scope:

PURPOSE

The purpose of this publication is to serve as a standards related document that will assist in the environmentally responsible management of military field camps and ranges as well as the mitigation of contaminants on these sites. The ability to perform proper risk assessments is critical in this respect. If the risk for human health and/or the environment is overestimated, more money than needed may be spent on remediation, unintended damage to the environment may occur, or unnecessary restrictions may be placed on land use. If the risk is underestimated, human health and the environment can be harmed, and remediation will be more-costly because the extent of the contamination will expand and intensify over time, which can lead to range restrictions or closures and high liability costs. Precise risk assessments imply more investment in research and data acquisition. However, because different ranges share many of the same properties, much of the data and experience can be shared between sites.

The following chapters provide guidance on soil and water sampling as well as laboratory and documentation guidance that will support both NATO field camp and live-fire operations.