Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) is committed to environmental compliance with local, State, and Federal environmental laws, regulations and policies. We acknowledge that environmental stewardship is essential to the safe, healthful, and compliant execution of our mission and the preservation and protection of our land, air, and water. We are committed to preventing pollution at its source whenever possible. To achieve our goals, we integrate sound environmental practices into all of our operations and business decisions.
Department of Defense Regional Environmental Coordinator Concept
In order to build better coordination and communication with area regulators and public on environmental issues, the Department of Defense (DoD) formally established the DoD Regional Environmental Coordinators (REC) program through the issuance of DoD Instruction 4715.2, "DoD Regional Environmental Coordination," dated May 3, 1996. This document outlines policy, roles, and responsibilities for the DoD regional environmental coordination program. Although there were some existing Military Service environmental regional offices, this program established a lead Military Service as an Executive Agent to represent DoD on environmental issues at the 10 Federal EPA regions of the United States. These DoD regional environmental coordinators are known as DoD RECs.
The various Military Services established and located regional offices and DoD RECs based on the standard federal EPA regions for which the DoD Instruction assigned them executive agent responsibility. (Areas of Responsibility)
- The Army established their regional offices in 1995, including their four DoD REC offices in Regions 4, 5, 7 and 8.
- The Navy established regional offices in October 1990 and then designated DoD RECs for Regions 1, 3, and 9 in July 1994.
- The Air Force, which has had regional environmental offices since the mid-1970s, designated DoD RECs for Regions 2, 6, and 10.
Assigned to each federal EPA region there is a DoD REC office and Service Component RECs who coordinate with the DoD REC. CNRMA is the designated DoD REC for EPA Regions 1 & 3 and the Navy REC for EPA Regions 2 & 5.
The role of the DoD REC, as detailed in the DoDI, is to take the lead on issues that affect more than one Service, and to manage these issues through the Service Component RECs. The Service Component RECs have the task of managing coordination within their respective Services and delivering a Service position to the DoD REC. If consensus cannot be reached, then the DoD REC must elevate the issue to the Executive Agent for resolution.
The majority of DoD REC efforts focus on various regulatory matters of interest to or in support of military installation environmental efforts. This includes issues in support of (applicable) senior Military Services leadership, various active and reserve major commands, and the federal/state guard activities in the continental US and its territories. The DoD RECs do not infringe upon the chain of command, but ensure awareness of DoD REC initiatives in support of senior leadership, the major commands, and their installations. Similarly, the DoD RECs do not infringe upon the relationship of the National Guard Readiness Centers (National Guard Bureau) and the state adjutants general.
DoD REC Office Mission
To support the DoD/Military Services mission through coordination, communication and facilitation of regional environmental issues and activities when these activities affect two or more installations.
Mission Essential Tasks
Coordinate region-wide issues with the other Service regional offices
Provide review, analysis and comment on proposed and existing state regulations and legislation
Facilitate partnering with states by articulating DoD/Military Service positions, where appropriate
Publicize and share success stories and innovations
Reaching Out
The DoD RECs are a key link in the communication process between the Military Services, the states, and federal agencies. They are charged with knowing and understanding the dynamics of state and regional environmental issues and the needs of the installations in their regions. Not only do the DoD RECs work to give the DoD a voice on matters that affect readiness, they are also an invaluable resource to assist Commanders in achieving their environmental stewardship goals.
Contact Us
For more information call:
(757) 341-0447/DSN: 341-0447 or (757) 341-0363/DSN: 341-0363