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Georgia Army National Guard
                                Environmental Stewardship
                                    Branch Newsletter
                                     Volume 2, Issue 3


                                         Our Mission
                                         The Georgia Department of Defense Environmental Stewardship Branch exists to
                                         support Commanders and their Mission by reducing environmental liabilities and
                                         promoting the US Army Environmental Stewardship Program.



                                         Our Vision
                                         Our vision is one of maintaining readiness, while utilizing knowledge and resources
                                         to make informed decisions regarding our environment. To protect and conserve
                                         today’s resources for tomorrow’s National Guard Soldiers and the Citizens of
                                          Georgia.
                         Stenka Vulova




                                         FALL IS IN THE AIR!
                    ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP BRANCH STAFF
Dania     Aponte      Environmental Programs Director                  (678) 569-6707 dania.g.aponte@us.army.mil
Butch     Thompson    Sustainability Program Manager, South            (912) 448-4192 butch.thompson@us.army.mil
Felicia   Nichols     NEPA Program Manager                             (678) 569-6755 felicia.nichols@us.army.mil
Randy     Drummond Restoration and Clean-up Manager,                   (678) 569-6750 randy.drummond1@us.army.mil
                   Sustainability Program Manager, North
Karen     Corsetti    Pest Management Program Manager                  (678) 569-6751 karen.corsetti@us.army.mil
Yvonne    Edwards     Environmental Specialist, Recycling Program      (678) 569-6752 etta.edwards1@us.army.mil
Kathryn   Norton      Cultural Resources Program Manager               (678) 569-6726 kathryn.f.norton@us.army.mil
Frances   Grieme      eMS Program Manager, Technical                   (678) 569-6749 frances.grieme@us.army.mil
Michael   Holloway    Environmental Assessor – Cumming                 (678) 569-3841 michael.holloway3@us.army.mil
Tangy     Johnson     Environmental Assessor – Ft. Stewart             (912) 448-4195 tangy.johnson@us.army.mil
Kip       Rummel      Environmental Assessor – CNGC, Atlanta           (678) 569-3840 o.rummel@us.army.mil
Paul      Hansen      Environmental Assessor – Macon                   (404)803-8578     paul.hansen3@us.army.mil
Megan     Spells      Environmental Assessor – Tifton                  (678) 569-8458 megan.e.spells@us.army.mil



          ~Clay National Guard Center- 1000 Halsey Avenue, Building 70, Marietta, GA 30060~

                                                                                                              September2012
Page 2


      CFMO-ENV Activities heading into Autumn


Some of the major events and goals of the CFMO-ENV group:

AUGUST 2012 – CFMO-ENV said farewell this month to our sum-
mer intern, Ms. Stenka Vulova, a fourth year ecology student at the
University of Georgia, Athens. Stenka was most helpful during the
summer months, pitching in to assist all team members with water/
ecology issues and cultural resource items.
SEPTEMBER 2012 - The CFMO-ENV division participated in the An-
nual Georgia Environmental Conference (GEC), held in Savannah, GA
September 23-25th. Much of what you will read in this newsletter is
gleaned from presentations and information gathered at the work-
shops. Information presented each year in this training session is vital to us as environmental professionals be-
cause it represents the most current, leading edge knowledge in various areas of environmental science and stew-
ardship. See Page 9 for more information on the GEC.
Ms. Dania Aponte, Environmental Programs Director, attended National Guard Bureau’s Certified Officer Repre-
sentative (COR) and CFMO Contracting Compliance workshop the week of September 20th. The course offered
a basic overview of the contracting process and how that process fits into the CFMO framework.

Continuing Endeavors throughout the 3rd Quarter of 2012:

Natural Resources Management: The Georgia Army National Guard (GAARNG) recently launch an Environ-
mental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential physical, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic effects of a
proposed Site Development Plan (SDP) at our Oglethorpe installation. Scoping letters with regulatory agencies
and tribal organizations went out this month to notify of the proposed undertaking.
Compliance Program: GAARNG assessors are located at Cumming, Clay, Macon, Tifton and Ft. Stewart. The
Southern Region program manager, Mr. Butch Thompson, is continuing training for all Guard personnel through
the Environmental Officer classes (EO/UECO training). He continues to work with all facilities to ensure that
EOs are properly trained and that we all strive for successful environmental practices. Remaining EO/UECO
training classes are scheduled as shown on Page 7.
GA Environmental Management System (GeMS): Our GeMS program was successfully launched in 2011. The
program is steadily moving towards conformance with ISO 14001 by December of this year. Please see article on
Page 3.

Cultural Resources Management : The Cultural Resources Program Division is in the beginning phases of con-
tracting an Armories Historic Survey for facilities that meet the age criterion since the last statewide survey. The
project will be advertised within the next week. Also, the cultural resources team is excited to announce an-
other Memorandum of Agreement signed with the federally recognized tribe, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town. Please
see article on Page 6.

                      “God Bless America. Let’s save some of it.” ~Edward Abbey
Page 3



                                          Recently Launched Programs


                      Clay National Guard Center Recycling Program
We are pleased to announce that the Clay National Guard Center Recycling Program Initiative was imple-
mented on July 27, 2012. An event meeting was held on July 24, 2012, for the employees to learn about the
benefits of recycling and how the program works.
                                    This program only recycles paper and cardboard at this time. Our goal is
                                    to reduce the amount of paper into the waste stream. The average office
                                    worker in the U.S. uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper each year.
                                    This year we will be celebrating America Recycles Day. It is celebrated
                                    nationwide each November 15, and celebrates the benefits of recycling
                                    through an array of awareness-raising events nationwide.

For more information, please contact Ms. Yvonne Edwards at (678) 569-6752 or etta.edwards1@us.army.mil.


                   Georgia Environmental Management System (GeMS)

                 Georgia Army National Guard’s eMS Awareness Training
On June 19 – 21 2012, the GAARNG had senior leadership (TAG, CG, COS, EQCC) eMS Awareness Train-
ing. The opportunity to participate in this training was a critical step in successful implementation of eMS.
Mr. Bill Wiatt, with Dolphin Environmental, LLC, spent the time providing a framework for how an eMS
works, stressing the importance of command commitment, reviewing the elements of the ISO 14001 stan-
dard, emphasizing the significance of sustainability in all functions of the GAARNG, and providing eMS im-
provement steps.
The traditional belief was that environmental management was implementing the program to avoid negative
consequences. Today the use of eMS is to move forward with a vision to support mission accomplishment
and sustainability while integrating environmental goals throughout all functions. The eMS approach is the
collective responsibility of every soldier, civilian and contractor on the installa-
tion. Like the responsibility for safety, it should be a part of the daily workforce
routine. This change—over time and through active, consistent leadership com-
mitment—will eventually allow the GAARNG to make management of the envi-
ronmental activities a natural part of everyone’s standard operating procedure.
We are continually moving forward with improvement and implementation of the
GAARNG GeMS. We are excited about getting everyone within the GAARNG
on board with how we manage our environmental responsibilities while staying
mission focused!
If you have any questions regarding the GeMS Program or eMS, please contact
(678) 569-6749 or frances.grieme@us.army.mil.
Page 4



                       Resource Conservation


                                         Ways to Conserve Water*
With drought covering all of the region, conservation is a must. So what can you do?
Outdoors
    Add organic matter to the soil to improve water holding capacity.
    Mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation and cut down on weeds.
    Use soaker hoses to water shrubs and trees.
    Read plant tags and choose the right plant for your sun/shade/soil conditions.
    Consider drought tolerant plants.
    Follow the State Outdoor Watering Rules: www.gaepd.org/Documents/outdoorwater.html.
Indoors
    Keep showers under five minutes.
    Repair leaks promptly.
    Install low-flow showerheads and faucets.
    Replace old toilets with water-efficient ones.
    Check to see if your house is eligible for a toilet rebate: www.northgeorgiawater.org.
(*Source: Atlanta Regional Commission)

                          Restoration and Clean-up Program
Under the laws that regulate the cleanup and removal of contaminated soil or groundwater at our GAARNG
sites, the first goal is to identify and quantify three characteristics of the area:
1 – The depth of any contaminated soil or groundwater
2 – The nature (or type and characteristics) of all chemicals associated with any
contamination
3 – The extent (or width, shape, outline) of any contaminated area.
In order to identify these three factors, samples are taken by using hydraulic
equipment to either drill or push hollow steel tubes into the ground that al-
low us to take a continuous sample (called a core) that represents what is
below the ground. The pictures below are from recent samplings that we
have conducted at one of our locations.
                                   In the coming months and years, more of our sites across the state will be
                                   sampled to ensure that we have identified any and all of our property that
                                   may need to be studied further and cleaned up if necessary. So anytime you
                                   see equipment such as in the pictures here, you will know that the
                                   GAARNG is hard at work as stewards of the environment. For more infor-
                                   mation, contact Mr. Randy Drummond at 678.569.6750 or
                                   randy.drummond1@us.army.mil.
Page 5



                                      Natural Resources Management


                        The Economic Benefits of Land Conservation
The Georgia Forestry Commission was established in 1949 by the General Assembly. Their mission, to pro-
vide leadership, service and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia’s forest resources.
Georgia has more acres of timberland than any other state in the nation. As can be seen from the chart,
Georgia’s timberland acreage has remained approximately 24 million acres since the 1950s. The marked in-
crease in timberland from 1936 to 1953 coincides with the establishment of the Georgia Forestry Commis-
sion in 1949.
                                                      It can clearly be seen that the benefit of continued
                                                      volumetric growth in Georgia’s forest population is
                                                      vital. Ecosystem services and ecological functions of
                                                      Georgia’s forests generate $37.6 billion/year. Cur-
                                                      rently, Georgia’s volume growth exceeds removal by
                                                      38%.
                                                      Forbes magazine ranks Georgia third in the nation for
                                                      potential biomass energy. We are ranked number
                                                      one in wood pellet production which will be covered
                                                      more in-depth in the article that follows.
                                                       A growing concern is that private property owners
and corporations be encouraged and given incentives to maintain forest volumes and refrain from develop-
ment that clear cuts, sometimes, thousands of timberland acres in one fell swoop. As can be seen from the
pie chart diagram, a majority of timberland is held in the state of Georgia by private owners, and another
25% is corporately owned.
Continued awareness around this subject is vital to the economic prosperity of many of Georgia’s counties.
Nearly 50% of Georgia’s counties are ranked as moderately to critically dependent upon their forested areas
for economic viability and continued growth.
The greatest single threat to Georgia’s forests is population
growth and urban sprawl. Our population is projected to
increase from 10 to 12 million people within the next 20
years, and we are realizing a loss of approximately 106 acres
of timberland per day to development.
The fact that we’re rated third in potential for biomass en-
ergy, makes it even more crucial that we continue efforts to
maintain and expand our acreages, so that this burgeoning
potential can realized.
For more information, contact Ms. Felicia Nichols at
678.569.6755 or felicia.nichols@us.army.mil.
Page 6



            Cultural Resources Management


  GAARNG Cultural Resources Management Making Headway in Several Areas

The GAARNG is currently in the pre-bid phase for a comprehensive historic survey of all armories that are
approaching or meet the age criterion for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
The baseline survey will determine their eligibility or ineligibility for inclusion on the NRHP, and will provide
valuable information for determination of impacts to cultural/historical resources due to proposed future
GAARNG undertakings. With a baseline survey in hand, time would not be needed integral to the project
life-cycle, as GAARNG would know the determination of eligibility before undertakings are proposed and
environmental studies have begun.
Also, in other cultural resources news, the GAARNG CFMO Environmental Stewardship Division has a
newly adopted Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, a federally recog-
nized tribal nation of Creek origin, with ancestral ties to the state of Georgia. The nation resides in
Okemah, Oklahoma. The GAARNG has had several highly successful consultations over the past few years
with Thlopthlocco Tribal Town and is excited and honored to have this document in place.
MOUs represent an agreement between the two government agencies to work towards good will, ease of
communication, and respect for one another’s interests. The document was signed by Thlopthlocco Tribal
Town on July 19th, 2012 and co-signed on August 17th, 2012 by the Adjutant General of Georgia, James But-
terworth. The GAARNG looks forward to a continued rewarding and cohesive working relationship with
the tribe.
In additional news, the GAARNG Cultural Resources Team anticipates participation in an upcoming FY2013
multi-state Native American Consulta-
tion. The consultation preparations
are underway and are being planned
with our neighboring states of Ala-
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Flor-
ida, with Alabama Army National
Guard as lead agency. At this time,
the upcoming consultation is slated for
the summer of 2013. More informa-
tion will be provided as meeting plans
progress and solidify.
For more information on this program,
please contact Ms. Kathryn Norton at
kathryn.f.norton@us.army.mil or
678.569.6726.



  Scenes of the Headquarters, Georgia State Guard at the Atlanta Armory located on Confederate Avenue, c. 1944
Page 7



                                          Environmental Compliance


   Environmental Officer (EO)/Unit Environmental Officer (UECO) Training 17-
                                   18OCT12
In accordance with AR 200-1 (Environmental Protection and Enhancement), CFMO-ENV will provide one 8
hour block of initial training and one 4 hour block of annual refresher training for personnel assigned Envi-
ronmental Officer (EO)/Unit Environmental Compliance Officer (UECO) responsibilities. The 8 hour initial
training is for personnel that have not received any EO/UECO training and the 4 hour refresher training is
for personnel that have received initial training and require annual refresher training.
Training will be conducted at the Georgia Garrison Training Center (GGTC), Ft. Stewart, GA 17-18OCT12.
Initial EO/UECO training will be conducted on 17OCT12 from 0800-1700 at Building (TBD) and Refresher
EO/UECO training will be conducted on 18OCT12 from 0800-1200 at Building (TBD). Building location will
be promulgated via separate email to attendees upon confirmation from GGTC for building reservation.
Class size is limited to 20 personnel for each class, to register send an email to Mr. Charles “Butch” Thomp-
son at butch.thompson@us.army.mil no later than 12OCT12. Ensure email contains rank, full name, and
unit/facility assigned to as EO/UECO.
EO/UECO training is offered once per calendar quarter by CFMO-ENV and specifically pertains to
GAARNG environmental programs, not host installations. GAARNG units on host installations must attend
the host installations training and comply 100% with host installation environmental program requirements.
GAARNG EO/UECO training rotates between locations at GGTC, Macon, and Clay NGC. All GAARNG
units/facilities are required to have personnel assigned as EO/UECO and trained by the cognizant training
authority to manage environmental issues/concerns at the unit/facility.
EO/UECO training courses scheduled for CY-2013 are as follows:
       16JAN13 – 8 hour Initial, DLC Macon
       17JAN13 – 4 hour Refresher, DLC Macon

       17APR13 – 8 hour Initial, Clay NGC, Building 2
       18APR13 – 4 hour Refresher, Clay NGC, Building 2

       17JUL13 – 8 hour Initial, GGTC, Ft. Stewart, Building TBD
       18JUL13 – 4 hour Refresher, GGTC, Ft. Stewart, Building TBD

       16OCT13 – 8 hour Initial, DLC Macon
       17OCT13 – 4 hour Refresher, DLC Macon

Soldiers should register to attend the course nearest their home station to alleviate issues with obtaining
travel orders and funding. Training will be conducted from 0800-1700 for Initial course and 0800-1200 for
Refresher course on the specified dates. In accordance with AR 200-1 and FM 3-34.5 (Environmental Con-
siderations).
POC is Mr. Charles “Butch” Thompson at butch.thompson@us.army.mil or 912.448.4192.
Page 8



                        News You Can Use!


                                         Did you know…
Clothing can also be recycled? Not just donated for reuse, but actually recycled through processes that al-
low the fibers to be reused to make new garments. Also, there are numerous on-line sites that allow trade,
donation, bartering, or sale for a minimal fee of clothing items. See some of the options below:

                                                        Production vs. Waste
                                                         It requires 700 gallons of water to grow the cot-
                                                            ton used in just one T-shirt. Nearly 1,500 gallons
                                                            of water is needed for a pair of jeans.
                                                         The production of one pound of clothing requires
                                                            as much energy as a 100-watt light bulb uses in 10
                                                            hours.
                                                         Synthetic clothes are made with petroleum-based
                                                            products. The petroleum used can contaminate
                                                            groundwater, surface water, and the ecosystems
                                                            around us.
                                                         The average American consumes 81 lbs. of cloth-
                                                            ing and other textiles per year.
                                                         According to the EPA, more than 12.7million tons
                                                            of textile waste is generated annually. One of the
                                                            larges sources of waste in the USA.
                                                         Each year , the textile recycling industry diverts 1.3
                                                            million tons of waste from reaching U.S. landfills.
                                                            85% of textile waste isn’t recycled!
                                                        You can help this effort by any or all of the
                                                        following:
                                                         Purchase clothes from stores that sell recycled
                                                            clothing
                                                         Donating clothing to organizations such as Good-
                                                            will and Salvation Army
                                                         Buying clothes from second-hand stores
                                                         Cut up old clothes and use them as rags or hand-
                                                            kerchiefs
                                                         Participate in America Recycles Day - November
                                                            15th
                                                         Sign up to participate in Freecycle or ecofreek,
Page 9



                                        Recent Workshops and Training




                                                                       The annual Georgia Environmental
                                                                       Conference was held in Savannah,
                                                                       Georgia September 23-25. Much of the
                                                                       information you will find in this newslet-
                                                                       ter was garnered by CFMO-ENV em-
                                                                       ployees who attended this training.

                                                                       The following articles represent new
                                                                       and emerging topics of interest pre-
                                                                       sented at the GEC.



                                                                       “Man shapes himself through decisions
                                                                           that shape his environment.”
                                                                                  ~Rene Dubos


                     Brownfields and Riverfronts- Textiles and Gateways
                                  Presented by Tangy Johnson
Small towns create bigger gains when they partner with other communities or adapt their programs to enlist
federal assistance to revitalize their communities. Brownfield use is one way to achieve this goal.
The term "Brownfield site" means real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be
complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Note
that for cleanup or RLF grants, there must be documented (not potential) contamination on sites to be addressed.
The law further defines the term “Brownfield site” to include a site that is contaminated by controlled sub-
stances (e.g., meth labs), petroleum or a petroleum based products (e.g. abandoned gas stations), or mine-
scarred lands.
To date, 411 properties have entered Georgia’s Brownfield program and 239 have completed the program.
Some of the benefits of the program is the limitation of liability for groundwater (the seller becomes respon-
sible for any contamination). And, the assessment and cleanup costs can be recovered through tax incentives.
Page 10



        Recent Workshops and Training, contd.


The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) program is designed to empower states, communities, and
other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together in a timely manner to assess, safely clean
up, and promote sustainable reuse of Brownfields. The program provides financial and technical assistance
for Brownfield revitalization, including grants for environmental assessment and cleanup.

Some of the benefits of Brownfield revitalization:

   Protects health and human welfare
   Increases local tax base
   Facilitates job growth
   Utilizes existing infrastructure and helps to prevent urban sprawl
   Takes development pressure off undeveloped land
   Supports cleaner air quality
   Reduces habitat destruction

Tax incentives include Tax Allocation Districts (TADs). These are widely used by municipalities to encour-
age redevelopment in a designated area. TAD dollars can be used to help pay for portions of redevelopment
and the terms vary, but can be as long as 25 to 30 years.

         The Memorial Drive Project: A Gateway Into Downtown Hinesville




                 Before                                                  After
Page 11



                                 Recent Workshops and Training, contd.


     Bringing Science and Practice on Par to Conserve Water on Golf Courses
                           Presented by Michael Holloway
Golf course surfaces play best when the grass is dry, however, moisture is needed to keep the grass alive.

The University of Georgia is working to develop turf grasses of both a cool and warm species, that are
drought resistant. These grasses can be used for home lawns, business and institutional grounds, sports
fields, golf courses, parks, sod/sprig/seed production fields, and highway rights of way.

Some common turf grasses that are drought resistant and can be used in both cool and warm seasons are:

   Bermuda
   Zoysia
   Centipede
   Tall Fescue

Use of alternative irrigation sources in coastal areas is also being explored, with the use of seashore pas-
palum grass that can be irrigated with saltwater.

Irrigation systems are being designed to assist in best management practices for golf course lawns, such as
hand watering and moisture testing, on-site weather monitoring stations, sprinkler head design, nozzle selec-
tion, head spacing, pipe size and water pressure.

At the Ford Plantation in Richmond Hill, GA the irrigation system is being redesigned to set the sprinkler
heads closer together which gives better control and minimizes water loss due to evaporation.

Scheduling of water delivery is also being investigated to maximize use of water sources. And, landscape and
golf course design is being considered from the perspective of better drainage and collection of run-off for
reuse.

Continued education is a must to insure irrigation practices that
conserve water resources. The Gold Course Superintendents
Association of America and the Irrigation Association regularly
present seminars and conduct research with the help of universi-
ties and colleges. Industry periodicals also are available with the
most up to date information, including reclaimed water harvest-
ing and contingency plans such as the Atlanta Country Club’s ve-
hicle washing water recycler which also captures storm water for
reuse.
Page 12



        Recent Workshops and Training, contd.


                      Greening the DOD: Energy & Sustainability
                                  Presented by Paul Hansen
The Energy Initiatives Task Force (EITF) was established by the Secretary of the Army, John McHuge, on
September 15, 2011. The EITF serves as a management office for partnering with Army installations to de-
velop large scale cost-effective renewable energy projects.
Current activities within the EITF are:
   Analysis of renewable energy markets
   Project economics
   Technology
   Resource availability

The Southeast Energy Initiative (SEI) is a collective body designed to strengthen the Department of Defense
(DOD) energy and sustainability. Some of the areas in which the SEI is growing its program are:

   Building Design - an example would be the Community Emergency Service State at Fort Bragg, NC
    (shown below), which received a platinum LEED rating.
   Solar Power - recent projects include the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Ft. Benning, GA. (40,000
    square feet of solar panels completed in September 2011, shown below).
   Landfill Gas energy projects which utilize existing landfill off-gassing to power systems and equipment.
   Hydrogen fuel cells, like the ones at Ft. Jackson, SC which are used as back-up power which reduces
    emissions and lowers lifecycle costs.
Page 13



                                 Recent Workshops and Training, contd.


             Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Georgia’s Environment
                              Presented by Megan Spells

There are several environmental contaminants in Georgia’s environment which are of growing concern to
scientists which monitor these chemicals. Three of these contaminants are:

   PFCs (Per Fluorinated Compounds)
   EE2 (ethynyl-estradiol)
   Dioxane

Persistent pollutants, such as PFCs do not degrade due to the strength of the carbon flourine bond. Various
derivatives of PFCs have been manufactured since the 1940s and remain in humans for an inordinate amount
of time and pose significant health risks to wildlife and people.

EE2 is a pharmaceutically active compound synthetic estrogen used in birth control. In lab studies, scientists
exposed juvenile rainbow trout to 10 nanograms/liter of EE2 for 50 days. This is a dose nearly identical to
reported levels in contaminated rivers and streams.

For the first time, scientists demonstrated that the rainbow trout exposed to this active ingredient had
nearly a 25-fold increase in frequency of abnormal chromosomal sperm, which can affect fertilization, embryo
development and offspring survival.

Dioxane, is a compound found in paint solvents, varnishes, adhesives, detergent, cosmetics and pesticides. It
is also used during the production of flame retardant chemicals, pharmaceuticals and magnetic tape. Dioxane
is listed as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act (CAA) (EPA 2012). A reportable quantity of
100 lbs. has been established under CERCLA (EPA 2012).

These contaminants of growing concern represent shifts in tradi-
tional thinking as many are produced industrially, yet are dispersed
to the environment for domestic and commercial use. Studies will
likely continue to bring new light to the effects of these toxins on
humans, wildlife and the environment at large, shaping policy and
regulations around these substances.
Page 14



          Recent Workshops and Training contd.


                            The Georgia Solar Energy Association
                                  Presented by Kip Rummel
The Georgia Solar Energy Association is a professional organization focused on promoting the solar industry
in Georgia by providing interested customers with solar cell technology
and module performance. The organization matches organizations
with manufacturers, financing strategies and legal references to provide
customers with best solutions for their individual needs.

To demonstrate corporate integration and government cooperation
the group was taken on a tour of the new IKEA distribution center in
Savannah to view Georgia’s largest solar installation yet.

The group was allowed access to the roof of the center to view the
array of 6,076 panels which is scheduled to produce 1.9 million kWh annual electrical output. For reference,
this would power 170 homes annually in Georgia. The current IKEA facility in midtown Atlanta has an array
of 4312 panels, currently producing 1.4 million kWh annual output. This would power 122 homes annually.

IKEA has demonstrated that the technology has progressed to the point that it is a viable alternative to aug-
ment our power requirements. Solar might not be considered as a prime power substitution at this time, but
an alternative to augment requirements during peak load use.

The presentation highlighted the challenges posed by major power companies blocking the incorporation of
alternate energy sources. Alternate energy is viewed as competition to power companies long term survival.
One of the chief challenges often cited as a deterrent to more use of solar power, is one of storage. There
is currently no viable method of storing energy produced.

The presentation also reinforced the need to consider solar as part of the solution to augment energy re-
quirements within the Department of Defense (DOD) under the oversight of the Army Corp of Engineers
(USACE). A long range solution for Clay National Guard Center (CNGC) is solar integration to come in
line with the DOD vision for all federal facilities.

Along with other contemporary solutions which rely on natural forces for production, such as wind turbines
and hydroelectric power, solar energy represents a viable option to conventional power sources. These
conventional sources rely on fossil fuels and other processes that might not be sustainable in days to come.

As a note, the CFMO is currently working on various solar panel projects at-
Building 300, Clay; Winder; and at GGTC. Stay tuned for future updates on
their progress.

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September 2012 georgia army national guard environmental newsletter_v2_issue3

  • 1. Georgia Army National Guard Environmental Stewardship Branch Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 3 Our Mission The Georgia Department of Defense Environmental Stewardship Branch exists to support Commanders and their Mission by reducing environmental liabilities and promoting the US Army Environmental Stewardship Program. Our Vision Our vision is one of maintaining readiness, while utilizing knowledge and resources to make informed decisions regarding our environment. To protect and conserve today’s resources for tomorrow’s National Guard Soldiers and the Citizens of Georgia. Stenka Vulova FALL IS IN THE AIR! ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP BRANCH STAFF Dania Aponte Environmental Programs Director (678) 569-6707 dania.g.aponte@us.army.mil Butch Thompson Sustainability Program Manager, South (912) 448-4192 butch.thompson@us.army.mil Felicia Nichols NEPA Program Manager (678) 569-6755 felicia.nichols@us.army.mil Randy Drummond Restoration and Clean-up Manager, (678) 569-6750 randy.drummond1@us.army.mil Sustainability Program Manager, North Karen Corsetti Pest Management Program Manager (678) 569-6751 karen.corsetti@us.army.mil Yvonne Edwards Environmental Specialist, Recycling Program (678) 569-6752 etta.edwards1@us.army.mil Kathryn Norton Cultural Resources Program Manager (678) 569-6726 kathryn.f.norton@us.army.mil Frances Grieme eMS Program Manager, Technical (678) 569-6749 frances.grieme@us.army.mil Michael Holloway Environmental Assessor – Cumming (678) 569-3841 michael.holloway3@us.army.mil Tangy Johnson Environmental Assessor – Ft. Stewart (912) 448-4195 tangy.johnson@us.army.mil Kip Rummel Environmental Assessor – CNGC, Atlanta (678) 569-3840 o.rummel@us.army.mil Paul Hansen Environmental Assessor – Macon (404)803-8578 paul.hansen3@us.army.mil Megan Spells Environmental Assessor – Tifton (678) 569-8458 megan.e.spells@us.army.mil ~Clay National Guard Center- 1000 Halsey Avenue, Building 70, Marietta, GA 30060~ September2012
  • 2. Page 2 CFMO-ENV Activities heading into Autumn Some of the major events and goals of the CFMO-ENV group: AUGUST 2012 – CFMO-ENV said farewell this month to our sum- mer intern, Ms. Stenka Vulova, a fourth year ecology student at the University of Georgia, Athens. Stenka was most helpful during the summer months, pitching in to assist all team members with water/ ecology issues and cultural resource items. SEPTEMBER 2012 - The CFMO-ENV division participated in the An- nual Georgia Environmental Conference (GEC), held in Savannah, GA September 23-25th. Much of what you will read in this newsletter is gleaned from presentations and information gathered at the work- shops. Information presented each year in this training session is vital to us as environmental professionals be- cause it represents the most current, leading edge knowledge in various areas of environmental science and stew- ardship. See Page 9 for more information on the GEC. Ms. Dania Aponte, Environmental Programs Director, attended National Guard Bureau’s Certified Officer Repre- sentative (COR) and CFMO Contracting Compliance workshop the week of September 20th. The course offered a basic overview of the contracting process and how that process fits into the CFMO framework. Continuing Endeavors throughout the 3rd Quarter of 2012: Natural Resources Management: The Georgia Army National Guard (GAARNG) recently launch an Environ- mental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential physical, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic effects of a proposed Site Development Plan (SDP) at our Oglethorpe installation. Scoping letters with regulatory agencies and tribal organizations went out this month to notify of the proposed undertaking. Compliance Program: GAARNG assessors are located at Cumming, Clay, Macon, Tifton and Ft. Stewart. The Southern Region program manager, Mr. Butch Thompson, is continuing training for all Guard personnel through the Environmental Officer classes (EO/UECO training). He continues to work with all facilities to ensure that EOs are properly trained and that we all strive for successful environmental practices. Remaining EO/UECO training classes are scheduled as shown on Page 7. GA Environmental Management System (GeMS): Our GeMS program was successfully launched in 2011. The program is steadily moving towards conformance with ISO 14001 by December of this year. Please see article on Page 3. Cultural Resources Management : The Cultural Resources Program Division is in the beginning phases of con- tracting an Armories Historic Survey for facilities that meet the age criterion since the last statewide survey. The project will be advertised within the next week. Also, the cultural resources team is excited to announce an- other Memorandum of Agreement signed with the federally recognized tribe, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town. Please see article on Page 6. “God Bless America. Let’s save some of it.” ~Edward Abbey
  • 3. Page 3 Recently Launched Programs Clay National Guard Center Recycling Program We are pleased to announce that the Clay National Guard Center Recycling Program Initiative was imple- mented on July 27, 2012. An event meeting was held on July 24, 2012, for the employees to learn about the benefits of recycling and how the program works. This program only recycles paper and cardboard at this time. Our goal is to reduce the amount of paper into the waste stream. The average office worker in the U.S. uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper each year. This year we will be celebrating America Recycles Day. It is celebrated nationwide each November 15, and celebrates the benefits of recycling through an array of awareness-raising events nationwide. For more information, please contact Ms. Yvonne Edwards at (678) 569-6752 or etta.edwards1@us.army.mil. Georgia Environmental Management System (GeMS) Georgia Army National Guard’s eMS Awareness Training On June 19 – 21 2012, the GAARNG had senior leadership (TAG, CG, COS, EQCC) eMS Awareness Train- ing. The opportunity to participate in this training was a critical step in successful implementation of eMS. Mr. Bill Wiatt, with Dolphin Environmental, LLC, spent the time providing a framework for how an eMS works, stressing the importance of command commitment, reviewing the elements of the ISO 14001 stan- dard, emphasizing the significance of sustainability in all functions of the GAARNG, and providing eMS im- provement steps. The traditional belief was that environmental management was implementing the program to avoid negative consequences. Today the use of eMS is to move forward with a vision to support mission accomplishment and sustainability while integrating environmental goals throughout all functions. The eMS approach is the collective responsibility of every soldier, civilian and contractor on the installa- tion. Like the responsibility for safety, it should be a part of the daily workforce routine. This change—over time and through active, consistent leadership com- mitment—will eventually allow the GAARNG to make management of the envi- ronmental activities a natural part of everyone’s standard operating procedure. We are continually moving forward with improvement and implementation of the GAARNG GeMS. We are excited about getting everyone within the GAARNG on board with how we manage our environmental responsibilities while staying mission focused! If you have any questions regarding the GeMS Program or eMS, please contact (678) 569-6749 or frances.grieme@us.army.mil.
  • 4. Page 4 Resource Conservation Ways to Conserve Water* With drought covering all of the region, conservation is a must. So what can you do? Outdoors Add organic matter to the soil to improve water holding capacity. Mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation and cut down on weeds. Use soaker hoses to water shrubs and trees. Read plant tags and choose the right plant for your sun/shade/soil conditions. Consider drought tolerant plants. Follow the State Outdoor Watering Rules: www.gaepd.org/Documents/outdoorwater.html. Indoors Keep showers under five minutes. Repair leaks promptly. Install low-flow showerheads and faucets. Replace old toilets with water-efficient ones. Check to see if your house is eligible for a toilet rebate: www.northgeorgiawater.org. (*Source: Atlanta Regional Commission) Restoration and Clean-up Program Under the laws that regulate the cleanup and removal of contaminated soil or groundwater at our GAARNG sites, the first goal is to identify and quantify three characteristics of the area: 1 – The depth of any contaminated soil or groundwater 2 – The nature (or type and characteristics) of all chemicals associated with any contamination 3 – The extent (or width, shape, outline) of any contaminated area. In order to identify these three factors, samples are taken by using hydraulic equipment to either drill or push hollow steel tubes into the ground that al- low us to take a continuous sample (called a core) that represents what is below the ground. The pictures below are from recent samplings that we have conducted at one of our locations. In the coming months and years, more of our sites across the state will be sampled to ensure that we have identified any and all of our property that may need to be studied further and cleaned up if necessary. So anytime you see equipment such as in the pictures here, you will know that the GAARNG is hard at work as stewards of the environment. For more infor- mation, contact Mr. Randy Drummond at 678.569.6750 or randy.drummond1@us.army.mil.
  • 5. Page 5 Natural Resources Management The Economic Benefits of Land Conservation The Georgia Forestry Commission was established in 1949 by the General Assembly. Their mission, to pro- vide leadership, service and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia’s forest resources. Georgia has more acres of timberland than any other state in the nation. As can be seen from the chart, Georgia’s timberland acreage has remained approximately 24 million acres since the 1950s. The marked in- crease in timberland from 1936 to 1953 coincides with the establishment of the Georgia Forestry Commis- sion in 1949. It can clearly be seen that the benefit of continued volumetric growth in Georgia’s forest population is vital. Ecosystem services and ecological functions of Georgia’s forests generate $37.6 billion/year. Cur- rently, Georgia’s volume growth exceeds removal by 38%. Forbes magazine ranks Georgia third in the nation for potential biomass energy. We are ranked number one in wood pellet production which will be covered more in-depth in the article that follows. A growing concern is that private property owners and corporations be encouraged and given incentives to maintain forest volumes and refrain from develop- ment that clear cuts, sometimes, thousands of timberland acres in one fell swoop. As can be seen from the pie chart diagram, a majority of timberland is held in the state of Georgia by private owners, and another 25% is corporately owned. Continued awareness around this subject is vital to the economic prosperity of many of Georgia’s counties. Nearly 50% of Georgia’s counties are ranked as moderately to critically dependent upon their forested areas for economic viability and continued growth. The greatest single threat to Georgia’s forests is population growth and urban sprawl. Our population is projected to increase from 10 to 12 million people within the next 20 years, and we are realizing a loss of approximately 106 acres of timberland per day to development. The fact that we’re rated third in potential for biomass en- ergy, makes it even more crucial that we continue efforts to maintain and expand our acreages, so that this burgeoning potential can realized. For more information, contact Ms. Felicia Nichols at 678.569.6755 or felicia.nichols@us.army.mil.
  • 6. Page 6 Cultural Resources Management GAARNG Cultural Resources Management Making Headway in Several Areas The GAARNG is currently in the pre-bid phase for a comprehensive historic survey of all armories that are approaching or meet the age criterion for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The baseline survey will determine their eligibility or ineligibility for inclusion on the NRHP, and will provide valuable information for determination of impacts to cultural/historical resources due to proposed future GAARNG undertakings. With a baseline survey in hand, time would not be needed integral to the project life-cycle, as GAARNG would know the determination of eligibility before undertakings are proposed and environmental studies have begun. Also, in other cultural resources news, the GAARNG CFMO Environmental Stewardship Division has a newly adopted Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, a federally recog- nized tribal nation of Creek origin, with ancestral ties to the state of Georgia. The nation resides in Okemah, Oklahoma. The GAARNG has had several highly successful consultations over the past few years with Thlopthlocco Tribal Town and is excited and honored to have this document in place. MOUs represent an agreement between the two government agencies to work towards good will, ease of communication, and respect for one another’s interests. The document was signed by Thlopthlocco Tribal Town on July 19th, 2012 and co-signed on August 17th, 2012 by the Adjutant General of Georgia, James But- terworth. The GAARNG looks forward to a continued rewarding and cohesive working relationship with the tribe. In additional news, the GAARNG Cultural Resources Team anticipates participation in an upcoming FY2013 multi-state Native American Consulta- tion. The consultation preparations are underway and are being planned with our neighboring states of Ala- bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Flor- ida, with Alabama Army National Guard as lead agency. At this time, the upcoming consultation is slated for the summer of 2013. More informa- tion will be provided as meeting plans progress and solidify. For more information on this program, please contact Ms. Kathryn Norton at kathryn.f.norton@us.army.mil or 678.569.6726. Scenes of the Headquarters, Georgia State Guard at the Atlanta Armory located on Confederate Avenue, c. 1944
  • 7. Page 7 Environmental Compliance Environmental Officer (EO)/Unit Environmental Officer (UECO) Training 17- 18OCT12 In accordance with AR 200-1 (Environmental Protection and Enhancement), CFMO-ENV will provide one 8 hour block of initial training and one 4 hour block of annual refresher training for personnel assigned Envi- ronmental Officer (EO)/Unit Environmental Compliance Officer (UECO) responsibilities. The 8 hour initial training is for personnel that have not received any EO/UECO training and the 4 hour refresher training is for personnel that have received initial training and require annual refresher training. Training will be conducted at the Georgia Garrison Training Center (GGTC), Ft. Stewart, GA 17-18OCT12. Initial EO/UECO training will be conducted on 17OCT12 from 0800-1700 at Building (TBD) and Refresher EO/UECO training will be conducted on 18OCT12 from 0800-1200 at Building (TBD). Building location will be promulgated via separate email to attendees upon confirmation from GGTC for building reservation. Class size is limited to 20 personnel for each class, to register send an email to Mr. Charles “Butch” Thomp- son at butch.thompson@us.army.mil no later than 12OCT12. Ensure email contains rank, full name, and unit/facility assigned to as EO/UECO. EO/UECO training is offered once per calendar quarter by CFMO-ENV and specifically pertains to GAARNG environmental programs, not host installations. GAARNG units on host installations must attend the host installations training and comply 100% with host installation environmental program requirements. GAARNG EO/UECO training rotates between locations at GGTC, Macon, and Clay NGC. All GAARNG units/facilities are required to have personnel assigned as EO/UECO and trained by the cognizant training authority to manage environmental issues/concerns at the unit/facility. EO/UECO training courses scheduled for CY-2013 are as follows: 16JAN13 – 8 hour Initial, DLC Macon 17JAN13 – 4 hour Refresher, DLC Macon 17APR13 – 8 hour Initial, Clay NGC, Building 2 18APR13 – 4 hour Refresher, Clay NGC, Building 2 17JUL13 – 8 hour Initial, GGTC, Ft. Stewart, Building TBD 18JUL13 – 4 hour Refresher, GGTC, Ft. Stewart, Building TBD 16OCT13 – 8 hour Initial, DLC Macon 17OCT13 – 4 hour Refresher, DLC Macon Soldiers should register to attend the course nearest their home station to alleviate issues with obtaining travel orders and funding. Training will be conducted from 0800-1700 for Initial course and 0800-1200 for Refresher course on the specified dates. In accordance with AR 200-1 and FM 3-34.5 (Environmental Con- siderations). POC is Mr. Charles “Butch” Thompson at butch.thompson@us.army.mil or 912.448.4192.
  • 8. Page 8 News You Can Use! Did you know… Clothing can also be recycled? Not just donated for reuse, but actually recycled through processes that al- low the fibers to be reused to make new garments. Also, there are numerous on-line sites that allow trade, donation, bartering, or sale for a minimal fee of clothing items. See some of the options below: Production vs. Waste  It requires 700 gallons of water to grow the cot- ton used in just one T-shirt. Nearly 1,500 gallons of water is needed for a pair of jeans.  The production of one pound of clothing requires as much energy as a 100-watt light bulb uses in 10 hours.  Synthetic clothes are made with petroleum-based products. The petroleum used can contaminate groundwater, surface water, and the ecosystems around us.  The average American consumes 81 lbs. of cloth- ing and other textiles per year.  According to the EPA, more than 12.7million tons of textile waste is generated annually. One of the larges sources of waste in the USA.  Each year , the textile recycling industry diverts 1.3 million tons of waste from reaching U.S. landfills. 85% of textile waste isn’t recycled! You can help this effort by any or all of the following:  Purchase clothes from stores that sell recycled clothing  Donating clothing to organizations such as Good- will and Salvation Army  Buying clothes from second-hand stores  Cut up old clothes and use them as rags or hand- kerchiefs  Participate in America Recycles Day - November 15th  Sign up to participate in Freecycle or ecofreek,
  • 9. Page 9 Recent Workshops and Training The annual Georgia Environmental Conference was held in Savannah, Georgia September 23-25. Much of the information you will find in this newslet- ter was garnered by CFMO-ENV em- ployees who attended this training. The following articles represent new and emerging topics of interest pre- sented at the GEC. “Man shapes himself through decisions that shape his environment.” ~Rene Dubos Brownfields and Riverfronts- Textiles and Gateways Presented by Tangy Johnson Small towns create bigger gains when they partner with other communities or adapt their programs to enlist federal assistance to revitalize their communities. Brownfield use is one way to achieve this goal. The term "Brownfield site" means real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Note that for cleanup or RLF grants, there must be documented (not potential) contamination on sites to be addressed. The law further defines the term “Brownfield site” to include a site that is contaminated by controlled sub- stances (e.g., meth labs), petroleum or a petroleum based products (e.g. abandoned gas stations), or mine- scarred lands. To date, 411 properties have entered Georgia’s Brownfield program and 239 have completed the program. Some of the benefits of the program is the limitation of liability for groundwater (the seller becomes respon- sible for any contamination). And, the assessment and cleanup costs can be recovered through tax incentives.
  • 10. Page 10 Recent Workshops and Training, contd. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) program is designed to empower states, communities, and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together in a timely manner to assess, safely clean up, and promote sustainable reuse of Brownfields. The program provides financial and technical assistance for Brownfield revitalization, including grants for environmental assessment and cleanup. Some of the benefits of Brownfield revitalization:  Protects health and human welfare  Increases local tax base  Facilitates job growth  Utilizes existing infrastructure and helps to prevent urban sprawl  Takes development pressure off undeveloped land  Supports cleaner air quality  Reduces habitat destruction Tax incentives include Tax Allocation Districts (TADs). These are widely used by municipalities to encour- age redevelopment in a designated area. TAD dollars can be used to help pay for portions of redevelopment and the terms vary, but can be as long as 25 to 30 years. The Memorial Drive Project: A Gateway Into Downtown Hinesville Before After
  • 11. Page 11 Recent Workshops and Training, contd. Bringing Science and Practice on Par to Conserve Water on Golf Courses Presented by Michael Holloway Golf course surfaces play best when the grass is dry, however, moisture is needed to keep the grass alive. The University of Georgia is working to develop turf grasses of both a cool and warm species, that are drought resistant. These grasses can be used for home lawns, business and institutional grounds, sports fields, golf courses, parks, sod/sprig/seed production fields, and highway rights of way. Some common turf grasses that are drought resistant and can be used in both cool and warm seasons are:  Bermuda  Zoysia  Centipede  Tall Fescue Use of alternative irrigation sources in coastal areas is also being explored, with the use of seashore pas- palum grass that can be irrigated with saltwater. Irrigation systems are being designed to assist in best management practices for golf course lawns, such as hand watering and moisture testing, on-site weather monitoring stations, sprinkler head design, nozzle selec- tion, head spacing, pipe size and water pressure. At the Ford Plantation in Richmond Hill, GA the irrigation system is being redesigned to set the sprinkler heads closer together which gives better control and minimizes water loss due to evaporation. Scheduling of water delivery is also being investigated to maximize use of water sources. And, landscape and golf course design is being considered from the perspective of better drainage and collection of run-off for reuse. Continued education is a must to insure irrigation practices that conserve water resources. The Gold Course Superintendents Association of America and the Irrigation Association regularly present seminars and conduct research with the help of universi- ties and colleges. Industry periodicals also are available with the most up to date information, including reclaimed water harvest- ing and contingency plans such as the Atlanta Country Club’s ve- hicle washing water recycler which also captures storm water for reuse.
  • 12. Page 12 Recent Workshops and Training, contd. Greening the DOD: Energy & Sustainability Presented by Paul Hansen The Energy Initiatives Task Force (EITF) was established by the Secretary of the Army, John McHuge, on September 15, 2011. The EITF serves as a management office for partnering with Army installations to de- velop large scale cost-effective renewable energy projects. Current activities within the EITF are:  Analysis of renewable energy markets  Project economics  Technology  Resource availability The Southeast Energy Initiative (SEI) is a collective body designed to strengthen the Department of Defense (DOD) energy and sustainability. Some of the areas in which the SEI is growing its program are:  Building Design - an example would be the Community Emergency Service State at Fort Bragg, NC (shown below), which received a platinum LEED rating.  Solar Power - recent projects include the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Ft. Benning, GA. (40,000 square feet of solar panels completed in September 2011, shown below).  Landfill Gas energy projects which utilize existing landfill off-gassing to power systems and equipment.  Hydrogen fuel cells, like the ones at Ft. Jackson, SC which are used as back-up power which reduces emissions and lowers lifecycle costs.
  • 13. Page 13 Recent Workshops and Training, contd. Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Georgia’s Environment Presented by Megan Spells There are several environmental contaminants in Georgia’s environment which are of growing concern to scientists which monitor these chemicals. Three of these contaminants are:  PFCs (Per Fluorinated Compounds)  EE2 (ethynyl-estradiol)  Dioxane Persistent pollutants, such as PFCs do not degrade due to the strength of the carbon flourine bond. Various derivatives of PFCs have been manufactured since the 1940s and remain in humans for an inordinate amount of time and pose significant health risks to wildlife and people. EE2 is a pharmaceutically active compound synthetic estrogen used in birth control. In lab studies, scientists exposed juvenile rainbow trout to 10 nanograms/liter of EE2 for 50 days. This is a dose nearly identical to reported levels in contaminated rivers and streams. For the first time, scientists demonstrated that the rainbow trout exposed to this active ingredient had nearly a 25-fold increase in frequency of abnormal chromosomal sperm, which can affect fertilization, embryo development and offspring survival. Dioxane, is a compound found in paint solvents, varnishes, adhesives, detergent, cosmetics and pesticides. It is also used during the production of flame retardant chemicals, pharmaceuticals and magnetic tape. Dioxane is listed as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act (CAA) (EPA 2012). A reportable quantity of 100 lbs. has been established under CERCLA (EPA 2012). These contaminants of growing concern represent shifts in tradi- tional thinking as many are produced industrially, yet are dispersed to the environment for domestic and commercial use. Studies will likely continue to bring new light to the effects of these toxins on humans, wildlife and the environment at large, shaping policy and regulations around these substances.
  • 14. Page 14 Recent Workshops and Training contd. The Georgia Solar Energy Association Presented by Kip Rummel The Georgia Solar Energy Association is a professional organization focused on promoting the solar industry in Georgia by providing interested customers with solar cell technology and module performance. The organization matches organizations with manufacturers, financing strategies and legal references to provide customers with best solutions for their individual needs. To demonstrate corporate integration and government cooperation the group was taken on a tour of the new IKEA distribution center in Savannah to view Georgia’s largest solar installation yet. The group was allowed access to the roof of the center to view the array of 6,076 panels which is scheduled to produce 1.9 million kWh annual electrical output. For reference, this would power 170 homes annually in Georgia. The current IKEA facility in midtown Atlanta has an array of 4312 panels, currently producing 1.4 million kWh annual output. This would power 122 homes annually. IKEA has demonstrated that the technology has progressed to the point that it is a viable alternative to aug- ment our power requirements. Solar might not be considered as a prime power substitution at this time, but an alternative to augment requirements during peak load use. The presentation highlighted the challenges posed by major power companies blocking the incorporation of alternate energy sources. Alternate energy is viewed as competition to power companies long term survival. One of the chief challenges often cited as a deterrent to more use of solar power, is one of storage. There is currently no viable method of storing energy produced. The presentation also reinforced the need to consider solar as part of the solution to augment energy re- quirements within the Department of Defense (DOD) under the oversight of the Army Corp of Engineers (USACE). A long range solution for Clay National Guard Center (CNGC) is solar integration to come in line with the DOD vision for all federal facilities. Along with other contemporary solutions which rely on natural forces for production, such as wind turbines and hydroelectric power, solar energy represents a viable option to conventional power sources. These conventional sources rely on fossil fuels and other processes that might not be sustainable in days to come. As a note, the CFMO is currently working on various solar panel projects at- Building 300, Clay; Winder; and at GGTC. Stay tuned for future updates on their progress.