Supporting the Edwards Air Force Base Mission Through Sound Environmental Stewardship At Edwards Air Force Base, the mission and the environment go hand-in-hand. The unique physical environment is what makes the desert such an ideal place for flight-test activities. Helping the flight testers maintain access to air, land and water for testing and other operations, while not upsetting the delicate balance of the desert ecosystem, is the mission of the 412th Civil Engineer Group Environmental Management Division (412 CEG/CEV).
CLICK HERE TO READ: Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-year and a 500-year Floodplain
Edwards Air Force Base, California Nov. 20, 2024
The United States Department of the Air Force (DAF) at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California, announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluating the potential environmental impacts, beneficial and adverse, from the proposed restrictive use easement (RUE) to prevent further residential, commercial, and industrial development in and adjacent to areas used by DAF.
The EA, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing regulations, and DAF’s environmental impact analysis process, evaluates potential impacts on the environment from the DAF’s Proposed Action. Based on analysis in the Draft EA, no significant adverse impacts would be anticipated from implementation of the Proposed Action. Accordingly, the DAF has prepared a Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to document the findings of the Draft EA.
Electronic copies: DRAFT Environmental Assessment, Part 1 DRAFT Environmental Assessment, Part 2 DRAFT Environmental Assessment, Part 3 DRAFT Finding of no Significant Impact (FONSI) for Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program
Hardcopies: Copies of the Draft EA and Draft FONSI are also available for review at the following local libraries:
You are encouraged to submit comments within 30 days of the publication of this notice. Comments or inquiries may be sent to the attention of: Ms. Reina Juarez, 412 CEG/CEVA, 120 N. Rosamond Blvd, Building 3735, Edwards Air Force Base, CA 93524-8600, or via email (preferred) to reina.juarez1@us.af.mil.
The notice below is required by the U.S. EPA, which introduced a new reporting requirement that all drinking water suppliers must identify and report the material used in the pipes that supply water to users. There are 11 buildings at AFRL that will require excavation to verify what type of pipes are used there, and the base has a plan to complete that task. In the meantime, the EPA is requiring the base to post the notice below. This is not an emergency for water users. The water is safe to drink at all locations across the base, both at the Air Force Research Laboratory and at main base. The base regularly samples the water all over the base to ensure it meets all state and federal standards for safe drinking water. This is simply a reporting issue on a new reporting requirement by the EPA. Click here to read and/or download the notice.
The Restoration Advisory Board is the primary voice of the public and base workers in the Environmental Restoration Program. This group of volunteers acts as an information conduit between neighboring and base communities and the officials responsible for investigating and remediating environmental contamination at Edwards AFB. Board members represent communities and work areas from both on- and off-base at semiannual meetings, which are open to the public. At the meetings, members review current investigations and remedial efforts, as well as learn about proposed plans for future remedial efforts. However, their most important task is bringing public concerns to the Air Force. Those with concerns may contact any member with a question or issue. More information can be found on the RAB's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RAB.Edwards.
May 2024 RAB Meeting Minutes November 2023 RAB Meeting Minutes
Date: November 21, 2024 Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: Best Western Plus Desert Poppy Inn, 2038 W Avenue I, Lancaster, CA 93536
RAB Bylaws RAB Charter
November 2020 RAB Fact Sheet
The Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight is pleased to present the Edwards Air Force Base and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) 2022 Annual Water Quality Reports. We feel it is important our customers know about where our water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to requirements set by regulatory agencies. This report is a snapshot of last year’s water quality. 2023 Annual CCRs: Main base click here AFRL click here
ECS May 2024 (click to download) ECS December 2022 (Click to download)
To effectively accomplish its mission, Environmental Management has adopted an approach that provides expert services in all areas of environmental support. Appropriate personnel are consulted during the planning and implementation stages of all test programs and construction projects on Edwards.
Edwards environmental experts actively work with regulatory agencies and the community in a spirit of cooperation and commitment to ensure the base accomplishes its mission without harming the environment.
Three main areas of environmental service and support are provided through the Environmental Management office at Edwards. They include:
Compliance: Manages air quality, water quality, hazardous material, hazardous and universal waste, aboveground and underground storage tanks, and special programs (polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos, and lead-based paint). Assists base organizations with the selection, design and installation of low emissions equipment, as well as applying for and maintaining permits. The goal of compliance is to meet and satisfy all applicable environmental laws, statutes and regulations. Compliance also develops processes to minimize the use of hazardous material, minimize generation of hazardous waste, reduce solid waste going to the landfill and promote reuse and recycling programs.
Conservation: Provides environmental analysis for test programs and construction projects. Also manages the protection and preservation of natural resources and cultural and historic sites on Edwards. 412 CEG/CEV also works closely with our environmental restoration colleagues from the Air Force Civil Engineer Center Installation Support Team (AFCEC/CZOW), who share our office space. AFCEC/CZOW Restoration: Manages hazardous waste cleanup efforts at Edwards AFB. Under the Environmental Restoration Program, hazardous waste sites are identified, investigated and cleaned up with the goal of protecting human health and the environment. Documents related to environmental restoration investigation and mitigation at Edwards AFB are in the base's Administrative Record. To view the full record, you may contact Gary Hatch, 412th Test Wing Public Affairs, at (661) 277-8707 or by e-mailing 412tw.pae@us.af.mil. You may also view Administrative Record documents online at https://ar.cce.af.mil (select "Edwards AFB" under the Installation List). Two publications the public may find useful are the Environmental Restoration Community Involvement Plan and the quarterly Report to Stakeholders newsletter. Links to both documents can be found under the "Publications" tab on this site.
Location Building 3735 120 N. Rosamond Blvd., Suite A Edwards AFB, CA 93524
Phone 661-277-1401
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Environmental Public Affairs 412 TW/PA 305 East Popson Avenue Edwards AFB, CA 93524 661-277-8707 412tw.pae@us.af.mi
Plans • ERP Community Involvement Plan (August 2023) • Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan 32-7064
Report to Stakeholders • April 2024 Report to Stakeholders • January 2024 Report to Stakeholders
Fact Sheets • September 2021 MMRP Fact Sheet
Published data and documents relating to the Environmental Restoration Program are available for public review. Edwards AFB Library 5 West Yeager Blvd. Edwards AFB, CA 93524 661-275-2665 Wanda Kirk Branch Library 3611 Rosamond Blvd. Rosamond, CA 93560 661-256-3236 Lancaster Public Library 601 West Lancaster Blvd. Lancaster, CA 93534 661-948-5029