Army Techniques Publication ATP 3-34.5 MCRP 4-11B Environmental Considerations August 2015

This publication, Army Techniques Publication ATP 3-34.5 MCRP 4-11B Environmental Considerations August 2015, provides guidance on integrating environmental considerations into operations. This manual defines environmental considerations and provides guidance on integrating them into the operations process. This manual also provides guidance on the development of command environmental programs and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support operations and training. ATP 3-34.5/MCRP 4-11B establishes and explains the principles of environmental support during operations and the ways in which United States Army (USA) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) commanders develop and implement command environmental programs. The principal audience for ATP 3-34.5/MCRP 4-11B is Army and Marine Corps commanders who conduct operations across the range of military operations. Trainers and educators throughout the Army and Marine Corps will also use this manual. The current U.S. national security strategy includes a focus on environmental considerations and environmental security concerns. Lasting victories and successful end states are measured in part by how well the military addresses environmental considerations (including FHP; sustainable management of energy, water, and waste; protection and conservation of natural and cultural resources; improvement of living conditions for U.S. personnel and HN citizens). Environmental considerations consist of a broad range of issues that must be integrated into all phases of military operations (from predeployment, employment, and redeployment to home station). Environmental considerations impact planning (from strategic to tactical) at all echelons of command. Increasingly complex operations make integrating environmental considerations even more challenging. Each operation presents a unique set of requirements that relates to, and is influenced by, the environment. These requirements vary according to the differences in the natural environment; effects of military operations; duration of the operation; and various cultural, political, and religious sensitivities that are involved. While standards for environmental protection may not be as stringent in some nations as they are in the United States, they are of great importance. Complying with these standards during operations presents unique challenges. The best way to address these challenges is for commanders to integrate environmental guidance into operation plans (OPLANs) and operation orders (OPORDs). This guidance is essential for finding the balance between the operational framework and the environmental ethic in which subordinate commands conduct operations. This chapter discusses environmental considerations and outlines their implications across the full range of military operations.