Air Force collaborates with EPA on pilot program Published Nov. 2, 2011 By Chad Starr AFCEE Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Air Force has signed of a memorandum of understanding with Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 to collaborate in conducting environmental footprint analyses of Air Force installations in the southwest. "The objective of the MOU is to share data and strategies on conducting the greenest cleanups with the smallest footprint possible," said Tim Bridges, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for environment, safety and occupational health. Their goal is to measure the effects of restoration activity on the environment, and develop recommendations on implementing green and sustainable remediation, or GSR, practices to minimize the environmental impact of cleanup activities. This includes new cleanup strategies that reduce negative impacts on the environment, efficiently use natural resources and energy, eliminate or minimize pollution at the source, reduce waste, benefit the community and maximize the benefit of the cleanup by minimizing environmental footprints. "This collaboration will foster cleanups that protect public health and the environment today while helping to conserve and sustain resources for future generations," said Jane Diamond, superfund director for the EPA Pacific Southwest Region. The intent of the understanding is not to impose additional requirements, but to document a commitment by both parties to use Air Force environmental restoration program sites as pilot locations to evaluate GSR tools and jointly develop recommendations on how best to use them, said David Bell, restoration program manager in the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment's Western Regional Environmental Office, who was involved in the memorandum process. Several factors contributed to the memorandum, said Bell. The foundation of the initiative is Presidential Executive Orders 13423 and 13514, which call for all federal agencies to conserve energy and manage resources. This was followed by a deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and the environment policy memorandum directing the use of GSR practices in restoration. "The next necessary component was the long-standing partnering relationship the Air Force has with EPA Region 9," Bell said. "Both AFCEE and EPA Region 9 have been on the forefront of developing and implementing environmental remediation actions, and several Air Force installations in California have significant experience using GSR practices." The combination of these factors contributed to this collaboration between agencies to use an Air Force installation as a pilot study for evaluating the currently available environmental footprint analysis tools, Bell added. The initiative was proposed in mid-June. "Once EPA Region 9 senior management approached the Air Force, the regional office functioned as a facilitator to coordinate the details of the agreement with the many agencies involved, and then staffed the memo to the secretary of the Air Force for installations and environment for approval," Bell said. Both EPA and the Air Force agree that fostering a "one government" approach will leverage expertise, avoid duplication, reduce costs and maximize the environmental benefits. "This is a unique initiative as it will allow the Air Force to work side by side with EPA in their regulatory development process rather than just be reactionary to new regulation," said Bell. "A major benefit for the Air Force is the opportunity to develop best management practices that will affect future regulatory aspects of GSR practices," he added. Paul Jurena, a research scientist with AFCEE'S Technical Support Division, will lead Air Force participation in the GSR work team in coordination with EPA Region 9 and the California EPA. Working with installation remedial project managers, the joint team will identify an appropriate site to conduct the pilot study. The team is expected to have a kick-off meeting this month.