23 September 1970 (c) Through the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, conducts research and develops exploratory and advanced environmental pollution controls. The laboratory develops methods and techniques for detecting, controlling, and abating environmental pollution and continuously exchanges information with HQ AFLC. Joint evaluation and collaboration with the USAF may be necessary to solve, or determine approaches to, particularly difficult problems. (d) Conducts environmental pollution toxicology studies to help develop realistic standards and criteria for chemical compounds of special interest or peculiar to the Air Force. (e) Prepares, for the Surgeon General, HQ USAF, manuals, regulations, pamphlets, and other documents on environmental pollution abatement and control in Air Force systems operation and systems support functions. 5. Criteria and Standards. Normally, Air Force activities must comply with the quality standards and related implementing plans, including emission standards, adopted and approved by Federal regulatory agencies. Issued criteria and standards apply to all facilities (buildings, installations, structures, public works, equipment, aircraft, vessels, and other vehicles and property) owned by, or constructed or manufactured for lease to, the Federal government. a. If no air or water quality standards are in force for a particular geographic area or if more stringent requirements are considered advisable for Federal facilities, use Federal standards issued by regulatory authority under section 4b, Executive Order 11507, 5 Feb 70. b. From time to time facilities may be identified that should, in the interest of national security or the nation, be exempted from complying with approved environmental control standards. To exempt the facility, the installation must apply for a waiver through command channels to HQ USAF/SGP, Wash DC 20330. Send an information copy of the request to HQ USAF/ PRE or HQ USAF/RD, as appropriate. The application must explain why the waiver is requested, justify the waiver, and include the comments or recommendations of the State or local pollution control agency or the regional office of the Department of Interior. c. Standards in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, chapter I, subchapter F, part 76, "Prevention, Control, and Abatement of Air Pollution from Federal Govern 5 AFR 161-22 ment Activities, Performance Standards, and Techniques of Measurement" (published in the Federal Register, volume 13, No. 107, June 3, 1966) apply to Air Force installations and facilities. d. Do not discharge into waters or the atmosphere any waste that contains any substance in concentrations that are hazardous to the health of people; that can result in substantial harm to domestic animals, fish, shellfish, or wild life; or that may cause economic loss through damage to plants or crops. e. Do install facilities or establish procedures to prevent cooling water from increasing stream temperatures above acceptable limits. f. Store and handle gasoline, jet fuels, and other volatile petroleum distillates or organic liquids in a way to minimize vapor emission. For storage, use pressure tanks or reservoirs or containers equipped with floating roofs or vapor recovery, vapor emission control devices or systems to control loss of vapor to the atmosphere. g. Avoid or minimize the creation of wastes throughout the complete cycle of operations of each facility. h. Preferably, use municipal or regional waste collection or disposal systems to dispose of wastes from Air Force facilities. When use of such a system is not feasible or appropriate, do whatever is necessary to satisfactorily dispose of such wastes, including the following: (1) When appropriate, install and operate waste treatment and disposal facilities. (2) Provide trained manpower, laboratories, and other supporting facilities, as appropriate, to meet the requirements of issued standards. (3) Require operators of Air Force pollution control facilities to meet levels of proficiency consistent with the operator certification requirements of the State in which the facility is located. If the State has no requirements, use the guidelines on operator qualifications and performance issued by the Secretary of HEW or Interior. i. Insure that all materials (including solid fuels, ashes, petroleum products, and other chemical and biological agents) are used, stored, and handled to avoid or minimize the possibilities of water and air pollution. j. Provide the engineering safeguards (such as dikes, catchment areas, relief ves AFR 161-22 sels) that are necessary to prevent pollution of water by accidental discharge of stored fuels, solvents, oils, and other chemicals. k. Do not dispose of or discharge waste in a way that could cause ground water pollution that would endanger the health or welfare of the public. 1. Assure that discharges of radioactivity conform with the applicable rules, regulations, and requirements of the Atomic Energy Commission and with the policies and guidance of the Federal Radiation Council, as published in the Federal Register. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE OFFICIAL JOHN F. RASH, Colonel, USAF 23 September 1970 NOTE: Attachment 1 lists Air Force documents that give guidance on various aspects of pollution abatement and control programs. If questions about criteria and standards arise, direct them to HQ USAF/SGPAA. 6. Submitting Reports and Comments. HQ USAF requires copies of reports and comments by representatives of State or local pollution abatement agencies, HEW, or Department of Interior about pollution caused by Federal installations. Send documents by letter of transmittal and indorsement to HQ USAF/PRE. Include comments on proposed actions. Send information copies of reports and comments to HQ USAF/SGPAA. JOHN D. RYAN, General, USAF Summary of Revised, Deleted, or Added Material This revision expands explanation of "environmental pollution (para 1); requires control of environmental pollutants generated by contractor operations on real property owned or leased by the Air Force (para 2a (1)); establishes an Air Force Environmental Pollution Control Committee, chaired by the PRE or his designee (para 2a (8)); requires all Air Staff agencies to insure that their activities are conducted in a manner consistent with this regulation and Ex Os 11597 and 11514 (para 3a); designates HQ USAF/PRE the Air Staff OPR for pollution abatement and authorizes a single point of contact in each Air Staff activity (para 3b (1)). Adds to HQ USAF responsibilities-PRE to establish requirements for funds and direct necessary mission-related research and development to establish new and improve existing environmental pollution control methods (para 3b (2)–(6)); SME to be responsible for jet engine sound suppressors (para 3d); Dir of Industrial resources to insure that contractors on real property owned or leased by AF comply with pollution abatement standards, and initiate funding to insure continued compliance (para 3f). It requires MAJCOMs to appoint a single point of contact for environmental pollution matters (para 4a (1)), exercise caution to minimize pollution when conducting firefighting training (para 4a (5) (a)); help the Office of Information respond to public or news media queries (para 4a (5) (b)), directs HQ AFLC to program and procure control equipment to support weapon systems, AGE, motor vehicles, and other industrial equipment not covered by military construction (para 4b (1)), ÚSAF Environmental and Radiological Health Laboratories to collaborate with Air Force Weapons Laboratory (para 4b (2) (h)), and HQ AFSC to require industrial facility contractors and A&E to obtain the procurement contracting officer's approval and the PCO to obtain civil engineering technical review (para 4(b)(4) (b). Revises Air Weather Service responsibilities (para 4b(3)), and adds Air Force Weapons Laboratory responsibilities (para 4b (3) (c)). It defines criteria and standards for facilities (para 5); specifies procedures for areas without established air or water quality standards (para 5); adds requirements of ExO 11507 (para 5g, h, i, k, and 1); deletes reporting requirement for environmental contamination problems and aligns reporting procedures with new Air Force policy (para 6); and updates references and spells out new requirements of recent public laws and executive orders (throughout regulation). 6 September 1970 AFR 161-22 REFERENCES ach publication listed in this attachment contains references that apply to some aspect of an environental pollution abatement and control program.) Statutory and Executive Office Requireents. (Do not requisition these publicaons; they are not available through distriition channels.) a. The Federal Water Pollution Control ct, Act of June 30, 1948 (62 Stat. 1155), as mended by the Act of October 2, 1965 (79 tat. 903; 33 USC 466 et. seq.). b. The Clean Air Act, Act of July 14, 1955, s amended (42 USC 1857 et. seq.). c. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42, ubchapter F, Part 76, as amended, 23 March 1967 and 10 July 1969. d. Executive Order 10779, "Directing Fedral Agencies to Cooperate with State and Local Authorities in Preventing Pollution of he Atmosphere," August 20, 1958. e. Executive Order 11507, "Prevention, Control, and Abatement of Air and Water Pollution at Federal Facilities," February 5, 1970, Federal Register, Vol 35, No. 25. 2. DOD Directives. (Do not requisition these publications; they are not available through distribution channels.) a. DOD Directive 6015.5, "Joint Utilization of Military Health and Medical Facilities and Services," December 5, 1955. (Implemented by AFR 160–62; AFMs 162-1 and 168-4) b. DOD Directive 4000.19, "Basic Policies and Principles for Interservice Support," March 26, 1960. (Implemented by AFR 40027) c. DOD Directive 5410.18, "Community Relations," April 21, 1965. (Implemented by AFR 190-20) d. DOD Directive 5500.5, "Natural Resources-Conservation and Management," 7 Attachment 1 C. TAGO Ltr AGDA(M) (10 Sept 1970) LOG-C-PDBB-8316B, dtd 11 Sept 1970, subject: Interim Guidelines on Environmental Statements. 2. Since the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act in January 1970, there have been a number of Executive Orders and a great variety of new laws all designed to curtail pollution and preserve the national environment. In addition to the efforts at the national level, almost every state and community has taken up the ecological banner, so that today control of pollution has become a national theme and to a certain extent a major political issue. To those in the Army who are a witness to all of this activity there can be little doubt that preserving the environment is an effort in which we must play a part. 3. In response to a Presidential edict directing all Federal Agencies to demonstrate leadership, both DA and subordinate commands and agencies have initiated measures to demonstrate a genuine concern toward protecting our environment. Actions taken to date include such measures as programing for new construction to abate air and water pollution emanating from Army installations, issuing guidelines on the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements for those actions and plans which could have adverse impact on the environment, supporting the use of low-lead gasoline in military vehicles, encouraging greater efforts toward expanding the conservation and fish and wildlife protection programs on our posts, and stimulating a greater awareness of the environmental considerations as part of normal DA staff activity. 4. For the most part there has been good response by subordinate commands and agencies to comply with specific pollution abatement requirements. In a number of instances most noteworthy initiative has |