SUCCESS STORY

Aviano AB - July 2002

Spotlight On: Environmental Success Environmental Compliance ...... 2 Air Base Planning GeoMedia (AB), under the command of Pollution Prevention ...... 3 the United Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), is Air Quality located in northern , 50 miles north of Venice, Hazardous & Toxic Materials at the foothills of the Italian . The base Natural & Cultural Resources encompasses over 1,300 non-contiguous acres Solid & Hazardous Waste th and is headquarters to the 16 Air Force, which Water Quality supports air combat operations in southern Europe Environmental Restoration ...... 4 th and portions of the Middle East. The 16 Air TCE Plume st Force is the parent unit of the 31 Fighter Wing, Bio-Remediation whose mission is to conduct air combat and The Challenge ...... 5 combat support in the southern region of Europe and elsewhere in support of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). into comprehensive legislation, with enforcement power, regulating soil and groundwater The ’s Environmental Flight contamination, and remediation actions. The composed of four Italian nationals, two United article is implemented through the adoption of States military personnel, and one United States smaller laws, presidential decrees, and local civilian, has initiated and achieved outstanding ordinances by individual Italian provinces. environmental compliance, pollution prevention, Aviano’s Environmental Protection Committee and environmental remediation programs. Their and environmental subcommittees work to en- outstanding stewardship and management of the sure abidance with all Italian laws in meeting environment has been recognized and applauded defined program objectives. by the as well as the Department of Defense as indicated in being the Committees & Partnering

An Environmental Resource sponsored by HQ Air Force Center for Excellence recipient of the 2000 General Thomas D. White Partnering with the local community is a priority Award and the Secretary of Defense Environ- at Aviano, it solidifies relations and keeps an open mental Security Award for environmental quality

PROACT dialog, enabling Aviano to expedite and accom- at an overseas installation. The successes plish environmental protection objectives. One highlighted below are a brief overview of some committee, the Italian-American Committee, of the excellent environmental work being meets quarterly to discuss environmental and other conducted at Aviano. base issues facing the community and Aviano. The quarterly meetings are hosted on a rotating Environmental Compliance basis by mayors from surrounding towns, and Compliance is maintained in accordance with the provide a forum for resolving environmental con- Final Governing Standard (FGS) for Italy. cerns of both American and Italian communities. st However, the Italian government recently issued The 31 Fighter Wing Commander, Brigadier a complete set of national environmental laws, General Don Hoffman, officially represents the which turned Article 17 of the “Ronchi Decree” views of Aviano to community leaders. Pollution Prevention Success Stories / Aviano AB / July 2002 Environmental Planning information on GeoMedia’s implementation may Planning issues are coordinated with the local be obtained from Mr. Alejandro (Alex) Della Mea, authority and addressed by a commission, consist- DSN 314-632-5394. ing of Italian and U.S. military personnel. Prior to discussion in the commission, the 31st Fighter Pollution Prevention Wing routes proposed work orders and projects The 31st Fighter Wing has established three goals to all offices for comment. Mr. Gabriele Scandola, to further environmental stewardship achieve- DSN 314-632-5394, within Environmental Flight ments: 1) improve air and water resources, 2) provides input and, as needed, solicits contribu- reduce operational costs; and 3) protect and tions from other members. Comments are tracked enhance natural resources. In order to obtain these in a database; thereby storing the information in lofty goals the Wing looks to eliminate, modify, a single location and guaranteeing all environ- or control all potential sources of pollution, which mental issues are addressed. The added efficiency includes locating viable substitutes for hazardous of using a database has enabled the flight to spend materials and the recovery of both solid and extra time in analyzing work orders and projects hazardous waste. For additional information on not only for environmental compliance but also Aviano's pollution prevention initiatives contact for possible pollution prevention opportunities. Master Sergeant Joseph Gura, DSN 314-632- 5394. GeoMedia Aviano, with assistance from USAFE and the Air Air Quality Force Center for Environmental Excellence, is In 2000, Aviano accomplished a comprehensive implementing the GeoMedia, Geographical air emissions inventory that identified all sources Information System (GIS). This effort began in of air pollution and established baseline emission 2000, with the base combining the vast amount values. The results from the inventory were placed of data generated from sampling, inventory in a central database, enabling Aviano to measure studies, and site characterizations with digitized program compliance and identify air pollutant maps and/or photos. A single contractor is reduction opportunities. By tracking emission data responsible for managing Aviano’s GeoMedia in this manner, air emission analysis is simplified system, which includes creating a standardized and emission trends are easily extracted. Using electronic format for converting existing data and these emission trends, the Wing compiled air reports. In addition Aviano requires all data from emission histories and identified equipment new deliverables to be placed in the standard requiring maintenance, modification, and/or format for integration into the system. Recently replacement. completed surveys for asbestos, lead-based paint, polychlorinated phenols, air emissions, and storage Hazardous & Toxic Materials tank data are being incorporated for use not only Aviano developed and incorporated a standard by the Environmental Flight but all other organiz- clause into all statements of work requiring ations to facilitate project planning objectives and contractors to have all hazardous material work orders. The GeoMedia system is permanent, approved prior to use; thereby, prompting easily maintained, and available through the base’s contractors to seek out less hazardous and toxic intranet allowing for instant and secure access to materials. This contractual clause has reduced large amounts of data in a single standardized the occurrence of hazardous unknowns saving format. This system also includes a search function money in sampling and disposal costs, and has and permits customized reporting. Additional since been used to develop a command standard.

Page 2 of 6 PROACT: http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/pro-act Pollution Prevention Success Stories / Aviano AB / July 2002 Aside from reducing the amount of new hazardous Each unit on base supplies volunteers to walk the and toxic material being brought on base, Aviano flight line and perform a “rabbit round up” to safely actively works to eliminate the presence of these remove and relocate the rabbits to a safer environ- substances used in past activities. The Wing ment. successfully inventoried and removed all sources of polychlorinated biphenol (PCB) and triphenols Natural & Cultural Resources (PCT) resulting in the base being declared PCB/ Aviano AB, originally established in the early PCT free in 2001. However new polychlorinated 1900’s, served as one of the first Italian aviation chemicals were added, with the implementation schools prior to and as tank training of new Italian regulations, which the base is grounds after World War II. Since the world wars currently resurveying and testing for. Mr. Della the air base has had several occupants, the latest Mea has additional information on the PCB/PCT being the U.S. Air Force who has occupied the initiative as well as the status of Aviano’s asbestos base since 1955. Mr. Scandola, with the aid of and lead-based paint programs. the University of Trieste, has information on all known historical artifacts and sites in the area. The majority of cultural sites documented in the area are located outside of the base’s perimeter; however, Aviano is home to aircraft hangars built in the mid 1930’s, which draws interest from the local community and requires preservation. The chance of uncovering undocumented historical artifacts during military projects always exists; therefore, the 31st Fighter Wing has outlined procedures in their Cultural Resource Manage- ment Plan to handle such occasions should they arise. HazMat Pharmacy Aviano is also home to various species of flora Another critical chemical reduction measure at and fauna. Biologists from the University of Aviano is in the use of pesticides. Locating and Trieste, working in partnership with Mr. Scandola, using alternatives to chemical pesticides is a high identified a rare orchid found only in dry river- priority since the base is non-contiguous and beds. The area in which the flower grows is pro- surrounded by farmland. To achieve an 80% tected and maintained to ensure suitable habitat reduction in chemical usage, Aviano has imple- for continued propagation and proliferation. The mented various mechanical pest control methods. 31st Fighter Wing also works with the Italian For instance, screens have been installed in area National Forestry Department to treat various local buildings to prevent pigeons from nesting and in tree diseases and in preserving a large Sophora buildings that cannot be screened, traps are being Japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) specimen located used to successfully remove the pigeons. On the on base. In addition, Aviano teamed with the local flight line a noise cannon has been employed to community to plant over 100 native trees during disperse birds, aiding in the Bird Air Strike Hazard a recent Earth Day celebration. (BASH) program. In addition the base works in coordination with the Italian National Forest Solid & Hazardous Waste Department to implement a catch, relocation, and Since Italy’s entry into the European Union, there release program for certain pests such as rabbits. has been an increased emphasis on recycling and

PROACT: http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/pro-act Page 3 of 6 Pollution Prevention Success Stories / Aviano AB / July 2002 environmentally sound waste disposal practices. camera system and several drum/can crushers. Aviano requires all American community members The above process changes reduced hazardous to segregate their solid waste into the following waste generation, manpower, and disposal costs. eight recyclable categories: wet waste, dry waste, For additional information regarding Aviano’s glass, aluminum, scrap metals, plastic, wood, and solid waste management and hazardous material concrete. The wet and dry waste is further segre- and/or waste management programs contact Mr. gated into compost, inert, and burnable products. Lonnie Duke, DSN 314-632-5393. The burnable products are taken to an incinerator for energy recovery and the inert products are Water Quality disposed of in a landfill. Aviano’s compliance Aviano’s water, along with the entire Friuli with the Italian solid waste regulations has resulted Region, is supplied by an aquifer. To understand in an approximated 98% solid waste diversion rate potential impacts to this water source a ground- from landfills. This waste is burned for energy water model was developed to assess water usage recovery with the remaining 2% being sent to a and the effects of conservation measures. A landfill. To assist American personnel and their potential impact, currently being resolved, is the families in understanding local solid waste use of drywells to dispose of wastewater. Waste- programs, the 31st Fighter Wing Environmental water disposal in this manner is an acceptable Flight developed a recycling website. The site practice; however, to protect and conserve this provides local Italian waste disposal guidelines resource Aviano, in coordination with the local translated into English along with Aviano’s community and in cooperation with USAFE, recycling procedures, thereby ensuring com- developed plans to construction a new wastewater pliance while furthering waste segregation efforts. treatment plant. Ground was broken at the site of the new plant on July 2001 and is scheduled for completion in December 2003. When completed the plant will not only treat wastewater from Aviano but also service the surrounding commu- nity. For information on this and other water quality initiatives contact Mr. Gabriele Scandola.

A significant portion of the wastewater being disposed comes from numerous oil/water sep- arators. During 2000 an inventory was conducted, Dumpsters at the Recycling Facility which identified 32 units on Aviano, of these 14 have been removed at a cost of $160,000 saving Aviano has also worked to ensure compliance an estimated $90,000 annually on maintenance with hazardous waste requirements, achieving no and repair. The remaining units are being an- disposal discrepancies in 2000. In addition alyzed for replacement by a closed-loop system, USAFE conducted a pollution prevention oppor- which would completely eliminate this pollution tunity assessment, which resulted in Aviano source. Another initiative implemented by the 31st reviewing and implementing several process Fighter Wing to protect water quality was the changes to reduce the volume of hazardous waste removal and/or replacement of 100 regulated generated. Aviano successfully identified a local heating oil and generator underground storage contractor to accept laser printer and copier toner tanks (UST). All regulated UST have been either cartridges for recycling, implemented an anti- removed and/or replaced with above ground freeze recycling program, and procured a digital storage tanks (AST), which are doubled walled

Page 4 of 6 PROACT: http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/pro-act Pollution Prevention Success Stories / Aviano AB / July 2002 and surrounded by six inches of concrete. This Bioremediation initiative, accomplished at a cost of approximately Bioremediation is used as an aid in closing open $3 million, ensured compliance with the FGS four enforcement actions. The treatment of contami- years ahead of schedule and eliminated sources nated soils by bioventing at the North Petroleum, of potential water contamination. Oil, and Lubricant (POL) facility is being used successfully. In 1996 the original analysis for the North POL facility indicated a presence of 3000 parts per million (ppm) of hydrocarbons in the soil, well above Italian regulatory limits. Current analysis indicates the level of contaminants in the soil at 800 ppm, an average reduction rate of approximately 450 ppm per year.

Above Ground Storage Tank

Environmental Remediation Aviano’s restoration program, under the direction of Dr. Dainele Papais, DSN 314-632-5394, is currently managing 166 sites. The program works aggressively with Air Force, local, and national North POL Facility officials to ensure a quick, accurate, and complete cleanup of contaminated sites. The Challenge… TCE Plume To balance the mission and people without In 1987 at Fontannafreda, an off-base plume of sacrifice of either environmental or fiscal trichloroethylene (TCE) was identified. The 31st constraints is becoming more difficult by the day, Fighter Wing first conducted modeling of the especially when the mission grows without plume to determine the movement and potential corresponding increases in manpower or operating impact of the TCE plume on base drinking water budgets. However, Captain Secody, Environ- wells. In coordination with the Italian military, mental Flight Chief, DSN 314-632-5394, and local and regional authorities, monitoring wells dedicated personnel have risen to the challenge, were constructed and continue to be installed implementing an aggressive environmental along with implementation of a comprehensive program, which has distinguished itself as one of sampling program. The information obtained from the best in the United States Air Force. The the monitoring well program will be entered into Environmental Flight at Aviano AB has a program the model to aid in predicting future impacts of that actively incorporates interagency cooperation, the TCE plume. The results from the modeling resolves problems, and plans for the future by and well monitoring program indicates only one embracing new technologies and methods to potable water well requires the installation of a ensure the 31st Fighter Wing’s mission is carried treatment system. out with minimal impact to the environment.

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Pollution Prevention Success Stories - Aviano AB, July 2002 Success stories are a product of PROACT, a service of the Environmental Quality Directorate, Headquarters Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (HQ AFCEE/EQ), Brooks AFB, Texas. Any comments or suggestions are welcomed and should be directed to PROACT at DSN 240-4240, (800) 233-4356, or [email protected].

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