The US Defense Department has been actively taking steps to protect and preserve the environment under its administration. To fund and manage the preservation, the DoD has started cost-sharing conservation programs. The article covers everything about the cost-sharing programs.
The US DoD maintains and manages around 27 acres of land, airspace, and water across the country and works to safeguard the natural resources and protect the ecosystem. The defence lands are home to many species, wetlands, coastal areas, and growth forests.
The cost-sharing conservation programs are generally collaborative initiatives involving federal, state, or local government, military, local community, and non-profit organizations to protect nature and support national defense.
What are the cost-sharing conservation programs with the military in the US?
Many cost-sharing programs are going on with the military for the protection and conservation of the natural habitat and environment. Here are the primary programs funding many projects in the US:
- REPI:
- The DoD started the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program that supports the cost-sharing between federal agencies, military services, state and local governments to reduce conflicts near military installations, protect the environment, and enhance resilience to climate change.
- Till now, the REPI has protected 830,000 land in the country and invested in many projects that were proven to be cost-effective.
- The program has initiated the Readiness and Recreation, which is a partnership between the Department of the Interior to fund the project protecting wildlife.
- Conservation Reimbursable and Fee Collection Program:
- The US Army Environmental Command started the CRFCP program to provide funding from three revenue-generating activities: agriculture, forest product sales, grazing out leases, fishing, and others for natural resources management.
- The programs assist the military base in keeping its training and testing areas in good shape and ready for missions. If the base earns money through conservation, it will use the funds for approved natural resources projects.
- In 2024, the program generated revenue of $888,000 from 14 military Management Command, where $565,000 was returned to the military for installations.
What are the benefits of the cost-sharing programs for the military?
The cost-sharing programs with the military offer strategic, environmental, operational, and other benefits, such as:
- The cost-sharing programs enhance mission readiness, reduce the risk of environmental restrictions, support long-term use of land, and others.
- The programs also focus on the protection of endangered species and preserve their natural habitat to ensure wildlife is not disturbed by the military operations.
- The military administration prevents development and urbanization in such lands, reduces noise, and protects testing and training capabilities.
- The program works with federal agencies and other stakeholders to preserve military missions, ensure military readiness, and increase climate change resilience.
- The program solves the funding problem, as it offers multiple investments from non-profits, states, and other landowners.
- The programs strengthen the community relations with local communities and stakeholders that will eventually help in military operations while protecting the environment.
- The programs complied with the legal regulations and environmental laws that protect the lands, water, and airspace for all and ensure the natural resources are preserved and restored.
Projects under Cost-sharing Programs in the US
The US DoD cost-sharing conservation programs have funded many projects and are striving to work better for both the military and the environment. Here are some major projects completed or going on in the US:
- Farm Protected at Virginia Fort AP Hill: The REPI program funding and support through cost-sharing partnerships between multiple stakeholders protected the far near Fort AP Hill to secure economic and environmental benefits.
- Wetland preservation at Eglin Air Force Base: The REPI program offers preservation to the coastal dune and wetland in partnership with local landowners, and other state & federal agencies.
- Buffer projects: The REPI initiated the buffer creation, which is the area around the military installations to prevent development and preserve natural habitats around such areas.
- Naval Weapons Station Earle: The partnership between the military and other stakeholders has prevented and protected the 255-acre easement to stop development, encroachment near the military installation, and preserve the natural habitat.
What are the challenges of cost-sharing programs with the military?
With many benefits and efforts, the cost-sharing programs have been effective in reducing the funding or managing the funding, but there are some challenges as well, such as:
- Cultural conflicts: Sometimes, the local communities or culture of the place creates a problem for the projects.
- Regulator issues: Federal and state laws can be different sometimes, and navigating through all of them can be difficult for the projects.
- Climate and environmental risks: Climate change impact is noticeable nowadays, as the flooding, wildfires, and other events are increasing, which can create problems in conservation.
- Balancing: With multiple stakeholders, it’s important to have a balance between them to reach the goal and maintain effectiveness.
- Technological changes: With the changing digital era, it’s important to keep up with the technology and integrate it with the system.
The US military and federal agencies have taken various steps to protect nature through various initiatives, and the cost-sharing conservation programs are one of them, which is proving to be effective.
