# Presentation: 324906

## Implementing EMS 

***Implementing EMS ***

**2006 Federal Environmental Symposium**
***May 4, 2006***

**Notes:**
Good morning.

My name is Michael Hooks, I’m an environmental scientist and a contract employee.  I work for the EG&G Division of URS, Corporation at NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center’s Wallops Flight Facility.  Goddard Space Flight Center’s main campus is located in Greenbelt, Maryland.  We refer Wallops Flight Facility as either Wallops or you hear us say WFF. 

## Agenda

***Wallops Flight Facility***
***Location***
***Mission and Vision***
***Projects***
***Physical Environment***
***Main Base***
***Wallops Island/Mainland***
***Activities***
***Launch Range***
***Other Activities***
***Workforce Composition***
***Our Partners***
***Implementing EMS***
***“******It’s Your Backyard” – Getting Everyone Involved***
***Gathering Data Through Interviews***
***Self-declaration***
***Continual Improvement***
***EMS Works***
***EMS Successes***

**Notes:**
To begin, I’ll briefly discuss our location on Virginia’s Eastern Shore
	our mission and the projects that support the mission...the physical environment
	launch and other activities on the launch range...our workforce...our partners.
I’ll discuss in more our approach to implementing the EMS including our campaign...our milestones and some challenges and our successes.

## Wallops Flight Facility

***“******Carrying Science to New Heights”***
***http://www.wff.nasa.gov***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

“Carrying Science to New Heights” – this photo collage depicts some of the programs we support at Wallops.   Of course, everyone thinks of the space shuttle when they think of NASA and we certainly provide tracking support and other services for the shuttle program.   During certain stages of the flight, Wallops is also an emergency landing site for the shuttle.
We also wanted to show the other types of aeronautical vehicles or platforms that we employ to carry science to new heights.   We’ve got an aircraft runway, a balloon, a sounding rocket shown here.   

Sounding rockets take their name from the nautical term "to sound," which means to take measurements. Since 1959, NASA-sponsored space and earth science research has used sounding rockets to test instruments used on satellites and spacecraft and to provide information about the Sun, stars, galaxies and Earth's atmosphere and radiation.
NASA currently uses 15 different types of sounding rockets which have configurations similar to this one. They come in a variety of sizes ranging from the the single-stage Super Arcas which stands at 7 feet to the largest, the four-stage Black Brant XII which stands 65 feet tall. 
This type of testing is unique because it's simple, cost-effective and time efficient. The experiments for the payload can be developed in about six months. The rockets are divided into two parts: the payload and a solid-fueled rocket motor. Many of the motors used are surplus military motors. After the launch, as the rocket motor uses its fuel, it separates from the payload and falls back to Earth. Meanwhile, the payload continues into space and begins conducting the experiment. In most cases, after the payload has re-entered the atmosphere, it is brought gently down to Earth by way of a parachute and is then retrieved. By recovering parts of the payload, it can be refurbished and flown again, resulting in tremendous savings.Scientific payloads are carried to altitudes from 30 miles to more than 800 miles. And although the overall time in space is short (typically 5 to 20 minutes), the experiment is perfectly positioned to carry out its mission successfully.Data is often collected and returned to Earth by telemetry links, which transfer the data from the payload directly to researchers on the ground. This is similar to how you pick up tunes on a radio. 

## World Class Aerospace  In One of the World’s Most Beautiful Coastal Environments

*World Class Aerospace  In One of the World’s Most Beautiful Coastal Environments*

**Notes:**
Breathe... 

Read the title.

This map depicts our location in reference to the rest of the world.   Shown here is the Delmarva Peninsula.  For reference, this is the State of Delaware, Maryland and then here is the Virginia portion of the peninsula.   Wallops is located in the red box.  Right now, we are attending the symposium right here outside of Washington DC.

## The Wallops Mission

***Wallops Flight Facility will be a ***_***national resource***_*** for enabling low-cost aerospace-based science and technology research***
_***Mission***_
***Enable scientific research***
***Development/deployment of suborbital & small orbital carriers***
***Earth science research***
***Mission services****** ***
***Enable frequent, safe, and low-cost access to space***
***Advanced technology development, ***
***Testing & operational support***
***Facilitation of the commercial launch industry***
***Provide science and technology educational opportunities, and pursue innovative partnerships with academia, other government agencies, and industry***

***The Wallops Mission***

**Notes:**
Breathe... 
This is the Wallops Mission...
(Allow 15-20 seconds for audience to read)
I’ll simply point out that the mission is enabling scientific research and provide low-cost access to space.   Of course, reading the mission statement, we knew we had our work cut out for us because of the diversity of the mission activities.

## NASA/Wallops Flight Projects

*NASA/Wallops Flight Projects*

***Sounding Rockets***
***20-35 missions per year***
***Science/technology experiments ***
***World-wide launch locations***
***Spacecraft built & tested in-house***
***Scientific Balloons***
***20-35 missions per year***
***Worldwide mission support***
***Major technology activities***
***Scientific Aircraft***
***Atmospheric science research***
***Flying laboratories***
***In-house aircraft mods.***
***Worldwide mission support****** ***

***Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles***
***Earth science research***
***Brokering services***
***New technology developments***
***Small Satellites***
***University-developed***
***NASA provides facilitation, oversight***
***Shuttle Small Payloads***
***Research, education, & commercial missions***
***Integration, safety, project management***

**Notes:**
Breathe... 

To carry out that mission, we conduct several types of projects.   Rocket launches, balloon research...

...Balloons are almost large enough to hold, Ravens Stadium and can carry an 8,000lb payload
...Manned aircraft research
...UAVs – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – one of these was sent directly into a Hurricane Rita last summer to collect climatologic data – 300 feet above the ocean surface
Human safety 

## Wallops Flight Facility Main Base

***Wallops Flight Facility Main Base***

**Notes:**
Breathe... 

This is an aerial photograph of the Main Base Facility at WFF.   The research runway is visible here.   This location is adjacent to the marshland and the Chincoteague Channel.  Chincoteague Island has a year round population that swells to 50,000 or 60,000 in the summer.   This is popular tourist destination.   It’s the home of the Annual Pony Penning.

## Wallops Flight Facility

*Wallops Flight Facility*

***Three Land Areas******	******6000 Acres***
***Wallops Main Base******	******1900 Acres***
_***Mission***_
***Administrative & Technical Offices***
***Tracking & Data Acquisition***
***Range Control Center***
***Hazardous Processing ***
***Ordnance Storage/Processing***
***R&D, Processing Facilities***
***Research Airport***
***Navy Administration/Housing***
***	***_***Environment ***_
***Adjacent Marshland***
***Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands***
***Coastal Watershed***
***Coastal Bays***
***Cultural Resources***
***Endangered Species***
***Virginia Inside Passage (waterway)***
***Atlantic Flyway***
***Environmental Remediation Sites***

**Notes:**
Breathe... 
This map depicts the location of the main base facility in relation to the overall facility.   The entire facility is 6000 acres and is comprised of three separate areas, (USE POINTER) the main base, the mainland and wallops island areas.  The main base has 1900 acres.  

These are the mission activities associated with the Main Base
Let them read the list.

These activities are conducted in an area that is adjacent to an existing marshland and the coastal bays that they empty into. 

We conduct our research in a pristine and beautiful environment.  Bald eagles nest nearby in the woods surrounding the facility.  These areas are very sensitive to our activities.  Sediment and erosion control, oil and chemical use, spills, noise.

## Wallops Island

***Wallops Island***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

Allow a moment for them to view – 10 to 15 seconds

Wallops Island is the launch facility.  It is a barrier island and its surrounded by marshland.  Point out MARS and the launch areas. UAV Runway south end.

## Wallops Flight Facility

*Wallops Flight Facility*

***Three Land Areas******	******6000 Acres***
***Wallops Island/Mainland******	****** 3100 Acres***
_***Mission***_
***Launch Sites***
***Blockhouses***
***Radar***
***Processing Facilities***
***Dynamic Spin Balance***
***Navy Operational Facilities***
***Tracking & Data Acquisition***
_***Environment***__*** ***_
***1140 Acres of TidalMarsh***
***Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands***
***Barrier Island (7 miles long)***
***Maritime Forest ***
***Coastal Watershed***
***Coastal Bays***
***Cultural Resources***
***Endangered Species***
***Virginia Inside Passage (waterway)***
***Atlantic Ocean***
***Coastal Dunes***
***Atlantic Flyway***
***Environmental Remediation Sites***
***Open Burning Area Permit***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

Here’s a map of the Mainland and Wallops Island areas. These Mission activities are the things we expect to see at a launch facility...

The beaches Wallops Island are very active.  Sea turtles visit regularly, a female loggerhead sea turtle layed eggs at WFF four years ago.  The northernmost nesting in forty years.

Endangered species:
Walking on eggshells – piping plovers nest in intertidal zone.  Closure for 6 months of the year. 

Peregine Falcon hacking tower

## Wallops  Research  Range 

***Range integrates launcher, tracking, control, airport, air- and sea-space, and all other systems for launch support***
***Launch Range mission types***
***Suborbital rockets & balloons***
***ELVs (& RLVs )***
***Launch vehicle demonstrations***
***DoD targets***
***Complete mobile range capability***
***Testbed for advanced range technology development***
***Support to NASA, DoD, & commercial customers***
***Ability to support extended duration missions (e.g., thunderstorm research)***
***Quick response capability***
***Partnership with Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport***

***Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport***

***Pegasus***

***Vandal***

***Firebird***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

Give audience a moment to read slide.

These are typical activities conducted at Wallops Island’s Launch Range.  There are numerous separate projects in different areas...with more than just NASA projects

## Wallops Research Range  Annual Usage

***Wallops Research Range  Annual Usage***

_***Annual Supported Events (Average)***_
***ELVs******	******	******	******	******1***
***Field Campaigns******	******	******1***
***Suborbital Rockets******	******	******8***
***Meteorological Rockets******	******	******20***
***Shuttle Launches******	******	******4***
***Orbital Tracks******	******	******	******406***
***UAVs/Drop Models******	******	******4***
***Aircraft Tests******	******	******	******329***
***Meteorological Balloons******	******	******108***
***Ground Measurements******	******	******57***
***DoD Targets******	******	******	******15***
***DoD Gun Tests******	******	******	******16***
***Other Tests******	******	******	******57***

**Notes:**
NASA has mission activities but 42% of the range usage is Non-NASA.  In order to implement an Environmental Management System, Wallops needed to get information from these other users about their activities.

[EMS Guidance:  include activities that have an impact on our facility]

## Other  Activities

***Engineering***
***Fabrication Labs***
***Flight Environment Testing***
***Materials Testing***
***Calibration***
***Chemical Analysis***
***Weather Forecasting***
***Data Analysis***
***User Facilities***
***Security***
***Crash, Fire, and Rescue***
***Photo Services***
***Printing***
***Public Affairs***
***Shipping/Receiving***
***Food Service***
***Technical Library***
***Fitness Facility***
***Dormitories***
***Small Purchases***
***Environmental Management***
***Hazardous Storage***
***And More***

***Mechanical Fabrication Shop***

***Crash, Fire, & Rescue***

**Notes:**
Breathe...pause

The base support activities encompass everything from engineering to fire and rescue.  We have two fire departments one on the main base and one on the island.  Like a small city.

Environmental management is just one of those activities.   Our EMS needed to assess the impacts of the mission activities and the mission support activities also. 

## The  EMS Challenge

***Conducting Research and Development While Minimizing Impact to the Environment***
*** ******-And Getting Everyone Involved***

**Notes:**
Breathe... (Don’t leave the slide blank.)

The challenge in implementation...conducting research and development

And getting everyone involved.

The Environmental Office could not simply implement an EMS without support from everyone on the facility.  

## Implementing  an EMS

***A tool for balancing mission and environment***
***Systematic process***
***Sets priorities***
***Allows evaluation of our strengths and weaknesses***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

Convincing everyone on the facility, contractors and civil servants was no simple task.  The implementation team needed to reassure NASA senior management and contract supervisors that this program would not be another set of environmental tasks given to an already busy workforce.

Through a fact sheet we conveyed these ideas about EMS...

## Management Buy-In

***The key to a successful EMS is...***
***Senior Management Support!***

***Craig Purdy, Wallops Deputy Senior Manager and “EMS Champion”***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

Management support gave our EMS credibility and kept the EMS from being viewed as “just another environmental office requirement.”   Craig Purdy, the deputy senior manager at Wallops was enthusiastic about EMS from the beginning.  He has the respect of his colleagues at Wallops Island.  Craig is both professional and personable.  He was born and raised on the Eastern Shore and loves to fish and hunt.

## NASA Wallops Workforce 

***NASA Wallops Workforce ***

**834 Contractor Employees**

**261 Civil Service Employees**

**Notes:**
Breathe...

Wallops is technically not a GOCO facility but it does have a large contract component.   

More than 75% are contractors.   We have a diverse workforce, administrative personel, engineers, cafeteria workers, janitors, heavy equipment operators, researchers and scientists.  

In order to make the WFF Environmental Management System viable, we needed the support of all these contractors as they performed their duties.

The WFF Implementation team developed a Core Team that was composed of members of WFF Senior Management and a Project Team composed of the senior contract managers and their supervisors.

## Our Partners

***Naval Air Warfare Center***
***(Patuxent River)***

***Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport***

***U. S. Coast Guard***

***National Oceanic and ***
***Atmospheric Administration***

***Navy/Surface Combat Systems Center***

***Marine Science Consortium***

**Notes:**
Breathe...
The Core Team also included members of senior management from each of its partners.

These are WFF’s partners.   WFF has federal partners, Navy, NOAA, US Coast Guard, commercial partners, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) and educational partners, the Marine Science Consortium, a group of Mid-Atlantic colleges that offers classes at WFF.

## EMS Training  With  Our Contractors and Partners

***EMS Training  With  Our Contractors and Partners***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

This slide shows the cooperation among the different groups at Wallops.  These photos were taken during WFF’s EMS Awareness Training.  Pictured are: NASA Civil servants and NASA contractors (security), the NOAA Station Manager and Navy Civil servants take classes.

## The Wallops Community

***The Wallops Community***

***Relationships***
***Seamless relationship between contractors and civil servants***
***Open and honest communication***
***Frequent interactions at grocery stores schools, churches, local events***
***Rural Setting***
***Small towns surround the facility***
***Close-knit communities***
***Fragile natural environment***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

It is often said that when working on a project, the relationship between contractors and  civil servants is seamless.  This seems to foster open and honest communication.   WFF workers frequently see one another at the grocery stores, at the beach, and at community events.

There are no big cities around WFF

The marshes, the coastal bays, the beaches are environmentally sensitive and fragile...the community wants to protect that environement.

## Support From The Wallops Community 

***Support From The Wallops Community ***

***Outreach Activities***
***Booth Displays***
***Facility Outdoor Activities***
***“******Inside Wallops” Newsletter***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

The Wallops Community supports outreach activities both inside and outside the fence.  The photo shows our annual Earth Day event.  We have a beach cleanup on the beach at Wallops Island every year and the public is invited.  These photos show the WFF 60th Anniversary.  The Inside Wallops Newsletter is published weekly by the WFF Public Affairs Office and is made available to onsite employees including civil servants and contractors.  EMS articles are published quarterly.

## Environmental Policy

***Environmental Policy***

***This Means:****** ***
***We work, live and play in this environment***
***We care deeply about our environment***
***We want to protect and preserve it for our children and our children’s children***

**Notes:**
Breathe...  (don’t leave screen white – click)

Goddard Space Flight Center had an excellent Environmental Policy.  The WFF Implementation team wanted to add language to the policy that reflected the core values of the people working at its facilities.  After talking with contractors and civil servants we developed these values to represent them.

## Balancing  Mission and Environment

***Balancing  Mission and Environment***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

The WFF EMS needed to be developed in a manner that allowed NASA to conduct mission and support activities, minimize negative environmental impacts and protect the environment to allow recreational activities nearby.  The photos here show a sounding rocket launch...fishing...survey group at north end of Wallops Island...Peregrine Falcon hacking tower...blue heron..Ta-Tog...NASA 8 Fueling

## Commitment

***We commit to:***
***Consider the environment as we do our jobs***
***Comply with the law***
***Prevent pollution and conserve natural resources***
***Promote ideas for improvement***
***Communicate with each other***

**...****Because it’s our backyard!**

**Notes:**
Breathe...

GSFC policy was changed to include commitments that reflected the core values

Consider...comply...prevent...promote  Like the private sector, many excellent ideas are developed at the “shop floor” level.  These ideas could be communicated back to management to improve the EMS. 

## Gap Analysis

Aspects/Impacts 
Interviews with facility organizations
Software Database
Ranking

***Aspects/Impacts ***
***Interviews with facility organizations***
***Software Database***
***Ranking***

***Gathering Data***

**Notes:**
Breathe...
Gap analysis conducted to determine which of our 17 elements were in place.
 (Click)

NASA requirements – 12 Significant aspects.  We needed to determine which activities involved these aspects and so the team interviewed contractors, and interviewed civil servants, and interviewed...and interviewed...

Then all of the aspect information was used to develop a database for ranking the significance.   The WFF Implementation team conducted a series of workshops involving the environmental contractors and civil servants to group the impacts and then rank them.   NASA’s ranking system includes...evaluating impacts for severity and frequency for the areas of...Safety & Health, Natural and Cultural Resources, Cost to NASA, Mission Impact, Reputation and Stakeholders, Legal and Regulatory Compliance.

After these workshops, the team developed a list of Priorty Aspects that could become WFF’s Objectives.   The team then took these before the WFF EMS Core Team and WFF Senior Management.      

## Environmental Aspects Aligned with Mission Priorities

***Environmental Aspects Aligned with Mission Priorities***

***Presented Environmental Aspects to Senior Management:***
***Site Restoration***
***National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)***
***Water Program***
***Senior Management requested alignment with mission priorities***
***The top priorities became: ***
***Site Restoration***
***Protected Areas and Species***
***NEPA***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

WFF Implementation team presented the Significant Aspects to the Core Team and WFF Senior Management.   Senior Management asked if these were aligned with mission priorities.  The team did not feel that mission priorities were adequately addressed and another series of interviews was conducted to collect additional information and then aspects were ranked to align with mission priorities.

(click)

Site Restoration remained the No.1 Priority.  Discuss DOD, NASA activities.   Protected Areas and Protected Species moved up to No. 2  and that was due in part to a near miss, a helicopter hovered and nearly landed on the beach at Wallops Island at the Piping Plover nesting area.  Fines would have been substantial.   NEPA dropped to No.3 but remained due to the possibility of mission delay from lack of NEPA analysis for new projects.

## EMS Reviews

***EMS Reviews***

***Agency Level Review (NASA HQ) – Spring 2005***
***EMS Internal Review (Third Party)***
***WFF Civil Servants paired with contractors for interviews***
***QMS auditors from WFF paired with EMS auditors***
***Follow-up Internal Review****** ***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

NASA HQ conducted an agency level review (or audit) in the Spring of 2005...suggested we pare the list of ten HPEA’s down to a more manageable three...

For the EMS Internal Review – primarily contractors and some civil servants paired when possible to conduct interviews – nearly a week long.   Civil servants from QMS acted as auditors also.   Contactors were as involved in the efforts as much as the civil servants.

Audit determined that WFF had a viable EMS with all 17 elements in-place.  Some areas needed improvement and a follow up audit involving environmental contractors was condcuted in the Fall of 2005.  All 17 elements in place and healthy programs existed.

## Management Review

***Satisfactory Review***
***Self-declaration***

- Meets the requirements of  Executive Order 13148 and NASA Procedural Requirement (NPR) 8553.1

***John H. Campbell***
***Wallops Senior Manager***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

The results of the review were presented to the WFF Senior Manager during the EMS Management Review.  Shortly thereafter he sent a memorandum to the Goddard Space Flgith Center Director stating that Wallops had a viable EMS meeting NASA’s requirements.

## Continual Improvement

***Continual Improvement***

***Environmental Office Website***
***EMS Database***
***Awareness Training***
***Internet based***
***Available to all employees, contractors, tenants***
***Updated training for Operational Controls***
***Expand EMS Scope***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

Wallops Environentmental office has a website.  Contractor operated EMS webpage and database linked to it.  Features web based awareness training that includes videos of senior managers “talking up” the EMS.  Also has data for activities, products, services.  Training is available to everyone.

Ops Controls – don’t reinvent the wheel – add EMS language to existing procedures

Expand EMS beyond the fenceline to include:
Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility,
White Sands Missile Range activities,
Poker Flat, AK launch activities

## Commitment to Continual Improvement
Environmental Compliance

Benefits:
Recognition for NASA and Wallops Flight Facility through public and regulatory communities
Recognized by EPA’s Performance Track Program
Annual Permit Fee Discounts for Water and Waste Permits
Recognition through public and regulatory communities
One regulatory contact for all permits
Reduced regulatory oversight

***Commitment to Continual Improvement***
***Environmental Compliance***
***Benefits:***
***Recognition for NASA and Wallops Flight Facility through public and regulatory communities***
***Recognized by EPA’s Performance Track Program***
***Annual Permit Fee Discounts for Water and Waste Permits***
***Recognition through public and regulatory communities***
***One regulatory contact for all permits***
***Reduced regulatory oversight***

***Virginia Environmental Excellence Program***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

WFF has applied to the VDEQ’s Environmental Excellence Program to gain third party recognition for the EMS both in the regulatory circles and for the general public. 

## EMS Works

***EMS Works***

***Security Guard responded to EMS Awareness training by notifying the environmental office about debris that could potentially impact wildlife.  (Complies with one of our top three Environmental Aspects – Protected Areas and Protected Species)***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

This is the outcome WFF EMS Implementation team had hoped to see...that contractors, civil servants would look at the ways they think about minimizing neg impacts and increasing pos impacts in their daily work.

Security guard...a contractor...took training in Winter 2006 and the training describes No.2 Objective – Protected Areas/Species.   He called the Env Office and they responded.  He received an EMS Gym Bag to recognize his conscientousness.

## EMS  Successes

***No NOVs – Notices of Violation***
***Annual RCRA Audits***
***No findings for the past 7 years***
***NASA HQ Audit every 3 years***
*** ******11 ******Greens****** (Traffic Light Concept), 2 ******Yellows******, No ******Reds***
***Metrics***
***Established to Measure Significant Aspects***
***Environmental Site Restoration***
***Administrative Agreement On Consent***
***Excellent rapport with regulators***
***Working relationship with partners and contractors***

**Notes:**
Breathe...

WFF has done an excellent job managing the environment with contractors and civil servants working as a team.    EMS will enhance these areas...

Read them...

NASA HQ Audit previous cycle – reds – moved to greens this cycle partly due to EMS Implementation

## Why Do We Do This?

***Why Do We Do This?***

**...****Because it’s our backyard!**

**Notes:**
Breathe...

This is the EMS Logo for WFF.   WFF has to conduct the mission in a way that doesn’t harm the environment but allows the mission to be successful.

## For Additional Information

- <date/time>

***For Additional Information***

***Visit our web site***
***	******http://www.nasa-wallops-ems.org***
***or contact us at:***
***Bonnie H. Crawford – NASA EMS Lead***
_***Bonnie.H.Crawford@nasa.gov***_
***(757) 824-2234***
***Michael Hooks – EMS Auditor***
- _[Michael.S.Hooks.1@gsfc.nasa.gov](mailto:Michael.S.Hooks.1@gsfc.nasa.gov)_
***(757) 824-2418***

**Notes:**
Breathe:

Here is the website address for Wallops Flight Facility’s EMS public page

NASA Lead

Thank you for your time.

Are there any questions?