MAF Looks at Environmental Encroachment on Installations

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM

 Military Affairs Committee - Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

Date & Time:  Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Place:  La Quinta Inn | 1425 E. 27^th St. | Tacoma 98421

Register: Online here.

Event Sponsor:

The event fee will be hosted by our sponsors for invited Military Personnel who reserve with Janice Hutchins, (253) 683-4882

AGENDA:  Efforts with JBLM and other military installations in WA on strategies to address environmental encroachment threats to military training.

Presenter: Lisa Bellefond is the Strategic Advisor to the nonprofit organization, the Center for Natural Lands Management Washington Program.  She works on governmental relations and communications strategies targeted towards achieving collaborative conservation goals. A leader in collaborating and innovating, Lisa has engaged diverse partners in protecting habitats and working lands for sustainable economic development.

Lisa has been working for over 15 years with the Dept. of Defense and other federal, state, local and private partners on cooperative conservation strategies that provide for endangered species recovery and reducing encroachment threats to military installations.

She was recently recognized as a US Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2013 Recovery Champion for her efforts to conserve South Puget Sound Prairies by bringing together representatives of the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, and the Interior in the nation’s first Sentinel Landscape Initiative, integrating national security, food security, ecosystem restoration, and species recovery. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

April 21, (11:45 am – 1:15 pm, La Quinta Inn & Suites) Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year. Register HERE.

May 20, (12-1:30 pm, South County Connections, Regency Room, 12180 Park Ave. So, University Center [Bldg. 34], Rm. 203, Pacific Lutheran University, 98447). Register HERE.

AMC RODEO   
The AMC Rodeo returns again to host site JBLM-McChord Field in August, 2015.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

C-9 Blog, the Chamber’s military-community blog which focuses on the armed forces and civilian relationships, with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest.

Veteran & Business Service, at its Facebook page, works with businesses to seek the "Veteran Advantage," promoting, encouraging and facilitating Veteran employment across the business community.

3 Critical Issues at Special MAF

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM

Military Affairs Committee
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

Date & Time:  Wednesday, July 16, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place:  La Quinta Inn | 1425 E. 27th St. | Tacoma 98421
Register: Online here.

AGENDA: 

The JBLM JLUS (Joint Land Use Study)
Doug Richardson, District 6
Pierce County Councilmember

The JBLM JLUS (Joint Land Use Study) is designed to create a collective regional dialogue around sometimes complex issues of balancing military operational demands and mission changes with the region’s and local communities’ land use plans, economic development and infrastructure needs, and goals for environmental sustainability. The study area generally encompasses those communities within two miles of the JBLM boundary, evaluating existing or potential conflicts with the military installation’s operations.

Resource: Project Website

2013 JBLM Survey Results
Mary Huff, Interim Project Manager
City of Lakewood – SSMCP

Over 5,000 people who live and/or work on Joint Base Lewis-McChord responded to the SSMCP Needs and Preferences Survey in October 2013.  Ms. Huff will summarize those results from a regional perspective, and also highlight some of the key findings specific to Pierce County.  Topics will include servicemembers’ perceptions of safety and other quality of life issues in their communities; housing choices; and career/education plans for those servicemembers transitioning off active duty in the next two years.

Resource: Executive Summary

Overview Briefing on PSEA for Army Forces Reduction
Gary Brackett, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

A staff review of the Preliminary Supplementary Environmental Assessment for Army Forces Reduction. Gary Brackett will present an overview of the PSEA for Army Forces Reduction (and USAF planning for reducing C-17s at McChord Field) – and the planning for a community-inclusive response to the potential worst-case loss of 16,000 soldiers from JBLM.


Resources for Background:
US Army Environmental Command Press Release
2014 Supplement for Army Forces Realignment (Open for public comment until Aug. 25, 2014)
USAF Force Structure C-17 Reduction Plans

Groundbreaking for Groundbreaking Treatment Plant

JBLM and local community leaders come together for a ground breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of a $91 million project to upgrade the JBLM's waste water treatment plant.

Puget Sound water quality is a major enviro-nmental concern for the US Enviro- nmental Protection Agency, Washington State, Tribal, local stakeholders, lawmakers and JBLM.  In recent years, most communities near JBLM have upgraded their wastewater treatment processes to comply with stringent state discharge permits or to reclaim their wastewater. The upgraded JBLM Waste Water Treatment Plant building at Solo Point will ensure that JBLM meets current and future water quality requirements for Puget Sound. This plant serves JBLM, Camp Murray and the American Lake VA Center.

JBLM’s upgraded $91 million WWTP will use the most current technologies, ensuring that the plant will meet current and future discharge requirements to protect water quality in Puget Sound.  The plant will be capable of treating effluent to Class A reclaimed water standards, setting the stage for reclaimed water usage in the future.

The new facility’s treatment capabilities are consistent with nearby municipal wastewater treatment plants, which also discharge into Puget Sound. Work on JBLM’s new WWTP should be complete by Summer 2016.

Media interested in attending the ground breaking ceremony should RSVP by contacting the JBLM Public Affairs office at (253) 967-0152.

USFW Honors Local Champ for JBLM Work

The 2013 US.Fish & Wildlife Recovery Champions are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and their partners whose work advances the recovery of endangered and threatened species of plants and animals.

A recovery champion for the South Puget Sound Prairies for more than a decade, Lisa Bellefond brought together representatives of the DoD, Agriculture and Interior in the Sentinel Landscape Initiative.

Lisa Bennefond

Together, they integrated national security, food security, ecosystem restoration and species recovery.

The initiative has already been credited with an investment of $6 million towards permanently protecting habitat for the streaked-horned lark, Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, golden paintbrush and Mazama pocket gopher.

With Benefond's support, Thurston County received $1.8 million in Habitat Conservation Planning grants during 3 years to develop a countywide plan to benefit 16 species for 50 years on prairies, oak woodlands and grasslands. Through her advocacy, Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Army Compatible Use Buffer program became the first in the nation to adopt the strategy of acquiring and restoring lands off the post, a key step in launching the expansive Sentinel Landscapes.

A leader in collaborating and innovating, Bellefond has engaged diverse partners in protecting prairies and working lands for sustainable economic development.

DOD Announces 2013 REPI Buffer Program Challenge Award Winners

The Department of Defense announced today the selection of two winning partnership projects, in the states of Florida and Washington as part of its "Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Challenge." 

The REPI Challenge will provide projects at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with $5 million total in funds to advance innovative, cost-sharing buffer partnerships.

The $5 million awarded to the two projects attracted $25.75 million in outside partner funds that together will be able to protect more than 23,500 acres of valuable habitat that buffers the two installations.

The REPI Challenge advances the mission of DoD's REPI program by encouraging larger projects that can leverage more outside funding.  Since 2003, the REPI program has supported partnerships with conservation organizations and state and local governments to protect 264,000 acres of buffer lands at 66 installations in 24 states.

The 2013 winning REPI Challenge projects are:

• Joint Base Lewis-McChord's partnership with the Center for Natural Lands Management, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Thurston County, the state of Washington, and private landowners to preserve and restore critical prairie habitat, which will reduce on-base training restrictions.
• Eglin Air Force Base's partnership with the state of Florida, the Trust for Public Land and a private landowner to preserve prime open space and habitat, which will protect vital flight training routes.

Comment on JBLM Treatment Plant?

(Click on images for a larger view)

Master Mariner Chamber & Community Volunteer

Gary Coy, President of Sperry Ocean Dock, was recognized as the Propeller Club’s Master Mariner of the Year at the Maritime Day Luncheon.

Coy is a second generation Washingtonian who grew up in the family business – neighborhood movie theaters during the 1940’s and 1950’s – until he moved to Alaska, where he worked as a commercial fisherman for several years.  He returned to Washington as an employee of The Boeing Company and served for two years in the U.S. Army.

After his discharge, Coy returned to work in several fields.  For a number of years, he owned a restaurant and office products business.  His career path included commercial and industrial waterfront real estate and eventually led to co-ownership of the Sperry Ocean Dock.

Sperry Ocean Dock is comprised of state-of-the-art fendering with metered shore power in a fenced, lighted, clean and secure area for large, oceangoing vessels.  As such, Sperry Ocean Dock is a vital national security asset for Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The two ships stationed at the Sperry Ocean Dock facility are controlled by the federal government’s MARAD department and provide critical sealift for military operations.  Firefighter schools along with local, state and federal government agencies use the vessels for unique training opportunities.  In addition, the ships are potential resources for the community during natural disasters capable of producing electricity, water, shelter and medical facilities.

Presenting the award, Rockney Nigretto, Past International President of the Propeller Club of the U.S. and Past President of the Tacoma Propeller Club, said: “(Gary Coy) has been a steadfast supporter of the military, from concern for the living condition for our troops to assuring that intermodal sealift is well supported.  By this June, he will have made 23 trips to visit Congress, seeking support for the maritime industry and the military in the Pacific Northwest.  He has made a unique and lasting impact on military readiness on the West Coast.  I quote from one source: ‘One could easily argue that, through his consistent interaction with government leaders - Congress, Transcom, Marad and others – he is responsible for the expansion of the Marad fleet berthed on the West Coast and the jobs that they have created.  His creativity and tenacity in support of military readiness and the national interest has distinguished him among his peers and has served our nation well.’”

Coy has greatly improved his site through removal of a multi-story building of approx 180,000 sq ft.  During a Phase 2, he's removed approx. 20,000 sq ft of rail loading dock/decking, that was directly along the upper shore line bank.  And, in the big Phase 3, he's removed approximately 88,000 sq ft. of over-water coverage, approximately 1,000 creosote piles, and restored 650 lineal feet of beach and tidal area.  To date, he has created approximately 100,000 sq ft of intertidal habitat area.  Plus, his company is looking to do two more phases, starting with a small phase this summer, removing additional over-water coverage and more creosote piles.  And the real praise comes from having never been offered, or even asked for any type of public funding.

Coy has been extremely active in the South Sound community as a utility commissioner and member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.  As a Chamber member, he is the record holder for attending the most Washington-to-Washington, D.C. Conferences in the nation’s capital where he advocates on behalf of the maritime community.  He is an active member of the HLNC, Association of the United States Army, Navy League, Transportation Club of Tacoma and, of course, the Propeller Club.

Clean Tech Working with the Military

Washington Clean Technology Alliance Luncheon 

Working with the US Military

This month, the WCTA Lunch will feature an excellent panel discussion featuring leaders from the military, cleantech business, and economic development organizations discussing how cleantech companies can engage the Department of Defense for business expansion. Cleantech startups and established players can learn more about the opportunities in one of the world's largest energy markets: America's armed services. Expert panelist presentations will be followed by a chance to ask questions. Confirmed participants are:

• Moderator: WCTA Board Member Tim Stearns, Senior Energy Policy Specialist, Washington State Department of Commerce
• Sean Murphy, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition
• John Plaza, President/CEO/Founder, Imperium Renewables
• Paul T. Steucke, Jr., CIV USA IMCOM
• Tim Vinopal, Chief Engineer, Environment, Health and Safety, Boeing

• When: December 7, 2011, 11:00 am-2:00 pm
• Where: Arbor Group/UBS Financial, 925 Fourth Avenue, 18th Floor Conference Room, Seattle
• Cost: (Before December 4) $20 for WCTA members/$30 for non-members. December 4 and after: Add $5.
• Register here.  

• Thanks to Andrews Wells at Nyhus Communications  for organizing this event.

WCTA Platinum Members:  Boeing Company, McKinstry

 WCTA Gold Members:  APCO Worldwide, Cascadia Capital, enterpriseSeattle, Greater Spokane, Mithun, Nyhus Communications, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Prometheus Energy Group, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle Steam Company, Snohomish County PUD, Thomas James International, Washington State Department of Commerce, Washington State University

JBLM's "Net Zero" Pilot Programs

Col. Thomas Brittain, Garrison Commander, JBLM, briefed attendees at this morning's Military Affairs Forum of the newly designated "Net Zero" Pilot Programs at JBLM.

The DoD initiatives encompassed waste, water and energy issues. JBLM has been selected for pilot programs dealing with waste and water.  However, Col. Brittain said JBLM would be going after a "Net Zero" pilot in the next competitive round, plus taking lessons from the presently designated centers. 

Interested citizens can learn more about JBLM's sustainability programs here.

Net Zero Focus of Military Forum

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM

FEATURING: JBLM AND “NET ZERO” PILOT PROGRAMS
Event Speaker: Col. Tommy Brittain, Garrison Commander

The Army announced JBLM as one of its pilot net zero installations. As part of the Army's overall effort to conserve precious resources, net zero installations will consume only as much energy or water as they produce and eliminate solid waste to landfills.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord was selected as a pilot net zero water installation which will limit the consumption of freshwater resources and returns water back to the same watershed so as not to deplete the groundwater and surface water resources of that region in quantity and quality over the course of a year.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord was also selected as a net zero waste installation for reducing, reusing and recovering waste streams, converting them to resource values with zero landfill over the course of a year.

The announcement initiates the programmatic environmental analysis and planning process for the Army's Net Zero Installation Strategy. Specifics for projects and initiatives will be determined through a programmatic environmental analysis which will include public engagement and stakeholder outreach.

ALSO FEATURING: THE CONNECTORY
By: Gary Hanson, Regional Coordinator, Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition

The Connectory is an industry database focused on the manufacturing capacity in the Pacific Northwest. There are over 3,000 firms in the database and it is open to the public. The database includes detailed information on the firms, their capacity, etc. Using the Connectory, firms can locate potential subcontractors with specific capacities. The PNDC was responsible for building and managing the Connectory under a grant from the Defense Logistics Agency.

Date & Time: WEDNESDAY, May 11, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place: La Quinta Inn, La Quinta Inn, 1425 E. 27th St., Tacoma 98421
Price: $15.00 pre-paid after May 9; $20.00 walk-ins/at the door
Information: Gary Brackett,  (253) 627.2175, ext. 120
RSVP: DUE 12 noon, March 6 (Friday)
REGISTER HERE.

JBLM Designated for Two Net Zero Centers

The Army announced yesterday the locations identified to be pilot net zero installations. As part of the Army's overall effort to conserve precious resources, net zero installations will consume only as much energy or water as they produce and eliminate solid waste to landfills.

The announcement initiates the programmatic environmental analysis and planning process for the Army's Net Zero Installation Strategy. Specifics for projects and initiatives will be determined through a programmatic environmental analysis which will include public engagement and stakeholder outreach.

"The Army has identified six net zero pilot installations in each of the energy, water, and waste categories and two integrated installations striving towards net zero by 2020. This is a significant step in addressing the Army's sustainability and energy security challenges," said Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment, who made the announcement at the opening session of the annual Association of United States Army Installation Command Symposium. "Striving for net zero is operationally necessary, financially prudent, and critical to our mission."

Joint Base Lewis-McChord was selected as a pilot net zero water installation which will limit the consumption of freshwater resources and returns water back to the same watershed so as not to deplete the groundwater and surface water resources of that region in quantity and quality over the course of a year.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord was also selected as a net zero waste installation for reducing, reusing, and recovering waste streams, converting them to resource values with zero landfill over the course of a year.

JBLM was not chosen as a net zero energy installation, which would produce as much energy on site as it uses, over the course of a year. The Oregon Army National Guard volunteered to pilot a unique and challenging Net Zero Energy Initiative, which includes all of their installations across the state. This strategy will be included in the environmental analysis.

Two installations were selected to be integrated net zero installations: Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Carson, Colo. A net zero installation is comprised of three interrelated components: net zero energy, net zero water, and net zero waste.

Hammack said the installations will become centers of environmental and energy excellence as they participate in the Net Zero Installation Strategy programmatic environmental planning process, showcase best management practices, and demonstrate effective resource management. Further, they will establish a framework of reduction, re-purposing, recycling and composting, energy recovery, and disposal to guide them towards achieving net zero in an environmentally responsible, cost-effective and efficient manner.

As part of the pilot, the installations will also participate in a kick-off meeting in June to receive training and showcase their proposed strategies to achieve net zero. Each installation will participate in monthly conference calls and share experiences and lessons learned in newsletters and military and industry conferences. These installations will also participate in a programmatic environmental analysis and integrated planning process that will inform future decisions regarding impacts to resources throughout the Army's initiative. Public participation will be an integrated part of the process and part of the environmental planning process.

Three panels made the pilot installation recommendations from the 100 self-nominations (53 energy, 23 water, and 24 waste) received from 60 highly motivated installations managed by the Army National Guard, Army Materiel Command, Installation Management Command, Medical Command, Space and Missile Defense Command and the U.S. Army Reserve Command.

Installations that self-nominated for the pilot Net Zero Installation Initiative, but were not identified are highly encouraged to continue to strive towards net zero learning from the net zero journey of the pilot installations. In fiscal 2014 another 25 installations in each category will be asked to self-nominate to achieving net zero.

JBLM Gets SecDef Environmental Award

The Department of Defense has announced the winners of the 2011 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards.

A panel of judges representing federal and state agencies, academia, and the public has selected the following installations, teams, and individuals as the winners of this year's awards.  Leading the list is our own:

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
for Sustainability – Non-Industrial Installation

Each year since 1962, the Secretary of Defense has honored individuals, teams, and installations for their outstanding achievements to conserve and sustain the natural and cultural resources entrusted to the Department of Defense. A ceremony honoring the 2011 winners is planned for June 8, 2011, at the Pentagon.

USAR Pier 23

The USACE has prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) for proposed action at Pier 23 in Tacoma. The preferred alternative consists of replacement of an existing USAR pier, cleanup of adjacent and underlying contaminated sediment and slag. The USACE is accepting comments until March 19. The draft EA is available for download. Comments, questions or requests for more info may be made to Jeff Laufle, USACE, Environmental Resources Section.

Meanwhile, the US Army invites public comment on the same proposed plan for Pier 23 at a public meeting March 24, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. at the Fabulich Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Road, Tacoma 98424. The Pierce 23 Proposed Plan is available at the US Army's website. For this agency, comments are due by April 2. For more info, contact Richard Mendoza.