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Okinawa Marines News
MCIPAC Communication Strategy and Operations

EMS: Helping Team Scott be environmentally aware

11 Mar 2009 | Senior Airman Andrew Davis

As the Air Force progresses into the future, new plans and systems are being implemented that not only gauge the effectiveness of missions, but also its affects on the environment. 

An Environmental Management System audit was recently conducted at Scott, a wing level program that has been implemented since 2004, which gauged the effects Scott has on the environment. 

"EMS is a structured system that determines the impact the installation is having on its local environment," said Randy Weber, an environmental engineer from the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron. "It is used to develop strategies to minimize or eliminate these impacts, to implement operation controls to meet developed targets and to continually review the processes to promote continual improvement. 

"In addition it also ensures Scott AFB's environmental policy is recognized and followed," he added. 

The Scott environmental policy was updated in 2008 and features a number of dedicated objectives for Team Scott to use in sustaining the environmental resources around base: 

Communicate environmental requirements to all levels and parties; 

- Provide management oversight and adequate training to instill environmental stewardship, ensure understanding of the EMS and its requirements, and obtain a commitment to compliance; 

- Prevent pollution and leverage new and innovative technologies and practices to: minimize the generation of wastes, recycle materials otherwise destined to become waste whenever possible, and dispose of any remaining wastes in an environmentally responsible manner. Implement streamlined performance-based approaches to improve clean up efforts to restore and protect Natural Infrastructure resources; 

- Adopt proactive approaches for a renewed emphasis on energy conservation: including the adoption of innovative practices and procedures that conserve energy and improve efficiency, plus use all funding avenues to leverage replacement of failing, inefficient systems with more energy efficient systems; 

- Continue to accept legal responsibility and accountability for our activities and decisions that impact human health, safety, and the continued viability of natural resources. To measure our success we will establish goals, conduct annual evaluations to determine conformance with requirements and assess the performance in achieving the goals, objectives and projected targets; and partner with local agencies and community groups to communicate EMS requirements and minimize environmental impacts while pursuing opportunities for environmental excellence. 

During the three day audit group commanders were asked to go over the wing policy letter and make sure their group was in compliance and see if they could add any further improvements to better Scott as a whole. 

Under a requirement by Executive Order 13423 all federal facilities are required to complete this yearly audit. For next year's audit, the environmental engineer flight has high goals for the continuing success of the program. 

"In the future, we would like to see a greater awareness and participation in the program by all levels of Team Scott," said Mr. Weber. "Also to have personnel understand all their actions in some way affects the environment. To the office worker who uses florescent bulbs and toner cartridges to a maintainer on the flightline. We all affect the environment."

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