The Department of Defense has drafted language to exempt the Pentagon from environmental and public health laws.

According to news reports, the Pentagon wants waivers from the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Superfund law. Officials say they need flexibility in holding military exercises and in planning.

Congress has previously exempted DoD from parts of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Some lawmakers have tried to waive the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation and the executive memo on sacred sites for security-related activities.

The new language could be included in the upcoming 2006 Defense appropriations bill.

Get the Story:
Pentagon Seeks Waivers On Environmental Rules (The Washington Post 5/11)
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Pentagon Is Asking Congress to Loosen Environmental Laws (The New York Times 5/11)
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