Sustainable Army Live-Fire Range Design and Maintenance (2.5.e)
The Range Design Risk Assessment Model was designed to identify environmental compliance issues and other risk factors related to ranges and to assist range managers in planning for and designing new sustainable ranges and retrofitting existing ranges.
Due to a significant growth in environmental regulations, Army ranges and training lands are increasingly being impacted by environmental compliance requirements that could affect the use and capabilities of ranges. A tool is required that permits early identification of environmental compliance issues affecting the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and closure of ranges.
The product of this effort is a Range Design Risk Assessment Model (tool) that provides the capability for early identification of environmental compliance issues that affect the range lifecycle. It enables range managers to focus time and resources, shorten the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, and reduce overall costs. The tool “walks” users through the environmental issues and related risks associated with range projects, as well as providing assistance with the NEPA process. The tool also supports the assessment of existing ranges and construction of new ranges.
The tool is a Web-based model with geospatial application capability to evaluate the likely risk of environmental impacts associated with range design, construction, and operation. The model considers up to 15 environmental factors, such as wetlands, cultural resources, noise, and habitat, as well as external factors, management options, and mitigation strategies.