The CNO annually confers environmental quality awards on Navy personnel, ships, and shore activities in recognition of outstanding performance in protecting and enhancing the quality of the environment. Competition categories include natural resources conservation, cultural resources management, environmental quality, pollution prevention, environmental restoration, and environmental planning. Throughout the Navy, 28 winners have been selected for the 2004 Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Awards competition, sponsored by the CNO Environmental Readiness Division.

Among the 28 winners, five came from the Pacific Northwest. Those awards and commands are as follows:

- Cultural Resources Management Installation Award:  Naval Base Kitsap at Bremerton.

- Environmental Restoration Installation Award:  Naval Magazine Indian Island.

- Pollution Prevention Non-Industrial Installation Award:  Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

- Environmental Quality Industrial Installation Award:  Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

- Pollution Prevention Individual or Team Award:  Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Pollution Prevention Team

- Pollution Prevention Individual or Team Award:  Navy Region Northwest Spill Prevention and Response Team.

Naval Base Kitsap at Bremerton

The environmental folks of Naval Base Kitsap and Bremerton were selected for the Cultural Resources Management Installation award because of its outstanding program features for the fiscal year 2004. Naval Base Kitsap at Bremerton developed a programmatic Agreement (PA) for the privatization of Navy historical housing units, archeological monitoring in support of Installation restoration (IR) work, applying eligibility criteria and assessment of effects to a World War II magazine and shell midden site during discarded munitions cleanup. They also incorporated historical resources and culturally sensitive areas into geographic information systems (GIS), and developed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with a local museum to provide for long term curation of archeological materials, and successful completion of 10 consultations with the SHPO and a local Native American Tribe without adverse effects or project delays.

Naval Magazine Indian Island

Naval Magazine Indian Island (NAVMAG) was recognized for having all 19 IR sites previously identified during the Initial Assessment Study (IAS) removed from the National Priorities List (NPL) following cleanup operations or construction of permanent remedies.  NAVMAG also played an integral part in removing the former Crane Point Ammunition Pier from the active list by the Washington Dept. of Ecology and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. During the period of 2003-2004 NAVMAG met with the Federal and State regulatory agencies on the de-listing of NAVMAG from the NPL.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NAS Whidbey) was recognized for a 57 percent reduction in the amount of hazardous waste produced. This reduction led to a savings of more than $67,000 in disposal costs.

NAS Whidbey’s recycling and solid waste reduction program was recognized for its exceptional Pollution Prevention Team.

NASWI’s Solid Waste Reduction program processed nearly 13,847 tons of recyclable materials in 2003 and 2004, which accounted for 66 percent of the total base solid waste stream. Over the 15 years of its operation, the program has saved the base more than $12.5 million.

“It’s a team award not only for the members that work here, but actually for the whole air station,” said Paul Brewer, “without them it wouldn’t be possible. It’s kind of a Team Whidbey spirit.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS and IMF) (Make Bold)

The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS and IMF) were awarded the Environmental Quality Industrial Installation award for improving the environment and supporting Fleet readiness. To achieve this award, PSNS and IMF partnered with local agencies, municipalities, and tribes on environmental projects. By forming partnerships they were able to successfully appeal the conditions of a new Washington State Waste Water Permit that resulted in a cost savings of approximately $3.9 million. New base wide energy reduction projects are realizing a $942,000 annual savings and our water quality partnerships have resulted in a Washington State Department of Ecology proposal to remove many contaminants from the State’s Water Quality Assessment Section 303(d) list for the water segment adjacent to PSNS and IMF.

According to Patricia Hubler, public affairs specialist for PSNS and IMF, the team of PSNS and IMF will continue to work to improve their environmental programs in 2005.  “We expect to complete implementation of our Environmental Management System program and implement a new hazardous material management program.  We will continue to work with our Project ENVVEST stakeholders on the technical studies of Sinclair and Dyes Inlets,” said Hubler.

The commanding officer of PSNS and IMF is also overjoyed that his command was recognized by the CNO.

“PSNS and IMF are vigilant stewards of our environment. This continual environmental awareness made it possible for us to be selected for this prestigious award,” said Capt. Clarke Orzalli, Shipyard commander. 

Navy Region Northwest (MAKE BOLD)

The Navy Region Northwest (NRNW) staff was recognized for developing a trained team that provided a core group of experienced personnel ready to respond to all types spills either at or away from naval activities. In concert with the team, the NRNW Navy On-Scene Coordinator (NOSC) went far beyond traditional planning and policy efforts. The NOSC, the program manager (PM), and the environmental staff were also closely involved in the spill investigations and prevention policymaking. The PM has worked closely with all commands to ensure they understand the requirements, provide standardized prevention and response guidance to all activities and vessels, and create an efficient and well-trained spill response organization.

According to Tammy Brown, NRNW Navy On-Scene Coordinator (NOSC) program manager, this is the first time there has ever been a team award for the region, so she credits their success in this category to the entire staff that made this award possible.

“I think the spill response program is way ahead of other environmental programs in the interaction between activities; we’ve formed a good team that works together consistently to improve.  It is the only program that covers not only the typical regional activities, but includes personnel and support from several tenant commands.  We all work together to assist each other in everyday operations, drills, and spill incidents, and also to respond to non-Navy events when requested by the Coast Guard or Washington State Department of Ecology.”

Awards will be presented May 3, at the U.S. Navy Memorial & Naval Heritage Center, Washington D.C.