CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
The West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) received the U.S. Army National Guard’s top environmental award in January after scoring highest in the nation within the ARNG G-9’s four environmental sections: Cleanup, Conservation, Technological Innovation, and Planning.
The Environmental Stewardship Award honors excellence in environmental stewardship in service of the military mission and was awarded during the ARNG’s Programming Guidance Course at the National Guard Profession Education Center on Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Arkansas, Jan. 23-27, 2023.
“Environmental stewardship and sustainability have been key priorities for our One Guard during my tenure as Adjutant General,” stated Maj. Gen. Bill Crane. “This award is indicative of our commitment to best practices and continued emphasis on the four environmental areas that we can positively affect change for West Virginia. I am incredibly proud of this award and give credit to the men and women of the West Virginia National Guard who emphasize environmental stewardship in their everyday actions.”
U.S. Army Col. Anthony Hammett, the Army National Guard’s G-9, chief of instillations, environment and energy, presented the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award to Nick Broyles, a member of Plans and Programming Section who was attending the conference. Brian “Scott” Sharp, the WVARNG Environmental Program Director, said the program’s staff of 10 people are very deserving of the recognition.
The WVARNG was recognized in the Cleanup category from its proactive approach in addressing chemicals of concern, such as Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), lead and other heavy metals. The WVARNG is completing PFAS Site Investigations at three aviation facilities and Camp Dawson. This will provide an assessment of current levels of PFAS compounds and allow for future management recommendations. Former firing range assessments and cleanup is ongoing at numerous locations throughout the state as well.
The WVARNG also received the highest score in the environmental Planning program for accurate and timely completion National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Environmental Condition of Property (ECOP) assessments. These documents are necessary for real estate actions and the overall environmental review process for military construction projects.
The WVARNG Conservation program was recognized by continuing to provide exemplary stewardship of training lands in coordination with the military mission. Recent efforts to update the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) included a comprehensive vegetative communities and wetland survey to facilitate planning level data.
The wildland fire program works to reduce fuel loads on firing ranges while coordinating controlled burns to enhance foraging habitat for Endangered bats. Controlled burns are part of prescriptions within the Endangered Species Management Plan managed in concurrence with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Yearly population surveys for state rare Golden-Winged Warbler and Allegheny Wood Rat demonstrate the WVARNG’s enduring commitment of stewardship on military lands.