Environmental Protection in the Armed Forces

Assignments and Challenges

Contents

• The Armed Forces - An Environmental Issue
• Biological Diversity
• Outdoor Life
• Cultural Monuments and Cultural Environments
• Ocean and Water Pollution
• Health and Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals
• Waste and Reclamation
• Climate Changes, Air Pollution and Noise
• International Collaboration
• Environmental Officers
• Environmental Protection in the Armed Forces

Introduction

The Armed Forces - An Environmental Issue

War is destructive. In addition to the human suffering which war entails, we continue to struggle in a number of places in Norway with environmental damage resulting from the German occupation. The Armed Forces' primary task of the prevention of war, therefore becomes also an environmental issue. In order for a military organization to succeed in preventing war, exercises and training are needed. Military exercises pollute the environment. Aircraft and ships make noise and emit exhaust fumes. Crawlers leave behind tracks. Ammunition emits pollutant wastes. This is our environmental dilemma.

Proposition no. 58 (1996-97) to the Storting "Environmental Protection Policy for a Sustainable Development" stipulates seven target areas for environmental protection work. This brochure describes some of the measures and activities which the Armed Forces carries out within these areas.

The Armed Forces' intention with this brochure is not to present a picture postcard. But we would like to demonstrate the ways in which we have invested in the environment in recent years. Significant resources are invested in the rectification of old environmental damage and the prevention of new. A lot of work is being put into research and development, so that operations on the whole are made more environmentally friendly. In the guidelines for acquisitions to the Armed Forces, environmental stipulations have been formed concerning what is to be purchased. Training exercises are planned in such a way so as to place as little pressure as possible upon the environment. Through the coast guard and through surveillance, we prevent shipping accidents which could cause pollution. Because pollution often crosses national boundaries, we are also working actively on an international basis, to limit environmental threats with a potential effect on Norway.

It pays to invest in environmental protection. I hope that this presentation will serve as an inspiration for soldiers and staff alike, and that we eagerly and with a sense of commitment can work for the Armed Forces and to an even greater extent protect our natural resources and respect the environment.

Dag Jostein Fjærvoll

Minister of Defense

Biological Diversity

“The biological diversity is to be preserved”

A fragile balance

They are an ugly defacement, the deep tracks left by military vehicles extending far into the Norwegian natural landscape. But are they impossible to remove? The work to rejuvenate vegetation is called revegetation. This project on Karasjok Mountain, under the direction of the Finnmark regiment, has had results which up to now have been promising. Over 40 kilometers of track marks have been built up and resown.

In collaboration with the environmental protection authorities, the Armed Forces has found new methods for the treatment of terrain damage. Landscape with thin soil covering is particularly vulnerable. In dry, windy areas, damages can lead to thin soil being blown away. Marshes are also fragile. Water carries away seeds and soil, which is a particular problem when the snow is melting. In sub-arctic regions such as the Finnmarksvidda (Finnmark Mountain Plateau), the production rate of vegetation is low and the natural re-growth a slow process. Revegetation can play a crucial role in inhibiting both erosion and its possible consequences for the local animal and plant life.

Knowledge

Before the Armed Forces implemented the project at Karasjok Mountain, there was little knowledge about revegetation. The methods which are developed in collaboration with the University at Tromsø, will have great significance for corresponding projects in other areas.

To prevent erosion in marsh areas, "protective species" are planted to accelerate revegetation. Protective species implies a species which does not originate from the area in question, but which stabilizes the earth and improves conditions for growth. Cuttings (branches) are planted in the tracks if the moisture quantity is great. In tracks where there is running water, new peat is planted to stop the water flow. In dry areas, research has been done on treatment with manure, seaweed, calcium, and seeds.

Attitudes

The work with revegetation has had a favorable effect on attitudes. Soldiers have participated in the repairs. Beyond military personnel, school children from the local community have also gotten involved and helped out. The investment has contributed to creating an understanding for how fragile nature in sub-arctic areas sometimes can be and how enormous resources are needed to repair the damages.

Great resources are used on the revegetation project at Karasjok Mountain. The project has cost NOK three million. This means from NOK 25 to more than 300 per running meter of driving tracks, regardless of the nature of the terrain. Tons of branches and peat are driven, carried or flown into the plateau and several thousand hours are invested in the work done repairing damage to the terrain. The high costs have taught us that the largest challenge lies in behaving so as to avoid damage to nature.

Outdoor Life

“Everyone shall have the right to outdoor activity, both in the local environment and the natural habitat at large.”

Room for more

Concurrency Planning at Setermoen artillery and training range illustrates that the Armed Forces takes environmental and outdoor life interests seriously. The program shall, with a starting point in the needs of the Armed Forces, seek an active coordination of all significant usage and protective interests and maintain a sustainable management of the natural foundation as a general objective.

Setermoen artillery and training range is today one of three important fields for the Armed Forces in Indre Troms. The field is used often, in particular for the education of the local departments. In addition, it is used for larger field service exercises. But the needs of the Armed Forces are limited and this allows opportunities for others to put the area to use. The field is therefore used for forestry, keeping reindeer, general traffic, outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing. The roads which the Armed Forces has constructed provide good accessibility to the field for most user groups.

During the work with the concurrency plan, the Armed Forces has appealed to landowners and civil organizations and requested cooperative initiatives and ideas for the use of the field. In the summer of 1997, the parties in question in Tromsø met for an orientation. To map out the natural resources, we wished to hire specialists to carry out field studies. This will provide us with a basis by which we can adapt the use of the area as best possible.

A larger game population

It has been shown that the incidence of game in these training areas is often greater than otherwise. The concurrency agreement implies, for example that one can hunt and in this way maintain a natural treasure. This means that the population can derive benefits from significant natural resources.

Collaboration

A close collaboration between the local community and the Armed Forces is necessary if both parties are to be satisfied. Through meetings with the authorities and landowners, the Armed Forces gains knowledge about those areas which the population should be able to use and when they have a need for it. With the help of local participation, we also acquire information on different game biotopes, nesting places and sensitive areas in the training field. In this way one can better adapt the exercises accordingly. Driving routes located near sensitive areas can be moved and exercises can be scheduled for times of year when the terrain and wildlife are not as vulnerable.

The goals of the Armed Forces Concurrency Plan can be briefly summarized as such:

• Protection of the diversity of nature.
• Consideration for cultural monuments
• Consideration for agriculture and forestry, reindeer farming and the grazing industry

Cultural Monuments and Cultural Environments

“A representative selection of cultural monuments and environments are to be preserved for the future.”

Who is responsible for taking care of the Akershus Fortress?

The Armed Forces Building Service (AFBS) takes care of all 27,000 Armed Forces buildings and installations. Around 1,300 buildings and installations are considered deserving of protection.

AFBS shall, through a collaboration with the Central Office of Historic Monuments and the Defense Museum, in the course of 1998, work out a comprehensive listing of the Armed Forces' dwellings and installations deserving preservation. The Armed Forces are the first governmental service, beyond the Central Office of Historic Monuments, which has established a separate administration for cultural monuments, with a responsibility for buildings deserving of protection.

Large Variety

The buildings deserving of protection reflect the military building history of Norway. Here you find spectacular assembly halls, dungeons, and high fortress walls, chilling bunkers, war installations from the period of the German occupation - complete with trenches, gun sites and armored barriers. The Armed Forces also manages beautiful park areas, anonymous ammunition buildings, impressive barracks compounds and simple soldiers' quarters, casinos and mess rooms stemming from the bierstuben (ale-house) from Bayern, not to mention airplane hangers, radar stations and docks of concrete or stone.

Preservation of the entire cultural environment

The old-fashioned cultural monument protection system took care of individual buildings, without taking into consideration connections to other buildings and the surrounding environment. In modern preservation of cultural monuments, a large emphasis is placed on preserving the entirety of a building environment and retaining the natural and environmental qualities of the surroundings - such as the vegetation, rare biotopes, park areas and the road network. Together these elements comprise a cultural environment deserving of protection. The Armed Forces has many such installations, some examples being large quartering camps, old castles with layer upon layer of solid fortress walls, who's history reaches back from before the Middle Ages, German built camps with trees and plants specially introduced from Germany and forts with impressive canons and canon towers of six stories, mountain quartering for up to 350 soldiers and with a comprehensive system of local defense positions.

Often the interests of cultural monuments correspond with that of nature conservation. This is a challenge for the ongoing management of the Armed Forces cultural monuments, not least with regard to those installations which shall continue to be in operative military use.

The Old Fortress Building Opened

Areas with many remains or ruins from military constructions are called fortification landscapes. In Norway, most of these areas are less than 100 years old. Even though the guns and other weapons have been removed, the remains from these constructions retain a large attraction for children and adults. They speak directly to us of history.

In connection with the reorganization of the Armed Forces, many areas in the years to come will be opened to public access, or designated for recreational pursuits. The areas will simultaneously be secured so they present no danger to animals or humans.

Ocean and Water Pollution

“The water quality in fresh water and the ocean is to be maintained so as to protect species and ecosystems.

The Armed Forces - Gets to the bottom of the matter!

The environmental toxic PCB is a problem in most large harbors. The Armed Forces will spend NOK 80 million on removing PCB from the ocean floor around the Naval Base Haakonsvern in Bergen. In all, 90,000 cubic meters of ocean floors containing PCB are to be vacuumed and the remains deposited in pools on land. Environmental officer Roald Hennø at Haakonsvern does not try and hide the fact that he is excited about how this will turn out.

"If everything goes according to plan, we have not only cleaned up a problem at Haakonsvern, we will also have found a reasonable prescription for the cleaning of harbors along the entire Norwegian coastline."

The work takes place from a barge developed by EEG Henriksen. An advanced steering program ensures that the vacuum head reaches every square meter of the ocean floor. From the vacuum head, the material goes to the waste dump by way of a long pipeline. This work is time consuming. In the course of the first 12 hours, the barge covers 200 cubic meters of the floor material. Only 89,800 remain!

Along the side and bottom of the dumps, there is a flap which slips the tidewaters in and out, while keeping the PCB and other waste materials in place. The waste dumps will afterwards be covered up and converted into a parking lot or park.

Concern

The neighbors in the vicinity of the dumps are not altogether enthusiastic about the plans. Some are critical, for example, of the collection of ocean floor materials only 150 meters from a daycare center. Others are concerned about getting PCB and other toxic wastes into their well water. According to Hennø, the neighbors have little cause for concern.

"Our decision to deposit right outside of our own living rooms, shows that we are pretty sure. Our own officers quarters are located only ten meters from the pool. The decision is based on thorough assessments and studies.

While the dredging is taking place, the air around the pool is tested. We are in fact most concerned that odors will arise. But the materials which will end up in the pool are treated with calcium during the process, and so far the operation is going extremely well."

What now?

"When we have completed the first area, we measure the amount of PCB on the floor. Former measurements have shown up to 7 milligrams for each kilo of dry material in this area. The contract stipulations are 0.1 milligram per kilo dry material. If the new measurements are above this stipulation, all we can do is start over again." But Hennø believes it will go well. "We hope that in ten years it will again be possible to eat the fish from around Haakonsvern," he says.

From ship hull paint

The PCB found in the harbor area around Haakonsvern comes from the 60's and 70's. Ship hull paint gets into the water through wear and through ship maintenance. The largest amounts of PCB were found in the basins by the small vessel port, where maintenance is taking place.

"This is not a problem unique to the Armed Forces, but can be related to the harbor areas in general," Hennø emphasizes.

"This matter has received a lot of attention in the media, but it turns out that the situation is the same, if not worse, in other harbors."

FACTS PCB

• PCB is an abbreviation for polycholorobiphenyle.
• Use of the chemical was prohibited in Norway in 1980.
• PCB collects in the food chain when it gets into water and is stored in fatty tissue.
• PCB is on the list of the 13 highly prioritized toxic wastes.
• PCB was used in paint and today can be found in transformers, lighting fixtures and household appliances.

Health and Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals

“Spills and the use of health and environmentally hazardous chemicals shall not lead to health injuries.”

Rena cleans up

When the Armed Forces washes combat vehicles, fat, oil and heavy metal end up in the run-off water. At the technical workshop at Rena Camp, one has put to use a new and environmentally friendly method for purifying the water. Heavy metals are removed by sending the water through a tank full of expanded clay beads (leca) and bark. "In the cleaning hall, the same water is used 7 or 8 times before going to purification. The water which comes out of the new purification system, is suitable for use as drinking water," claims garrison engineer Stein Frosterud at Rena.

Pioneer Project

"Because the method is completely new, we need to acquire more experience with it. We don't know for example, when the expanded clay beads and bark in the tanks has to be changed and the water quality has to be tested continuously. When the water filters into the tank, the heavy metal is first captured in the bark. The material is moved over into the waste dumps when the bark has absorbed to full capacity. Eventually, as the bark is broken down, the heavy metal is bound into the expanded clay beads. In order to make the process go more quickly, bacteria is added.

The contents of the tanks are stored for the time being as special waste. If the process goes as anticipated, not a gram of special waste will remain. "The method is nonetheless better than many traditional methods, which involve the use of chemicals," is Captain Frosterud's opinion.

The purification method is also used to purify water from the de-icing of aircraft at the new Rena airstrip. If the results are good, the method will also be used in other areas of the Armed Forces.

Aircraft wash without water

Gardermoen air station has carried out innovative environmental work in being one of the first in Norway to use dry ice for washing aircraft. The method entails the complete absence of water and chemicals in the washing process. The same equipment is also used for technical purification and the stripping of aircraft. The new washing method goes by the name of ColdJet.

The military air station at Gardemoen took care of approximately 3,000 cubic meters of process water which would otherwise have gone into a sealed tank, and 1,500 cubic meters for oil separation with ordinary washing methods. The new washing method uses liquid carbon dioxide as a «detergent». During the process, liquid carbon dioxide is converted to so-called dry ice pellets. The pellets are blown onto the objects to be washed or stripped. The surfaces to be treated get a cold shock, which results in unwanted dirt peeling off. This is subsequently collected with industrial vacuum cleaners and is processed as special waste.

Waste and Reclamation

“Waste problems are to be resolved so that waste represents as little damage as possible for humans and nature.”

Andøya - Better than most at waste treatment

In collaboration with the county, Andøya air station has illustrated through a waste plan that the station is already at the top with regard to treatment of waste, says environmental officer Sigmund Liavik.

The operation at Andøya air station each year produces large quantities of waste. In order to meet civil requirements and regulations, some time back it was decided that environmental protection would be a priority area. Andøya air station therefore created a waste plan. The intention was to create a system for environmental work and to ensure a satisfactory treatment of waste.

Strategy

"With the amount of waste created at the station, one must have a strategy and objective," says the environmental officer. "The waste plan is created with a starting point in civil regulations and adapted to county and national objectives. It is important to have a good cooperation with the authorities, otherwise such a plan as we have made will not work. If one takes protection of the environment seriously, one gives positive signals to the authorities and it is subsequently easier to gain support for what one is doing."

Responsibility

“Protection of the environment must be integrated at all levels and clearly indicate each person’s individual responsibility. A waste plan is therefore created which is easily grasped. It addresses all aspects of waste and gives precise specifications of further treatment procedures. In that we have acted in advance here, we will avoid having things ‘jammed down our throat’,” the environmental officer explains.

The Armed Forces has also been in contact with the inter-county waste company, seeking advice on how waste treatment should be carried out.

Andøya air station has the following strategy for the treatment of waste:

• Consciousness raising with regard to purchasing routines and use of products with an emphasis on possible reclamation.
• Active follow-up of waste sorting practices, to arrive at an environmental and cost efficient procedure.
• Continuously assess the local recycling.

"I think that the follow up on the waste plan has gone amazingly well. The plan works in almost all areas and the objectives have been met. It is often the case that making theory correspond with practice is difficult. But with an early start on the project, we made sure that we were already prepared when the directive on environmental requirements was presented to us. What takes the longest is to bring about attitude changes," Liavik says.

Waste

As a direct result of the waste plan, Andøya air station can report good waste treatment and hopes that this can serve as a role model for others. Today the station is carrying out waste sorting in cooperation with the inter-county waste company Reno-Vest. Sorting of waste also leads to economic gains. It is potentially profitable for society and in terms of company finances. Requirements are also imposed on civil participants.

"Contractors are responsible for the production of waste and must have waste treatment approved by the air station before the contract is signed."

Environmental officer Liavik points out that Andøya air station is among the first to have carried out such a waste project. He hopes that the excellent environmental profile, which is in accordance with the Air Force's highest environmental objectives, will be an inspiration to others.

Climate Changes, Air Pollution and Noise

“All manufacture and consumption of ozone depleting substances is to be stopped.”

Take noise seriously

With the establishment of Rena Camp in Åmot in østerdalen, strict noise requirements were imposed on the Armed Forces. To control whether or not the requirements were upheld, all noise resulting from military activity at Rena was to be recorded.

Six measuring stations have been set up, and one station is located in the middle of the 32 square kilometer large training exercise area. In addition, a freestanding measurement station can be moved into a particular area, if there is a noise complaint.

This is the first time that the Armed Forces has recorded noise levels in such a thorough fashion. The measurements take place constantly, 24 hours a day, year round. By comparing the measurements, one will find out what is military noise and what comes from other sources. Every year the noise data is to be collected and sent to the National Pollution Control Authority (NPCA), which in turn checks whether the exercise activities meet with the requirements.

"The measurements help us to minimize the pressure on the local community. We have already suffered the consequences of some measurements which violated the official limits," states the environmental consultant at Søndenfjeldske Dragon Regiment, Jørn Fortun.

"Through the results we can make sure not only that we stay below the limits, but also that the pressure is evenly distributed."

The information on the measurements is made available to the public, but can be difficult for the "man in the street" to interpret. One of Fortun's tasks is to present the noise data to people who might have an interest in checking on the activities of the Armed Forces in terms of the current requirements.

Seawater for Heating

The Armed Forces has for many years worked to reduce environmentally destructive emissions. In particular there has been an investment in energy economizing measures (ENEC). These are measures which reduce both expenditure and pollution. At three of the military depots which have come the furthest with regard to reducing environmentally hazardous emissions through heating pumps, the oil consumption for heating has been reduced by all of 1,700 tons. The reduction corresponds with 60 tankers of fuel oil.

The Armed Forces has in particular invested in heating buildings with the help of heat pumps. These are devices which use energy from sea water, ground water and the air for the production of heat. A heat pump device replaces other types of central heating devices, making fuel-types, such as oil, redundant. Throughout the country a large number of large and small heating pumps have been installed.

Heating pumps have led to reductions in emissions of several environmentally destructive substances. In particular, this applies to carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. The reduction of the annual sulfur dioxide emissions from the three large heating pump devices corresponds with the emissions from approximately 1,750 Norwegian automobiles. For those same devices, the carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by over 5,000 tons.

In the heating pumps, ammoniac and other environmentally friendly substances are used. It was previously common to use CFC connections (chlorine-fluorine-carbon), which have a detrimental effect on the ozone layer and contribute to increasing the green house effect. All together, the three largest heating pump devices have led to annual emission reductions on:

• Carbon Dioxide 5,362 tons
• Sulfur Dioxide 10.5 tons
• Nitrogen Oxides 5 tons
• The oil consumption at these sites has gone down by 1,700 tons.

Theme: International Collaboration

When Environmental Problems Cross National Boundaries

Military activity can have a negative effect on the environment If the Armed Forces is responsible for the problems, it must also take part in the solutions. Each individual country is responsible for preventing and cleaning up its own environmental problems. But pollution crosses national boundaries, and it is therefore important to collaborate on solutions internationally. Such a military cooperation could as well serve as a link in the work for creation of trust between the military forces in different nations.

Arctic Military Environmental Collaboration (AMEC)

The Declaration on Arctic Military Environmental Collaboration (AMEC) was signed by the Ministers of Defense from Russia, USA and Norway in September 1996. Six projects are being worked on: temporary storage of used naval military nuclear fuel, treatment systems for permanent radioactive waste from the scrapping of nuclear submarines, technologies for temporary storage of permanent radioactive fuel, collaboration on radiation and environmental security, clean up of polluted ground on military areas and vessels for gathering and treatment of waste from naval vessels.

Nordic Military Environmental Collaboration

The defense ministers in the Nordic countries agreed in September 1997 to implement an environmental collaboration. This will include concrete collaborative measures and discussions between defense departments on current issues and collaboration between the Nordic countries and other neighboring nations (Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland). The Nordic Chief Command has implemented a collaboration on environmental management and environmental consideration during training exercises. The building services of the Nordic nations' Armed Forces have established a management group for environmental collaboration. Reducing noise from airports and firing ranges, prevention and clean up of land and water pollution have been specified as areas of collaboration.

NATO

In NATO the Armed Forces is taking part in a pilot study on environmental management. We are also taking part in a task force on waste treatment and pollution from naval vessels and a task force on environmental training of soldiers and officers.

Other military environmental collaboration with Russia

The agreement on military environmental collaboration with Russia was signed in 1995. At present, mutual orientation visits have been carried out. In 1998 mutual study visits will take place, on the clean up of polluted land in military areas and environmental protection during military exercises. Work is being done to develop a number of concrete collaborative projects.

Other military environmental collaboration with the USA

In May 1994 an agreement was signed with the USA on military environmental collaboration. A collaborative project was started on methods for cleaning up polluted land and ground water, clean up of polluted sea sediments, exploration of the sound ramifications from explosives and weapons, and measurement standards for noise from semi-caliber and large caliber weapons and the toxic effects of jet fuel.

Theme: Environmental Offisers

An environmental officer at work

With special expertise on the environment, Captain Torkild Westgaard at the Setermoen Garrison makes the Armed Forces a more environmentally friendly institution. With close to 40 years experience from Indre Troms, he has acquired a lot of knowledge on nature and its users.

As many as 2,000 military and civilian personnel work at the Setermoen Garrison in Indre Troms. There is frequent military activity in the area and the use of heavy vehicles in the field is relatively large. Subsequently, a significant responsibility rests on the shoulders of the environmental officers.

Torkild Westgaard is one of four environmental officers in Indre Troms and he is responsible for 4,000 square kilometers of terrain. One of his most important tasks is to maintain an overview of all military activity in the field. As an environmental officer, he collaborates with county environmental management, with Statsskog and other public and private bodies. His long experience from Troms gives him good contact with the landowners federation and he knows how to make use of their experience.

Good Collaboration

"As an advisor for the Commander in Chief for training exercises, I can point a finger of warning if need be, and I function as a guide during the planning of training exercises. By drawing upon good local knowledge and close contact with the population, we try to choose areas for the exercises which limit environmental damage to the greatest extent possible."

But there's no denying the fact that destruction to nature has occurred during military exercises. With the use of heavy armored vehicles the damage can seem brutal. "We do not attempt to shrug off responsibility for this," the environmental officer comments. "Damage to nature, such as deep tire tracks and destroyed vegetation are of course rectified. Part of the job is therefore the inspection of such areas so as to work out a solution, such as damage compensation for the landowner. I would however, like to emphasize that we do not expect to buy our way out of the problems. The main force of the environmental effort lies in prevention measures."

Knowledge is important

A condition for being able to take care of the environment, is having sufficient knowledge to do so. One of an environmental officer's key tasks is to see to the training of officers and troops. When officers arrive at the garrison, they have acquired a general environmental education. But it is also important for them to gain good insight into local regulations and directives. It is the job of the environmental officer to see to such training. Good knowledge of the unique factors relevant to each area is necessary. Environmental Officer Westgaard's many years of experience are here put to good use.

At present, Westgaard is working on planning a waste management program using waste sorting. The county does not yet have a receiving system. "But one day an ordinance will be passed on waste treatment and it is thus a good idea to be prepared," concludes environmental officer Westgaard.

Environmental Protection in the Armed Forces

Responsibility and Assignments

Each leader in the Armed Forces is responsible for environmental protection within his/her area. Environmental protection is to be a part of the daily work, not just a task for “environmental specialists”. In order to assist leaders on environmental questions, the Armed Forces has formed a professional support program. Close to 200 part-time and full-time employees have been hired as environmental protection workers in local divisions all over the country. In addition, the Armed Forces has central and regional bodies which direct, give advice and administrate environmental work.

The Ministry of Defense (MD)

MD is responsible for carrying out the government’s environmental policy within the Armed Forces sector. MD develops and directs the policy and coordinates the work connected to the external environment, working environment and international defense-related environmental questions.

The Armed Forces Military Organization (AFMO)

The Armed Forces Chief Command has its own environmental protection office, with responsibility for coordinating environmental wok and providing professional guidance. Important tasks include follow up on the Armed Forces’ adherence to environmental requirements, clearing up old environmental problems, preventing new and providing environmental assistance to society at large. The principle of “take precautions” is to be followed with any activity which may represent a threat to the environment. Consideration to the environment is also to be practiced in acquisitions, and use, including the use of materials, property, buildings and installations.

The Armed Forces Building Service (AFBS)

Many of the environmental challenges facing the Armed Forces are connected to properties, buildings and installations. As the Armed Forces manager of these assets, AFBS is therefore responsible for a significant number of environmental tasks. In addition to providing healthy and environmentally friendly buildings and installations, AFBS shall also ensure that consideration of the environment is upheld in the management of property. AFBS has formed its own central environmental section. The section possesses specialized expertise within the administration of nature and resources, land and off-shore pollution, the problem of waste, health, environment and safety, (HES), construction and the environment, air and noise pollution. AFBS also has environmental coordinators at its four regional offices.

The Armed Forces Research Institute (AFRI)

AFRI has a professional guidance and surveillance function in connection with environmental projects. AFRI carries out a large number of chemical analyses annually. AFRI has also developed a reference work containing information on the most usual environmental toxins. AFRI takes part in a comprehensive international collaboration on environmental matters. The Institute works with recording radioactive and chemical pollution in Arctic Ocean regions and a study has been carried out towards an improved understanding of the ocean currents in the Arctic Ocean. Through international projects, AFRI has among other things mapped long-range transported pollution from military bases. The treatment of radioactive waste and the river transport of pollution into the oceans has also been a central theme in this work.

The Norwegian Ministry of Defense

Myntg 1
PO Office 8126 Dep, 0032 OSLO

Tel. 23 09 20 00

Telefax 23 09 23 23

Internet address: http://odin.dep.no/fd/