From Environmental Science to BMP: The Canadian Experience. Overview of the Positive Impacts of Range and Training Area Characterization on the Development of a Canadian Army Range and Training Areas Best Management Initiatives

摘要

In 2000, due to increasing public concerns and regulatory requirements about the impact on the environment of military activities such as the firing of munitions, demolition, and the destruction of obsolete ammunition by open burning and open detonation, the Canadian Army Director Land Environment (DLE) mandated Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to undertake a research program in collaboration with the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) to study the environmental impact of ammunition residues on the soil, surface water and groundwater of military ranges to determine the environmental state maintain and improve the sustainability of Canadian Army operational ranges and to apply due diligence. The research program allowed the Canadian Army to better understand the fate and behaviour of ammunition residues on these ranges and also enhanced the Army's ability in the development of innovative risk management strategies based on hydrology and hydrogeology. It also allowed the development of a unique expertise and positioned the Canadian Army to better understand the impacts of live fire training and to be ready to answer any public inquiries and take corrective actions if needed. The newly acquired knowledge is currently changing how the Canadian Army is developing and managing their current and new operational ranges. The on-going development of new risk management plans, range design, range management, maintenance procedures sampling protocols, awareness programs and mitigation measures are only a few of the positive changes that the research program has contributed to. As the lead Project Manager of the characterisation projects, I will provide an overview with some specific examples of the Canadian Army's best management practices to operational ranges.