Governor Kaine Announces Winners of First Virginia Department of Defense Eagle Awards for Environmental
Stewardship
– Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Pickett and Defense Supply Center Richmond inaugural winners –
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the winners of the first Virginia Department of Defense Eagle Awards for environmental stewardship. More than 20 military installations across Virginia were eligible to compete for the award. Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Pickett and Defense Supply Center Richmond were the first three winners.
"These award-winning military installations have shown remarkable stewardship of the natural resources entrusted to their care," said Governor Kaine. "I am confident this partnership between the Department of Defense and the Commonwealth will continue to bring environmental benefits to Virginians for years to come."
Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant, Jr. and Department of Defense (DoD) Director of Environmental Management Maureen Sullivan presented the awards today in the State Capitol Building. Lt. Col. John Haefner, Garrison Commander, accepted the award for Fort A.P. Hill; Col. Thomas P. Wilkinson, Post Commander, accepted for Fort Pickett and Site Director Terry D. Rodwell and Col. Thomas Laffey accepted for Defense Supply Center Richmond.
Last December Governor Kaine announced the Commonwealth of Virginia and Department of Defense Environmental Partnership and the Virginia Department of Defense Eagle Award. More than 20 military installations in Virginia are eligible for recognition under this environmental partnership program. Seventeen of the eligible installations participated this year.
Each participating military installation was evaluated by DoD personnel and staff from Virginia's natural resource agencies on seven performance measures: biological resources, habitat protection and restoration, watershed protection and restoration, land use, environmental stewardship, conservation plans and environmental compliance. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality worked with DoD to develop this program and evaluate the results.
Results from the first year of competition included air emissions being reduced by 930 tons, hazardous waste by 268 tons, pesticide use by 564 pounds and more than 1,570 tons of materials being diverted from landfills.
"The first year's results show the Department's strong commitment to environmental stewardship," said Ms. Sullivan. "The military community in Virginia is committed to continuing to implement projects that will sustain the environment."
Among its award-winning accomplishments Fort A.P. Hill was cited for establishing stream buffers, using innovative stormwater management approaches and protecting more than 2,900 acres through conservation easements. Fort Pickett established an environmental management zone along the Nottoway River, captured rainwater for reuse and also protected more than 2,500 acres. Defense Supply Center Richmond was recognized for their use of low impact stormwater management techniques and reductions in air emissions and hazardous waste generation.
"The actions of all the participants are to be commended," said Secretary Bryant. "The actions of the winners in particular are at the forefront of some of the leading environmental concerns in the commonwealth today – land conservation, stormwater management and hazardous waste generation."
The Department of Defense manages more than 275,000 acres in Virginia. Each military installation can submit an Installation Environmental Scorecard annually to the state for evaluation. Those military installations that demonstrate the greatest environmental stewardship will qualify for the Virginia Department of Defense Eagle Award.
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