Be All That You Can Afford To Be

In a May 11 memo obtained by the Associated Press, the head of the Army's Installation Management Activity command, Major General Anders Aadland, announced that the Army will "take additional risk in environmental programs; terminate environmental contracts and delay all non-statutory enforcement actions" until after October, the start of the 2005 fiscal year. AP reports that commanders were also told to "implement these actions now and ensure resources are best used to support the war effort." Jeff Ruch, who heads the group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, noted, "the Pentagon is now the planet's most prolific and persistent polluter" and said the memo authorized the "pollution of American soil, when it saves money."