Perry outlined the department's efforts to protect and preserve the environment during a speech here Nov. 20. He said a strong environmental program is an integral part of a strong defense. Protecting military families from health and safety hazards means limiting their exposure to hazardous materials and keeping base communities involved in environmental cleanup decisions, Perry said. In the past, a lack of environmental protection programs on military installations resulted in about 10,000 contaminated sites, he said. From 1986 to 1992, DoD cut the hazardous wastes it produced by half, and plans call for a further 50 percent reduction by 1999.
Officials take into account environmental responsibilities when building new weapon systems.
Hazardous emissions are reduced while building new systems, and the need for hazardous materials in the systems' operations and maintenance also is reduced. As we build the new F-22 fighter plane, we will use just one. The Navy has reduced the number of hazardous materials needed to maintain and operate its new attack submarine. Over its life cycle, that submarine will generate 90 percent less hazardous waste than current submarines. The Defense Department's environmental concerns extend throughout the world, Perry said.