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 dania.g.aponte@us.army.mil

Butch Thompson Sustainability Program Manager, South (912) 767-1823 butch.thompson@us.army.mil

Felicia Nichols NEPA Program Manager (678) 569-6755 felicia.nichols@us.army.mil

Randy Drummond Restoration and Clean-up Manager,

Sustainability Program Manager, North

(678) 569-6750 randy.drummond1@us.army.mil

Rolandria Boyce eMS Program Manager (678) 569-6749 rolandria.boyce@us.army.mil

Karen Corsetti Pest Management Program Manager (678) 569-6751 karen.corsetti@us.army.mil

Yvonne Edwards Environmental Technical Support Specialist (678) 569-6752 etta.edwards@us.army.mil

Kathryn Norton Cultural Resources Assistant (678) 569-6726 kathryn.f.norton@us.army.mil

Michael Holloway Environmental Assessor –Cumming (678) 569-3841 michael.holloway3@us.army.mil

Tangy Johnson Environmental Assessor –Ft. Stewart (912) 767-9133 tangy.johnson@us.army.mil

Kip Rummel Environmental Assessor– CNGC, Atlanta (678) 569-3840 o.rummel@us.army.mil

Paul Hansen Environmental Assessor– Macon Not available paul.hansen3@us.army.mil

Megan Spells Environmental Assessor– Tifton (678) 569-8458 megan.e.spells@us.army.mil

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 rolandria.boyce@us.army.mil.

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

butch.thompson@us.army.mil 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 butch.thompson@us.army.mil 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 butch.thompson@us.army.mil 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