Fort Lewis Sustainability Tour
Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Mercer Island hosted an inspiring day of reflection and action in the form of a Communion with Creation conference on January 30, 2010.
On February 27, Earth Ministry members and friends were privileged to a unique look at the Army’s range of sustainability practices as implemented at Fort Lewis. Washington State’s largest Army post has far-reaching sustainability goals, and is a model for the rest of the federal government in managing environmental systems.
Together, they heard an overview presentation on the Army’s commitment to environmental sustainability and Fort Lewis programs, took a walking tour of the onsite composting and recycling operations at Sequalitchew Creek EarthWorks, a closed landfill, visited the training area greenhouse, where native prairie plant species are cultivated for use in habitat restoration, took a driving tour of sustainable urban planning and green building projects, including the historic district and new barracks construction sites, and enjoyed a briefing on Fort Lewis’ Master Plan at the North Fort Chapel.
Throughout the visit, participants had the opportunity to engage members of the post’s sustainability staff involved in a variety of areas, including those specified above, as well as education and outreach and overall program management.
Fort Lewis’ 25-Year Sustainability Goals:
Air Quality
1. Reduce installation stationary source and non-tactical motor vehicle air emissions 85% by 2025
Energy
2. Reduce total energy consumption by 30% by 2015
3. Sustain all activities on post using renewable energy sources by 2025
Sustainable Community
4. Create sustainable neighborhoods for a livable Fort Lewis community that enhances the Puget Sound Region
Product and Materials Management
5. Cycle all material use to achieve ZERO net waste by 2025
Sustainable Training Lands
6. Maintain the ability of Fort Lewis to meet current and future military missions without compromising the integrity of natural and cultural resources, both on the installation and regionally
7. Recover all listed and candidate federal species in South Puget Sound Region
Water Resources
8. Treat all wastewaters to Class A reclaim standards by 2025 to conserve water resources and improve Puget Sound water quality
