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Show 5 Page 20 December HILL TOP TIMES 1. 1978 By Capt. Cal Andrus The Air Force has an aggressive and comprehensive environmental protection program. Many personnel and their dependents at Hill AFB are familiar with actions taken by the base to control environmental pollution, but not very many know about the driving force behind those actions. V, - xS , - xxN V xx x x x x - xv x . x ,v xx - , Xx xxx X X , x .iXxs;xXx The Hill Top Times and other publications have publicized major programs to reduce, control or eliminate sources of air, water, noise and radiation pollution. Recently, articles have appeared in print concerning control and management of solid waste, pesticides and other hazardous materials and various environmental enhancement actions. f if x x n x I But who is responsible for these programs? How are these complex AF programs k jo & XX ".x xs xxX coordinated and xV x xs x - x " Wvy- - xXs X, X,NXX-- x?xXx;xSxxxx:X iw ! ; xx x ixxXx xx x- - xx x n vXx s x- t regs set guidelines At base level, the primary organization responsible for environmental protection is the Environmental Protection Committee (EPC). The "Constitution" of the EPC is Air Force xy V "Pollution Abatement and Environmental Regulation 1 The establishes Air Force policy "to prevent, Quality." and reduce environmental pollution" on Air Force control, installations. 19-- XX xxxSsxVxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa 5X3 monitored? X xXx x X. . x 1 X N X x X x 1, 19-- Next in importance to the 19-- 1 is Air Force Regulation 19-"Environmental Assessments and Statements," which insures that "all actions are planned, initiated, and carried out in a manner to avoid adverse effects on the quality of the human environment." , X -- W" x i xH s X X Sn XX XX V -- x ,x Quarterly review XV ' -- :S::fxX 5;xxxSxix X X X S - 2, ' y - xXx XXXXX xx.x - SXX " x x, , x.X SXxtsVi N Drake Lake, located south of the main hangar In the 508th Tactical Fighter Group (Reserve) area, holds ramp and runway run-of- f and keeps polluted water from - " N ! . X S f o:X;:x?Xxxf :XvxX .Xf'! XX XX v XS x xP X draining Into nearby streams. Capt. Cal Andrus) (U.S. Air Force Photo by As prescribed by these regs, the Hill EPC meets quarterly to review programs or complaints which concern the environment. pumped to the North Davis system for final treatment. "In short, our job is to establish an effective policy concerning the environment, and carry out that policy," Management of the volume of waste pumped to North Davis substantially improves the overall efficiency of the treatment plant. Bob McKenzie, Civil representative on the committee. explained Engineering Division As at most bases, the Engineering and Medical Service branches are given the lion's share of environmental protection responsibilities. However, the EPC consists of 19 representatives from each of the major organizations and tenants on base. The Ogden ALC vice commander chairs the committee. Someone to turn to When special problems arise that the EPC cannot handle because of insufficient resources or expertise, they may contact the U.S. Air Force Occupational and Environmental Health Laboratory, Brooks AFB, Texas or the Civil and Environmental Engineering Development Activity, Tyndall AFB, Fla. Both facilities can provide local committee members consultation, field support and data repository services. The Air Force Regional Civil Engineers have overall Air coordination planning and environmental responsibilities for Air Force activities located in their regions. The Hill AFB EPC lies within the jurisdiction of the San Francisco office. Force Successful programs . Committee gets praise General Nugteren added. Storm drainage The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently granted Hill AFB a permit certifying, in effect, that all cooling water and storm drainage from the East Area of the base can now be discharged to the Kayes Creek "non-contac- t" Drainage. "The recipient of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit by the EPA in January of this year represents a hallmark achievement for the committee," Mr. McKenzie said. On-goin- g Hill's EPC continues to monitor a wide range of programs and activities. At each meeting, committee members address a wide range of subjects from review of environmental assessments to consideration of air quality and solid waste permits. Agenda items frequently include hydrazine control, oil and fuel spill control and review of the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) status. One of the most important functions of the committee is to respond to environmental complaints. Industrial JC'nt effort The industrial effluent system handles liquid industrial of the plating operations on wastes such as the base. Thanks to committee action, the Industrial Waste Treatment Plant is being modernized-- Upon completion of the project, a significant reduction of heavy metals in the effluent joint effort between Army and base officials resulted in correction of the deficient oil separator located 150 feet west of the building. The Air Force provided engineering services while the Army allocated funds to modify the separator. will result. Sanitary The Hill EPC was responsible for two projects recently have improved sewage treatment and sewage treatment management. By eliminating most cross connections between industrial and sanitary sewage, more effective final treatment became possible .Also, a new series of meters was ins' H'H to lonitor th volume f sewage being which ; members "up-to-date- ." Members are provided an initial orientation, and to enable EPC members to function more effectively, the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) offers a week-lon- g course at n Civil the AFB, Engineering School located at Wright-Patterso- Ohio. Better prepared By introducing participants to a wide variety of typical problems and a host of information on environmental subjects, attendees emerge from school well prepared to deal with problems confronting installations such as Hill AFB. The base is allocated nine slots at the school each fiscal year, and three courses are held per year. One of the major challenges facing the Hill EPC is to keep pace with increasingly stringent environmental standards. Continuing effort Earlier this year, base officials received a complaint that the North Davis District was picking up high concentrations of in the sanitary effluent from the base. The EPC immediately began an investigation to locate the source. The trail eventually led to the Tooele Army Rail Shop on base. . Aware that the environment is always changing and that new operational commitments or technology can suddenly alter the bases' relationship with surrounding communities, to keep EPC there is a considerable emphasis Air Force-wid- e programs Recent EPC achievements cited by Bob McKenzie include modifications and improvements to the three systems on base which handle potential pollutants. The three' systems are: industrial, sanitary and storm drainage. by-produ- "The committee has done an excellent job thus far. The level of competency and dedication among the members is as good as one may find within any civilian or military organization," oil-greas- es A "Close coordination of this kind is essential," said Brig. Gen. Cornelius Nugteren, Chairman of the Hill EPC. "By its very nature, an environmental problem requires efficient collaboration among several professions. Regardless of the magnitude of the problem, an adequate solution often requires cooperation from engineering, medical, legal, financial, operational, information, safety and maintenance personnel," the general stated. As General Nugteren puts it, "We will continue to devote equipment, manpower and effort to improve the environment both on and off Hill AFB. We work closely with local civilian authorities to ensure identification and correction of pollution problems facing surrounding communities. "We accept our responsibility which extends beyond the fence. It includes all the communities surrounding Hill AFB." t0l Bivq a Uoo |