PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, - Members of  the Kentucky National Guard Agribusiness Development Team with Panjshir  Provincial Reconstruction Team delivered four brand-new Corola motorcycles to  the Panjshir Province National Environmental Protection Agency director Aug.  17.
Now, the NEPA director says the agency can enforce  standards and do the government’s work.
“We have a vehicle, but our vehicle was not able to go to  a lot of places we needed to go,” said Abdul Monan, Panjshir NEPA director,  through an interpreter. “We can say that we’re blessed now. We have  motorcycles.”
The 150cc motorcycles cost about $4,500 total, said U.S.  Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Casada, Kentucky ADT leader with Panjshir PRT. They were  paid using Kentucky ADT Commander’s Emergency Response Funds.
In addition to the four motorcycles, the ADT delivered  four helmets, winter riding mittens and motorcycle covers. Casada also had  Monan sign a letter of agreement stating Monan would be responsible to properly  care for and service the new bikes.
The Panjshir NEPA will now be more active in inspecting  water, air quality and other NEPA-related responsibilities, said Casada.
“If they’re here without transportation, then they’re not  doing their job,” said Casada. “This gives them the freedom to get to the  places they need to get to. They’ll be a big part of inspecting the proposed  Anaba slaughterhouse.”
Along with increased inspections, Monan said he is  looking forward to some other important projects.
“It’s my responsibility to take care of the forest and  the animals,” said Monan. “There are some leopards and wolves that people are  killing. They’re illegally destroying all of the leopards and wolves, and we’re  going to try to stop them.”
With a little help from their American partners, the nine  Afghan NEPA employees and their director will be riding to inspect standards  and enforce policies.