NAS Jax CO addresses Sea of Change Symposium

Scorby was keynote speaker Aug. 26 at the "Sea of Change" environmental symposium sponsored by the City of Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board and University of North Florida.

"It's very important to note that the Navy places a high priority on protecting our environment and conserving our natural resources. The Navy spends over $1 billion annually on environmental issues," said Scorby.

An enthusiastic Scorby also mentioned that NAS Jacksonville directly support the Chief of Naval Operation's goals of strengthening alliances, defeating global terrorism and preserving our natural resources. "The Navy is committed to preserving and protecting the environment as a necessary part of our mission to defend the United States," he stated. "Accomplishment of the warfighting mission, with the responsibility to safeguard natural systems upon which our quality of life depends, is one of the top priorities for the Navy today."

"When I assumed command of NAS Jax a little over a year ago, my family and I were impressed by the abundance of community parks and by the beauty of the St. Johns River. I quickly learned the vital role that this spectacular body of water plays in the development of Florida's First Coast - and the variety of economic and cultural benefits that flow from it," Scorby told the audience.

He explained that NAS Jacksonville is the third-largest naval station in the U.S., employing approximately 25,000 active duty, reserve, civilians and contract personnel through an annual payroll in excess of $900 million. The station and its 110 tenant commands - including two air wings and 13 squadrons - generates more than $400 million in goods and services for the local economy.

"We have more than $350 million worth of construction projects underway, including the Navy's largest aircraft hangar, a new helicopter hangar and the expansion of Naval Hospital Jacksonville. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast recently opened its new Engineering Operations Building. This structure is a prime example of replacing old, inefficient structures with facilities that incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Most of you here today know this by its acronym, LEED - which is a consensus-based rating system that promotes sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. The command has obtained LEED registration for this building with the U.S. Green Building Council," said Scorby.

Jacksonville Environmental and Compliance Department Director Ebenezer Gujjarlapudi and NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. discuss compliance issues at the Sea of Change Environmental Symposium Aug. 26. Photos by Clark Pierce

"At NAS Jax, we continuously pursue partnerships to enhance our natural resources while protecting the environment. The design of a wastewater reuse system with the St. Johns River Water Management District is a priority. Other partnerships with the

City of Jacksonville, State of Florida and U.S. Forest Service reflect NAS Jacksonville's commitment to effective environmental stewardship."

Scorby shared two recent environmental partnership successes with the audience.

"We worked diligently with the State of Florida and the City of Jacksonville to purchase 1,651 acres of environmentally sensitive land immediately east of Outlying Field Whitehouse in 2006. This purchase increased Florida Forever and Preservation Project acreage while protecting our Navy airfield from incompatible development.

"We also teamed up with the mayor's office, city planning department, Jacksonville Aviation Authority, city council, chamber of commerce, Northeast Florida Builders Association and Realtors on the 2007 Airport Zoning Ordinance and the 2008 amendment to protect private property rights, as well as to prevent encroachment by incompatible development near military installations in Duval County," said Scorby.

Scorby also described the Navy's commitment to environmental stewardship at sea. The "Green" shipboard system on all surface combatants includes:

NAS Jax Pollution Prevention Manager Bill Raspet parked one of the station's GEM (Global Electric Motorcars) battery-electric vehicles at the entrance of the UNF University Center, site of the Sea of Change Environmental Symposium.

Plastic waste processors to compress and store plastic trash, allowing for zero discharge of plastics at sea;

Hazardous material management systems to reduce generation and offload of hazardous waste;

Waste management equipment to responsibly handle food, cardboard/paper, metal and glass;

Oil/water separators to keep petroleum products out of the ocean and green hull antifouling paints to decrease hull drag and save fuel.

Additionally, the Navy is part of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, working to preserve and protect coral reefs.

Environmental Restoration plays a big role in accomplishing the Navy's mission to clean up old contamination sites on bases. As of fiscal year 2007, approximately 83 percent of Navy installation restoration sites are "response complete." The remainder are on track for completion by 2014.

Scorby concluded his presentation by summarizing his five keys for effective environmental stewardship at NAS Jacksonville: compliance, pollution prevention, natural and cultural resources preservation, partnerships, and encroachment protection.

NAS Jax Environmental Department was a key player during the symposium. An informative environmental static display and a pollution prevention video educated symposium attendees on the station's environmental stewardship. Bill Raspet, NAS Jax environmental pollution prevention manager was one of the presenters and Angela Glass, NAS Jax environmental assistant natural resource manager manned the display and answered questions.