United States Air Force Academy

Information on the Air Force Academy Natural Resources Program is available at https://usafa.isportsman.net

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) addresses the issue of preserving our national history. Congress has declared that the historical and cultural foundations of the nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development and that the preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest. By preserving this foundation, a vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans. All Federal agencies, including the Academy, are required to establish a program to locate, inventory, and nominate all properties under the agency's control that qualify for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The effects of a new undertaking on property in the National Register must be considered before beginning an undertaking. The State of Colorado Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) must be consulted during identification, location, and evaluation of historic properties and in assessing the effect of an undertaking on historic property. The SHPO also needs to be notified where there is no adverse effect, or when there are no historic properties in the area of potential effect.

The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 act encourages looking at waste more broadly with a view towards reducing pollution. All pollutants are to be minimized and waste creation is to be controlled, not just during the production process, but also in the design of products that will have less impact on the environment while in use and after disposal. It is Academy and national policy to prefer pollution prevention, whenever feasible. Waste that cannot be prevented should be recycled, and waste that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated in an environmentally safe manner. Disposal should be employed only as a last resort. 

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) includes: Chemicals, Dyes, Gases: compressed and liquefied, Pest Control Agents, Medications, Cleaning and Polishing Compounds, Paints, Varnishes and Related Materials, Preservatives and Sealing Compounds, Adhesives, Fuels (Solid), Liquid Propellants, Fuel Oils, Oils and Greases: Cutting, Lubricating, Hydraulic. The purpose of the HMP is to manage the procurement and use of HAZMAT to (1) support Air Force missions; (2) to protect the safety and health of personnel on the Academy and communities surrounding the Academy; (3) minimize the use of HAZMAT consistent with mission requirements; (4) and to maintain Academy compliance with environmental requirements for HAZMAT usage.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, and as subsequently amended, established a "cradle-to-grave" system governing hazardous waste from the point of generation to disposal. RCRA hazardous wastes include the specific materials listed in the regulations and materials that exhibit a hazardous waste characteristic (ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity). The Academy, like other regulated entities that generate hazardous waste, is subject to waste accumulation, manifesting, and record keeping standards. In addition, the Academy minimizes its waste generation by using a hazardous material pharmacy to allocate and dispense hazardous materials on an "as needed" basis and requires all organizations to promote pollution prevention through reuse and recycling whenever possible.