CES ensures clean environment for Buckley

Published Nov. 26, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Samantha Saulsbury
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Through many environmental initiatives, with the assistance of community and federal agencies, the 460th Civil Engineer Squadron is working hard to create a better place for Team Buckley members to live, work and play.

The initiatives are ongoing practices to improve Team Buckley's health and safety.

"We have our environmental restoration program, groundwater and soil contamination detection, as well as active treatments," said Scott Wilson, 460th CES restoration program manager. "We don't just monitor; we treat in place, as well."

One of the initiatives is constant water monitoring, or looking at how to improve the water quality on base.

Buckley Air Force Base works closely with the state of Colorado and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the Tri-County Health Department, making sure all environmental decisions are made with their concurrence.

Recently, the 460th CES also covered up a landfill near the Mississippi Gate that dated back to the early 1940s and 1950s.

The initiative monitors and protects any soil and air contamination from waste.

"We have also installed some gas monitoring points near the landfill," Wilson said. "Landfills tend to vent gasses as stuff decomposes. We covered the burial pits with at least two feet of soil on top to keep water from infiltrating it and eroding it."

The Air Force, including Buckley, is always exercising caution and care when it comes to the environment. It is important for the local community to have awareness and confidence in government actions, taken to either prevent or correct environmental discrepancies.

"It's important to practice responsible stewardship of natural resources," said Col. Rose Jourdan, 460th Mission Support Group commander. "Environmental restoration is important to ensure long-term health of potentially exposed populations for generations to come."