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Hazardous Waste: Management Problems Continue at Overseas Military Bases

NSIAD-91-231 Published: Aug 28, 1991. Publicly Released: Sep 27, 1991.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed hazardous waste management at the Department of Defense's (DOD) overseas installations, focusing on whether DOD bases overseas were protecting humans and the environment.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should improve the management of hazardous waste at overseas bases by: (1) clarifying the policy on whether U.S. bases overseas are to comply with U.S. environmental laws to protect human health and the environment when host country environmental laws either do not exist or are not as stringent as U.S. laws; and (2) ensuring that implementing service regulations conform with DOD policy.
Closed – Implemented
On March 22, 1993, a DOD contact said that the reply to GAO was still undergoing review and he could not estimate when a reply would be sent. DOD reports no further action, except that it has recently reopened the case. In a October 13, 1994, letter, the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Environmental Security) informed GAO that DOD had issued Directive 6050.16 in September 1991 setting policy on hazardous waste management and, in October 1992, issued overseas guidance and had appointed an executive agent for each host nation or area of responsibility.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should require the services to reevaluate their hazardous waste management programs at overseas bases to ensure that the services provide needed oversight by the applicable organizations not located at bases to ensure compliance with host country or U.S. laws.
Closed – Implemented
On March 22, 1993, a DOD contact said that the reply to GAO was still undergoing review and he could not estimate when a reply would be sent. DOD reports no further action, except that it has recently reopened the case. For additional details, see response to first recommendation.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should require the services to reevaluate their hazardous waste management programs at overseas bases to ensure that the services provide improved base-level management and oversight of the hazardous waste programs and operations.
Closed – Implemented
On March 22, 1993, a DOD contact said that the reply to GAO was still undergoing review and he could not estimate when a reply would be sent. DOD reports no further action, except that it has recently reopened the case. For additional details, see response to first recommendation.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should require the services to reevaluate their hazardous waste management programs at overseas bases to ensure that the services provide required training in a timely and consistent manner.
Closed – Implemented
On March 22, 1993, a DOD contact said that the reply to GAO was still undergoing review and he could not estimate when a reply would be sent. DOD reports no further action, except that it has recently reopened the case. For additional details, see response to first recommendation.

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Topics

Claims settlementEducationEnvironmental lawEnvironmental policiesHazardous substancesHealth hazardsInternational relationsMilitary basesWaste disposalWaste management