Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

News Release

USDA Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Region
Pike, San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron, Comanche National Grasslands

Pikes Peak Ranger District
601 South Weber
Colorado Springs, CO 8090
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/pp/


Date: December 13, 2006
Contacts: Brent Botts, Ranger 719-477-4202
Barb Timock, Public Affairs Officer, 719-553-1415

U.S. FOREST SERVICE RECOGNIZES PIKES PEAK DISTRICT FOR SUCCESS IN

SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS

Colorado Springs, Colo., December 14, 2006 – A small group of U.S. Forest Service employees in Colorado Springs committed to saving energy and cost-saving measures were recognized this week by Regional Forester Rick Cables. Their efforts to conserve resources and improve the work environment were the most far-reaching and successful in a 5-state region.
Pikes Peak District employees Jeff Hovermale, Alissa Roeder, Sue Miller and Jeff Vanis spearheaded the comprehensive plan and were rewarded with a Regional Forester Honor Award this week in Denver.
According to District Ranger Brent Botts, “This exercise has opened the district employees’ eyes to what is possible and just how far we have come and have yet to go. Forward momentum into 2007 will continue a focus on implementing the Sustainable Operation Plan.”

Regional Forester Honor Award Nomination Text:

The Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) Pikes Peak District recognized opportunities of advancing our forest service mission while reducing the ecological footprint of our actions. They formed the Pikes Peak Ranger District Green Team (Charter Declaration) in December 2005. The green team prepared an initial four year framework outlining specific measures to walk the talk toward the goals of

• Responding to the Presidential declaration of 10% Energy Reduction
• Meeting a 15% energy reduction challenge of the Regional Forester
• Following conservation guidance outlined by PSICC Forest Supervisor
• Implementing Pikes Peak Ranger District Sustainable Operation Vision Statement
• Attaining Zero Accidents – Zero Waste Objectives

First Steps

Water: Baseline use – 32,587 CF; 2006 – 25,590 CF 22% reduction
Replaced filters in water purification system
Replaced 2 gpm faucet aerators with 0.8 gpm aerators, $2.65 investment!
Converted portions of grass landscape to water wise (zeriscape) landscape
Purchased two dual flush toilets for installation in fy07
Waterless Urinal, purchased and install fy07
Note: Water savings also reduced waste water utility fees by an equal amount thus saving an additional $360 in 2006

Electric: Baseline use -75,920 kWh; 2006 - 70,480 kWh 7% reduction
Installed blankets and timer on water heaters and lowered temperature to 120 degrees.
Converted 39 incandescent light bulbs to energy saving fluorescent light bulbs.
Eliminated 8 lights from always being on with installation of an electrical shut off switch for lighting in attack.
Installed Vending Miser on soft drink machine.
Fostered employee computer shut down end of day habits.
Converted 3 outdoor security lights to motion sensor lighting.
Scheduled replacement of T-12 to T-8 energy efficient fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts

Natural Gas: Baseline use– 814 CCF; 2006 - 605 CCF 26% reduction
Installed programmable thermostats and set sustainable guidelines.
Scheduled annual furnace cleaning and filter replacement.
Replacement of two 1937 doors with new energy star rated doors.
Note: Utility data uses 2003 a baseline. 2006 cited usage is from 10/01/2005 to 09/30/2006.

Fleet Recommendations are under consideration
District will develop alternatives with advisement from Forest Fleet and Engineering Staff in 2007.

Records and documentation is being maintained for thorough analysis of lifecycle costs with accurate metrics. A preliminary estimate of first year conservation actions cost approximately $550 with an estimated first year savings of $820. An additional $1,200 was saved by eliminating the lawn care service. As actions have been phased in throughout the year, actual savings are not fully realized.

Office Management Actions
Greater use of “Green Purchasing” office products.
District Office Recycle Bins for cardboard, glass, plastic, tin, aluminum, paper. Employees are encouraged to bring recyclables from home. Estimate recycling offsets 45 to 55 cubic yards from entering the waste stream.
Repair of mountain bikes for commute between fire cache and office and use by seasonal employees.
Surplus of excess property and computer donations.

Forest Waste Stream
Over 500 cubic yards of trash (from illegal dumping) has been collected from the forest and
separated at the Woodland Park Work Center. Items include over 300 tires, 50 vehicle batteries, and scrap metal. Items are recycled and or disposed of appropriately. Offsetting the impacts of
forest dumping through public outreach and modifying human behavior of forest users is currently the greatest challenge.

Education/Awareness
1. Anna Jones Crabtree presented an overview of Sustainable Operations to district employees.
2. USFS Sustainable Operations presentation for Pikes Peak Environmental Forum was presented by Green Team Leader Jeff Hovermale in December 2005.
3. District participation with Fort Carson and their Environmental/Sustainability Forum.
4. The Pikes Peak District Ranger was asked to participate in the first Sustainable Operations Board of Directors meeting, held in Gardiner, Montana, July 2006, to identify agency priorities for the next three years and develop a Forest Service Conservation Leadership Vision statement. The Pikes Peak Sustainable Operations Plan was identified by the Board as a model that line officers and staff directors can develop to support the vision statement.
5. Establishment of a bulletin board devoted to sustainability at district office.
6. Expectations for all contractors, subcontractors, consultants, venders, permittees to design sustainability elements into Environmental Management Systems.

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