Sheppard's environmental program is "Platinum"

  • Published
  • By Capt. Brittany Martin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has recognized Sheppard Air Force Base as a platinum member in the Clean Texas program since April 2009, one of only 11 organizations to hold the ranking and the only military organization to have earned the award.

Clean Texas is a voluntary environmental leadership program focused on pollution prevention of Texas' air, water and land. The program focuses on measures taken above and beyond the mandated level of compliance to creatively tackle pollution sources.

Although significant and greatly appreciated, the platinum rating is not a single-point success story for Sheppard's clean environment initiatives. Sheppard has a long history of achievements stemming from the base's dedication to continuous growth and improvement in the area of environmental protection.

Wayne Fowler, 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron Environmental Consultant, has led the charge in creating an effective management system and working partnerships with outside organizations to protect the environment. Fowler has worked at Sheppard since 1967, and in the mid-80s he joined the programs office where the environmental effort really started.

Sheppard's environmental office of two consultants and seven contractors is responsible for the oversight and reporting on base management protocols from area missions to waste water management. Fowler said the office invests a lot of effort in partnering with regulators and other off-base corporations, and involvement in Clean Texas strengthens those partnerships.

"It's a means of keeping an open dialogue; it's just good community relations," he said.

Sheppard initially became involved in environmental programs at the national level through the now-deactivated Performance Track run by the Environmental Protection Agency. Due to the nation's current fiscal situation, Fowler is unsure if Clean Texas' funding will be renewed in April, but regardless of the existence of a program, he knows Sheppard will continue its relationships with partners in the area of environmental protection.

Sheppard's efforts to manage its impact on the environment are continuously developing due to the management system's goals and its underlying commitment to improvement.

Fowler explained that Sheppard implemented a management system well before the 2005 deadline and ensured it was in line with Environmental Safety Occupational Health standards, even though they were not required at the time. Sheppard had the first certified management system in Air Education and Training Command.

The Sheppard Environmental Office is dedicated to protecting the environment through innovative means. Members found a way to repaint the 80th Flying Training Wing trainer aircraft that produced less hazardous waste, a change that became written into the corresponding Technical Order. They also began watering the base golf course with reclaimed water, which also results in considerable monetary savings, and conducted installation restoration so a large piece of Sheppard was deemed "Ready for Reuse."

Efforts are not simply aimed at large-scale mission operations. Fowler is adamant that every person plays a part in protecting the environment.

"Everybody's a player," he said. "Everyone needs to be aware of what their responsibilities are in helping us be a leader in clean environment."

Fowler explained that many daily activities result in the base's effective performance - recycling, keeping the streets clean to ensure storm water run-off is not polluted, smart purchases by Government Purchase Card holders, chemical use, energy reduction, repairing leaks, and supporting Adopt-a-Highway.

After the Sheppard opened its gates to inspectors to be considered for TCEQ's Clean Texas program, Fowler said the next conference he attended, he received highly complimentary feedback on the base's efforts.

"The tone was that this is a show that ought to go on the road," Fowler smiled as he remembered.

And it still is.

To access information on environmental references, any base personnel can visit the user-friendly Installation Comprehensive Environmental Data system, a system that Fowler developed at Sheppard and spread to seven other bases. ICED can be found at \\spdfs02502\82ces\enviro.