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Environmental ExcellenceArmy National GuardArmy National Guard

Environmental Excellence

Our Environmental MissionExcel in environmental stewardship

to ensure the welfare of all citizens andcommunities while sustaining military readiness.

Environmental ExcellenceArmy National Guard

Front Cover: Military training and nature coexist at the 15,000-acreMcCrady Training Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

Buffalo still graze at Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, wherethe Army National Guard maintains the 1115thTransportation Company.

Preserving, protecting and restoring naturaland cultural resources are integral to theArmy National Guard’s commitment to

defending America’s lands and liberties.Environmental stewardship ensures invaluableresources are sustained for future generations, whileproviding the men and women of the Army NationalGuard with quality training land.

As one of seven Dept. of Defense reserve compo-nents, the Army National Guard has units supportingreadiness centers, training centers and maintenancefacilities at approximately 3,100 locations through-out the 50 states, three territories and one district.These assets enhance the national military strategyby augmenting the Army whenever and whereverneeded. In addition to our federal military responsi-bilities, we support the states during natural disas-ters and civil unrest.

The new millennium introduces a myriad ofchanges and challenges for our nation and its mili-tary forces. Members of the Army National Guardlive in your community and are your neighbors,friends and co-workers. Although we primarily servepart-time, our units have increasingly absorbed missions and responsibilitiesformerly assigned to the active-duty Army.

We are proud of our accomplishments in balancing militarytraining requirements and environmental stewardship.This brochure, Army National Guard EnvironmentalExcellence, describes some of our successes in preserving,protecting and restoring natural and cultural resources forfuture generations. These achievements are our legacy tothe nation: one that will last far beyond the 21st century.


I n t r o d u c t i o n

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The ArmyNational GuardProfile

T he Army National Guard iscomprised of approximately

350,000 men and women, fromhundreds of communities in the 50states, three territories and one dis-trict, who serve on a full-time or part-time basis. The Army National Guardhas a dual mission, with federal andstate responsibilities.

Federal MissionMaintains well-trained, well-equippedunits that stand ready for promptmobilization during war. Providesassistance during national emergen-cies, such as natural disasters or civildisturbances. During peacetime, unitscarry out missions compatible withtraining, mobilization readiness, andcontingency operations.

State MissionProvides trained and equipped unitsto protect life and property and topreserve peace, order and public safe-ty as directed by each state’s governor.

Primary ResponsibilitiesProvides one-third of the forcestructure of the U.S. Army to includecombat units (e.g., infantry), combatsupport (e.g., aviation) and combatservice support (e.g., medical).Army National Guardmembers also conductoperations in supportof the Global War onTerrorism andHomelandSecurity.

Provides militarysupport to civildefense authori-ties and emer-gency relief supportas directed by eachstate’s governor. Assistsin natural disasters such asfloods, earthquakes and forestfires; maintains vital publicservices; and conductscounter-drug operations.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD


P r o f i l e

Training Land: Cornerstone of Military ReadinessTough, realistic and consistent training is essential to the men and women of the Army NationalGuard. As part-time military members with an increasing number of missions, we must ensureevery training minute counts. Most of the Army National Guard’s rigorous preparation occurs at108 training sites on 2.1 million acres located throughout the United States.

Army National Guard Training Sites

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Los Angeles

Miami

Albany

Atlanta

Augusta

Austin

Bismarck

BoiseBoston

Carson City

Charleston

Cheyenne

Columbia

Columbus

Denver

Des Moines

Frankfort

Hartford

Helena

Indianapolis

Jackson

Lansing

Lincoln

Little Rock

Montgomery

Montpelier

Nashville

Oklahoma City

Olympia

Phoenix

Raleigh

Richmond

Sacramento

Salem

Salt Lake City

Santa Fe

Springfield

St. Paul

Tallahassee

Trenton

Baton Rouge

Concord

Madison

Topeka

AnnapolisDover

Jefferson City

ProvidencePierre

Harrisburg

ALASKA

Juneau

HAWAIIHonolulu

PUERTO RICO

San Juan

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

GUAM

Washington D.C.Washington D.C.

ALABAMA

ARIZONA ARKANSAS

CALIFORNIACOLORADO

CONNECTICUT

DELAWARE

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

IDAHO

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

IOWA

KANSAS

KENTUCKY

LOUISIANA

MAINE

MARYLAND

MASSACHUSETTSMICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

MISSISSIPPI

MISSOURI

MONTANA

NEBRASKANEVADA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

NEW JERSEY

NEW MEXICO

NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH DAKOTA

OHIO

OKLAHOMA

OREGON

PENNSYLVANIA

RHODEISLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH DAKOTA

TENNESSEE

TEXAS

UTAH

VERMONT

VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON

WESTVIRGINIA

WISCONSIN

WYOMING

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The FourEnvironmentalPillars

E nvironmental pillars providea structure that reflects the

Army National Guard’s commit-ment to excellence in environ-mental stewardship. Leadership,people, resources, management,organization and communicationcomprise the foundation that sup-ports the four pillars and theirobjectives. The four pillars are:

• Compliance—ensurecompliance with federal andstate environmental laws, reg-ulations and the presidents’executive orders. Areas offocus include air quality, waterquality, environmental audits,hazardous waste managementand cleanup from ongoingactivities.

• Pollution Prevention—reduce or eliminate pollutionby replacing hazardous materi-

als with environmentallyacceptable substances, processchanges, and by reusing mate-rials whenever possible.Hazardous waste reduction isa by-product of pollution pre-vention.

• Conservation—protect andenhance valuable nationalresources on land underNational Guard stewardship.These include wetlands, flood-plains, endangered specieshabitats, historic and culturalsites.

• Restoration—identify areascontaminated by past practicesand clean up in a mannerfully protective of humanhealth and the environment.Work closely with federal andstate regulatory agencies todefine appropriate cleanupmeasures and schedules.Establish and maintain posi-tive relationships with localcommunities and the generalpublic.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

“The black bear is the protector of our people,”says Elisse Aune of the Mille Lacs Band,

Ojibwe tribe, Little Falls, Minnesota.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD


C o m p l i a n c e

ComplianceArmy National Guard environmentalprofessionals ensure our militaryforce complies with environmentallaws and regulations. We train oursoldiers in compliance proceduresfor hazardous material storage,hazardous waste disposal, spillresponse, wastewater managementand pollution prevention. We forgestrong relationships with federal, stateand local regulators.

Compliance successes:• The New Mexico Army National

Guard operates one of the fewpaint booths in the state certifiedunder the Clean Air Act, whichthey attribute to a highly efficientventilation system at the vehicle

maintenance facility in Santa Fe.High-volume, low-pressure paintgun systems aid abatement of airemissions by 60 percent, reducehazardous paint waste by morethan 50 percent, and decreasehazardous waste generation by75 percent.

• The Arkansas Army NationalGuard pioneered a hazardousmaterials training course toteach soldiers how to reduce oreliminate pollution. The courseincludes procurement, handlingand disposal of hazardous materi-als and waste; natural and culturalresource conservation andprotection; and how to conductoperations that comply with envi-ronmental laws and regulations.

The National Guard’s vehicle maintenancefacility in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has one ofthe few paint booths in the state certifiedunder the Clean Air Act.

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C o m p l i a n c eARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Jim Leukel monitors the wastewatertreatment plant on Camp Blanding,Florida. Nearly 81,000 gallonsof sewage are processed daily at the73,000-acre training center.

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ARMY NATIONAL GUARD


C o m p l i a n c e

• The Minnesota Army NationalGuard’s environmental staff atCamp Ripley is jointly mannedwith employees from the NationalGuard and state’s Dept. of NaturalResources. This unique partner-ship provides the National Guardwith a better understanding of theecosystem at Camp Ripley andallows them to more effectivelymanage environmental programs.

• The Mississippi Army NationalGuard actively monitors erosioncontrol and internal wetlandrehabilitation efforts at the132,000-acre Camp Shelby,through Geographic InformationSystems and Global PositioningSystems technology. Information isshared with regulatory agencies,including the U.S. Forest Service.Monitoring by the National Guardsaved taxpayers $1.2 million.

Troy Hardin, environmental manager atLos Alamitos Training Center, California,

stands by the National Guard’s state-of-the-art,200,000-gallon above-ground JP-8 fuel storage tank.

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Community Outreach

Community outreach is integral to the National Guard’smission of protecting lives and property. Whether it is

providing potable water to Native Americans in New Mexicoor building roads in Alaska, the Army National Guard

is there to lend a helping hand.

Sergeant 1st Class Cecilia Chavez and 1st Sgt. Francis Cordova providedrinking water to Taos Pueblo resident, Gloria Mirabel.

Vincent J. Lujan, governor of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, believes the NationalGuard and his people share a common purpose: preservation of the homeland.

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Capt. William Fay works in the “eco-building” at PapagoMilitary Reservation in Phoenix, Arizona. The adobestructure is powered by 11 kilowatts of solar energy.


P o l l u t i o n P r e v e n t i o nARMY NATIONAL GUARD

PollutionPreventionThe Army National Guardincorporates cost-effective pollutionprevention practices into dailyactivities. Although using fewerhazardous materials and generatingless hazardous waste are the pri-mary methods we use in pollutionprevention, our soldiers also consis-tently seek ways to support pollutionprevention efforts, such as recyclingand education.

Sergeant 1st Class James Dulinremoves a track vehicle transmis-sion from the aqueous parts washerat the National Guard’s mainte-nance facility on North Ft. Hood,Texas. Hot water replaces solvents toclean parts and reduce waste.Capt. William Fay explains that recycled soda cans, used tires,

mud and straw make up the structure of the “eco-building” atPapago Military Reservation in Phoenix, Arizona.

Pollution Prevention successes: • The Massachusetts Army National

Guard at Camp Edwards cut haz-ardous waste from 8 tons to 4 tonsin two years. Camp Edwards reducedits solid waste disposal by 50 percentthrough recycling of paper, plastics,tin and other materials.

• The Arkansas Army National Guard’screation of a Haz-Mart Pharmacy atCamp Robinson slashed disposal ofhazardous items with an expiredshelf life from 90 percent to 12 per-cent. This revolutionary online phar-macy advertises expired and unuseditems for reuse by units, substantial-ly reducing the total hazardouswaste stream.

• The Texas Army National Guardinvested more than $1 million inpollution prevention equipment andsystems and boosted its recovery ofsolvents (paint thinners) by 136 per-cent. For example, at the Saginawmaintenance facility, the installationof an additional solvent recovery sys-

tem for the painting operations facil-itates the distillation process andminimizes hazardous waste.

• The Minnesota Army National Guardat Camp Ripley hosts training unitsfrom around the world. Due to recy-cling, Camp Ripley disposes of only1.53 pounds of waste per person pertraining day, much lower than thenational consumer average of fourpounds per day. More than 61 per-cent of the waste generated onsite isrecycled. Recycling fuel, oil,antifreeze, solvents and metal con-tribute to the waste reduction.

• The Arizona Army National Guard’senvironmental staff at PapagoMilitary Reservation in Phoenix par-tially constructed a 5,200 square-foot building out of aluminum cans,used tires, mud and straw. The envi-ronmentally sustainable adobestructure, dubbed the “eco-build-ing,” is powered by an 11-kilowattsolar array and is equipped withfour cisterns to collect rainwater.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

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Antifreeze recycling reduces wasteand cost at the National Guard’svehicle maintenance facility on

North Ft. Hood, Texas.


P o l l u t i o n P r e v e n t i o n


P o l l u t i o n P r e v e n t i o nARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Used oil is temporarily stored in 50-gallon drums for recycling atRio Rancho, New Mexico.

Cardboard is compacted for recycling at Diamond Head Crater,Oahu, Hawaii.

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The Hawaii Army National Guard works with the Oahu Invasive SpeciesCommittee to protect indigenous plants at Bellows Air Force Station. The

National Guard operates a multi-service regional training institute at Bellows.

The Hawaii Army National Guard works with the Oahu Invasive SpeciesCommittee to protect indigenous plants at Bellows Air Force Station. The

National Guard operates a multi-service regional training institute at Bellows.


C o n s e r v a t i o n

ConservationInnovative natural resources manage-ment is central to the Army NationalGuard’s environmental mission. Landmanagement initiatives, defined inour Integrated Natural ResourcesManagement Plans, ensure safehavens for threatened and endangeredplant and animal species.

We are equally committed to thepreservation of cultural resources,such as archaeological sites and his-toric structures, outlined in ourIntegrated Cultural ResourcesManagement Plans. Preserving andprotecting these treasures today allowfor long-term viability of our traininglands.

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Joan Berish and Lori Wendland of the Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission track the health of the gopher tortoise by using a“bucket trap” next to its burrow on Camp Blanding, Florida.

Environmental specialist Ben Skellington works with the endangeredSchiedea plant to ensure it survives and flourishes like the native Naupakaplant in Hawaii.


C o n s e r v a t i o nARMY NATIONAL GUARD

The Puerto Rico Army National Guard reforested 42 acres at CampSantiago Training Site as part of its Integrated Natural ResourcesManagment Plan. Together with local Boy Scouts and the U.S. ForestService, the National Guard planted over 6,000 trees. The Guard alsomonitors signs of the endangered yellow-shouldered blackbird, which livesin the Salinas coastal area and is endemic to Puerto Rico.

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Conservation successes:• The Texas Army National Guard

implements a comprehensivemaintenance treatment plan torestore, improve and maintain thehistoric structures at Camp Mabry.The National Register HistoricDistrict consists of 26 structures,including the only brick cavalry-style buildings in the United Statesdating to 1918.

- Joint archaeological researchwith Texas universities at CampMabry and other Army NationalGuard sites yield significantdata about prehistoric mobility,settlement patterns andhunter-gatherer technology.

- Active consultation with NativeAmerican tribes facilitatestraining and construction onArmy National Guard sitesthroughout Texas.

• The Florida Army National Guardat Camp Blanding devotes specialattention to protecting and replen-ishing its population of red-cockad-ed woodpeckers. Relocating thebirds to Camp Blanding from FortStewart, Georgia, and creating newroosting areas in longleaf pinetrees are some of the environmen-tal protection techniques used bythe National Guard.

• The Nevada Army National Guardpartners with eight public agenciesand non-profit organizations tosupport marsh habitat and provideoutdoor education opportunitiesfor Reno’s school children. Fiftyacres of the National Guard’s SteadTraining Center comprise the newSwan Lake Nature Study Area, awetland that attracts tundra swansand more than 130 other speciesof migratory birds.

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The federally protected red-cockadedwoodpecker finds a home onNational Guard land forested withlongleaf pine.

The Eyes on Wildlife program at Camp Ripley, Minnesota,includes the study of different species such as the federally

protected gray wolf. Master Sgt. Charles Farrell, teacherBecky Rennicke and students get a close-up look.



• The Mississippi Army NationalGuard’s natural resources staffarranged for an emergency watershuttle during a drought in theDesoto National Forest that savedat least one generation of threat-ened gopher frogs from extinction.The unit also developed the“gopher gap,” a method that pro-tects the gopher tortoise duringconstruction and military exercis-es at training sites.

• The Minnesota Army NationalGuard consults with 13 NativeAmerican tribes, including thelocal Mille Lacs Band of theOjibwe, to identify and protectcultural resources at Camp Ripley.A predictive settlement model,built with Geographic InformationSystems technology, defines proba-ble past cultural sites and aids inthe management of reservationlands today.

“Telemetry sort of works like dialing in a radio station. In this case,we’re trying to locate radio-collared animals,” explains Brian Dirks,animal survey coordinator at Camp Ripley, Minnesota.

The ecosystem thrives at Blackwater Swamp and throughout McCradyTraining Center in Columbia, South Carolina. The blue jay, fence lizard,bull thistle and tiger tail butterfly, eastern box turtle and sweet water lilyare some of the colorful wildlife.

• The Oregon Army National Guardconducted the first in-house cul-tural survey at Camp Biak andother National Guard training sitesin central Oregon, resulting in thediscovery of 12 prehistoric (before1650 AD) archaeological sites andone historic site. The survey of1,139 acres, conducted on foot,identified three sites eligible forinclusion on the National Registerof Historic Places.

• The Hawaii Army National Guardprotects endangered native plantsand works aggressively to eradicateinvasive (non-native) plants.

- The endangered Pu`uka`a(Cyperus Tracythanthos)Sedge increased from 50 to400 seedlings in the Diamond

Head Crater wetland on Oahuthrough the cultivation effortsof the National Guard andcivilian volunteers.

- Only three wild Schiedea(pink carnation family) plantsremain at Diamond HeadCrater, but the National Guardis saving the species fromextinction by creating newpopulations on Oahu andMaui.

- At Keaukaha MilitaryReservation, Hilo, Hawaii,the National Guard conductshuman “sweeps” of a 108-acre forest area to removealien plant species.



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Environmentalist Cynthia Thurkins and facility managerMajor Darryl Lindsey team up to identify and remove alien

plant species at Keaukaha Military Reservation, Hilo, Hawaii.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD



• The South Carolina Army NationalGuard conducts annualMonitoring Avian Productivity andSurvivorship (MAPS) surveys withthe state’s Dept. of NaturalResources to characterize popula-tions of migratory birds atMcCrady Training Center. TheMAPS surveys involve netting andbanding the birds, which aid inproducing habitat characteristicsthat are associated with successfulbreeding sites.

• The North Dakota Army NationalGuard significantly reduced thepesticides used to control theLeafy Spurge weed. Sheep are nowthe primary means of weed con-trol at Camp Grafton South, nearDevils Lake. The National Guard’sland management initiative withNorth Dakota State University hasspread across the Midwest as ameans to facilitate cattle grazing.

Environmental specialist (officercandidate) Donna Wu focuses herefforts on protecting endangeredplants such as the Pu`uka`a Sedgeand Schiedea at Diamond HeadCrater, Oahu, Hawaii.

Diamond Head, Oahu, Hawaii: 150,000 years old 20



Army National Guard biologistDebbie Brewer helps revive theecosytem at Florence MilitaryReservation, Arizona, by usingthe “guzzler,” a non-leakingwater source for native wildlife.

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Historic Camp Mabry, Texas, featurescavalry-style buildings dating to 1918.

CulturalResources

P reserving and restoring his-toric structures are integral to

the Army National Guard’s culturalresources program. Over 3,000armories and other historic build-ings exist in the United States thatboast very distinctive, recognizablearchitecture. Old barracks still houseNational Guard troops. Hundreds ofarmories are now community cen-ters, libraries, school buildings,museums and apartments. Dozensof armories constructed between1877 and 1944 are on the NationalRegister of Historic Places.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

One of two remaining towers at JacksonBarracks is used as VIP quarters.

The old Jackson Barracks was con-structed in a manner characteristic ofantebellum Louisiana: wide verandas,round and square columns, gabled andhipped roofs, with spacious interiors.Today, the Louisiana National Guardoccupies 1834-vintage buildings. 22


Before: The Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory at MadisonSquare was built in 1893 and housed a succession ofGeorgia Army National Guard units until World War II. TheGuards’ regimental association owned the building andderived income to support its upkeep by renting space tocommercial tenants.

After: The old armory was converted to the Savannah Collegeof Art and Design in 1979. Today, it is part of the SavannahHistoric Landmark District.

Army National Guard Armory, Utica, New York, built in 1930.Current home of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry. Listed on

the National Register of Historic Places.

Army National Guard Armory, Geneva, New York, built in1892. Current home of E Troop, 101st Cavalry, 27th Brigade.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD



Cultural Resources

B attery Harlow was built in 1910 on the outer, north-facingslope of Diamond Head, Oahu, Hawaii. It was the first

coastal artillery site constructed on Oahu as part of the U.S.coastal defense network designed to protect the U.S. west coastin case of enemy attack from the sea. The Hawaii Army NationalGuard preserves the cultural site, whichfeatures an intact, operable, pre-WorldWar I mechanical data transmission sys-tem for mortar firing control.

Ben Skellington and the NationalGuard keep the gears greased atBattery Harlow, now part of theFort Ruger Historic District.

Above left: Model 1890 M1 mortar shells had 12-inch projectiles thatweighed 700 lbs.

Above center and right: Battery Harlow contained two concrete pits,each equipped with four mortars. The coastal artillery mortars coulddeliver high-angle fire against enemy ships up to ten miles away.

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Cultural ResourcesT he Army National Guard balances environmental stewardship and

training requirements by “clearing” land through archaeologicalsurveys. Dr. Robert Estes (left) and colleagues from the University ofNew Mexico conduct surveys at Camel Tracks, New Mexico, a trainingsite and former Pueblo settlement. Native American pottery is recoveredand preserved in the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology in Alburquerque.

1050 AD

1315 AD

1325 AD

1315 AD

1425 AD

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The Army National Guard protectsbald eagle nesting sites during trainingexercises at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, by

establishing 400-meter buffer zones.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD



Camp Ripley, MinnesotaWhere training, conservation and communityoutreach thrive

On the 53,000 acres at Camp Ripley,numerous wildlife species coexist withthe Army National Guard’s ongoing mili-tary training. Camp Ripley’s environmen-tal staff works closely with federal andstate environmental agencies to ensurethese species are protected. The installa-tion provides unique opportunities forcommunity groups to experience thesplendid natural resources found atCamp Ripley.

The Minnesota Army National Guardshares its training land with the federallyprotected gray wolf. The Gray Wolf Projectuses satellite and radio collars to studywolves and track their movements, whichenables wolf dens and rendezvous sites tobe located and protected. The NationalGuard also hosts local schools as part ofthe Eyes On Wildlife and Job Shadow programs, which allow students to con-duct gray wolf research through Geographic Information Systems technology,telemetry and hands-on evaluations.

Camp Ripley’s environmental staff and the state’s Dept. of Natural Resourcessponsor deer hunts for disabled veterans and youth. Both events provideopportunities for community members to experience the great outdoors andassist in the control of the deer population.

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The black bear, gray wolf and osprey are just a few of the protectedanimals inhabiting Camp Ripley, Minnesota.

“To be in this business for the longterm, we have to take care of ourresources and add value to thecommunity,” says Colonel TerryDorenbush, former commander ofCamp Ripley.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Left: Ecologist Estevan Muldavin of the University ofNew Mexico and Roberto Concha, complianceassessment manager for the Army National Guard,conduct a vegetation delineation survey at CamelTracks, near Santa Fe.

Above: The Cholla Cactus is a native tree-like plantthat thrives at Camel Tracks.

Inset: The New Mexico Army National Guardaccomplishes Patriot Missile air defense trainingand environmental protection through IntegratedTraining Area Management.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD



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Tropical, non-native plants like theRed Torch Ginger flourish throughout

the Hawaiian islands.

The native Hawaiian Naupaka plantand lava add to the shoreline nearthe National Guard training site at

Bellows Air Force Station, Oahu.

Prescribed burning at Camp Blanding,Florida, reduces fire hazards and

encourages growth of the longleaf pine.



In New Mexico, part of the National Guard’senvironmental mission is to preserve and protect

natural and cultural resources in the local communities.

Community Outreach

The Alaska Army National Guard conducts combined-arms trainingwith other components of the U.S. armed forces on Fort Richardson.The National Guard is also headquartered at the fort, situated amidaspen, birch and cottonwood trees, Lake Clunie and the majesticChugach Mountains.



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Archaeologists William Morgan and Alex Noury dig forNative American artifacts as part of a cultural resourcessurvey at Camp Blanding, Florida.

Healthy populations of LEPA, better known as slick-spot peppergrass, are foundon Orchard Training Area. The Idaho National Guard conducts a LEPA fieldseed germination study, using protective wire-mesh cones, to prevent rodentsfrom eating the seeds. Elsewhere in the state, LEPA is dwindling in numbers.

Idaho’s 138,000-acre OrchardTraining Area has a lot of sagebrush,

which is vital to native desertwildlife like the badger. Idaho

National Guard soldiers plant nativeshrubs in old burns that once had

stands of sagebrush.

Tank maneuvers on Idaho’sOrchard Training Area are notallowed in sites that containLEPA plants.

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The Arkansas Army National Guard atCamp Robinson initiated an urban deermanagement program to control the white-tailed deer population. Vehicle collisionswith the deer and evidence of tick-bornediseases were major safety concerns thatprompted the National Guard to imple-ment conservation measures with theArkansas Game and Fish Commission.

The California Army National Guard at Camp Roberts takes protectivesteps to ensure military training does not impact the endangered kit fox.A National Guard biologist, accredited by the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService, conducts pre-exercise and follow-up surveys to locate, secureand monitor suspected kit fox dens.

The Idaho Army NationalGuard at Orchard TrainingArea is host to severalbirds of prey, including theferruginous hawk andshort-eared owl.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

RestorationThe Army National Guard’s InstallationRestoration Program involves identifi-cation of sites contaminated by pastDept. of Defense operations. In close

coordination with state and federal reg-ulators, environmental professionalsensure that contaminated soil, surfacewater and groundwater are cleaned tolevels fully protective of human healthand the environment.


R e s t o r a t i o n

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Bill Gendron and Greg de la Paz perform routine maintenance on the DualPhase Vacuum Extraction system at Los Alamitos Training Center, California.


R e s t o r a t i o nARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Restoration successes:• The California Army National

Guard at Los Alamitos TrainingCenter operates a cleanup systemat the former JP-4 (jet fuel) tankfarm consisting of Dual PhaseVacuum Extraction (DPVE), airsparging and groundwater extrac-tion. Since 1995, 2,900,000 gal-lons of groundwater have beenextracted and treated at the site,preventing migration to the com-munity. Phytoremediation, a nat-ural cleanup system that usespoplar trees, will eventuallyreplace the DPVE to treat theremaining levels of contamina-tion in the groundwater.

• The Arizona Army National Guardat Camp Navajo cleaned up 6,100tons of the explosive TNT(Trinitrotoluene) by compostingthe excavated soil with vegetables,straw, wood chips and manure.This unusual, but cost-effectiveand quick cleanup recipe,

reduced TNT concentrations frommore than 5,000 parts per mil-lion to under 10 parts per millionin just 11 days.

Kevin Martin monitors filtration on theDual Phase Vacuum Extraction system atLos Alamitos Training Center, California.

Jerry Krieger and JeffreyKennedy (right) conductmagnetometry surveys at aformer Camp Edwards,Massachusetts, trainingrange to locate sub-surfacemunitions.

Mario Villarreal and RayO’Brien (left) remove inertmunitions, which are laterrecycled as scrap.Unexploded ordnance isdestroyed.

• The Massachusetts Army NationalGuard at Camp Edwards locatesand removes unexploded ord-nance as part of the Impact AreaGroundwater Study Program’sinvestigation and cleanup of con-tamination from explosives andother chemicals. Air and groundmagnetometer surveys areemployed to locate sub-surfacemunitions. A natural resourcespecialist provides oversight dur-ing excavation, which minimizesenvironmental impacts.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD


R e s t o r a t i o nARMY NATIONAL GUARD

InnovativeTechniques andTechnologies

Dual Phase Vacuum Extractionplaces a high vacuum on thesubsurface soils to extract soil vaporand groundwater from soil pores.This approach overcomes some ofthe obstacles of traditional vaporextraction by allowing larger wellspacing and improving the removalof contaminated pore water fromthe subsurface.

Free Product Recovery is used torecover fuel product that floats on thewater table as a result of fuel spills

and leaking fuel tanks. Skimmers,passive bailers, hydrophobic sorbentsocks and vacuum extraction are allrecovery methods, often used withother remediation techniques.

Phytoremediation is a natural sys-tem of extracting contaminants fromgroundwater through the roots ofplants and trees. As roots expand,they provide more oxygen for bacteriato grow and the contaminants natural-ly degrade as they move up the core.The aim is for trees such as poplars toreplace mechanical cleanup systems,which will save on operational costs,eliminate noise and beautify the envi-ronment.

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Chuck Keohan samples soil at a munitionsexcavation site to determine if remedialactions are required.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD


R e s t o r a t i o n

Dr. Roman Pasteka searches forunexploded ordnance on the

ridge of Limestone Hills TrainingRange, Montana, aided by a

“quad-sensor, optically pumpedcesium vapor magnetometer.”

The Elkhorn Mountains providea striking backdrop for the

Montana Army National Guard’sLimestone Hills Training Range.

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ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

InnovativeReadiness TrainingTraining that benefitsthe community

It’s not uncommon for militarytraining to occur off Army NationalGuard installations. The InnovativeReadiness Training programenables National Guard units toconduct construction, medical,transportation and maintenancetraining missions in the localcommunities, which benefitscivilian organizations and sustainsthe National Guard’s missionpreparedness.

The Army National Guard buildsartificial reefs off the South Carolina

coast using stripped, surplus trackvehicles such as the M-60 tank.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Highlights:

• The South Carolina Army NationalGuard and the state’s Dept. ofNatural Resources build artificialreefs off the South Carolina coastusing stripped, surplus militaryequipment such as M-60 tanksand Armored Personnel Carriers.The Reef-X (reef exercise) createshabitat for marine life and facili-tates recreational fishing.

• The Alaska Army National Guardremoved 262 junk vehicles, morethan 71,000 pounds of metal and74 old appliances that were aban-doned along trails, roads, andrivers in Matanuska-Susitna

Borough. The scrap was loadedon a barge and shipped to thestate of Washington for recycling.

• The South Dakota Army NationalGuard’s community cleanup proj-ects include removal of 3.5 tons ofiron from a demolished bridge inCuster State Park, clearing treesthat were impeding water flow inGarden Creek and recycling scrapmetal from Rosebud IndianReservation.

• The Ohio Army National Guardrenovated the grounds of HillcrestCivil War Cemetery by rebuildingculverts and digging drainageditches.

Community InvolvementEssential to the decision-making process

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agen-

cies to analyze the potential environmental impacts that may occur

from implementing proposed major actions or feasible alternatives.

Community involvement is essential to fulfilling NEPA requirements.

Before the Army National Guard makes a decision on a proposed

action, the public must have the opportunity to review the proposal

and provide comments. Our philosophy is to involve the public as

early as possible in the decision-making process and to keep com-

munities aware of ongoing projects. For example:

The Mississippi Army National Guard at Camp Shelby produced an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the U.S. Forest Service

for the site selection and construction of a 1,800-acre, multi-pur-

pose range complex. The combined-arms training range is the first

of its kind at a National Guard training center, supporting tanks,

artillery, infantry and helicopters. From the

beginning until the end, the public participated

in the EIS process. The National Guard held

four public meetings to discuss concerns about

safety, noise and relocation of wildlife habitat

before issuing a record of decision.

On The Horizon

The Army National Guard will continue to excel in environmental steward-ship by implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS). The

aim of EMS is to enhance Army National Guard readiness and environmentalpractices by linking mission priorities and environmental managementrequirements.

The Army National Guard will first meet the requirements of Executive Order13148, “Greening the Government throughLeadership in Environmental Management,” beforestarting EMS at Guard locations. The goal is toadopt the internationally recognized managementsystem standard, ISO 14001, by fiscal year 2009.

The Tennessee Army National Guardprotects the Eggert’s Sunflower, a

federally listed threatened species atTullahoma Training Site.

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard at Ft.Indiantown Gap set aside 250 acres of primetraining land for butterfly habitat. Today, Ft.Indiantown Gap is home to the last known colonyof the Regal Fritillary east of the Mississippi.Yellow signs delineate grassland areas that areoff limits to mechanized training.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

PPhhoottoo CCrreeddiittss

Bill Gossweiler: p.32

Bob Haskell, National Guard Bureau: p.21 (bottom right)

Bryan Hall, South Carolina Army National Guard: front cover, p.1

(lower right), 18, 41, 42

Catherine Beaudoin, Maxwell Museum, University of New Mexico: p.25 (1315 AD large)

Chris Cleaver, Pennsylvania National Guard: p.44

Clif Youmans, Montana Army National Guard: p.40

Dana Quinney, Idaho Army National Guard: p.34 (right)

Daniel Stoute, Louisiana Army National Guard: p.22 (top left, bottom right)

Guild Communications: intro (buffalo), p.3, 4, 5, 7 (left), 9-10, 11 (right), 13 (left), 15-17,

20 (right), 21 (left), 22 (top right), 27 (left), 29 (right), 30, 31 (right), 33, 36-39, 41 (inset),

back cover

Jay Weaver, Idaho Army National Guard: p.34 (center right), 35 (top center; right)

Jim Wiley, U.S. Geological Survey, p. 14 (inset)

Luis Orengo, Puerto Rico Army National Guard: p.14 (top, lower left)

Minnesota Army National Guard: p.27 (bottom left; right)

National Guard Bureau Photo Archive: p.26 (top left), 31 (bottom left)

Peggy A. Gerow, Maxwell Museum, University of New Mexico: p.25 (1050 AD,

1315 AD small, 1325 AD, 1425 AD)

Rick Breitenfeldt, National Guard Bureau: p.29 (top left)

Savannah College of Art and Design, Campus Photography: p.23 (top left,

center, bottom left)

Scott Woodham, National Guard Bureau: p.6, 7 (right), 8, 11 (left), 12, 13 (right),

19, 20 (left), 24 (top), 25 (left), 28, 29 (bottom left), 31 (top left), 46

Scott Quinney, Idaho Army National Guard: p.34 (top left, center left, bottom

left, inset)

Tennessee Army National Guard: p.43

Tom Roberts, National Guard Bureau: p.1 (top, bottom left)

U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii: p.24 (black and white)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: p.21 (top right); Dave Menke, 26 (bottom left;

right); John and Karen Hollingsworth, 27 (top); B. Peterson, 35 (left); Jesse

Achtenberg, (bottom right)

Visual Information Support Center, Army National Guard: p.23

(top, bottom right)

PPrroodduuccttiioonn

Designed and produced by the National Guard Bureau, Office of Public Affairs

and Guild Communications.

TThhee NNaattiioonnaall GGuuaarrdd BBuurreeaauu

1411 Jefferson Davis Highway

Arlington, Virginia 22202-3231

(703) 607-2584

www.ngb.army.mil

45

Environmental specialist (officer candidate) Donna Wu envisions a Hawaii where nativeplants thrive.

In addition to supportingHomeland Security and the

Global War on Terrorism, theNational Guard is committed tosustaining a ready, reliable andrelevant force for the 21st century.We are transforming the way wefight, the way we do business andthe way we work with others so wecan be a more efficient and acces-sible joint force. As we continue toconduct rigorous training on landsacross America, we are also com-mitted to safeguarding the envi-ronment for generations ofAmericans to come.

The National GuardReady, reliable and relevant...

Back Cover:The sun always sets on PapagoMilitary Reservation in Phoenix, Arizona.

Our Environmental VisionLead the Army with unmatched environmental excellence that

benefits our customers, communities and employees.

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