The environment of Kwajalein military base remains in good condition

photo: Give Johnson

The U.S. Army says its top priority is “responsible management” of the environment at its garrison on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Colonel Drew Morgan, the garrison commander, said the facility was of great significance to both the Marshall Islands and the United States.

Kwajalein and Roy-Namur are home to about 1,300 Americans, including military personnel, Department of Defense civilians and contractors working for the U.S. government.

Kwajalein Atoll US Military Proving Grounds The nuclear legacy also came to the fore as it discussed the Compact of Free Association with the United States.

In March of this year, a full prototype operational hypersonic missile was tested at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site.

But the Army said it was also concerned about the environment in the area.

Patrick Chauvet of the U.S. Army Environmental Command said Kwajalein Atoll’s natural resources are primarily made up of lagoon and marine ecosystems.

“Coral reefs and onshore terrestrial habitats offer a variety of unique plant and animal species that require special regulatory considerations,” he said.

“Coral reefs are important habitats for many species and are sensitive to pollution from anthropogenic activities such as sewage discharge, sediment accumulation, dredging and landfill.”

The environmental team, working under an agreement with the Marshall Islands, has a particular focus on several species of flora and fauna, including marine mammals, sea turtles, 64 species of coral, marine molluscs, one marine sponge, eight species of fish and one bird.

“Our area of ​​responsibility includes coral reefs, the mid-atoll corridor and the ocean waters extending to 12 nautical miles, which are home to rare, threatened and endangered terrestrial and marine species, including sea turtles, giant clams and seagrasses,” Chauvet said.

In 2022, a rare De La Niagara beaked whale was spotted taking refuge at the southern end of the atoll lagoon offshore from Garrison.

Chauvet said the species had previously only been observed in dead bodies.

“The most amazing thing is that this particular species has never been observed alive before,” he said.

“The garrison team has captured the first photographic evidence of this rare species.”

He said the University of Hawaii research team is preparing a scientific publication based on the information.