Environmental Liabilities: DoD Training Range Cleanup Cost Estimates Are Likely Understated

摘要

DoD has estimated that millions of acres of training ranges in the United States and its territories are contaminated with unexploded ordnance that could potentially harm the public and the environment if not properly managed or cleaned up. With the increase in DOD downsizing and resulting base closures in recent years, large numbers of military properties are being turned over to non- DOD ownership and control. Although DOD has procedures to mitigate the risk to human health and the environment, the transfer of ownership results in the public being put at greater risk of sickness, injury, or even death from unexploded ordnance or its constituent contamination. DOD is subject to various laws that govern remediation of contamination on military installations and standards establishing requirements for DOD to recognize and report the costs of managing and cleaning up these properties.