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After Action Reports for Department
of Defense P2 Partnership Meetings
Colorado Interagency Environmental
Network Meeting (4/5/00)
Colorado Interagency Environmental Network
Meeting (8/4/99)
Colorado Interagency Environmental Network Meeting (6/3/99)
Colorado Interagency Environmental Network Meeting (4/12/99)
Charter for the Colorado Interagency Environmental Network
Region 8 P2 Partnership Meeting Report (2/12/99)
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: After-Action Report – Colorado Interagency
Environmental Network Meeting (4 August 1999)
1. The Air Force Academy hosted a meeting of DoD representatives
in Colorado, the Environmental Protection Agency Region VIII (EPA) and the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Pollution Prevention Program,
to continue discussions and cooperative activities regarding environmental issues
of common interest. The U.S. Army Environmental Center’s (USAEC) Western
Regional Environmental Office (WREO) facilitated the meeting. Eighteen participants
attended the meeting, from the agencies, six installations, one major command,
the Colorado National Guard, and the WREO. The group met at the Air Force Academy’s
10th Air Base Wing Commander’s Headquarters on 4 August 1999. The attendee
sign-in sheet is included as enclosure 1 (not available on Web Site). The meeting
agenda is included as enclosure 2.
2. Meeting attendees reviewed activities to address action items
identified during the 3 June Network meeting. Discussions follow.
a. Action Item: Documentation of recommendations implemented, with associated
cost savings, during the March and April 1998 Vehicle Maintenance and Recycling
installation staff assistance visits that were facilitated by the Network. Resolution:
Participants indicated little progress regarding this issue.
b. Action Item: Updating pollution prevention success stories for the Pollution
Prevention Success Story Compendium. Resolution: The Air Force Academy is updating
their pollution prevention plan, and they will address success stories at that
time. Ms. Diana Dean has an electronic computer file that includes the template
used to document pollution prevention success stories. She will send it out
to Network members via email so they can document their successes for distribution
to Network members.
c. Action Item: Documentation of lessons learned and recommendations from the
Army’s Western Regional Environmental Office’s (WREO) participation
in the 1999 Colorado Regular Legislative Session. Resolution: Ms. Diane Connolly
(WREO) provided recommendations for installations regarding this issue. For
more information contact the WREO attorney.
d. Action Item: Determination if there are any DoD programs that could potentially
provide funding support for CDPHE’s pollution prevention program. Resolution:
No alternatives identified for this issue to date.
e. Action Item: Air Force Academy requested volunteers to participate in their
26-30 July 1999, hazardous waste "mini Environmental Compliance Assessment
Management Program" (ECAMP). Resolution: Several representatives from Colorado
installations and the WREO supported this effort. According to AFA representatives,
the results exceeded their expectations. Great cooperative effort!
f. Action Item: Providing construction demolition debris recycling information.
Resolution: Mr. Tim Blume advised that he had discussed the issue with Mr. Joe
Mann (City of Denver Department of Public Works) who is in charge of demolition
of the former Stapleton International Airport and associated recycling. Mr.
Mann’s telephone number is (303) 640-3532. Mr. Mann is very willing to
discuss his experiences and recommendations. Mr. Blume provided a handout that
shows how to access the U.S. West Dex Internet Web site to find information
regarding recycling. The Web site address is http://www.dexonline.com/.
3. Mr. Dick Brown (Executive Director of "Colorado Recycles")
presented information regarding his organization and its mission. Colorado Recycles
is a nonprofit "501c.3." educational organization that serves as a
catalyst for education about recycling. He advised that he would be focusing
in the future on the demand side of recycling to try to enhance markets of recyclable
materials. Colorado Recycles publishes a "Recycling Guide" intended
to help facilitate getting recyclable material to markets for reuse. Colorado
Recycles has information on an Internet Web site that is http://www.colorado-recycles.org.
The "Recycling Guide" and other information are on the Web site, which
the agency plans to update. In addition to assisting with recycling issues,
Mr. Brown offered to conduct a workshop for Network members and other military
representatives regarding government affairs and public outreach that may provide
valuable recommendations for installation personnel.
4. Mr. Gilbert Bailey (EPA Region VIII Environmental Specialist)
provided a presentation regarding Executive Order 13101 (Greening the Government
through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition). His presentation
included a discussion of the Order’s provisions and requirements. Section
6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires government
agencies to promote recycling by increasing their purchases of products containing
recovered materials. EPA has designated 36 recycled content items in its comprehensive
procurement guidelines that government procuring agencies must consider purchasing.
Under RCRA, the requirement to purchase an EPA-designated product containing
recovered materials applies to procuring agencies that spend more than $10,000
a year on the item. Federal Register notices are available on the Internet through
the EPA Public Access Server at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
Copies of fact sheets, product manufacturers list, and additional supporting
information is available at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure.htm.
EPA’s Federal Facility Enforcement Office is preparing guidance on conducting
federal facility inspections for compliance with section 6002 of RCRA. The final
guidance document will be available on the Envirosense Web site at http://es.epa.gov/.
According to information provided in the EPA’s FedFacs publication number
7, EPA inspection during the first year of implementation will emphasize awareness
and compliance assistance, focusing on federal facilities responsibilities under
RCRA 6002. In future years, EPA will review its response to non-compliance with
section 6002 to ensure federal facility compliance. EPA may issue notices of
violation for violation of RCRA section 6002 and enter into compliance agreements
at federal facilities that are discovered through inspections mandated by Executive
Order 13101. In addition, citizens may act pursuant to RCRA section 7002, the
citizen suit provision. Mr. Bailey advised that he is available to assist installations
to implement the requirements of the Executive Order.
5. Mr. Blume informed attendees regarding activities during
the 22 July 1999, installation restoration information exchange workgroup meeting.
Mr. Dean Dunn (Air Force 21st Space Wing Environmental Flight Chief) coordinates
activities of Colorado military representatives and lead discussions during
the meeting. Participants from five installations and the National Guard attended.
They identified several restoration issues, which are of common interest, that
they can begin to address in the future. They discussed the Region IV EPA/State/DoD
Tiered Restoration Partnership that is very effective in improving understandings
and working relationships among agencies and DoD organizations. Attendees agreed
to sponsor a workshop in the Denver area at which participants in the Region
IV partnership would provide information regarding the partnership, as well
as their perspectives about its benefits.
The workgroup participants will also invite representatives
of EPA Region VIII, CDPHE and Colorado military to attend and learn about the
Region IV partnership. Colorado representatives can use what they learn from
this meeting to determine if a restoration partnership like the one in Region
IV might potentially be proposed in Colorado to facilitate similar benefits.
Dianne Thiel (EPA Region VIII) volunteered to serve as the EPA sponsor agreeing
to hold the meeting at the EPA Region VIII’s conference facilities.
ACTION ITEM: Mr. Dunn will take the lead to coordinate setting
a meeting date and arrange for the meeting. It appears that there are representatives
from the Region IV partnership who are ready and willing to participate in the
meeting. Ms. Diana Dean has made some of the contacts, and Mr. Blume will attempt
to enlist support for Region IV participants.
6. Mr. Dan Rodriguez (Headquarters Air Force Space Command)
advised attendees that Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE)
Pollution Prevention Program personnel agreed to support the Network’s
plans to conduct aircraft operation pollution prevention staff assistance visits
at Colorado installations. The AFCEE P2 personnel are available after 1 October
1999. Mr. Blume advised that he has identified an Army representative at the
Corpus Christi Army Depot who has participated in these installation visits
in the past, and is interested in assisting in the Colorado project. However,
we must get approval from the chain of command. Mr. Blume indicated the WREO
sent a letter to the installation commander requesting his approval. Organizers
will schedule a conference call upon finalizing team members to discuss details
of the schedule and scope of the effort. Network members still would like CDPHE
pollution prevention program staff to help by identifying a small private airport
where the assessment team can visit. Visits will occur after 1 October 1999,
based on personnel availability.
7. Mr. Blume provided information regarding four Colorado regulatory
developments.
a. Waste Fluorescent Light Tube Management – EPA promulgated
final regulations, 6 July 1999, which allow hazardous waste lamps to be managed
as universal waste. Except for states that have not been delegated authority
to implement RCRA, states are not required to adopt this new regulation. It
becomes effective at the federal level, 6 January 2000. According to Mr. Fred
Dowsett (CDPHE Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division Compliance
Coordinator), CDPHE will likely adopt EPA’s regulation without change,
probably near year-end 1999. Waste generators may choose to either manage their
hazardous waste lamps as universal waste, or they must characterize them and
manage them appropriately like most other hazardous wastes.
b. Smoke Management Requirements – Ms. Colleen Campbell
(CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division) advised that the Colorado Air Quality
Control Division will convene stakeholder work group meetings, beginning during
the week of 30 August 1999, to begin to discuss implementing requirements of
Colorado SB 99-145, as well as to develop enhanced regulations to reduce potential
impacts from open burning. Organizers will send workshop announcements out very
soon. Although DoD is exempted from the requirements of Colorado SB 99-145,
DoD organizations should monitor developments carefully. Regarding development
of more stringent smoke management requirements, Ms. Campbell explained that
this is motivated internally within her agency, rather than by a new law. The
existing memorandum of understanding among the CDPHE and land management agencies
(including the Air Force Academy) will expire in December 1999 and at the minimum
requires renewal. She explained that CDPHE staff identified several issues that
need to be addressed in the effort to enhance the existing smoke management
program:
(1) add a fee structure.
(2) develop a formal compliance and inspection program.
(3) formulate requirements for smoke management that are "tiered".
For example, requirements for fires on very small acreages would be less stringent
than for fires on progressively larger acreages.
c. Draft Recycling/Composting Regulations – WREO staff
forwarded draft CDPHE proposed regulations for recycling and for composting
to Colorado installation representatives for review and comment.
d. Colorado 303(d) List Update Preparation – Section 303(d)
of the Clean Water Act requires states to identify waters that do not or are
not expected to meet applicable water quality standards with technology-based
controls alone. This identification of waters is presented in a document called
the 303(d) List, updated biennially. Fort Carson and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal
have waters included on Colorado’s list. Additional water bodies identified
in Colorado’s Monitoring and Evaluation List include some that may be added
to the 303(d) list that are on or near military installations. Once listed,
the State is required to prioritize these waters, analyze the causes of the
water quality problem and allocate the responsibility for controlling the pollution.
This analysis and allocation is called the TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) Process,
and results in the determination of: (1) the amount of a specific pollutant
that a water body or stream segment can receive without violating water quality
standards, and (2) the apportionment to the different contributing sources
of the pollutant loading. An important part of the TMDL Process is involving
local stakeholders, not only to identify sources of loading, but also in allocating
that loading and implementing solutions.
CDPHE will sponsor the first meeting to discuss preparation
of the year 2000 303(d) list on 17 August 1999, at the CDPHE offices in Denver.
The meeting is in Building A (5 story building), in the Carson meeting room,
beginning at 1330 hours. This is an important process for the military to participate
in so installation personnel can provide their input and recommendations regarding
any potential proposals involving their installations.
8. Meeting attendees shared experiences regarding various regulatory
agency compliance inspections at their respective installations. EPA Region
VIII personnel often accompany CDPHE inspectors conducting RCRA compliance inspections.
EPA Region VIII inspectors visited the Air Force Academy to conduct a water
quality inspection. EPA has a new compliance checklist. EPA Region VIII has
conducted underground storage tank inspections at various Colorado installations.
CDPHE and the EPA Region VIII inspectors completed each of the inspection in
a very professional and thorough manner.
9. Participants offered information about training opportunities
as follows:
a. National Recycling Coalition Annual Congress and Exhibition – 26-29
September 1999, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
b. Headquarters Air Force Space Command Hazardous Materials Management Workshop
– Peterson Air Force Base.
c. Solvent Substitution Workshop – 13-16 September 1999, in Phoenix, Arizona.
d. 4th Annual Joint Services Pollution Prevention/Hazardous Waste Management
Conference and Exhibition – 6-9 December 1999, in San Antonio, Texas.
10. The next Colorado Interagency Environmental Network meeting
is 6 October 1999, in the Denver metropolitan area. The WREO will provide a
meeting announcement in the near future with more details. Thanks to Ms. Dean
for hosting the meeting.
GERALD F. OWENS, Department of Defense Regional Environmental
Coordinator, Region VIII
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: After-Action Report – Colorado Interagency
Environmental Network Meeting (3 June 1999)
1. Fort Carson hosted a meeting of DoD representatives
in Colorado, the Environmental Protection Agency Region VIII (EPA) and the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Pollution Prevention Program,
to continue discussions and cooperative activities regarding environmental issues
of common interest. The U.S. Army Environmental Center’s (USAEC) Western
Regional Environmental Office (WREO) facilitated the meeting. Fifteen participants
attended the meeting, from the agencies, six installations, one major command,
the Colorado National Guard, and the WREO. The group met at Fort Carson’s
Christopher’s Club on 3 June 1999.
2. Meeting participants reviewed the status of making plans and arrangements
to conduct pollution prevention opportunity assessments for aircraft operations
at military installations. The goal is also to identify a small private airport
to participate in the assessments to help exchange information and expertise
between military and private sector organizations. Representatives of the Air
Force Center For Environmental Excellence Headquarters have agreed to participate
on the review team. They have indicated that they will probably be available
during the late summer or early fall time period. Contacts at the Army Environmental
Center are working with Network members to identify someone to participate on
the review team.
3. Network members discussed if there was enough value that resulted from conducting
installation environmental assessments such as the recycling and vehicle maintenance
pollution prevention opportunity assessments that the network conducted in 1998.
Participants agreed that recommendations from the past assessments have been
implemented in many cases, but they had not been documented.
ACTION ITEM: Participants agreed to document which recommendations have been
implemented from the March 1998 vehicle maintenance pollution prevention opportunity
assessments and the April 1998 recycling opportunity assessments, including
the cost savings that resulted. They agreed that documenting cost/time savings
that result from Network activities is one good way to demonstrate that participation
in Network activities is worthwhile.
ACTION ITEM: Participants also agreed to update
success stories for the Pollution Prevention Success Story Compendium. The computer
software used to document the success stories will be distributed to Network
members to facilitate updates.
4. As requested by Mr. Dean Dunn (Air Force 21st Space Wing Environmental Flight
Chief), Mr. Tim Blume (Army Regional Environmental Coordinator [REC] Region
VIII) advised attendees that Mr. Dunn is working with interested persons from
Colorado military organizations to make plans to hold a one-day workshop to
facilitate information exchange regarding installation restoration issues in
the state. Mr. Dunn has asked for workshop participants to let him know what
day(s) they are available during the last two weeks of July 1999. The next scheduled
workshop is at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mr. Dunn
will work with interested persons to develop the meeting agenda. More details
will follow.
5. Ms. Diane Connolly (WREO Regional Attorney) briefed attendees regarding activities
to monitor developments during Colorado’s 1999 legislative session, and
to work with legislators to reduce or negate negative impacts of bills as appropriate.
In particular, Colorado SB 99-145 (regarding requiring federal land management
agencies to comply with state air quality requirements on public lands) and
HB 99-1351 (regarding requiring federal and state land management agencies to
submit air emission inventories if their emissions impact Federal Class I areas)
were discussed. SB 99-145 requirements are very onerous and would have required
military agencies to minimize air emissions using all available, practicable
methods that are technologically feasible and economically reasonable. Colorado
Governor Owens signed the bill with an exclusion for Colorado military facilities,
property, activities, and installations. This was a very big success for the
military in Colorado. Unfortunately, the WREO was unable to achieve the same
level of success in mitigating the negative impacts of HB 99-1351 on the military.
However, it appears that it will only impact those military installations and
activities whose air emissions impact Federal Class I areas. Participants agreed
that attorneys who support Colorado military activities could really benefit
from exchanging information such as pertains to state regulatory and legislative
developments. Perhaps attorneys could participate in future Network meetings,
or hold separate meetings. Mr. Blume distributed a summary of Colorado environmental
legislation addressed during the legislative session, with an indication regarding
whether they became law. Mr. Blume again advised attendees that CDPHE Air Pollution
Control Division staff plan to convene a stakeholder workgroup to develop a
proposed regulatory program to further reduce impacts from smoke from prescribed
fires and other open burning activities. The workgroup will reportedly begin
its work during late summer or fall 1999.
6. Ms. Connolly encouraged participant military installations and organizations
to meet with their respective elected officials to raise their awareness regarding
environmental programs and accomplishments. Elected representatives are not
very knowledgeable regarding the military’s environmental programs and
they could be much more effective in representing the military if they were
more aware. Ms. Connolly encouraged military representatives to advise their
respective elected representatives regarding negative impacts of proposed legislation,
as well as legislation that could help them. Perhaps discussions of environmental
issues could be included with other topics during installation visits that have
already been planned. Ms. Anju Chugh (EPA Air Program), also encouraged attendees
to participate in the state legislative and regulatory process to express opinions
and concerns.
ACTION ITEM: Mr. Phil Marne (Headquarters, Air Force Space Command) requested
that WREO personnel provide information concerning lessons learned, and recommendations
resulting from the WREO’s interactions with state legislative representatives.
Mr. Marne advised that this would assist him in relaying concepts to his legal
support office regarding state legislative and regulatory interactions. Ms.
Connolly advised that she is willing to serve as a resource for Colorado military
installation personnel concerning legal environmental issues as well as legislative
issues.
7. Ms. Connolly provided updated information to attendees regarding the WREO’s
efforts, in behalf of military organizations in Colorado, regarding CDPHE’s
direction that certain installations submit fees to the agency resulting for
reporting emissions as required by the Emergency Planning and Community Right
to Know Act (EPCRA). Federal agencies are encouraged, through Presidential Executive
Order 12856, to comply with the substantive requirements of EPCRA, however,
they are not allowed to pay fees assessed by states. The WREO sent a 1 June
1999, coordinated letter to CDPHE, explaining that the federal government is
precluded from paying EPCRA fees, and providing justification for this position.
The letter requested that the fees be deleted and that the fees not be assessed
against Department of Defense organizations in the future. Mr. Neil Kolwey (CDPHE)
asked if the military could help provide funding for pollution prevention personnel
at his agency, since funding is scarce.
ACTION ITEM: Attendees asked Ms. Connolly to advise if there are any DoD programs
that could potentially provide funding support for CDPHE pollution prevention
programs.
8. Mr. Blume distributed a 6 April 1999, letter to attendees from EPA to CDPHE,
that expressed concerns regarding the low funding and staffing for CDPHE’s
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulatory program. EPA is concerned
that the funding and staffing are so low that they could potentially adversely
impact public health and the environment if they are not corrected. EPA’s
letter indicated that EPA would directly implement the RCRA compliance, enforcement,
and corrective action programs at certain high priority corrective action sites
in order to help improve the situation in the short term. According to EPA,
the action they are taking in Colorado is part of an EPA headquarters nationwide
effort to improve the rate of cleanups at high priority corrective action sites.
EPA says that Colorado has the majority of all high priority corrective action
sites in Region VIII, and more continue to be identified. There are four high
priority DoD corrective action sites in the state: Fort Carson, Pueblo Chemical
Depot, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, and Air Force Plant PJKS. The EPA did not identify
at what sites they would directly implement RCRA, however, indications are that
increased regulatory oversight by EPA and CDPHE is likely.
9. Mr. Blume updated information regarding efforts to seek relief from CDPHE’s
waste management requirements for mercury-containing bulbs, including fluorescent
light tubes. CDPHE inspectors are enforcing requirements on military organizations
to characterize waste fluorescent light tubes and manage them appropriately.
They require that a high proportion be sampled and analyzed since they believe
the characteristics to be variable. CDPHE does not regulate this waste stream
as a Universal waste. Since most military installations are comparable to small
cities, management of this waste stream is very time-consuming and expensive,
and discourages recycling. Mr. Blume advised attendees that he will attend a
24 June 1999, Colorado Environmental Consortium meeting. This group is comprised
of environmental managers from most large businesses in the state. Mr. Fred
Dowsett (CDPHE Compliance Coordinator) also attends. Attendees of this organization
will discuss opportunities for waste management alternatives at the 24 June
1999 meeting.
10. Ms. Connolly briefed meeting attendees regarding a recent District of Columbia
Court of Appeals decision that struck down new more strict EPA regulations regarding
PM 2.5 and ozone air emissions standards. This is a really big decision from
a legal perspective because the court basically said that EPA’s regulations
amounted to unconstitutional application of legislative authority. This legal
challenge concept could be used to challenge other regulatory programs. Particulate
emission regulations will revert back to existing PM 10 and ozone standards.
11. Attendees discussed the following opportunities to work together.
a. The Air Force Academy will conduct a “mini-ECAMP” (environmental
compliance assessment management program) audit that will address hazardous
waste management compliance, scheduled for 26-30 July 1999. The AFA requests
volunteers to participate for one day each who have real hazardous waste experience
to help with the effort. Ms. Diana Dean specifically requested that Ms. Connolly
provide her opinion regarding Air Force Academy questions concerning the waste
management program.
b. The Colorado Air National Guard is planning to hold an internal ECAMP in
October. Ms. Beth Finney requests assistance to review the status of air program
compliance to prepare for the ECAMP. Mr. Larry Reisinger (Air Force Academy)
agreed to assist with the review.
c. Ms. Kelly O’Neill (Fort Carson) reported that Fort
Carson is trying hard to implement affirmative procurement. She really encouraged
all participants to do likewise and felt that it is a great potential cooperative
opportunity. Ms. Dianne Thiel (EPA) advised that Mr. Gil Bailey (EPA) is involved
in affirmative procurement at the agency. Perhaps he would be willing to work
with military installations to assist in implementation. Perhaps a DoD team
could be formed to work on it cooperatively. Representatives of the Colorado
Air National Guard, Air Force Academy, Fort Carson and others expressed interest
in the effort. Ms. Thiel offered to bring a speaker to installations to discuss
it.
d. The various installations are working on the DoD Measure
of Merit (MOM) for diversion of construction demolition debris. This could be
a good cooperative opportunity.
ACTION ITEM: Ms. Dean asked Mr. Blume to bring information to the next meeting
regarding recycling construction demolition debris.
e. Ms. Dean offered other recommendations for cooperative
projects including:
(1) Reducing grease from
the influent of wastewater treatment plants.
(2) Working out apparent
toxicity problems that are being experienced with aircraft and roadway deicing.
Fort Carson, Colorado Air National Guard, and the Air Force Academy all expressed
interest in this project.
(3) Pest management pollution
prevention.
(4) Ms. Dean expressed
interest in information regarding trail standards for a management plan. Ms.
O’Neill will see if she can find information from Fort Carson.
12. Attendees identified the following training opportunities:
a. 10 June 1999 - EPA Region VIII Oil Pollution Act Workshop for Federal Facilities,
0800-1630 hours at EPA Region VIII Conference Center, Denver, Colorado.
b. 16 June 1999 - General Services Administration Environmental Trade Fair and
Training Program, 0900 – 1300 hours, Denver Federal Center Building 41
(6th Avenue and Kipling Street).
13. Mr. Blume provided information to meeting participants regarding the Peaks
to Prairies Pollution Prevention Information Center. In 1997, the U.S. EPA funded
the creation of a center for networking and exchange of pollution prevention
information in EPA Region VIII. The Montana State University Extension Service
facilitates this center. The Internet Web site address for the center is HYPERLINK
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpeaks/. Mr. Blume advised that he is working with
representatives of the information center to post information on their web site
from the Colorado Interagency Environmental Network, as well as from the Region
VIII Pollution Prevention Partnership to facilitate information exchange.
14. The Air Force Academy will host the next Colorado Interagency Environmental
Network meeting 4 August 1999. A meeting announcement will be provided in the
near future that will provide more detail. Thanks to Ms. O’Neill for hosting
the meeting.
GERALD F. OWENS
Department of Defense
Regional Environmental Coordinator, Region VIII
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: After-Action Report -- Colorado
Interagency Environmental Network Meeting (12 April 1999)
1. Fort Carson hosted a meeting of DoD representatives in Colorado
and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Pollution
Prevention Program, to continue discussions and cooperative activities regarding
environmental issues of common interest. The U.S. Army Environmental Center's
(USAEC) Western Regional Environmental Office (WREO) facilitated the meeting.
Thirteen DoD participants attended the meeting, from six installations, one
major command, the Colorado National Guard, and the WREO. The group met at Fort
Carson's Christopher's Club on 12 April 1999. The attendee sign-in sheet is
included as enclosure 1. (Not available on web site.)
2. The group discussed adopting a draft charter to expand the
Network's scope to include all environmental issues (including natural and cultural
resources). The charter adopted by the group is included as enclosure 2. Due
to the change in scope, the group also decided to change the name of the organization
to the Colorado Interagency Environmental Network. This reflects the evolutionary
nature of this highly productive cooperative group. Attendees noted that the
Charter is a "living" document that may change at any time to reflect
the changing needs of the Network. Members also noted that pollution prevention
will continue to be a very important aspect of the Network's activities, as
reflected in the prominent position that it holds in the Mission Statement of
the Charter.
3. Following the above-mentioned discussions, Mr. Neil Kolwey
(CDPHE Pollution Prevention Program) advised the group of his leave of absence.
Mr. Kolwey is pursuing a Master's degree at a university in Scandinavia under
a Fulbright Award. Mr. Kirk Mills will serve as the CDPHE Pollution Prevention
Program's new representative. Congratulations to Neil -- welcome to Mr. Mills.
4. Network members continued by discussing recommendations for
future cooperative projects, which the group may participate in to continue
the accomplishments and benefits achieved thus far.
a. Attendees agreed that conducting installation aircraft operations
pollution prevention opportunity assessments is another good cooperative project
that will provide value to installations. They agreed that including a relatively
small private airport in the reviews would be a good way for DoD to benefit
the private sector. Mr. Kolwey will work to identify an airport that would be
interested in participating in the reviews. An interagency review team will
be formed to conduct the reviews and provide feedback to installations regarding
recommendations. The Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) has
agreed to support the review team. Mr. Tim Blume (WREO) is coordinating with
the USAEC personnel to identify an Army participant for the team. Hopefully
a CDPHE representative can also participate on the team as well. Attendees agreed
to follow up by determining if it is acceptable for military review team members
to visit a private airport.
b. Network members recommended that an information exchange
meeting be held to discuss restoration issues and developments as a way to crossfeed
information. Mr. Dean Dunn (Peterson Air Force Base) agreed to take the lead
for setting this up.
c. Ms. Kelly O'Neill (Fort Carson) briefed attendees regarding
a potential cooperative project in which various installations might want to
participate. Fort Carson is evaluating two systems for recycling air filters
from relatively large vehicles including tactical vehicles, that could potentially
result in significant cost avoidance. Ms. O'Neill offered to provide information
to others who are interested in it so they, too can consider using the systems
at their installations or facilities. Ms. O'Neill estimated that Fort Carson
would save about $85 thousand annually by recycling air filters. She agreed
to advise those who are interested when the testing occurs so they may visit
the site.
d. Ms. O'Neill asked if attendees knew of an alternative to abrasive sand blasting
for paint removal. Mr. Walter Roberts (Peterson Air Force Base) advised that
his installation uses a plastic paint blast media that can be recycled. He agreed
to provide the information to Ms. O'Neill.
e. Network meeting participants agreed that the respective installations
could use representatives from each other's installations to participate on
the respective Army Environmental Compliance Assessment System (ECAS) and Air
Force Environmental Compliance and Management Plan (ECAMP) teams. Mr. Larry
Reisinger (Air Force Academy) acknowledged that Mr. Blume (Army) participated
on the Academy's external ECAMP team in past years.
5. Mr. Dan Rodriguez (Air Force Space Command) attended the
7 April 1999, National Pollution Prevention Roundtable and the pollution prevention
partnership crossfeed meeting. He briefed Network meeting attendees regarding
developments and activities from the crossfeed meeting. Dr. Thom Rennie (AFCEE
Central Regional Office) facilitated discussions. Meeting participants discussed
how they preferred to post information from the various partnerships nationwide
on an Internet Web site so they can share information. They agreed that each
partnership would establish their own Web site that would be linked through
the DENIX or Navy's existing sites. Colorado Network meeting members agreed
that Network would be posted on the existing site managed by the Montana State
University's Region VIII Pollution Prevention Information Center, under contract
by EPA Region VIII. Mr. Rodriquez advised that the next national crossfeed meeting
for pollution prevention partnerships is during the Tri-service Pollution Prevention
Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, 8 December 1999.
6. The Colorado Governor's Pollution Prevention Challenge Week
activities begin 20 September 1999. Mr. Kolwey advised that the CDPHE Pollution
Prevention Program would like to receive information on numeric reductions of
pollutant discharges, or other reductions including water, energy, waste, etc.
that can be included in the achievements that are advertised during this period.
Mr. Kolwey indicated that those who are interested in providing information
on reductions should use 1996 as the baseline year from which reductions should
be compared.
7. The scheduled dates for the National and Colorado Sustainability
activities are 3-7 May 1999.
8. Fort Carson will host the next Colorado Interagency Environmental
Network meeting at the Christopher's Club on 3 June 1999, from 0900 hours until
1200 noon. Thanks to Ms. O'Neill for hosting the meeting.
GERALD F. OWENS
Department of Defense
Regional Environmental Coordinator, Region VIII
Colorado Interagency Environmental Network
Charter
April 1999
Vision
To enhance mission readiness, leverage resources and promote environmental stewardship
by forming a results-driven, trust-based partnership among the regulatory community
and Colorado military activities.
Mission
Create a voluntary alliance within the State of Colorado that promotes pollution
prevention as the first choice for protecting Colorado’s public health
and environment, and meeting environmental stewardship obligations.
Goals
-
Serve as a forum for open dialogue of environmental
regulatory issues in a mutually supportive atmosphere
-
Share information and resources to provide
cost-effective solutions and promote networking relationships
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Work together to institutionalize the pollution
prevention ethic into all aspects of the mission and into decision making
processes
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Promote sound stewardship of Colorado’s
natural and cultural resources
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Join together in common initiatives to save
resources and achieve common goals while eliminating duplication of efforts.
Common initiatives we will pursue include training opportunities, staff
assistance visits, consolidated contracting, and sharing of equipment, materials
and expertise.
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Learn from proven partnering concepts and successes
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Be a good neighbor by communicating results
and lessons learned to other agencies, industry, and the community
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: After-Action Report -- Region
VIII DoD/Interagency Pollution Prevention Meeting (12 February 1999)
1. The Western Regional Environmental Office (WREO) and the
Air Force Central Regional Environmental Office co-hosted a meeting of DoD representatives
in Region VIII (including military installations, major commands, state National
Guard, and Reserve), state environmental regulatory agencies, and EPA Region
VIII. The group met at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Denver, CO on 9 February
1999. The purpose of the all-day meeting was to propose and discuss a Region
VIII - Pollution Prevention Partnership. The partnership would include members
from each interested agency, organization, military installation and other interested
parties from all six Region VIII states. Twenty-seven participants attended
the meeting, from as far away as Virginia -- of the six Region VIII state agencies,
only South Dakota could not attend. The attendee sign-in sheets (the 3 hosts
signed in as well equally 30 participants) are enclosed. (Not available on web
site.)
2. The group began with attendee introductions, which include
providing information regarding what organization they represent, as well as
describing their expectations for the meeting. Then, there was a presentation
and discussion regarding DoD and State Partnerships nationwide to give attendees
a feeling for the significant P2 partnership activity nationwide. Then the group
heard about some of the successful initiatives of the Colorado P2 Network as
a specific example of what can be done cooperatively in an existing DoD/Interagency
P2 partnership in the Region VIII area.
3. Following the above-mentioned briefings, the group heard
presentations from the EPA, States, and military, within the Region, regarding
their pollution prevention programs.
4. The day concluded with an open discussion regarding comments
and recommendations the future partnership. The questions addressed included:
a. Does a need exist, in your opinion, for a Region VIII DoD/Interagency
Pollution Prevention Partnership?
b. Do you think a Regional P2 Program could be beneficial to
you (your organization)?
c. How would you anticipate participating in such an effort?
d. How might future interaction occur?
e. What cooperative measures may we possibly address?
f. What might our future goals include?
5. As the hosts went around the room and requested each participant to respond
to these questions, we received a unanimous positive response to the first two
questions. The hosts went around the room a second time and received many ideas
for interaction and future actions for the group to undertake. Attendees decided
that a Region-wide Pollution Prevention partnership is a viable option. The
WREO is committed to supporting such an effort, within the limits of time and
funding availability. WREO staff are committed to this effort because of the
importance of pollution prevention to the DoD environmental stewardship responsibility.
6. The Colorado Pollution Prevention Network is a very useful
vehicle for facilitating information exchange and cooperative projects on Pollution
Prevention, energy conservation, and recycling at the various DoD installations
in Colorado. It has also helped to initiate a healthy dialogue between representatives
of EPA Region VIII, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
and the military organizations within the state. The WREO hopes the Region VIII
- DoD/Interagency Pollution Prevention Partnership will have similar success.
7. The WREO received twenty critique sheets back from the twenty-seven
participants and three hosts. All comments were very favorable.
8. The group agreed to work to develop a charter and agreed
to select five initiatives to begin working this year. The meeting host distributed
the Colorado Pollution Prevention Network Charter to meeting attendees with
a handout. Dr. Thom Rennie (Air Force Central Regional Environmental Office)
agreed to provide examples of charters from DoD/Interagency pollution prevention
partnerships from other states as examples that can be used to develop a charter
for the Region VIII partnership.
9. Joint initiatives that participants identified as those they
could potentially begin to work on follow:
a. Air Force Installations and Air Force/Army Reserve Component
representatives in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming will investigate
working with the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) to establish
a periodic hazardous waste pickup service ("milk run") for military
facilities in these states.
b. Dr. Mike Vogel (Region VIII Pollution Prevention Information
Center Program Director) will investigate using the Center's existing Internet
web site as a way to exchange information among Region VIII DoD/Interservice
P2 Partnership members, as well as with others outside the partnership. After
some investigation, Dr. Vogel reported that he and his staff are very interested
in using their existing Internet web site for posting of information from the
partnership. If interested, he encourages partnership members to provide electronic
files that include information such as names and contact information for installation
contacts in the region, pollution prevention success story case studies, and
other information. Dr. Vogel indicated that the information may be added to
the web site within a few days less than a week) at no cost to the Partnership.
Dr. Vogel indicated that Ms. Laura Estes is the person on his staff who manages
the web site and who would work with Partnership members to include Partnership
information to it. Dr. Vogel also indicated that his office can provide $5 Thousand
Mini Grants for activities that are beyond the scope of his office's existing
activities. Partnership activities that could potentially be supported by these
grants include hosting Partnership meetings, including "virtual tours"
of military installations or of pollution prevention projects.
c. Look for opportunities in each state for state agencies,
EPA, and military installations to conduct environmental staff assistance visits
at the installations to identify opportunities to enhance pollution prevention
and recycling program effectiveness. EPA Region VIII indicated that they are
interested in facilitating these visits.
d. Look for ways to exchange information regarding parts washer
equipment and the optimum application for each technology. Perhaps the Partnership
could sponsor a meeting dedicated to discussion of this information.
e. Share example language from example recycling contracts (that
are viewed to be well-written) among installations so that installations can
improve recycling contracts.
f. Look for opportunities to implement region-wide contracts.
10. Recommendations for Crossfeed -- Ways to share information.
a. Use EMAIL, DENIX, Internet Web Sites, Video Teleconferences,
Conference Calls, and newsletters as vehicles for information exchange
b. Schedule Partnership meetings coincident with National P2
Roundtable and Joint Service P2 Conference
c. Exchange information including project lists, success stories,
lessons learned, meeting schedules and minutes
d. Interact with other state and regional forums
e. Exchange information with the Colorado P2 Network
11. Regarding future meetings, attendees enthusiastically supported future interaction.
However, there were mixed opinions regarding how to meet (either face-to-face
meetings, or conference calls or video teleconferences). However, we all recognized
that we must balance our activities with available time and funding. Many attendees
recommended holding future meetings either annually or semi-annually. Some advocated
holding them in conjunction with other meetings such as the national Pollution
Prevention Roundtable meetings or the annual Tri-Service Pollution Prevention
meetings, in order to maximize the value of trips. Some attendees discouraged
holding our Region VIII Partnership meetings as a breakout session of a national
meeting since it could water down the value of the national meeting.
12. The meeting adjourned with attendees expressing a high level
of satisfaction in achieving their goals by participating in the meeting.
GERALD F. OWENS
Department of Defense
Regional Environmental Coordinator, Region VIII
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