The US Air Force, And The Environmental Hipocrasy

As of 1996, about 40% of the nations surveyed rivers, lakes and estuaries are too polluted for basic uses. This information from the States indicates that serious water quality problems persist nationwide, and it emphasizes the importance of restoring and preserving our nations clean water (Browner 33). For instance, during the past year there has been an estimated 13,500 pounds of aircraft jet fuel purposely dumped into the storm drains at LAFB. These drains are directly connected to the Northwestern and Southwestern branches of the Back River, a Chesapeake Bay estuary (Refer to Photo 1). This chemical pollution can be directly accredited to dumping made by flight line aircraft maintainers. This problem has been generally overlooked in the past for reasons unknown. In order to cease all dumping, the responsible squadrons and their supervisors need to take immediate action.

Photo 1. This is a drainage ditch that is directly connected to the flight line draining system

All research indicates that government funded programs have greatly increased the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay (Huber 166+). At Langley Air Force Base illegal dumpings

13,500.50 Total Pounds of Fuel per Year Unaccounted

This study is limited due to the laws that protect the government and any organization from self-incrimination. The study does not reflect the views of the Air Force. The actual location upon where this study is based is the flight line and is considered a restricted area. Therefore, pictures of the flight line area are completely forbidden unless special authorization is granted. This particular subject has never been studied before and is very sensitive to the accused. I was also guilty of illegally dumping fuel. I had never realized the repercussions until I began really looking at the scope of this problem. Until now, I have made every attempt to keep this study anonymous in order to protect and respect my fellow co-workers. Some of this data may bring up questions of legality; however, to the best of my ability, all data in this report has been legally obtained and accurately transcribed. All information, unless otherwise indicated, is actual first hand evidence.

Photo 3. Depicts a contaminant blockade on the southwest shore. This particular blockade is flooded over

sibility. Sediments and nutrients that have settled at the bottom may sit in the same spot for 10 years. When fuel is dispersed into open water it eventually sinks and moves along the bottom stirring up the nutrients and sediments (U.S. EPA CBP Online).

62 Flights per Day at Langley AFB, VA

Cost. There is no further cost to the government. It is completely free. The U.S. government has provided the material in order to comply with all of the EPA regulations long ago (Refer to Photo 3). Now the only key missing is the actual use of the fuel containers.

Commercial Fishing. The bay is one of the country’s most valuable resources. Freshwater and saltwater alike, fishing remains a huge contributor of the thriving economy. There are over 50 species of fish that reside in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Also, more well known is the extensive shellfishing. The blue crab population has been below the recommended level since 1993, even though harvesting is down as much as 30% in the last 15 years. Oyster harvesting has been a contributing factor to the economy as well. However, these bottom dwelling creatures are extremely susceptible to pollution, over harvesting, and disease. Again, the fuel eventually sinks and directly affects the oyster reef habitats (U.S. EPA CBP Online).

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