AFCEC new home to encroachment management program

  • Published
  • By Roger Gragg
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is now the program office for the Air Force Encroachment Management program, or AFEM.

The AFCEC Planning and Integration Directorate  was given the task of supporting headquarters Air Force and the Secretary of the Air Force in the execution of the AFEM program Oct. 1, and now provides reach-back support to installations, major commands and direct reporting units on all aspects of encroachment.

Air Force installations have historically been established in rural areas, away from significant urban population centers.  The rapid growth of the population of the United States, coupled with expansion of these urban centers, has led to development along the previously rural borders of military installations, ranges and training routes, often impacting the sustainability of the military missions. 

"The challenge becomes ensuring that development is compatible with military missions," said Charles Cyr, chief of P&I's regional development planning branch. "The overall purpose of the AFEM program is to reach across the entire installation community to solve problems and preserve the Air Force mission capability."

AFI 90-2001 was published Sept. 3, 2014, finalizing a process that began in 2010, and identifies encroachment management roles and responsibilities at all levels of the Air Force.  The AFI further expands the definition of encroachment, including 13 encroachment and sustainment challenge areas: airspace and land restrictions; airborne noise; urban growth; spectrum encroachment; endangered species and critical habitat; air; water; cultural resources; unexploded ordnance and munitions; marine resources; energy compatibility and availability; security and safety; and natural factors and climate effects. 

"The encroachment view has widened considerably to include resource challenges as well as the larger geographic area of the installation complex termed the 'mission footprint,'" said Cyr.

As part of the program, each installation is required to stand up a cross-functional decision making team, or Installation Encroachment Management Team.  These teams are the front line for the AFEM program and their ability to identify and address compatible land use issues affecting the mission is critical to the program. 

Since 2010, the Air Force has generated more than 50 encroachment studies called Installation Complex Encroachment Management Action Plans, or ICEMAPs, to identify mission compatibility issues at installations.  The ICEMAP assists the Air Force and local installation commanders, decision makers and stakeholders in identifying, preventing and reducing encroachment and sustainment challenges.  An additional 17 ICEMAP studies are planned for fiscal 2015.

The AFCEC encroachment management team is the support unit designed to assist major commands and installations utilize existing tools and remedies within their limited resources. 

"By managing development through partnership with local governments, federal and state agencies, and special interest groups, the AFEM program works to ensure that current and future development will be compatible with military missions," Cyr said. 

The prescribed approach provides a streamlined method to integrate Air Force policy from headquarters Air Force, through the field operations agencies and major commands, to the installations, he added.

Armed with encroachment studies and modified with lessons learned, the program is now entering the execution stage with training being a key element.  The Encroachment Management Worldwide e-symposium, a virtual training providing an overview of the AFEM program, is scheduled for Feb. 25-26, 2015. 

To view or download a graphic depicting the 13 challenge areas identified by the Air Force's encroachment management program, click here.