FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2002
DEP/Department
of the Navy Re-confirm Commitment to the Environment
PENSACOLA - Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department
of the Navy reconfirmed a joint commitment to Florida's natural resources and national security with the signing of another partnership agreement.
"NAS Pensacola is the cradle of naval aviation. It is less well known as the cradle of military environmental partnerships," said DEP Secretary David B. Struhs. "Under the leadership of a new Commander, this facility is again showing its environmental commitment and will continue to serve as a model for other military bases around the state."
Secretary Struhs joined the leadership at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola to renew a 1999 charter agreement that makes environmental compliance and pollution prevention at Pensacola Navy facilities a top priority.
Building on the success of the NAS Pensacola Compliance Partnering Team, military installations around the state are partnering with DEP to achieve ecological protection and environmental compliance while at the same time meeting all national security requirements. Agreements include the Space Coast Inter-Agency
Environmental Partnership with NASA, Northeast Florida Environmental Compliance Partnering Team with NAS
Jacksonville, and the Panhandle Air Force Partnership forged with Eglin, Hurlburt and Tyndall Air Force bases.
"We are learning more and more that our national security and environmental protection missions are
complimentary," said Secretary Struhs. "The success of this partnership is proof that we can achieve strong defense and environmental objectives together."
Environmental compliance agreements are just one way Florida is supporting the 21 active military installations around the state. Under the leadership of Governor Jeb Bush, both the Florida Defense Alliance and the Military Leadership Advisory Council lend support to national defense institutions, which provide $30 billion annually to the state's economy.
Successes of the various partnerships include:
- Development of web-based environmental compliance training for Navy personnel and contractors;
- Acquisition and preservation of sensitive natural lands such as the Perdido Pitcher Plant Prairie;
- Significant waste reductions, streamlined permitting and cost-savings;
- Initiation of Electronic Discharge Monitoring Reports;
- Formulation of a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan for hazardous waste; and
- Certification of the Patrick Air Force Base marina as a DEP "Clean Marina."
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Press Office
