When it comes to taking care of the environment, Naval Station Rota is top of the list.

Rota earned top honors as the winner of the 2016 Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Environmental Quality Award in the Overseas Installations category announced in a message released by Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean J. Stackley, May 4.

The award recognizes Rota for its outstanding environmental stewardship, sustainability, environmental restoration, environmental quality, and natural resources conservation.

"I am extremely proud to receive this award," said Amos Webb, installation environmental programs director. "I think it showcases the consistent attitude of everyone in Rota to do the little things right. When it's all added together, it really makes a difference."

Rota has a long-standing tradition of excellence in environmental and resource management having qualified for this award after winning the 2016 Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Award earlier this year. Leading the charge has been the installation's Environmental Division of Public Works Department, which has taken the lead in meeting and exceeding U.S. Navy and Spanish government environmental laws, policies and international agreements.

"Naval Station Rota earning this award is another great example to validate how Team Rota truly comes together as a top installation," said Cmdr. Neil Hoffman of Naval Station Rota executive officer. "We emphasize from the start when new personnel check onto the base the importance of good environmental stewardship and that it takes a team effort to be successful, especially in an overseas environment. Our Public Works Environmental Team and the Rota community can take pride in receiving this Award."

Webb said Naval Station Rota excels in a number of environmental program areas including their environmental outreach program, hazardous waste reductions, energy and water conservation and their qualified recycling program.

"Our recycling program is one of our biggest highlights," said Webb. "Currently, almost 70 percent of our waste is diverted from landfills into some form of reuse. We are focused on the positive things we do every day and also looking for new and better ways to accomplish our mission."

All winners in the various categories of the SECNAV Environmental Quality Awards will be eligible to compete at the next level, the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards competition.

"The Department of the Navy environmental stewardship creates a strong foundation for mission sustainment," remarked Acting SECNAV Sean Stackley, in Navy message. "I want to thank our civilians, Sailors and Marines who are part of the environmental team supporting our operations and installations. Congratulations once again to the winners of this year's awards."

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for CNIC in Navy Region EURAFSWA.

Just as a ship performs lines of operation, which provide a capability, Navy Region EURAFSWA bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet and joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are air operations, port operations, safety, security, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), Fleet and Family Services and what is called the core -- the fuels, water, and power that keep the bases running. Through the lines of operation, installations are force multipliers, which maximize the combat capability of operational units.

For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/USNavalStationRota or on the web at http://www.navy.mil/local/rota/.



For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.


For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit www.navy.mil/.