USAG Bavaria “Go Green” USAG Bavaria Newsletter “Go Green” Issue 4 Fall 2013
Inside this issue: Off-Post Trash Disposal
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Environmental Officer Training
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Orchard Meadows
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Construction at the Airfield
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BMC Go Green! - Eat Green
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Onpost Recycling Garmisch
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New Energy Conservation SOP
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Environmental Officers Training Onsite Training
Refresher training in English and German at Rose Barracks, Bldg. 355: 19 Nov German 20 Nov English 21 Nov German 8:30—11:30 a.m.
Online Training
http://tti.na.amec.com/IMCOM
Register NOW
Training Coordinator USAG Bavaria, DSN 475-7048 sabine.poerschke.ln@mail.mil Training Coordinator USAG Hohenfels, DSN 466-2258 Reinhold.froehlich.ln@mail.mil
Off-Post Trash Disposal and Recycling By Helmut Bueller, USAG Bavaria SORT Coordinator, Operations and Maintenance Division. Community members living on the economy to include military, civilians and family members must comply with host nation law and dispose of their household waste including the recyclable material through the municipal disposal system. Transportation and disposal of garbage or recyclables on post is prohibited. DOD personnel living off post receive compensation for their household waste disposal through living quarters or overseas housing allowance. At Government Rental Housing or Leased Housing the waste disposal fees are included in the rental cost paid by the garrison. If off-post generated refuse or recyclables are disposed of at on-post dumpsters the United States effectively pays twice for every item of household waste.
ent rules that have to be followed. Information on the individual recycling rules and the pick-up dates are published as information material available at the Self Help Store (building 394), the DPW SORT office (building 329, room 39) or at the Housing Office (building 244, room 114). For more information about trash disposal guidance visit the garrison website at http://www.grafenwoehr.army.mil/ usag_dpw/o&m/util_sort.asp or contact DSN 475-6664 or 476-2600.
Exceptions are only for items donated at the Freecycle center building 441. Serviceable or useable household items are accepted in the yellow walk-in container, labeled as “Freecycle Bin” next to building 441. This bin can be used 24/7. Donated items can be picked up free of charge on Tuesdays 1000 – 1400 hrs and on each first Saturday of the month from 1000 – 1400 hrs. The Freecycle Center is designed to divert serviceable or useable items from household waste entering the solid waste stream and return them to use. Recycling rules in Germany are different depending on where you live. Even in our area the counties have differ-
SORT/Recycling POCs: DSN 475–6664 Tower Barracks CIV 09641-83-6664 DSN 476-2600 Rose Barracks CIV 096662-83-2600
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USAG Bavaria “Go Green”
Fall 2013
Orchard Meadows Article co-written by environmental staff from Grafenwoehr/Hohenfels and Ansbach In historical times, orchards played an important role for farmers. The fruits were used for many different products and were essential for the survival of the residents as well as for trading. Besides the ruins, fruit trees are the only contemporary witnesses of abandoned villages at the Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels Training Areas. Additionally, old orchards are excellent habitats for insects and birds. Environmental studies have revealed that many of the fruit cultivars that survived in the training areas are no longer existing anywhere else or are quite rare. Since many of the fruit trees have reached a critical age, the environmental divisions at Grafenwoehr, Hohenfels and Ansbach initiated projects to preserve these varieties, which means preserving cultural resources of European history and also ecological resources - as insect and bird habitat.
USAG Bavaria At Hohenfels Training Area, fruit trees were surveyed in around 50 abandoned villages or settlements. As expected, many rare apple and pear varieties were found. Surprisingly, quite a number of varieties were even unknown to pomologists (experts in fruit growing). Obviously, people used local varieties in that area that no longer exist and were preserved at the premises of the training area only. Since fruit varieties cannot be reproduced by seedlings, scions (twigs) of old trees have to be grafted (see explanation) to new planted stock. Where possible, old trees that were still alive were stabilized or cut free to extend their lives. At the Grafenwoehr Trianing Area, the local Environmental Division started a survey of fruit trees and planted around 50 fruit trees with old cultivars at Saratoga Avenue (Tower barracks) in 2003. Six years later, a followup project was started to revitalize former orchards within the Training Area (GTA). One of the location chosen was the deserted Page 2
village of Hopfenohe, a point of interest for visitors. A new orchard was planted using regional varieties as well as varieties raised from scions originating from old fruit trees at the Hopfenohe area. These projects are not only valuable for preserving natural and cultural resources, they are also used to mitigate military construction projects.
USAG Ansbach At the USAG Ansbach, there are no meadow orchards yet. However, an area of 5000 square meters farmland is going to be converted into a meadow orchard this fall (east of housing next to the rain water retention basin in Katterbach). This initiative was generated due to several construction projects at the USAG Ansbach. Per German Federal Nature Protection Act, projects that cause an environmental impact on the natural components such as water, air, soil, animals, plants, etc., need to be compensated by environmental upgrades in the vicinity of the impacted area. In this case, the environmental upgrade is the conversion of a species-poor area into a diversely structured meadow orchard, which is an approved compensation method. The environmental compensation for three Garrison related construction projects is going to be implemented in October/November 2013 in the mentioned area.
From top to bottom: Apple trees at Grafenwoehr Training Area, apple and pear varieties
Did you know? The wild forms of modern fruit trees still grow in the Western Himalayan. About 2000 years ago, Greeks and Romans first cultivated fruits professionally. From the Middle Ages until the 18th century, English, French and German gardeners developed more and more varieties until there were about 1000 (!) apple varieties in Bavaria, perfectly adapted to local climates. This huge assortment was reduced to about 100 in the 19th century and even more in the 20th century, when “industrial” agriculture was introduced. Increased fruit import from abroad cut down Grafting is a method where exposed tissues of even more varieties. Modern cultivation scions (cuttings from fruit trees) are placed along(purely industrial) is done with only a handful side exposed tissues of other trees. This encourages the tissues of the two plants to fuse toof apple varieties. gether to form one trunk.
USAG Bavaria “Go Green”
Fall 2013
Construction at Grafenwoehr Airfield Manfred Rieck, Environmental Division, Steve Shaw, Airfield and Andrea Baeumler, A/E Division When driving on post thru gate 6 you may have noticed that construction is ongoing at the Grafenwoehr Army Airfield. This project is the second step of a garrison effort to bring the airfield in full compliance with environmental laws while observing current and future mission requirements. In a first step, an air field runoff collection and treatment system was installed. It collects and treats the airfield deicing runoff during the wintertime, when a deicing substance must be applied to the airfield surface to ensure safe flight operations. This project was completed in June 2012 for an amount of $ 2,959,648.99 (including mitigation and
Ongoing construction at the Grafenwoehr Army Airfield
Reed plants Piping
Piping Concrete blocks
Drain gravel
Filter layer/ bio filter sand , 80 cm Separating membrane Drain system
Cross section—treatment plant
additional services). The treatment method was selected after a 4-year test conducted by the environmental division in close cooperation with the local water office and the airfield management. It ensures an effective treatment with very low operation and maintenance costs. A treatment bed consisting of different layers of gravel and sand planted with reed plants (Phragmites australis) ensures an effective and safe degradation of the deicing substance. During the presently ongoing second phase with a scheduled completion date of October 2013, all refueling operations at the air field are brought into compliance with environmental laws as well as safety requirements. To reach this goal, all mission required refueling locations will be upgraded by the replacement of existing surfaces with impermeable surfaces, new refueling locations will be constructed, runoff will be contained and drained towards retaining basins. Two-step oil-water-separators are included in the scope of the constructed project as well. After completion of the second phase, the air field will not only meet current environmental and safety requirement but also current and future mission and operational requirements. For the second phase of the project, the Garrison will spend another $ 2,633,417.95 (renovate helipads and drainage system) .
Green procurement — Eat Season Caecilia Meier, Environmental Division , USAG Bavaria
Weekly market at Weiden
Vegetables and fruits that are currently in season in Germany are apples, plums, Eat season? Eating fruits and vegetables at pears, quinces, carrots, potatoes, leeks, the time of harvest means you're eating them cauliflower, blue and white cabbage, etc. when they're fresh, have traveled less and After all, shopping at a weekly market does have been stored less. That means a tastier not only satisfy your shopping needs,— It food that has typically required fewer rereduces waste because your goods are not sources to reach you. pre-wrapped and gives you a little bit of a In Germany you will find fresh foods from the holiday feeling every weekend. local areas at the Wochenmärkte (weekly In the local area of Grafenwoehr, you’ll find markets) usually taking place on the weekweekly markets in Weiden, Eschenbach, ends in most surrounding towns. Pegnitz, Amberg, Sulzbach, Bayreuth, and The fresher your food, the longer it will Creussen. Most of them are open on Saturlast and the better it will taste. day mornings, some on Friday mornings.
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Newsletter Bavaria Military Community “Go Green” USAG Bavaria “Go Green”
March Fall 2013
Garmisch–Partenkirchen Military Communities COMING SOON — Onpost Recycling By Larry Steinman, Garmisch-Partenkirchen Military Community. The City of Garmisch-Partenkirchen will soon take over the recycling responsibilities for Sheridan Kaserne, Artillery Kaserne and the Breitenau Housing area. A new recycling system will then be implemented. Households and work places will likely be required to separate glass, paper, biodegradable waste, plastic and regular trash, like all other residence in the city. Detailed guidance will be provided well in advance before the start of the new system.
Contact Information: Garmisch-Partenkirchen Military Community Directorate of Public Works DSN 440-3803 CIV 08821-750-3803
Residue, organic waste, paper waste and yellow bag (from left)
New Energy and Water Conservation SOP signed! Saving tips assembled by Paul Hlawatsch, Energy Manager, USAG Hohenfels The new USAG Bavaria Energy and Water Conservation Standing Operation Procedure (SOP) applies to all of us, i.e. Soldiers, Civilians, Family members, government employees, contractors, organizations and tenant units within the USAG Bavaria footprint. It requires that every organization not only appoints Building Energy Monitors (BEMs), but it also gives valuable tips for saving government $$$. A copy of the SOP can be found at the Garrison home page http://www.grafenwoehr.army.mil/save-energy.asp.
SAVE ELECTRICAL POWER
SAVE HEAT
SAVE WATER
Turn off interior/ exterior lights and electrical
Close windows and doors during
Take a shower instead of a bath
devices (Computers, Monitors, Printers, Audio/TV, wall chargers) if not needed
Unplug unused electrical devices in storage areas (i.e. refrigerators, freezers)
Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)
winter months
Open the blinds to allow the sunshine to naturally heat the room
Turn off radiators when rooms are unoccupied
and solid state lights (SSLs), available at Self Help
Don’t leave the water running when you are brushing your teeth
Report leaks and dripping pipes immediately
Do not wash your dishes under running water
Start washers, dryers and dish-
Look for the ENERGY STAR Label when
washers only when fully loaded
purchasing new appliances
Always use the energy savings
Do not use portable electrical space heaters
programs on washers / dryers and dishwashers
Report unoccupied facilities to DPW for shut down of lighting / electrical devices
Appoint your Building Energy Monitor (BEM) now . Get your copy of the SOP at http://www.grafenwoehr.army.mil/save-energy.asp Send energy saving tips to: usarmy.grafenwoehr.imcom-europe.list.bmc-energy-hotline@mail.mil
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