Georgia Army National Guard Environmental Stewardship Branch Newsletter Volume 6, Issue 3 Our Mission 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.
Our Vision Commanders maintaining readiness while acquiring the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions that protect and conserve today’s resources for tomorrow’s National Guard Soldiers and Citizens of Georgia.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP BRANCH STAFF Dania
Aponte
Environmental Programs Director
(678) 569-6707
dania.g.aponte.nfg@mail.mil
Eric
Andresen
Environmental Assessor - Central GA/ Deputy HW Program Coordinator
(678) 569-6745
eric.c.andresen.nfg@mail.mil
Richard
Batten
Air & Water Program Coordinator
(678) 569-3970
richard.a.batten.nfg@mail.mil
Karen
Corsetti
Pest Management Program Manager
(678) 569-6701
karen.a.corsetti.mil@mail.mil
Randy
Drummond Compliance Program Manager
(678) 569-6750
randy.m.drummond.nfg@mail.mil
Frances
Grieme
eMS Program Coordinator/ETSS
(678) 569-6749
frances.h.grieme.nfg@mail.mil
Michael
Holloway
Environmental Assessor - Cumming
(678) 569-9266
michael.holloway3.mil@mail.mil
Towanna Isaacs
Recycling Program Coordinator/Assessor in Training
(678) 569-6752
towanna.s.isaacs.mil@mail.mil
Tangy
Johnson
Environmental Assessor - Ft. Stewart
(678) 569-9267
tangy.s.johnson.nfg@mail.mil
Felicia
Nichols
NEPA & Cultural Resources Program Manager/ (678) 569-6755 ECOP
felicia.a.nichols2.nfg@mail.mil
Kathryn
Norton
Energy & Sustainability Program Manager
(678) 569-6726
kathryn.f.norton.nfg@mail.mil
Megan
Spells
Environmental Assessor – Tifton/eMS Awareness Coordinator
(678) 569-8458
megan.e.spells.nfg@mail.mil
~Clay National Guard Center- 1000 Halsey Avenue, Building 70, Marietta, GA 30060~ September 2016
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CFMO-ENV News in 2016
The CFMO-Environmental team has continued to strive towards keeping the Georgia Army National Guard ready and on track with environmental stewardship! You will find some informative articles to broaden your environmental knowledge. See below for interesting updates on the developments that have taken place over the past months and what new things are coming our way.
Air & Water Program: Vehicle Washing —Page 3 GeMS Program: “I Saw the Sign!” —Pages 4 & 5 Compliance: Environmental Officer Training —Pages 6 & 7 Recycling Initiative Program: Continuing Success —Pages 8 & 9 Energy Program: Project Updates —Page10 Environmental Awareness: A Whale of a Story —Page 11 Weapons Cleaning and Lead Exposure —Pages 12 - 14
Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal — a commitment to excellence — that will enable you to attain the success you seek. ~Mario Andretti~
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Air & Water Program
Stormwater Issue with Vehicle Washing Everyone loves a clean car. On a hot Georgia day, taking a few minutes to spray the grit and grime off of your daily commuter might seem like a good way to make that paint shine while cooling off at the same time. However, without the proper equipment, this can be harmful to the streams and waterways of your community. Runoff from vehicle washing can contain sediment, excess nutrients, oil and grease, heavy metals, or detergents that can pollute local soil, surface, and ground water. This can lead to a violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Georgia Water Quality Control Act (WQCA) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that has been established for your community or facility. Privately owned vehicles (POVs) should NOT be washed at GAARNG facilities (including by mobile car washes), unless they are:
Washed using a “waterless” car wash method Washed using a water-recovery mat (boom and mat wastewater recovery system)
If you are wishing to hold a fundraiser or training event on site, some communities have equipment available to borrow or rent to ensure pollutants don’t get into the stormwater. Please contact Richard Batten, Air & Water Program Coordinator (information below), prior to planning these events and he will assist in obtaining permission from your local water authority, if possible, and help determine any necessary management practices. Just a note: Some Georgia Army National Guard facilities have washracks with oil water separators located on-site. Only tactical or GSA vehicles should be washed at these designated locations. Additionally, detergents should NEVER be used on washracks with oil-water separators, as emulsifying agents will prevent the oil from separating from the water before being discharged. For more information or if you have questions, please contact: Richard Batten, Air & Water Program Coordinator, (678) 569-3970 or richard.a.batten.nfg@mail.mil.
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Georgia Environmental Management System (GeMS)
I Saw the Sign! Have you seen the sign? Many of you have probably seen the two new signs that are placed at the two entrances of the Clay National Guard Center – at the front Guard entrance and the back entrance to the JFHQ. Here is some information that will give you the WHAT, WHO, HOW, and the benefits of the GeMS program.
What is eMS and what does it mean? Environmental Management System – the GAARNG’s management program that addresses environmental impacts stemming from the GAARNG’s actions and activities.
What is GeMS? The GAARNG’s Environmental Management System (GeMS) that is used to track our Significant Aspect, Energy Consumption, as well as all other compliance activities.
Who is involved in GeMS? Each individual within the GAARNG plays a part in GeMS. We must all be committed—from the top to every Soldier and Civilian. The importance of GeMS is supported by the Environmental Quality Control Committee (EQCC) — the GAARNG Leadership — assisting The Adjutant General (TAG) in protecting the environment and conserving our natural resources, for present and future generations. The GeMS is aligned with the GAARNG’s mission goals by supporting, embracing, and communicating the TAG’s Environmental Policy Statement. GeMS supports Mission Readiness.
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GeMS, cont’d
How does GeMS operate? The foundation of GeMS is spelled out in the TAG’s Environmental Policy Statement—committing to preventing pollution, complying with laws and regulations, and continually improving.
What are the benefits of a GeMS program? a. b. c. d.
Shows commitment to environmental stewardship Improves environmental performance Complies with laws and regulations Ensures everyone knows and follows procedures which will reduce environmental impacts.
So the next time you see the GeMS sign you will know the fundamentals of the program and exactly what it stands for. You will know that the Georgia Army National Guard is a solid supporter of environmental stewardship, with personnel trained to ensure regulatory compliance and who are committed to environmental excellence!
It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly. ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.~
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Compliance
Continuing Improvement In our last newsletter, we reported (and bragged a little) on the results of our External Assessment conducted by ARNG-IET and their contractor. We didn’t rest on our laurels very long before we were pressing forward once again to improve our training and procedures.
TRAINING The Environmental Officer (EO) Courses have been well attended and feedback has been very positive for the new curricula. Of the sixty-six facilities that have EOs assigned, we currently have only four where the last training date for the EO is beyond one year. Compared to previous years, I am very proud of a 94% training rate, especially with one more class scheduled for 05 October 2016 at Clay NGC when we should easily be able to capture the remaining four facilities to reach 100%. Additionally, many of the other sixty-two facilities have multiple facility personnel who have participated. A special thanks is due to CPT Julia Stafford, the Assistant S4, 48th IBCT, for her diligent tracking of the Brigade’s personnel and her emphasis to subordinate units to send their EOs and others. The EO Courses for 2016 were revised to be more applicable to each type of facility based upon the amount of hazardous waste generated per month. The Courses will be further revised for 2017 to be specific to Readiness Centers, Maintenance Facilities, and the larger sites that generate more than 200 pounds of hazardous waste per month. This will allow for the curricula to better address regulations for automotive-type batteries, scrap and used tires, parts washers, absorbents, and other shop specific issues, while paring down the course material for the Readiness Centers.
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Compliance, (cont’d)
PROCEDURES The Compliance Team is in the process of distributing portable Never look back, floor drum scales to our maintenance facilities. These scales are except for an manufactured specifically for weighing containers on hand trucks. occasional glace, These will be very beneficial in monitoring and documenting the look ahead and plan accurate weights of hazardous waste generated each month. As for the future. the current Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) waste disposal contract is based upon a certain cost per pound, they will also help ensure Success is not built accurate costs based on accurate weights.
on past laurels, but rather on a However, although the scales will always be necessary to accuratecontinuous activity. ly document monthly waste generation, the costs under the DLA waste disposal contract expected to be awarded in 2017 will be Keep busy searchbased upon container type and size. This means that the cost for ing out new ideas disposal of a container will not be based upon the quantity of and, experimentally, waste in the container, but strictly on the capacity and type of the keep ahead of the container (e.g., disposal of a 55-gallon drum with 5 gallons of times, or at least up waste costs the same as one with 50 gallons). For that reason, we with them. have ordered flammable liquid pumps to facilitate the consolidation of waste to ensure we turn-in full containers for disposal. They will be distributed by the Compliance Team as soon as they are received from the vendor.
~Dorothy Draper~
An additional change under the new DLA contract will be the costs associated with fluorescent lamps. The charges for disposal of lamps and batteries will not be according to weight, but will be based upon the number of lamps or batteries per container. We already have a procedure in place for documenting the number of these items placed into a container while they’re being accumulated, but this will make the accuracy of the accumulation log of greater importance. We are making great strides in attaining and maintaining regulatory compliance in the GAARNG. Thank you for your support and diligence. POC: Randy M. Drummond, REM, at randy.m.drummond.nfg@mail.mil or W: (678) 569-6750 Cell: 404-796-0781.
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Recycling Initiative Program
Recycling Continuing Success CNGC recycling program has once again hit all-time marks on single stream recycling. Since we stared the program in October 2014, we have recycled over 80 tons of recycling to date. Two years into the program and we have achieved a great accomplishment. So great job to those who have contributed to our success as an installation. We thank our Soldiers and Civilians who have embraced the program and keep the participation at an all time high. We have made significant progress and will continue to encourage 100% participation from everyone on the installation. We have been quite successful with the existing program; however, there’s always room for program improvements. With the starting of the new fiscal year, we are looking at the possibility of moving from single stream to multi-stream recycling. As part of this possible change, we’re looking at how the change would improve the program through an increase in the number of tons recycled and the possibility of future financial benefits to the Guard. Outlined below are the pros and cons of single-stream versus multi-stream: PROS of Single Stream Recycling:
People are busy and want convenience, so single stream could possibly lead to more people deciding to recycle. On the trash collector’s end, single stream means reduced costs for cheaper, easier to operate single-compartment trucks. The ease in collection leads to less loose waste in the streets. Single stream also provides a reason for recycling systems to update their processes, which often results in adding a wider array of materials that can be recycled. Collectors save money, which could mean 5-25 percent savings on average, resulting in possibly more money back to local governments.
CONS of Single Stream Recycling:
There’s a concern over glass shards and PET bottles contaminating paper loads and causing issues in paper mills. Glass, plastic and aluminum containers can cross-contaminate each other. Scrap material quality is much lower under the single stream model, resulting in lost revenue. While collection costs are lower, processing and contamination disposing costs jump to about $3 more per ton with single stream.
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Recycling Initiative Program, (cont’d)
PROS of Multi Stream Recycling:
Source separation has a reduction of contamination and increase in materials to be recycled. Fuel costs are lower on curbside separation vehicles. There are more local jobs for sorters, plus using a real human to sort means they can leave feedback to homeowners about what can be picked up and what cannot. Additional compartments in the source separation truck can accommodate for odd items like batteries. The total cost for source separation is lower. The overall revenue for materials increases with source separation. Paper isn’t contaminated with glass. Metals separated out earlier are more pure (manufacturers find pure aluminum more useful for cans, for instance). Separated, pure glass can be re-melted, rather than sold off as an aggregate.
CONS of Multi- Stream Recycling:
Source separation could have less recycling participation More Manpower to complete the mission Training would be more extensive (having to teach participants the differences in streams and what is/is not acceptable).
The pros and cons vary for each community wanting to establish a recycling program. For CNCG, the single stream recycling program has proven to be a success. In the near future, as we move forward with state wide recycling for the Guard, we will be looking at ways of improving the program and will most likely venture into multi-stream recycling for the entire state. POC: Towanna Isaacs, Recycling Program Coordinator at towanna.s.isaacs.mil@mail.mil or (678) 569-6752.
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Energy Program
Energy Projects Update The Energy & Sustainability Team and Engineering divisions of CFMO are in the design phase for two Facility Maintenance Shop (FMS) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) rooftop projects at Calhoun FMS and Jackson FMS and a third location at the downtown Winder Readiness Center. Also, on the docket for this year are (14) Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) projects at Georgia Garrison Training Center (GGTC) at FT Stewart. Higher-efficiency HVAC systems, lighting sensors, and programmable thermostats will be installed in sixteen of GAARNG’s buildings at GGTC. The projects will replace many heating/ cooling units that are nearing their useful life while improving the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) cooling performance and the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of gas furnaces. GAARNG CFMO Environmental is excited about these projects and considers them best use of funds for the fiscal year as we continue to work towards increased energy reductions. Combined, these projects are slated to reduce energy consumption for the GAARNG by approximately 2,569 million BTU annually, representing a total energy savings of approximately $607,041 over the life of the projects. Under the Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 2005 and the Presidential Memorandum (Dec 2013), GAARNG’s target is to produce 20% of its electrical requirements through renewable technologies by 2020. Currently, GAARNG has 9 active solar arrays and is finalizing the 3 solar projects listed above. Once the latest solar arrays are up and running, GAARNG should be in the neighborhood of approximately 8-10% of electric use from solar power generation, depending upon consumption over the coming years. Under Executive Order 36393 GAARNG is to reduce agency building energy intensity (EUI) - measured in British thermal units per gross square foot - by 2.5 percent annually through the end of fiscal year 2025, relative to the baseline of the agency's building energy use in fiscal year 2015. Stay tuned to our next environmental newsletter for a snapshot of GAARNG’s progress towards energy reductions as we calculate overall energy use for the organization for the 2016 fiscal year which ends 30 September. POC: Kathy Norton, EMIT, Energy Program Manager at kathryn.f.norton2.nfg@mail.mil or (678) 569-9726.
...the greenest power is power you don’t have to produce… ~Anonymous~
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Environmental Awareness
A Whale of a Story! We all know about whales— they’re big and they’re wet. One would think that pretty much covers it, right? Hardly! Did you know that Georgia’s coastal waters are the only known calving areas for the Northern Right Whale and it’s the only great whale native to Georgia. The Right Whale can grow up to 50 feet in length and can weigh around 70 tons. With that kind of size, it should come as no surprise that ship collisions, along with fishery gear entanglement are the number one killer of the Right Whale from human related causes. Right Whales got their name because whalers thought they were the "right" ones to hunt, as they float when dead and often swim within sight of the shore.
Right Whales are slow swimmers, averaging just six miles per hour. They are known to make brief shallow dives in succession before submerging themselves underwater for up to 20 minutes at a time. They usually travel solo or in small groups. Right Whales are also known to emit low frequency sounds that may be a form of communication. When they feed, the water skimming across their baleen plates creates a clicking "baleen rattle." They feed off of zooplankton and krill by taking large gulps of water and then filtering out their tiny prey using baleen plates. Each side of a whale’s mouth has about 225 baleen plates, which can be up to 8 feet long. During feeding season, usually from spring to fall, right whales may eat more than 2,600 pounds of zooplankton per day.
These facts are important because the Northern Right Whales (New England coast down to Florida) are among the rarest of all marine mammal species and are listed as an endangered species. Data indicates that approximately only 400 of these beautiful creatures exist, which makes them the rarest species of large whale. Commercial whaling decimated the right whale species in the early 1900s leaving only around 450 Northern Right Whales today and an estimated 12,000 Southern Right Whales spread throughout the southern hemisphere (Antarctica, Australia, South Africa, and Argentina). Recent sightings data suggest that the population may be increasing slightly, but is still critically endangered. So how can we help? Support efforts to improve fishing gear by only buying seafood that is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified. This can help to reduce the incidence of marine by-catch, which kills whales and other marine life like turtles, dolphins, and seabirds. Sharing awareness about these wonderful bus-sized beasts is a great way to help too! The whales thank you! POC: Megan Spells, GeMS Awareness Coordinator, at megan.e.spells.nfg@mail.mil or 678-569-8458. References: http://www.georgiawildlife.com http://defenders.org http://wwf.panda.org
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Environmental Awareness
Weapons Cleaning and Lead Exposure in the ARNG Have you familiarized yourself with the new GAARNG Hazardous Waste Management Plan yet? If so, you’ll notice that there are now two different plans: one for Conditionally Exempt Facilities and one for each of our 3 Small Quantity Generators.
If you are at one of the Conditionally Exempt facilities and you think that means Hazardous Waste management isn’t important, think again. If you are a Readiness Center, you most likely conduct one of the most common Hazardous Waste Generating activities in the Guard nationwide: Weapons Cleaning. Across the country, weapons cleaning is a growing issue. ARNG’s in other states are having issues with the public and the media for their improper management of Lead Contaminated Waste (e.g., Weapons Cleaning Rags, patches, bore snakes, etc.). It has been discovered that many Armories/Readiness Centers have higher lead levels than what OSHA deems safe for the work place (FYI, there is no “safe” level of lead). At first this was thought to be associated with the old indoor firing ranges, but some states were finding high levels of lead in facilities that had been previously abated due to weapons cleaning activities. This is an especially big deal in Readiness Centers that rent their space out to the public when it is not in use. Not only do we need to worry about exposing ourselves, but we have to take into account every person that may come through our facilities as well as our families and children that we go home to. Lead can get on your clothes and body and when you go home, you take that lead with you. It is absorbed through your skin, your children’s skin if you hug them in uniform, and your spouse’s skin. Lead exposure in adults leads to many health problems such as high blood pressure, abdominal pain, joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, memory loss, mood disorders, and miscarriage in pregnant women. In children lead exposure can also cause learning disabilities, developmental delays, hearing loss, and other negative effects. USACarry.com recommends the following to minimize lead exposure to your family from weapons cleaning: 1. I have a pair of shoes that are dedicated to the shooting range. I take them off before I even enter my house. 2. When I get home from the range I fully undress in the garage. I take off all of my clothes and put them in the wash. 3. Even though I’ve taken off all of my clothes I still don’t touch my daughter or my wife until I’ve had a chance to shower. When I first get in the shower I wash my face with cold water (hot water causes the pores to open and you’ll absorb more lead.)
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Environmental Awareness, (cont’d)
So from now on when you get home from shooting, please take the proper precautions so you’re not putting yourself, children, or grandchildren at unnecessary risk of lead exposure.” USACarry.com also makes the following recommendations to protect yourself while cleaning your firearms: These ideas below are time consuming and inconvenient, but the benefits outweigh costs. Try at least some of them. Here are some things I try to do each time I clean my guns:
Wear Nitrile gloves (latex gloves usually dissolve with solvents) - dispose of them each time. Wear eye protection while cleaning (eyes, mouth, & nose areas really absorb contaminants). Use a non-porous cleaning surface that can be cleaned (Gun Mats)or clean on something that can be thrown away. Clean the cleaning area surface and eye protectors after each session. When cleaning weapons at home place all disposable swabs, patches, gloves, cleaning material in a sealed trash bag & dispose of them. Avoid pressurized air to blow surfaces clean and to blow excess solvent/oil off (more easily disperses contaminants). Thoroughly wash my hands, arms, and face after gun cleaning (as well as shower after each range session). Use cold water (hot water opens skin pores & promotes lead absorption) & soap to wash and a skin cleaner designed for removing metal (I just bought D-Wipes to try along with D-Lead Soap and Skin Cleaner- expensive & hope they help). Change into clean clothing as soon as possible after range trips, shooting, and gun cleaning (keep dedicated range-only shoes in a container in a separate area or garage). Never eat, drink, or smoke while handling ammo, shooting at the range, cleaning a gun, or re-loading ammo (promotes easy entry of contaminants into blood and body). Lead dust on hands & face can be ingested through contact with food or by touching the face.
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Environmental Awareness, (cont’d)
NOTE: Hand Sanitizers, like Purell, Dial, GOJO, and Cleanwell, do NOT remove heavy metals and lead from hands but some do act to kill germs. Lead and other particulates are somewhat removed with cold running water and some soap. NIOSH has developed an easy-hand-wipe technology for workers and it is commercially available under license from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. A decontamination towel is commercially available, called Hygenall Heavy Metal Decontamination Towels (about $8 a canister), that claims to remove 99% of unseen lead particles and other metals from the skin, is non-toxic, and helps prevent transfer of lead and toxic chemicals to other surfaces and people. Also, products called D-Lead Wipes are available from ESCA Tech (about $15 a canister), as well as hand soap and skin cleaner.” In addition to these excellent recommendations from USACarry.com, our Hazardous Waste Management plans addresses how to dispose of the material used to clean your weapons. They should be in a sealed container and, once put in that container, DO NOT REUSE THE MATERIALS. Please consult your Environmental Officer or the Environmental Assessor assigned to your region if you would like to know more about how to protect yourself and your family from lead exposure. Remember that the National Guard should strive to promote the safety of the communities it operates in, this includes the health of that community. Do your part to minimize lead exposure and don’t ever under estimate the risks. Listed below are some additional sources of information and the sources of the information in this article. http://www.usacarry.com/lead-risks-shooting-firearms-ammo/ http://www.usacarry.com/how-to-avoid-lead-poisoning-after-shootin/ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lead-poisoning/basics/symptoms/con-20035487 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1174752-overview POC: Eric Andresen, at eric.c.andresen2.nfg@mail.mil or W: (678) 569-6745 Cell: (404) 803-7107