Number: 1981-21
WHEREAS, numerous military and civilian Federal facilities throughout the United States are significant sources of air, water and hazardous waste pollution, and many of these facilities are out of compliance with Federal and State pollution control requirements; and
WHEREAS, many Department of Defense facilities have sought to categorically exempt themselves (for reasons other than national security) from toxic wastewater controls applicable to private industry; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government has refused to take legal action where necessary against Federal facilities which are recalcitrant violators of pollution control laws; and
WHEREAS, all of the major Federal pollution control laws, and Executive order 12088, specifically require Federal facilities to adhere to all procedural and substantive requirements applicable to private industry;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled, March 26-29, 1981, in Norfolk, Virginia, urges the President of the United States to revise Executive Order 12088 to make clear that Federal facilities will be prosecuted to the same degree as private industry when they violate applicable pollution control laws and regulations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the individual military services to direct their facility commanders and personnel to adhere scrupulously to Federal and State pollution control requirements and to seek exemptions from these requirements only to the minimum extent necessary to satisfy legitimate and compelling national security needs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the Office of Management and Budget, the General Services Administration, and the oversight and Appropriations committees of the United States Congress, to assure the availability of sufficient funding to enable Federal facilities to take a leadership role in complying fully and expeditiously with applicable pollution control requirements.