The 45th Space Wing is committed to environmental excellence. Patrick AFB and Cape Canaveral AFS cover almost 25,000 acres of sandy beaches, coastal sand dunes, wetlands and woodlands on the eastern shores of Brevard County. There are about 5,000 acres on our downrange site of Antigua Air Station and Ascension Auxiliary Airfield. All of these installations are home to 46 state and federally listed threatened and endangered wildlife species.

A strong commitment to protecting these unique resources is the drive behind the 45th Space Wing's mission of excellence in environmental stewardship, shaping its goals of pollution prevention, natural and cultural resource conservation, restoration and cleanup and environmental planning as well as environmental compliance.

The wing operates in the midst of a stringent environmental regulatory climate in cooperation with local, state and federal agencies. The Environmental Compliance Assessment and Management Program (ECAMP) is the Air Force's tool to identify and solve environmental issues before they result in violations or enforcement actions by regulatory agencies. ECAMP is a comprehensive selfevaluation program for achieving, maintaining and monitoring compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Another integral component of the compliance effort is permitting by various state agencies to prevent future degradation to environmental resources. Permits are issued for construction and operations of hazardous waste facilities; drinking water systems, stormwater and waste water facilities; and air emission sources. In addition, strict regulations are enforced for storage tank, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), asbestos and lead-based paint management.

The Air Force Installation Restoration Program (IRP) focuses on identifying and cleaning up waste sites that were contaminated prior to 1984. Legal agreements or corrective action orders by federal and state regulators drive specific cleanup requirements and schedules. Emphasis is on removing contaminants and allowing the land to be used for its intended purpose. Full disclosure and stakeholder involvement within the local communities are key elements of a successful program.

Brevard County community members have an active role in cleanup activities through the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB). The board acts as a liaison between the local community and base officials concerning restoration activities.

The Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) implements the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) at all 45th Space Wing facilities. The EIAP assists decision makers with environmental compliance during processes, meeting mission requirements including new construction, refurbishing or demolishing facilities and land clearing. The process requires an understanding of potential environmental effects of the proposed action including permit requirements and protection of cultural and natural resources.

Natural resources at 45th Space Wing facilities include the management of threatened and endangered species—nonlisted wildlife and the various ecosystems and habitat. The proper management of fish and wildlife protects and enhances populations of the various types of creatures that make their home on the Cape, at Patrick and our other installations, while reduces wildlife damage and minimizing adverse affects to their habitat. Some of the more high visibility threatened and endangered species protection programs include three species of sea turtles, the Florida scrub jay, the Southeastern beach mouse and the gopher tortoise. Protective measures contained in the 45th Space Wing Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan are taken by the wing to ensure the continued existence of these species. These measures are coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The Cultural Resources Program is part of environmental stewardship effort to preserve archaeological and historical resources for the wing. The 45th Space Wing has many historical and archeological sites and buildings—including the Air Force Space & Missile Museum and the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse—that require preservation and some are listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Some of the archeological resources include Native American, pioneer settlement sites and gravesites.

The 45th Space Wing has aggressively reduced the amount of material placed in landfills, reduced solid waste and reduced the use of ozone depleting substances and hazardous material.

Recycling conserves resources and provides an alternative source of raw materials. The wing's program concentrates on reduction, reuse and recycling. The wing operates a material recycling facility where materials are collected and sorted at the facility, including paper, aluminum, scrap metal, glass, plastic and cardboard. The 45th Space Wing's hazardous material pharmacy, or HAZMART, acts as a central issuing and tracking point for all hazardous chemicals used on Patrick AFB. By acting as a single point of control, the HAZMART helps reduce hazardous waste and reduces the amount of hazardous materials purchased. For more information about the wing's environmental programs, contact the Environmental Flight, 45th Civil Engineer Squadron, at (321) 494-7288.