Navy Region Northwest (NRNW) Naval Facilities Command (NAVFAC) Northwest Environmental Management System (EMS) Team was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) environmental team award through a video teleconference, June 30.

NAVFAC Northwest was named winner in the category of Environmental Quality for successfully transitioning the region EMS to conformed installation EMS's at all four major installations during fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

All CNO winners advance to the Secretary of the Navy level of competition. Winning commands are mailed plaques for local presentation to award recipients.

"Congratulations to the NRNW/NAVFAC NW EMS team for winning the CNO Environmental Team Award in the Environmental Quality category," said Terilynn H. Lazo, NAVFAC Northwest Environmental Business Line coordinator. "Transitioning the region EMS program to installation conformed programs was a tremendous accomplishment and well deserving of the award."

Transitioning to installation EMSs required comprehensive region and installation plans and tracking metrics, buy-in from region and installation senior staff and the NAVFAC Northwest environmental community, and most importantly, an enthusiastic Environmental Management Team that wasn't afraid to do hard work.

"For the Navy Environmental Team here in the Northwest, there is no higher praise than selection for a Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Award," said Capt. Mark Geronime, NAVFAC Northwest commanding officer. "We are especially proud of how well we work together, and this award was validation of the true team effort to stand-up environmental management systems at each installation."

Naval Base Kitsap is one of the most complex bases in the United States inventory and includes a shipyard, maintenance and weapons facility, a fuel depot, an undersea warfare center, and several specialty sites. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island includes the main airfield, outlying field, and weapons training field. Naval Station Everett includes Jim Creek Naval Radio Station, and multiple reserve and specialty centers. Naval Magazine Indian Island is the largest ammo magazine in the western U.S.

"This facilitates site-specific programs that are tailored to maximize environmental protection, promote improved quality of life, and increase compliance efficiency without compromising mission success," said Geronime. "I could not be more proud of their accomplishment."

Installation EMS objectives during the reporting period focused on eliminating waste and conserving energy.

Conservation efforts in support of the EMS and compliance programs included the execution of over $4 million of natural resources projects, including the Navy Region Northwest Forestry program which continues to be essential in ensuring policy and regulatory requirements are met through practices that minimize project footprints yet achieve mission objectives.

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