INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO PLANS, ORDERS, AND STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES
2-20. Plans and orders are the means by which commanders express their vision, intent, and decisions. Plans and orders form the basis by which commanders synchronize military operations. They encourage initiative by providing the "what" and "why" of a mission, while leaving the "how" of the mission up to subordinates. They provide subordinates with the operational and tactical freedom to accomplish the mission by providing the minimum restrictions and details necessary for synchronization and coordination. SOPs provide units with standardized procedures for the execution of routine actions.
OPERATION PLANS AND OPERATION ORDERS
2-21. Plans and orders normally include environmental considerations in coordinating instructions. This can be as special or coordinating instructions and may be included in either an annex or appendix based on the level of the operation. When specific command procedures dictate, staff officers include some environmental considerations in other annexes. Unit planning at brigade level and below will normally include only those elements required by the higher headquarters order or plan and are not included in a unit SOP. Table 2-2 lists some of the annexes and appendixes including environmental considerations within the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) format. These areas of concern will be similar for all branch-specific orders, regardless of the particular order format. Chapter 6 further describes staff section input for environmental considerations.
2-22. The engineer is the primary staff integrator for environmental considerations. However, environmental concerns are addressed by every staff officer, as applicable, in respective annexes and appendixes. Joint plans or orders following the JOPES format contain a separate annex (annex L, Environmental Considerations). In the context of an Army order following the format in FM 5-0, the specified appendix is appendix 5, Environmental Considerations, to annex G, Engineering. The format for annex L is included in appendix B, and a sample of appendix 5 to annex G is included in appendix C of this manual. Table 2-2 provides information concerning JOPES annexes and appendixes containing significant environmental considerations.
STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES
2-23. To enhance effectiveness and flexibility, commanders standardize routine or recurring actions not requiring their personal involvement in SOPs, which detail the way forces execute these unit-specific techniques and procedures. Commanders develop SOPs from doctrinal sources, applicable portions of higher headquarters procedures, a higher commander's guidance, and experience. These SOPs are as complete as possible, allowing new arrivals or newly attached units to quickly become familiar with the unit's routine. SOPs apply until commanders change them. The benefits of SOPs include-
• Simplified, brief combat orders.
• Enhanced understanding and teamwork among commanders, staffs, and troops.
• Standard synchronized staff drills.
• Standard abbreviated or accelerated decisionmaking techniques.
2-24. Unit commanders are responsible for complying with the applicable environmental requirements established by the commander in the environmental considerations annex or appendix of the OPLAN or OPORD. Subordinate commanders should keep the higher command staff informed of conditions that may result in noncompliance or the potential for noncompliance. Unit SOPs (see Appendix J) at battalion and company levels must incorporate specific responsibilities. The operations officer is responsible for tactical and administrative SOPs that include preparing, coordinating, authenticating, publishing, and distributing them. Other staff sections provide input.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SPECIFIC PLANNING
2-25. Environmentally specific planning focuses on providing units with the additional environmentally related resources and information+ necessary to accomplish their missions. This planning includes identifying environmental hazards/risks posed by an operation and considering ways to reduce these hazards/risks through planning. Environmentally specific planning is included, as appropriate, in the running estimates produced at all echelons during the planning process. Chapter 3 includes further guidance for integrating specific environmental considerations into operations.
ELEMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
2-26. Staffs should plan the operation to achieve mission objectives while minimizing adverse affects on the environment. Although not all of the following elements are applicable to all operations, they should prove helpful in planning. These elements include-
• Identifying operational objectives and the activities that are proposed to obtain those objectives, to include logistics and HM.
• Identifying potential alternative means of obtaining operational objectives. Alternatives may include using new technologies to minimize impacts on the environment.
• Identifying the environmental requirements applicable to the AO.
• Identifying adverse environmental health and environmental impacts resulting from an operation.
• Establishing formal relationships and coordinating with other disciplines with roles in environmental planning and operations.
• Linking environmental considerations to CA planning.
• Identifying the environmental characteristics of the affected area.
• Identifying possible environmental emergencies that may occur.
• Determining how an environmental emergency would affect the environment in the AO and the way in which the military could prevent or mitigate it.
• Determining the environmental and operational risk associated with the operation.
• Negotiating applicable agreements to allow for the unimpeded transit of HM/HW by military and contracted assets.
• Determining contractor status, to include privileges and immunities, in support of the operation.
• Identifying environmental resources and reach capabilities.
KEY ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING FACTORS
2-27. Commanders should consider the environment and FHP during each phase of the operation. In planning and conducting military operations, regardless of geographic location, commanders should give appropriate consideration to-
• Legal requirements and constraints.
• Cultural, historical, and religious factors.
• The presence of environmentally sensitive ecosystems.
• Potential environmentally related health risks to Soldiers and Marines.
• Potential for environmental terrorism on the part of enemy forces.
• Targeting considerations to avoid damage to cultural, historical, or religious sites or damage to facilities resulting in environmental damage or health risks to Soldiers and Marines.
• Site selection for base camps and other facilities.
• Camp closure and site cleanup.
• Transportation, storage, and disposal of HM, HW, and POL.
• Spill prevention, containment reporting, and cleanup requirements.
• Transportation, storage, and disposal of medical and infectious waste.
• Solid and human waste management.
• Water and wastewater management.
• P2 and recycling efforts to reduce waste generation and logistics efforts.
• Possible environmental remediation/restoration of damaged areas.
• Environmental requirements pertaining to sensitive site exploitation.
• Environmental controls pertaining to construction operations.