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Show 10 Hilltop Times Aug. 26, 1993 Environmental cleanup crucial to future The Air Force wants to stop using hazardous materials and start using more acceptable products. by TSgt. David P. Masko Air Force News Service WASHINGTON Air Force leaders believe the coming years will be crucial in determining the kind of planet the next generation inherits. Therefore, they have developed a plan to meet environmental responsibilities through such efforts as cleanup, compliance, conservation and pollution prevention. In fiscal 1994, for example, the Air Force is requesting $655 million to fully fund programs such as hazardous waste disposal, endangered species and wetlands management, and environmental manpower and training. "The Air Force is committed to environmental leadership," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Merrill A. McPeak said in a memorandum to commanders. "Our goal is to prevent future pollution by reducing use of hazardous materials and releases of pollutants into the environment to as near zero as feasible." McPeak said the Air Force must quickly move away from dependence on hazardous materials, actively reduce its waste streams, and recycle and expand purchasing programs for recycled products. "To succeed we must mobilize our whole team and find ways to move faster," he said. Just a decade or so ago, the Air Force was known for bases where operations may have contributed to the hole in the Earth's protective ozone layer g caused by chlorofluorocarbons and other chemicals and was one of many federal agencies on the ecologists' hit list. But in the past few years, much of that has changed, thanks to more public awareness and a new breed of leadership with fresh ideas about respect for the Earth. For instance, the Air Force has taken the lead in numerous environmental protection initiatives such ' g as phasing out chemicals, or ODCs. "We've been investing money in research and development for alternatives to ODCs for years, even when others didn't even know there was a problem," said Gary Vest, principal assistant deputy under ozone-depletin- ozone-depletin- 66 To succeed we must mobilize our whole team and find ways to move faster. 99 Gen. Merrill A. McPeak Air Force chief of staff secretary of defense for environmental security. Vest is the former deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for environment, safety and occupational health. The Air Force has budgeted funds to "get out of CFCs by 1995," Vest said. In addition, the Air Force is planting trees for future generations, enhancing existing resources and addressing mounting public concerns about the buildup of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The tree which includes cities throughplanting program out the United States calls for a public and private sector cooperative approach with a goal of planting, improving and maintaining nearly a billion trees per year nationwide. "Tree planting is important for a number of reasons," McPeak said. "Trees improve landscaping, provide commercial and urban forestry, help with energy conservation and contribute to alternative energy production objectives." McPeak said virtually every Air Force installation can contribute to the program by planting more trees. The goal is to have all bases receive the "Tree City USA" designation by 1994 when the "America the Beautiful" program is adopted Air Force-widThe Air Force has already won the first Federal Environment Quality Award, presented at a White House ceremony in January, for demonstrating a strong commitment to the goals and requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The act requires federal agencies to encompass all environmental values in their planning. "We are proud of the progress we have made in cleaning up our contaminated sites, improving our compliance program, and establishing a viable pollution prevention program," Vest told lawmakers recently. At the same time, Vest thinks the Air Force is just beginning to avoid the environmental mistakes of the past. He also believes many of today's ecological problems are rooted in such things as population growth and the lack of environmental investment throughout the world. Vest and other environmentalists helped to start awareness movements such as "Earth Day" to call upon people throughout the world to respect the laws of nature. "Earth Day wasn't trendy in the Vest told Air Force News Service recently. "I guess it was ignored to a certain extent because people really didn't realize what was happening." Today things have changed. People want to learn more about the environmental crisis, conserve energy, recycle, plant trees, organize cleanups, speak out and even encourage government to set an example, Vest said. e. early-1970s- ," r.i i i Pi 1661 WASHINGTON BLVD. OGDEN, UTAH 84404 c HOURS: MON.-FM- PHONE 392-125- 9 . iHkeian i 1AMTOS:MPM - 10 57 - A enter - I - r - ! Fighting Falcon ATIMOAV AM 101PM BIB 1 mora SFt i ! ""tSIPE? TOLL FREE ' Apache pep"1 Starlifter Tomcat F-l- ll (mtrJ J ? OUR Blackhawk Hercules Sea Stallion Eagle Hornet B-- 2 UHF Ramota Control 608ThrMhoM DtyMal Why DeployaMe? COMPLETE SYSTEM 54 SalaMla Mamory 100 Favorfla Channaia Slarao It costs a lot less for Local Overhaul and Test Start At miliar 27: ia.30E Front Panal Display And Much, Much Mora 6H.. A A! I f I 1 r T. I r I. ri. a n. IN ri. WITH PROGRAMMING NO DOWN PAYMENT O.A.C. yj p TECHNOLOGIES 1505 E. Warner Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705 Tel (714) 979-550- 0 Fax (714) 979-390- 5 |