Belvoir achieves environmental compliance

An external audit conducted by the Army Environmental Command last month found Fort Belvoir to be in compliance with its Environmental Management System. Under this DoD initiative, EMS integrates environmental stewardship into the management of the installation and addresses all planning activities, responsibilities, procedures and resources as they relate to the environment.
According to Michelle Royal, an environmental specialist with Belvoir's Directorate of Public Works, every installation must meet a set of requirements to achieve compliance. Among them are: complying with all legal standards; maintaining and properly documenting records; having open communication with all organizations and tenants; promoting sustainable growth and outlining objectives for the future.
"The installation is a lot different now, as opposed to five years ago. There are many things to consider, such as traffic, construction and air emissions," Royal said. "By achieving compliance, we're basically saying we're doing exactly what we said we would be doing. It also means we're right on target and where we want to be when it comes to our work with the environment."
Royal said there are a number of environmental objectives Belvoir has targeted for 2010. They include reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a reduction of energy by at least three percent annually. Others include implementing renewable energy projects; supporting the purchase and use of plug-in hybrid vehicles; promoting cost-effective measures to reduce energy, water and material use during construction projects; and reducing the consumption of transportation-related petroleum products by at least two percent.
"We also plan on spending $3 million to repair storm-water deficiencies through 2016. Another objective is to ensure that repairs to historic properties promote their long-term viability," Royal said. "A main goal of ours from here on out is to increase the public's education on what we're doing to make things better. We don't want to lose out on that opportunity by not sharing information."
Comments or suggestions on promoting or implementing quality environmental practices can be e-mailed to environmental-fb-dpw@conus. army.mil.