While the federal government is reducing its military bases and nuclear production facilities, the government is also disposing excess property to reduce operation and maintenance expenses, while promoting economic development opportunities for local communities. The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program develops policies, plans, and programs to expedite the cleanup and reuse of closing or realigning military installations. Since 1993, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and sates have worked with EPA's BRAC program to achieve EPA's goal of "making property environmentally acceptable for transfer, while protecting human health and the environment." Between 1988 and 1995, 497 major military installations representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense Logistics Agency were slated for realignment or closure. Of these 497 BRAC installations, 108 environmental restoration installations have been designated as Fast-Track Cleanup sites.

The Fast Track Cleanup program strives to make parcels available for reuse as quickly as possible, by the transfer of uncontaminated or remediated parcels, or lease of contaminated parcels where cleanup is underway or "early transfer" of contaminated property is undergoing cleanup. DoD provides resources to EPA annually for its support in the BRAC cleanup and transfer process. Through cleanup partnerships, DoD, EPA and states have eliminated approximately $344 million in potential cost. Of the 36 BRAC installations that are currently on the NPL, 32 of them are considered Fast Track installations.

Policy:

Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Defense
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish responsibilities and funding for EPA assistance in accelerating cleanup at closing DoD installations.