Environmental Support

(Final) Supplemental Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Construction, Operation, and Decomissioning of a Solar Photovoltaic System, other Resilient Energy Systems, and a Data Center at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California
 

F-35 Homebasing Information:  

Environmental Assessment for Strike Fighter Realignment at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California

Environmental Impact Statement Record Of Decision (EIS ROD)

FEIS F-35C West Coast Homebasing Vol.1

FEIS F-35C West Coast Homebasing Vol. 2

The Navy's ability to accomplish its mission requires daily operations in the land, sea, and air environments.  The Navy is committed to operating in a manner compatible with the environment.  National defense and environmental protection are and must continue to be compatible goals.  Therefore, an important part of the Navy's mission is to prevent pollution, protect the environment, and protect natural, historic, and cultural resources.  In order to accomplish this mission element, all personnel must be aware of the environmental and natural resources laws and regulations which have been established by Federal, State, and Local governments. 

The number of environmental regulations has increased significantly in recent years, and these regulations are in a continuous state of change.  All NAS Lemoore and Navy contracted personnel must ensure they are aware of, understand, and comply with all environmental requirements imposed upon them by Federal, State and local governments.

Policy Statement

The Clean Air Act

(CAA) established national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in order to protect the health and general welfare of the public.  In California achieving these standards is the responsibility of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the local San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District which must develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs) that outline to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) how the State and Region will achieve and maintain the NAAQS.  SIPs implement pollution control programs such as new source performance standards (NSPS), new source review (NSR), and national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAPS) at the State and local level.  California generally requires pollution control and prevention measures which are more stringent than those mandated by the EPA, and most other States.  Naval Air Station Lemoore must comply with the requirements of Federal, State, and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District regulations governing stationary and mobile source air emissions .

Natural Resources

Present land use at NAS Lemoore can be divided into six major categories:  (1) Air Operations, (2)  Administration, (3)  Family Housing,  (4)  Recreational, (5)  Wildlife, and (6)  Agricultural. 

There are five designated wildlife areas on the station.  Agricultural activities, natural grass and brush areas, and approximately 400 acres of wastewater treatment ponds at NAS Lemoore attract and support more than 124 species of animals including 3 reptiles, 3 amphibians, 12 mammals and 106 birds. Include in this list are several federally protected species. 

Nearly three-quarters of the land area of NAS Lemoore (approximately 11,500 acres) is leased out to local farmers for agricultural purpose.  The primary crops grown on the soils are cotton, wheat, and sugar beets.  The agricultural out lease land is divided into 60 parcels which are leased to individuals for five year periods.  The out lease program produces between $900,000 and $1.2 million dollars in rents annually, more than any other individual out lease program under the direction of the Navy.

Pollution Prevention Planning

Pollution prevention (P2) encompasses the methods and programs designed to reduce or eliminate pollution at the source instead of trying to control or mitigate the effects. Pollution prevention is the preferred means of complying with or reducing regulatory requirements. P2 is an important tool for the Navy to manage its resources more efficiently and cost effectively. All Navy shore installations are required to develop, implement and update P2 Plans to achieve these objectives.

The primary drivers for pollution prevention programs at Navy installations are Executive Orders (EOs) 12856 and 13101. In particular, EO 12856 directs all federal agencies to comply with the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (PPA). This executive order emphasizes that the Federal Government must demonstrate pollution prevention leadership by improving facility management, incorporating environmental principles in acquisition practices, establishing comprehensive P2 Plans, and developing innovative technologies.
The PPA establishes an environmental management hierarchy as national policy. This hierarchy, also incorporated into EO 12856, calls for the following:

Pollution is to be prevented or reduced at the source whenever possible;

Pollution that cannot be prevented is to be recycled in an environmentally safe manner whenever feasible;

Pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled is to be treated in an environmentally safe manner whenever feasible; and,

Disposal or other release into the environment is to be employed only as a last resort and conducted in an environmentally safe manner.
 

Water Reports can be acquired by calling Environmental at 559-998-2720. Naval Air Station Lemoore is required to distribute to its water drinking customers an annual report on the quality of water provided during the previous calendar year.