The Sustainable Range Program (SRP) is a program developed by the U.S. Army to ensure that military training and testing activities are conducted in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. The program is designed to balance the need for military readiness with the need to protect the environment and natural resources.
The SRP is focused on several key areas, including the management of land, air, and water resources, as well as the reduction of waste and the conservation of energy. The program includes a range of initiatives and practices, such as:
- Environmental planning and assessment: The SRP includes a comprehensive environmental planning and assessment process that considers the potential impact of military training and testing activities on the environment and natural resources.
- Resource management: The SRP promotes the sustainable management of land, air, and water resources to ensure that they are protected and conserved for future generations.
- Waste reduction and recycling: The SRP includes initiatives to reduce waste and promote recycling, such as the recycling of paper, plastics, and metals.
- Energy conservation: The SRP includes initiatives to reduce energy consumption, such as using energy-efficient equipment and promoting renewable energy sources.
- Training and education: The SRP includes training and education programs for military personnel and civilians to ensure that they are aware of the program’s goals and the best practices for sustainable range management.
AR 350–19, Sustainable Range Program
AR 350-19 is a U.S. Army regulation that covers the Army’s training and education programs for officers and enlisted personnel. The regulation provides guidance for the development, execution, and evaluation of training and education programs throughout the Army.
The regulation covers a wide range of topics, including:
- The regulation outlines the requirements for various training and education programs, including officer professional development, enlisted professional development, and civilian education.
- The regulation provides guidance on the management of training and education programs, including developing training plans, scheduling, and allocating resources.
- The regulation outlines the resources available to support Army training and education programs, including training aids, facilities, and equipment.
- The regulation provides guidance on evaluating training and education programs, including using assessments, feedback, and after-action reviews.
- The regulation includes guidance on the development and execution of joint and interagency training and education programs.
Sustainable Range Program – Geographic Information System (GIS) Toolkit
Geographic Information System (GIS) is a critical tool used in the Sustainable Range Program of the U.S. Army. The program uses GIS technology to help manage and analyze natural resources and environmental data associated with military training and testing activities. GIS allows users to visualize, analyze, and manage spatial data, including data related to air, water, soil, vegetation, wildlife, and cultural resources. By integrating GIS into the Sustainable Range Program, the Army is better able to understand the impacts of military training and testing on the environment and natural resources.
GIS helps to identify sensitive areas, such as wetlands, endangered species habitats, and cultural sites, and enables the Army to implement appropriate mitigation measures to protect these areas. The program also uses GIS to support land-use planning and environmental impact assessments. The Army uses GIS to create maps and spatial models that help to identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate those risks. For example, GIS can be used to model the dispersion of pollutants, such as noise or air emissions, from military training and testing activities.
The use of GIS technology in the Sustainable Range Program enables the Army to better manage its training and testing activities in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. By understanding the potential impacts of these activities on the environment and natural resources, the Army can take steps to minimize those impacts and ensure that its training and testing activities are conducted in a way that protects the environment and supports the long-term sustainability of the military’s training and testing ranges.