EOHCAMPs ensure environmental problems are detected, corrected early

  • Published
  • By Mike Spaits
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A team of 35 experts will put Eglin's environmental programs under the microscope the week of June 22. 

The inspectors will evaluate Eglin, Duke Field, Camp Rudder, and Site C-6, and other range facilities to ensure environmental and occupational health compliance and adherence to the Environmental Management System, a system that incorporates mission needs and environmental regulations. 

The inspection is part of the Environmental and Occupational Health, Compliance Assessment and Management Program. EOHCAMP is the Air Force's annual self-assessment tool that helps commanders check the status of environmental and occupational health compliance to state and federal environmental laws, and Air Force polices, and to identify and track solutions to known problem areas. 

According to Randall Rowland, Eglin's environmental division chief, yearly inspections demonstrate the base's dedication to its environmental responsibilities. 

"This is an essential part of our Environmental Management System process," Mr. Rowland said. "It provides us an opportunity to learn about and fix environmental shortcomings before they become major problems that could impact the mission." 

Finding and correcting these problems now protects the workforce and environment and makes Eglin less susceptible to enforcement actions from state and federal environmental regulators, which could include impeding mission activities. Also, an enforcement action can carry a fine as high as $32,500 per day, per violation and employees found guilty of criminal acts may face other punishments. 

There are two types of EOHCAMP inspections--external and internal. This year is an internal inspection so base volunteer evaluators will scrutinize the organization's process of handling and disposing of hazardous materials, pollutants, and waste. They will also evaluate how the base manages natural and cultural resources, air emissions and water quality, as well as adherence to the Environmental Management System. 

Once every three years Air Force Materiel Command environmental experts conduct an external inspection of Eglin's environmental programs. In 2010, the base will undergo an external inspection. 

According to Beth Avery, Eglin EMS/EOHCAMP manager, any unit on base is subject to the EOHCAMP, particularly those that use hazardous materials, petroleum products, and other flammables, or those that produce hazardous waste. However, those most affected will be the base's more than 90 Unit Environmental Coordinators. UECs have the responsibility of ensuring their own unit stays compliant with environmental regulations and requirements. 

Eglin has enjoyed a downward trend of problem areas, or "findings," however, Ms. Avery said "we still find areas that needed improvement." 

"EOHCAMP allows us to analyze what caused the findings and forces us to focus on improving those areas," Ms. Avery explained. "It gives us an opportunity to modify our programs and conduct additional training to prevent the same problem from happening again." 

For this reason, this year's inspection focuses on examining the solutions put in place to correct problem areas identified during past inspections. 

"Our goal is to correct the majority of the findings within the first year and to ensure that the best methods are in place to remedy those areas that do not meet our environmental standards," Ms. Avery said. 

For more information about EOHCAMP visit https://em.eglin.af.mil/emc/inspect/ecamp/index.asp. 

To view Eglin's Environmental Policy or learn about the EMS, visit the EM Web sites at or https://em.eglin.af.mil/emc/ems/.