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Reducing Solid Waste Generation Aboard Naval Vessels SECNAV Environmental Award Winners RecognizedNAS Meridian Ensuring Pilot Safety with Deer Food & Wildlife Harvesting

Reducing Solid Waste Generation Aboard Naval Vessels SECNAV Environmental Award Winners RecognizedNAS Meridian Ensuring Pilot Safety with Deer Food & Wildlife Harvesting

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clean IN PEARL HARBOR

NEW COPPER LIMITS PROVE NAVAL OPERATIONSCAN WORK WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

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CURRENTSPOSTER

CURRENTSPOSTER

C O V E RFor the first time since 1997, the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyardand Intermediate Maintenance Facility has an uncontestedNational Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit.Receiving this permit enables the shipyard to continue criticalship and submarine maintenance activities while staying withinenvironmental guidelines.

6Keeping it Clean in Pearl HarborNew Copper Limits Prove Naval Operations Can WorkWithin Environmental Standards

Currents (ISSN 1544-6603) is the official environmental magazine of the U.S. Navy, Chief of NavalOperations Environmental Readiness Division (N45). Participating Commands include the NavalAir Systems Command (NAVAIR), the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), theNaval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP).

This magazine is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Statementsmade in the N45 Outlook column reflect the official environmental policy of the Navy. The contentsin the remainder of the magazine are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S.Government, the Department of Defense, or the United States Navy. Inclusion of any product orservice in any Currents feature article does not constitute an endorsement by the Navy. The Navyencourages all readers to check with the appropriate supervising authority prior to using anyproduct or service mentioned in the magazine.

Article submissions should be submitted through the appropriate Command representative using theCurrents article template. The Security and Policy Review (SPR) must be completed by the indi-vidual Commands before Currents management can consider an article for publication. All otherinquiries may be addressed to the management of the magazine.

Browse the Currents archives and subscribe to the magazine at NAVAIR’s environmental web siteat www.enviro-navair.navy.mil. Currents is also available on the Defense Environmental Network& Information eXchange at www.denix.osd.mil via “Publications/Source/Navy/Currents” and“Publications/Frequency/Quarterly/Currents”. Please contact Lorraine Wass, Currents’ DistributionManager, with any changes to mailing addresses or shipping quantities.

The Navy’s Environmental Magazine • Fall 2008

C H I E F O F N A V A L O P E R A T I O N S

DirectorEnvironmental Readiness DivisionRear Admiral Lawrence S. Rice

C U R R E N T S S T A F F

Managing EditorBruce McCaffrey

Bruce McCaffrey Consulting, [email protected] • 773-376-6200

Contributing WritersKathy KelleyCordelia Shea

Art DirectorVictoria Bermel

Graphic ArtistAmy Jungers

Distribution ManagerLorraine Wass

[email protected] • 207-384-5249

E D I T O R I A L B O A R D

Chief of Naval OperationsEnvironmental Readiness Division

Andy Del [email protected] • 703-602-4497

Naval Facilities Engineering CommandJill Lomeli


Naval Air Systems CommandBob Hicks


Naval Sea Systems CommandDeborah Verderame


Naval Supply Systems CommandChuck Curry


F E A T U R E S

16 NAS Meridian Ensuring Pilot Safetywith Deer Food & Wildlife HarvestingHunting & Food Plot Programs Help Keep RunwaysClear of BASH Incidents

22 Reducing Solid Waste GenerationAboard Naval VesselsWaste Characterization Study Performed Aboard USS NIMITZ

42 Painting the Base GreenLEED-EB Helps the Navy CertifySustainability of Existing Buildings

46 Earth Day 2008Naval Installations Worldwide HoldActivities to Celebrate 38th Anniversary

64 SECNAV EnvironmentalAward Winners RecognizedAssistant Secretary of the Navy PresentsFiscal Year 2007 Awards

D E P A R T M E N T S4 N45 Outlook

New N45 Deputy Director Focuses on Communication,Administration & People

33 Trends of the Environment

45 Best Shot

16

22

46

4 Currents F A L L 2 0 0 8

As the new DeputyDirector of the Chiefof Naval OperationsEnvironmental

Readiness Division (OPNAVN45) it’s my honor and privi-lege to welcome you to the fall2008 issue of Currents maga-zine—our forum for keeping“current” on what’s going onenvironmentally throughoutthe Navy. In the next fewparagraphs I’d like to share aperspective on the Navy environmental program, and whereI hope we will go together over the next months and years.

I come to N45 as a former naval officer and environmentalattorney, having served in the Navy Judge Advocate General(JAG) Corps and in the Navy Office of General Counsel. Asan environmental attorney I served at the Pacific FleetHeadquarters at the dawn of the modern environmentalera, just after the Aberdeen convictions in the late 1980’s,when personal liability was a big concern. After that Iserved here in OPNAV N45, at a time when eliminatingplastic waste discharges at sea, and enactment of the CleanWater Act Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS)amendment were front burner issues. Following that tour,in the mid-1990’s I served on the Assistant Secretary of theNavy for Installations and Environment staff, when theNavy completed the first northern right whale formalconsultation, and low frequency sonar use became a majoroperational-environmental issue. Later I worked environ-mental issues in the JAG International and Operational LawDivision, at the Office of Naval Research, and at the NavalSea Systems Command Headquarters.

Service in all of these Navy elements, and my experience inseeing major issues come and go—and sometimes come backagain—has given me a broad perspective on the Navy environ-mental programs. I recognize and appreciate the contribution

that every echelon and component makes, at headquarters andin the field. Having also served in the crew of a destroyer andan aircraft carrier, I have a clear sense of whom we serve, andthe environmental role in the Navy mission. As the N45Deputy I hope to leverage these diverse experiences to foster acooperative team approach across the Navy and beyond,which will facilitate long term, sustained, environmentallycompliant Navy training and operations afloat and ashore.

Navy’s Substantive Environmental ChallengesToday’s Navy faces a number of significant environmentalchallenges. Most immediate is the need to preserve ourcapability to conduct robust and environmentally complianttraining and exercises with active sonar. Notwithstandingthe spate of litigation over the past few years, we’re makinggood progress on this front. Major environmental analysisand permitting efforts for training and operating areas willcome to completion in early to mid-2009. Through collabo-rative efforts with stakeholders within and beyond theNavy, we’re getting a handle on our sonar-related researchand development needs. We now have a proactive andmature public information program, which is helping to getthe Navy message out there. As we continue to developopen lines of communication with key governmental stake-holders and non-governmental organizations, we build rela-tionships and understanding that will be invaluable in thelong-term resolution of the sonar issue.

As significant as the sonar challenge currently is, there is arelated pair of issues that may overshadow it in the nearfuture: energy use and climate change. At present, energy useis primarily a fiscal challenge. In the near future, additionalexecutive orders and new federal and state legislation linkingenergy use and climate change may create a challenging regu-latory environment in which to design, equip, train andmaintain an effective Navy. N45 is supporting Navy efforts todevelop and execute an aggressive energy and climate changepolicy, addressing conservation, renewable and alternativeenergy sources and minimization of greenhouse gases.

New N45 Deputy Director Focuses onCommunication, Administration & People

N 4 5 outlook

F A L L 2 0 0 8 Currents 5

Another challenge we face is ensuring the environmentalreadiness of upgraded and new hardware as it emerges fromthe acquisition system. By environmental readiness I meannot only ensuring that we minimize the equipment’s envi-ronmental footprint through good systems engineering, butalso that we deliver equipment to the warfighter with thenecessary environmental planning and permitting completedso the Fleets can train and exercise with the equipment rightaway. N45 will work with the Navy Secretariat, SystemCommand Headquarters, Program Executive Officers andthe Fleets in the months ahead to assess and improve ourcapability to deliver environmentally ready systems.

Finally, the spread of invasive species in both ballast water andas hull attachments may become an increasingly significantissue for us in the next few years. The bright spot there is thatfull implementation of the UNDS amendment will affordoperational protection—provided the joint U.S.Environmental Protection Agency—Department of DefenseUNDS regulatory standards are promulgated. Carrying out thestatutory mandate to promulgate these standards will be ahigh priority for me as Deputy.

N45 Focus AreasThere are three things I’d like to emphasize as the N45Deputy: communication, administration and people.

I feel strongly that N45 needs to communicate regularly andeffectively with stakeholders, within and beyond govern-ment, who affect our ability to carry out the environmentalmission. An open two-way flow of information can lead tobetter mutual understanding of the challenges we face, andmake it possible for us to work effectively together. As theDeputy I plan to stay in touch with environmental stake-holders around the Navy, and to build bridges to industry,academia and nongovernmental organizations.

As an Echelon I organization, one of N45’s core functions isadministration, or policymaking. I will work to ensure thatN45 guidance is useful, lean and accessible, and that stake-holder input is fully considered in its development. For morethan a year now various Navy offices have been conducting aseries of Lean Six Sigma events, seeking to improve the effi-ciency of our environmental processes. As these effortsconclude, the results will be incorporated into an update ofOPNAV Instruction 5090.1, which I hope to promulgateonline, with hyperlinks to all references. I am also sensitive to

the need for clear and effective guidance on sonar effects assess-ment methodology. Litigation, evolving science and the factthat agencies other than the Navy are major players complicatethe development of policy guidance in this area. Nevertheless,to the extent we can, I hope to consolidate, clarify and makemore accessible N45 guidance in this critical area.

People are the greatest resource in the environmental program,as elsewhere. One of my goals as Deputy is to make not onlyN45, but also the Navy environmental program generally agreat place to work. I would like to see a staff exchangeprogram instituted among Navy environmental offices, toimprove personal skills, enhance collaboration and eliminateany we-vs.-they mindset. The Navy Department’s attorneysoperate an Environmental Law Community of Practice, a looseaffiliation of environmental specialists that regularly sharesinformation, discusses current issues and maintains an onlinerepository of useful information. I’d like to explore the possi-bility of leveraging that effort or doing something similar forthe benefit of environmental program staff around the Navy.

Closing Thoughts My first few months in N45 as the Deputy have been anexhilarating experience. In addition to dealing with an unre-lenting press of issues, I’m learning areas of the business,such as the Program Objective Memorandum (POM)process, with which my experience as an environmentalattorney was limited. Although it’s tempting to focus solelyon the immediate, I try to spend some time each day focusedon my longer-term priorities. Nothing is accomplished in thelong term unless it’s also on your short-term agenda.

Looking ahead, I would like to see the Navy recognized byother agencies, stakeholders, the public—and by ourselves—as a first class environmental organization. We already havethe most important ingredient to the formula, namely thatNavy men and women everywhere value the natural environ-ment, and care about protecting it. As environmental profes-sionals it’s our challenge to translate this predisposition intoreality, within the limits of the resources provided. I am veryexcited to be the N45 Deputy, and thankful to have thisopportunity to make a difference for our Navy. I look forwardto working with all of you over the next several years toresolve current and future challenges. �

John P. QuinnDeputy Director, Environmental Readiness Division

N 4 5 outlook

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NEW COPPER LIMITS PROVE NAVAL OPERATIONS CAN WORK WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

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for the first time since 1997, the

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and

Intermediate Maintenance

Facility (PHNSY & IMF) has an

uncontested National Pollution

Discharge Elimination System

(NPDES) permit. The NPDES

permit program controls water

pollution by regulating point

sources that discharge pollu-

tants into U.S. waters. Receiving

this permit enables the shipyard

to continue critical ship and

submarine maintenance activi-

ties while staying within envi-

ronmental guidelines.

f

This success was the result of amulti-year effort at the ship-yard to address permit require-ments for the low level discharge of copper into themarine environment. With support from theEnvironmental Sciences Branch at the Space and NavalWarfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Systems Center,Pacific (SSC Pacific) the shipyard executed a comprehen-sive study to support a scientifically based derivation oftheir discharge limit for copper adhering to U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance.

In December 2001, the Environmental Office at PHNSY& IMF contacted the Environmental Sciences Branch atSSC Pacific to request technical assistance with compli-ance issues related to the State of Hawaii’s plannedissuance of a new NPDES permit for the discharge ofshipyard effluents to Pearl Harbor. Specifically, theNPDES permit was issued with a discharge limit forcopper that the shipyard determined was unattainable.The shipyard contested the limit and was given aninterim limit for copper while SSC Pacific completed acomprehensive study. After continued communicationwith the Hawaii State Department of Health, the resultsfrom this comprehensive study were incorporated into anew NPDES permit for the shipyard.

NOT ALL ECOSYSTEMS ARE ALIKEThe National Water Quality Criteria (WQC) is a set ofrecommended water quality criteria for the protection ofaquatic life and human health in surface water forapproximately 150 pollutants. The WQC are designed toprotect all waters of the United States and therefore canbe overprotective of individual water bodies. The EPA hasestablished methods for a permittee to recalculate theWQC rendering it more representative of species occur-ring at a specific site and still be protective of the envi-ronment. The recalculation procedure involvescorrections, additions and deletions of the data that areused to calculate National WQC.

For Pearl Harbor, the procedure used a more comprehen-sive toxicity data set than the EPA data. This effortresulted in a recalculation of the Pearl Harbor WQCwhich yielded in acute and chronic criteria of 7.8 and 5.0micrograms per liter (µg/L) dissolved copper, respectively.These criteria provide the level of protection intended bythe EPA for those facilities that discharge copper intoPearl Harbor.


The EPAhas published proceduresand methods to establish site-specific

permit limits that are based on sound scienceand are protective of the environment.

TOXICITY DATA SET

Action Species Reason

Addition Hawaiian collector urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) Present, sensitive

Addition Lace coral (Pocillopora damicornis) Present, sensitive

Addition Red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) Present

Deletion Bay mussel (Mytilus sp.) Not present, but oyster is present

Deletion Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) Not present, irrelevant life stage

Correction Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Newer measured data available

OVERALL TECHNICAL APPROACHThe EPA has published procedures and methods to establish site-specificpermit limits that are based on sound science and are protective of theenvironment. These procedures result in changes that are mathematicallyapplied to increase a permit limit. Because the national standardsreflected a regulatory limit for copper low enough to threaten businessoperations at Pearl Harbor, all options need to be considered. The tech-nical approach executed by SSC Pacific consisted of the following steps toaddress copper contamination and regulation at the shipyard:


� Conduct a pollution pathway analysis anddetailed characterization of shipyarddischarges for dissolved and total copper,using appropriate clean trace metaltesting methods.

� Develop and implement an improved BestManagement Practices (BMP) program totarget cost-effective means to significantlyreduce copper loads from the shipyard.

ABOVE and RIGHT: A scientist from the SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific using clean

sampling techniques in Pearl Harbor.

� Conduct studies to derive site-specificwater quality objectives for copperincluding a recalculation procedureand a Water Effect Ratio (WER).

� Perform a chemical translator study toderive a site-specific formula for converting betweendissolved and total recoverable metals for copper.

� Provide scientific basis for the assignation of a mixingzone where appropriate.

When these study elements were combined, a new permitlimit was calculated and expressed as Total RecoverableMetals (TRM).

DISCHARGE CHARACTERIZATIONThe complex industrial setting at naval shipyards and theassortment of water sources used within them is evident inthe variability of metal concentrations and mass loads in theeffluents (discharge). At PHNSY & IMF, variability is exacer-bated by temporal fluctuations of the input water sources,weather patterns and contributions from five major streamsinto the Pearl Harbor Estuary. Identifying the industrialoperations and processes that contribute copper to thedischarge requires an upstream evaluation of the individualcomponents of the discharge.

The copper loading in effluents from the shipyard is heavilyinfluenced by rain events. While the background copperload associated with rainwater is itself insignificant, raincauses resuspension of insoluble particles already presenton the dry dock, resulting in the much higher copper loads.The average copper concentration in the effluent tripledduring rain events. These results indicate that controllingrain runoff and better cleaning efforts as well as sourceparticle emissions should yield lower copper concentrationsand associated loads in the effluent.

During dry conditions, non-contact cooling water is theprimary contributor to the copper load in the effluent. Indry conditions, non-contact cooling water accounts for

73–90 percent of the total copper loading in the drydocks. During wet conditions, it was estimated that runoffinto the dry docks and discharges from the floor andsumps of the dry docks accounts for 73–80 percent of thecopper loading in dry docks. These calculations wereconducted with estimated flows, and the results attest tothe importance of reducing particles in the dry docksunder any circumstance.

There are two other sources of copper loading: fresh-water cooling and groundwater seepage. The amount ofcopper in the effluent attributable to these sources was,however, minimal.

Non-contact cooling water can pick up copper from theambient water around the intake, the components of thepiping systems that are used and any contaminants that areon the dry dock floors. These estimates indicate thatcontrolling particles in the floors, walls and drainage systemof the dry docks have the largest potential to reduce thecopper load in the effluent.

In addition to evaluating the discharge, the receiving waterwas also evaluated for any impacts. Elevated copper levelswere not observed at any station in Pearl Harbor as a resultof the current copper loadings into the water body. (SeeFigure 1.) Dissolved copper concentrations in the harborhad an overall mean of 0.62 µg/L. The highest concentra-tion was observed from a sample taken during a rain eventand did not exceed 1.3 µg/L. All measured concentrationswere less than half of the current Hawaii Water QualityStandard (WQS; 2.9 µg/L) and well below the current acuteEPA Water Quality Criterion (WQC; 4.8 µg/L) for theprotection of aquatic life in ambient water. (See Figure 2.)The nontoxic effect of these low dissolved copper concen-trations was corroborated by the absence of ambient toxi-


Identifying the industrialoperations and processes that

contribute copper to the dischargerequires an upstream evaluation of the

individual components of the discharge.

city in all samples and for all species examined throughout this study. These resultsindicate that copper loadings from the shipyard to Pearl Harbor do not createimpaired conditions.

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICESBMPs are activities taken to reduce contaminant loads and protect water quality.As with most naval facilities, effective BMPs at the shipyard are already beingimplemented in comprehensive pollution prevention programs such as materialsubstitutions, secondary containment and cleanup procedures with the specificgoal of reducing contaminant contributions to the shipyard effluents. A criticalaspect of implementing new BMPs and procedures that is often overlooked is toproperly quantify, evaluate and understand the effectiveness of each BMP beforeit becomes standard operating procedure. This evaluation should includeapplying human factors to make sure that practices and equipment will actuallybe used as well as a quantification of the efficiency and cost of the BMP. A tech-nology can be highly efficient, but if it only addresses a small percentage of theoverall loading, it may not be a cost-effective means to address pollution andsupport operations.


FIGURE 1: Sampling stations for the Pearl Harbor Estuary.Google Earth modified image

FIGURE 2. Seasonal dissolved copper concentrations throughout the Pearl Harbor Estuary.

Since particulate matter isthe most significant contrib-utor to the high copper loadin the effluent, additionalefforts at the shipyard arefocused on more frequent and effective dry dock cleaning methods.

WATER EFFECT RATIO A WER is a final step that a permittee cantake to account for local conditions in anNPDES permit. The WER uses standardizedtoxicity testing to compare the effects thatlaboratory and local site water constituentshave on increasing or reducing the pollutantbioavailability and toxicity in side by sidecomparisons. This procedure results in a ratiothat is multiplied by the national criterion to

derive a site-specific criterion. The objective of a WER is to modify theState WQS for a site-specific Water Quality Objective and establish newpermit limits that reflect the protective requirements necessary for apermittee’s receiving water body (in this case Pearl Harbor).

A WER study wasconducted using embryosof sensitive marine inver-tebrates as a means ofderiving a site-specificWQC for copper(currently 2.9 µg totalrecoverable copper/L inthe State of Hawaii) for


FIGURE 3: Test species and their larvae used for WER toxicity testing.

Since particulatematter isthe most significant contributor to the high

copper load in the effluent, additional efforts at the shipyard are focused on more frequent

and effective dry dock cleaning methods.

The use and application of a WER.

Pearl Harbor. The investigationinvolved extensive toxicity testingassociated with four samplingevents at eight different locationsthroughout the harbor duringMarch 2005 through May 2006.(See Figure 1.) Based on EPAguidance, the study used theMediterranean mussel (Mytilusgalloprovincialis) as the primaryspecies and the purple sea urchin(Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)and the Pacific oyster (Crassostreagigas) as secondary corroborativespecies. (See Figure 3.)


Mediterranean mussel.www.rpgroup.caltech.edu

Purple sea urchin.

The final WER values indicate thatPearl Harbor waters provide significantprotection to aquatic species relative tothe baseline laboratory toxicity testsutilized for the development of thestate and national standards.

COPPER TRANSLATORPermit limits are generally expressed in total recoverablemetals. It is now the policy of the EPA that the use ofdissolved metal to set and measure compliance standards isthe recommended approach, because dissolved metal moreclosely approximates the biologically active fraction of metalin water than does total recoverable metal.

The translator is essentially a conversion factor for ambientWQS, expressed as dissolved metal, and applied to a permitlimit that is expressed as total recoverable metal. Apermittee can use the ratiopublished by EPA for this conver-sion, or they can perform the teststo calculate their own.

SSC Pacific examined the parti-tioning of copper in mixtures ofdischarge effluent and ambientreceiving water during seven sepa-rate sampling events. Factors thatwere critical to the success of thefield design included the parame-ters for measurement, location ofthe sampling stations, samplingschedule, number of samplescollected, use of appropriate cleansampling techniques, data analysisand translator calculation.

The translator was calculated as themean of the measured values for 1:1mixtures of effluent and ambientwaters. The mean dissolved-to-total

ratio (i.e., the translator) was 62 percent for copper, lower thanthe EPA’s published default ratio of 83 percent. Therefore, asubstantial portion of the total copper (38 percent) in the drydock effluents entering Pearl Harbor is not in the dissolvedfraction and therefore not biologically active. These results wereapplied to the permit calculation process to convert the permitlimit into total recoverable copper.

APPLICATION OF A MIXING ZONEThe shipyard has an occasional need to use large volumesof cooling water to support commercial ship industrialoperations conducted by a contractor during private/public


Pearl Harborwaters providesignificant protection to aquatic species

relative to the baseline laboratory toxicity tests utilized for the development

of the state and national standards.

An NPDES-permitted discharge at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.Photo by Glenn Atta

ventures. The discharge into the surrounding waterduring those operations can be above the regulatory limitof one degree from ambient. To enable the occasionalrelease of higher temperature water during these opera-tions, the shipyard submitted an application for athermal mixing zone, which included a comprehensivehydrodynamic modeling effort by SSC Pacific to evaluatethe effects and attenuation of the thermal plume and toestablish a thermal mixing zone.

THE FINAL RESOLUTIONThe shipyard was issued an NPDES permit by theHawaii Department of Health with a final limit of 50 µg/L for copper and an allowance for a thermal mixingzone for occasional high volume thermal discharges.This final permit limit requires some rulemaking effortsto adjust the Hawaii Administrative Rules to incorporatethe results from both the WER and recalculation proce-dures. This is expected to take at least another year. Inthe end, this is not a free pass for the shipyard, but it isa permit limit that the shipyard can work with.Compliance with the limit will require constant vigi-lance and ongoing efforts to evaluate process wastestreams and control pollution.

None of these studies or efforts would be possiblewithout a constant dialogue with the regulatory authori-ties—they had active participation in the designation ofsampling stations, and were informed on the differentelements of this study and the results. This comprehen-sive effort demonstrates the scientific and technical capabilities at SSCPacific and the commitment of the PHNSY & IMF facility personnel toprotect the environment, comply with regulatory requirements and keep theFleet fit to fight.

Additional information on the capabilities of SSC Pacific can be found athttp://environ.spawar.navy.mil. The full report entitled “A ComprehensiveCopper Compliance Strategy: Implementing Regulatory Guidance at PearlHarbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility” by Earley, P.J. et. al is available at http://environ.spawar.navy.mil/Publications/pubs2.html. �


ff

Patrick EarleySPAWAR Systems Center Pacific619-553-2768DSN: [email protected]

C O N T A C T

informationFOR MORE informationor more information on the role of these and otherorganisms in toxicity studies, please see our articleentitled, “Tiny Organisms Play Large Role in ToxicityStudies: Larvae Are Useful Indicators of MarineEnvironmental Quality” in the summer 2007 issue ofCurrents. You can browse the Currents archives onthe Naval Air Systems Command’s environmentalweb site at www.enviro-navair.navy.mil. Currents isalso available on the Defense Environmental Network& Information eXchange (at www.denix.osd.mil) viathe “Publications/Source/Navy/Currents” and“Publications/Frequency/Quarterly/Currents” links.


Personnel from Naval AirStation (NAS) Meridian aremanaging hunting and foodplot programs to keep theStation’s airstrip clear of

deer and wild turkey—greatlyreducing the potential for Bird AircraftStrike Hazards (BASH).

Meridian, Mississippi lies in the centraleastern part of a state that is nearly 70percent agricultural. It is home to wellover 300 animal species, and issurrounded almost entirely by wood-lands. It is also a main rest stop andflyway for trans-Gulf migratory birdsand bats.

The entire Station area covers 9,970acres of which 6,379 acres arewildlife habitat. The base’sEnvironmental Program ManagerSteve Wade and wildlife biologistChris Bucciantini and their team ofenvironmental specialists have aspecial challenge in balancing theneeds of safely training the nextgeneration of Navy pilots whilemanaging this vast wilderness area.

In many ways, the rural atmosphere atthe base is quite a contrast to NASMeridian’s primary mission—under-

graduate pilot training for Air WingONE (CVW-1). Over 160 Navy,Marine Corps, and international pilotsper year train for battle in the sky overNAS Meridian.

Wade and Bucciantini wage a delicatebattle on the ground trying to keepthe deer and turkey population awayfrom the airfield. Hunting and foodplot programs aretwo of the manytools they use toprovide a safe envi-ronment aroundthe airfield bydecreasing the deerand turkey popula-tions around therunways.

“Not only does thisallow us to moresafely perform ourmain mission, butit providesmultiple use of ourfederal lands byallowing huntersthe privilege ofbeing a major partof our program,”explains Wade.

Food Plots Draw Wildlife AwayFrom Flight AreasWild animals are going to go wherethey want to go including acrossrunways at the most inopportunetimes. And with hundreds of speciespopulating the acreage around thebase, keeping wildlife and Navy jetsseparated is a continuous and deli-cate task.

By strategically placing 25-30 wildlifefood plots in remote locations on base,biologist Bucciantini intentionally

NAS Meridian Ensuring Pilot Safety with

WildlifeHarvestingHunting & Food Plot Programs HelpKeep Runways Clear of BASH Incidents

This map shows the layout of NAS Meridian’s food plots,with the airfield in the center. The green dots represent the plots,

and the letters and numbers represent zones and gates.

DeerFood &

draws animals away from the air oper-ations area, decreasing the likelihoodof BASH events.

Within the food plots, the Stationbiologist strip-plants a variety ofwildlife plant species, includingarrowleaf, berseem, crimson, dixie,durana, and red clovers; oats, wheat,and a mixture of peas that provides avariety on which wildlife can feed.Strip-planting is a method used tomaximize plant germination and alter-nate the type of plants so that whenone is out of season, another plantcan take its place. Clover is consid-ered by many to be the “universaldeer food,” and is easy to establishand maintain in most regions of thecountry and most soil types.Bucciantini plants a variety of foodsthat deer prefer at different times ofthe year so that there is always some-thing attractive on their plate.

“I like planting a mixture of crimsonand white clovers, along with wheat andoats,” explains Bucciantini. “The cloversprovide an excellent, year-round supplyof protein for deer and turkeys. Thewheat and oats provide a wider foodselection during the winter months, andprotective cover for nesting turkeys inthe spring and summer.”

Optimizing Plant Growth Planting a food plot may seem assimple as spreading some seedsaround and hoping they grow, butthat is not necessarily the case. Onepitfall would be to incorrectly esti-mate the food plot size, which couldcause the “farmer” to over or under-fertilize the area or plant seeds anincorrect distance apart. Forexample, if NAS Meridian personnel

accidentally doubled the plantingrate of their carefully selected, coolseason mix on a given plot, thewinter wheat could shade out theclover seed in that area. Under-fertilizing would lead to a lowernumber of plants per square foot,thereby decreasing the plot’s poten-tial to attract the deer herd and keepthem away from the runways.Overfertilizing can damage plantroots and block water uptake. Toavoid these problems, NAS Meridianpersonnel precisely calculate the areaof each plot and use best agriculturalpractices to sow seeds at the appro-priate distances and depth and applythe correct quantity of fertilizer toachieve maximum yield for eachplant species.

The success of NAS Meridian’s foodplots is illustrated by the fact thatthere has only been one runway inter-

action with a deer in the past nineyears, causing just $200 worth ofdamage. The base began keepingrecords of all BASH incidents in 2000.Prior to 2000, only BASH incidentsthat resulted in major damage toaircraft were recorded.

Hunting Reduces Danger to PilotsNAS Meridian started a huntingprogram on the base in 1978, in theform of a sportsman’s association. Dueto liability issues, only active duty, acti-vated reserve, dependants, disabledveterans, retired military, NAS MeridianDepartment of Defense employees andcontractors, or a guest sponsored by aregistered hunter in the above list, areauthorized to hunt on Station. At thistime, there is no limit on how manyhunters can participate in the huntingprogram. As with the food plot


Keeping wildlife and Navy jets separated is a continuous and delicate task.

Crimson clover in bloom in one of NAS Meridian’s food plots. Cloversprovide an excellent, year-round supply of protein for deer and turkeys.Photo by Chris Bucciantini

program, the purpose of the hunting program is to reducethe number of BASH incidents with deer, turkey and otherwildlife around the runways.

To ensure that deer don’t flee to runways during huntingseason, deer drives are scheduled to force deer out of theclear zones adjacent to the runways. These drives helpcondition the deer and other wildlife to avoid those areas.All flights are grounded during the deer drive periods.

To increase hunter participation (and hunter success) duringdeer drives in the clear zones, NAS Meridian occasionallyobtains special tags from the Mississippi Department ofWildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) to legally harvestspikes, which are typically young deer that have not fullydeveloped and are usually illegal to harvest in Mississippi.

As a member of the Deer Management Assistance Program(DMAP) associated with the MDWFP, NAS Meridian alsoreceives additional doe tags each year. These tags are availableto any registered hunter who has reached his or her annualbag limit on doe. This decreases the number of deer on baseduring the current season, and also helps address futurepopulation issues by decreasing the number of breeding doe.

Decisions on the health and population of the deer andturkeys on base, along with any possible adjustments to thehunting program, are based on data from the previous yearand MDWFP biologist recommendations.

Fall Turkey Season In 2003, 2004 and 2005, NAS Meridian applied for andwas granted a fall turkey season by the MDWFP to reducethe turkey population around the runways. It was the firstand only fall turkey season granted in the state on lands


A rafter of wild turkeys gathers at the edge of a wooded area at NAS Meridian.Photo by Chris Bucciantini

The Basics About Bag Limits

all hunters have “bag limits.”The daily bag limit is thenumber of individuals of a game species you can legally

be in possession of while you are in the act of hunting.

Per MDWFP regulations, those limits are as follows:

� Antlered Buck DeerOne buck per day, not to exceed three per license year.Antlered buck for deer management zone 1 aredefined as deer with antlers of four points or greater.An antler point is defined as any antler protrusion thatwould hold any size ring. On private lands, a personfifteen years of age or younger may harvest one deerwith any hardened antler per license year.

� Antlerless DeerOne per day, not to exceed three per license year;except that two additional antlerless deer per licenseyear may be taken with a bow and arrow.

� TurkeysOne adult gobbler or one gobbler with a six inch orlonger beard per day, three per spring season.Exception for hunters 15 years of age and younger:One of the three-bird bag limit (which includes youthhunt and regular spring season combined) may be anygobbler regardless of beard length.

Source: MDWFP web site (http://home.mdwfp.com).

State or Federal law. Regardless ofage, hunters must pass a Statehunters education class and befamiliar with the base huntinginstruction. NAS Meridian also orga-nizes three to four stationwide huntersafety briefs each year that huntersare required to attend before beingissued a permit. Chris Bucciantini,along with personnel from Security;Air Operations; and Morale, Welfareand Recreation go over the rules andregulations that govern the Station’shunting program. Hunters unable toattend the scheduled briefings mustparticipate in one-on-one safety andsecurity briefs prior to hunting onbase property. The only modernfirearms allowed are shotguns and.22 caliber rifles.

Data are collected from all deerharvested on Station, as required bythe DMAP program. Hunters mustnotify the wildlife biologist or gamewarden of the harvest for verification.A doe must be taken before eachbuck, and all deer must weigh aminimum of 60 pounds.


east of the Mississippi River leveesystem. Due to turkey habitat lossand damage caused by HurricaneKatrina, the fall turkey season wasdiscontinued for 2006 and 2007.However, NAS Meridian anticipates amore successful spring turkey season

in 2008 due to an expected popula-tion rebound.

Stringent Safety & Training RulesThe requirements to obtain a permitto hunt on the base are stricter than

White clover growing in one of NAS Meridian’s food plots.Photo by Chris Bucciantini

Among the many safety rules and other regulations by whichhunters must abide is that no cleaning of animals is allowed inthe field. Freshly cleaned deer meat lying in a field is an attrac-tive feast to vultures that could create a BASH hazard near arunway. All animals are cleaned in a hunting shack located in acentralized location away from the airfield. Animal carcassesand entrails are placed in five-foot by five-foot heavy-dutyplastic bags, zip-tied and disposed of in a waste managementdumpster for semi-weekly pickup. The hunting shack providesall the materials the hunters need (sign-in sheets, harvest datacards, tags, hunter vehicle permits, etc.) and equipment (scales,tapes, saws, deer carcass bags) to properly clean and record allnecessary data on harvested animals as required by DMAP andMWTMP. All of the seed, fertilizer, lime, and building materialsfor the shoot houses are paid for by funds from the huntingand fishing permit fees. The hunting program is self-sufficient,requiring no additional funding.

Two military game wardens, Richard Sistrunk andChristopher Pasco, are assigned to NAS Meridian to assistthe wildlife biologist in ensuring proper enforcement ofFederal, State, Department of Navy, and NAS Meridiangame and wildlife laws, regulations and licensing require-ments. The wardens ensure that hunting on base occursonly during official Mississippi hunting seasons (1 October–31 January for deer; 15 March–1 May forturkey) and authorized special hunting seasons.

Interested hunters can contact ChrisBucciantini, NAS Meridian at 601-679-3539for more information.

The StatisticsFor the 2006-2007 hunting season, NAS Meridian sold 76hunting permits and harvested 57 deer and 4 turkeys. Todate this season (2007–2008), they have sold 85 huntingpermits, and harvested 99 deer, with turkey season takingplace 15 March through 1 May 2008. Statistics on turkeyharvest for this season are not yet available.

Mission & Wildlife ManagementAs NAS Meridian continues its mission of training navalaviators, the base’s wildlife management efforts are vital formaintaining the health of the area’s fauna, providinghunting grounds for sportsmen, and keeping pilots-in-training and wildlife out of each other’s way. �


Steve WadeNaval Air Station Meridian601-679-2922DSN: [email protected]

C O N T A C T

Peppermint food plot. The structure near the tree line inthe back of the food plot is one of the 15 all-weather“shoot houses” onboard NAS Meridian.Photo by Chris Bucciantini

Award of DistinctionCurrents Earns

Award of DistinctionFOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING

For the second year in arow, Currents has

captured a prize from theInternational Academy ofthe Visual Arts.

The magazine won an“Award of Distinction” forits fall 2007 cover storyentitled, “EndangeredButterfly Breeding ProgramTakes Flight: NAVFAC SW& DESC Work Magic withConservation Partners.”The story reported on acooperative effort betweenthe Navy, the DefenseEnergy Support Center(DESC) and scientistsand environmentalists tosave the Palo Verdes Blue(PVB) butterfly, a species that had comeperilously close to extinction. The captivebreeding program on California’s PalosVerdes peninsula was a huge success,quadrupling the number of PVB butterflies injust one life cycle.

We share this award with our friend SusanDeclercq Brown at DESC for her help inpreparing this article for publication.

The Communicator Awards is a leadinginternational awards program recognizingcreative excellence in the communicationfield. The 2008 prizes were awarded from apool of over 8,500 entries. The “Award ofDistinction” is presented for projects thatexceed industry standards in quality andexcellence.

Last year, Currents received the “Award ofDistinction” for an article from the Fall 2006issue entitled “Navy Rests Ex-Oriskany in

Gulf of Mexico: Ship Is First to be Sunk Under Navy’s NewShips-to-Reef Program.”

Founded by communication professionals over a decade ago, theCommunicator Awards holds annual audio, video and printmedia competitions with entries and winners coming from all 50states and numerous foreign countries.

The program provides winners and their clients the recognitionthey deserve and gives communications and creative profes-sionals proof and validation that their work is outstanding andhighly regarded by their peers. The Communicator Awardsprovides an equal chance of winning to all entrants regardless ofcompany or agency size and project budget—each entry isjudged on its own quality, creativity and resourcefulness.

Entries are judged against a high standard of excellence based onthe Communicator Awards’ 13-year history of judging work. Formore information, visit the Communicator Awards’ web site atwww.communicatorawards.com.

Contact: Bruce McCaffrey, Bruce McCaffrey Consulting, Inc.,773-376-6200, [email protected]


The Waste Reduction AfloatProtects the Sea (WRAPS)and Plastic Removal InMarine Environment(PRIME) programs

continue to play a key role in solidwaste management and reductionafloat as they conduct a waste charac-terization study aboard the forwarddeployed, fully manned and outfittedUSS NIMITZ (CVN-68).

BackgroundThe Naval Inventory Control Point(NAVICP) Pollution Prevention (P2)team is taking steps to reduce solidwaste afloat. With the implementationof Annex V of the InternationalConvention for the Prevention ofPollution from Ships; Marine Pollution(MARPOL) and the Marine PollutionResearch and Control Act, the NavalSupply Systems Command (NAVSUP)

WRAPS and PRIME programs werecreated as a part of the Navy’s overallP2 strategy aimed at reducing ship-board plastic and solid waste genera-tion by addressing the increasingchallenges of protecting the seas.

The U.S. Navy WRAPS program strivesto reduce the amount and type of solidwaste generated aboard Navy ships. Aspart of the Navy’s overall P2 strategy,WRAPS supports the ability of U.S.naval forces to operate unencumberedaround the world while complying withinternational maritime disposal require-ments. The WRAPS Program Officeinvestigates a variety of integrated solidwaste management techniques to mini-mize solid waste through:

� Recycling, source reduction andre-use;

� Using non-polluting technologiesand materials;

� Reviewing packaging specificationsto reduce excess packaging materialsand identifying alternative packaging;

� Identifying “green equivalents” forcurrent non-green products;

� Conducting shipboard solid wastecharacterization studies to deter-mine type, quantity and source ofwaste streams;

� Conducting “distribution” unitload/load-out studies to identifysolid waste source reductionopportunities;

� Developing and testing Re-usableBulk Containers, totes and Non-Wood Pallets with RadioFrequency Identification trackingto reduce waste and improvesupply chain efficiencies; and

� Promoting best practices andawareness for solid waste reductionthroughout the Navy and among itssuppliers, vendors and contractors.

The Navy’s PRIME program focuses onthe reduction of plastic waste generatedaboard surface ships and submarines.

ReducingSolid WasteGeneration Aboard Naval Vessels

Waste Characterization Study PerformedAboard USS NIMITZ

The Navy’s PRIME program focuses on the reduction of plastic waste generated aboard

surface ships and submarines.

This program was instituted to comply with U.S. public lawand MARPOL. Although many Navy ships have CompactMelting Units to handle plastic trash, it remains a laborious,messy task to segregate and store this material for disposalashore. Initiatives investigated under the PRIME program

have resulted in reduction/elimination of plastics and plasticwaste. Specifically, the PRIME program:

� Promotes ordering of non-plastic substitutes;

� Minimizes plastics used in packaging materials;


The amount of solid waste generated in a 24-hour period by type.

The USS NIMITZ (CVN-68).

� Reduces workload and disposal costs;

� Collaborates with other services on research and devel-opment on non-plastic, marine biodegradable materials;

� Cooperates with other agencies to reduce excess plasticpackaging through contract provisions;

� Partners with manufacturers to develop non-plastic items;

� Reviews governing specificationsand ordering data;

� Investigates the commercialmarketplace for new non-plasticproducts; and

� Identifies alternatives to plasticsthrough the PRIME Pocket Guidefor Plastic-Free Products.

Where We Are Now As a primary mission, the WRAPSand PRIME programs have a historyof conducting solid waste genera-tion characterization studies as away of assessing the U. S. Navy’ssolid waste management practices,processes and policies. With thesupport of and participation by aship’s supply department, teamsconduct studies that focus on quan-

tifying the type, source and amount of waste generated ondeployed naval vessels.

In April 2008, a NAVICP P2 team conducted a 48-hourSolid Waste Characterization Study aboard the NIMITZ. Thestudy was conducted while the NIMITZ was fully manned,outfitted and forward deployed. The study collected ship-board real-time data on the types, quantity and sources of


Plastic waste being stored until the next offload opportunity.

The amount of solid waste generated in a 24 hour period by location.

Helicopter during next offload opportunity during vertical replenishment.

the solid waste streams by location and how these wastestreams were managed from generation to disposal.

The pulper is a giant blender that uses metalblades to grind and mix organic waste with water.The material then passes through a screen toensure proper particle size and flows out to sea.

The majority of waste produced aboard theNIMITZ comes from food. This is not surprising asthe galleys must produce over 18,000 meals perday to feed its more than 4,300 sailors aboard.Since all of the food is prepared aboard, this alsoresults in a large quantity of waste packaging mate-rials that consist of cardboard, paper and plastics.While the food, cardboard and paper waste is rela-tively easy to process, the real problem lies in thedisposal of the plastic packaging that is used in anever increasing variety of food products.

Plastic waste comes from all over the ship.Included in the total amount of solid waste aboard,as much as 1,200 pounds of plastic waste iscreated in a single day. This equates to approxi-mately 180 30-gallon bags of plastic waste which if

left unprocessed could fill a 10-foot by 10-foot room. APlastic Waste Processor is used to condense and decreasethe volume of plastic waste; however, the resultant


Loading the Plastic Waste Processor.


Seaman Zach Halstead processes food waste in the galley pulper.

WRAPS and PRIME team members recording data.

compressed plastic disc must beretained for offload during the nextUnder Way Replenishment or port call.

Additionally, the 2008 study confirmsthe Fleet’s adoption of many sourcereduction practices, such as usingbulk items and dispensers and substi-tuting products for plastic. The studyhighlights the continual need forimprovement of solid waste manage-ment practices afloat. It is realizedthat solid waste, particularly plasticwaste, is still difficult to manage in ashipboard environment to maintaincompliance with MARPOL andmission requirements.

The Way AheadThe way ahead is clearly defined andincludes a comprehensive review ofthe Navy’s entire plastics at seaprogram and plans to reduce theamount of plastic waste generated.


Jeff WhitmanNaval Inventory Control Point—

Mechanicsburg, PA717-605-9144DSN: [email protected]

C O N T A C T

The team will use the results to targetitems with high-plastic content andlook to substitute alternatives toplastic. Integral to this initiative are thefindings resulting from the April 2008NIMITZ study, as well as the plasticswaste study to be conducted aboard adeployed Guided Missile Destroyer inthe fall of 2008.

Additionally, the WRAPS/PRIMEprograms will:

� Partner with the NAVSUP’s FoodService Division and the U.S. ArmyNatick Soldier Research, Develop-ment and Engineering Center toconduct a review of items on theNavy Standard Core Menu to iden-tify the significant contributors ofplastic and other packaging waste.

� Use data to assist in source reduc-tion efforts and determine if thereare ways to reduce plastic wastethrough smart procurement prac-tices, or by working directly withthe manufacturer.

� Elevate shipboard solid wastemanagement awareness by devel-oping and distributing a best prac-

tices kit to ships to provide knowl-edge on MARPOL/Navy regulationsand how to efficiently deal with thevarious waste streams.

� Accelerate efforts to explore alterna-tives to plastic packaging includingmarine biodegradable plastic andother green biobased plastic alterna-tives. Work to amend the definitionof plastic in the MARPOL Treaty toallow for special treatment ofmarine biodegradable plastics afloat.

� Continue to work with the DefenseLogistics Agency and the GeneralServices Administration to limititems containing plastic or plasticpackaging for shipboard use aswell as calling special attention toitems that are non-plastic orcontain no plastic packaging. Itemsthat meet the latter criteria willcontinue to be approved and desig-nated as PRIME items.

SummaryThis study highlights the importanceof continuing the Navy’s solid wastemanagement efforts through theWRAPS and PRIME programs to stay

on the leading edge of the Navy’s P2afloat programs. Undoubtedly, signifi-cant progress has been made in ship-board solid waste processing since thefirst NAVICP-sponsored waste charac-terization studies were conducted in1996. However, additional opportuni-ties for improvement exist throughincreased training, awareness andsource reduction efforts.

Each Sailor must understand the crit-ical role they play in supportingsuccessful solid waste managementpractices for the Navy. The WRAPSand PRIME programs will continue toplay a key role in solid waste manage-ment and reduction afloat. �

The amount of plastic generated in a 24-hour period.


The U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) isin the process of issuingnumerous NationalEmission Standards for

Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)that affect facilities classified as areasources of hazardous air pollutants(HAP). An area source is any facilitythat is not a major HAP source. On 1July 2008 (73 FR 37727), EPA issuedan area source rule for plating andpolishing operations. The rule ispublished in the Code of FederalRegulations (CFR), Volume 40, Part63, subpart WWWWWW which canbe found on the E-CFR website athttp://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov. EPA believesthis rule will be easy to comply withbecause it merely requires facilities tocontinue to use the same controldevices and follow the same workpractices that are common to this

industry. Although this rule is notexpected to achieve any emissionreductions, EPA is issuing the rulebecause they are required by the CleanAir Act to issue area source rules thatcover sources accounting for 90percent of the 30 worst urban areaHAPs. This rule is not limited to urbanareas; it applies throughout the UnitedStates and its territories and willimpose some new recordkeeping andreporting costs on affected facilities.

ApplicabilityThis rule applies to any facility thatmeets three criteria.

First the facility must be located on anarea source. An area source is anyfacility or installation that is not amajor HAP source. Thus, an areasource of HAP emissions is anystationary source or group of stationarysources within a contiguous area under

common control that does not havethe potential to emit any single HAP ata rate of 9.07 megagrams per year(Mg/yr) (10 tons per year (tpy)) ormore and any combination of HAP at arate of 22.68 Mg/yr (25 tpy) or more.

Second, the facility must be engaged inone or more of the following processeswhich are all defined in the rule:

� Non-chromium electroplating,

� Electroless plating,

� Other non-electrolytic metalcoating processes such as chromateconversion coating, nickel acetatesealing, sodium dichromate sealing,manganese phosphate coating andthermal spraying,

� Dry mechanical polishing offinished metals and formed prod-ucts after plating,

� Electroforming, or

� Electropolishing.

Third, one or more of these processes atthe facility must use or emit a plating

NewRegulationfor Area Source Installations

Plating & Plating-Related PolishingOperations

Environmental personnel at major HAP sourcesshould keep an eye on state and local agencies

as area source rules are implemented.

and polishing metal HAP which are anycompound of the following metals:cadmium, chromium, lead, manganeseor nickel, or any of these metals in theelemental form, with the exception oflead. [40 CFR 63.11504]

Some State and local regulatory agen-cies may not like the fact that platingand polishing operations located onarea sources are regulated but thesame sources located on major HAPsources are not. These agencies canalways implement more stringentrequirements and expand the applica-bility of the rule to cover major HAP

sources. Environmental personnel atmajor HAP sources should keep aneye on state and local agencies as areasource rules are implemented.

ExemptionsThere are some exemptions in therule. This rule does not apply toresearch and development processunits, process units subject to theChromium NESHAP (40 CFR 63subpart N), process units that are usedstrictly for educational purposes,thermal spraying conducted to repairsurfaces, dry mechanical polishing

conducted to restore the original finishto a surface or to plating or polishingprocesses that do not use any materialthat contains cadmium, chromium,lead or nickel in amounts of 0.1percent or more by weight, or thatcontains manganese in amounts of 1.0percent or more by weight, as reportedon the Material Safety Data Sheet forthe material. [40 CFR 63.11505(d)]

RequirementsThe rule contains process specificrequirements and general work prac-tices that would apply to all plating and


polishing process, as practicable. The following requirementsapply to specific process units.

Electrolytic process tanks (non-cyanide electroplating, elec-troforming or electropolishing tanks) that contain platingand polishing metal HAP and operate with a pH of lessthan 12 must do one of the following:

1 Use a wetting agent/fume suppressant;

2. Capture emissions in a composite mesh pad, packedbed scrubber, mesh pad mist eliminator; or

3. Use a tank cover meeting the coverage and time criteriawhich vary for batch and continuous electrolytic processtanks. [40 CFR 63.11507(a)]

Flash or short term electroplating tanks that contain platingand polishing metal HAP must either use a tank cover for at

least 95 percent of the plating time or limit tank use to onecumulative hour per day of plating time or three cumulativeminutes per hour of plating time. [40 CFR 63.11507(b)]

Electrolytic process tanks used for both short-term andlonger periods must comply with the requirements thatapply to the process being performed at that time. [40 CFR 63.11507(c)]

Cyanide containing electroplating tanks that contain platingand polishing metal HAP and operate at a pH of 12 orhigher must measure and record the pH of the tank uponstart-up. No additional pH measurements are required. [40CFR 63.11507(d)]

Dry mechanical polishing equipment that emits plating andpolishing metal HAP must capture emissions in a cartridgefilter, fabric filter or High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)filter. [40 CFR 63.11507(e)]


Dry Mechanical PolishingDry mechanical polishing is a process used for removingdefects from and smoothing the surface of finished metalsand formed products after plating with any of the platingand polishing metal HAP using hard faced abrasive wheelsor belts and where no liquids or fluids are used to trap theremoved metal particles.

ElectroformingElectroforming is an electrolytic process using or emitting any ofthe plating and polishing metal HAP that is used for fabricatingmetal parts.This process is essentially the same as electro-plating except that the plated substrate (mandrel) is removed,leaving only the metal plate. In electroforming, the metal plateis self supporting and generally thicker than in electroplating.

Electroless PlatingElectroless plating is a non-electrolytic process that uses oremits any of the plating and polishing metal HAP in whichmetallic ions in a plating bath or solution are reduced to form ametal coating at the surface of a catalytic substrate without theuse of external electrical energy. Electroless plating is also callednonelectrolytic plating. Examples include, but are not limited to,chromate conversion coating, nickel acetate sealing, sodiumdichromate sealing, and manganese phosphate coating.

Electrolytic Plating ProcessesElectrolytic plating processes include electroplating and elec-troforming that use or emit any of the plating and polishingmetal HAP where metallic ions in a plating bath or solutionare reduced to form a metal coating on the surface of partsand products using electrical energy.

ElectroplatingElectroplating is an electrolytic process that uses or emitsany of the plating and polishing metal HAP in which metalions in solution are reduced onto the surface of the workpiece (the cathode) via an electrical current. The metal ionsin the solution are usually replenished by the dissolution ofmetal from solid metal anodes fabricated of the samemetal being plated, or by direct replenishment of the solu-tion with metal salts or oxides; electroplating is also calledelectrolytic plating.

ElectropolishingElectropolishing is an electrolytic process that uses or emitsany of the plating and polishing metal HAP in which a workpiece is attached to an anode immersed in a bath, and themetal substrate is dissolved electrolytically, thereby removingthe surface contaminant; electropolishing is also called elec-trolytic polishing.

K E Y D E F I N I T I O N S

Existing permanent thermal spraying operations thatapply plating and polishing metal HAP must captureemissions in a water curtain, fabric filter or HEPA filter.New permanent thermal spraying operations that apply aplating and polishing metal HAP must capture emissionsin a fabric filter or HEPA filter. Water curtains are notacceptable control devices for new permanent thermalspraying operations. For temporary thermal sprayingoperations, facilities must document the amount of timethe thermal spraying occurs each day, and where it isconducted. [40 CFR 63.11490(f)]

The preamble to the final rule notes that a facility can seekapproval to use an alternative equipment standard thatachieves equivalent HAP emission reductions by either peti-tioning EPA to amend the rule, or working with statepermitting authorities pursuant to EPA’s regulations at 40CFR subpart E.

The following general management practices apply to allplating and polishing process units that contain, apply oremit plating and polishing metal HAP as practicable. Notethat these practices would also apply to temporary thermalspray operations.


Flash ElectroplatingFlash electroplating, also referred to as short-term electro-plating, is an electrolytic process that uses or emits any ofthe plating and polishing metal HAP, as defined in thissection, and that is used no more than three cumulativeminutes per hour or no more than one cumulative hourper day.

Major Source of HAP EmissionsA major source of HAP emissions is any stationary sourceor group of stationary sources within a contiguous areaunder common control that has the potential to emit anysingle HAP at a rate of 9.07 Mg/yr (10 tpy) or more andany combination of HAP at a rate of 22.68 Mg/yr (25 tpy)or more.

Plating and Polishing Metal HAPA plating and polishing metal HAP is any compound of anyof the following metals: cadmium, chromium, lead,manganese and nickel, or any of these metals in theelemental form, with the exception of lead. Any materialthat does not contain cadmium, chromium, lead, or nickel inamounts greater than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight,and does not contain manganese in amounts greater than

or equal to 1.0 percent by weight, as reported on theMaterial Safety Data Sheet for the material, is not consid-ered to be a plating and polishing metal HAP.

Temporary Thermal SprayingTemporary thermal spraying is an thermal spraying operationthat uses or emits any of the plating and polishing metalHAP and that lasts no more than one hour in durationduring any one day and is conducted in situ. Thermalspraying that is conducted in a dedicated thermal spraybooth or structure is not considered to be temporarythermal spraying.

Thermal SprayingThermal spraying, also referred to as metal spraying or flamespraying, is a process that uses or emits any of the platingand polishing metal HAP in which a metallic coating isapplied by projecting molten or semi-molten metal particlesonto a substrate. Commonly-used thermal spraying methodsinclude high velocity oxygen-fuel spraying, flame spraying,electric arc spraying, plasma arc spraying, and detonationgun spraying.

Source: 40 CFR 63, subpart WWWWWW, section 63.11511.

Water curtains are not acceptable control devices for new permanent thermal spraying operations.

1. Minimize bath agitation whenremoving any parts except whennecessary to meet part qualityrequirements.

2. Maximize draining of bath solutionback into the tank by extendingdrip time when removing parts andusing drain boards (also known asdrip shields) or withdrawing partsslowly from the tank.

3. Optimize the design of barrels,racks and parts to minimizedragout of bath solution, such asby using slotted barrels and tiltedracks, or by designing parts withflowthrough holes to allow thetank solution to drip back intothe tank.

4. Use tank covers if already ownedand available at the facility.

5. Minimize or reduce heating ofprocess tanks when doing sowould not interrupt production oradversely affect part quality.

6. Perform regular repair, mainte-nance and preventive mainte-nance of racks, barrels and otherequipment associated withaffected sources.

7. Minimize bath contamination, suchas through the prevention or quickrecovery of dropped parts, use ofdistilled/de-ionized water, waterfiltration, pre-cleaning of parts tobe plated and thorough rinsing ofpre-treated parts to be plated.

8. Maintain quality control ofchemicals and chemical and

other bath ingredient concentra-tions in the tanks.

9. Perform general good house-keeping, such as regular sweepingor vacuuming, if needed, andperiodic washdowns.

10.Minimize spills and overflow oftanks.

11.Use squeegee rolls in continuous orreel-to-reel plating tanks.

12.Perform regular inspections toidentify leaks and other opportuni-ties for pollution prevention. [40CFR 63.11507(g)]

13.Facilities must operate any controldevices used to comply with thisrule according to manufacturer’sspecifications and operatinginstructions and keep this informa-tion where it can be easily accessedby the operators. [40 CFR63.11507(a), (e) and (f)]

DeadlinesFacilities that are subject to this rulemust submit an initial notification by29 October 2008 or 120 days afterstartup, whichever is later. Existingaffected sources (those constructed orreconstructed before 14 March 2008)must comply by 1 July 2010. Newlyaffected sources (those constructed orreconstructed on or after 14 March2008) must comply by 1 July 2008or upon startup, whichever is later.Affected facilities must submit a noti-fication of compliance status no laterthan their compliance date and mustalso prepare and retain an annual


certification of compliance report.The annual certification of compli-ance report only needs to besubmitted to the regulatory agency ifa compliance deviation occurredduring the reporting period. [40 CFR63.11506, 63.11509]

ConclusionAlthough the rule should not be tooburdensome, any area source facilitythat is subject to this rule will needto submit the required notificationsand prepare for compliance. Facilitieswill need to ensure process specificrequirements and general work prac-tices are institutionalized in theirstandard operating procedures toprevent violations. Facilities shouldresearch and consider pollutionprevention alternatives that mighteliminate the need for the regulatedemission source. As with any rule,regulatory agencies can alwaysimplement more stringent require-ments and they could expand theapplicability of the rule to covermajor HAP sources. �

Drek NewtonNaval Facilities

Engineering Service Center805-982-3903DSN: [email protected]

C O N T A C T

Facilities that are subject to this rule must submit an initial notification by 29 October 2008

or 120 days after startup, whichever is later.

Solar Window Film AidsCooling at Pearl HarborTinting is Easy Way to Reduce Region’s EnergyConsumption

Hawaiian sunshine is known around the world for its benefi-cial warmth and comfort. Excessive amounts of it, however,can bring unwanted heat and discomfort to Navy RegionHawaii personnel working indoors. To retain the benefits ofthis sunshine, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command(NAVFAC) Hawaii Energy Team recently completely a solarwindow film project that allows the Region to improveindoor comfort levels and meet energy reduction goals.

“With the increasing cost of energy, the NAVFAC HawaiiEnergy Team is constantly pursuing ways to reduce energyuse throughout Navy Region Hawaii,” said Greg Gebhardt,energy and utilities service manager, NAVFAC Hawaii. “Thesolar window film project is an easy way to reduce theRegion’s energy consumption, while helping to create aneven, comfortable temperature throughout our buildings.”

Completed in early May 2008, the solar window film projectwas implemented in 11 Region buildings, including its ownheadquarters. The $280,000 project has a two-year return oninvestment, and is estimated to save $130,000 annually.Approximately 43,500 square feet of window space in severaloffice buildings, bachelor enlisted and officer quarters, andthe base police station at Pearl Harbor received the film.

“Using solar window film on building windows is a simplesolution that will really make a difference,” said Gebhardt.“It’s just like putting tint on your car windows; it makes thevehicle’s interior much more comfortable and the air condi-tioning doesn’t have to work as hard.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, approximatelyone third of an average building’s cooling load is due to solarheat gain through windows. When sunlight hits a window,small amounts of solar heat are absorbed and reflected.However, most of it is transmitted through the glass,increasing building temperature and requiring additionalcooling. Used for years throughout the state, solar windowpanels are one proven way to reduce solar heat gain.

In its simplest form, a window film is composed of an opti-cally clear, micro-layered polyester film. A mounting adhesive

layer and a protectiverelease liner areapplied to the otherside of the film.When the releaseliner is removed, theside of the film withthe adhesive isapplied to the interiorof the window.

The Region installedwindow film on 11facilities. Six of thebuildings received adual-reflective film,which rejects approx-imately 66 percent ofincoming solarenergy. The other fivebuildings are designated as historical buildings, and due tostrict regulations, these structures received a thinner film,which preserves the visual look of the windows. The filmson these windows are expected to reject roughly 42 percentof incoming solar energy.

There are other benefits to the solar films, as well, saysGebhardt, “In addition to the energy benefits, solar windowfilm can eliminate up to 99.9 percent of ultraviolet rays,provide a uniform look to a building, and minimizedamage from shattered or broken glass.”

With air conditioning consuming approximately 35 percentof a building’s energy costs in Hawaii, it is important forNavy Region Hawaii to find ways to improve its energy effi-ciency. Solar window film is a simple, low-cost step in theright direction. �


Eddie Lee, from M. Shiroma ConstructionCompany, installs solar window film

onto many panes of glass in a building on Pearl Harbor.

Photos by Krista Stehn

“It’s just like putting tint on your car windows.”

Denise EmsleyNaval Facilities Engineering Command, [email protected]

Krista StehnNaval Facilities Engineering Command, [email protected]

C O N T A C T S

T R E N D S of the environment

SERDP & ESTCP AnnouncePlans for Fall EventsSymposium Offers Expanded Technical Program& Training on Recent Science & TechnologyAdvances

The Partners in Environmental Technology TechnicalSymposium and Workshop, sponsored by the StrategicEnvironmental Research and Development Program(SERDP) and the Environmental Security TechnologyCertification Program(ESTCP), will be held2–4 December 2008, atthe Marriott WardmanPark Hotel inWashington, DC.

Plenary SessionThe event will commence witha plenary session featuringthree distinguishedspeakers—a U.S. Department ofDefense (DoD) official, theExecutive Director of a Military AdvisoryBoard and a renowned author, physicist, and expert onenergy and the environment. These plenary sessionspeakers include COL. Cynthia Murphy, Commander, U.S.Army Garrison-Fort Lewis; Ms. Sheri Goodman, GeneralCounsel at the CNA Corporation, a nonprofit analysis andsolutions organization for DoD and other public sectorleaders; and Mr. Amory Lovins, a MacArthur Fellow andconsultant physicist who has advised the energy and otherindustries for more than three decades as well as DoD andthe Department of Energy. Together, these speakers willoffer attendees key insights into current and emergingenvironmental and national security issues. The plenarysession will conclude with the presentation of the SERDPand ESTCP Project-of-the-Year Awards, which recognizeoutstanding achievements that help DoD sustain itsmission while improving its environmental performance.

Technical ProgramThis year’s Symposium and Workshop has been expandedto a full three-day format that will offer a more comprehen-sive technical program featuring 13 technical sessions andfive short courses. Technical sessions will highlight researchand innovative technologies that assist the DoD inaddressing increasingly complex environmental andmission sustainability challenges. Over the course of the



three days, short courses on select technologies in the envi-ronmental restoration and munitions management areaswill offer unique training opportunities on recent advance-ments in science and technology.

Technical Sessions The list of technical session topics follows.

� Monitoring and Mitigation of Vapor Intrusion fromContaminated Groundwater

� Recent Advances in Characterization and Remediation ofDense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid Source Zones

� Management of Contaminated Sediments: The Path toRisk-Based Remedial Action Decisions

� Approaches for Managing Contaminated Upland Soils

� Military Munitions in the Underwater Environment

� Munitions Response: Taking Technology to the Field

� Munitions Response: Advances in Science and Systems

� Alternative Fuels for DoD Weapons Systems

� Replacement of Hexavalent Chromium in DoDManufacturing and Maintenance Activities: HardChrome Plating and Surface Treatments

� Replacement of Hexavalent Chromium in DoDManufacturing and Maintenance Activities: Primers andSealants

� Net Zero Installations: Energy and Beyond

� Marine Mammals and Military Operations

� Science Underlying the Post-Recovery Management ofListed Species

To view the agenda of speakers and their individual topics,visit www.serdp-estcp.org/symposium.

Short CoursesNew this year, professional development hours will beoffered for participation in short courses. Attendance forthese courses will be limited, and space will be available ona first-come first-serve basis. Therefore, advanced registra-tion for each short course will be required. Below are thisyear’s short courses.

� Principles and Practices of In Situ Chemical Oxidation

� Management of Contaminated Sediments: Capping andMonitored Natural Recovery Approaches

� In Situ Bioremediation of Perchlorate in Groundwater

� Introduction to Classification Methods for MilitaryMunitions Response Projects

� Introduction to the Visual Sample Plan UnexplodedOrdnance Module

Other Symposium HighlightsAttendees will have numerous opportunities to tourapproximately 400 posters and exhibit booths over thefirst two days and network with approximately 1,000environmental professionals. There will be eveningnetworking receptions both Tuesday and Wednesday toprovide attendees opportunities to exchange informationand discuss partnerships.

Solicitations To Be Released Beginning in NovemberSERDP will be seeking proposals in response to its FiscalYear (FY) 2010 Core Solicitation and SERDP ExploratoryDevelopment (SEED) Solicitation. Both the Core and SEEDsolicitations will be released on or about 6 November 2008.Proposals will be sought within all focus areas(Environmental Restoration, Munitions Management,

Sustainable Infrastructure, andWeapons Systems and Platforms),and projects will be selectedthrough a competitive selectionprocess open to both federal andnon-federal submissions. Uponrelease of the solicitations, detailedinstructions and Statements of Needwill be available on the SERDP web site(www.serdp.org) under “Funding Opportunities.”

The FY 2010 ESTCP solicitation will be released on orabout 8 January 2009. This solicitation will requestproposals related to each of the ESTCP focus areas(Environmental Restoration, Munitions Management,Sustainable Infrastructure, and Weapons Systems andPlatforms). There will be opportunities for technologydemonstrations from both the federal and non-federalsectors, and projects will be selected through a competitiveselection process. Information about the solicitation processis available on the ESTCP web site (www.estcp.org) underthe “Opportunities” link.

SERDP is DoD’s environmental science and technologyprogram, planned and executed in partnership with theDepartment of Energy and the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency, with participation by numerous otherfederal and non-federal organizations. ESTCP is DoD’s envi-ronmental technology demonstration and validationprogram. Its goal is to identify, demonstrate and transfertechnologies that address DoD’s highest priority environ-mental requirements. Both programs address DoD environ-mental needs in the Environmental Restoration, MunitionsManagement, Sustainable Infrastructure, and WeaponsSystems and Platforms focus areas.

For More InformationFor additional information about the symposium, pleasevisit the symposium web site at http://www.serdp-estcp.org/symposium, send an e-mail to [email protected] call the contact line at 703-736-4548. For informationabout the SERDP or ESTCP proposal solicitations, pleasevisit www.serdp.org or www.estcp.org. �


Valerie EisensteinSERDP and ESTCP Support [email protected]

C O N T A C T


Monitoring Navy Significant Non-ComplianceNAVFAC HQ to Release SNC Guidance

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Headquarters(NAVFAC HQ) will release the Guidance for ReducingSignificant Non-Compliance Under the Clean Water Act in thefall of 2008.

Significant Non-Compliance (SNC) is a U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) metric used todescribe facilities that have a violation of significant magni-tude or duration that warrants priority for review andresponse by an agency. Under the Clean Water Act (CWA),SNC is usually determined based on analysis of theDischarge Monthly Reports (DMR) submitted by NationalPollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)permitted facilities.

Computer models compute the amount, duration andfrequency of discharges at facilities and compare data withpermit requirements. All data are integrated into EPA’sIntegrated Data for Enforcement Analysis (IDEA) databasewhich organizes the data into a historical profile for eachfacility, including all inspections and enforcement actions,penalties assessed, and toxic chemicals released. This data-base is searchable by two websites: the Online TargetingInformation System (OTIS) and the Enforcement andCompliance History Online (ECHO). While ECHO is opento the general public, OTIS is available only to EPA, Federaland State government users.

The Navy has established a policy to eliminate all CWA SNCsbefore the end of Fiscal Year 2008 and to prevent futureoccurrences of SNC. To assist installation managers inremoving any facility still on EPA’s SNC list, NAVFAC HQwill release the Guidance for Reducing Significant Non-Compliance Under the Clean Water Act in the fall of 2008. Thispublication includes:

� A tutorial for using the updated ECHO and OTISdatabases;

� Guidance for complying with the NPDES DMRrequirements;

� A list of root causes detailing why Navy facilities havebeen listed in SNC; and

� A discussion on lessons learned by managers who havesuccessfully been able to remove their facilities from theSNC list.

ECHO and OTIS are used for planning, targeting, analysis,data quality review, pre-inspection review and assistingmanagers in monitoring compliance and keeping track ofenforcement actions for approximately 800,000 facilitiesregulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA); CWA; ResourceConservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Federal



Why are Navy facilities still in SNC?� Permit exceedances or violations

� Laboratory errors with analytical methods

� Late and/or incomplete DMRs

� EPA database errors

NAVFAC HQ will release the revised Guidance for Reducing SignificantNon-Compliance Under the Clean Water Act in the fall of 2008.

Insecticide, Fungicide, andRodenticide Act (FIFRA); ToxicSubstances Control Act (TSCA); and Emergency Planning andCommunity Right-to-Know Act(EPCRA). Both web sites (ECHOand OTIS) allow managers tomonitor their facility profiles andquickly report any errors in theIDEA database for correction byEPA. Historically, 35 percent of thedata resulting in Navy SNC designa-tion were due to reporting errors;monitoring of OTIS facility profileswill ensure more accurate reportingof facility compliance and avoidanceof SNC violations. These steps willallow for the environmental plan-ning necessary to support the Navy’sgoal to eliminate all CWA SNCs.

For information on the Guidance forReducing Significant Non-ComplianceUnder the Clean Water Act or toobtain a copy, contact Angie Burkhartat [email protected] 703-418-3387. Electroniccopies are available on the DefenseEnvironmental Network & Informa-tion eXchange (at www.denix.osd.mil)by clicking on “Working Groups”,then on “Open”. When you aredirected to the Open WorkingGroups page, choose the “CleanWater Act Services SteeringCommittee” group and navigate tothe “Information Papers/Products”page. Scroll down to find the “2008SNC Guidance” link. �



Abe NachabeNaval Facilities

Engineering Command 202-685-9315DSN: [email protected]

C O N T A C T

Introducing ECHO and OTISECHO (http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/)

� Includes facilities regulated under the CAA, CWA, RCRA, FIFRA, TSCA andEPCRA;

� Shows a facility’s environmental record, including dates and types of viola-tions, and the response to violations;

� Allows users to locate facilities via Google satellite image maps. All facili-ties are color-coded based on compliance status;

� Includes searches using the North American Industry Classification Systemcode, Integrated Compliance InformationSystem (ICIS)-NPDES, and PermitCompliance System (PCS);

� Allows users to search for pollutantscurrently in violation or for facilities in anon-attainment area; and

� Provides comma-delimited text for down-load and use in spreadsheet and otherprograms for searches the return between1,001 and 10,000 facilities.

OTIS (http://www.epa-otis.gov/otis/index.html)

� Allows Federal, State, tribal and local government agencies to locatefacilities via Google satellite image maps based on location, toxicreleases, environmental justice, time since last inspection, violationstatus, frequency of violations, enforcement actions and statisticalcriteria and trends;

� Allows access to both ICIS-NPDES and PCS data;

� Allows searches to be service-specific;

� Allows users to “Searchwith Custom Output” toreturn the most impor-tant information; and

� Allows users to createcharts of effluentmeasurements, permittedlimits, and violations overtime for NPDES facilitiesbased on PCS data.


Ocean Conservancy’sInternational Coastal CleanupStarting a Sea Change

Careless acts are having an impact on the health of theocean and sea life that we cannot afford. Trash in the oceanalone kills more than one million seabirds and 100,000marine mammals and sea turtles each year through inges-tion and entanglement. But there’s something we can do to“Start a Sea Change.”

Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanupprovides individuals a direct and tangible way to fight forhealthy, thriving waters. Last year, 378,000 volunteers in 76countries removed six million pounds oftrash. But a Sea Change has to occur longbefore you step foot on the beach.

A candy wrapper thrown on a city streetin Lincoln, Nebraska finds its way to astorm drain and ultimately the ocean.That’s why the International CoastalCleanup is more than a one day event—it’s a global movement. It’s a change inbehavior that happens far inland. It’s theopportunity to make a difference in yourown backyard and have a global impact atthe same time.

The International Coastal Cleanup began 23years ago with one woman walking along abeach in Texas. Appalled by the amount oftrash she saw, she orchestrated a beachCleanup; in two hours, 2,800 Texansremoved 124 tons of trash from 122 milesof coastline. Since then, her vision hasbecome a worldwide movement.

“Today, what the InternationalCoastal Cleanup represents is asense of hope for what the futurecan be,” said Laura Burton Capps,Ocean Conservancy Senior VicePresident for Government Affairsand Communications. “It promotes a change in behavior, ashift in thinking, when it comes to trash, and it promisesthat every single person has the opportunity to contributeto the health of the ocean and to make a difference, whichin the end, affects us all.”

The International Coastal Cleanup does more than justremove trash; it reveals the behaviors that cause theproblem. It shows us the general carelessness that so manyof us exhibit. The unique component to the cleanup is thedata collection. Volunteers comb the beaches and water-


Volunteers of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup removed six million pounds of

trash worldwide. These women in St. Croix add their trash to the pile.

ways while filling in a data card,recording every piece of trashcollected. The information is thensent back to Ocean Conservancy,making the International CoastalCleanup truly one of a kind.

The information is then used toproduce an annual data reportthat is a culmination of the trashcollected and an examination ofthe problem. In 2007, 57 percentof all trash was related to shore-line recreational activities, 33percent from smoking relatedactivities, two percent fromdumping, and less than onepercent from medical andpersonal hygiene activities.

The report serves as a snapshotof one day, one moment in timeand demonstrates how ouractions have a global impact. It isa valuable tool when educatingthe public about the hazardous effects of trash in the oceanand can also be used to educate business, industry andgovernment officials.

The ocean is indeed the life support system of our planet. Itis essential to the health of everything, including our ownhealth and well-being. The ocean provides much of the airwe breathe and absorbs over a third of the greenhouse gaseswe produce.

But unless the ocean is healthy and resilient, it can’t protectus. Abundant wildlife, protected ecosystems, and sustain-able fisheries are key to a strong web of life in the ocean.Harmful impacts are exacting a toll we can no longer affordto pay—overfishing, marine debris, pollutants, habitatdestruction and global climate change. Two or more degreesof warming will devastate coastal communities, kill theworld’s coral reefs and result in mass extinctions of marineorganisms. Our ocean is sick.

But there are things we can do every day to make a differ-ence. The majority of trash in the ocean comes from land-based activities and careless behaviors.

� Every day, when you drop trash, pick it up.

� Single-use bags consume valuable resources and can bemistaken for food by animals in the ocean. At thegrocery store, commit to reusable bags that are better forthe environment.


� Recycle, not just bottles and cans, but newspapers,magazines, cereal boxes and other household items andelectronics.

� When dining, ask for sustainable seafood options atrestaurants and markets. The more knowledgeable youare, the more likely you are to force managers to ensureresponsible fishing.

� Join organizations like Ocean Conservancy to fight for ahealthy ocean.

Even the smallest of strides make a world of difference. Beconscious of your actions when it comes to the health ofthe ocean. You can make a difference.

Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup washeld worldwide on Saturday, 20 September 2008. �

Michele CapotsThe Ocean [email protected]

C O N T A C T



Painting the Base

GreenNavy’s First Sustainable Existing Buildingon its Way to Certification

The Navy’s first certifiedsustainable existingbuilding is well on its wayto becoming a reality.

When it comes to sustainability, mostbuildings receive a failing grade.Along with using the lion’s share ofnon-renewable resources, buildingsare a major contributor to greenhousegasses. The Navy has led the waywhen it comes to environmentallyfriendly new construction, but thequestion of increasing sustainability inexisting buildings is even moreimportant—especially when youconsider the fact that the Navy buildsonly about 100 new buildings eachyear, and maintains over 50,000existing ones.

The Navy’s first certified sustainableexisting building is well on the wayto becoming a reality on Naval BaseVentura County (NBVC). The headquarters of Naval Facilities(NAVFAC) Engineering ServiceCenter (ESC)—Building 1100—hasregistered as a Leadership in Energyand Environmental Design (LEED)certified “Existing Building” (EB). TheLEED rating system was developedby the U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC). (See our sidebar entitled“The Basics About LEED-EB” formore information on LEED certification.)

The Sustainability RequirementExecutive Order (EO) 13423addresses the issue of sustainability inexisting buildings. This EO, entitled“Strengthening Federal Environmental,Energy, and TransportationManagement” directs the heads of eachagency to ensure that “15 percent ofthe existing Federal capital assetbuilding inventory of the agency, as ofthe end of fiscal year 2015, incorpo-rates the sustainable practices in theguiding Principles.” The GuidingPrinciples are:

� Employ Integrated DesignPrinciples,

� Optimize Energy Performance,Protect and Conserve Water,

� Enhance Indoor EnvironmentalQuality, and

� Reduce Environmental Impact ofMaterials.

These principles are defined in aMemorandum of Understanding(MOU) for High Performance andSustainable Facilities, released inJanuary 2006 by the Office of theFederal Environmental Executive(OFEE). The MOU was signed by 17federal agencies including theDepartment of Defense.

0% 50% 100%

LEED-EB is the USGBC’s protocol for Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings.

LEED-EB is a method to assess existing buildings for theiroperations and maintenance with respect to sustainabilitycriteria. It can document that the buildings are being oper-ated and maintained in a sustainable manner. The GuidingPrinciples contained in the OFEE MOU align closely withthe categories in LEED-EB. LEED-EB has prerequisites andcredits in the categories of Sustainable Sites, Energy andAtmosphere, Materials and Resources, Water Efficiency andIndoor Environmental Quality.

The following is a sustainable operations checklist—suggested items by LEED category:

Sustainable Sites

� Bicycle parking

� Shower facilities and lockers

� Preferred parking for carpools

� Access to public transportation

Water Efficiency

� Waterless urinals

� Energy Policy Act 92 compliant toilets (1.6 gallons perflush) or better

� Sensor activated faucets

� Evapo-transpiration based irrigation control

� Regular inspection and maintenance of irrigation linesand sprinklers

Energy and Atmosphere

� Exit signs upgraded to Light Emitting Diodes

� Fluorescent lighting upgraded from T-12 to T-8

� Regular inspection of all building components

� Windows upgraded to Energy Star (Qualifying windows may vary by region.)

� Doors properly weather-stripped

Indoor Air Quality

� Janitorial contract provides for green, low VolatileOrganic Compounds cleaning products

� Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) regularlyinspected, maintained (for mold, cleaning filters, etc.)

Materials and Resources

� Recycling program for paper, aluminum, glass, plastic,e-waste, batteries

� Facility procurement program policy to train personnel in green procurement

� Copy and printer paper 100 percent recycled content

Maintenance and Upgrades

� A plan for replacement of major components onfailure

� A plan and schedule for regular inspection and mainte-nance of lighting, HVAC, grounds irrigation systems(Consider group re-lamping of fluorescent lamps.)

The Basics About LEED-EB


EO 13423 means that in addition tothe Navy's current requirement thatall new buildings be LEED-NC silvercertified, 15 percent of the Navy'sexisting buildings need to meetsustainability guidelines by 2015.

The LEED-EB certification for Building1100 is being carried out by a cross-disciplinary team. The team is headed byBret Gean, an architect, and includes

mechanical, electrical and environmentalengineers from multiple NAVFAC busi-ness lines. According to Gean, “Thiscommand is truly walking its talk andleading the efforts for increasing thesustainability and efficiencies of ourinventory of existing building.” Geanand his team have identified over morethan 40 LEED-EB credits the Navy canachieve by taking actions to improve thebuilding and its operations.

The Benefits of SustainabilityThere is a wide range of benefits avail-able to the Navy through adopting theactions to meet requirements of EO13423. All have been well documentedby organizations that have alreadytaken action to increase the sustain-ability of their buildings. The benefitscan be grouped into three categories:economic, environmental and social.

Economic Benefits Economic benefits come from severalsources. The first, cost reductions fromuse of resources, is easy to quantify.They include reduction in energy andwater use and other improvements inbuilding operations. The quantifiableeconomic benefits for Building 1100 areprojected at a net benefit of over$19,000 per year with a payback ofimplementation costs in 4.4 years.Other economic benefits, though moredifficult to measure, include workerproductivity and morale, along withdecreased absenteeism and turnover.

Social BenefitsA sustainably operated building hashealthier and more productive work-spaces. Adopting the green practicesavailable through LEED-EB canimprove indoor air quality thoughreductions of particulate matter in theair and exposure to irritating andharmful chemicals. In addition, ademonstrated commitment to environ-mental responsibility through LEED-EB certification can serve as aneffective recruiting tool in a competi-tive employment environment. LEED-EB can also demonstrate a naval base’s

interest in being a “good neighbor” tothe communities outside of their gates.Supervisors and senior managers ofVentura County have activelyexpressed their interest in sustain-ability and are looking for opportuni-ties to partner with NBVC and itstenants to adopt sustainable practices.

Environmental BenefitsAdoption of LEED-EB bringsnumerous environmental benefits.These include reductions in energyuse, pollution (both directly from thebuilding and indirectly through itsoperation) and light pollution. Astudy of the decrease in water usagein Building 1100 indicates that totalwater usage can be reduced by anestimated two-thirds.

Clearly, making just one buildingsustainable will not meet the require-ments of EO 13423. Building 1100 isjust a start. But the team is docu-menting the lessons learned throughthis certification process tostreamline the sustain-ability of buildingsthroughout the Navy. Thesemethods include creatingand promoting the use ofstandard contractinglanguage for operatingservices to ensure sustainablemethods are used in all Navybuildings. NAVFAC ESC isalready working to ensurethat the knowledge andmethods required to meet the13423 requirements are shared withthe other Services.

Building 1100 is expected to receiveLEED-EB silver certification by earlyspring 2009. The knowledge gainedthroughout the process will be appliedto the more than 7,500 buildingsrequired to be certified to meet EO13423 requirements to increase thesustainability of the entire Navy inven-tory of existing buildings. �


For More Information

for more insights into the Navy’scommitment to green buildings,

read our article entitled “NavyAccelerates Commitment to GreenBuildings: Adopting Metrics &Policies to Get the GreenestBuildings Practicable” in the spring2007 issue of Currents. You cansubscribe to the magazine orbrowse the Currents archives byvisiting the Naval Air SystemsCommand’s environmental web site at www.enviro-navair.navy.mil.Currents is also available on theDefense Environmental Network & Information eXchange atwww.denix.osd.mil via the“Publications/Source/Navy/Currents”and “Publications/Frequency/Quarterly/Currents”links.

Joe ConnettNaval Facilities Engineering

Service Center805-982-1570DSN: [email protected]

C O N T A C T

NAVFAC ESC Commanding Officer travels “green.”

I took this photograph at the

Northeast shoreline of Cedar Point

Bay, which is located between the

Chesapeake Bay and the mouth

of the Patuxent River.

One morning as I was walked

around the shoreline, I noticed

this bare tree posing in front of

these colorful plants. I thought

this was an interesting composi-

tion—a contrast between black

and white and color. And the

intensity and angle of the

morning sunrise also provided

a more dramatic effect.

With this image, I hoped to

capture the essence of a

watercolor painting.

I used a Nikon D40 with a

Nikon 55-200 mm F/4

5.6G lens.

� Winfred Robinson

� Instructional SystemsSpecialist, HumanPerformance Center

� Naval Air Station PatuxentRiver, Maryland

� [email protected]

O N EO FM Y

Submit your own Best Shot to Bruce McCaffrey, Currents’ managing editor, at [email protected].

Best Sh ts


This year, just prior to thetraditional Earth Day dateof 22 April, the HonorableB.J. Penn (AssistantSecretary of the Navy for

Installations and Environment)announced the first ever Departmentof the Navy Environmental Strategy.Built around the theme of “SustainingOur Environment, Protecting OurFreedom,” the strategy will help theNavy strengthen the link between itswarfighting mission and environ-mental stewardship, empowerpersonnel to help further our role asan environmental leader, integrateenvironmental stewardship at all levelswithin the organization and buildpartnerships to more effectively meetenvironmental goals.

“As members of the world’s finest Navyand Marine Corps, we must continueto make sure that as we accomplish ourmilitary mission, we do not neglect ourenvironmental mission,” wrote Penn inthe naval message accompanying thestrategy “Whatever your job, specialty,or rank, you are actively involved indefending this Nation. It is only fittingthat you help preserve and sustain thatwhich you are defending.”

The strategy’s theme also served as thetheme for this year’s Navy Earth Day,which showcases Navy and MarineCorps successes in conducting ourprimary national defense missionwhile responsibly managing thenatural environment.

The following summaries describemany of the Earth Day-related events

in which naval installations partici-pated on and around 22 April 2008.

Commander Navy RegionNorthwest Naval Station Everett, WAOrganized by Naval Station (NAVSTA)Everett Solid Waste and RecyclingCoordinator Lee Hastings and thebase’s Environmental Department,Earth Day activities began 22 Aprilwith a 5K Fun Run. An education fairwas held inside the gymnasium whereSnohomish County, WA organizationsand Navy representatives educatedSailors and civilians on ways to bemore environmentally conscious.

The most popular event of the daykicked off after lunch with a DumpsterDiving competition. In a timedcompetition, teams from NavyOperational Support Center, BranchHealth Clinic (BHCE), Everett,NAVSTA Everett staff, NAVSTA Everett

Earth Day2008

Naval Installations Worldwide HoldActivities to Celebrate 38th Anniversary

“As members of the world’s finest Navy and Marine Corps, we must continue to make sure that

as we accomplish our military mission,we do not neglect our environmental mission.”

—The Honorable B.J. Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment

Chief Petty Officers Mess, and the Naval Station EverettFirst Class Petty Officers Association sorted through garbagecans and dumpsters to find as many recyclable items aspossible. Teams received extra points for good teamwork,finding hidden carabiner key chains and identifying wheretrash and recycling bins came from around the navalstation. Team BHCE took the title this year.Submitted by Dean Kohn, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest(NAVFAC NW)

Naval Base Kitsap, WAA variety of activities took place across Naval Base Kitsapfor Earth Day. At Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport,volunteers did trail maintenance on nature walk trails,aided in noxious weed control efforts by pulling andcutting weeds around the station and performed tree eval-uation and mapping to identify “hazard trees” for futuretrimming or removal. On Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, horselogging was demonstrated as a practical way to selectivelyremove alder and help transition an area to conifers.Volunteers enjoyed meeting the horses, and also triedtheir hands at driving the team, helping to plant conifersand removing invasive species such as scotch broom. Theproject provided a hands-on natural resources educationopportunity for those who participated. Still other volun-teers performed litter clean up along roads, beaches andaround the Navy exchanges.Submitted by Dean Kohn, NAVFAC NW

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WAThis year’s Fleet and Family Services Readiness Fairfocused on different levels of readiness—from personal, tofamily, to community. The event highlighted recyclingefforts and encouraged the Whidbey Islanders in atten-dance to be good stewards of their community, theirisland and the world. A local high school ecology clubtoured the Compost and Recycle facilities at Navy BaseWhidbey Island, visiting the composting areas andobserving how recycled vehicles and equipment areprocessed for market. This year more than 20 tons ofrecyclables and six tons of trash came in during the one-day event, which included nearly 500 participants fromthe local community.Submitted by Dean Kohn, NAVFAC NW

Commander Navy Region Southwest In addition to the Earth Day festivities discussed below,each Commander Navy Region Southwest (CNRSW)command hosted a Morale, Welfare and Recreation(MWR) Earth Day Fun Run sponsored by IntegratedSolid Waste Management and attracting nearly 1,000runners at eight events.

Naval Base Ventura County, CAThe Environmental Division at Naval Base Ventura County(NBVC) participated in four main events:

1. At the Society of Military Engineers Luncheon,Commander Pete Hanlon, Public Works Officer,presented a multimedia talk on base energy conserva-tion efforts and resource initiatives.

2. At the City of Oxnard Earth Day Celebration, Environmental Division representatives staffed a photo display and handed out brochures highlightingincorporation of environmental stewardship into theNavy mission at NBVC.

3. At the Ventura County Science Fair, a representativefrom the base’s Environmental Division assisted injudging student science projects. The science fairincluded over 800 entries from students in grades sixthrough 12 and addressed all aspects of scienceincluding environmental subjects.

4. At the Navy Exchange Earth Day Celebration,Environmental Division representatives staffed a photodisplay and again handed out base environmentalbrochures.


Naval Base Point Loma, CAApproximately 100 Sailors and civilianvolunteers conducted a base-widecleanup of Naval Base Point Loma on18 May 2008 in support of Earth Day.The highlight of the celebration wasthe planting of 100 Torrey Pinesaplings. Torrey Pines are the rarestnative pine in the United States todate. The wild population of TorreyPines is restricted to about 7,000 trees,growing in a narrow strip along theCalifornia coast in San Diego. As anadded measure, a drip irrigationsystem and wire screen supports wereinstalled to help ensure the plantedsaplings survive. Following thecommand Earth Day events, a picnicfor the volunteers was held atSubmarine Base and Naval Mine andAnti-Submarine Warfare Commandcomplexes of Naval Base Point Loma.

Naval Air Station Lemoore, CAOver 100 volunteers from 12 depart-ments and tenant commands joinedwith the Naval Air Station (NAS)Lemoore Environmental Division toremove hundreds of pounds of litterfrom the station’s roadways, ball fields,fencelines and other areas.

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, CAThe Environmental Departmentsponsored a command-wide“Sustainability Awareness Fair.” Inthis multi-departmental event, theEmergency Management Departmentgave presentations on keeping fami-lies sustained in an emergency, andthe MWR Department focused onsustaining fitness. By involving otherforms of sustainability, the Environ-mental Department’s goal was tohave participants walk away with abetter understanding of the meaningof sustainability.

Volunteers from the Friends of SealBeach National Wildlife Refuge offeredmini-tours of the native garden andrefuge for 150 fifth graders from a localelementary school as part of the event.

Naval Air Station Fallon, NV In preparation for wildlife tours duringthe Spring Wings Bird Festival heldfrom 9–13 May 2008, NAS Fallonconducted a cleanup and beautifica-tion of the Naval Air Station FallonInterpretive Nature Trail by spreadingwood chips and mulch, picking up

bottles and cans, washing off interpre-tive signs and removed downed trees.

Naval Air Facility El Centro, CAThe Naval Air Facility El Centro basepicnic was the forum for the EnergySection of the Imperial IrrigationDistrict to display energy conservationtechniques and for the county’s Bureauof Land Management Natural ResourcesDivision to set up an Imperial County,Calif., endangered birds display.

Naval Base San Diego, CASponsored and organized by the SanDiego non-profit group ILACSD or, I-Love-A-Clean-San-Diego, San Diegonaval installations coordinated one ofthe biggest creek-to-bay cleanups ofthe year by bringing together commu-nity members on the same day tosupport a common, large-impact,environmental cause encompassing 60local coastal and inland cleanup sites.

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, CAIn conjunction with the Fun Run, baseemployees walked exterior areaspicking up debris to upgrade thedesert landscape’s appearance.


Naval Post Graduate SchoolMonterey, CAMonterey’s Fun Run had 141 partici-pants and a post-race party thatincluded awards, snacks and recy-cling information.Submitted by Brian Gordon, Commander NavyRegion Southwest (CNRSW)

Commander Navy RegionHawaii12–29 April 2008 marked EarthMonth at Commander Navy RegionHawaii, and began with a PouhalaMarsh cleanup and invasive speciesremoval with the help of the HawaiiNature Center. That event wasfollowed by a Fleet and IndustrialSupply Center base beautificationproject and Kilo Pier shorelinecleanup. Naval Computer andTelecommunications Area MasterStation Pacific followed suit by havingtheir own base beautification andWhitmore Road cleanup.

Coordinated by the region’s PublicAffairs Office and the Navy Exchange,the 19 April Navy Earth Day Fair atthe Pearl Harbor Mall included inter-active and education exhibits, hands-on displays and stage demonstrations,giveaways and other educational activ-ities and contests.

Exhibitors included the City andCounty of Honolulu EnvironmentalServices, Federal Fire Department,Hawaiian Electric Company, MWRInformation, Tickets and Tours, MWROutdoor Recreation Programs, NavalMaritime Forecast Center/JointTyphoon Warning Center, NavyHawaii Energy Team, Navy RestorationProgram, Navy Exchange Outdoorliving, the State of Hawaii, theDepartment of TransportationHighways Division and the U.S. CoastGuard Sea Partners Program.

The annual Pearl City Bike Pathcleanup joint venture with the City

and County of Honolulu Departmentof Environmental Services and thecommunity started the day off on 19April, and then on 29 April, there wasa Pacific Missile Range Facility beachcleanup and cultural walk withWaimea and Niihau High Schools. Submitted by Terri Kojima, Navy RegionHawaii/Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific

Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Naval Station Norfolk, VA “Clean the Station Day” is NavalStation Norfolk’s annual recognition ofEarth Day. Service members and civil-ians participated in the annual event,held this year on 18 April. Allcommands were asked to lend ahelping hand in maintaining the base’senvironment. The event included amorning base-wide cleanup of trashand debris along with beautificationactivities. Afterwards, many servicemembers and civilians attended abarbeque with food, games and envi-ronmental outreach booths with tipsto maintain the same standards asClean the Station Day year round.

The outreach booths provided infor-mation on the Public TransportationIncentive Program, energy conserva-tion, Navy environmental stewardshipaccomplishments and environmentalconservation tips that can be followedat home. Trees were given out forplanting and an interactive demonstra-tion was provided showing sources ofstorm water runoff pollution and howto prevent it.Submitted by Shannon Baumann, Naval StationNorfolk Environmental Program

Norfolk Naval Shipyard, VA More than 300 shipyard employeesreceived free tree and shrub seedlings22 April. Employees had the opportu-nity to pick from 600 willow oak,sawtooth oak, kousa dogwood,crabapple, red-osier dogwood shruband button bush shrubs.

The joint efforts of over 20 volunteersfrom NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic, PublicWorks Department Portsmouth andNorfolk Naval Shipyard’s Code 106made it an Earth Day to rememberwith prize giveaways and Earth-friendly handouts provided.Submitted by Lesa Archie-Barnes, Public WorksDepartment, Naval Facilities EngineeringCommand Mid-Atlantic

Public Works Department Oceana, VA The Public Works Department OceanaEnvironmental Program kicked offEarth Day events by celebrating ArborDay across its bases on 24–25 April2008. Since April is the Month of theMilitary Child, a tree planting cere-mony took place at the ChildDevelopment Centers. Captain MarkHunter, NAS Oceana CommandingOfficer, and Captain Markham Rich,NAS Oceana Executive Officer, were inattendance to read the Arbor Dayproclamations and receive the TreeCity USA Awards for NAS Oceana andfor NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annexrespectively. Lieutenant CommanderBachand, Officer in Charge, was inattendance to read the proclamationand receive the Tree City USA Awardfor Naval Support Activity NorfolkNorthwest Annex.

Guest speakers included Susan Frenchand Mike Lestyan from the VirginiaUrban Forestry Council. With the helpof the Commanding Officer, ExecutiveOfficer and Officer in Charge, the chil-dren planted two Virginia live oaks,one crepe myrtle and one dogwood.All ceremonies were well attended byboth active duty and civilianpersonnel, along with approximately200 children who learned the impor-tance of planting trees and the benefitstrees provide.

In conjunction with National PublicLands Day, and through partnershipswith the Conservation Department ofthe National Aquarium in Baltimore,


MD and the Virginia Aquarium andMarine Science Center, a dune restora-tion project took place 2–3 May 2008at NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex. Agrant from the National Public LandsDay Foundation made this volunteereffort possible. 130,000 units of nativegrass (panicum amarum) were carefullyplanted to promote dune stability,protect base operations, providehabitat to local wildlife and provide afood source for resident and migratorybirds. In addition, dune fencing wasinstalled to better protect the newlyplanted areas and to further builddune habitat. The restored dunes willprotect the land by acting as a naturalbarrier to salt water intrusion anderosion. Approximately 115 volun-teers, including aquarium staff andvolunteers, active duty militarypersonnel, Department of Defensecivilian personnel, the Virginia BeachFire Department and people from thelocal community participated duringthe two day event. The base andvolunteers were also included in thecelebration of the Aquarium plantingits one millionth plant onsite duringthe restoration project.

NAS Oceana and NAS Oceana DamNeck Annex also received the Silverand Gold Awards respectively from theHampton Roads Sanitation District.These awards acknowledge the envi-ronmental protection efforts of area

businesses, industries and militaryinstallations. It shows that the militarywas “green” long before it was fashion-able, and that Hampton Roads sets ahigh standard for complying withenvironmental permits and launchingpollution prevention initiatives.Submitted by Nikki Brown, Naval FacilitiesEngineering Command Mid-AtlanticEnvironmental Department

Navy Information OperationsCommand Sugar Grove, WVThe Navy Information OperationsCommand (NIOC) Sugar Grove hostedtheir 14th Annual Environmental,Safety and Health Fair with localschools and surrounding communities.The purpose of this event was toprovide command personnel, schoolchildren and citizens with a variety ofliterature and presentations on safetyand health issues along with high-lighting Earth Day, Arbor Day, energyand water conservation, WetlandsMonth (in May) and other topics.

Representatives from the Virginia andWest Virginia State Police,Department of Natural Resources,U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,American Red Cross and other stateand local agencies such as utilitycompanies and the Virginia WildlifeCenter participated by informingattendees of their role in creating asafe and sustainable environment. Submitted by Steven Niethamer, NIOC SugarGrove Natural Resources Program and J. D. Boogren

Naval Submarine Base New London, CTDuring April, members of the NavalSubmarine Base New Londoncommunity recommitted themselvesto preserving and protecting the envi-ronment as they “thought globallyand acted locally” and participated inthe base commanding officer’s EarthDay Challenge.

In recognition of Earth Day, CaptainMark Ginda challenged all base

departments and tenant commands toparticipate in environmentally focusedcommunity outreach events and morethan 13 commands and activities andnearly 200 Sailors and civiliansanswered the call. Volunteers eventu-ally contributed over 1,000 hours oftime to community projects.

“Our Sailors and civilians have beenmaking a concerted effort in base envi-ronmental stewardship from energyconservation to recycling to litter andit shows,” said Ginda. “As Earth Dayapproached, I wanted to develop away in which our Team New Londonmembers could spread their actionsand efforts to our local community,and the Challenge was born.”

From collecting litter beside roadwaysto removing debris along waterwaysand clearing invasive plant speciesfrom conservation land, the baseEnvironmental Division coordinatedwith local state parks, towns and aregional land conservancy to identify anumber of environmental stewardshipprojects from which Earth DayChallenge teams could choose.

In addition to cleanup opportunities,the Earth Day Challenge also offeredthe occasion to visit local schoolsand spread the environmental stew-ardship message. Base teams madeEarth Day presentations at fourgrammar schools.

“The winner in all this?” Ginda posed,reflecting on the challenge. “That’seasy; it’s our Earth, our communityand ourselves, of course. What startedon 22 April 1970, as a day of nationalenvironmental recognition hasevolved into a world-wide campaignto protect our global environment.And that makes us all winners.”Submitted by Richard Conant, Navy NewLondon Public Affairs Office

Naval Weapons Station Earle, NJ Two events helped Naval WeaponsStation (NWS) Earle and the


Captain Mark Hunter assists Carson Brownfrom NAS Oceana’s CDC in planting one of four new trees onboard the air station.Photo by NAS Oceana Public Affairs

surrounding community celebrateEarth Day.

For the past eight years, the EarleEnvironmental Division has assistedthe children and staff at the base ChildDevelopment Center (CDC) inplanting trees around the CDC facilityto commemorate both Earth Day andArbor Day. Typically, theEnvironmental Division supplies thesaplings, which they receive free ofcharge because NWS Earle has beendistinguished as a “Tree City” by theNew Jersey Department ofEnvironmental Protection (NJDEP)Division of Parks and Forestry.Representatives from the Environ-mental Division gave a short presenta-tion to the children, explaining thesignificance of Earth Day and howplanting trees improves our environ-

ment. The presentation team alsoanswered children’s questionsconcerning the environment andnatural resources. The visit concludeswith the planting of the saplings.

The annual Leisure Expo is assem-bled by the NWS Earle MWRDivision, and features leisure andvacation ideas and opportunitiespresented by vendors from severalsurrounding states. The NWS EarleEnvironmental Division set up adisplay featuring the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)/Weather Channel documentary“After the Storm;” a working water-shed model that illustrates the effectsof storm water pollution; free treeseedlings provided by the NJDEPDivision of Forestry in support ofArbor Day; and many environmental

education handouts. Personnelmanned the displays and answeredquestions related to watershedmanagement, Arbor Day, Earth Day,stormwater and the environment atNWS Earle.

Submitted by Eric Helms, NWS Earle

Naval Air Station Joint ReserveBase Willow Grove, PAOn 23 April, the military and civilianpersonnel at the Grove participated inbase cleanup and Earth Day activities.The station was divided into zones forcleanup, and zone captains collectedgloves and bags for their commands.The Recycling and Environmental Staffwere on board and provided freebiesfor all. Afterward, the MWRDepartment sponsored a Burger Burnfor all participants.


Captain George G. Womack,NAS Brunswick Commanding Officer,had a shovel in hand for the planting of a maple tree at the main gate on 12 May 2008.

Photo by MC3(AW) Nathan L. Anderson

The environmental staff hosted anEarth Day activity at the base’s CDC on29 April. Pre-school children createdspringtime mobiles and their own“Earth” out of paper plates. Theylearned that they too must protect theEarth. They were each given a goodiebag of Earth Day activities and freebies.

Naval Air Station Brunswick, METhe Naval Air Station (NAS) BrunswickEnvironmental Department participatedin KidFest activities 23 April, byproviding a display of informationalmaterials and a “Safari in a Box”teaching kit loaned by the MaineDepartment of Inland Fisheries andWildlife. Over 350 participants visitedthe hands-on environmental display.KidFest is a coordinated effort to cele-brate the Month of the Military Childand to prevent child abuse and neglect.

A base-wide spring clean-up event wasalso conducted at NAS Brunswick from21 April through 7 May. Not only didthis encompass the annual airfield andAdopt-an-Area cleanup efforts, but also

included interior facility cleanup, inpart to jump start Base Realignmentand Closure-related transition efforts.Submitted by Lisa Joy, NAS BrunswickEnvironmental Department

Surface Combat Systems CenterOn 17 April, the Surface CombatSystems Center (SCSC) in WallopsIsland, VA had an Arbor Day displayat the National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration’s Earth Day Exhibitionkeeping with the theme, “Keep itCool.” They discussed green roofs andthe use of trees to minimizeheating/cooling expenses.

On 25 April, SCSC hosted its ownArbor Day/Earth Day Observation.The commanding officer read an EarthDay proclamation before new treeswere planted in front of the adminis-tration building. Followed by a base-wide trash pickup and beach cleanup,they wrapped up the day with theannual “Skeeter Picnic” to welcomespring and the return of mosquitoes.Submitted by Marilyn Ailes, SCSC

Commander Navy RegionMidwest Naval Station Great Lakes, ILIt took NAVSTA Great Lakes and itstenant commands several weeks tocommemorate Earth Day. When thespring thaw and warmer weatherbegan to reveal snow-covered debris,nearly 500 Sailors and volunteersgave back to their community bypitching in to clean up adjoiningstreets and enjoy the warmerweather. With Naval FacilitiesEngineering Command Midwestdeploying dumpsters to various loca-tions to help simplify the effort, thecleanup garnered over 90 yards ofdebris, trash and brush. Tocommemorate the events, theCommanding Officer, Public WorksOfficer, and others planted a redmaple tree in the Great Lakes histor-ical district.

Submitted by Bob VanBendegom, NAVSTAGreat Lakes Public Works Department,

Environmental Division


Recruits from Recruit Training CommandGreat Lakes pick up debris as part of

one of their first Navy experiences.Photo by MC2 Thomas Miller

Commander Navy Region SoutheastNaval Air Station Pensacola, FLOver 50 Pensacola base personnel and surroundingcommunity members celebrated Earth Day at Trout PointNature Trail. The renovated boardwalk is now officiallyopen to the public again after years of hard work. Projectparticipants included Naval Facilities EngineeringCommand Southeast; Public Works Department Pensacola(including the Natural Resources team and the FacilityEngineering and Acquisition Division); Valley Crest andNature Bridges, Adopt-A-Beach groups, the Chief PettyOfficer’s Association, the base Public Affairs Office, the NASPensacola Gosport newspaper and the neighboring commu-nities of Heron’s Forest and Laguna Pointe.

Trout Point Nature Trail opened to the public on Earth Day1997. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan significantly damaged thehabitat, boardwalk and interpretive signs. This year therenovated Trout Point boardwalk and kiosk officially re-opened in time to celebrate Earth Day once again this year.Guests were treated to displays of base projects, refresh-ments, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a walk down the newboardwalk through the unique nature area. In addition:

� The 2008 Adopt-A-Beach season started with severalgroups completing their quarterly cleanups. Thenewest group, Training Squadron 10 (VT-10), gath-ered at Barrancas Beach and the Fuel Pier lastweekend with friends and family to pick up debrisalong the shore.

� A special thanks to the kids at Corry CDC for providingEarth Day beach drawings and collages. This enthusi-astic group also helped clean Barrancas Beach.

� At Pensacola’s Earth Day Festival at Bayview Park onSaturday, 19 April, Mark Gibson, NAS Pensacola’sNatural Resources Manager, supported the Society ofAmerican Foresters table. This event, which celebratedways to “go green,” had a turnout of over 5,000 visitors.

Submitted by Caitlin Snyder, Public Works Department Pensacola andMark Gibson, Naval Air Station Pensacola Natural Resources Department

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, LANaval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) NewOrleans, including Navy, Marine Corps, Army, CoastGuard and National Guard tenant commands, celebratedfifty years of environmental stewardship—since the base’s


Ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly re-opened Trout Point Nature Trail.Photo by Mike O’Conner

founding in 1958—by participating in a base-wide clean up effort in observance of Earth Dayand Earth Week on 25 April.

Primary activities included cleaning drainagecanals, clearing roadways and sidewalks of debrisand removal of invasive vegetation from nature andjogging paths. All trash was sorted and recyclablematerials were removed for reclamation.

An estimated 500 service members participated,collecting over 20 cubic yards of trash from thelesser used areas of the base. Much of the debris hadbeen blown into drainage canals or wooded areas byHurricane Katrina in 2005.Submitted by Marion Fannaly, NAS JRB New Orleans InstallationEnvironmental Program

Naval Support Activity Panama City, FLThe Naval Support Activity (NSA) Panama CityEnvironmental Office sponsored the Second AnnualShoreline Cleanup on 23 April. Over 60 Navy andcivilian volunteers representing NSA and its tenants, theNaval Surface Warfare Center and Naval Diving Salvageand Training Center, cleaned up to two miles of the St.Andrew Bay coastline. The effort filled a 10-cubic-yarddumpster with garbage that had been cluttering theshoreline.

The NSA Panama City Environmental Office, lead byCommanding Officer Captain Hal Harbeson, hosted a cere-monial tree planting event on 24 April to celebrate ArborDay and NSA Panama City’s 13th year as a Tree City.Twenty military, civilian Navy personnel and familymembers attended. Captain Harbison led the planting oftwo live oak trees and was present for the reading of theTree City proclamation. Special guests included NavalSurface Warfare Center Commanding Officer CaptainAndrew Buduo III; Ken Rudisill, the University of Florida’sBay County Extension Office Environmental HorticultureAgent, and three of Mr. Rudisill’s master gardener volun-teers. Mr. Rudisill demonstrated the latest techniques forproper tree planting. Ten additional native species treeswere planted in the Naval Surface Warfare Center industrialarea and the MWR campground.

The NSA Panama City and NAS Meridian environmentaloffices partnered to conduct a follow-up herbicide applica-tion in the continued effort to eradicate invasive plantspecies, including the Chinese tallow (popcorn) tree,Chinese privet, Camphor tree and wild taro that haveinvaded the installation’s forested areas.

Submitted by Jonnie Smallman, NSA Panama City Environmental Office

Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, MS Military personnel stationed at Naval Construction BattalionCenter (NCBC) Gulfport, and civilian employees, rolled uptheir sleeves and pitched in to help celebrate the 38thAnnual Earth Day on Tuesday, 22 April. The NCBCEnvironmental Department held several events acknowl-edging Earth Day and the environment.

Ted Ingram, the Environmental Department’s Earth Dayevents program manager, said that the primary goalssurrounding this year’s Earth Day events included contin-uing to recycle, planting trees around base and helpingeducate the kids who belong to the various youth programsat NCBC.

John Anderson, the Mississippi Soil and Water ConservationCommission Public Relations Director, demonstrated toyouth enrolled in the Starbase Atlantis program the impor-tance of water and soil conservation by using a plastic modelcalled an “enviroscape.” An enviroscape is a table-top modeldesigned to show both rural and urban non-point sourcepollution problems and solutions. Anderson showed thestudents how heavy rains, flooding and run-off can nega-tively affect the soil, and encouraged students to use lesswater in their daily lives.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast First Class Association raisedmoney on Earth Day by holding a “Think Green” car washin the Anchors and Eagles parking lot. In the Earth Dayspirit, the organization used less environmentally damagingsoaps to clean the cars and trucks.

Additionally, Gulfport Cub Scout Troop 301 came out toSeabee Lake at NCBC to plant a red maple tree on Earth Day.


This is just some of the trash and debris removed from NAS JRB New Orleans and adjoining drainage canals.

Photo by Joseph Musso

The staff at the NCBC EnvironmentalDepartment work year round to keepthe base clean through pollutionprevention, evaluation of environ-mental systems and education.

“Earth Day is just the beginning ofour events,” said Ingram. “We’regoing to extend these eventsthroughout the year.”Submitted by Brian McCarthy, ConstructionBattalion Center Public Affairs Office

Naval Air Station Key West, FL Not only did NAS Key West cleanupup Boca Chica Beach to celebrateEarth Day, they helped a local highschool student earn his Eagle Scoutbadge. Nearly 75 volunteers partici-pated in the one and a half milebeach cleanup, picking up approxi-mately 2,500 pounds of trash

including tires, shoes, broken lobstertraps and plastic bottles.Submitted by Carrie Backlund, NAS Key WestNatural Resources Department

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, TX Many teachers and school-age chil-dren learned about the Navy’scommitment to the environment atCorpus Christi’s Annual Earth Day—Bay Day Celebration at Cole Park on19 April. The potential audience ofover 20,000 people offered a greatopportunity for base volunteers tohand out Navy and Department ofDefense publications to inform thepublic about ongoing conservationand stewardship efforts.

Organized by Christina Meza andDilip Shaw, the station’s Public Works

Environmental Department sponsoredan Earth Day Base Clean Up half day.The local MWR Department suppliedcoffee, juice and danishes for breakfastand hamburgers for lunch when thenine crews returned after cleaning uptheir assigned sectors.

Because of great command support,approximately 130 volunteers gath-ered over 80 trash bags of debrisfrom around the base, ranging fromcigarette butts and plastic cups toscrap aluminum and iron, Styrofoamobjects, bottles, plastic containersand scraps of lumber. Volunteers alsocollected trash that was littering thepublic fishing areas north of theNorth Gate.Submitted by Richard Riddle, NAS Corpus ChristiNatural Resources Program and Arlen Andrews,Sr., Installation Environmental Program


Using base security and Seabee equipment, NAS Key West personnel were able to clear over a ton of debris from Boca Chica Beach.

Photo by Trice Denny

Naval Air Station Joint ReserveBase Fort Worth, TX Sometimes Earth Day celebrations cantake a more somber tone. NAS JRBForth Worth recognized Arbor Day on25 April by remembering their fallenSeabee comrades.

To begin the day of remembrance,Lieutenant Jason Brown, Public WorksOfficer, read the Arbor DayProclamation followed by CourtneyBlevins, Texas Forest Service, presentingthe Tree City USA Award.

A tree planting ceremony lead by theSeabees, Texas Forest Service, PublicWorks, the Environmental Departmentand MWR created a living memorial tothose Seabees who have lost their livesin the Global War on Terror and willprovide a reminder that the base bearsthe responsibility of preservingfreedom and the environment inwhich we live.

Seabees Killed In Action BU2 Michael C. Anderson 2 May 2004 NMCB 14

BUC Joel E. Baldwin 21 December 2004 NMCB 7

CS1 Regina Clark 23 June 2005 NMCB 18

EO3 Christopher M. Dickerson 30 April 2004 NMCB 14

EO2 Trace W. Dossett 2 May 2004 NMCB 14

SW2 Jason B. Dwelley 30 April 2004 NMCB 14

SW3 Ronald A. Ginther 2 May 2004 NMCB 14

HM2 Jamie S. Jaenke 5 June 2006 NMCB 25

BU2 Robert B. Jenkins 2 May 2004 NMCB 14

SW3 Eric L. Knott 4 September 2004 NMCB 4

CE2 Charles V. Komppa 28 October 2006 NMCB 18

CM3 Scott R. McHugh 2 May 2004 NMCB 14

EO1 Gary T. Rovinski 5 June 2005 NMCB 25

BU1 Jerry A. Tharp 12 July 2006 NMCB 25Submitted by Robert Myer, NAS JRB Fort WorthPublic Works Department

OVERSEAS COMMANDS

Commander Fleet ActivityChinhae, Korea Chinhae Fleet Activity’s Earth Daycentered on C. Turner JoyElementary School student’screativity and education. Three gradelevels had the opportunity to designenvironmentally-themed t-shirts. Thewinner’s design was printed on theback, and finished T-shirts werehanded out to each student.Commanding Officer CommanderWilliam Weedon awarded the topthree designers with a stuffed Earthball. The entire school, students andstaff then visited the JinhaeEcological Forest, where one of thestudent’s designs was chosen for anEarth Day banner.Submitted by Sun-ho Kim, Naval FacilitiesEngineering Command Far East/Commander,Naval Forces Korea Regional Environmental Office

Naval Facilities EngineeringCommand Marianas, Guam Naval Facilities EngineeringCommand Marianas, MWR, NavalBase Guam and the USS FRANKCABLE (AS 40) supported a DadiBeach Cleanup on Naval Base Guamon 19 April 2008. It was a familyevent that promoted environmentalawareness and helped clean up theenvironment. Volunteers collected twotruckloads of trash from the beach andsorted out aluminum cans for recy-cling. New efforts are underway to

expand these types of cleanups andperform them at additional locationsthroughout the year.

Naval Facilities Engineering CommandMarianas employees Ramon Camachoand Robbie Cabreza conducted envi-ronmental presentations at McCoolMiddle School on Earth Day for over200 middle school students. Thepresentation educated students on thecommand’s efforts to preserve, restoreand protect the environment. Thiscovered water resources and watershedmanagement, natural and culturalresource management, the installationrestoration program and recycling andalternative energy efforts. Camacho andCabreza highlighted what the childrencan do in their everyday lives toimprove their environment: mainlyrecycle and conserve energy and water.There was also a question and answerperiod when participating studentscould win prizes.

At the 26 April Tuman Bay, Guam,Island Pride Festival, Naval FacilitiesEngineering Command Marianas setup an informational booth high-lighting Guam’s endangered andthreatened species. Booth staffersprovided information about the Navy’secological reserves in that area, andexplained Navy efforts to protect theseanimals and their habitat. Wildlifesurveys showing populations of threat-ened and endangered fish, coral, fruit


Even the youngest members of the Navy familyhelped clean up Dadi Beach on 19 April 2008.

Photo by Kyra Hawn

bat, sea turtle, snail and birds onGuam were also displayed. Publicparticipants answered questions forprizes given out by commandpersonnel and the Guam EPA.Submitted by Ramon Camacho, Naval FacilitiesEngineering Command Marianas Environmental Department

Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy Personnel from NAS Sigonellacontributed time and talent to makeEarth Week 2008 and related events asuccess, focusing on strengtheningcommunity relations through environ-mental awareness.

In mid-March, base personnelengaged the Steven DecaturDepartment of Defense Dependents(DoDD) School kids in “What DoesEarth Day Mean to Me” Poster andEssay contests. There were 46 posterand seven essay entries. The week-long observance included prizes forall the kids, provided by Navy FederalCredit Union, MWR, the NavyExchange’s Applebee’s Restaurant andthe Donna Fortunata Restaurant inMotta. MWR, Navy Federal Credit

Union, Donna Fortunata Restaurantand Applebee’s Restaurant providedawards for the student Poster andEssay Contest winners. DonnaFortunata restaurant also providedcertificates for a free pizza as “TreasureHunt” prizes for kids during theMotta Road clean up.

The Sigonella Environmental startedthe actual Earth Week by staffing anEnvironmental Awareness Booth, 9and 10 May, at the annual MWR“Country Fair.”

On 17 May, NAS Sigonella teamed upwith its closest neighbor, the historictown of Motta Sant Anastasia. Italianand American neighbors shared in aroad cleanup project followed by anold-fashioned American barbecue.

Capturing the spirit of the Italian-American Earth Day Celebration, theMWR Marketing Office designed alogo that was used on T-shirts andposters with the slogan, “Earth DayRocks” at NAS Sigonella. Motta’s wastemanagement and recycling companycovered the cost of the T-shirts.

Captain Thomas Quinn, NAS SigonellaCommanding Officer, commented, “Iam very happy that we have enjoyedgreat weather and a record turnout forthis year’s Earth Day observance. Thisevent continues to be one of the mostimportant opportunities for us tostrengthen the relationship with ourclosest neighbors, the town of MottaSant Anastasia. I feel that Earth Week isthe perfect opportunity for us to renewour perpetual commitment to take careof the Earth and to strengthen bondswith our neighbors.”

About 250 people attended this year’sevent, during which they picked upnearly a ton of trash and debris.

The Sigonella Environmental Officecoordinated the command sponsoredobservance with direct support fromMWR, the Public Affairs Office,Chaplains Office, Public WorksDepartment, Base Security, DefenseCommissary Agency and individualvolunteers from the local First ClassAssociation and the Chief PettyOfficer’s Association. Representativesfrom these organizations comprised


An Earth Day T-shirt with a winning design by a Kindergarten student was distributed to all students of the C. Turner Joy Elementary School.The back of the T-shirt displays the winning Earth Day design.Photo by Sun-ho Kim

the Earth Week Coordinating Team and were responsiblefor successfully planning and executing these exciting andwell-attended community relations events.

The team worked with the local community to provideforce protection and traffic control services, disposal of solidwaste and transportation services for hundreds of U.S.personnel attending these events. In addition to organizingand conducting the barbeques, the team prepared awardsand participation certificates, built display boards andcrafted recognition plaques that were presented to theItalian school, the local municipality and organizationsinvolved in conducting Earth Week events.

Local Italian press and television stations covered the eventand the Navy received very favorable reviews in the Sundayeditions of La Sicilia and Giornale di Sicilia (top circulationdaily newspapers) and on Armed Forces Network, Telecoloreand Antenna Sicilia regional television stations. Submitted by Mike Scott, NAS Sigonella Environmental Office

Naval Support Activity BahrainService members, DoDD School children and host nationpersonnel participated in an Earth Week celebration thatincluded various activities aimed at increasing awarenessand making pledges to protect the environment. EarthWeek emphasized that every day is Earth Day—a time toact to protect our planet.

Each day during Earth Week, the base’s environmentaldepartment sent out articles providing information aboutEarth Day and its history. Daily information also includedeasy ways to implement measures to help protect the envi-ronment. Additionally, environmental department personnelmanned a booth to provide passers-by with environmentaltips such as energy conservation, and also explain informa-tional posters that were on display. More than 75 people aday visited the booth.

Tree planting and landscape projects were part of the activ-ities during the weeklong celebration. Volunteers planted


NAS Sigonella’s Motta Road cleanup crew with Mount Etna in the background.Photo by Mike Scott

several all-season trees and hundredsof small plants and flowers in andaround the facility. Also, a manmadewaterfall with a small pond,surrounded by foliage, was inaugu-rated in the vicinity of NSA Bahrain’smain walk-in gate.

The major event during Earth Weekwas a cleanup and trash removal in andaround the base and included trash anddebris cleanup at the Al Ayyam PrintingCompany, the BANZ GroupCompound, Juffair Mosque, AmericanAlley and the waterfront area.

Volunteers separated debris into trashand recyclable materials. Recyclablesincluded aluminum cans, woodpallets, scrap metal and paper andplastic. Out of the total amountcollected, approximately 37,500pounds—more than 50 percent—were delivered to various NSABahrain recycling contractors.Approximately 33,500 pounds of

trash was disposed of at the Kingdomof Bahrain Asker Landfill.

Even after Earth Week officially ended,base personnel continued the cleanupeffort while Navy Seabees and personnelassigned to the environmental depart-ment cleaned up the military construc-tion area. In all, more than 215,000pounds of damaged concrete barriersand construction debris were removed.Submitted by Awni Almasri, NSA Bahrain, NavyRegion Southwest Asia

In the spirit of the “Sustaining OurEnvironment, Protecting Our Freedom”theme for Navy Earth Day 2008, envi-ronmentally responsible workcontinues throughout the Departmentof the Navy in the forms of marinemammal research, the use of greenerand environmentally preferable mate-rials for system design and mainte-nance, the study and use of alternativefuels as well as stakeholder partnershipsto help counter encroachment on our

installations and preserving wildlifehabitats. Earth Day activities offer achance to share such successes with ourlocal communities, but these and otherenvironmental stewardship effortscontinue year-round.

If you have ideas for future NavyEarth Day events or would like toparticipate in one, please contact thepublic affairs or environmental officeat your base or region. �


Kenneth HessChief of Naval Operations

Environmental Readiness Division703-604-5467DSN: [email protected]

C O N T A C T

Members of the staff of NSA Bahrain’s Environmental Department and Earth Week volunteers help plant flowers and plants around the pool of the facility’s new water fountain on 23 April. The manmade waterfall, complete with a small pond

surrounded by foliage, is located just inside NSA Bahrain’s main walk-in gate.Photo by Awni Almasri


The Chief of NavalOperations (CNO)Admiral Gary Rougheadpresented the Fiscal Year2007 CNO Environmental

Awards on 3 June 2008 at the NavyMemorial in Washington, DC.

During his opening remarks, the CNOthanked the awardees for theirachievements.

“These awards represent the care, thefocus and the commitment that theNavy has to being a great steward ofour environment,” Roughead said.“We can be both. We’re greatwarfighters, we’re great operators, butat the same time we take care of theenvironment. The awards that we aregiving out today recognize the bestperformance in the area of environ-mental stewardship so my congratu-

lations to the entire team thatgarnished the award.”

Roughead stated the efforts of therecipients of the CNO EnvironmentalAwards are just a few examples of howindividuals and commands are takingaction to protect the natural resourcesand the health of the planet.

“It’s about the future,” said Roughead.“It’s about the future that we will leaveto our children and their children. It’sabout the care we take of our installa-tions and the areas in which weoperate. It’s about ensuring that we canbe effective and at the same time beefficient and protect the environment.”

CNO stressed the importance of envi-ronmental stewardship and the accom-plishments the Navy has made. Thisfiscal year the Navy will spend more

The CNO Presents Environmental Awards for

Fiscal Year2007Admiral Roughead Recognizes the Best Performances

“These awards represent the care, the focus and the commitment that the Navy has to

being a great steward of our environment.”—Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations

Master of Ceremonies Rear Admiral Larry Rice,Director, CNO Environmental Readiness

Division, welcomed the winners and distinguished visitors at the CNO Environmental Awards ceremony,

introduced the CNO, Admiral Gary Roughead,and narrated the awards presentation.

The CNO urged Sailors, Navy civilians and their families tocontinue their efforts, whether they are at home or abroad.

“I ask that as you go forth from here and return to yourcommands that not only do you continue to work in thosecommands that have been highlighted, but that you reachout to other commands and other organizations andencourage them to look at ways in which they can becomebetter stewards of the environment,” Roughead concluded.

The annual CNO Environmental Awards program recognizesNavy people, ships and installations for their exceptional envi-ronmental stewardship. Twenty-seven winners were selected inthe following categories:


The CNO, Admiral Gary Roughead, speaks during the Fiscal Year 2007 CNO Environmental Awards ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. U.S.Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Tiffini M. Jones

Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, NJ,Natural Resources Conservation

Small Installation winner.

Naval Air Station Brunswick, ME,Natural Resources Conservation


Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, CA,Resources Conservation


than $20 million on scientific research and systems devel-opment relating to marine mammals. In 2007, the Navyspent more than $15 million in projects to protectwetlands, natural areas and threatened and endangeredspecies. These are just a few of the examples the CNO gaveof how the Navy is doing its part for the environment.

“In the last few years, the Navy has really moved forwardaggressively and very positively in our stewardship of theenvironment,” said Roughead. “We’ve also opened up ourprograms, we’ve opened up our bases, we’ve even openedup our operations, so that more Americans can see the greatcare that we take toward preserving the environment.”

Commander Navy Region Southwest Asia,Environmental Quality

Non-industrial Installation winner.

Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, NJ,Environmental Quality


Naval Station Mayport, FL,Environmental Quality


Fleet Readiness Center East, Cherry Point, NC,Command Monitoring Team, Environmental

Quality Individual/Team winner.

Naval Base Coronado, CA,Natural Resources Conservation Team,

Natural Resources Conservation Individual/Team winner.

Naval Undersea Warfare Center DivisionNewport, RI, Natural Resources Conservation

Team, Natural Resources ConservationIndividual/Team winner.

U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia,Antenor Nestor Guzman, Natural Resources

Conservation Individual/Team winner.

U.S. Fleet Activities Naval Base Sasebo, Japan,Cultural Resources Management

Installation winner.

Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC,Environmental Information ManagementSystem/Protective Measures Assessment

Protocol Team, Environmental QualityIndividual/Team winner.

U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,Environmental Quality Team,

Environmental Quality Individual/Team winner.

USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65),Environmental Quality Large Ship winner.

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73),Environmental Quality Large Ship winner.

Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan,Pollution Prevention Industrial Installation winner.

Naval Base Kitsap, WA, Pollution PreventionIndustrial Installation winner.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, ME, PollutionPrevention Industrial Installation winner.



Naval Air Station Fallon, NV, EnvironmentalRestoration Installation winner.

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, CA,Environmental Restoration Team, Environmental

Restoration Individual/Team winner.

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, CA,Environmental Restoration

Installation winner.

Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, VA,Environmental Restoration Installation winner.

Cecil Field, FL, Base Realignment and ClosureCleanup Team, Environmental Restoration

Individual/Team winner.

Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL, EnvironmentalRestoration Team, Environmental Restoration

Individual/Team winner

Program Executive Officer, Tactical AircraftPrograms, Patuxent River, MD, F/A-18E/F & EA-18G Acquisition Programs Green HornetTeam, Environmental Excellence in Weapon

System Acquisition Team winner.

Program Executive Officer, Air AntisubmarineWarfare, Assault and Special Missions Programs,

Patuxent River, MD, P-8A PoseidonEnvironment, Safety and Occupational HealthTeam, Environmental Excellence in Weapon

System Acquisition Team winner.

Easter ThompsonChief of Naval Operations

Environmental Readiness Division703-604-5426DSN: [email protected]

Rebekah BlowersChief of Naval Operations Public Affairs703-692-5306DSN: 222-5305/[email protected]

C O N T A C T SFor More Insights

for more insights into the 2007 CNOEnvironmental Award winners, read our

article entitled, “Presenting the 2007 CNOEnvironmental Awards: CompetitionRecognizes Exceptional Navy Environ-mental Stewardship,” in the summer2008 issue of Currents. You can browsethe Currents archive or subscribe to themagazine via the Naval Air SystemsCommand’s environmental web site atwww.enviro-navair.navy.mil.

natural resources conservation, culturalresources management, environmentalquality, pollution prevention, environ-mental restoration and environmentalexcellence in weapon system acquisition.

This article was written by MassCommunication Specialist 2nd Class(SW) Rebekah Blowers and originallyappeared on the Navy Newsstand site(at www.navy.mil) as story numberNNS080604-12. For more news fromthe Chief of Naval Operations, visitwww.navy.mil/local/cno. �

Photos by Ben Zweig


Eighteen winners of the fiscalyear (FY) 2007 Secretary ofthe Navy (SECNAV)Environmental Awardscompetition were honored

at a ceremony held on 3 June 2008 atthe U.S. Navy Memorial and NavalHeritage Center in Washington, DC.The annual SECNAV EnvironmentalAwards program recognizes Navy andMarine Corps individuals, teams, shipsand installations for their exceptionalenvironmental stewardship.

In addition to the awardees, severalsenior environmental and logisticsofficials were in attendance. Senior

military officials included ViceAdmiral Michael Loose, DeputyChief of Naval Operations, FleetReadiness and Logistics; RearAdmiral Len Hering,Commander, Navy RegionSouthwest; Major GeneralEdward Usher III, DeputyCommandant of the MarineCorps, Installations andLogistics; Brigadier GeneralMelvin Spiese, CommandingGeneral, Training and EducationCommand; and Rear AdmiralLarry Rice, Director, Chief ofNaval Operations EnvironmentalReadiness Division.

SECNAVAwardWinners RecognizedEnvironmental

Assistant Secretary of the NavyPresents Fiscal Year 2007 Awards

I am impressed by your dedication to the protection of the environment and

your hard work in accomplishing both your military and environmental missions.

—Donald Schregardus,Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment)

Donald Schregardus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment)

addresses the audience at the FY 2007 SECNAV Environmental Awards.

Civilian leaders present included Mr.Alex Beehler, Assistant DeputyUndersecretary of Defense(Environment, Safety andOccupational Health); Mr. FredCrecelius, Executive Director, NavyRegion Mid-Atlantic; Mr. PaulHubbell, Deputy Assistant DeputyCommandant for Installations andLogistics (Facilities); Mr. PatTamburrino, Assistant Deputy Chief ofNaval Operations, Fleet Readiness andLogistics; and Mr. John Quinn, DeputyDirector, Chief of Naval OperationsEnvironmental Readiness Division.

The Awards CeremonyDonald Schregardus, Deputy AssistantSecretary of the Navy (Environment),hosted the program. After thankingthe judges from academia, industryand state and federal governmentagencies who contributed their timeto select the FY 2007 award winners,Schregardus turned his attention tothe award winners. He expressed hispride in their successes and recog-nized the great strides they have madetowards protecting the environmentwhile fulfilling the Department’s readi-

ness mission. “I am impressed by yourdedication to the protection of theenvironment and your hard work inaccomplishing both your military and

environmental missions,” Schregardussaid.

Schregardus also noted that three ofthe winning organizations had gone


The Navy and Marine Corpsshould be trend-setters in

environmental matters,doing our part to reduce ourenvironmental footprint and

setting an example for government and industry alike.

—The Honorable BJ Penn,Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment)

The Honorable BJ Penn,Assistant Secretary of the

Navy (Installations and Environment)addresses the audience at the FY 2007

SECNAV Environmental Awards.

On-Line Access to SECNAV Environmental Award Winners

an interactive map listing all the SECNAV winners and a brief summary of their accomplishments can be found at the following link:

http://www.navy.mil/media/multimedia/environmental/index.html

on to win at the Secretary of Defenselevel, noting that “the competition at thatlevel is intense, and your superior perfor-mance is the result of a constant pursuitof environmental excellence.”

Schregardus then introduced the guestspeaker, The Honorable BJ Penn, AssistantSecretary of the Navy (Installations andEnvironment). Penn commented on theachievements of the award winners andnoted how their programs and initiativeswere representative of a larger effort tomake environmental stewardship a priorityfor the Department of the Navy.

“We pursue environmental excellencebecause it is the right thing to do,” Pennsaid. “The Navy and Marine Corps shouldbe trend-setters in environmental matters,doing our part to reduce our environ-mental footprint and setting an examplefor government and industry alike.”

Penn also commented on the newDepartment of the Navy EnvironmentalStrategy, noting its all-inclusive approach.“The strategy lays out the Department’senvironmental vision and goals, and will serve as guid-ance for the Department—from the most senior leadersto the most junior Sailors and Marines,” Penn said.

Before presenting the plaques to the award winners, Pennacknowledged the Department of the Navy’s environmentalprofessionals. “I know the men and women of theDepartment are up to the challenges ahead of them, and Iam confident they will continue their record of success inaccomplishing both their environmental and their nationaldefense missions,” Penn said.

U.S. Fleet Activities, Sasebo, JapanCultural Resources Management—InstallationFleet Activities (FLEACT) Sasebo strives to maintain itscultural and historic resources, which are spread acrossnine non-contiguous areas, by partnering with the City ofSasebo and the Government of Japan.

The FLEACT Sasebo Environmental Program has threemajor objectives that impact protection, management andenhancement of natural and cultural resources:

1. Maintain agreements between Commander FleetActivities Sasebo and the Government of Japan relatedto environmental compliance and stewardship,

2. Provide sound business practices and implement thedirection set forth in the current Japan EnvironmentalGoverning Standards and other environmental directivesthat apply overseas, and

3. Provide direction to FLEACT Sasebo departments andtenant commands that allow them to fulfill missionrequirements while preserving, protecting andimproving environmental conditions in Sasebo andthe surrounding areas in a professional and cost effec-tive manner.

In support of these goals, FLEACT Sasebo has:

� Programmed and funded the required 2009 update toits base Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan,

� Completed a joint historic and architectural review ofImperial Japanese Navy era officer housing with theSasebo City Education Office,

� Evaluated and collected representative detail piecesrelated to the Imperial Japanese Navy Officer Housingunits prior to their demolition, and

� Finalized results of an archaeological survey at the Yokosefuel depot.


Richard Whittier and LCDR David Kang accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Cultural Resources Management, Installation category from BJ Penn,

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment) and Donald Schregardus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment).

Marine Air Ground Task ForceTraining Command Twentynine Palms, CACultural ResourcesManagement—InstallationFiscal year 2007 was a banner year forcultural resources management atMarine Air Ground Task ForceTraining Command (MAGTFTC)Twentynine Palms. More than 14,000acres were surveyed for culturalresources in FY 2007, bringing theTraining Command to a total of235,509 acres surveyed, or almost 40percent of the total acreage of theCommand. More than 1,700 archeo-logical sites on the base have beenidentified and recorded and, of these,486 sites have been or are in theprocess of being evaluated for NationalRegister of Historic Places eligibility.

The Archeology and PaleontologyCuration Center, a dedicated 2,500square foot facility, was officiallyopened in January 2007. The first ofits kind aboard a Marine Corps instal-lation, the Curation Center providesstorage space for the TrainingCommand’s collections, a file roomwith fire-proof cabinets for supportingdocuments associated with the culturalresources management activitiesaboard the base, as well as office andlaboratory space to support curationactivities. The curation facilitycurrently houses over 400 boxes ofartifacts as well as archived reports,field notes, photographs and otherrecords. Interpretive displays high-lighting the prehistory and history ofTwentynine Palms are found in theentry hall and mounted on walls inthe file room and office. The curationfacility has taken center stage in anoutreach program; numerous groupsand individuals have toured the facilityhighlighting the cultural resourcesprogram at the installation.

Additionally, the Training Commandsuccessfully negotiated a new


Dr. Marie Cottrell and BGen Melvin Spiese from MAGTFTC Twentynine Palms accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Cultural Resources Management, Installation category

from BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment),and Donald Schregardus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment).

The P-8A Poseidon ESOH Team accepts the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Environmental Excellence in Weapon System Acquisition category

from BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment),Vice Admiral Michael Loose, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness and Logistics,

and Donald Schregardus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment).

Programmatic Agreement with theCalifornia State Historic PreservationOffice. The agreement defines howMAGTFTC will carry out its historicpreservation obligations consistentwith Section 106 of the NationalHistoric Preservation Act.

P-8A Poseidon Environment,Safety, and Occupational Health TeamEnvironmental Excellence inWeapon System AcquisitionThe P-8A Program established anEnvironment, Safety andOccupational Health (ESOH) Team totake early, positive steps to integrateESOH considerations into the acqui-sition process. The Program Managerestablished the ESOH Team underthe Systems Engineering IntegrationTeam, to provide ESOH-relatedadvice and to pursue the program’sESOH objectives, especially compli-ance with ESOH requirementsderived from Department of Defense(DoD) Directive 5000.1 and DoDInstruction 5000.2. The P-8A Teamhas engaged stakeholders at all levelsto ensure that their needs andconcerns are addressed with respectto ESOH aspects of the weaponsystem acquisition process.

The P-8A ESOH Team has fosteredthe Design for the Environment andSafety (DFES) concept as a keyelement of its management approach.The DFES concept is designed tointegrate ESOH considerations suchas green design, material substitu-tion, recycling and other positiveattributes into the acquisitionprocess. DFES requirements havebeen incorporated into the P-8ASystem Development andDemonstration contract to identifyand track progress integrating ESOHinto the acquisition process.

The P-8A ESOH Team’s programmanagement approach supports mili-

tary readiness by addressing key issuessuch as engine air emissions, Halonelimination and community noiseearly, and takes positive steps to miti-gate them, ensuring on-time deliveryto the warfighter. This approach alsosupports readiness by addressingreductions in total ownership cost asone of the key ESOH objectives.

USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65)Environmental Quality—Large ShipWith an unbeatable environmental safetyrecord and constant adherence to regula-tory standards, the USS ENTERPRISEhas demonstrated superior commitmentto environmental stewardship throughsound environmental management prac-tices while providing sustained combatpower from the sea.

Through the use of innovative main-tenance practices, the ENTERPRISEachieved a 50 percent reduction in airconditioning refrigerant leaks from

previous years with an associatedrefrigerant savings of over 25 percentof targeted quantities based on U.S.Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) standards.

The ENTERPRISE garnered high praisefrom the Board of Inspection andSurvey (INSURV) EnvironmentalInspectors for superb program admin-istration and self-assessment aftersuccessfully completing the ship’s finalINSURV inspection prior to decommis-sioning and scoring higher than twoprevious carriers. Proving its dedicationto mission accomplishment, theENTERPRISE conducted two acceler-ated workup cycles and deployed forover nine months on two separatedeployments, completing 46 underwayreplenishments and 10 foreign portvisits while traveling over 75,000nautical miles with zero environmentalrelated incidents.

With over 46 years of dedicatedservice, the USS ENTERPRISE remains


CAPT Ron Horton, Commanding Officer, USS ENTERPRISE, and LT Victoria Jackson accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Environmental Quality, Large Ship category




Dennis Blazak, Lawrence Lemig and Captain Phillip L. Beachy of NAES Lakehurst accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Environmental Quality,

Non-Industrial Installation category from BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy(Installations and Environment), Vice Admiral Michael Loose,

Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness and Logistics,and Donald Schregardus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment).

Captain Dave Hudock and Randall Hu from MCBH accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Environmental Quality, Non-Industrial Installation category from BJ Penn,

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment), Donald Schregardus,Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment), and Major General Edward Usher III,

Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Installations and Logistics.

committed to the protection of ournation and the natural environment.

Naval Air Engineering StationLakehurst, NJEnvironmental Quality—Non-Industrial InstallationThe Naval Air Engineering Station(NAES) Lakehurst EnvironmentalDepartment continually strives tocombine mission accomplishment andenvironmental stewardship. TheStation was able to successfully enterinto partnerships with state and localorganizations and acquired an ease-ment on 246 acres of farmland adja-cent to the Station, preventing the riskof future mission conflicts.

A leader in pollution prevention andwaste reduction, NAES Lakehurst’sEnvironmental Management System(EMS) was instrumental in dramati-cally reducing air emissions andhazardous waste generation and inincreasing recycling. Greenhouse gasreduction efforts resulted in significantreductions in oxides of nitrogen(NOx) (19 percent), carbon monoxide(11 percent), and carbon dioxide (13percent) emissions. Station effortsinitiated after the addition of electronicrecycling in 2007 resulted in a jumpin the amount of electronic waste recy-cled from almost 32,000 pounds in2006 to over 46,000 pounds in 2007,a 44 percent increase.

Solid waste reduction benefited aswell. Overall, materials recycled suchas office paper, cardboard, metal, glass,plastic, asphalt and concrete increasedby over 3,700 tons. In addition, theStation’s solid waste diversion ratewhich was only 35 percent in FY05,jumped to 42 percent in FY06 and 46percent in FY07.

In 2006, NAES Lakehurst received anEPA Performance Track EnvironmentalPerformance Award—the first ever fora DoD installation—as a result of the

Station’s success in meeting andsurpassing EPA goals in the areas ofNOx emissions, water usage and greenprocurement. Using the EMS as itsguide, NAES Lakehurst looks forwardto achieving even higher levels of envi-ronmental performance in the future.

Marine Corps Base HawaiiEnvironmental Quality—Non-Industrial InstallationMarine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH)strives to be a model steward of thenaturally and culturally rich landsunder its control and to provideresponsive support to operating forcesto enhance combat readiness, globalpower projection, and quality of life.MCBH sustains its environmentalachievements through successful base-wide implementation of an EMS.

MCBH achieved full EMS confor-mance and awarded and completedover $7 million in environmentalfacility improvement projects,including the following:

� Reduced the flood risk at a vehiclemaintenance compound by using aconstructed wetland lined withnative plants.

� Installed spill containment anddiversionary structures to preventfuel from entering the waters ofKaneohe Bay.

� Removed seven cesspoolsthroughout the base and at theweapons firing range and installa-tion of secondary treatmentsystems to protect groundwaterresources.

� Removed inactive oily water sepa-rators (OWS) and replaced deterio-rating OWS to prevent excessiveoil from being discharged to thewastewater treatment plant inviolation of the permit.

� Awarded a $700,000 WeaponsRange Erosion Control project to

reduce erosion and its impactsupon nearby Kailua Bay while alsopreventing damage to the pistoland rifle ranges.

Additionally, MCBH saved $1.64million by diverting over 106,000pounds of hazardous material, and hasimproved its already impressivecommunity outreach and pollutionprevention efforts.

Naval Sea Systems Command,EIMS/PMAP TeamEnvironmental Quality—Team/IndividualA significant milestone in the Navy’senvironmental stewardship effort wasreached in 2007 with delivery of theEnvironmental InformationManagement System (EIMS) to theFleet. The men and women of theNaval Sea Systems Command(NAVSEA), Shipboard EnvironmentalProtection Systems Department (SEA05P25), in close partnership with key

personnel from the Chief of NavalOperations, U.S. Fleet ForcesCommand, Commander U.S. PacificFleet, Space and Naval WarfareSystems Center Charleston, NavalFacilities Engineering Command andindustry cooperatively developed anddeployed EIMS.

In 2007, the system was delivered tothe Fleet for shipboard use and thefirst EIMS module, the ProtectiveMeasures Assessment Protocol (PMAP)was granted “Approval to Operate”from the Naval Network WarfareCommand. EIMS supports the Navyplanning process for training exercisesand provides tools to prepare environ-mental planning documents in accor-dance with environmental laws. Inaddition, PMAP provides unit levelcommanders situational awareness andappropriate protective measures forroutine training and exercises.

The toolset integrates over 1,000datasets from 150 data sources to


Ken Bible, Twila Williams-Sabin, Bryan Murphy and Carl Adema of the NAVSEA EIMS PMAP Teamaccept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Environmental Quality, Team/Individual category



develop a visual picture of the environ-ment from anywhere in the world,overlays information known aboutmarine mammals and provides aprintout of protective measures andmitigation techniques that can beimplemented proactively before anexercise, allowing training to proceed inharmony with the ocean environment.

2D Marine Logistics Group,Marine Corps Base CampLejeune, NCEnvironmental Quality—Team/IndividualThe 2D Marine Logistics Group (2DMLG) conducts general and directsupply support operations. It receives,stores, distributes and manages supplymaterial and information. It alsoprovides health and dental servicesupport, military police supportincluding maneuver and mobility, areasecurity and law and order intermentoperations to the Marine Air GroundTask Force.

2D MLG’s mission with respect toenvironmental compliance is to maxi-mize the effectiveness of each unit’stime in the field and in garrison whilemaintaining environmental standardsset forth by the Commandant of theMarine Corps. By developing effectivehazardous material management andpollution prevention programs, thepotential exposure to hazardoussubstances is minimized, financialresources are optimized and trainingopportunities for Marines areincreased. Additionally, through envi-ronmental stewardship, 2D MLGenhances the working relationshipwith its neighbors, thereby securinglong-term access to training rangesand operational areas.

The 2D MLG environmental compli-ance section effectively balanced oper-ational commitments withenvironmental requirements bysustaining ground maneuver forces


Major Greg Joseph, Staff Sergeant Samson Erdly, Staff Sergeant Vestal Hensley and Sergeant Manuel Ahumada accept the SECNAV Environmental Award

in the Environmental Quality, Team category from BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy(Installations and Environment), Donald Schregardus, Deputy Assistant Secretary

of the Navy (Environment), and Major General Edward Usher III,Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Installations and Logistics.

Captain Babette Bolivar, Commanding Officer, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown,Cherryl Barnett and Linda Cole of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic,

and Wade Smith from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Environmental Restoration, Installation category



requirements both while in garrisonand forward deployed. During theaward period, 2D MLG successfullyimplemented the Hazardous MaterialManagement System (HMMS),resulting in a 72 percent increase inhazardous material identification andfurther reduced total environmentaldiscrepancies and findings by 57 and35 percent respectively, adding to analready impressive record of environ-mental achievement.

Naval Weapons StationYorktown, VAEnvironmental Restoration—InstallationIn operation since World War I, NavalWeapons Station Yorktown and itsannex, Cheatham (CAX), are withinthe Chesapeake Bay watershed, a vitalecological habitat often used as a stan-dard to measure the health of theNation’s largest estuary. The Stationcontains the Navy’s largest tract ofundeveloped land within the water-shed, but its prior ordnance produc-tion activities result in a significantpotential for pollution. The majorchallenge for the Navy EnvironmentalRestoration Program (NERP) atYorktown is resolving ecologicalreceptor concerns, which are muchmore stringent than those for humanhealth. There are 373 acres in theNERP Program at the Station and atCAX, of which 232 acres are nowresponse complete. During the currentaward period, the NERP:

� Closed the Marine Pistol and RifleRange, allowing the land to bereused as an recreational vehiclepark in support of service members.

� Validated the success of an innova-tive bioremediation technologywith approximately 14,000 tons ofexplosive- and Polycyclic AromaticHydrocarbon-contaminated soiltreated to a significant contaminantmass reduction of over 99 percent.


Jeff Christopher, Dale McFarland, Mel Acree and Janice Nielsen accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Environmental Restoration, Team category from BJ Penn,Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment), Donald Schregardus,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment), and Major General Edward Usher III,Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Installations and Logistics.

The NAWS China Lake Environmental Restoration Team accepts the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Environmental Restoration, Team/Individual category



� Partnered with the College ofWilliam and Mary’s VirginiaInstitute of Marine Science (VIMS)to field test their cutting edge in-situ residual explosive compoundsdetection system.

� Partnered with local stakeholders(such as VIMS) and the commu-nity for a major landfill removaland restoration protect along theYork River.

� Installed 250 linear feet of geotex-tile tubes to protect the YorkRiver from site debris erodingalong the shoreline.

� Awarded over $1 million to smalland disadvantaged business interests.

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NCEnvironmental Restoration—Installation

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS)Cherry Point has embraced innovativeand effective partnering, site manage-ment, investigation and cleanup tech-niques to create a program thatprotects human health and the envi-ronment, supports the installationmission, and promotes efficient andcost-effective site closure. During fiscalyears 2006 and 2007, Cherry Pointexecuted two Records of Decision,improved public access to and under-standing of restoration information,recognized community members fortheir service, and closed seven sites.Restoration initiatives generated over$250,000 in savings for the AirStation’s operational account and morethan $2.75 million in savings for therestoration program.

The Cherry Point team seeks to achievethese goals in a technically sound,timely and cost-effective manner. To thisend, the Cherry Point restoration teamhas the following objectives:

� Prevent unacceptable risks tohuman health and the environ-ment.

� Meet all regulatory requirementsand deadlines.

� Maximize the use of innovativetechnologies and managementapproaches to support the installa-tion missions and unit readiness,reduce costs, increase small busi-ness participation and close sites.

� Improve relations with thecommunity and the regulators byfostering an atmosphere of open-ness and trust.

These restoration objectives are alignedwith the statutory DefenseEnvironmental Restoration Programgoals of correcting environmentaldamage that creates an imminent andsubstantial endangerment to the publichealth or welfare or to the environment.

Naval Air Weapons StationChina Lake EnvironmentalRestoration TeamEnvironmental Restoration—Team/IndividualNaval Air Weapons Station (NAWS)China Lake has 79 InstallationRestoration Program (IRP) sites, tenactive Underground Storage Tank(UST) sites, and two MunitionsResponse Program sites. TheseEnvironmental Restoration activitiesare managed by Michael Cornell andMichael Quesada from the NavalFacilities Engineering Command,Southwest, and James McDonald,Dean Hill and Michael Stoner fromthe NAWS China LakeEnvironmental Division.

Major Environmental Restorationaccomplishments over the past twofiscal years include:

� Completion of a groundwater studythat concluded no contamination


The MCAS Cherry Point Partnering Team accepts the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Environmental Restoration, Team/Individual category from BJ Penn,Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment), Donald Schregardus,Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment), and Major General Edward Usher III,Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Installations and Logistics.

had migrated from the sites closestto neighboring communities.

� Completion of a Record ofDecision for the Armitage FieldOperable Unit. The selected alter-native is estimated to cost $12.1 M,a 64 percent savings over the mostexpensive alternatives ($33.7 M)

� Completion of a Time-CriticalRemoval Action. This actionresulted in the off site-disposal ofover 2,000 tons of pesticide conta-minated soil.

� Completion of a Record ofDecision for a waste propellantopen burn area. The selected alter-native will result in an 80 percentsavings over the estimated excava-tion and disposal cost of $4.0 M.

� Closure of two UST sites after sixyears of groundwater monitoring.

These accomplishments were inaddition to the continued operationof source removal projects atArmitage Field (cumulating in over42,000 gallons of fuel removed),planning, management and imple-mentation of three Land Use Controlplans, and maintenance activities at aclosed landfill.

Marine Corps Air Station CherryPoint Partnering TeamEnvironmental Restoration—Team/IndividualMCAS Cherry Point’s restorationobjectives are aligned with the statu-tory Defense EnvironmentalRestoration Program goals ofcorrecting environmental damage thatcreates an imminent and substantialendangerment to the public health orwelfare or to the environment. TheMarine Corps seeks to achieve thesegoals in a technically sound, timely,and cost-effective manner. To thisend, the Cherry Point PartneringTeam has the following objectives:

� Prevent unacceptable risks tohuman health and the environment.

� Meet all regulatory requirementsand deadlines.

� Share successful cleanup strategiesthat can be applied across regula-tory programs.

� Maximize the use of innovativetechnologies and managementapproaches to support the installa-tion mission, reduce costs, increasesmall business participation, andclose sites.

� Improve relations with the commu-nity and the regulators by fosteringan atmosphere of openness and trust.

Naval Weapons Station SealBeach, CANatural ResourcesConservation—Small InstallationSince its humble beginnings over 60years ago, Naval Weapon Station

(NAVWPNSTA) Seal Beach’s dual rolesas a cornerstone to the militarymission and as a natural resourcestrustee in southern California havebecome intricately interwoven.Though only encompassing 5,000acres, Station personnel take pride intheir regional importance in both themilitary and ecological arenas. Thecommand is fully engaged andpromotes the Natural Resourcesprogram as an integral part of thefabric of the local community.

The Natural Resources program atNAVWPNSTA Seal Beach continues towork with local, state and federalstakeholders and researchers to main-tain an up-to-date inventory of all theStation’s biota, with a special focus onendangered, threatened and at-riskspecies. Innovative programs thatengage the public and utilize the abili-ties of specially trained volunteers arebeing used as regional models for costsavings and efficiency. Leveraging thisrobust volunteer/outreach program


Robert Schallmann, David Baillie and CAPT Jon Kurtz of NAVWPNSTA Seal Beach accept the SECNAV Environmental Award from BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy

(Installations and Environment), Rear Admiral Len Hering, Commander, Navy Region Southwest,Vice Admiral Michael Loose, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness and Logistics,


and stringent financial stewardship hasallowed the program to thrive despitebudgeting challenges.

The Natural Resources program atNAVWPNSTA Seal Beach iscombining lessons learned fromthese innovative programs withresearch to plan for the long-termsustainability of both naturalresources and the military mission atNAVWPNSTA Seal Beach. TheStation continues to work shoulder-to-shoulder with military operatorsand planners to develop innovativestrategies that will allow Seal Beachto maintain its superior record ofwildlife stewardship while achievingits military mission.

Meeting these goals, along with effec-tive implementation of remedialprojects, are critical to MCAS CherryPoint’s efforts to protect wetlands,surface water bodies, groundwateraquifers, drinking water supplies andother sensitive receptors in the envi-ronmentally sensitive coastal plain ofNorth Carolina.

Marine Corps Air StationBeaufort, SCNatural Resource Conservation—Small InstallationMCAS Beaufort manages its naturalresources in accordance with itsIntegrated Natural ResourcesManagement Plan (INRMP), the mostrecent revision of which wascompleted and signed in July 2006.The INRMP for the Air Station’sTownsend Bombing Range (TBR) wasalso recently revised and signed inMarch of 2007

MCAS Beaufort maintains Memorandaof Agreement (MOA) with the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service for conserva-tion of the endangered pondberry andwith the U.S. Department ofAgriculture for support of theBird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard


David Wilson, William Drawdy, John Luce and Alice Howard from MCAS Beaufort accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Natural Resources Conservation,

Small Installation category from BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment), Donald Schregardus, Deputy Assistant

Secretary of the Navy (Environment), and Major General Edward Usher III,Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Installations and Logistics.

Antenor Nestor Guzman of U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia accepts the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Natural Resources Conservation, Team/Individual category



(BASH) reduction program. Duringthis award period, MCAS initiatedMOA with the Forestry Department atFort Stewart for prescribed burning atTBR and with the Air National GuardGeorgia for natural resource manage-ment at the range.

During FY 2007, MCAS Beaufort metthe INRMP goals of maintaining mili-tary readiness, reducing BASH, main-taining biodiversity, reducing fuel loadsin forests near housing areas andmanaging forests for recreation andcommodity extraction. Because theseprograms are well-integrated, most ofthe projects initiated or completedmean progress toward several of thesegoals at once. For example, agreementsput in place to protect land in AirInstallation Compatible Use Zones atthe Air Station and TBR, and new andcompleted projects in wetlandsmanagement, promote military readi-ness as well as biodiversity. Forestmanagement efforts this periodreduced fuel loads, maintained buffers,

extracted timber, promoted biodiver-sity and provided recreational opportu-nities—all stated goals of the INRMPs.

Antenor Nestor A. GuzmanNatural Resources Conservation—Team/IndividualNaval Support Facility Diego Garcia islocated on a small atoll where thediverse marine and terrestrial wildlifeare all declared protected by the hostcountry except for rats and feral cats.The atoll, located seven degrees southof the equator in the middle of IndianOcean, is home to two species ofendangered sea turtles (green andhawksbill), 77 species of sea birds,vagrants and migratory birds, over twohundred species of plants, marinenatural resources that are of globalsignificance, 80 miles of scenic shore-line and offshore coral reef ecosystems.Diego Garcia lies at the southernmosttip of a long chain of coral reefs, atollsand islands comprising the Laccadives,

Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago.It is the largest atoll of the ChagosArchipelago occupying 6,270 acres ofland and a 30,656-acre lagoon.

Diego Garcia’s Environmental Divisionis comprised of a team of a GS-12supervisor, two GS-11 environmentalcompliance specialists and a naturalresource specialist, Antenor NestorGuzman. This team is the focal pointof all environmental matters on DiegoGarcia. Guzman, a biologist officiallydesignated as the Natural ResourceProgram Manager, is the team’s soleexpert on natural resources, culturalresources and other biology-relatedmatters on the island.

As the island’s resident expert onNatural Resources Protection andConservation programs, Guzman hasassembled an incredible record ofaccomplishment in a job that requireshim to ensure that Navy activities inDiego Garcia meet mission require-ments, while complying with applicablenatural resources protection laws, DoDpolicies and host country regulations.

Marine Corps Recruit DepotParris Island Natural ResourcesTeamNatural Resources Conservation—Team/IndividualThe Marine Corps Recruit Depot(MCRD) Parris Island NaturalResources Conservation program hasbeen structured to meet the challengesof protecting and enhancing thenatural resources and ecosystems ofParris Island, with special emphasis onthe preservation of rare, threatenedand endangered species and perpetua-tion of their habitat.

� Land-Use ManagementAn essential part of the Depot’sprogram is taking a long-term viewof human activities, including mili-tary uses and biological resourcesas part of the same system. The


John Holloway, Yvonne Plemmons and Johnsie Nabors of MCRD Parris Island accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Natural Resources Conservation, Team/Individual categoryfrom BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment), Donald Schregardus,Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment), and Major General Edward Usher III,Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Installations and Logistics.

goal is to preserve and enhanceecosystem integrity and sustainbiological diversity in support ofour military readiness mission andother human activities.

� Forest ManagementApproximately 78 acres of pinetimber were harvested in 2006,generating approximately$100,000 for the Depot. Thesefunds were in turn utilized to hirea company specializing in invasivespecies management.

� Invasive Species ControlParris Island recently completed aninvasive plant species managementplan, identifying each invasive plantspecies. Utilizing a GeographicInformation System, the plan mapsall affected areas and identifies levelsof infestation. Conducting some ofthe work “in-house” resulted inannual savings of over $50,000.

� Fish and WildlifeThe Depot’s nesting American BaldEagle pairs have fledged a dozenyoung during the past nine years.Through sound management,dedicated stewardship, and acooperative effort by numerousDepot personnel, the proud andsplendid American Bald Eaglecontinues to thrive at Parris Island.

Naval Base Kitsap, WAPollution Prevention—IndustrialInstallationBy focusing on full fleet support,proactive environmental compliance,and EMS applications, the PollutionPrevention (P2) Team is conservingnatural resources, implementing anEMS, and achieving its goal ofreducing environmental impact atNaval Base Kitsap. The team continuesto upgrade and introduce innovativeprocesses and reduce or eliminatehazardous materials through excel-lence in the following areas:


Greg Leicht, Naval Base Kitsap Environmental Director, accepts the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Pollution Prevention, Industrial Installation category



Dale McFarland, Dave Cooke, Dave Engelhard and Alicia Filzen accept the SECNAV Environmental Award in the Pollution Prevention, Industrial Installation category from BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment), Donald Schregardus,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment), and Major General Edward Usher III,Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Installations and Logistics.

� ManagementProjects are managed as needed toexpedite and accomplish the P2mission; collecting information ordiscussing specific needs with theprocess owners, managing theproject after requirements aredefined, and guiding the projectthrough the procurement process.

� Technical MeritThe combined knowledge of the P2Team keeps technical issues frombeing overlooked. One example oftheir conscientious efforts isdemonstrated in the vacuumsanders Naval Base Kitsap procuredand customized. The sanders facili-tate safer, quicker, grinding andsanding without exposing workersto harmful substances.

� TransferabilityThe P2 Team works consistentlytoward transferability as an outcome.Some program equipment is directlytransferable, especially if it offers anew process such as digital radiog-raphy. Other equipment is docu-mented via case studies which enableparticipants to make environmentallysound, knowledge-based decisions.

� Stakeholder InteractionThe P2 Program utilizes a deckplate approach, involving all stake-

holders including the processowner, facility engineers, othercompliance program managers,management and state regulators.

Marine Corps Air Station CherryPoint, NCPollution Prevention—IndustrialInstallationMCAS Cherry Point is proud of its envi-ronmental stewardship. The command’saccomplishments emphasize the mutu-ally beneficial relationship between theAir Station, the surrounding communi-ties and the natural environment.Emphasis areas for the P2 Program in2007 were the development of innova-tive P2 and comprehensive waste mini-mization and recycling initiatives.

During 2006-2007, environmentalinnovations and recycling initiativesproduced a grand total of $3,875,049 inincome and cost avoidance. Theseprograms have proven to be effectivepollution prevention resources andwaste reduction mechanisms for MCASCherry Point.

In addition to its success at the CNOand SECNAV levels, MCAS Cherry Pointhas excelled among DoD facilities bywinning the Commander in Chief’sInstallation Excellence Award on sevenoccasions over the past 20 years the

award has been given. This award isunique in that it provides a monetaryaward of $200,000 which has been usedfor quality of life programs for theMarine and civilian work force. The$1,400,000 received from this sourcehas been utilized to improve theworking and living environment aboardthe Air Station. This prestigious awarddesignation was the result of CherryPoint’s sustained commitments in innov-ative recycling, pollution prevention andhazardous waste management programs.Furthermore, the Environmental AffairsDepartment staff has received sevenprestigious Commander in Chief’sAwards for outstanding achievements byindividuals. This record of achievementsets the stage for continuing effortstoward environmental quality. �

Photos by MC2 Dustin Gates


Dennis KeckOffice of the Deputy Assistant

Secretary of the Navy (Environment)703-614-4217DSN: [email protected]

C O N T A C T

I know the men and women of the Department are up to the challenges ahead of them,

and I am confident they will continue their record of success in accomplishing both their

environmental and their national defense missions.—The Honorable BJ Penn,

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment)

If you need to be up-to-date on the latest envi-ronmental news, you need Currents. Award-win-ning Currents magazine is packed with valuableinsights into innovative management approaches,new technologies that affect your job, and the lat-est information on environmental training cours-es, conferences and much more. Here’s some ofwhat you’d already know if you read Currents:

� The environmental staff from the U.S. NavalStation, Guantánamo Bay Cuba and personnelfrom The Toledo Zoo are studying a little-known rodent—the hutia—with the hopes ofkeeping their population healthy without com-promising the Station’s mission.

� A three-year project is stabilizing a seriouslyeroding shoreline that is endangering criticalinfrastructure at the Naval Support FacilityIndian Head, MD.

� The Navy’s ongoing responsible use of activesonar allows it to conduct real-time trainingwhile minimizing the potential adverse impactto marine mammals.

By now, Currents subscribers know about theseand the many other initiatives Currents covers.You can too, when you subscribe to the officialenvironmental magazine of the U.S. Navy.

To sign up, go to www.enviro-navair.navy.mil, orsend an e-mail to our Distribution Manager,Lorraine Wass, at [email protected] with yourcomplete mailing address. It’s free!

Currents keeps you in the know . . . for free!

Subscribe to Currentstoday. It’s free!

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