What does "environmental restoration" involve in military contexts?

Environmental restoration in military contexts is primarily focused on activities aimed at returning contaminated sites to safe, usable conditions. This process involves assessing and cleaning up areas affected by military operations, ensuring that these lands do not pose health or safety risks to humans and the environment. The goal is to restore the ecosystem, making it suitable for its intended future use, whether it be for public recreational purposes, wildlife habitat, or other productive uses.

This option highlights the critical importance of addressing the environmental impact of military activities, which can include pollution from munitions, hazardous materials, and other contaminants. By prioritizing the restoration of these sites, military organizations not only comply with environmental regulations but also promote public health and safety, preserve natural resources, and contribute to long-term environmental sustainability.

Other choices, while related to military operations, do not accurately reflect the objectives associated with environmental restoration. For instance, increasing military presence or building new facilities often does not address existing environmental issues. Securing international environmental treaties relates more to diplomatic efforts rather than the specific actions taken to remediate contaminated areas.