December 2006 Newsletter ~ San Francisco Bay Area Women's Environmental Network
December Environmental Newsletter
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Transcript of December Environmental Newsletter
The Georgia Department of Defense Environmental Stewardship Branch
exists to support Commanders and their Mission by reducing environmental
liabilities and promoting the US Army Environmental Stewardship Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP BRANCH STAFF
Our Mission
Georgia Army National Guard
Environmental Stewardship
Branch Newsletter
Volume 1, Issue 5
Dania Aponte Environmental Programs Director (678) 569-6707 [email protected]
Butch Thompson Sustainability Program Manager, South (912) 767-1823 [email protected]
Felicia Nichols NEPA Program Manager (678) 569-6755 [email protected]
Randy Drummond Restoration and Clean-up Manager,
Sustainability Program Manager, North
(678) 569-6750 [email protected]
Rolandria Boyce eMS Program Manager (678) 569-6749 [email protected]
Karen Corsetti Pest Management Program Manager (678) 569-6751 [email protected]
Yvonne Edwards Environmental Technical Support Specialist (678) 569-6752 [email protected]
Kathryn Norton Cultural Resources Assistant (678) 569-6726 [email protected]
Michael Holloway Environmental Assessor –Cumming (678) 569-3841 [email protected]
Tangy Johnson Environmental Assessor –Ft. Stewart (912) 767-9133 [email protected]
Kip Rummel Environmental Assessor– CNGC, Atlanta (678) 569-3840 [email protected]
Paul Hansen Environmental Assessor– Macon Not available [email protected]
Megan Spells Environmental Assessor– Tifton (678) 569-8458 [email protected]
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM!
Our Vision
Commanders maintaining readiness while acquiring the knowledge and re-
sources to make informed decisions that protect and conserve today‟s re-
sources for tomorrow‟s National Guard Soldiers and Citizens of Georgia.
December 2011
~Clay National Guard Center- 1000 Halsey Avenue, Building 70, Marietta, GA 30060~
Environmental stewardship is the
sustaining of environmental quality
shared by all those whose actions
affect the environment.
In 2005, the USEPA laid out a vi-
sion for environmental steward-
ship recognizing it as a means to a
more sustainable future.
The Environmental Stewardship
Branch strives to assess the im-
pacts of GAARNG activities com-
prehensively and proactively.
Georgia Environmental Management System (GeMS)
Page 2
Environmental Stewardship Branch
GeMS has an official logo! We are excited about the progression of this program. We are steadily making
progress towards full conformance with ISO 14001 by December 2012. Environmental Management System
implementation training will be provided to senior leadership and members of the Environmental Quality
Control Committee (EQCC) January 2012. This training will provide the basic knowledge relative to ensur-
ing an environmental management system‟s success and complete a critical step in implementation.
The eMS Coordinator is also developing a computer based training module for GAARNG personnel (civilian/military). We hope to have this training available by March 2012.
The list of significant eMS Targets and Objectives have been reduced to
a manageable few that will allow for proper tracking and improvement.
The areas of focus are: 1) program management 2) waste 3) energy.
If you „like‟ the Georgia National Guard facebook page you will see pe-
riodic post related to GeMS and helpful tips on environmental sustain-
ability.
If you have any questions regarding the GeMS, please contact Rolandria
Boyce at (678) 569– 6749 or [email protected].
Conservation is a state
of harmony between
men and land. ~Aldo
Leopold
Page 3
Moving from 2011 to 2012
During the last year, the CFMO-ENV group has been quite busy. Some of the major events and accomplishments
for the year are:
DEC 2011 Native American Consultation – This successful event has led to some very positive outcomes: one
signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU); one Tribe withdrawal from future consultations; various Tribes
working on signing the MOUs; Ms. Kathy Norton attending three consultations as a guest and a fourth one as part
of the consultation; a sense of comradeship between the GA Guard and the 14 Tribes with interest in GA.
FEB 2011 – NGB conducted an Environmental Performance Assessment System (EPAS) audit of various GA
Guard facilities and interviewed personnel throughout the state in an effort to identify the GA Guard‟s environ-
mental compliance practices. The overall effort would lead to achieving and maintaining environmental program
excellence through continual improvement and the use of sound, cost-effective environmental management prac-
tices.
MAY 2011 – NBG provided funding for completion of the following: EMS Training;
WASTE Training; Compliance Training for all personnel at Georgia Tech; various
spill plans; Water System Vulnerability Study (Clay NGC); NEPA documentation for
three projects; and other division needs.
NEPA Documents: Over the course of the year, the NEPA documentation for three
MILCON projects were submitted to NGB for approval/concurrence.
Environmental Conditions of Property (ECOP): This was an outstanding year for
completion of ECOPs – with over 10 documents completed in-house by our program manager, Randy Drum-
mond. He has also been key in working with NGB and others for the on-going cleanup effort at the Bulk Fuel
Farm at CNGC.
Compliance Program: This year we brought 3 new assessors on board and reorganized the group to a statewide
regional approach. Currently, there are assessors located at Clay, Macon, Tifton and Ft. Stewart. The program
manager, Mr. Butch Thompson, has also successfully continued training for all Guard personnel through the Envi-
ronmental Officer classes (EO/UECO training). He has also worked with all facilities to ensure that all EOs are
properly trained and that we all strive for successful environmental practices.
GA Environmental Management System (GeMS): Our GeMS program was successfully launched and is moving
forward towards conformance in 2012. The program manager, Rolandria Boyce, has made significant strides by
completing the eMS Manual, identifying goals for the program and moving forward with the programs trademark
name: GeMS. The next steps will be training for all personnel, including senior leadership.
There are many other projects the team has worked on and which will be profiled over the upcoming year. Stay
tuned for updates and the success of the CFMO-ENV program over the following year.
The first steps toward stewardship are awareness, appreciation, and the selfish desire to have the things around for our kids to
see. Presumably the unselfish motives will follow as we wise up. ~Barbara Kingsolver, Small Wonder, 2002
Page 4
Cultural Resources and Tribal Consultation
The Georgia Army National Guard (GAARNG), Construction and Facilities Management Office, Environ-
mental Programs attended the recent Fort Benning Native American Consultation (NAC) at Fort Benning/
Columbus, Georgia, November 16-17. In the spirit of continued relationship building and communication,
the GAARNG‟s Cultural Resource Manager (CRM) attended the consultation as an invited guest.
The consultation was held in concert with Native American Heritage Month which takes place each Novem-
ber. Tribal representatives from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Thlopthlocco
Tribal Town, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, and Kialegee Tribal Town were in attendance. The
GAARNG attended the second day of consultation and took part in both a firing simulator field exercise as
well as attending an afternoon tour of a sensitive archaeological site on base. The day was highlighted by a
luncheon honoring Native American Heritage Month and the tribal nations that contribute to the cultural
heritage of the southeast. Bryant Celestine, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Alabama-Coushatta
Tribe of Texas gave a cultural awareness slide presentation and tribal members provided entertainment and
camaraderie with traditional tribal music, dance, and story-telling.
For a detailed look at the GAARNG‟s recent efforts and accomplishments in the area of Native American
Consultation, refer to the article entitled „Support of Native American Heritage Spans Beyond November for
Georgia Guard‟ in the latest issue of the Georgia Guardsman.
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas performs one of their many tribal dances for the troops, personnel, and in-
vited guests at Ft. Benning‟s recent luncheon in celebration of Native American History month.
Page 5
Environmental Officer (EO)/Unit Environmental Officer (UECO) Training CY- 2012
In accordance with AR 200-1(Environmental Protection and Enhancement), CFMO-ENV will provide one 8
hour block of training instruction for personnel assigned Environmental Officer (EO)/Unit Environmental
Compliance Officer (UECO) responsibilities. Training will be conducted on the following dates during CY-
2012:
25JAN12 – GGTC, Ft. Stewart, Bldg TBD
18APR12 – DLC Macon
18JUL12 – Clay NGC, Bldg 2, Room TBD
17OCT12 – GGTC, Ft. Stewart, BLDG TBD
Soldiers should register to attend the course nearest their home station to alleviate issues with obtaining
travel orders and funding.
Training will be conducted from 0800-1700 on the specified dates. Class size is limited to 20 personnel, to
register for the 25JAN12 course send an email to Mr. Charles "Butch" Thompson at
[email protected] no later than 20JAN12. Ensure email contains rank, full name, and unit/facility
assigned to as EO/UECO. EO/UECO training is offered once per calendar quarter by CFMO-ENV and ro-tates between locations at GGTC, Macon, and Clay NGC. In accordance with AR 200-1 and FM 3-34.5
(Environmental Considerations) all units/facilities are required to have personnel assigned as EO/UECO to
manage environmental issues/concerns at the unit/facility. POC is Mr. Charles “Butch” Thompson via email
at [email protected] or telephone (912) 767-1823.
Environmental Compliance
Environmental Performance Assessment System (EPAS) Assessments for FY-2012
CFMO-ENV staff will commence conducting internal Environmental Performance Assessment System (EPAS)
assessments at selected GAARNG facilities on 11JAN12. The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate a fa-
cility's overall environmental compliance with DOD, local, State and Federal regulations.
Assessment teams will consist of CFMO-ENV staff (typically responsible CFMO-ENV assessor and CFMO-
ENV supervisor) and they will require complete access to the entire facility (everything must be unlocked
and accessible, except weapon vaults if sensitive items are present), in order to complete the assessment as
scheduled. Knowledgeable facility personnel need to be available to answer questions the assessment team
will ask regarding facility operations that affect environmental subject areas of interest. Assessments will
typically be conducted between the hours of 9:00 am until 4:00 pm on the date scheduled and will be coordi-
nated between the CFMO-ENV assessor responsible for the facility and the Environmental Officer (EO)/Unit
Environmental Compliance Officer (UECO) at the facility.
The National Guard Bureau (NGB) EPAS assessment format will be utilized to conduct the assessments,
which consists of utilizing the Team Inspection Guides from RegScan, WEBCASS tools, and other various
environmental inspection protocols required to complete the assessment.
Page 6
Environmental Compliance (continued)
All GaARNG facilities that are tenants on host installations will be assessed utilizing the host installations en-
vironmental program rules/regulations, plans, and policies/directives. GaARNG standalone facilities will be
assessed utilizing GaARNG environmental program rules/regulations, plans,
and policies/directives.
CFMO-ENV assessors will contact each facility to be assessed and provide
additional information regarding the specifics of the assessment to each EO/
UECO. Schedule of facilities to be assessed for FY-12 is as follows:
* All information regarding UECO training for CY 2012 and EPAS Assessments for FY 2012 is also being dis-
seminated through FRAGOs and through the EQCC.
Direct questions regarding the EPAS process or the facility assessment schedule to Mr. Charles “Butch”
Thompson via email at [email protected] or telephone (912) 767-1823.
Page 7
Environmental Facts– Did you know?
Keep lids on hazardous materials closed when not in use.
Keeping containers closed has two benefits:
1) Improving air quality by preventing any evaporation 2) Lessen likelihood of
spills.
Much effort is currently being placed in the area of conducting Site Assessments and updates to previously
completed Environmental Baseline Studies for the GaARNG Readiness Centers located across the state.
Having been a traditional Georgia Guard Officer from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, our Cleanup and
Compliance Program Manager has an understanding of practices of handling and disposal of hazardous mate-
rials and wastes, particularly
those associated with vehicle
maintenance and the weapons
cleaning process.
This knowledge has provided
accurate histories of use in the
development of the Environ-
mental Condition of Property
(ECOP) Reports required for
assessment of these sites.
Over the last twenty years, the
CFMO Environmental Office has
made great strides in training
the field soldiers on the basics of
environmental stewardship.
In an effort to provide accurate historical descriptions of past activities associated with GAARNG facilities,
we would like to enlist the assistance of Georgia Guardsmen in identifying any areas of concern that may
need to undergo further investigation. Please contact the CFMO Environmental Office if you have questions
or are aware of any contamination present at any of our facilities.
Thank you for your diligence and commitment to providing the best possible facilities and grounds for our
soldiers.
Clean up Restoration