US military manual on implementing environmental considerations into operational planning.
Integrating environmental considerations into the planning process helps to identify, prevent, and mitigate potential threats to the environment (including those that affect historical and cultural resources) and environmental threats to personnel. Environmental considerations are not solely focused on environmental protection. For example, force health protection (FHP) issues may be directly linked to operational effects on the environment. Environmental degradation jeopardizes the well-being of the local population and can undermine HN support for U.S. policies. Integrating environmental considerations also sustains resources, reduces the logistics footprint, promotes positive HN relations, and supports postconflict stability efforts. These objectives contribute to mission effectiveness and serve as force multipliers rather than mission distracters when properly integrated.
This manual is organized to aid commanders in understanding environmental considerations, and it describes how to integrate and apply environmental considerations through existing staff procedures. Part One includes environmental planning that should be conducted before operations. Part Two provides guidance on the development and execution of unit command environmental programs.
