1998 Year of the Ocean The Oceans and National Security 



The Navy has also installed install plastic waste processors on most surface vessels in 

 order to avoid plastic disposal at sea. Congress also gave the U.S. Navy until the year 2000 to 

 install pulpers and metal and glass shredders on surface ships. Other developmental successes 

 include oil water separators, sewage vacuum collection systems, and elimination programs for 

 ozone depleting substances, including conversion, replacement, and recycling initiatives. Naval 

 designers have started to consider advanced waste treatment systems for future ship designs, 

 including thermal destruction technologies (such as the plasma arc), to support ESS-21. Research 

 and development is also proceeding on development of oily water membrane effluent 

 minimization systems, and sewage and graywater treatment systems. To prevent the introduction 

 of non-indigenous species, the Navy has implemented a rigorous ballast water exchange 

 procedure for ships so equipped. Obviously, the technological gains which the Navy makes in 

 cormection with ESS-21 system development may have civil applications and benefits. 



Public and congressional support is key to the ability of naval forces to maintain the 

 required readiness to achieve national security objectives and execute the National Military 

 Strategy. Therefore, the Navy has involved the public, environmental groups, and legislative 

 representatives in Navy marine environmental protection programs. A forward looking 

 environmental policy ensures that the sea services operating overseas can continue to enjoy port 

 access because of their good reputation abroad for pollution control and waste disposal. 



THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT 



Maritime Forces must comply with laws that directly protect ocean resources. The 

 Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) require such forces to 

 avoid the taking of marine mammals and, in the case of the ESA, to consuh with appropriate 

 resource agencies regarding operations that may affect the continued existence of endangered 

 species or may modify their critical habitat. 



Potential environmental impacts are fully analyzed through a comprehensive 

 environmental planning process, complying with the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act 

 (NEPA) for activities within the United States"' and Executive Order 121 14 for activities outside 

 of the United States. The Navy has found that early consideration of potential environmental 

 impacts can enhance military readiness by assuring access to critical training areas. Operational 

 doctrine is also being written to fuse the analysis which is conducted for environmental 

 compliance purposes with all other military planning conducted in advance of military exercises 

 or operations. 



The Departments of Defense (represented by the Navy) and EPA are developing Uniform 

 National Discharge Standards-'" to address the problem of differing State Water Quality standards 

 as they pertained to liquid discharges from warships and other public vessels which could have 



29 Including the 3 nautical mile limit of the territorial sea subject to state jurisdiction. 



30 This initiative was authorized by Section 525 of the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act. 



B-18 



