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Public Works

D I G E S T
Volume XXIII, No. 3
May/June 2011

This Issue:
Environment and
Sustainability

Environment and
Sustainability
Management 3

Environment and
Sustainability
Awards 14

Installation Challenges
and Successes 24

Technical
Support 32

Installations Symposium
Reports 35

Professional
Development 42

Tom Wildoner, an environmental protection specialist at Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pa., checks
a drinking water leak detection sensor, part of the depot’s conservation efforts that helped it
win a Secretary of the Army Environment Award. U.S. Army photo. Page 14
Public Works Environment and Sustainability Management____________________________________________
D I G E S T 3 Net-zero strategy focuses on end state: Sustainable installations, by Katherine Hammack
4 Corps helps installations achieve net-zero goals, by Christine Godfrey
Volume XXI, No.5, 5 Army identifies net-zero pilot installations, by Kristine Kingery
Volume XXIII, No.3
September/October 2009 6 Calculating sustainability, by Maj. John M. Evans and Lidia Berger
May/June 2011
8 Implementing the Army Sustainability Campaign Plan, by Wanda Johnsen
9 Army issues tax deduction policy for energy-efficient building design, by John W. Wehmanen
10 Army energy-efficiency tax deduction policy, by Alan D. King
12 Geothermal heat pump and Pathfinder well protocol advantages, by Donald P. Brown Sr.,
Vincent A. Ravgiala, Gregory T. Buteau and Tracy H. Dorgan

U.S. Army Installation Environment and Sustainability Awards___________________________________________________


Management Command 14 Tobyhanna Army Depot excels at recycling, reuse, by Cathy Kropp
11711 IH35 North 15 Fort Bliss preserves culture so Soldiers can train as they fight, by Jean Skillman
San Antonio, TX 78233
16 Cleanup of remote Alaska site recognized for efficiencies, by Kristina Curley
17 Texas National Guard historian’s love of cultural resources shows, by Barry Napp
18 Exchange employs and markets sustainability practices, by Cathy Kropp
Public Works Digest is an unofficial
publication of the U.S. Army Installation 19 Army Research Lab scientists reduce air pollutants from coatings, by T’Jae Gibson
Management Command, under AR 360- 20 Fort Drum’s natural resources conservation efforts shine, by Kristina Curley
1, The Army Public Affairs Program. 21 What is daunting for some is doable at Grafenwoehr, by Cathy Kropp
Method of reproduction: photo-offset; 22 Joint Base Lewis-McChord has 20-20 vision, by Miriam Villacian
press run: 1,600; estimated readership:
23 Army takes 4 in Defense environmental competition, by Cathy Kropp
40,000. Editorial views and opinions
expressed are not necessarily those of
the Department of the Army. Mention
Installation Challenges and Successes______________________________________________________
of specific vendors does not constitute
24 Fort Bragg celebrates 10 years of sustainability, by Jonelle Thompson
endorsement by the Department of the
Army or any element thereof. 25 Schofield’s School Age Center exceeds standard with LEED Gold, by Vanessa Lynch
26 Building strong, building green on America’s military installations, by Tracy Robillard and
Address mail to: Rashida Banks
U.S. Army Installation Management 27 Fort Jackson’s starship barracks get LEED makeover, by Joshua Mitchell
Command 28 Fort McCoy’s telemetry monitoring provides data to manage wolves, by Rob Schuette
11711 North IH35, Suite 110
29 Fort Irwin tries feral burros as potential aquatic habitat solution, by Liana Aker
San Antonio, TX 78233-5498
Attn: Editor, Public Works Digest
30 Hawaii confronts invasive superweed on Kahuku Training Area, by Jane R. Beachy
31 San Antonio Military Medical Center nearly complete in only 4 years, by Maj. Edwin H.
Telephone: 202-761-0022 DSN 763 Rodriguez
FAX: 202-761-4169
e-mail: 
mary.b.thompson@usace.army.mil Technical Support_________________________________________________________________________________
32 Study weighs options for recycling tactical fuel at Fort Bragg, by Gary Gerdes
Gregg Chislett 33 Bulletin discusses regional agreements to manage species at risk, by Harold Balbach
Chief, Public Works Division 34 Monitoring systems help Fort Hood meet Clean Air Act mandates, by Gary Gerdes
Installation Management Command

Mary Beth Thompson


Managing Editor
Installations Symposium Reports_____________________________________________________________
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 35 IMCOM names Directorate of Public Works awardees, by Gregg Chislett
38 Public Works professionals gather in San Antonio, by Mary Beth Thompson

Professional Development_____________________________________________________________________
42 Career Program 18 presents 2011 awards, by Julie Krebs
Printed on recycled paper.
43 Career development: Breaking your own glass ceiling, by Jim Hearn

From the editor


It was reported in our March-April issue that the wind turbine recently installed at Fort Huachuca,
Ariz., was the Army’s first. In fact, the Army has installed wind turbines at several other installations
and sites. Thanks go to Bill Stein of the Engineer Research and Development Center’s Construction
Engineering Research Laboratory, for the information.
Mary Beth Thompson
Managing editor

2 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Environment and Sustainability Management
Net-zero strategy focuses on end state: Sustainable installations
by Katherine Hammack

A
rmy operations span a diverse range highlighted utilizing efficient lighting,
of operating environments and incentivizing the installation of energy-
tasks, from base infrastructure under efficient designs through the development
little threat to expeditionary operations of a policy that allows contractors installing
and sustained campaigns in hostile zones. such measures to take a tax deduction as
Today, the Army faces significant threats authorized in Section 179D of the 2005
to energy, water and other resource Energy Policy Act and implementing
requirements both at home and abroad. the American Society of Heating,
In addition to growing operational Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning
challenges, our military installations at Engineers Standard 189.1, Standard for the
which Soldiers live and train are almost Design of High-Performance Green Buildings,
completely dependent on fragile, vulnerable as the baseline requirement for all future
Katherine Hammack Army construction. This move sets the
commercial power grids. Likewise, the U.S. Army photo
infrastructure of military communities Army’s building standard as the highest in
and training centers relies upon complex • Net-zero energy – Net-zero energy the federal government.
water and wastewater distribution systems. installations produce as much energy as Technologies that support alternative
Price volatility and the risk of compliance they consume over the course of a year. energy and clean water generation,
penalties present further challenges for The energy is generated from a variety energy efficiency and waste reduction
Army commanders. of means, such as reduction in total con- both at the installation and in the theater
To ensure our Soldiers have the energy sumption, renewable energy projects on of operations hold great promise. The
and resources they need to train, live in a posts and the recapture of existing waste Army has developed systems that run on
healthy environment and accomplish their energy such as boiler stack exhaust. alternative energy and employ fuel-efficient
mission, the Army is taking significant • Net-zero water – Net-zero water instal- technologies. Today’s alternative energy
steps to reinforce sustainable practices and lations limit the consumption of fresh generation technology is advancing quickly
improve energy security. water resources and return water to the and is already able to provide reliable
originating aquifer. Conservation and and secure power in many applications.
The cornerstone of our strategy for Continued investment is needed to ensure
reduction strategies — such as harvesting
sustainability and energy security is the greater utility under a wider array of
rainwater, recycling gray water, desalina-
Army’s Net-Zero Installation Strategy, circumstances.
tion and purification — will reduce the
designed to ensure the Army of tomorrow
drawdown of major groundwater sources. We are taking bold steps toward
has the same access to energy, water, land
and natural resources as the Army of today. • Net-zero waste – Net-zero waste instal- sustainability and energy security. Our goal
Net-zero is a force multiplier guiding the lations center on reducing their yearly is clear: to ensure Soldiers have the energy
Army to appropriately steward available landfill to zero through a combination and resources they need to train, live in a
resources, manage costs and provide of recycling, repurposing and reducing healthy environment and accomplish their
Soldiers, Civilians and Families with a solid waste streams. Additionally, life- mission — today and tomorrow.
sustainable future. cycle waste management strategies are To address the challenges of
taking the end state of procurement into sustainability and energy security, the
This holistic approach will help us
account to ensure that new products con- Army believes that innovative solutions
address issues surrounding energy, water
tribute minimal solid waste throughout are not only operationally necessary, they
and waste to preserve choice for the Army
the life cycle. must also be fiscally prudent. To continue
of the future. Net-zero seeks to bring
the overall consumption of resources on The Army is piloting six net-zero energy, to accomplish our mission in service to the
installations down to an effective rate of six net-zero water and six net-zero waste nation, the Army of tomorrow must have
zero. To become effectively self-sufficient installations, along with two installations the same access to energy, water, land and
and insulate the Army from potential that are working for net-zero in all three natural resources as the Army of today.
disruptions in energy supply, installations areas by 2020. All other installations
can learn from the pilots and implement Katherine Hammack is the assistant secretary of
must be able to generate, repurpose or
strategies to chart their own progress the Army for installations, energy and
recycle power, water and waste.
toward this important goal. environment.
The net-zero strategy comprises three
main building blocks: Recent policies from the Army have

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 3


Corps helps installations achieve net-zero goals
by Christine Godfrey

T
he Army is talking a lot these days Acronyms and Abbreviations
about the “net-zero hierarchy” — CASI Center for the Application of Sustainable
reduction, re-purpose, recycling and Innovations
composting, energy recovery and finally ERDC Engineer Research and Development Center
disposal. LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design
As the nation’s environmental engineer, SSPP Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is part
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
of that conversation. On April 19, the
Army announced the 20 installations that prepared to tackle the challenge.
make up its pilot net-zero installations,
This requires moving aggressively
six in each of the energy, water and waste Christine Godfrey
Photo by John Hoffman and increasing our focus on making
categories and two integrated installations
measureable progress. It is not easy, but
striving toward net zero by 2020. The
Just as our Strategic Sustainability very few worthwhile things in life come
Army also identified the Oregon National
Performance Plan helps us identify easy.
Guard as a statewide pilot on net-zero
energy. overarching strategies for achieving our The same can be said for attaining net-
long-term sustainability goals, bringing all zero capability. It will require commitment,
The Corps of Engineers stands of our capabilities to bear in a systematic hard work and vision — all areas in which
committed to helping the Army achieve its way is the right way to approach doing we believe the Corps of Engineers excels.
net-zero goals by providing enhanced value business
through several initiatives: The Army’s efforts to achieve net-zero
USACE recently joined other federal goals on military installations will benefit
• ensuring new buildings meet U.S. Green agencies in sharing our 2010 scorecard from several CASI studies and ERDC
Building Council Leadership in Energy on sustainability and energy performance. research projects. In 2008, CASI began
and Environmental Design Silver or While we have made some advances, the studying long-term water supplies at Army
higher standards; scorecard, which serves as a benchmark, posts and recently published these studies.
• encouraging low impact development; shows that the Corps still has significant Now, CASI is undertaking an analysis of
• ensuring a minimum of 50 percent of all progress to make in reducing waste and the challenges and opportunities to achieve
Military Construction project waste is increasing efficiency in our operations. net-zero water. That report will be posted
recycled; The SSPP and the scorecard have on the CASI website, https://casi.erdc.usace.
• employing an enterprise approach to helped us identify those areas that need army.mil, in the near future.
master planning and energy to cre- improvement — facility energy and waste Other CASI projects are looking at the
ate energy-effective, sustainable intensity, reducing nontactical vehicle three essential approaches or technologies
communities; petroleum, focusing more on sustainable for net-zero energy: energy conservation,
• developing a climate and site specific acquisition and increasing our use of renewable energy production and
net-zero energy, water and waste area renewable energy. microgrids.
development plan design guide at Fort Testing biofuel in our motor vessel fleet, In fiscal year 2010, ERDC began a
Leonard Wood, Mo., which is the 2030 increasing hybrid vehicles use, installing net-zero energy research project that
USACE integration project; and solar electricity systems at some of our initially focused on energy solutions at
• sharing approaches and technolo- recreational facilities and unveiling the first the multiple building level. This effort
gies developed by the Center for the Corps-owned LEED Gold building at our is being expanded to include water and
Advancement of Sustainability Innova- ERDC campus in Vicksburg, Miss., and waste. Although the primary emphasis
tions, a part of the U.S. Army Engineer conducting energy audits at several Corps is a modeling capability to examine
Research and Development Center. facilities are examples of our progress net-zero options at an installation, this
These are not new initiatives. We have toward sustainability. initiative is also designed to examine
been working in these areas for some time. We know that getting to green across the regional issues that impact an installation’s
However, the difference now is the focus. board will be a challenge for USACE, and ability to become net-zero capable. These
We are trying to be more holistic — to it’s going to take years. However, Corps issues include the type of fuel providing
look at installations as a whole, not as a leadership is committed to making our electricity, optimal locations for renewables,
cluster of independent buildings. agency sustainable, and our personnel are availability of water in a watershed, ➤

4 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Army identifies net-zero pilot installations
by Kristine Kingery

The Army’s net-zero installation Acronyms and Abbreviations


initiative achieved a major milestone ASA-IE&E assistant secretary of the Army for
in April with the identification of installations, energy and environment
pilot installations that each will strive over the course of a year. A net-zero water
toward net-zero capability by 2020. Six installation limits the consumption of fresh
installations were identified in each of three water resources and returns water to the
categories: energy, water and waste; and same watershed so as not to deplete the
two installations that will integrate all three groundwater and surface water resources
areas were also identified. of that region in quantity and quality over
The chart lists the net-zero pilot the course of a year. A net-zero waste
installations. Kristine Kingery installation reduces, reuses and recovers
Photo by Lt. Col. William R. waste streams, converting them to resource
The identification of the pilot Martin
installations initiates the programmatic values with zero landfill over the course of
environmental analysis and planning Army installations — through establishing a year.
process for the Army’s Net-Zero Installation a framework of reduction, repurposing,
recycling, composting, energy recovery Nomination process
Strategy. Specifics for projects and
and disposal to guide installations toward The nomination process for the pilot
initiatives will be determined through
achieving net-zero capability. Assistant program commenced in January by
a programmatic environmental analysis
Secretary of the Army for Installations, defining the end state for energy, water
that will include public engagement and
Energy and Environment Katherine and waste. Next, nomination criteria were
stakeholder outreach.
Hammack announced the strategy last developed, and installations were asked to
Review panels identified the participants self-nominate.
October.
from among the 100 self-nominations
Pursuit of the net-zero end state guides The nomination criteria addressed:
received from 60 highly motivated
the Army to improve energy security, fiscal • command support;
installations. These installations represented
Installation Management Command, responsibility and mission effectiveness. • constraints or vulnerability of current
Army Materiel Command, National A net-zero installation comprises three natural resources;
Guard, the Reserves, U.S. Army Medical interrelated components: energy, water • impact on mission critical objectives;
Command and Space and Missile Defense and waste. A net-zero energy installation • energy security needs;
Command facilities. produces as much energy on site as it uses • installation expertise; ➤
Striving toward net-zero
The Army’s Net-Zero Installation Strategy Installation State Command Energy Waste Water
focuses on the end state — sustainable Aberdeen Proving Ground MD IMCOM X
Camp Rilea OR ARNG X
Fort Bliss TX IMCOM X X X
(continued from previous page) Fort Buchanan PR IMCOM X
Fort Carson CO IMCOM X X X
regional constraints on water reuse, Fort Detrick MD MEDCOM X X
local markets for waste products and Fort Hood TX IMCOM X
potentials to combine with partners in Fort Hunter Liggett CA USARC X X
Fort Polk LA IMCOM X
waste-to-energy projects. Fort Riley KS IMCOM X
Research projects such as these JB Lewis-McChord WA IMCOM X X
Kwajalein Atoll RMI SMDC X
coupled with our other ongoing OR ARNG (statewide) OR ARNG O
initiatives demonstrate that USACE Parks Reserve Forces TA CA USARC X
is working hard to keep installations Sierra Army Depot CA AMC X
sustainable and focused on attaining net- Tobyhanna Army Depot PA AMC X
USAG Grafenwoehr Germany IMCOM X
zero goals. West Point NY IMCOM X

Christine Godfrey is acting chief, Environmental O = Separate Guard Initiative


Community of Practice, U.S. Army Corps of These installations were identified in April for the Army’s Net-Zero Installation Initiative.
Engineers. Graphic by Kristine Kingery

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 5


Calculating sustainability
by Maj. John M. Evans and Lidia Berger

T
he Sustainable Return on This task is challenging because traditional Acronyms and Abbreviations
Investment methodology allows life-cycle cost tools look only at direct cash FROI financial return on investment
installations to be good stewards benefits, ignoring social and environmental LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental
of government resources by combining a benefits. Design
rigorous process and analytical review to The SROI process, however, monetizes
MEDCOM Medical Command
identify, quantify and evaluate a project’s social and environmental impacts related SROI Sustainable Return on Investment
economic, environmental and social to projects. It also provides the equivalent USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
variables. of traditional life-cycle cost metrics, data, validates alternatives, assigns risk and
In today’s economic climate, an called Financial Return on Investment, in probability, and communicates decision
overarching goal is to leverage available its analysis. FROI accounts for internal rationale. The modeling framework
but limited resources to maximize returns cash costs and benefits only, while SROI compares the social and financial benefits
and sustainability. A number of federal accounts for all internal and external costs of the alternatives in relation to their
mandates challenge government agencies and benefits of the triple bottom line in costs for design, capital, replacement, and
to step up and lead by example. Executive dollar terms. For example, greenhouse gas operating and maintenance.
Order 13514, for instance, sets high-level emission impacts or the social cost of water
performance goals; it tasks agencies to saved are measured. As an example, the SROI analysis for
develop strategic sustainability plans, report the 1.1 million-square-foot, Leadership
Other relevant incremental social and in Energy and Environmental Design-
progress transparently and ensure full environmental impacts include air quality,
accountability for reaching goals. registered Fort Bliss, Texas, replacement
water quality, waste reduction, human hospital created a decision-making tool
As a result, installations seeking funding health and labor or productivity costs. that evaluated and assessed sustainable
are now required to articulate their cases The SROI process documents design and evidence-based design
using metrics that provide full accounting compliance with federal sustainability alternatives during each design phase so
of all the relevant social, economic and mandates. The process follows a that only the most efficient, synergistic
environmental impacts of their projects. transparent methodology that obtains combination of initiatives would be ➤

(continued from previous page) After the laboratory evaluation, and demonstrating effective resource
the senior Army panel evaluated the management.
• installation cost-sharing capability; nominations using these guiding They will participate in a kickoff
• resource costs; principles: meeting in June to receive training and to
• project development capabilities acquired • viable strategy that addressed net-zero showcase their net-zero strategies. Each
from past, current or programmed con- hierarchy; installation will participate in monthly
servation, efficiency, recycling, recovery • net-zero definitions compliance; conference calls, provide quarterly status
or generation projects; and • demonstrated success; updates, and share experiences and lessons
• local regulatory climate. • multi-faceted approach to funding; and learned in newsletters and at military and
The bottom-up approach of installation industry conferences.
• diversity in size, mission and geographic
self-nomination proved to be an essential location All installations are encouraged to
ingredient to identify potential pilot The ASA-IE&E and the Senior continue to strive toward the net-zero end
locations and allowed installations to Working Group made the final state, learning from the pilot installations’
showcase their past, present and future recommendations in mid-April and journeys. In fiscal 2014, another 25
strategies for success. announced them April 19 at the installations in each category will be asked
A two-part review process of the Installations Symposium in San Antonio. to self-nominate and commit to becoming
nomination packages leveraged the net-zero installations.
technical expertise of the Department Next steps
While the past seven months set the POC is Kristine Kingery, 703-614-5883, Kristine.
of Energy, National Renewable Energy
stage for the net zero installation initiative, Kingery@us.army.mil.
Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory and senior personnel from the hard work is just beginning. The Kristine Kingery is the Net-Zero Installation
Army commands, the U.S. Army Corps of pilot installations will become centers of Portfolio manager, Office of the Deputy Assistant
Engineers and the Army staff to develop a environmental and energy excellence by Secretary of the Army for Energy and
slate of installations for consideration. showcasing best management practices Sustainability.

6 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


(continued from previous page)
included in the project.
A number of policies were considered
when alternatives were identified, including
federal, Department of Defense, Army,
Medical Command and Fort Bliss
policies, along with third-party goals such
as LEED, the Military Health System’s
Evidence-based Design principles and U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers’ directives.
Through a collaborative effort, project
architect HDR Inc., the Health Facility
Planning Agency, USACE, the installation
and MEDCOM created a four-part vision
for the hospital that guided the approach:
world-class health care, evidence-based
design, comprehensive sustainability and
the triple bottom line.
During the project kickoff, the
integrated project team developed a
Master Sustainable Strategy Tracking List The SROI dashboard summarizes data and recommendations. Graphic by HDR Inc.
with 75 sustainable design alternatives
across the categories of site, energy, water, • solar hot-water heating, solar photovolta- created to summarize the data and provide
indoor environmental quality, materiality, ic systems, geothermal direct heating; and a snapshot of decisions that needed to be
evidence-based design, regionalism and heating, ventilation and air conditioning made. The tool, modeled after financial
innovation. These design alternatives exhaust energy recovery wind turbines; and investment dashboards, demonstrated
supported the project’s sustainable vision, • gray water and wastewater reclamation, the economic costs and benefits,
focusing on long-term goals for 2020 treatment and reuse, and dishwasher architecture and engineering analysis, and
and beyond to meet federal sustainable water recovery and reuse; recommendations in a straightforward
mandates and LEED, and crossed design • recycling station; and manner with green for “go” and red for
phases from concept through construction “stop.”
• HEPA filtration and hydrogen peroxide
documents and into construction and The Fort Bliss hospital results
vapor cleaning.
operations. demonstrate that SROI ensures greater
At a two-day visioning workshop,
The project team then narrowed the list rigor in the decision-making process and
the team focused on measuring the
to those sustainable design alternatives that creates a defensible position for the project.
design alternatives from a life-cycle cost
were necessary to inform the schematic- As with any model, individual inputs and
perspective rather than the typical first cost
level design to ensure decisions were values can change. Paybacks and rates of
perspective. The team then determined
made early and would reduce energy return are simply outputs that assist the
data inputs and calculations for the
consumption, transition to renewable team in making difficult decisions.
SROI model, such as utility rate pricing
energy, reduce potable water use, divert By involving all stakeholders in the
structures. Calculations were validated, and
waste from the landfill and improve health SROI process, each team member is an
a full SROI analysis was performed based
outcomes. integral part of the process, resulting
on a 44-year period with the base year as
The result produced 15 sustainable 2012 and the opening year as 2016. The in improved collaboration, increased
design alternatives in seven areas: benefits were evaluated over 40 years. transparency and a greater level of
• thermal storage and co-generation; consensus achieved earlier in the project.
The design alternatives were presented
Above all, SROI results in a better final
• heat-recovery chillers, energy recovery in a detailed financial analysis to guide the
product.
of ventilation air and ground source heat team in its decision making. Derived from
pumps; the financial analysis, a “dashboard” was One of the tertiary benefits is the ➤

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 7


Implementing the Army Sustainability Campaign Plan
by Wanda Johnsen

T
he Army Sustainability Campaign and services and infrastructure. Those tasks Acronyms and Abbreviations
Plan was signed by Under Secretary include: AMC Army Materiel Command
of the Army Joseph Westphal and • incorporating sustainability language into ASCP Army Sustainability Campaign Plan
Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Peter appropriate Army regulations and field DoD Department of Defense
Chiarelli one year ago, and organizations manuals, and appropriate professional SESC Senior Energy and Sustainability Council
across the Army have made significant military and civilian training; SSPP Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan
progress in implementing the plan.
• revising acquisition policy to make sus- annual updates of the strategic tasks in
Westphal and Chiarelli co-chair the tainability and energy key performance its synchronization matrix. Strategic task
Senior Energy and Sustainability Council parameters in acquisition decisions; tracking and reporting requirements were
and monitor the Army’s progress. The • updating and fully implementing green included in the memo. The office of
previous senior energy council was procurement policies that enable the primary responsibility for each strategic
rechartered as the SESC in February to purchase of sustainable products and ser- task must develop an action plan with
bring senior leader focus to meeting federal vices; and associated goals, objectives and metrics for
and Department of Defense sustainability its tasks. Those action plans are entered
• incorporating sustainability into installa-
goals. into the Army’s strategic management
tion plan updates.
Strategic tasks Other ASCP strategic tasks focus on system to enable the office of primary
reducing the Army’s energy use, improving responsibility to measure performance. This
The strategic tasks in the ASCP’s
water conservation and reducing toxic and system also enables the SESC and core
synchronization matrix are designed to
hazardous chemicals use. enterprise boards to measure Armywide
integrate sustainability into the Army’s
performance.
plans, policies and programs and across
the Army’s core enterprises of human Direction
Progress
capital, training and readiness, materiel, The ASCP was signed in May 2010,
before DoD’s Strategic Sustainability One of the most visible achievements to
Performance Plan was issued in June. The date is the integration of sustainability and
SSPP is the DoD’s plan for implementing energy security into the 2011 Army Posture
Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership Statement and the Army Campaign Plan
in Environmental, Energy, and Economic updates. Now, the Army’s core enterprise
Performance, which established new goals leads are quantifying sustainability and
for reducing greenhouse gases, increasing energy security resourcing requirements
use of renewable energy sources and for the fiscal years 2013 to 2017 Program
including transportation and sustainability Objective Memorandum.
in future facility planning. Within the materiel enterprise, the
Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army
for installations, energy and environment, speaks at To ensure the ASCP incorporates any assistant secretary of the Army for
the Installations Symposium in San Antonio, where new federal or DoD sustainability goals, acquisition, logistics and technology issued
she spent the week talking about Army sustainability Westphal and Chiarelli issued an ASCP updated green procurement guidance,
efforts. Photo by Luke Elliott, Headquarters, and the Army Materiel Command is
implementation memo in March directing ➤
Installation Management Command

(continued from previous page)


As a steward of government resources, emotional discussions with an objective
level of thought that goes into the SROI the Army has a responsibility to make and structured process that is quantifiable
model. The model inputs require a decisions in a deliberate and thoughtful and transparent.
thorough level of thought that can expose manner. All project elements —
the “ripple effects” of decisions, positive sustainable design features and capabilities POC is Maj. John M. Evans, 915-569-8206,
and negative. For example, SROI could — should be subjected to the same level of John.Michael.Evans@us.army.mil.
identify the social benefits of decreased attention. Maj. John M. Evans is a program manager,
carbon emissions for a solar array. Or, as The SROI process monetizes cash Southwest Region, U.S. Army Health Facilities
in the case at Fort Bliss, it could identify and noncash benefits alike, allowing for Planning Agency; and Lidia Berger is national
the benefits as well as the potential risks a more holistic view of the sustainable sustainable director, Federal Program, HDR Inc.
related to a deep geothermal initiative. elements being considered and replacing

8 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Army issues tax deduction policy for energy-efficient building design
by John W. Wehmanen

S
ince the inception of the Energy dated April 5. Distribution of the policy
Efficient Commercial Buildings and the letter is under way, and training is
Deduction, 26 U.S. Code Section being developed by the U.S. Army Corps
179D, persons who own or lease a of Engineers in conjunction with the
commercial building in the United States Installation Management Command.
have been able to claim a tax deduction The Policy for Allocation of Tax Deductions
for part or all of the cost of energy- for Design of Energy Efficient Buildings
efficient commercial building property. and the letter give responsibilities to
The property must be placed in service persons named as “authorized government
after Dec. 31, 2005, and before Jan. 1, representatives” and “project managers.”
2014, and it must meet the energy savings John W. Wehmanen It is expected that there soon will be an
requirements under Section 179D. Photo by Philip Columbus increase in the number of applications for
The tax deduction has proven to be a (The General Services Administration allotment of this tax deduction. Officials
valuable business incentive. However, it had earlier published guidance, setting who have been or are currently working on
is not well known that for government, precedence for public-private sector projects in the United States with energy-
buildings, the government may allocate the relationships for the tax deduction.) efficient designs are encouraged to review
tax deduction to the designers of qualifying The Assistant Secretary of the Army the information on the web site, http://
projects, providing incentive to include the for Installations, Energy and Environment army-energy.hqda.pentagon.mil/.
latest techniques in the designs. Katherine Hammack took the first
POC is John W. Wehmanen, 571-256-9773,
The Army became the first in the step and published her policy Dec. 17.
John.W.Wehmanen@us.army.mil.
Department of Defense to have officially Following a short trial period, the Assistant
encouraged energy savings and have a Chief of Staff for Installation Management John W. Wehmanen, PMP, is a program analyst,
process for getting allowable deductions Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch issued detailed Facilities Policy Division, Office of the Assistant
allocated to designers who qualify. implementing instructions in his letter Chief of Staff for Installation Management.

(continued from previous page)


construction in DoD. An energy-efficient as base camps are closed.
reducing trichloroethylene and methylene lighting policy was also issued in October.
chloride use. AMC and the Army Next steps
More visible to Army installations is
National Guard are on track to meet the The Army is developing an ASCP
the inclusion of sustainability throughout
target reduction for hexavalent chromium- strategic communications plan, which will
the Installation Management Campaign
containing epoxy primers. include Armywide and enterprise-specific
Plan. Most installations are incorporating
messages and identify key events at which
The human capital enterprise is sustainability into their installation
sustainability and energy security should
incorporating sustainability into Army strategic plans. Many installations are also
be highlighted. The first update of the
War College curricula. In addition, the updating their master plans to include
ASCP synchronization matrix is also in
Installation Management Command sustainability considerations per Army
progress. The update will incorporate the
integrated sustainability into its spring Regulation 210-20, Real Property Master
SSPP’s goals for greenhouse gas reductions
Installation Management Symposium, Planning for Army Installations.
and Council on Environmental Quality
and the Army National Guard included In the training and readiness guidance for climate change adaptation
sustainability in its chief facilities enterprise, the Tactical Fuel and Energy and mitigation planning. Future ASCP
management officer training and national Implementation Plan was issued, and updates will follow the annual updates of
environmental symposium. a sustainable base camps policy is the SSPP.
The Services and Infrastructure Core in development. Energy-efficient
Enterprise is incorporating sustainability contingency operations use less fuel, which POC is Wanda Johnsen, 703-697-5433, wanda.
into its policies and operations as well as reduces the Army’s logistics tail. The johnsen@us.army.mil.
its monthly board meetings. In October, base camp policy will also focus on solid
an updated sustainable design and Wanda Johnsen is a Sustainability Program
and hazardous waste minimization and
manager, Office of the Deputy Assistant
development policy was issued that set the management to prevent adverse health
Secretary of the Army for Energy and
highest energy-efficiency standard for new effects on Soldiers or long-term liabilities
Sustainability.

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 9


Army energy-efficiency tax deduction policy
by Alan D. King

O
n Dec. 17, the Army issued Acronyms and Abbreviations
the Building Energy Efficiency FY fiscal year
Tax Deduction Policy, which HVAC heating, ventilation and air conditioning
assists Army contractors in obtaining IMCOM Installation Management Command
tax deductions for the costs of installing USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
certain energy-efficient systems in Army
improvements were successful in achieving
buildings. This policy extends the tax credit
the required energy and power savings,
to the contracting community, encouraging
must be completed by the designer and
installations and industry partners to
does not require Army approval.
implement cutting-edge technologies and
novel approaches to save energy. Verification
The tax deductions were authorized in Alan D. King The Army is developing an efficient
the 2005 Energy Policy Act and enacted U.S. Army photo process in which the contractor is
as Internal Revenue Code Section 179D install energy-efficient commercial building responsible for preparing the certification
for qualified energy-efficient building property on or in the same building, the package to claim the deduction. The Army
investments made by a building owner. The total amount of the deductions allowed to project manager certifies the package and
deduction may be taken in the year that all shall not exceed $1.80 per square foot. forwards it to the Installation Management
qualified energy-efficient improvements are Command for approval.
placed in service. Implementation
The verification process follows several
The Army needs energy saving main steps.
Policy opportunities for existing buildings. With
For government-owned buildings — the average age of Army facilities at 42 Step 1 – The contractor lets the Army
federal, state or local — the government years, the current inventory necessitates project manager know it is interested in
may allocate the tax deduction to the energy improvements focused on obtaining the deduction for a building
person or persons responsible for creating restoration and modernization projects. and provides a certification from an
the technical specifications of the qualified independent third party, which states that
The tax deduction applies to property the project qualifies for the deduction. This
improvements, i.e., the “designer,” who may
placed in service between Jan. 1, 2006, certification must contain:
include architects, engineers, contractors,
and Dec. 31, 2013. The Army is also
environmental consultants or energy service • A statement that a site inspection, by a
encouraging the contracting community to
providers. The Army does not consider a qualified individual, was made confirm-
look for energy enhancement opportunities
person who installs, repairs or maintains ing that the energy-efficient property
in existing projects, even those currently
the property to be a designer. has been installed. The statement must
under construction. Enhancements
Army policy states that only the prime that save energy and money are easily include the inspector’s qualifying cre-
contractor may request tax deduction implemented. The U.S. Army Corps of dentials, including appropriate licensing
allocation, on behalf of one or more Engineers has processes to review energy in the jurisdiction in which the prop-
designers, from the authorized government enhancements that may require additional erty is located and that the inspector
representative. The maximum deduction funding. In advance of fiscal 2012 budget is not related to the taxpayer claiming
for the cost of energy-efficient commercial development, USACE is examining the the deduction. The statement must be
building property installed on or in a Army’s standard design specifications to accompanied by a certificate of compli-
building cannot exceed $1.80 per square expand square footage to allow space for ance using the standard format developed
foot. energy enhancements. In FY 2013 and by the National Electrical Manufacturers
beyond, the Army is evaluating design and Association; it can be found at http://
Three categories of improvements may
construction options and is committed to www.lightingtaxdeduction.org/certification-
each qualify for one-third of the deduction
increasing Military Construction projects’ letters.html.
or 60 cents per square foot:
energy efficiency. • A statement describing the methodol-
• building envelope;
ogy used in determining the deduction,
• heating, ventilation, air conditioning and The Army will provide verification of the
i.e., whole building or space-by-space.
hot water systems; and designer’s activity on the project and that
Section 179D requires that when the
the project was completed. Certification
• lighting. deduction is being claimed for HVAC or
required by the IRS, including that the
If two or more building contractors building envelope property placed in ➤

10 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


(continued from previous page) accompanied by drawings showing the initiative.
building and square footage. Contractors may be able to earn
service or in conjunction with more than
• A statement and calculation of projected deductions, but the Army is not
one system, certain software programs
annual energy costs for the energy-effi- anticipating lower bid prices due to
must be used to identify energy savings
cient property placed in service. this policy. More complicated energy
for the purposes of the deduction. The
Department of Energy published a list of • A statement and calculation of the enhancements, like updates to HVAC
the software at http://www1.eere.energy. amount of deduction requested and the systems and the building envelope, may
gov/buildings/qualified_software.html. entity or entities to which the assignment require increased cost. The Army plans to
When the deduction is being claimed is to be made and the distribution among contract for the best value, not necessarily
solely for interior lighting systems, effi- entities. the least cost, to improve the energy
ciency savings can be demonstrated via a • A draft assignment letter in the form and efficiency of its facility inventory.
spreadsheet. format provided in the policy template. The Army does intend to pursue energy
• A statement and description of eligible Step 2 – The Army’s project manager improvements to existing contracts through
energy-efficient property — system reviews the certification and validates the a collaborative process that negotiates
counts, descriptions, energy use — for data. The garrison commander reviews the changes with the contractor. Generally,
interior lighting systems, HVAC and hot certification and concurs. the contracts that can provide the most
water systems, or building envelope. significant energy savings to the Army
Step 3 – The IMCOM region designee
• A statement of whom the contractor is are “design-build,” rather than “design-
signs off on the tax deduction and notifies
designating as the designer and why. bid-build,” and provide the contractor the
the Army contract officer representative.
opportunity to negotiate any significant
• A statement of the system cost. This Step 4 – A certification letter and new energy-saving requirements.
statement must prove that the deduction assignment letter are provided to the
does not exceed the cost of the prop- While retroactive tax deductions may
submitter, and copies are kept at the
erty placed in service. Cost can include be difficult for the contractor or Army to
garrison.
labor, demolition of the previous system certify, the IRS does allow a three-year
and project management in addition to Assistance window to apply for the deduction.
materials. USACE is developing guidance and
Creating energy security,
• A statement of applicable square footage training to support the tax deduction
sustainability culture
The Army seeks to derive greatest value
from energy-efficient systems developed
and implemented by its contractors. Army
construction programs are committed
to assigning the deduction to qualified
contractors who are supporting the Army’s
energy-efficiency goals. Army contractors
are encouraged to pursue the tax deduction
and work with their respective contract
officer representatives.

POCs are Harold Sanborn, energy program


manager, Construction Engineering Research
Laboratory, USACE, 217-373-7288, Harold.
Sanborn@usace.army.mil; and Gregg Chislett,
chief, Public Works Division, Headquarters,
IMCOM, 210-424-8626, Gregg.chislett@us.army.
mil.
Alan D. King is the director, Energy Partnerships,
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the
Graphic by Ned Shepherd, USACE, and Cari Weakland, Concurrent Technologies Corp. Army for Energy and Sustainability.

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 11


Geothermal heat pump and Pathfinder well protocol advantages
by Donald P. Brown Sr., Vincent A. Ravgiala, Gregory T. Buteau and Tracy H. Dorgan

T
he 99th U.S. Army Reserve ground-source heat pump systems are in Acronyms and Abbreviations
Command has embarked on an operation today on several installations; HVAC heating, ventilation and air conditioning
aggressive implementation of new systems can be sited, permitted, USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
alternative renewable energy projects that designed, built and operating in 12 months. USARC U.S. Army Reserve Command
includes geothermal heat pump heating It has the longest life span. Geothermal
and cooling systems. design or a closed loop geothermal well
well fields have useful lives in excess of design. Standing column well systems are
Why use ground-source heat 50 years, compared to eight to12 years for used in geographic areas where shallow
pumps? typical conventional heating, ventilation bedrock has negated the use of closed-loop
and air conditioning outside equipment. geothermal heat pump systems, such as
Geothermal energy from low-
temperature ground-source heat pumps is It produces no carbon emissions. in the Northeastern United States. These
nature’s most renewable and reliable energy Geothermal energy requires no fossil fuel. open geothermal heat pump systems use
source for several reasons. Using heating and cooling from the Earth’s groundwater as the heat transfer media.
interior instead of burning fossil fuels They are also typically more efficient than
It is the most flexible. Unlike solar,
significantly reduces the release of carbon closed-loop systems and may be used at
wind or biomass, geothermal energy is not
into the atmosphere. sites with limited available property. The
restricted to “ideal” locations; it is found
everywhere in the world. It involves no noise pollution or usual purpose of the standing column
disruptive visuals. Below-ground wells geothermal test well is to provide site-
It is the most reliable. Ground-source specific data on the depth and composition
eliminate power plant equipment noisiness
heating and cooling does not vary with of overburden soils, the depth to
and unsightly boiler plants, enclosures and
time, day, season or changes in nature. bedrock and bedrock characteristics, and
vulnerable fuel storage tanks.
It is the ultimate renewable fuel. hydrogeologic conditions that affect critical
It reduces costs. Replacing conventional
Underground cooling and heat from the geothermal heat pump design criteria.
HVAC equipment eliminates the need for
Earth’s core will last as long as the Earth The major tasks for the test well are:
costly chillers, boilers, cooling towers and
lasts. • drill and log geologic conditions at a
their emissions, and significantly reduces
It is the most secure. Geothermal operations, maintenance and life-cycle cost 1,500 foot deep standing column well;
power can be emplaced on any military issues. It also reduces electricity costs by • conduct drawdown and discharge tests
installation, no matter how large or small, eliminating the need for power for heating to evaluate hydraulic performance of the
and situated entirely below ground with and cooling. The only electricity required well;
little or no equipment exposed to natural operates the well pump and heat pump • collect and chemically test groundwater
or manmade hazards — a truly secure system, reducing the load on the boiler and samples to establish the groundwater
alternative to easy-to-target infrastructure chiller systems about 40 percent. quality;
such as gas pipelines, wind turbines,
What is Pathfinder? • conduct a thermal evaluation of the test
solar panels, transformers and power
well to determine the thermal conductiv-
transmission lines. Considering the paucity of guidance,
ity and diffusivity of the geologic forma-
It is a proven technology. Commercially the 99th USARC, in collaboration
tions present;
available ground-source heat pumps are in with the New England District of
the Corps of Engineers, established a • perform a geophysical assessment of the
an advanced and mature design evolution. well to provide data on bedrock fracture
Advances in design capitalize on more than geothermal well-testing protocol called
Pathfinder. The protocol provides site- spacing, orientation and transmissivity,
30 years of development and improvement. groundwater flow, groundwater chemis-
specific hydrogeologic, regulatory and
It is a scalable technology. Geothermal geothermal data at specific sites that result try including temperature and physical
plants can be built to support single in a preliminary concept plan for future properties that affect long-term scaling
buildings or large installations. geothermal conversion or use at that site. and fouling potential, borehole deviation
It produces multiple energy types. The and bedrock physical properties affecting
Prior to drilling a test well, a preliminary borehole stability as well as thermal prop-
process produces cooling, heating and hot assessment report is prepared using existing
water. Thermal energy applications such as erties; and
data and preliminary heating and cooling
electrical production can now be produced requirements to recommend whether the • prepare a final report.
from 175 degrees Fahrenheit energy wells. Pathfinder test well should be an open well The final report analyzes, evaluates and
It is available today. Older, less-efficient system based on a standing column well integrates all the data obtained from the ➤

12 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


(continued from previous page) plans and specifications. The request for are over a million units installed worldwide
proposals, versus unrestricted bidding, is providing 12 gigawatts of thermal capacity.
Pathfinder well and presents a preliminary
preferred to ensure qualified geothermal Ground-source heat pumps are
design recommendation for geothermal
contractors submit cost proposals. characterized by marginally higher capital
conversion for the specific site.
USARC example costs and lower operational costs compared
Why use Pathfinder? to other HVAC systems based on recent
A current project at the 99th Regional
The Pathfinder protocol is critical to prices. Their overall economic benefit
Support Command’s Area Maintenance
adequately evaluate the technical feasibility depends primarily on the relative costs of
Support Activity in Londonderry, N.H.,
of geothermal heat pump conversion or electricity and fuels, which are variable over
provides an example of the benefits
use at a site. The geology specific to the time and across the world.
of ground-source heat pumps and the
site becomes the substitute “oil tank or gas Capital costs are known to benefit from
Pathfinder protocol. The project, supported
line” for the heating and cooling needs. economies of scale; they are more cost-
by USACE’s New England District, was
Without characterization of the geology effective for larger commercial buildings
permitted in about two weeks.
from the Pathfinder protocol, the site may and harsher climates.
not be technically appropriate for open Unlike other geothermal project
protocols, one Pathfinder test well was Forty-six case studies of commercial
type geothermal heat pump systems, which
drilled, rigged and tested to garner all ground-source heat pump systems varied
are dependent on local groundwater as the
necessary engineering data. The same bore in capacity from 30 to 4,700 tons. The
heat transfer fluid, due to:
became one of the wells supplying the average annual energy savings ranged
• poor or unstable rock quality leading to from 40 to 72 percent, and savings
selected ground-source heat pump design.
well integrity problems, ranged from 31to 56 percent. Drilling is
At Londonderry, one ground-source
• highly aggressive water quality that about 50 to 60 percent of the cost, so the
heat pump system will replace four heating,
requires special operational needs that overall installation expense and return on
cooling or hot water systems. When fully
impact initial and long-term operations investment are very sensitive to site drilling
implemented, the new low temperature
and maintenance costs, expenses.
system will eliminate more than 1 million
• contaminated groundwater, and pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from The use of rules of thumb for design
• insufficient energy budget obtained from fossil fuel combustion. length, a common practice, often leads to
the thermal value of the rock and the oversized, expensive systems or undersized
water yield. What are the costs? failures. In reality, there are no generally
This geothermal predesign data The setup costs for ground-source applicable rules of thumb that cover the
collection protocol is the first of three heat pumps are slightly higher than for diverse range of buildings and ground-heat
phases for successful geothermal conversion conventional systems, but the difference is exchanger scenarios.
at these sites. The other two phases are the usually returned in energy savings in three Procedures based on building and
preparation of plans and specifications, and to 10 years. System life is estimated at 25 ground heat exchanger simulation,
the request for proposals from qualified years for inside components and 50-plus accompanied by measurement of ground
contractors based on the completed years for the ground loop. As of 2004, there thermal properties, will lead to successful
designs. Though these procedures are more
time-consuming in the design phase, they
are a necessary prerequisite to successful,
efficient systems.

POC is Donald P. Brown Sr., 978-796-2086,


donald.p.brown@usar.army.mil.
Donald P. Brown Sr. and Vincent A. Ravgiala are
with the Directorate of Public Works, 99th
USARC; Gregory T. Buteau and Tracy H. Dorgan
are with the New England District, USACE.
Through the geothermal well test program, the 99th USARC expects to show that boilers, chillers and
smokestacks are no longer cost-effective or desirable methods of energy production and no longer provide an
assuredthe
Through energy posture well
geothermal for the
testArmy Reserve.
program, the Graphic courtesy
99th USARC of Donald
expects P. Brown
to show Sr.
that boilers,
chillers and smokestacks are no longer cost-effective or desirable methods of energy production
and no longer provide an assured energy posture for the Army Reserve. Graphic courtesy of
PUBLIC
Donald WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011
P. Brown 13
Environment and Sustainability Awards
Tobyhanna Army Depot excels at recycling, reuse
by Cathy Kropp

T
obyhanna Army Depot, Pa., isn’t $450,000 cost avoidance for 5.6 million
content to rest on its laurels. In fact, pounds of recycled material.
if depot leadership and tenants can With a recycle rate of 52 percent in
find a way, they will repurpose, recycle or FY 2009 and 58 percent in FY 2010,
recover to help achieve their installation’s Tobyhanna Army Depot already exceeds
sustainability goals. DoD recycling-rate goals for FY 2015.
A robust recycling program, sustainable Plus, the increased recycle-rate percentage,
building initiatives and energy recovery despite a lower volume, shows tenants are
equipment have enabled the depot to also reducing the overall amount of waste
conserve dollars as it meets environmental being generated at the facility. Still, the
management system objectives. These depot continues to improve its recycling
initiatives have also garnered recognition process and increase the list of recyclable
for the Department of Defense’s largest materials.
full-service electronics maintenance facility. Along with its recycling successes,
Because of Tobyhanna Army Depot’s Tobyhanna Army Depot is reducing Ed VanCamp, painter helper, scans a can of paint
dedication to maintaining or exceeding environmental impacts and enhancing into the Hazardous Material Management System
environmental objectives, the installation employee quality of life through at Tobyhanna Army Depot. U.S. Army photo
received the 2010 Secretary of the Army environmentally-friendly construction To help ensure hazardous materials are
Environmental Award in the Industrial projects. The depot has four construction disposed of properly, the depot policy
Installation category. projects that incorporate sustainable calls for turn in of all hazardous material
“Tobyhanna Army Depot has an features and practices. containers after use, whether empty,
unparalleled record of success and In FY 2010, depot employees endured unusable or no longer needed for frequent
service,” said Col. Charles C. Gibson, a record-breaking summer with many use. The depot’s turn-in rate for hazardous
depot commander. “We do not rest on days exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit. material increased from 24 to 77 percent.
that record; rather, we constantly adapt, However, thanks to installation of 61,288 “Our new Depot ‘Maintenance of
innovate and modernize, looking for square feet of green roof in the fall of the Future Facility’ is our test bed for
continuous improvements in our programs 2009, inhabitants of non-air-conditioned advanced maintenance processes and
with a careful eye trained on how what we buildings were shielded from much of the techniques, accomplished in an employee-
do impacts our environment.” heat-related discomfort. friendly and environmentally advanced
All Tobyhanna tenants do their part Other depot construction projects work environment,” said Gibson. “We
to make the depot more sustainable by include improved water efficiency, lower understand the need to balance our ‘taking
participating in the installation’s recycling energy consumption, use of recycled care of employees’ with ‘taking care of the
program, which incorporates everyday materials, use of regional materials and environment’ and do both very well,” he
practices to conserve natural resources, reduced construction waste. Buildings are said.
protect the environment and reduce costs. certified according to U.S. Green Building All these efforts have secured the
Through these efforts, the depot conserved Council standards for Leadership in Tobyhanna Army Depot not only
more than 100,000 cubic yards of landfill Energy and Environmental Design. the Army environmental award but
space in fiscal year 2009. In addition to LEED certification, also a strong reputation for industrial
That year, the depot recycled 5.8 the depot has set objectives through environmental quality excellence that
million pounds of material, resulting in its International Organization for matches its already stellar reputation as
$1.4 million in sales and a cost avoidance Standardization 14001 environmental the center for industrial and technical
of $440,000. Similar efforts in FY management system to reduce the release excellence in electronics.
2010 yielded $1.2 million in sales and a of toxic substances, hazardous waste
generation and energy use as well as to POC is Russel Dunkelberger, 570-615-7090,
Acronyms and Abbreviations achieve other sustainability goals. russel.dunkelberger@us.army.mil.
DoD Department of Defense A Tobyhanna team conducted a lean- Cathy Kropp is an environmental public affairs
FY fiscal year value-stream analysis on the depot’s specialist, U.S. Army Installation Management
LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental hazardous materials turn-in processes. Command Headquarters.
Design

14 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Fort Bliss preserves culture so Soldiers can train as they fight
by Jean Skillman

S
elfless service, a qualified, passionate When training requirements are Acronyms and Abbreviations
team and committed partnerships identified, trainers and environmental CR cultural resources
across state borders was the winning managers must work together to identify
combination that landed the Fort Bliss new training ground. CR managers are Maj. William A. Green IV, Fort Bliss
Cultural Resources Management Team the experts in the historical nature of Fort garrison command sergeant major. “This
2010 Secretary of the Army Environmental Bliss lands, an area long identified by allows Soldiers real ‘boots on the ground’
Award in the Installation category. regional experts as having huge cultural and capabilities and realistic training. We also
historical potential. have the capability to fire any weapons
“This means a lot to us. But it also
system in the military arsenal, which makes
means that we are doing our job right,” Environmental managers and trainers
Fort Bliss unlike any other post in the
said Brian Knight, acting Conservation can sometimes be seen as having opposing
world.”
Branch chief, Fort Bliss. “Our leaders put missions, but Knight explained that his
a great deal of faith in us. They gave us team focuses on enabling the Army to Fort Bliss also has one of the largest and
the tools and freedom that we needed in complete its mission while preserving the most extensive CR programs in the Army,
order to come up with unique solutions to installation’s unique and rich heritage. The reaching across Texas and New Mexico
protect our cultural sites while working to CR team accomplishes this by thinking borders. The restricted nature of the
maximize the land available for training.” outside the box and developing meaningful military installation helps ensure historical
relationships based on trust. property is protected and preserved
Knight led a team of seven archeologists
for future generations and research
and one historical architect to finalize the “We owe much of our success to the
opportunities.
survey and inventory of about 85 percent cooperative nature of our federal and state
of the installation’s 1.2 million acres to regulators,” said Knight. “We consult with “With these capabilities also comes
meet federal and state standards. The the Texas and New Mexico state historic the responsibility for our environment,”
dedicated team manages more than 19,000 preservation officers on many significant explained Green. “Fort Bliss is at the
archeological sites with more than 550 projects. It’s important for state agencies leading edge of taking care of our land,
historic buildings, structures and landscapes and military installations to understand water and air. Our environmental teams
ranging from Paleo-Indian campsites each other and partner together.” work continuously with leaders not only
dating back to about 10,000 B.C.E. to on post but with city, state and federal
One example is the “Red Zone” concept
modern day consultations with five Native leaders. This ensures that we not only train
of mitigation. Negotiations with state
American tribes. our Soldiers to guard our nation’s freedom
representatives led to the identification
but that we preserve our environment for
“Fort Bliss has the challenge of of potentially significant areas that have
future generations.”
conducting an intense training mission been set aside for future research. These
in an area rich in historic properties, sites serve as mitigation areas that are off The installation opens its doors to the
particularly prehistoric archeology,” said limits to military training. They make up public and to local schools when possible
Katharine Kerr, program analyst, Advisory less than 1 percent of the available training to tour excavation projects. Soldiers and
Council on Historic Preservation. land and serve as examples of the types of Family members have hands-on learning
sites found on Fort Bliss. In opportunities, and officers go through
exchange, units are allowed specialized CR awareness training.
free maneuver in the areas This approach has been known to
outside of the Red Zones have real-life meaning when Soldiers are
even though they may hold deployed overseas, because they have been
some cultural significance. taught to respect other cultures and protect
The installation annually historically significant properties and
trains thousands of active and structures.
reserve military personnel
from all the armed services. POC is Brian Knight, 915-568-6746,
Brian.D.Knight@us.army.mil.
“One of the most
important things we can Jean Skillman is an environmental public affairs
do at Fort Bliss is to allow specialist, U.S. Army Installation Management
Archeological workers excavate at the Madera Quemada prehistoric our Soldiers to train as they Command Headquarters.
pueblo site on Fort Bliss. Photo courtesy of Fort Bliss fight,” said Command Sgt.

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 15


Cleanup of remote Alaska site recognized for efficiencies
by Kristina Curley

T
hey planned for polar bears, but more helicopter trips. Acronyms and Abbreviations
bears turned out to be a nonissue. “The contractor and crews really stepped FUDS Formerly Used Defense Site
Finding more than three times up,” said Ron Broyles, Alaska District POL petroleum, oil and lubricant (products)
the number of old fuel and oil drums environmental engineer. “As soon
than were expected proved to be the real as the three-fold increase in drum
challenge faced by the U.S. Army Corps quantity was realized, the contractor
of Engineers as it cleaned up the Manning mobilized a second helicopter. For a
Point Formerly Used Defense Site in the solid week, two helicopters were used
remote Alaskan tundra. to sling loads of drums retrieved from
Despite the surprise, the Corps’ the sand bars.”
Alaska District FUDS Team successfully The crews, mostly hired locally,
completed the removal action during a worked 12-hour days, often starting
28-day window, battling foggy conditions after 10 a.m. due to persistent fog
and some daunting logistics — a feat preventing earlier flights for most
recognized with the fiscal year 2010 of the month. The helicopter pilots
Secretary of the Army Environmental also helped mitigate several days of
Award in the Environmental Restoration, standby time by making runs in the Sam Widmer (left), Weston Solutions, works with Eric Jenks
Installation category. evening when there were breaks in the (center) and Mike Flisk (right) of Marsh Creek LLC to
The Manning Point distant early fog. retrieve a buried drum from a sand bar in the Jago River
delta in Alaska. Photo courtesy of Alaska District
warning line radar station, located in The weather was a huge factor
northern Alaska on the Jago River delta because of the schedule. The project into new drums for transportation to a
near the native village of Kaktovik, was was started Aug. 3, 2010, and had to be POL recycling facility in Palmer, Alaska.
operational during the Cold War. The completed prior to the start of whaling “The project removed both an
drums, which once contained petroleum, season Sept. 1. eyesore and an exposure concern for the
oil and lubricant products, were scattered subsistence hunters and fishers in the Jago
across the river delta during storms over Although only 15 to 20 percent of the
drums were buried in the river delta silt, River area,” Shewman said. “The residents
the past 50 years. The cleanup, which of Kaktovik have been concerned about oil
eliminated potential future releases of the buried drums presented another hurdle,
according to Aaron Shewman, FUDS products getting into the water and into
petroleum product into the Arctic Ocean, the fish they eat, so that will no longer be
included removing 1,400 drums, collecting project engineer. Because use of heavy
equipment was restricted on the refuge, a concern.”
soil samples and, if necessary, excavating
each buried drum had to be dug out by Another benefit of the project was a
and disposing of contaminated soil.
hand. The drums also had to be removed savings of nearly $500,000 for the FUDS
The project faced many challenges, Ron from their locations and staged for the program, Pflum said. The Manning
Pflum, Manning Point cleanup project helicopter transport by hand. Point removal action, originally scheduled
manager, said. The site is located in the for 2011, was conducted concurrently
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, so a As the drums were removed, the soil
beneath was visually evaluated and field with another nearby FUDS project at
permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Brownlow Point on the North Slope
Service was needed to access the site, and screened with a photoionization detector.
If readings were detected, an analytical of Alaska. Joint execution resulted in
the permit required the Corps to develop a savings from minimized mobilization
Polar Bear Awareness and Interaction Plan. sample was collected for screening at an
off-site laboratory. and demobilization requirements, shared
In addition, the area is reachable only logistics planning, comprehensive work
by helicopter or barge. Equipment was None of the soil samples showed planning documents and combined lodging
transported more than 800 miles and contaminant levels above regulatory levels, arrangements.
delivered in large steel storage containers so no soil removal was necessary, Shewman
by barge. Workers were flown to and said. POC is Kenneth R. Andraschko, 907-753-5647,
from the site daily. Slings containing eight After removal, the drums were opened, kenneth.r.andraschko@usace.army.mil.
to 10 recovered drums were removed cleaned, crushed and placed in containers Kristina Curley is a public affairs specialist, U.S.
using helicopters. The additional drums for transport to Fairbanks. Any POLs Army Environmental Command.
discovered meant planning at least 100 discovered in the drums were transferred

16 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Texas National Guard historian’s love of cultural resources shows
by Barry Napp

O
ld houses were always special to sustainability, natural resources and
Chantal McKenzie. Now, in her compliance, while preserving our heritage
career as an architectural historian and training our Soldiers.”
and cultural resource specialist with the McKenzie takes a rigorous, hands-
Texas National Guard, old structures have on approach to program management
taken on an even more important role. that blends project oversight with
McKenzie’s love of balancing historic inter-office coordination, cross-training,
building preservation with sustainability communications and attention to cost
and mission readiness led to recognition savings, according to her supervisor,
as the winner of the 2010 Secretary of the Kristen MtJoy, cultural resource manager,
Chantal McKenzie assesses exterior mortar removal
Army Environmental Award in the Cultural Texas Army National Guard.
techniques performed by a masonry subcontractor to
Management Team or Individual category. “Recent program successes and ensure protection of historic bricks. “Photos courtesy
These environmental awards represent the milestones include assistance with of Texas National Guard”
highest honors and toughest standards a successful grant project to install with the need to minimize energy costs
in environmental and sustainability solar panels, supervision of a historic and maximize sustainability of precious
program achievements in the U.S. Army. landscape study and evaluation report, resources.
McKenzie, along with winners in eight and completion of extensive permitting
other categories, also competed against “Ms. McKenzie is a highly valued,
and clearance documentation for both
winners from the other military services in multi-talented member of our staff
historic building rehabilitations and new
the Department of Defense Environmental and continually demonstrates positive
constructions,” said MtJoy.
Awards. achievement in every aspect of cultural
McKenzie is working on all of these resources management for the Texas
“Words cannot express how honored projects while striving to become a cultural National Guard,” said Lt. Col. Richard
I am to have won this award,” said resources manager. Jordan, director of Facilities, Texas National
McKenzie. “I am so thankful for
“I have always loved old houses, so I Guard. “As our architectural historian and
having a great manager and working
began to look at how I could translate cultural resources specialist, Ms. McKenzie
for an organization that recognizes how
my love of old houses into a career,” said works very hard to develop an innovative
important it is to find a balance between
McKenzie. “I discovered the field of program including several major projects
historic and cultural preservation, and
historic preservation and thought, ‘This critical to our training mission.”
mission operational sensitivity.
is what I want to do with my life.’ In McKenzie is excited by the current
“Winning this award was a team 2006, I earned my masters of science in recognition and about being a part of the
effort and is a tangible indication historic preservation from the University of Texas National Guard team.
our organization really cares about Texas, Austin, and I continue to learn new
“I love the diversity and ever-evolving
things on the job every day.
nature of my job,” said McKenzie. “No two
That keeps me inspired and
days are the same.
motivated.”
“I work for a great manager who is
In addition to
allowing me to continue my educational
numerous other duties,
opportunities within cultural resources,
McKenzie helped a Texas
along with providing opportunities to learn
Army National Guard
more about related environmental fields
sustainability manager
such as sustainability, natural resources and
develop a Department of
compliance.”
Defense-wide recruiting
video produced by high
POC is Chantal McKenzie, 512-782-6727,
school and college students chantal.mckenzie@tx.ngb.army.mil.
interested in filmmaking.
The video focused on history, Barry Napp is an environmental public affairs
Chantal McKenzie determines if crawlspace clearance meets applicable sustainability and ways of specialist, U.S. Army Installation Management
building codes in a historic building undergoing major rehabilitation bringing the interests of Command.
at Camp Mabry, Texas.
historic preservation together

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 17


Exchange employs and markets sustainability practices
by Cathy Kropp

I
t’s not just about implementing Earth- that demonstrate their commitment with
friendly practices at the Exchange; it’s franchisees, customers and others.
also about promoting those practices at By collaborating with their franchise
its 3,100 retail and fast-food facilities and partners, the Exchange is able to have
among its 12.2 million customers. a major influence on the food industry
Actions toward fulfilling that goal have worldwide. Batch broilers at Burger
earned the Army and Air Force Exchange King, dry lines at Taco Bell to prepare
Service, known as the Exchange, the 2010 food without electrically heated steam,
Secretary of the Army Environmental Award energy-efficient ovens at Anthony’s
in the Sustainability Team category. Pizza and menu boards that use LED
Similar to the Army’s triple bottom line lights at Charley’s Grilled Subs have a
strategy for the environment, the Exchange huge impact. The Exchange also makes
identified “People – Planet – Benefit” as energy-efficient equipment standard at its
its focus. Reducing energy by requiring facilities and promotes the same with food
energy-efficient equipment, reducing service equipment.
waste through a corporatewide “Trash- These standards were part of the reason
4-Cash” recycling program, requiring all the Exchange won the 2010 Federal The landscaping and irrigation systems at the
new construction to be Silver certifiable by Energy and Water Management Award, in Exchange at Fort Bliss are designed to reduce potable
water consumption by using native plants that require
U.S. Green Building Council standards for addition to the Army award. less water. Photo courtesy of the Exchange
Leadership in Energy and Environmental The Exchange uses print
Design, and modifying its logistics fleet advertisements and brochures, coupon providing the best shopping experience for
to be more eco-friendly and, in turn, books, catalogs and signage to remind its our military customers, we are determined
decreasing petroleum-based product use shoppers to use Earth-friendly products to set the standard for exceptional
are a few of the actions the Exchange has and practice recycling. Exchange facilities environmental stewardship in the military
taken. also provide cash incentives for the use of retail community,” said Michael Howard,
The Exchange leadership emphasizes recycled and reusable canvas shopping bags. the Exchange’s chief operating officer.
its sustainability vision and goals through The Army award recognizes the The Exchange continues to participate in
worldwide distribution of information Exchange leadership’s willingness to pilot projects such as the USGBC’s LEED
products that publicize how the company, participate in numerous pilot projects for Retail program, an energy management
its associates and its customers impact the testing new technologies. One pilot, and control system for a convenience store
environment. which began with replacing high-intensity at Fort Hood, and offices and restaurant
“To encourage Earth-friendly initiatives, discharge lighting on gas pump canopies trial of energy-efficient equipment.
the Exchange established a sustainability with LED technology, resulted in 46 gas Even simple changes made by the
awards program to recognize superior canopy LED retrofits at Army installations. Exchange have a big impact when
sustainability performance,” said Maj. Gen. The lights are 75 percent more efficient, implemented across a large corporation.
Bruce Casella, commander, Army and Air last up to 10 times longer, pay back in Installing 154 automatic faucets in
Force Exchange Service. “Reducing energy, three to five years and, as an unexpected restrooms reduces water use by 70 percent
water consumption and waste generation benefit, have improved product marketing compared to traditional fixtures. Selling
is a win-win situation for all, making and security while reducing nighttime sky used cooking oil and grease from 290
partnerships between the Exchange and pollution. As a follow-on program, the Army installation food facilities removes
installations crucial.” Exchange is replacing fluorescent lights in two million pounds of vegetable oil
However, what truly impressed the reach-in coolers with LED technology and from the waste stream and recycles it
environmental awards judges was how the installing occupancy sensors. into valuable resources such as animal
Exchange shares the actions and successes Exchange leadership has tasked its feed. Changing to automatic paper towel
subordinates to surpass sustainability goals dispensers and compact toilet tissue with
Acronyms and Abbreviations by incorporating sustainability actions and no core, wrapper or corrugated case reduces
LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental objectives into normal business practices. manufacturing and shipping fuels and
Design decreases landfill waste by an estimated
USGBC United States Green Building Council “Just as the Exchange is committed to 363,000 pounds per year. ➤

18 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Army Research Lab scientists reduce air pollutants from coatings
by T’Jae Gibson

A
team of U.S. Army Research generated by Army coatings operations. Acronyms and Abbreviations
Laboratory scientists from the Technical researchers and engineers ARL Army Research Laboratory
Weapons and Materials Research worked to develop and provide alternative DoD Department of Defense
Directorate won the Secretary of the Army paints and strippers, solvents, thinners and WMRD Weapons and Materials Research
Environmental Award in the Weapon cleaners, coatings and rubber-to-metal Directorate
Acquisition, Small Program category. bonding adhesives without sacrificing
The ARL team was part of the Research, combat readiness.
Development and Engineering Command’s WMRD’s Materials and Manufacturing
Sustainable Painting Operations for the Division had leading technical and
Total Army program. leadership roles in the area of coatings,
The Sustainable Painting Operations for sealants and adhesives, solvents and
the Total Army program was established alternative paint removal, said John
to eliminate hazardous air pollutants Escarsega, Department of Defense
chemical agent resistant coatings
commodity manager, Coatings,
Camouflage and Corrosion Team, who
served as a principal investigator on this
effort.
The division also had significant roles A handheld laser is used to remove the topcoat from
in reformulating coatings for ammunitions a helicopter component at Fort Rucker, Ala.
Photos courtesy of ARL
working with Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.,
and pretreatments working with the
excellence for the development,
Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle
management and transferability of
Management Command, Redstone
environmental programs that increase
Arsenal, Ala., Escarsega said.
environmental quality, enhance the
“ARL is and continues to be a mission and help make the Army
leader in technology development and sustainable through the Secretary of the
implementation,” he said. “This effort Army Environmental Awards, the highest
cultivated those strengths and led to environmental science and sustainability
numerous enhancements for many products honors conferred by the Army.
[for which] ARL has direct responsibility.
The award-winning team included ARL
An ARL investigator formulates the next generation These include our coatings and solvents,
principal investigators Fred Lafferman,
of chemical agent resistant coating materials which DoD uses in most of our depots and
for improved performance and environmental Wayne Ziegler, John La Scala and Jack
facilities.”
sustainability. Kelley; WMRD employees Kes Chesonis,
The recognition is significant because Dawn Crawford, Bernard Hart, William
(continued from previous page) it is product-oriented, Escarsega said. Lum, Pauline Smith and Chris Miller; and
Products are now available to DoD contractors F. Raven Toulan, Alicia Farrell,
The Exchange’s across-the-board and its contractors that greatly reduce Nichols Nesteruk, Dan Pope, Stacey
commitment to sustainability and environmental emissions. Thomas and Thomas Considine.
implementation of innovative techniques “While ARL is research-based, we can
and technologies has made them a and continue to guide particular market POC is ARL Public Affairs Office, 301-394-3590,
winner. areas with our in-house capabilities and public_affairs@arl.army.mil.
expertise,” he said. “For research to be T’Jae Gibson is a public affairs specialist, ARL
POC is Mike Smietana, 214-312-6579, successful, we must be creative and provide Public Affairs Office.
smietanam@aafes.com. new and novel solutions. This effort
Cathy Kropp is an environmental public affairs required ARL to be creative and redefine
specialist, U.S. Army Installation Management the current technology.”
Command Headquarters. Each year, the Army recognizes

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 19


Fort Drum’s natural resources conservation efforts shine
by Kristina Curley

F
ort Drum, N.Y., known as the resources conservation issues, construction
Army’s premier installation in the activities and mission requirements.
Northeast, can also lay claim to This team approach also increases
being the premier Army installation for efficiency through shared resources, as seen
natural resources conservation based on its in the Geographic Information System
selection for a 2010 Secretary of the Army Office, run by one staff member funded
Environmental Award. by the Directorate of Public Works and
Fort Drum’s 107,265 acres support another funded by the Directorate of Plans,
Reserve and active duty forces, Civilians Training, Mobilization and Security. This
and Family members, as well as National shared operation produced a 107,265-acre
Guard units from 11 states. Sustaining Fort mapping project with 93 different land-
Drum’s lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, forests, cover types and unmatched accuracy and
grasslands and developed areas falls to the resolution.
18-person Natural Resources Conservation Coordination with eight state, local
Branch. and tribal government agencies and other
“With the ever-increasing demand for stakeholders also resulted in the 10th
Wildlife biologist Chris Dobony inspects a little
new facilities and Soldier housing, and Mountain Division’s first major off-post brown bat, captured during a mist net survey at
changing training mission requirements, training mission. The 10th Combat Fort Drum, for white-nose syndrome. Photo courtesy
the natural resources staff has creatively Aviation Brigade was able to conduct of Fort Drum
and effectively met the challenges of high-altitude helicopter flight training endangered species management of the
timelines, changing footprints and critical to its Afghanistan deployment at federally listed Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis.
federal and state legal requirements while one of New York’s highest mountains. The installation is an important focal area
protecting the environment and ensuring NEPA coordination involved establishing for bat community research, including
mission sustainability,” said Col. Noel T. training locations, dates and times to efforts involving white-nose syndrome. The
Nicolle, Fort Drum garrison commander. avoid a geographically unique migratory Fish and Wildlife Management Program
Fort Drum’s Integrated Natural Resources bird species and conducting long-term is an integral partner in ongoing research
Management Plan is fully incorporated into migratory bird monitoring during training. on this unprecedented wildlife health
its environmental management system and The Natural Resources staff created the crisis responsible for killing more than one
used as a source document for all natural Electronic Environmental Review and million hibernating bats in the Northeast.
resources and National Environmental Coordination System, which, in most cases, “Research by Fort Drum’s natural
Policy Act activities. reduces approval time for post projects and resources staff, done in conjunction with
The natural resources team cites its military training missions from 14 days other state and federal agencies, has clearly
integrated team approach, cooperative to two days. Other team efforts included demonstrated the enormous impact white-
working relationships with internal and selecting native seed mixes for construction nose syndrome has on bat communities
external stakeholders, and partnerships for projects’ revegetation, planting 1,400 and subsequently on the ecological
its success. Interactions with regulators trees in wetland mitigation bank sites and integrity of military installations,” said
regarding endangered species, fish and storing willow cuttings for future plantings Jason E. Wagner, Fort Drum Natural
wildlife management, construction using refrigerators slated for disposal. Resources Branch chief.
permitting for stream and wetland impacts, These actions saved more than $150,000
an acre in project construction costs. Creation of a 2,200-acre Bat
and forest management are conducted Conservation Area preserved known
with understanding and respect for each Fort Drum also boasts the only habitat and minimized the amount of
organization’s mission and requirements. established maple syrup processor within land restricted for development, military
Regular coordination meetings facilitate the Department of Defense. Maple syrup training and recreation. Forest stands in
training and construction-related projects processing allows sustainable management the area were inventoried, concentrating on
and activities, and address the complex of an alternative forest product without tree known Indiana bat maternity colonies, to
array of environmental regulations, natural removal. develop predictive models for potential bat
During the past two years, much of Fort habitat use in the Northeast.
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Drum’s Fish and Wildlife Management These and its many other activities
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act ➤
Program’s resources has been devoted to

20 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


What is daunting for some is doable at Grafenwoehr
by Cathy Kropp

S
ome might consider supporting the success, said Manfred Rieck, Grafenwoehr’s
stationing of six additional battalions, environmental chief.
a population increase of 8,000 and The garrison’s environmental program
construction of 50 new facilities daunting, is fully incorporated into its strategic
but for the Environmental Management sustainability plan with 25-year milestones,
Division staff of U.S. Army Garrison which were established by a joint U.S.
Grafenwoehr, Germany, these tasks were and German working group. The plan’s
just part of its ongoing commitment to goals include optimizing sustainability,
environmental stewardship. partnering with German authorities to
The staff ’s ability to successfully provide state–of-the-art training facilities,
meet the garrison’s expansion-related preserving natural resources and meeting
challenges as well as other environmental the U.S. Green Building Council’s
goals has earned them the 2010 Secretary Leadership in Energy and Environmental
of the Army Environmental Award in Design Platinum standards.
the Environmental Quality, Overseas A white-tailed eagle nestling, one of the rarest species
Achieving those goals takes more in Bavaria, is banded at Grafenwoehr Training
Installation category. than the work of one division. A cross- Area. Photo courtesy of USAG Grafenwoehr
“Grafenwoehr Training Area functional team annually evaluates
demonstrated outstanding stewardship more than 200 garrison activities, their authorities, a situation affirmed when
commitment in managing hundreds environmental aspects and impacts. it won the 2010 Environmental County
of endangered flora and fauna species, Award.
Two noteworthy actions contributed
protecting soil, surface and groundwater, to USAG Grafenwoehr’s ability to meet About 90 percent of the training area
while supporting a world-class training environmental goals while supporting has been designated a European Natura
area,” said Brig. Gen. Steven L. Salazar, military training mission. A comprehensive 2000 sanctuary, which requires additional
commanding general, Joint Multinational erosion control program developed by the maintenance and special approvals for
Training Command. garrison’s Environmental Management construction projects. The training area
Cooperation and collaboration with Division, the Integrated Training Area provides habitats for more than 3,000 plant
stakeholders, a lot of hard work from a Management team and the German Forest and animal species, among which 1,272 are
dedicated team of professionals, including Service reduced training land affected by threatened, endangered or legally protected.
the German Federal Forest Service, erosion from 5,000 acres to almost zero. Grafenwoehr boasts one of the largest
and a well-balanced and comprehensive Another initiative removed more than populations of red deer in Germany. Red
environmental program is what led to 500 pounds of ozone-depleting substances deer are managed through a cooperative
from 78 facilities. Under this program, partnership with the German Forest
Acronyms and Abbreviations
an interactive database tracked asbestos, Service.
USAG U.S. Army Garrison
lead-based paint and other toxic substances Grafenwoehr’s environmental staff
(continued from previous page) within facilities to make working and living coordinates all actions with the German
environments safer. Additional remediation Forest Service and Nature Conservation
have made the Fort Drum staff leaders projects are ongoing for seven buildings Board.
in natural resources conservation. The identified by this system as having high To learn from Grafenwoehr’s ability
team continually demonstrates the risk ratings. to partner and collaborate is one reason
importance of sustaining Fort Drum’s organizations request visits. The Tanzania
The results of the garrison’s waste
current training land capacity and People’s Defense Force and African
reduction efforts were also noted. In spite
capability along with its commitment to Wildlife Fund visited Grafenwoehr
of the increasing population, the waste
sustaining those training lands through Training Area to adapt the U.S. Army’s
stream diversion rate improved from 29
management, monitoring and research. approach for a coexistence of dense wildlife
percent to 65 percent, and a comprehensive
program reduced hazardous material populations in a high-use military training
POC is Jason E. Wagner, 315-772-5974,
procurement and thus hazardous waste area. Environmental Management Division
Jason.e.wagner@us.army.mil.
disposal. staff have also provided presentations
Kristina Curley is a public affairs specialist, U.S. The garrison enjoys a reputation for and environmental tours for German,
Army Environmental Command. Bulgarian, Albanian and Georgian ➤
environmental success among German

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 21


Joint Base Lewis-McChord has 20-20 vision
by Miriam Villacian

W
hat do you call a community sustainability planning and
of walkable neighborhoods decision making.
with identifiable town centers With this foundation, anchored
connected by great streets on an Army and supported from many angles,
installation? At Joint Base Lewis- Lewis-McChord has stayed true
McChord, Wash., it’s called “sustainability.” to its commitment despite the
Lewis-McChord’s vision of a sustainable challenges of increased training
community results from Fort Lewis’s initial needs, additional maneuver
sustainability workshop in 2002, at which units and rapidly increasing
leaders committed to ensuring a better development inside and outside
tomorrow by changing the way they do the installation’s fence.
business. That workshop led to the creation The shared planning vision Teens brave their way through a trash audit to learn about
of five planning goals that remain the developed by the Sustainable waste reduction at the Teen Zone as a sustainability outreach
framework for the installation’s vision. Community Team called for coordinator looks on. Photo by Ingrid Barrentine
Significant progress has been made walkable neighborhoods with
individual parcels, rather than land-use
since then. Many sustainable concepts identifiable town centers connected by
zoning, which tends to encourage sprawl.
are now ingrained in Joint Base Lewis- great streets. This concept breaks with
McChord business practices, which is why the usual urban sprawl planning model. The team then developed a measuring
the installation was selected to receive It uses less land, less infrastructure and tool, based on the 39 design principles
the Secretary of the Army Environmental fewer natural resources, and it encourages from the master plan, to objectively
Award in the Nonindustrial Installation Families to become active members of their track progress toward those goals. The
Sustainability category. community. neighborhood design checklist assesses
whether the sustainable design principles
At the center of Lewis-McChord’s To develop this vision, the team
are being used. The checklist ties into the
progress is its Environmental Regulation, organized focus groups and surveys that
planning goals, encourages Leadership
which incorporates sustainability and included planning and engineering firms
in Energy and Environmental Design
requires an Installation Sustainability and nearly 700 installation stakeholders.
standards, and measures the installation’s
Board. In addition, the sustainability Building on the vision, the Joint Base
progress toward the Army’s Strategy for the
program is infused into the lines of Lewis-McChord Master Plan incorporates
Environment.
operation of the Health and Resiliency specific design principles, including
Promotion Board, demonstrating how enhanced mission capabilities. The neighborhood checklist describes
sustainability can directly affect Soldier each design principle with its intent and
The plan helps create a sustainable
well-being. criteria, and uses metrics that allow the
community by focusing development along
user to assign a numeric score for the
The sustainability program is staffed by proposed transit corridors, ensuring that
design principles under each goal.
cross-functional teams and overseen by a pedestrians and bicyclists are given the
cross-section of senior leadership, which same attention as automobile movement Progress toward the planning goals is
keeps military and Civilian leadership and creating neighborhood centers. The monitored, measured and communicated.
informed and provides a venue for active master plan employs regulating plans for Snapshot charts measure success in ➤

(continued from previous page) post studies provided scientific proof that methodical investigation and remediation
military training significantly enhances of contaminated sites, as well as the
forces; a local mayor and the county biodiversity. As a result of the study, monitoring for ground and surface water,”
commissioners; the Westphalian Natural previously restricted training areas were said Emilia Mueller, State of Bavaria
Science Society; and the German Forest reopened. Minister for European Affairs.
Service.
“USAG Grafenwoehr is a model
The University of Bayreuth and the POC is Manfred Rieck, DSN 475-7711,
organization for a systematic and
Colorado State University conducted 09641/837711, manfred.rieck@eur.army.mil.
exemplary environmental program and
a study at Grafenwoehr to determine for smooth cooperation on various Cathy Kropp is an environmental public affairs
the effects of military disturbance on levels, such as the comprehensive specialist, U.S. Army Installation Management
biodiversity. Comparison to similar off- network of environmental facilities, the Command Headquarters.

22 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Army takes 4 in Defense environmental competition
by Cathy Kropp

T
he Army won four of the nine education contributed to its win. Acronyms and Abbreviations
Secretary of Defense Environmental The Army Research Laboratory won USAG U.S. Army Garrison
Awards. the Environmental Excellence in Weapon
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., System Acquisition, Small Program award
won the Sustainability, Nonindustrial for its Sustainable Painting Operations for
Installation award. Lewis-McChord the Total Army program. The program’s
was recognized for its efforts in green evolutionary acquisition approach spun
procurement, waste diversion, recycling, out alternative materials to the field as
composting, and asphalt crushing and soon as they were approved. Such changes
reuse. The award acknowledged its will result in roughly $1 billion in cost
sustainable master plan’s holistic design avoidance over 15 years and will eliminate
approach and town center project, more than 4,000 tons of organic hazardous
alternative fuels and transportation use, air pollutants and other pollutant emissions
commuter trip reduction, $14 million in from surface coating operations.
energy-efficiency improvement projects, U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr,
habitat restoration, storm-water filtration Germany, won the Environmental Quality,
system, wetlands education center, Overseas Installation award. Studies
increased habitat for wildlife species and conducted on Grafenwoehr Training
training area for Soldiers. Elementary school children from USAG
Area prove military training has a positive Grafenwoehr, Germany, listen to a nature talk at
The Army and Air Force Exchange effect on biodiversity. With more than the grand opening of a nature trail. Photo courtesy
Service won the Sustainability, Team 1,200 threatened, endangered or legally of USAG Grafenwoehr
award. Using innovative techniques and protected species, about 90 percent of
POC is Cathy Kropp, 210-221-0882, cathy.
new technologies; purchasing energy- Grafenwoehr Training Area has earned
kropp@us.army.mil.
efficient equipment; developing sustainable, the status of European Natura 2000
energy-efficient buildings; reducing sanctuary. A garrisonwide recycling system, Cathy Kropp is an environmental public affairs
waste; and using eco-friendly fuels in its hazardous materials management program specialist, U.S. Army Installation Management
fleet are some of the ways the Exchange and creative activities in environmental Command Headquarters.
is demonstrating sustainability. Its education and awareness contributed to
dedication to sustainability goals, training, winning this award.
performance metrics, partnerships and

(continued from previous page) Transportation, the team estimates the seriously because we care about our
achieving environmental management town center alone will result in annual environment and our community, but
system goals and the overall vision. The transportation cost savings of $1,500 more importantly, because it’s our job.
charts are then used to communicate per household and an 18-million-pound I’m proud of the way our garrison has
this progress to the community and key reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. embraced that concept here.”
leadership. Sustainability is about benefits, both Joint Base Lewis-McChord has been
The master plan’s hub is a new short- and long-term, from cultivating leading the way in sustainability since
downtown consisting of mixed-use and maintaining community goodwill 2002. The goals already achieved and the
facilities of commercial, residential and to identifying better logistical practices goals yet to be reached promise a more
recreational areas. Two companies are for Soldiers and Airmen to take into sustainable, livable and mission-capable
collaborating on its construction. The operational contingencies. installation in the future.
Army and Air Force Exchange Service “The preservation of resources, the
will build the 600,000-square-foot POC is Miriam Villacian, 253-966-1734, Miriam.
protection of our environment and the
downtown core, and Equity Residential is easley@us.army.mil.
creation of a world-class quality of life
constructing the 256-unit town center. for our community are all part of the core Miriam Villacian is a sustainability outreach
Based on assumptions from the mission of a garrison,” said Col. Thomas coordinator, Versar Inc., Directorate of Public
Environmental Protection Agency Brittain, Lewis-McChord garrison Works, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
and the Washington Department of commander. “We take sustainability

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 23


Installation Challenges and Successes
Fort Bragg celebrates 10 years of sustainability
by Jonelle Thompson

I
n 2001, the Department of the Army The major achievements are: Acronyms and Abbreviations
proposed a vision of sustainability • recovery of the endangered red cockaded LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental
for the military. The goal was to map woodpecker and its role in training land Design
out a holistic approach to managing reclamation;
and sustaining installations in the 21st • creation of the Fort Bragg Arbor
century while simultaneously fostering Board;
transformation. • integration of the Leadership in
In response to this decree, Fort Bragg, Energy and Environmental Design
N.C., was one of the first Army posts to standards in construction, renovation
publicly and actively set goals toward that and maintenance of post facilities;
end. • construction of the first LEED
Why? Sustainability is not only Platinum standard structure on the
beneficial for Fort Bragg, it is imperative. installation;
The installation’s international • development of the Qualified Recy- Low-impact development such as these detention ponds
contributions, military mission and the cling Program; are the preferred method of storm-water management on
success of its Soldiers are dependent upon • implementation of the Army’s first Fort Bragg. Photo by Jonelle Thompson
the responsible use of its natural and fiscal Green Lodging Program;
resources.
• development of the Green Directorate
Over the years, Fort Bragg integrated Program;
sustainability into daily operations and • expansion of green procurement
comprehensive strategic planning. The practices;
program, known as Sustainable Fort
• establishment of utility meters, thermal
Bragg, addresses concerns and implements
energy storage and renewable energy
initiatives regarding land use, facilities,
technologies;
materials, energy, water and transportation.
Fort Bragg Garrison Goal One — a • use of low impact designs for storm-
sustainable community meeting the needs water management;
• development of the hybrid-electric Naturalization techniques such as no-mow zones are an
of the Soldier today, tomorrow and forever integral component of land reclamation initiatives on
— reflects the installation’s commitment to shuttle system, the alternative fueling Fort Bragg. Photo by Julia Love
the Army Triple Bottom Line of mission, station and the Alternative Transporta-
environment and community. tion Plan; and
Bragg goal team leader. “However, we
Today, Fort Bragg sets the standard for • growth of sustainability education pro- believe that the best is still to come as we
Army sustainability values and has emerged grams for the Fort Bragg community. continually strive to integrate sustainability
as a leading advocate for the environment The report also details future into meeting mission requirements while
in the Department of Defense, the state endeavors to meet individual Installation protecting our natural resources and
of North Carolina and the United States. Management Command Lines of Effort providing a high quality of life for Soldiers
To illustrate a decade of environmental and impending federal environmental and their Families.”
stewardship, the post created a report, Fort goals. By chronicling past triumphs as
Indeed, the Sustainable Fort Bragg
Bragg: Ten Years of Sustainability. well as looming challenges, the report
program has come full circle from
“After hosting the United States Army is designed to educate individuals about
ambitious goals set in the infancy of an
Sustainability In-Progress Review in sustainability’s role in the military and
innovative program to the integration of
January 2010, we realized that there was no to inspire further efforts to preserve the
these concepts into installation operations.
compilation of Fort Bragg’s sustainability environment.
Environmental preservation has become
program success stories,” said Dave Heins, “The accomplishments and associated the daily responsibility of every individual
chief, Environmental Division. “The positive impacts of the sustainability on the installation. Now, with the adoption
10-year review gives recently assigned program at Fort Bragg over the past 10 of Fort Bragg initiatives throughout the
personnel a snapshot of where the years have been quite remarkable,” said Department of Defense, Fort Bragg has
sustainability program began and what we Paul Humphrey, chief, Environmental become and will continue to be the
have accomplished in the past 10 years.” Management Branch and Sustainable Fort template for operational sustainability. ➤

24 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Schofield’s School Age Center exceeds standard with LEED Gold
by Vanessa Lynch

S
oon after the School Age Center at adoption of sustainable green building
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, opened and development practices, according to
last year, the U.S. Army Corps of project architect John Fullmer of Mason
Engineers’ Honolulu District received word Architects in Honolulu.
the project had been awarded Leadership LEED promotes a whole-building
in Energy and Environmental Design Gold approach to sustainability, recognizing
certification. The $12.3-million center for performance in five key areas of human
children ages 6-10, named Napua Koa, and environmental health: sustainable
or Children of the Warrior, is another site development, water savings, energy
example of U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii’s efficiency, materials selection and indoor
ongoing efforts to support the Army Family environmental quality. The LEED rating The main atrium of the School Age Center at Schofield
Covenant by ensuring excellence in schools, system — developed and administered Barracks features skylights that take advantage of
youth services and child care. by the U.S. Green Building Council — Hawaii’s abundant sunlight. Photos by Vanessa Lynch
The School Age Center has all the offers four certification levels for new
things one would expect to find in a place construction: Certified, Silver, Gold and
of learning, such as classrooms, study Platinum. The level achieved corresponds
areas, a computer lab and a multipurpose to the number of credits accrued in the five
room. Also, five separate program rooms, key areas.
including a performing arts room, an This project earned 42 points on the
outdoor soccer field and a basketball court, LEED scale.
complement the learning environment.
“We used products and materials with
Honolulu District’s design-build very little volatile organic compounds and
contractor for the project, Nan Inc., took extra steps during the installation of
received an outstanding performance the air conditioning units to ensure that
award and a safety excellence award, and construction dust did not enter the new Schofield Barracks School Age Center’s LEED Gold
the district’s project team was named the ducts,” Fullmer said. certification plaque is displayed prominently.
2010 USACE Project Delivery Team of
the Year. But what makes the building truly “We also harnessed the heat given off popular with Hawaii’s military Families.
special is its ranking as LEED Gold. This from the air conditioners by putting it back “The last time a building was built
certification is the recognized standard for into the system to heat the water for the here for this particular age group was
measuring building sustainability. entire building,” he said, “and 28 percent of the Bennett Youth Center in 1988,”
our total building materials were recycled said Mark Maddox, transition specialist,
The LEED green building certification content and from local manufacturers.”
program encourages and accelerates global Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare
Although the project was based on a and Recreation’s Child, Youth and School
Acronyms and Abbreviations standard Army design, Fullmer was able to Services. “We went from an enrollment
LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental adjust the building’s appearance, including of 90 children and a no-wait list, to an
Design adding skylights to take advantage of enrollment of 200 children and a wait list
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hawaii’s natural light. in this new building.”
USAG U.S. Army Garrison The School Age Center is proving
POC is Joseph Bonfiglio, chief, Public Affairs,
Honolulu District, USACE, 808-438-8317, joseph.
(continued from previous page) also go forward to secure the viability of bonfiglio@usace.army.mil; or Aiko Brum, chief,
the installation for future generations. Internal Communication, Public Affairs Office,
“A government must not waiver once USAG Hawaii, 808-656-3155, aiko.brum@
it has chosen its course. It must not look us.army.mil.
POC is Jonelle Thompson, 910-396-3341,
to the left or right, but go forward,” Otto
jonelle.k.thompson.ctr@us.army.mil. Vanessa Lynch is a public affairs specialist, USAG
von Bismarck once remarked.
Jonelle Thompson is the community resource Hawaii.
For Fort Bragg, that course is
sustainability. As the military mission coordinator, Environmental Division, Directorate
evolves, the sustainability program will of Public Works, Fort Bragg.

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 25


Building strong, building green on America’s military installations
by Tracy Robillard and Rashida Banks

S
ustainable design has long been a part as designed.
of the Corps of Engineers’ Military “One of the credits for LEED
Construction program, but in recent Platinum certification for this
years, the Corps’ efforts to build green facility requires follow-on testing
have made significant advances across the and monitoring during the first
nation. year of occupation to ensure
“We’ve come a long way as far as that the facility is operating
conforming to LEED [Leadership in effectively as it was designed,”
Energy and Environmental Design] said Greg Beers, a Corps
standards by the U.S. Green Building resident engineer at Fort Bragg.
Council,” said Judy Milton, architect and “The conditions of the facility
LEED expert with the Corps’ Savannah have to be measured under use This Community Emergency Service Station at Fort Bragg will
District. “And we’re bringing all of our to see if it’s going to actually satisfy LEED Platinum criteria and save 35 percent more energy
construction contractors and designers produce better conditions and than a similar fire station built to code. Photo courtesy of Gary
along with us. It’s part of how we do meet energy savings and other Poling, Savannah District
business now.” requirements for LEED credits
A project using the LEED rating tool points.”
must meet all prerequisites and earn Another green project is the
a specified number of credits awarded $15.6 million dormitory built by the
in five areas: sustainable sites, water, Savannah District at Moody Air Force
energy, materials selection and indoor Base, Ga. Completed in March by
environmental quality. A project can satisfy I.L. Fleming Inc. of Midway, Ga., the
one of four levels of LEED achievement project was awarded Gold certification
— Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum — by the Green Building Certification
based on the number of points earned. In Institute.
2006, the Army mandated that all new At 46,791 square-feet, the A dormitory project at Moody Air Force Base earned a Gold
construction and major renovation projects 120-person facility serves rating for energy efficiency and environmental sustainment
satisfy LEED Silver criteria. unaccompanied enlisted Airmen. The from the U.S. Green Building Council. Photo courtesy of
Savannah District
One of Savannah District’s most prized dormitory gives each Airman his or
sustainable projects is a Community her own room, which has a walk- include recycled building materials,
Emergency Service Station at Fort in closet and a private bathroom. Four natural landscaping, rainwater storage
Bragg, N.C., designed to achieve LEED suitemates share a common area furnished tanks, reflective roofs, low-odor paints
Platinum. Once certified, the fire station with couches, a TV and a dining area. and carpets, and eco-friendly lighting and
will become one of the elite few LEED The designs of both projects include mechanical systems.
Platinum-certified facilities in the federal a geothermal groundwater heating and “We have a significant volume of
government. air conditioning system and incorporate construction coming out of the Army, and
The $2.6 million, 8,300-square-foot recycled building materials, such as wood the vast majority of it carries LEED Silver
fire station was completed in March by doors, carpet and wall tiles, recycled requirements,” Milton said. “The Army’s
R.A. Connelly Inc. of Bradenton, Fla. structural steel and metal roofing. Local commitment is important to our nation,
The design by Hayes, Seay, Mattern suppliers provided most of the materials, because we’re helping to transform the
and Mattern Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., reducing the amount of energy required to industry just by virtue of our demand for
incorporated mechanisms that save 35 transport them and adding a boost to the sustainable design and construction.”
percent more energy than a similar fire local economy.
station built to code. The fire station will POC is Judy Milton, 912-652-5441,
LEED features on other Savannah
receive operational monitoring during Judith.f.milton@usace.army.mil.
District Military Construction projects
occupancy to ensure that it performs range from solar collection panels and Tracy Robillard and Rashida Banks are public
Acronyms and Abbreviations geothermal heat pumps to high-efficiency affairs specialists, Savannah District, U.S. Army
LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental fixtures and advanced indoor air ventilation Corps of Engineers.
Design systems. Other common LEED features

26 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Fort Jackson’s starship barracks get LEED makeover
by Joshua Mitchell

T
he “repurposing” of facilities is a To achieve LEED Silver, a project
great way for the Army to maximize must be awarded at least 33 points based
limited construction dollars to on six sets of performance standards
gain quality-of-life improvements for our that include sustainable designs for site
Soldiers, according to Lt. Col. Jason Kirk, selection, water and energy use, space
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Charleston utilization, the reuse of existing building
District commander and district engineer. materials, use of recycled products and
In March, Charleston District the use of local products to reduce
completed the renovation of the first of transportation costs.
six Army barracks at Fort Jackson, S.C., Renovating an existing building on
known as “starships.” The 230,000-square- a military base can be challenging, Fort Jackson Soldiers stand in formation in front of
foot Starship 11000 structure previously especially if the structure is in use like Starship 11000 during the renovation. Photo by Max
contained dining facilities. The project Starship 11000 was. The first challenge Carroll, Charleston District
converted them into classrooms, barracks was to provide swing space on post. Due certified by the Forest Stewardship
and additional offices for headquarters. to the project size, the installation was Council as originating from sustainably
The Fort Jackson starship projects meet unable to offer facilities for this need, so managed forests. The indoor environment
energy and sustainable design standards 200,000 square feet of modular buildings systems reduced energy, water and lighting
by using state-of-the-art technologies were commissioned to provide temporary requirements as compared to the building’s
to retrofit existing facilities. The Energy accommodations for 1,200 Soldiers and previous systems.
Policy Act of 2005 set benchmarks for space to support everyday operations and
training activities. The project design reduced energy costs
the federal government to reduce energy by 20 percent. The other five starship
use by as much as 40 percent against After the Starship 11000 facility was facilities, which are under construction, are
an established baseline, and the 2009 vacated, demolition began. In a renovation, designed for an energy cost savings of up
Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership the demolition time required is increased to 40 percent.
in Environmental, Energy and Economic so that care can be taken to leave reusable
Performance, set goals for federal agencies structures and equipment undamaged. “Charleston District’s project and
to increase energy efficiency; conserve and When demolition was completed in June construction management teams are able
protect water resources; eliminate waste 2009, mobilization began. Construction to ensure that Fort Jackson gets their
by recycling and preventing pollution; started in September. money’s worth in these complex starship
foster markets for sustainable technologies renovations,” Kirk said.
Complete repair was made to walls,
and environmentally preferable materials, ceilings, flooring, doors, windows, HVAC, Fort Jackson expects to close out fiscal
products, services and designs; and plumbing, domestic water, sanitary sewer, 2011 with awards of four LEED Silver
construct, maintain and operate high- electrical and lighting distribution systems, certifiable buildings, and project managers
performance sustainable buildings in fire alarms and energy management and are preparing for the redesign and upgrade
sustainable locations. control systems. of energy systems in other buildings to
In July 2010, the Army established make them more sustainable and reduce
LEED Silver practices included the energy needs by as much as 40 percent.
a policy to use Leadership in Energy reuse of the existing building and certain
and Environmental Design for New Besides the anticipated cost savings, other
materials, such as the existing structural sustainable design benefits include the
Construction and Major Renovations members and exterior bricks. The exterior
Silver as a standard. Starship 11000 was potential to increase productivity, reduce
walls were removed down to the concrete liability and improve indoor air quality.
LEED Silver certifiable but was not masonry structure, and a special sealant
required by the Army to pursue actual and sheet insulation were applied to POC is Rhonda Bath, branch chief, Military
certification due to the additional cost of decrease air exchange between the interior Project Management Division, Charleston
the certification process. and exterior, reducing energy requirements. District, USACE, 843-329-8117, Rhonda.L.Bath@
A majority of the construction waste usace.army.mil.
Acronyms and Abbreviations
materials was diverted from the landfill.
HVAC heating, ventilation and air conditioning Joshua Mitchell, LEED AP BD+C, is a Regulatory
LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental
New materials were chosen based on
project manager, Charleston District, USACE.
Design recycled content or availability from a
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regional source. Wood materials were

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 27


Fort McCoy’s telemetry monitoring provides data to manage wolves
by Rob Schuette

T
he trapping of a 65-pound, yearling female wolf was
female gray wolf on South Post at caught inadvertently
Fort McCoy, Wisc., should yield in a coyote trap in
more information about her wolf pack December 2002.
and help installation management of the The WDNR placed
species, said Tim Wilder. Wilder is the a telemetry collar
endangered species program manager for on that wolf and
the installation’s Natural Resources Branch. monitored her
“Although wolves have resided in North until her death in
Post since 1999, a pack only recently is November 2004.
thought to have formed on South Post in “Telemetry
January 2010,” Wilder said. monitoring provides
The trapped wolf was found to be in excellent information
good health and was named Grace. A to help manage this
telemetry collar was attached to Grace species,” Wilder said.
before she was released at a remote South Data collected on
Post site. this collared wolf will Tim Wilder (left), Fort McCoy endangered species biologist, and DeWayne
Snobl (right), U.S. Department of Agriculture, examine a wolf after she was
“Because the female is part of the pack help the installation captured on Fort McCoy and before she was fitted with a telemetry collar and
and will travel with the pack, the telemetry augment data it released. Photo courtesy of Fort McCoy Natural Resources Branch
collar will provide information on home- collects during winter
track surveys and amount of time within the impact area,
range size, approximate den location, wolf
summer howling surveys. because few people enter this area making
movement [and] behavior in relationship
it attractive to wolves.
to military training activities, and mortality “Wolves are viewed as a controversial
information when this wolf dies,” Wilder species, so having information on if or how “One controversial aspect of wolves is
said. far off the installation the pack’s territory the fact that they prey on white-tailed
goes will help provide answers to questions deer, the most popular big game animal
“The Wisconsin Department of Natural
that will likely be asked by surrounding in Wisconsin,” Wilder said. “Prior to
Resources funded the trapping effort and,
landowners,” he said. 2010, only one pack of wolves resided on
along with installation biologists, will assist
Fort McCoy, and wolf numbers were low
in monitoring activities,” he explained. Data collected on Grace by installation
enough that they did not have a major
The WDNR contracted with the U.S. natural resource personnel will be shared
impact on overall deer numbers,” he said.
Department of Agriculture, which used a with the WDNR.
That could now be changing because at
snare to capture the wolf. Wolves currently are listed as a federally
least two packs reside on Fort McCoy, and
Wilder was impressed with the endangered species. Several efforts have
wolf numbers are increasing, he said.
thoroughness of the steps taken to ensure been made to remove them from that
category, but, on each occasion, they have If the WDNR decides to enact policies
the wolf wasn’t injured and was released no
subsequently been relisted as endangered. to control the wolf population in the future,
worse for wear to her home environment.
Fort McCoy will be involved in their
Without the cooperative effort among the The telementry information helps Fort
on-post implementation, he said.
three agencies, Fort McCoy would not McCoy manage wolves by ensuring the
have been able to have the telemetry collar new facilities it builds and the training it The original Fort McCoy wolf
placed on the wolf, he said. conducts are compatible with the wolves’ management plan was approved in 2005. A
land needs. new five-year management plan is out for
“This female wolf is only the second
public and agency review and is expected to
one captured and collared at Fort McCoy “To date, the wolves have been able to
be finalized in the next couple months.
in the 11 years the mammals have resided co-exist very well with the wide variety
on the installation,” he said. Another of activities occurring on the installation,” POC is Timothy Wilder, 608-388-5679,
Wilder said. “There are many remote areas timothy.t.wilder@us.army.mil.
Acronyms and Abbreviations on the installation where, on any given
USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture day, humans rarely venture. Wolves in Rob Schuette is a public affairs specialist, Fort
WDNR Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources the North Post pack spend an inordinate McCoy.

28 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Fort Irwin tries feral burros as potential aquatic habitat solution
by Liana Aker

S
ince the idea dawned in the mind of Garlic Springs, located just
man, humans have experimented with outside the National Training Center
methods of landscape manipulation in garrison at Fort Irwin, is a perennial
attempts to make the land yield what was desert spring fed by a series of
desired — food production, recreational groundwater seeps. Burros and
opportunities, attraction of wildlife or pure cattle were fenced out of the springs
aesthetics. One such method involves the in the early 1990s. Following this
application of livestock grazing to alter the elimination of disturbance, plants
landscape, a concept that has been in the of both desirable and undesirable
human toolbox since before Europeans species populated every damp niche
settled North America. Managed grazing until no area of open surface water
has again gained popularity among natural remained.
resource managers for manipulating Fort Irwin’s natural resource
wetlands and other aquatic habitats. management objectives include
Since the settling of the West, grazing maximizing wildlife habitat diversity
has received an often-times deserved in the springs to benefit migratory
bad rap for its negative effects on the songbirds, bats and native plants.
environment, particularly aquatic habitats. To help achieve this goal, resource
Through hoof action and foraging activity, managers opted to combine hand
livestock can drastically alter the landscape pruning and grazing by burros to Crew members thin a dense, matted stand of southern cattail
if grazing pressure is too heavy in any one experimentally thin a decadent stand at Fort Irwin’s Garlic Springs, the site of a hand thinning
area for too long. However, the application of southern cattail, Typha domingensis, and grazing treatment experiment. Photo by Liana Aker
of carefully-managed livestock grazing has in one portion of the spring. The
been shown to benefit plant and animal expectation is that thinning the above- The low cost of initiating this
diversity, improve wildlife nesting and ground plants and interrupting the growth experiment means little is lost except time
foraging opportunities, and serve as a cycle by damaging below-ground rhizomes in taking the wait-and-see approach. As
useful tool in vegetation management. of the cattails will help restore key aquatic other sources of green vegetation and
habitat components by increasing the area available water dry up with the onset of
At Fort Irwin in southern California’s
of open water and restoring water depth summer, it is expected that the burros will
Mojave Desert, the idea of putting the
and flow rates. show more interest in the food and water
installation’s feral burro population to work
resources of the cattail stand.
is an attractive one on several fronts. The To facilitate management of burro
burros are fairly predictable in their habits, grazing within the cattail treatment area, However, considering the old adage, one
industrious, plentiful, and they work cheap. Directorate of Public Works and Integrated must be cautious not to assume too much
Many of the fragile desert spring habitats Training Area Management crews installed about a burro.
at Fort Irwin have been fenced to exclude temporary cross fencing and access gates in
POC is Liana Aker, 760-380-2681, liana.aker@
burros. Without fencing, the springs are the exclusionary fencing already in place.
us.army.mil.
vulnerable to being “loved to death” by After an unsuccessful week of watching
the burros, which, understandably, park and waiting for burros to take advantage Liana Aker is a wildlife biologist, Environmental
themselves in the relatively cool, moist of the newly available cattail buffet, alfalfa Division, Directorate of Public Works, Fort Irwin.
conditions of these oases during the hot hay was distributed as bait along existing
Mojave summers. trails leading to the spring to tempt the
burros into military service. About 10 days
When springs are fenced off, they
later, some burro sign was finally observed
Showcase your
rebound dramatically, recovering vegetative
cover and hydrologic functions within a
few seasons. This situation can also present
within the treatment area. However,
relatively wet, cool seasonal weather INSTALLATION
continued to keep staff in suspense as to submit your story via e-mail to the
other challenges to the resource manager
including the overgrowth of opportunistic whether managed burro grazing can be editor at:
and even invasive plants, as is the case at a viable restoration technique for desert mary.b.thompson@usace.army.mil
Fort Irwin’s Garlic Springs. southwest springs.
202-761-0022

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 29


Hawaii confronts invasive superweed on Kahuku Training Area
by Jane R. Beachy

L
ike stamps in a passport, Chromolaena and Hawaiian ecosystems are critically parts of Asia, fields have been abandoned
collects names as it moves from place endangered by these invasive threats. to Chromolaena, as crops and farmers
to place invading new ecosystems. In It is hard to discern the exact path couldn’t compete with the super weed.
Australia and the United States, it is called Chromolaena took to KTA, but a few OANRP staff, with help from the Oahu
bitter bush, devil weed and Siam weed. In plausible scenarios exist. Perhaps Invasive Species Committee, Bishop
Guam, it’s called masigsig; in Chuuk, otuot; contaminated seed was planted in the Museum and the Hawaii Department of
in Kosrae, mahsrihsrihk; in Palau, kesengesil; agricultural area below KTA, or the seed Agriculture, is developing a detailed map
in the Philippines, agonoi; in Honduras, rey rode in on a dirt bike, since part of KTA of the Chromolaena infestation in KTA.
del todo; and the list continues. is used as a public motocross track on This map will be the first step in creating
Native to Central America, Chromolaena weekends. However, the infestation lies a comprehensive plan for addressing the
odorata, a member of the aster family, in a part of KTA that is heavily used for species.
has become a highly invasive pest across military training, the most likely cause Just one day of surveys revealed the weed
much of the world. Management agencies for its introduction. Occasionally, units is much more widespread than expected.
struggle to control its spread in Africa, and from Guam train in Hawaii, so perhaps, Further surveys are needed to define its
conservationists in Australia strategize on tiny Chromolaena seeds, hidden in packs boundaries, but it’s expected the infestation
effective control measures. or boots, hitched a ride with one of these may encompass as much as 150 acres.
Chromolaena spans Southeast Asia, from units.
Indonesia to Japan. It has skipped across What are the next steps?
Why worry about Chromolaena?
the Pacific, infesting every island it comes Is Chromolaena already too widespread
Chromolaena is toxic to humans, livestock in Hawaii to eradicate? Can the island’s
into contact with. This year, Chromolaena
and even other plants. It forms dense, imperiled ecosystems handle yet
reached Hawaii.
monotypic tangles. Each shrubby plant another threat? Can Hawaii’s natural
Oahu Army Natural Resources Program grows up to 12-feet tall and can produce resource managers afford not to control
staff members discovered an infestation 800,000 seeds in a year. Chromolaena?
during routine road surveys Jan. 11 in the
The small, narrow seeds, topped with a As surveys are concluded, OANRP and
Kahuku Training Area on Oahu’s North
tuft of fibers, are easily dispersed via the its partner agencies will think critically
Shore. The crew collected a specimen. A
wind. The small seeds also burrow into about these questions and others, and work
quick check in a reference book suggested
clothing, gear and fur, and they move to develop a realistic management strategy.
the plant was Chromolaena and tipped off
quickly along trails and roads. As if all this The odds are stacked in Chromolaena’s
the group that the plant was not known in
dispersal isn’t enough, cut branches root favor, but managers won’t give up. Effective
Hawaii.
and grow into new, healthy plants. control methods exist, and new labor-
The specimen was submitted to the
Chromolaena doesn’t thrive in deep shade, saving techniques are being developed. The
Bishop Museum’s Oahu Early Detection
but it thrives just about everywhere else. In infestation is easy to reach, and the ➤
program. Museum botanists verified that
the specimen was Chromolaena odorata,
considered one of the 100 worst weeds in
the world.

How did it get there?


Hawaii is separated by hundreds of miles
of ocean from anywhere. How does a new
pest reach it?
Most such pests are carried
unintentionally by people. Human
activity has dramatically increased the
rate of species introduction to Hawaii,
Acronyms and Abbreviations The highly invasive weed Chromolaena odorata, A member of the sunflower family, the
KTA Kahuku Training Area discovered for the first time in Hawaii in January, Chromolaena odorata plant produces tiny — 4 to
grows along a road in Kahuku Training Area. 5 millimeter — white to pinkish flowers that can
OANRP Oahu Army Natural Resources Program
Photos courtesy of OANRP produce up to 800,000 seeds per plant.

30 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


San Antonio Military Medical Center nearly complete in only 4 years
by Maj. Edwin H. Rodriguez

T
he existing Brooke Army Medical Closure law authorized the construction.
Center at Fort Sam Houston, Under BRAC, the inpatient mission is
Texas, took 10 years to design and being relocated from BAMC’s Wilford
construct. The new San Antonio Military Hall Medical Center to SAMMC.
Medical Center, a huge facility that will The new construction includes the
join with and replace Brooke, will be 750,000-square-foot Consolidated Tower
completed in just four years. Despite the complete with a rooftop helipad, the
project’s fast pace, SAMMC will offer only one in the Department of Defense.
world-class medical facilities to the San Other aspects of the project include
Antonio military community. construction of a 1.6 million-square-foot
The SAMMC project accomplished parking structure with 5,000 parking
this feat by using the integrated design- spaces and a central energy plant, and New SAMMC facilities are under construction at Fort
bid-build project delivery method, which the renovation of 314,000 square feet Sam Houston. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Health
allowed compression of the design and of the existing BAMC— nearly 25 Facilities Office
construction schedule. Architectural percent of the hospital. The project cost
plans for the hospital were developed in is $802.3 million. battlefield health and trauma.
accordance with evidence-based design, When completed, the Consolidated Construction started Dec. 9, 2008, and
which creates an environment that results Tower will offer 106 inpatient beds; is 80 percent complete. BRAC-related
in improved patient outcomes, privacy, 15 operating rooms for inpatient and transition actions are scheduled to be
comfort, stress reduction and safety for ambulatory surgery; a Level 1 trauma completed by July 15.
patients and staff. and emergency room; medical, pediatric
The 2005 Base Realignment and and surgical subspecialty clinics; primary POC is Maj. Edwin H. Rodriguez, 210-395-4157,
care; labor, delivery and recovery rooms; Edwin.rodriguezrosa@us.army.mil.
Acronyms and Abbreviations
BAMC Brook Army Medical Center a neonatal intensive care unit; a pediatric Maj. Edwin H. Rodriguez is a project officer, Joint
BRAC Base Realignment and Closure intensive care unit; a bone marrow unit; Medical Facilities Office, U.S. Army Health
SAMMC San Antonio Military Medical Center
a burn center; and centers of excellence Facilities Office.
for cardiovascular, maternal-child, and

(continued from previous page) year. These surveys are critical in detecting debris off their gear at the end of the day,
terrain, while challenging, is not extreme. new pests early and enabling staff to and to wash and vacuum vehicles at least
Chromolaena seeds persist about a year respond rapidly to new threats. On some once a week. Many training ranges operate
in soil. With careful planning, innovative roads, these monitoring efforts began wash racks that troops and contractors are
strategy and hard work, managers may be more than 10 years ago. The road where being asked to take advantage of to clean
able to contain the infestation, manage it Chromolaena was first spotted had been wheel wells and undercarriages on tactical
and perhaps even eradicate it entirely. surveyed only once before. and other vehicles.

However, the best defense against The Army has a commitment to These efforts and those of the OANRP
invasive species is simply to stop them mitigate any negative impacts of training, staff and its partners will help prevent
from arriving in the first place. The cost including invasive weed spread. The other species like Chromolaena from
of preventing a pest from entering Hawaii discovery of Chromolaena in KTA invading Hawaii.
is many times smaller than the cost of highlights the importance of maintaining
strict sanitation on Army training ranges. POCs are Kim Welch, environmental outreach
controlling an established pest. Hawaii specialist, OANRP, 808-656-7641, kmwelch@
Department of Agriculture inspectors OANRP will invest a significant
hawaii.edu; and Aiko Brum, chief, Internal
monitor shipments into Hawaii as well as amount of Department of Defense time
Communication, Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army
those between islands. Each Christmas, and money in managing Chromolaena. In Garrison Hawaii, 808-656-3155, aiko.brum@
they inspect containers of Christmas trees the meantime, everyone — hikers and us.army.mil.
and turn back any harboring nonnative range workers alike — is being asked to
insects, slugs or bats. inspect boots, clothes, packs and other Jane R. Beachy is the Ecosystem Restoration
field gear before entering natural areas. Program manager, OANRP, U.S. Army Garrison
The OANRP surveys roads and landing
Hikers are also asked to clean mud and Hawaii.
zones on Oahu’s training ranges once a

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 31


Technical Support
Study weighs options for recycling tactical fuel at Fort Bragg
by Gary Gerdes

T
he U.S. Army Engineer Research burden of removing contaminated fuel Acronyms and Abbreviations
and Development Center from the site. CERL Construction Engineering Research
investigated the feasibility of Laboratory
Two commercial, off-the-shelf systems ERDC Engineer Research and Development Center
recycling jet propellant 8 fuel that no for reclaiming JP-8 were evaluated for
longer meets specifications at Fort Bragg, JP-8 jet propellant 8 fuel
possible application at Fort Bragg. Those
N.C. Results and recommendations systems were in operation at Fort Lewis, Information in the PWTB may be
are published in a Corps of Engineers Wash., and Fort Hood, Texas. The study helpful to any installation considering this
Public Works Technical Bulletin, PWTB evaluated the projected use of these fuel type of recycling, however, it should be
200-1-83, Feasibility of JP-8 Recycling recycling management-in-place systems in noted that the individual requirements at
at Fort Bragg, N.C., which can be found several site-specific scenarios at Fort Bragg each installation dictate a site-specific study
at: http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/browse_cat. and then developed recommendations to identify the best options.
php?o=31&c=215. based on the results.
JP-8 is used to fuel both aircraft and According to those findings, Fort POC is Deborah Curtin, chief, Environmental
ground vehicles at all Army installations. Bragg would obtain the best return-on- Processes Branch, ERDC-CERL, 217-398-5567,
Often, this fuel becomes “off-spec,” as it is deborah.r.curtin@usace.army.mil.
investment with low capital investment by
called, because of contamination by water continuing its existing process of settling Gary Gerdes, now retired, was a senior project
and solid particulate matter. This fouling out water and impurities, and then burning manager, ERDC-CERL.
can occur during vehicle maintenance at the JP-8 directly in a boiler to replace the
motor pools and other activities, such as diesel #2 now used.
standing down after emergency response
preparations. Off-spec JP-8 fuel generated Cost-effectiveness of JP-8 fuel recycling options
at Fort Bragg — some 60,000 gallons per Inputs Value1
year — was being disposed as hazardous Volume of off-spec JP-8 60,000 gal/yr
waste. Cost of JP-8 $1.00/gal
Cost of new diesel #2 $.85/gal
In 1984, the Resource Conservation Average natural gas consumption 472,039 therms/month
Project life 10 yr
and Recovery Act was augmented by the
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments Net Present Return on Payback
Value (NPV) Investment Period
that include provisions to encourage Outputs ($) (ROI) (%) (years)
recycling and reuse of hazardous wastes.
Baseline – Give away to local universities – N/A N/A
The environmental personnel at Fort
Bragg believed that the off-spec JP-8 waste Option 1A – Burn directly in boiler, replacing
natural gas 284,885 1,641 0.1 yr
stream could be minimized by reusing that
fuel on post. Option 1B – Burn directly in boiler, replacing
diesel #2 413,455 2,377 0.04
A study was proposed to the Waste
Option 2A – Burn after COMM-1, replacing
Minimization and Pollution Prevention natural gas 174,865 89 1.1 yr
program. The purpose of that program,
Option 2B – Burn after COMM-2, replacing
which ended in 2005, was to demonstrate natural gas 160,178 29 3.5 yr
promising environmental technologies at
Option 3A – Burn after COMM-1, replacing
Army installations. diesel #2 303,436 146 0.7
ERDC’s Construction Engineering Option 3B – Burn after COMM-2, replacing
Research Laboratory directed MSE diesel #2 288,748 42 2.4
Inc., the prime contractor for the Waste Option 4A – Use in ground vehicles, after
Minimization and Pollution Prevention Clarus 399,190 204 0.5
program, to study methods to reuse off- Option 4B – Use in ground vehicles, after Pall 384,503 53 1.9
spec JP-8, decrease the volume of wastes *
Option 5 – Sell off-spec JP-8 76,382 N/A N/A
disposed and reduce the amount of new
fuels purchased. It was believed that 1
Costs are in 2002 dollars and reflect fuel prices at that time.
effective reuse methods would yield cost
avoidance and eliminate the compliance Graphic by Gary Gerdes

32 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Bulletin discusses regional agreements to manage species at risk
by Harold Balbach

T
he Army Corps of Engineers species being listed by the
released a Public Works Technical U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bulletin to chronicle development of as threatened in the western
an agreement that brings together regional portion of that range.
stakeholders to help protect the gopher Declines in populations
tortoise, a declining species. PWTB 200- are occurring throughout the
1-79, Benefits of a Candidate Conservation Southeast because of habitat
Agreement for the Gopher Tortoise and Lessons conversion and lack of regular
Learned, is available at http://www.wbdg. prescribed fire. Forts Benning
org/ccb/browse_cat.php?o=31&c=215. and Stewart in Gerogia are
Everyone involved in Army land examples of major Army land
management knows that threatened training installations where
and endangered species may impact large populations of the
critical military activities. In general, the gopher tortoise survive.
Army does a great job of managing and The FWS reviewed
protecting those species. But what about a petition requesting a Gopher tortoise is the subject of a PWTB about managing threatened
rare species that are not yet listed as species. Photo by Hugh Westbury, Fort Benning, Ga.
threatened listing under the
threatened or endangered? The concern is ESA and found that it may organizations, private associations and
that they may become legally threatened be warranted. That listing would represent individual landowners. It has been used
under the Endangered Species Act. Then, another regulatory challenge to all military relatively infrequently, only twice before by
still another animal must be taken into mission uses, including training, forestry, the Army.
account in every plan by every directorate. construction and range improvement
Clearly, it would be good to be able to Gopher tortoise CCA
throughout this region.
avoid this situation. The gopher tortoise CCA was created
The Army reports there are about 20 What can landowners do? between 2006 and 2008 by a working
candidate species for listing on its lands or With few exceptions — tiny populations group comprising representatives from
on immediately adjacent land. In addition of cave insects or of fishes in a small pool, the Defense services, U.S. Army Engineer
to these official candidates, there are for example — wildlife uses the available Research and Development Center, several
another 200-plus species at risk on Army- habitat without respect for land ownership state Departments of Conservation and
managed lands, 50 of which are “priority” boundaries. No single landowner, even the Natural Resources, FWS, the Florida
species. That label means the land Department of Defense, is able to provide Fish and Wildlife Commission and the
managers at those installations believe an for all the needs of a species, especially one U.S. Forest Service. Partners who later
ESA listing would adversely affect Army that ranges across multiple states. signed the CCA include the Poarch Band
mission activities. of Creek Indians, the American Forests
There are several formal and informal
Foundation and the Longleaf Alliance.
ways to create an agreement or partnership
Gopher tortoise example The CCA called for improvement in
between a land owner and the FWS to
The gopher tortoise, Gopherus manage a species. The ESA and FWS the way the partners managed tortoises
polyphemus, is a land-dwelling turtle procedures include the most popular one, on their lands and gave guidance for
historically found in parts of six the Habitat Conservation Plan, which has recommended best practices. The
Southeastern states. Recent estimates are been used hundreds of times to conserve CCA also provided for the creation of
that in the last 100 years, gopher tortoise habitat for many species. However, federal monitoring programs to track tortoise
populations have declined by 80 percent. landowners cannot use this plan. populations, record management and
This significant decline contributed to the annual reporting on progress in all actions
To look for better regionwide
developed to improve tortoise habitat.
management for the gopher tortoise,
Acronyms and Abbreviations stakeholders developed a CCA. This The first annual report, for 2009, was
CCA candidate conservation agreement type of agreement may have as many prepared in January 2010, and the second
ERDC Engineer Research and Development Center partners as are necessary to perform in January of this year. This information
ESA Endangered Species Act required actions and may include federal, will aid the development of better regional
FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service state or local agencies, nongovernmental plans for tortoise management across ➤

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 33


Monitoring systems help Fort Hood meet Clean Air Act mandates
by Gary Gerdes

S
ystems to monitor fuel usage and these requirements are
air emissions on equipment at Fort monitoring fuel usage and air
Hood, Texas, proved successful in emissions from combustion
providing real-time data that indicates sources, such as boilers and
compliance status. The systems were generators.
designed and installed as part of the In 2006, Fort Hood
Facility Modernization and Sustainability needed to improve its
Program, which the U.S. Army Engineer monitoring of fuel usage
Research and Development Center and air emissions at various
managed. Project details are reported in boilers and emergency
a new Corps of Engineers Public Works generators. The goal was
Technical Bulletin, PWTB 200-1-84, Air to install systems that
Emissions Source Monitoring Systems. could: obtain instant data
All PWTBs are available on the to demonstrate compliance,
Whole Building Design Guide website, meet recordkeeping
http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/browse_cat. requirements, reduce An oil meter measures fuel usage for boilers at Fort Hood. Photo courtesy
php?o=31&c=215. combustible emissions, of ERDC

Army Regulation 200-1 requires that increase boiler efficiency,


The monitoring systems provided Fort
all installations comply with federal and avoid the time and cost of performing
Hood with an effective method to calculate
environmental regulations, including a stack test.
air emissions from each of the sources.
standards for the management of air Under the FMSP project, the contractor Similar equipment could be installed on
pollution as established by the U.S. designed monitoring systems that use other buildings that affect compliance
Environmental Protection Agency under commercially available programmable with the Clean Air Act, and all of the
the authority of the Clean Air Act and logic controllers, flowmeters and human- systems could be integrated into a central
Amendments of 1990. In Texas, additional machine interface panels. Part of the monitoring station.
monitoring and reporting are required design was the programming necessary to
Funding for the FMSP project came
under the Texas Clean Air Act. Among operate the systems and to record needed
from the Office of the Deputy Assistant
data so that the operators could easily
Acronyms and Abbreviations Secretary of the Army for Environment,
manipulate the data into report form. The
CERL Construction Engineering Research Safety and Occupational Health within
Laboratory systems measure boiler and generator fuel
the Office of the Assistant Secretary of
ERDC Engineer Research and Development Center usage and generator runtimes.
the Army for Installations, Energy and
FMSP Facilities Modernization and Sustainability Monitoring systems were installed on Environment.
Program
boilers that burn natural gas and fuel oil,
PWTB Public Works Technical Bulletin
generators and a thermal oxidizer at three POC is Deborah Curtin, chief, Environmental
Fort Hood buildings: Processes Branch, ERDC’s Construction
(continued from previous page) • Darnall Army Community Hospital – Engineering Research Laboratory, 217-398-5567,
the many places where the species Three large boilers were fitted with sys- deborah.r.curtin@usace.army.mil.
lives. Lessons reported in the PWTB tems to monitor the use of both natural Gary Gerdes, now retired, was a senior project
would be useful to other installations gas and fuel oil. The three emergency manager, ERDC-CERL.
that may want to take a proactive, boilers at Darnall were fitted with run-
regional approach to candidate species
management.
time monitoring systems.
• III Corps Headquarters Building – Look us up on the WEB
Three generators were fitted with run-
POC is Harold Balbach, ERDC, 217-373-6785. time monitoring systems.
Harold Balbach, Ph.D., is a senior research • Building 88027 – The catalytic recupera-
project manager, ERDC’s Construction tive thermal oxidizer that treats volatile http://www.imcom.army.mil/
Engineering Research Laboratory, Champaign, organic emissions from painting opera- sites/pw/digest.asp
Ill. tions was fitted with a natural gas moni-
toring system.

34 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Installations Symposium Reports
IMCOM names Directorate of Public Works awardees
by Gregg Chislett

T
he Installation Management that could not have been done without Acronyms and Abbreviations
Command announced the 2010 cooperation among activities. ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Army Directorate of Public Works Under Mack’s leadership, the DPW DPW director or Directorate of Public Works
Awards April 5 and recognized the winners designed 60 construction and repair FSBP First Sergeants’ Barracks Program FY – fiscal
April 21 at the Installation Management year
projects totaling $40 million in FY 2010.
Symposium in San Antonio. The FY fiscal year
He supervised more than 110 projects
awards honor seven individuals and one IMCOM Installation Management Command
valued at $70 million. He successfully
organization who demonstrate excellence SRM Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization
developed, justified and secured funding
in the management and execution of USAG U.S. Army Garrison
for multiple sustainment, restoration and
installation Public Works and real property modernization projects. of custom systems developed by outside
missions.
Mack is “the go-to guy” for IMCOM, contractors at a fraction of the cost —
The 2010 award winners are: Europe Region, stationing personnel. His less than $20,000 annually. The local
Willimore M. Mack, U.S. Army advice and expertise are sought by other contracting command agreed to use the
Garrison Kaiserslautern, Germany garrison DPWs and the IMCOM staff, software to track contract actions, which
and his personal involvement in the last will enable DPW personnel to track
William C. Gribble Jr., DPW Executive of
days of the fiscal year maximized funding awards, notices to proceed, performance
the Year
by having projects ready to obligate. periods and contractor performance.
Mack, the director of Public Works, (Editor’s note: A photo of Mack was Reece, working with other key personnel,
created an atmosphere of innovation and unavailable.) reduced the post’s water and wastewater
creativity within the DPW. His staff of
Ted A. Reece, Fort Campbell, Ky. privatization operation and maintenance
80 in-house and 290 contractor personnel
costs by $1.1 million — 27 percent —
provides engineering, unaccompanied DPW Engineering and Planning
annually.
personnel housing, operation, maintenance Executive of the Year
and environmental management for the Reece is recognized throughout the
Reece, chief of the Engineering Division
largest garrison in U.S. Army, Europe. garrison as having the largest budget to
and deputy DPW, and his team executed
manage and as one who performs his
In fiscal 2010, the DPW executed more an American Recovery and Reinvestment
duties with exceptional attention to detail.
than 14,000 service orders and 350 works Act program in FY 2010 of more than
orders with the best average execution time $66 million to improve Fort Campbell’s Kent Anderson, USAG Hawaii
in Europe. Mack developed a customer infrastructure. During this time, the team DPW Business Management Executive of
survey system that resulted in steady worked with the Mission and Installation the Year
improvement in customer service. He Contracting Command and U.S. Army
Anderson was named acting chief of
leveraged the total maintenance contractor Corps of Engineers’ Contracting to award
the DPW Business Operations Division.
with the Corps of Engineers, the U.S. four times the normal annual workload.
Under his leadership, the division overcame
Air Force Europe Contracting Office and Since 2007, Reece has worked with significant obstacles in FY 2010.
others, which allowed major renovations in-house information technology personnel
The wildly fluctuating funding levels and
to develop the
the robust SRM program due to ARRA
Work Management
together would have made a difficult year
Database. This
for Business Operations. The addition
cradle-to-grave
of multiple brigade-level deployments
project management
and redeployments, integration of two
software interfaces
major branches in the division and
with the General
severe personnel cuts made 2010 very
Funds Enterprise
complicated. Despite limited business
Business System and
operations experience, Anderson met these
is considered one of
challenges and excelled.
Fort Campbell’s best
practices. The system A combination of Flagship, ARRA
provides much of and storm damage repairs resulted in
Ted A. Reece Kent Anderson workloads 300 percent higher than
Courtesy photo
the functionality
Courtesy photo normal. Anderson’s storm damage ➤

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 35


(continued from previous page) Sandifer used the Lean Six Sigma Some of the cut was achieved through
process to review FSBP functions. She reductions in services, but significant
submission was praised by the region as a
is a subject matter expert on HOMES savings came from innovative approaches,
model report. He developed a $76 million
4, the housing management system, and including the use of borrowed military
ARRA program that ensured the garrison’s
Common Levels of Support, using these manpower for grounds maintenance.
sustainment and restoration needs were
programs to maximize the productivity Preventive maintenance schedules were
met.
and quality of FSBP products. She changed to reduce costs, and efficiencies
Substantial personnel losses dealt a has developed internal metrics that were gained in snow plowing. The utility
blow to the Systems Branch. Anderson continuously focus on improvement and budget was reduced by $1 million by
immediately reprioritized the workload, feed other measurement systems. aggressively collecting reimbursements,
reallocated resources and instituted reducing energy use and finding the lowest
Sandifer clearly demonstrated that
efficiencies that kept DPW systems costs available in the energy market for
she understands the big picture and can
operational despite the reduced staffing. certain commodities.
combine reality with the higher mission.
For example, Anderson improved data
Daniel Golden, Fort Carson, Colo. Among several other environmental
gathering and automated the system to
initiatives, the Fort Carson Recycle
enter, capture and list labor data through DPW Operations and Maintenance Program that Golden leads diverted
the web resulting in time and workload Executive of the Year roughly 4,300 tons of waste from the
savings.
Golden, the DPW Operations and landfill in 2010, saving $465,000.
Anderson also managed a unique Facility Maintenance Division chief, focused on Manfred Rieck, USAG Grafenwoehr,
Manager Unit that was instrumental in setting proper staffing and resource levels Germany
improving DPW customer relations and within both the government oversight staff
coordination. and the large base-operations contract. DPW Garrison Support Executive of the
Because of his forward-thinking planning Year
Hermelinda Sandifer, Fort Hood, Texas
and execution, high quality support Rieck, chief of the DPW Environmental
DPW Housing Executive of the Year
continued to be provided to all customers Division, reduced costs and improved
Sandifer, chief of the Barracks even as Fort Carson experienced growth. business processes and the overall efficiency
Management Branch, orchestrated of the garrison’s environmental programs.
Under Golden’s leadership, funding was
initiatives at all customer levels to promote Rieck’s well-balanced and comprehensive
tracked and new missions were analyzed to
understanding of the First Sergeants’ environmental efforts supported the DPW
ensure that funds were being spent wisely.
Barracks Program. Examples include and the military mission, Soldiers and
In a year of reduced funding, Golden was
quarterly leadership briefings, speaker slots Families. and Military Construction as well
able to cut his budget significantly while
at courses and integration of the Better as effective use of funds and environmental
continuing to provide strong performance
Opportunities for Single Soldiers Program. outreach.
to his customers. The base-operations
Sandifer successfully managed a growing contract cost was reduced by $3 million in Rieck built a professional environmental
FSBP workload, serving 15,978 barracks FY 2010. team at Grafenwoehr. He developed ➤
spaces in 98 permanent and 62
relocatable buildings. Barracks room
availability increased and overdue
work orders decreased despite room
turnover in excess of 10,000 for a
12-month period.
She developed a team that provided
the highest level of service. Under her
leadership, redeploying single Soldiers
were assigned a room and received
its key within one hour of landing at
Fort Hood, allowing these Soldiers to
celebrate their return with friends and
Family without going to the barracks Hermelinda Sandifer Daniel Golden Manfred Rieck
Courtesy photo Courtesy photo Courtesy photo
for room assignment as in the past.

36 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


(continued from previous page) execution and coordination of all opportunities made it an invaluable
subcommittee tasks. resource. Chugach performed on budget
his workforce by enabling high-quality
As the region POC for the Headquarters and on time with all contract deliverables,
professional training, networking and
Installation Information System, Kim and it consistently proposed affordable
cross-training and through an incentive
monitored and coordinated data updates. alternative solutions when budgets didn’t
awards programs.
His superb efforts and technical abilities allow for first choice solutions. Chugach
His many environmental efforts saved or avoided more than $326,000 in
resulted in the resolution of 26 sites
include a study he initiated to compare 2010. The government chose to award
and bases that had been returned to the
the environmental impact of tracked and projects valued at $10.8 million above
Republic of Korea years ago but remained
wheeled vehicles that helps to optimize baseline requirements to Chugach based on
in the system. His work resulted in the
training land sustainment efforts. In close its innovative solutions.
deletion of these locations from the system,
cooperation with German authorities,
greatly increasing the database’s accuracy. For example, during the worst winter in
Rieck improved the surface and
Kim planned, coordinated and flawlessly 63 years, Chugach cleared the arsenal’s 88
groundwater monitoring program. Using
executed the Installation Status Report- miles of roads and 73 acres of parking lots
multiple award remediation contracts
Infrastructure training for Korea Region well ahead of neighboring municipalities.
for soil disposal, he reduced costs from
personnel. His experience and insight Its expert management of competing
$1.06 million to $373,000. He also
helped several new employees quickly learn requirements resulted in saving more than
met environmental requirements while
the techniques and reasons behind the $153,000 in direct snow removal costs by
reducing design and construction costs and
report. His follow-on mentoring ensured redirecting lower priority assets.
accelerating the approval process for 50
new facilities valued at $1.1 billion that will the region and garrisons executed their Chugach also led two Lean Six Sigma
help to accommodate a population increase report duties effectively. studies. One effort reduced waste and
of 8,000. His knowledge of DPW and military improved the Self-Help program, and
operations, skill at using Army software the other reduced energy consumption.
Kwang Nam Kim, IMCOM, Korea
and his ability to synergize with The company’s performance consistently
Region
garrison personnel to improve DPW generated great trust and confidence with
DPW Headquarters Support Executive of the command.
operations enabled him to execute process
the Year
improvements few venture to take on.
Kim, a real property master planner, POC is Jeff Michaels, 210-424-8230, jeffrey.
Chugach Industries Inc., nominated by michels@us.army.mil.
also served as the coordinator for the
USAG Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.
Facilities and Area Subcommittee. Gregg Chislett is the chief, Public Works,
His responsibilities included formal DPW Support Contractor of the Year
Headquarters, IMCOM.
negotiations of real estate issues with Chugach Industries Inc. furnished a
the Republic of Korea. His expertise in team of 235 employees who provided
the complexities of the Status of Forces
Agreement and his diligence enabled the
outstanding service and exceptional
products to Picatinny Arsenal while
Call for ARTICLES
effective displaying professionalism and a
commitment to The July/August 2011 issue of the
excellence. In six
years of a fixed-price Public Works Digest
incentive contract, will feature
Chugach received
the maximum option Infrastructure
award at every
evaluation board. Deadline is June 10
The company’s
submit articles to:
experience and
its ability to mary.b.thompson@usace.army.mil
Graphic courtesy of Chugach
Kwang Nam Kim Industries Inc.
accept problems 202-761-0022
Courtesy photo as challenges and

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 37


Public Works professionals gather in San Antonio
by Mary Beth Thompson

D
uring the April Installations Chislett discussed the importance of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Symposium in San Antonio, preventive maintenance. BAH Basic Allowance for Housing
hosted by the Association of “It’s going back to basics — doing the CEM certified energy manager
the U.S. Army, the Army Public Works O&M [operations and maintenance] DPW Directorates of Public Works
community met in an Installation part of Public Works,” he said. Life-cycle eMH Enterprise Military Housing (operating
Management Command-sponsored maintenance takes care of facilities so that system)
breakout session to hear from its leaders. they function better, use less energy and GFEBS General Fund Enterprise Business System
Gregg Chislett, chief of Public Works, last longer. IMCOM Installation Management Command
IMCOM, and members of his staff spoke R&M Restoration and Modernization
to a group of about 250. A major portion of energy use is for
facilities, Chislett said. The average age of RPLANS Real Property Planning and Analysis System
Public Works challenges Army facilities is about 40 years, and about SRM Sustainment, Restoration and
80 percent of all Army facilities are legacy Modernization
Chislett listed the challenges, as they
structures. TDA Table of Distribution and Allowances
are seen at Headquarters, IMCOM,
that Directorates of Public Works face: “We need to take a look at those,” Aggressive reduction of excess facilities
underfunding of municipal services, he said. “The new ones are really cool is needed, Chislett said. They consume
the unpredictability of Restoration and — LEED [Leadership in Energy and energy and resources. The Army has
Modernization funding, the uncertain Environmental Design] Silver — having all been doing a good job of removing excess
government financial situation, refocusing the efficiencies built into them, but what facilities, but the number continues to
on life-cycle facility management, the the DPW is left with is having to maintain grow.
emphasis on energy security and on water all those facilities, and that gets into Chislett ended his portion of the
and waste reduction, and dealing with training, to make sure we have the right program with the Army Facilities
aging facilities. training program in place to do that.” Investment Strategy: Providing sufficient
“We are working to try to get a Chislett noted that energy security was facilities to meet mission requirements
defendable R&M program, so that we a hot topic at the symposium, that it is a at the least cost with acceptable quality
don’t have to take that 15 percent off your concern for DPWs and that there has been and quantity. The objectives are to sustain
Sustainment,” he said. “That is something no discussion of how it would be paid for. required facilities, demolish or divest excess
we are working very closely with DA facilities, improve existing facility quality
“We recognize there is a cost to do some
[Department of the Army].” and build-out critical facility shortfalls.
of that, but it’s something we have to do,”
he said. Business Operations
Chislett Miriam Ray, chief of the Business
pointed out Operations Branch, talked about resources,
that the manpower and the General Fund
infrastructure Enterprise Business System.
below ground In 2011, DPWs are funded at 75 percent
is part of the of their Facilities Sustainment Model
aging facilities requirements. DPWs should continue
on garrisons. funding sustainment with minimal
“We’re migration to R&M, she advised.
looking at DPWs should develop their 2012 work
‘worst first’ plans with the expectation of receiving
and trying to funding for 75 percent of Facilities
get the aging Sustainment Model requirements, Ray
infrastructure said. There is a possibility that funding
repaired,” he could be reduced further; the potential
said. impact of that has not yet been assessed.
Gregg Chislett, chief of Public Works for IMCOM, talks to the gathering in San Excess “What we do know it means is that
Antonio about the challenges facing the Public Works community. Photos by Mary Beth facilities are it’d definitely reduce our capacity to
Thompson another concern. ➤

38 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


(continued from previous page) don’t match.”
execute centrally managed R&M, because Ray advised garrison
there will be less,” she said. commanders to be
cognizant that DPWs
Now is the time for DPWs to posture
account for the majority of
themselves for next year, Ray said.
garrison funding, and they
Scrutinize contracts and, if the contract has
do their whole business in
grown, look for ways to reduce scope.
GFEBS, a system that has
“That’s setting yourself up for success been very challenging to
next year,” she said. “Difficult decisions learn and incorporate into
have to be made; we all understand that. daily use.
There’s going to be tradeoffs. If you have
“It’s really turned their
growth in a contract, you need to be
world upside down,”
prepared to say what else is going to come Gus DeJesus, chief of the Facilities Management Branch, listens to an
she said. “The message
off the table.” audience question during his presentation on SRM project approvals,
here is, ‘Be patient as we Career Program 18 and the DPW Academy.
Ray discussed manpower reductions. She work through this.’ It’s
counseled DPWs to continue to document absolutely the right thing policy applies to customers who provide
positions on their Tables of Distribution to do; it will provide us with visibility, their own funding to build facilities on
and Allowances and ensure they conform transparency, consistency across the Army, post. The answer was that it does. The
to the required Standard Garrison but it’s going to take us years to get there.” concerns are the trend toward square
Organization structure.
Facilities Management footage growth on installations and the
“And then, work with your resource possible use of excess facilities rather than
managers to correctly identify your over- Gus DeJesus, chief of the Facilities
building new.
hires,” she said. “A lot of those aren’t Management Branch, announced a big
change in Sustainment, Restoration DeJesus serves as the Career Program 18
documented anywhere, and the numbers
and Modernization project approvals. coordinator for IMCOM, too. He has 22
SRM projects that increase the footprint intern allocations this year and is looking
of a building must be sanctioned by for locations that could use one or more
Headquarters, IMCOM. of the allocations. If IMCOM cannot
fill these intern positions, they will have
“If you’re going to add square footage to
to be returned to the career program. He
a building using SRM dollars, you need
appealed to DPWs to let him know if they
to come to Headquarters for approval,” he
have the capability to take on interns.
said.
One attendee suggested using intern
DeJesus responded to questions about
positions in locations where it is known
the process and the turnaround time for
there will be retirements in the near future.
these approvals. He said that IMCOM,
Some over-hire adjustments would have to
without exception, will be using the
be made to accommodate such an effort,
Real Property Planning and Analysis
and Chislett said that that suggestion
System and the real property inventory to
would be examined.
make its determination, so the approval
or disapproval should be quick. The DeJesus also spearheads the DPW
bottomline, he said, is that garrisons Academy, which added five courses this
must correct their RPLANS prior to year.
submitting a request for a square footage “Next year, I’m looking to establish about
increase on that particular category code eight more courses,” he said. He mentioned
and ensure there is no potential in similar housing and inspection of infrastructure
category codes to repurpose the facility to such as dams and bridges as curricula that
Miriam Ray, chief of the Business Operations
Branch, talks about resources, manpower and accommodate the new requirement. may be included under the DPW Academy
GFEBS. An audience member asked whether this umbrella next year. Possible future ➤

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 39


(continued from previous page) four, five, six people depending on your
topic areas include master planning and square footage.”
real property. The Army’s net-zero goals had been
presented at the symposium’s plenary
Energy and Utilities
and breakout sessions. Toor said working
Qaiser Toor, chief of the Energy and toward net-zero installations will be a
Utilities Branch, said that energy is one of learning experience across the Army. He
the Army’s top priorities. advised those posts that were not selected
“The stars are all aligned, and we don’t as pilot programs but have net-zero
get these opportunities very often,” Toor initiatives to continue them.
said. “Please take advantage of this.” Toor said that metering will be funded,
Many garrisons have good energy teams, so DPWs will be able to meet the 2012
but some have only one part-time energy deadline. Connectivity, on the other hand,
manager. Installations that have only a is a challenge. Headquarters, IMCOM, is
part-time energy manager do not have working on a solution to allow the systems
strong programs, he said, and a robust to be on the net at the garrisons.
energy program is essential in the current Certified energy manager training is
environment. Al Carroll, chief of the Master Planning, Military
scheduled for June 22-24. DPWs with Construction and Real Property Branch, provides
“We have identified positions on the energy managers who have not been to an overview of his three areas of responsibility.
TDA for energy managers — 5 million the course should nominate them for this
square feet, and you get one energy training, he said. They should be updated at least annually.
manager,” Toor said. “It’s not one size fits “Depending on the demand, we might One garrison lost $5 million through use of
all. It doesn’t mean you have one energy give another course,” Toor said. “My goal old utility rates.
manager for a post. You’re going to have is to get all the energy managers at least
Master Planning, Military
CEM trained.”
Construction and Real Property
Another of his goals is to have Al Carroll, chief of the Master Planning,
Energy Awareness and Conservation Military Construction and Real Property
Assessments conducted once every Branch, provided an overview of the three
four years on each garrison. For an areas for which he is responsible.
assessment, a contractor spends a week at
Updates to the Unified Facility Criteria,
the installation and develops no-cost and
the Master Planning regulation and the
low-cost project suggestions.
Master Planning Technical Manual will be
“These are well worth the money,” he published soon, he said.
said. “They are only about $20,000 to
Carroll also touched on the importance
$25,000.”
of energy issues as evidenced by the
Toor talked about the importance many discussions at the symposium.
of accurate information in the Army Area development plan is a place that
Energy and Water Reporting System installations can incorporate energy into
saying that it can’t be overemphasized. their master planning.
This data is used extensively for
“We need to think of energy beyond the
reporting upward and decision making.
building envelope,” he said.
Rate setting is another key effort, Toor
Carroll also provided an overview of
said.
Military Construction funding. The fiscal
“At a lot of garrisons, we are not 2012 budget is in the works, and the fiscal
getting all the money we are owed from 2013-14 budget request is at the senior
Qaiser Toor, chief of the Energy and Utilities Branch, reimbursable customers, because we are commander level for comments. He noted
speaks about one of the Army’s top priorities — energy. not updating our utility rates,” he said. that projects requested for 2013-17 ➤

40 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


(continued from previous page) the Enterprise Military Housing operating
that did not include a funding source were system.
routinely moved to 2017. The BAH represents the fair market
RPLANS will be used to determine value of rent that would be paid in the
requirements for future SRM funding, community plus utilities and insurance,
Carroll said. A multi-year effort has been Whited said. The rate is derived largely
under way involving IMCOM garrisons, from data provided by the installation’s
regions and headquarters, along with the Housing Services Office, so if the BAH
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff is thought to be inaccurate, consult the
for Installation Management to perfect Housing Services Office. Ensure that the
reporting in the system so that funding housing surveyed is adjusted to reflect the
levels reflect actual requirements. type of housing appropriate for Soldiers
and their Families.
A Real Property Operations Order will
be issued soon on relocatable buildings, he “We’re not just looking for vacant
said. That’s a high-profile issue that needs housing,” he said. “We’re looking for
to be dealt with. quality housing.”
An audience member asked whether it Misinterpretation of the use of
is necessary to enter structures that will certificates of nonavailability leads to more
Ron Whited, chief of the Housing Branch, talks
be demolished into the installation’s real Soldiers housed off post at greater cost,
about areas of confusion his staff sees concerning the
property inventory he said. The problem occurs when a unit BAH rate, certificates of nonavailability and the
reaches 95 percent occupancy on its own number of Soldiers per room.
“You can demo a building that you own
footprint and then houses Soldiers off post
with your own money at any time,” Carroll
rather than looking on post for vacant old HOMES system, according to Whited.
said. “If you want to seek additional
barracks that could be used. IMCOM has deployed eMH to 32
funding, [the structure’s] got to be reflected
in the real property inventory.” The number of certificates of garrisons, and it will be operational at 81
nonavailability has been significantly garrisons by the end of 2012.
Carroll introduced three subject matter
reduced, but this scenario still costs the
experts who spoke about energy and Virtual networking
Army about $68 million annually.
sustainability. Chislett wrapped up the session with
“This is money that’s really low-hanging encouragement to visit garrisoncommand.
Jennifer Ramieriz, a Corps of Engineers’
fruit,” Whited said. “It would be easy for us com and register for the Public Works
Seattle District architect, talked about an
to capture.” section.
innovative process for making a building
footprint as energy-efficient as it can Another area of confusion is the “One- “There’s a lot of good discussion going
be. Hal Alguire, the Fort Carson energy Soldier-One-Room” standard. Some on out there,” Chislett said. “You can
manager, spoke on what can be done at garrisons try to apply this to renovation register for the Public Works part of that,
the area development plan level different projects. The standard is for new and you’ll get notification in your e-mail
from the building level. Lyndsey Pruitt, construction only, he said. when there are things added.”
an architect with Corps of Engineers’ Whited talked about the IMCOM-
Headquarters, discussed what can be done developed exportable training model that POCs are Gregg Chislett, 210-424-8626, gregg.
fenceline-to-fenceline to achieve net-zero allows in-house training of personnel chislett@us.army.mil; Miriam Ray, 210-424-8229,
capability. on housing policy, operations and issues. miriam.o.ray@us.army.mil; Gus DeJesus, 210-
The tuition, travel and per diem costs 424-8238, gustavo.dejesus@us.army.mil; Qaiser
Housing Toor, 210-424-8274, qaiser.toor@us.army.mil; Al
are centrally funded. The goal is to fill
Ron Whited, chief of the Housing knowledge gaps among housing personnel. Carroll, 210-424-8240, allan.b.carroll@us.army.
Branch, talked about areas of confusion mil; and Ron Whited, 210-424-8252, ronald.
his staff sees concerning the Basic “We’re going to take the show on the whited@us.army.mil.
Allowance for Housing rate, certificates of road,” Whited said.
Mary Beth Thompson is the managing editor of
nonavailability and the number of Soldiers The eMH, which the Army obtained
the Public Works Digest.
per room. He also touched on training and from the Navy, is superior to the Army’s

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 41


Professional Development
Career Program 18 presents 2011 awards
by Julie Krebs

O
ne of the most valuable lessons of Electrical Design Section, demonstrated Acronyms and Abbreviations
childhood is that people are more a passion and commitment to recruiting CP-18 Career Program 18, Engineers and
important than things. It is easy and developing new talent that led him Scientists – Resources and Construction
to lose sight of that truth as deadlines to volunteer as the district’s CP-18 Intern IMCOM Installation Management Command
approach and the hustle of the modern Program Coordinator. He established LDP Leadership Development Program
office keeps people ever-focused on the quarterly intern meetings, mentored USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
tasks at hand. It’s worthwhile to take a interns in public speaking and professional
moment out of busy schedules to recognize licensing, and engendered a positive engineering as a career and served as a
those who have risen above the call of duty working relationship among interns and recruitment tool to attract future engineers
to enrich the lives and programs for which supervisors. to the Corps of Engineers. He also
they labor. volunteered as co-chair of a community
Rhynard actively worked with local
math program and competition for public
An opportunity to honor several valued universities and attended career fairs to
and private elementary and high school
civilian team members occurred April 13 recruit and educate new employees. He
students.
at this year’s Career Program 18 Annual also worked with the personnel office
Training Workshop in Orlando, Fla. Four to refine the district’s New Employee Joey Skinner, Redstone Arsenal, Ala.,
CP-18 awards were presented: Journeyman Orientation program. His tireless efforts IMCOM, received the Activity Career
of Year, Senior Journeyman of the Year, and exceptional performance resulted in a Program Manager of the Year award.
Activity Career Program Manager of the Year successful intern program that continues to Recognizing the current demographics of
and Lifetime Achievement. develop future leaders. the directorate workforce in combination
with the harvesting of personnel by
Nominations for these awards Jeffery Ide, San Francisco District,
incoming organizations, Skinner, the
came from across the Army, including USACE, was named the Senior Journeyman
deputy director of Public Works, energized
Installation Management Command of the Year. Ide, chief of the Civil Design
a robust workforce revitalization initiative.
regions and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section, is a past graduate of the Tier
This initiative consisted of a four-prong
divisions. Each region and division 3 Leadership Development Program
approach: creating close relationships
solicited nominations and paneled the and recently participated in providing
with local high schools, community
applicants to select its finalist. The finalists exceptional LDP utilization assignments
colleges and universities; employing highly
were reviewed by another panel and ranked for new participants. He provided valuable
recommended students as temporary
according to their personal contributions guidance while serving as a member of
employees; converting those with the
to the CP-18 mission and goals, their the district’s LDP Steering Committee
best attitudes, work ethics and skill sets
advocacy of CP-18 programs and their and greatly assisted its Tier 2 program
to cooperative education positions; and
demonstrated mentoring. by mentoring participants, developing
transitioning those who would provide
Chad Rhynard, Walla Walla District, curriculum and teaching leadership courses.
the greatest value to the directorate in the
USACE, received the Journeyman of Ide’s tireless efforts helped to educate future to intern positions upon graduation.
the Year award. Rhynard, chief of the and encourage students to pursue
Skinner’s intern program gained a ➤

Chad Rhynard Jeffery Ide Joey Skinner Mohan Singh


Courtesy photo Courtesy photo Courtesy photo Photo by F.T. Eyre

42 PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011


Career development: Breaking your own glass ceiling
by Jim Hearn

S
o you want to be a member of the characteristics may not be clearly stated in
Senior Executive Service? Or you the published job announcement.
have other — pick a grade or position An important point is that, even if you
— aspirations. Do you have a plan to get have an intense personality trait, you can
there? If you don’t, you are like many of still function in a job that may be the
your colleagues who react to opportunities opposite of your desired state. Over time,
rather than target their development to though, the effort required to perform
better their chances of success. outside your comfortable personality trait
My thesis, from personal experience will take its toll.
and 25 years of selecting staff, is that most What is your passion? That is an
people don’t plan their careers; their careers Jim Hearn important question to understand as you
just happen to them. Some are lucky, and Photo by Harry Weddington, look at potential positions. If you can
some are not. While I will not debate the Omaha District marry your passion with the requirements
existence of “glass ceilings,” I will say that of the job, you will relish going to work
many glass ceilings are of our own making. Type Indicator. Myers-Briggs targets
four personality traits and looks at the every day. It could be leading people,
Before we examine the external continuum of their intensity: introvert- solving complex problems, protecting the
tools required to market our talents, extravert, intuitor-sensor, thinker-feeler environment or constructing sustainable
introspection is required to ensure we have and perceiver-judge. While this is not an facilities. Doing what we are passionate
the right fit for the targeted position and article on the Myers-Briggs, I will use the about is a powerful motivator for success
organization. “Know thyself,” is a quote introvert-extravert continuum to illustrate and advancement.
often attributed to Socrates or one of the my point. As we journey through our career,
other ancient Greek sages. While true our priorities change. It is very difficult
then, it is also true now. Understanding the If you are a strong introvert, choosing
a position that requires you to constantly to have multiple priorities in one’s life.
strength and direction of your personality Something has to slip. My point is that
traits is critical to assessing a potential interact with the public will be a challenge.
In the same way, if you are a strong if you have outside priorities, your career
position for a right fit. progression might not advance as quickly
extravert, choosing a position whose
There are many professional tools characteristics involve predominantly as anticipated.
available on the market to assess your solitary activities will also be a challenge. Be realistic on how fast you can progress
personality traits. One that is often used in Doing research on the position if you have competing priorities. For
government courses is the Myers-Briggs requirements is important because these example, raising young children, getting
a master’s degree at night, training for an
(continued from previous page) Division Regional Integration Team Ironman Triathlon all require Herculean
and chief of the TransAtlantic Division effort. It would be rare to find someone
reputation for excellence and inspired who could master the first priority and
other agencies to look at ways of Regional Integration Team, retired in
April after dedicating 33 years of service still give 110 percent to his or her career
revitalizing their workforces. advancement.
to USACE as one of its most respected
Mohan Singh, Headquarters, USACE, civilians. His legacy includes design and In summary, knowing yourself is a
was presented a Lifetime Achievement construction of some of USACE’s most categorical imperative in planning your
award. In any given year, the functional complex and unique projects, leadership career. Put in the effort to explore your
chief representative may choose to offer and management of major programs, and inner workings to ensure the best fit with
an award in a special category of service. promulgation of master planning, design potential positions.
These discretionary awards are not and construction policy.
competed and are based on involvement Jim Hearn, Ph.D., is the director, Regional
in the career program goals and POC is Donna Crawford, director, CP-18 Business, Northwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps
objectives, impact on the workforce and Proponency Office, 202-761-7493, of Engineers, and a CP-18 Career Program
enduring contributions. donna.w.crawford@usace.army.mil. Planning Board member.
Singh, who was triple-hatted as the
Julie Krebs is a CP-18 intern, Fort Worth
chief of Interagency and International District, USACE.
Support, chief of the North Atlantic

PUBLIC WORKS DIGEST • MAY/JUNE 2011 43


U.S. Army Installation Management Command
11711 North IH35, Suite 110
San Antonio, TX 78233-5498
www.imcom.army.mil

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