The awards recognize individuals, teams, and installations for their exceptional environmental achievements and innovative, cost-effective environmental practices. “Our men and women work hard to keep environmental stewardship a top priority while simultaneously advancing our National Defense Mission.” These efforts “foster a special type of innovation worthy of national recognition,” stated Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
In FY 2015, DoD invested approximately $3.8 billion for its environmental programs: $1.8 billion to cleanup contamination from past DoD activities; $1.3 billion to comply with environmental laws; $377 million to protect natural and cultural resources; and $184 million for research and development to reduce environmental impacts of DoD activities and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental solutions. These investments help DoD to continue ensuring the protection of human health and the environment, and to sustain the resources required to support the readiness of our Nation’s Armed Forces.
The nine winners chosen from a total of 30 nominations are:
Natural Resources Conservation, Small Installation: Camp Dawson Army Training Site, West Virginia Army National Guard – achieved key natural resources conservation goals through strategic local partnerships and efficient resource management. For more information, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2016SECDEF.cfm.
Natural Resources Conservation, Individual/Team: Fort McCoy Natural Resources Branch, Wisconsin – demonstrated sound natural resources stewardship while supporting and sustaining a military training environment, biological diversity, and commercial and recreational opportunities. For more information, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2016SECDEF.cfm.
Environmental Quality, Non-Industrial Installation: Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California – implemented a collaborative and innovative environmental management program to reduce water usage, minimize waste, and positively impact the community. For more information, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2016SECDEF.cfm.
Environmental Quality, Individual/Team: Eglin Air Force Base Environmental Quality Team, Florida – demonstrated a holistic environmental management approach to exceed waste diversion and renewable energy goals, maintain compliance, and minimize impacts to the Mission. For more information, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2016SECDEF.cfm.
Sustainability, Industrial Installation: Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Florida – displayed environmental leadership by exceeding DoD goals in energy intensity reduction, e-waste disposal, and high performance and sustainable buildings. For more information, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2016SECDEF.cfm.
Environmental Restoration, Installation: Beale Air Force Base, California – used an objective-focused restoration approach and collaborative partnerships to protect human health and the environment, and make significant progress in cleaning up contamination from past defense activities. For more information, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2016SECDEF.cfm.
Environmental Restoration, Individual/Team: Vieques Environmental Restoration Program Team, Puerto Rico – addressed unique restoration challenges through accelerated and innovative cleanup activities, groundbreaking technologies, and strategic partnerships. For more information, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2016SECDEF.cfm.
Cultural Resources Management, Large Installation: White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico – collaborated with local stakeholders to ensure preservation of White Sands Missile Range cultural history and streamlined cultural resources management. For more information, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2016SECDEF.cfm.
Environmental Excellence in Weapon System Acquisition, Large Program: KC-46 Program Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Team, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio – employed a cross-functional team to integrate cost-effective environment, safety, and occupational health measures into the full system design lifecycle of the replacement aircraft for the U.S. Air Force aging tanker fleet. For more information, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards/2016SECDEF.cfm.
For more than 50 years, DoD has recognized the incredible work that the men and women within the Department do each day to protect the environment and our Nation’s resources. Military Services and Defense Agencies submit nominations for each of the nine award categories. A diverse panel of judges representing federal and state agencies, academia, and the private sector select the winners.
For more information on the DoD Environmental Awards Program, please visit: www.denix.osd.mil/awards.