As federal, state, and local budgets continue to fluctuate, the interdependencies of and commitment between MCIEAST and the local community becomes even more critical and vital to mutual economic growth and stability.
MCIEAST contributes billions of dollars to state and local economies through the operation and development of its installations by providing plentiful employment opportunities for active-duty Marines, civilians, and retirees, which creates a demand for goods and services across multiple sectors and funds dozens of military construction projects and defense contracts.
MCIEAST provides guidance for community investments of various federal grant programs which provide mutual opportunities to both the Marine Corps and the community. The Defense Community Infrastructure Program in particular has brought millions of dollars to surrounding communities to fund necessary improvements, including:
- $2 million for runway repairs at Albert J. Ellis Airport.
- $1 million for renovations to the Jack Amyette Recreation Center.
Encroachment management programs across the region have been pivotal in preserving working lands for agricultural and silvicultural (forest) production, helping to sustain local economies and preserving open space that provides recreational opportunities (e.g. hunting, fishing, hiking, and nature observation) on lands that may have been otherwise unavailable to the public.
These partnerships with local communities and state governments have proven vital for sustaining and growing the military mission in the southeast.
Focused on strengthening partnerships and trust with the public and regulatory agencies that implement environmental laws and regulations protecting our environment, MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune prioritizes programs in support of mission readiness and environmental sustainability.
The MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune Environmental Management Division ensures compliance with environmental requirements, protecting human health and the environment, and sustaining and enhancing Marine Corps mission readiness. Regional environmental programs and policies preserve installation training areas, enhance operational readiness, protect public health, and maintain the environmental quality of the installations and adjacent communities.
Partnerships with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, installation tenant units and public compliance with environmental requirements, pollution prevention and minimization, prudently management of natural and cultural resources, and response to past environmental contamination are critical in guaranteeing mission readiness. This is accomplished through programs with specific objectives, including:
- Responsibly minimizing and managing solid and hazardous waste and continuously restoring land and water impacted by historic land use.
- Promoting energy efficiency and water conservation.
- Evaluating the impacts of current and proposed military training and other federal actions.
- Protecting and enhancing natural and cultural resources, including the quality of air and water.
- Educating service members, employees, and the public about the shared responsibilities in protecting our environment.
MCIEAST Commanding General priorities are:
- Lead and influence a team of installation stakeholders by generating an engaged, supportive, and accountable team that supports and enhances the mission of MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune.
- Ensure installation security and resilience by ensuring a professional and robust installation with zero single points of failure.
- Ensure installation development and infrastructure resilience by building infrastructure relevant to future global competition that can withstand physical and organizational stressors and change.
- Enable and support II Marine Expeditionary Force, Fleet Marine Force, and tenant commands by ensuring units can meet the requirements of the current and future fight.
- Enhance quality of life and force resilience by assisting in generating a talented force that is able to navigate and thrive amidst the challenges of military life.
- Installation functions and improvement by ensuring tenants are supported, our higher headquarters is risk informed, future concepts are supported, and mitigation is developed in areas where risk must be assumed.