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Environmental Information Environmental Information

As the largest base organization in the DoD, Joint Base San Antonio comprises multiple military locations including Fort Sam Houston, Lackland and Randolph.  As stewards of our environment, we are committed to keeping our community informed of local environmental policies and issues, and of our efforts toward making a greener military.
tabOperations/Training Noise Concerns 
Flying Operations

As the largest DoD base organization, JBSA operates  multiple busy airfields across San Antonio.  We understand our flying operations sometimes affect our neighbors, and we work hard to minimize any adverse impact without compromising safety.  Flight patterns are designed to reduce over-flights of populated areas and therefore reduce the noise disturbance to residents.

JBSA is home to multiple flying units including the 433rd Airlift Wing, also known the Alamo Wing, the 149th Fighter Wing and the 12th Flying Training Wing.  These units provide both real-world and training operations that are integral to the support of worldwide defense operations. 

For safety reasons, pilots are required to fly within pre-set corridors established by the Federal Aviation Administration. Although flying missions are conducted within these corridors, most flying operations are done over sparsely populated areas. Flying altitudes and flight patterns designed to minimize the effect of noise on surrounding communities.

Military aircraft have high-thrust engines, and several flight paths cross over the local area around San Antonio, which means some area residents will hear noise generated from flying activities. Atmospheric conditions such as temperature, winds and humidity also have a significant impact on the level of noise generated by aircraft operations. Cloudy weather can increase noise levels as sounds reverberate off the clouds, emitting louder than normal levels. Certain weather conditions also require pilots to adjust take-off directions and flight paths. Seasonal changes like daylight savings time also affect departure and arrival times.

While JBSA leaders cannot participate in the local civic decision-making process, we work to identify development proposals that may not be compatible with our military training missions. Base leaders are committed to providing information about our operations to government leaders, community planners, developers and concerned citizens so they can make informed development decisions.

We are aware of the environmental impact our operations may cause and strive to minimize public inconvenience. We do not like to disturb those whom we are sworn to defend, so we continually balance the necessity for realistic training against the desire to be a good neighbor.

Small Arms/Explosive Ordnance Training

Residents near JBSA training areas may periodically hear noise from the small arms training ranges or blasts from explosive ordnance training.  If you hear blasts and are unsure whether or not it is associated with training at JBSA, please contact your location's appropriate public affairs office. 
tabJBSA Environmental News RSS feed 
JBSA-Randolph earns 6-figure rebate from CPS Energy

Civil engineers: No room for environmental complacency

Joint Base San Antonio Stage III water restrictions are now in effect.

NOTICE OF FOGGING ON JBSA-RANDOLPH

Experts detect West Nile Virus on post, offer preventive tips

tabJBSA Water Restrictions 
Joint Base San Antonio Stage II water restrictions are now in effect.

Effective Sept. 20 2012, Joint Base San Antonio is in Stage II water restrictions.
 
Watering times and days are now once per week, with watering times from 3 to 8 a.m. and 8 to 10 p.m. on the designated watering day.
 
Other major notes for Stage II restrictions include:
-Avoiding new landscaping unless material is already on order
-Government vehicle washing is allowed only twice per month
-POVs may be washed only on landscape watering days

We are still in drought conditions, so we must strictly adhere to watering rules and conserve water. Conservation is tantamount to protect our mission
and support the region's conservation efforts. We need everyone's help to conserve!

JBSA is obligated to follow our Biological Opinion Agreement, with U.S.
Fish And Wildlife Services as part of the Endangered Species Act, that is more stringent than the San Antonio Water Systems restrictions.

JBSA personnel should not confuse the JBSA water restrictions with the SAWS restriction levels.  The Biological Opinion Agreement establishes the JBSA Drought Management Plan which is available here.

We must continue to pursue ways to conserve this precious resource and ask for everyone's compliance. For more information, or to report misuse, call the JBSA Water Conservation Hotline 466-4H2O(4426).
tabConsumer Confidence Report 
The CCR, or Consumer Confidence Report, is an annual report that summarizes the quality of the drinking water provided to our customers. Each year, Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE) and Civil Engineering (CE) are required to conduct water sample analysis/tests as part of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. These collected samples are analyzed by state certified labs and are validated by Texas Commission of Environmental Quality as well as BE and CE water program managers. These water sampling requirements and the respective analysis results are provided in the CCR.

The most recent JBSA CCR's are available below:

2011 JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Water Quality CCR
2011 JBSA-Lackland Water Quality CCR
2011 Lackland Training Annex Water Quality CCR
2011 JBSA-Randolph Water Quality CCR
tabPublic Notices 
As a member of the San Antonio community, JBSA strives to keep the community informed of current environmental issues.  Here, you'll find current public notifications, including meeting announcements and Restoration Advisory Board updates.

May 2012 Public Notification for Triggered Source Monitoring and Reporting Violation (Lackland AFB)
Mar 2012 JBSA-Randolph RAB meeting slides

 Inside JBSA

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tabContact Us
502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
2080 Wilson Road
Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234
Phone: (210) 808-7554
brent.b.boller.civ@mail.mil

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs
2330 Stanley Rd, Bldg 122
Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234-5004
Phone: (210)  221-1099
usaf.jbsa.502-abw.mbx.fsh-public-affairs-office@mail.mil

JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
1701 Kenly Ave, Suite 102
Lackland AFB, Texas 78236-5053
Phone: (210) 671-2907
502abw.paola.Inbox@us.af.mil

JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs
1150 5th Street East
Randolph AFB, Texas 78150
Phone: (210) 652-4410
randolphpublicaffairs@us.af.mil
tabDirectory Assistance
For assistance with telephone numbers, please refer to the following list of frequently called numbers:
 or call the appropriate JBSA location automated telephone directory: 
Fort Sam Houston (210) 221-1211
Lackland (210) 671-1110
Randolph (210) 652-1110
tabJBSA Environmental Documents

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