Staffs may use a matrix to designate protection requirements for specific missions or
areas, to clearly identify and quickly notify units of changes, or to notify newly
arriving units of the rules in the AO.
Environmental-Protection Level
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
1. Waste Management
a. Human waste
Unit SOP
Slit trench
Burnout latrine
Sanitary sewer
b. Solid waste
Unit SOP
Unit incineration or
Incineration
Landfill
burial
c. Medical waste
Unit SOP
Field collection,
US or HN approved
Same
consolidate
disposal methods
disposal
d. Hazardous
Unit SOP
Field collection,
Unit collection point,
RCRA or HN procedures
waste
battalion disposal
classify, label, Defense
Logistics Agency (DLA)
contract
2. Hazardous Materials
Unit SOP
Spill response,
HM tracking, spill
Spill prevention plans, response
report any water
response, report spills
teams
over 50 gallons
3. Natural Resources
a. Water
Unit SOP
Unit SOP
Erosion control
No degradation of water due to
erosion or effluent
b. Vegetation
Unit SOP
Restriction on
Clearing in excess of
Clearing requires environmental
camouflage
100 acres requires joint
assessment
task force (JTF)
approval
c. Air
Unit SOP
Dust suppression,
Control open fires,
Controls on incineration and
nonhazardous only
fugitive dust
traffic
d. Wildlife
Unit SOP
Unit SOP
Note and avoid specific
Taking of species prohibited
habitats
4. Cultural and Historical Resources
Unit SOP
Minimize damage if
Division-level
JTF approval required for
possible
approval required for
operations in area
operations in area
Figure 4-2. Notional Environmental Protection Matrix
(4) Many operations require fixed facilities, structures, or other real property for logistics,
command and control, administration, communications, billeting, base camp, or other mission purposes.
If the tactical situation permits, commanders conduct or direct an initial EBS before occupying the AO.
(5) The initial EBS serves as a tool to assist in determining whether a parcel of land is
acceptable for military use. The initial question should always be whether the site is healthy for soldiers.
It documents the proposed sites, existing environmental conditions, and the likelihood of past or ongoing
activities that may have created environmental, safety, or health problems. These problems include
contamination of air, soil, groundwater, and surface water by toxic substances or POL.
(6) EBS documentation becomes extremely important at the end of the mission or upon
completion at a facility. At that time, a closure EBS is done. Examples of areas to be addressed in an
EBS are below. A complete list may be found in FM 4-04.4 (3-100.4), Chapter 2.
Property description and condition.
Soil type and land cover.
4-7
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