U.S. Army Orders Environmental Cutbacks- pollute to use $'s elsewhere

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-4139912,00.html

U.S. Army Orders Environmental Cutbacks (programs that reduce aircraft collisions with birds, control non-native species and affect how hazardous waste is handled)

Thursday May 27, 2004 8:46 PM


By JOHN HEILPRIN Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Army garrison commanders worldwide are being told to drop some environmental protections and cut all temporary employees so the savings can be shifted elsewhere because of the war on terrorism. <snip>

According to a May 11 memo obtained by The Associated Press, Army Maj. Gen. Anders Aadland wrote that the Army will now ``take additional risk in environmental programs; terminate environmental contracts and delay all non-statutory enforcement actions'' until after the new fiscal year begins in October.

Aadland, head of the Army's new Installation Management Activity command, also told commanders to make additional cost-saving changes that affect areas besides environmental programs and temporary employees. Aadland ordered a hiring freeze.

Officials can divert the savings from the changes to other efforts, he wrote, but was not specific about which programs the money should be diverted to. <snip>