In 1990, Congress passed legislation to establish the Legacy Resource Management Program, which was designed to provide financial assistance to identify, protect, and maintain natural and cultural resources on all lands under Department of Defense (DoD) jurisdiction or influence, while supporting the military mission.
Beginning with congressional funding of $10,000,000 in fiscal year 1991, the Legacy program encouraged military installations, in partnership with public agencies and private groups, to submit proposals for preservation and conservation projects. Committees within the Legacy organization coordinated projects funded through this program. Each branch of the armed forces maintained a Legacy coordinator to oversee programs within their jurisdiction. Legacy projects received funding based on their potential to find new or better approaches, methods, or techniques to accomplish stewardship of resources. The Legacy program also played a role in overseeing the protection of resources on military bases closed as a result of DoD downsizing.
The Legacy Resource Management Program still exists within the DoD, although it is not directly funded through Department of Defense appropriation bills.
From the guide to the Navy Legacy Resource Management Program Collection, 1970-1998, majority 1970-1988, (University of Maryland Libraries)
