Sustainability Criteria for Contingency Bases

Abstract : Contingency base supply lines represent an ongoing vulnerability in U.S. contingency operations. Base camp materiel, energy, and water requirements must be met using risky ground convoys or, alternately, expensive air transport. The problem is aggravated by a lack of base camp planning and design guidelines, which negatively affect operational efficiency and logistical sustainability. U.S. design and construction communities have developed criteria to improve the sustainability of standard facilities and infrastructure, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the Sustainable Sites Initiative. The direct applicability of such criteria to military contingency operations is limited, however, because of unique military requirements and the scarcity of U.S. standard construction materials and equipment. This study examined various design and construction sustainability pro-grams and identified concepts, guidelines, and practices relevant to military contingency infrastructure construction. The report collects and adapts design and construction criteria that can feasibly be applied by engineers, planners, and base operators to establish and sustain contingency bases. Application of these guidelines could significantly decrease the logistical footprint of the contingency base by reducing the consumption of construction materials, energy, and water.