial,
municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go
directly to surface waters.
June 2017
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act
This law was designed to assist in the clean‐up of sites with hazardous
contaminants in order to respond directly to releases or threatened releases
of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the
environment. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act (CERCLA):
established prohibitions and requirements concerning closed and
abandoned hazardous waste sites,
provided for liability of persons responsible for releases of hazardous
waste at these sites, and
established a trust fund to provide for cleanup when no responsible
party could be identified.
The CERCLA has relevance as a potential JLUS tool through the Superfund
environmental program, established to address hazardous waste sites.
Hazardous waste is sometimes present in or around military installations,
particularly where munitions and ordnance are stored and used for training
purposes, and if not disposed of properly could potentially be harmful to the
installation tenants and surrounding communities. While the Superfund
cleanup process may be complex, it protects communities and the
environment from further contamination
Department of Defense Conservation Partnering Initiative
In 2003, Congress amended Title 10 U.S.C. §2684a and §2692a
(P.L. 107‐314), the National Defense Authorization Act, to add authority to
the Department of Defense (DOD) to partner with other federal agencies,
states, local governments, and conservation‐based Non‐Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) to set aside lands near military bases for conservation
purposes and to prevent incompatible development from encroaching on,
and interfering with, military missions.
Background Report
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