SUCCESS STORY Aviano AB - July 2002 Spotlight On: Environmental Success Environmental Compliance ....................2 Aviano Air Base Planning GeoMedia Aviano Air Base (AB), under the command of Pollution Prevention ...............................3 the United Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), is Air Quality located in northern Italy, 50 miles north of Venice, Hazardous & Toxic Materials at the foothills of the Italian Alps. 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 31st Fighter Wing’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 United States Air Force 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 World War I 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