Environmental Division

MS4 Stormwater Program | 703-806-0627

Fort Belvoir has permit coverage for stormwater discharges that are not associated with industrial activities under the Virginia Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit. A copy of the General Permit can be found here. Part I.E. of the permit requires the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to meet the goals of six minimum control measures (MCMs).Fort Belvoir's MS4 Program Plan identifies BMPs that will be implemented to meet these goals. Additionally, an annual report is required to be submitted to the Commonwealth of Virginia that documents the progress that has been made during the permit year. Annual reports for the current permit cycle may be found below.

The MS4 Permit and coverage letter, the most current MS4 Program Plan, and annual reports are made available below to meet the permit requirements specified in Part I.E.2 for public involvement and participation.  Public comment on the MS4 Program Plan is accepted throughout the permit cycle.

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Action Plans require a public review and comment period of a minimum of 15 days as is specified in Part II.A.-B of the permit. TMDL Action Plans will be made available below for public review and comment when a plan has been drafted. Outside of the public review and comment period, TMDL Action Plans are available by contacting the MS4 Stormwater Program Administrator.

To report illicit discharges, improper disposal or spills to the MS4, complaints regarding land disturbing activities or other potential stormwater pollution concerns, OR to provide comments on any documents listed below, please contact the MS4 Stormwater Program Administrator via telephone at 703-806-0627, EMAIL or Facebook.

Permit Documents

Open for Public Review and Comment

Comments for the MS4 Program Plan can be submitted at any time via EMAIL.

Annual Reports

Technical Bulletins

Industrial Stormwater Program | 703-806-0627

Fort Belvoir has permit coverage for stormwater discharge associated with industrial activities under the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Industrial Stormwater Major Permit #VA0092771. Industrial Stormwater is defined as any surface water runoff that originates from contact with industrial activities.  Examples of industrial activities are material handling and storage, equipment maintenance and cleaning, and industrial processing. Regulated facilities under this permit are determined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code as required by the State of Virginia. The permit provides for general requirements and sector specific requirements that must be met.

Fort Belvoir has a Master Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and each facility covered under the permit receives a Facility Specific SWPPP with Best Management Practices (BMPs) that the facility must implement.  Facilities must report to the Environmental Division as specified in the Facility Specific SWPPP.

Fort Belvoir has specific water quality sampling and monitoring requirements that must be met in order to meet water quality criteria as specified in VPDES Permit #VA0092771, the 9VAC25-260 Water Quality Standards, permit specific benchmark requirements, and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) requirements.

Fort Belvoir Master SWPPP

BMP Fact Sheets

Drinking & Waste Water Program | 703-806-0137

The Drinking Water Program works to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for Fort Belvoir's Army owned and operated drinking water systems. This program works closely with DPW-Operations and Maintenance (O&M) which maintains Army owned and operated systems, as well as American Water which is responsible for operations, maintenance, and SDWA compliance for Fort Belvoir's privatized Community Water System. Drinking water is sampled regularly for bacteria, disinfection byproducts, lead and copper, Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rules, and more. See the documents below for annual water quality reports.

The Waste Water Program works to ensure compliance with Fairfax County code for discharges to Noman M. Cole Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTTP). The 1976 Sewer Service Agreement between Fairfax County and Fort Belvoir established that Fairfax County's Noman M. Cole WWTP will receive Fort Belvoir's domestic sewage waste. The Waste Water Program works with O&M and American Water to track sanitary sewer overflows, non-domestic discharge requests, and repairs/replacements of the sanitary sewer infrastructure.

Annual Water Quality Reports

Air Quality Program | 703-806-0021

The Air Quality Program works to improve air quality through the promotion and implementation of best management practices and permit requirements to reduce the amount of air pollution generated by Fort Belvoir's stationary sources. Examples of these stationary sources include back-up power emergency generators, boilers, document disintegrators, firefighting training equipment, and gasoline service stations. Fort Belvoir is covered under four different air quality permits issued by the State of Virginia which require continuous documentation of stationary source emissions and operation.

Soild Waste & Recycling Program | 703-806-0061

The Solid Waste and Recycling Program manages all trash removal, recycling collection, and construction and demolition debris removal on the installation. Landscaping debris are also collected and composted to be used in future grounds maintenance on Fort Belvoir. Program goals include increasing recycling, reducing solid waste, promoting health and safety, and complying with all Virginia Solid Waste requirements.

Hazardous Waste & Materials Program | 703-806-2119

The Hazardous Material & Waste Program manages the consolidation and disposal of hazardous materials/waste from the installation through building 1495.  Building 1495 is a less than 90-day accumulation site which is operated in accordance with 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 262.31.  Wastes are generated primarily as the result of testing of commercial products to determine whether they meet government specifications; maintenance of Army equipment and property; medical facility operations; various research, test, development, and evaluation (RTDE) activities; and from expired or off-specification hazardous materials.  Building 1495 staff works closely with numerous divisions, tenants, and units across Fort Belvoir that generate waste.  The Hazardous Waste Management and Minimization Plan provides guidance on proper management and turn-in procedures of hazardous materials and waste on Fort Belvoir.  

 

Learn the Basics of Hazardous Waste

Petroleum, Tanks, & Spill Response | 703-806-3694

Fort Belvoir’s Petroleum, Tanks, & Spill Response Program manages all petroleum related issues on the installation.  This includes registration, permitting, and inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST) and Underground Storage Tanks (UST), as well as spill reporting.

The Petroleum, Tanks, & Spill Response Program is also responsible for hazardous chemical sampling and analysis of all soil, waste, oil and other types of samples taken at sites on fort Belvoir.

 

Underground Storage Tank (UST) Regulations

Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Regulations

Toxics, Asbestos, Lead, & Mold Program | 703-806-0684

The Toxics, Asbestos, Lead, & Mold Program identifies and manages these substances in offices and other installation facilities.  DPW Environmental Division does not handle these substances when they are found in installation housing.  For all housing issues, contact the Housing Division (https://home.army.mil/belvoir/index.php/about/Garrison/directorate-public-works/housing-services-office).

 

If you believe there is a toxic substance in an office building or other facility, contact the Industrial Hygiene Service at 703-805-0068 to submit a Request for Service Form. 

Restoration Program | 703-806-0030

The Fort Belvoir Restoration Program operates in conjunction with the U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to restore former military training areas, waste sites, and petroleum areas through regulatory closure.  Regulatory authority for the program is through the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ).

 

Environmental areas of concern on Fort Belvoir include inactive landfills, environmental releases of chlorinated solvents and petroleum products, inactive small-arms ranges, demolition training areas, former sewage treatment plants, coal storage areas, inactive artillery and munitions training areas, former waste disposal pits, former coal storage areas, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) releases.  

 

The program initially consisted of 240 project sites, but has been reduced to 43 active Installation Restoration Program (IRP) sites and 19 Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) sites, many of which date back to World War I and II.  Many of the IRP sites are regulated under a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Part B permit.  The petroleum program manages tank, underground pipeline, and petroleum release site areas. 

 

The focus of the Restoration Program is to achieve site closure or remedy in place.  Project information is made available to the public through an Information Repository/Administrative Record that is maintained for public viewing at local libraries and through public meetings.  Despite a long history of military activity, Fort Belvoir does not have any site areas listed on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) National Priorities List. 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Program | 703-806-4008

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires every federal agency to include environmental considerations in planning and action. Army policies in Title 32 CFR Part 651, Environmental Analysis of Army Actions, and supplement provide Army specific guidance forcompliance with NEPA.

Public and agency involvement is essential for collaboration and problem solving in Army planning. Such involvement demonstrates that the Army is committed to open decision-making and builds the necessary community trust that sustains the Army in the long term.

Below is a list of recently completed or in-progress NEPA documents for new and upcoming projects on Fort Belvoir.

Open for Public/Agency Review & Comment

DECOMMISSIONING & DISMANTLEMENT OF THE DEACTIVATED SM-1 NUCLEAR REACTOR FACILITY

Please use the following link to access the EA and Draft FONSI:

https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/SM-1/

_______________________________________________________________________________________

CAISSON PLATOON FACILITY

The Department of the Army is planning to expand and improve the U.S. Army’s Caisson Platoon Facility located in the Southwest District of Fort Belvoir, VA. 

The mission of the Caisson Platoon is to honor deceased servicemen and women by carrying them to rest in the Arlington Nation Cemetery.  In support of this mission, the Caisson Platoon currently has 47 Soldiers, 15 training horses, and 44 caisson horses.  The Caisson Platoon Facility at Fort Belvoir is used for training horses and prospective Army Horsemen, and to rest the caisson horses.  This project addresses the deficiencies of the current facility that hinder the platoon’s mission readiness and threaten the health and safety of both the Army Horsemen and their horses.

The project would involve the expansion of the pasture and stormwater management, convert existing stable capacity, build a new indoor riding arena and demolish the existing classroom building, construct a new manure storage, construct a new parking area and paved surfaces, upgrade existing perimeter security measures and add new riding trails.  The facility would expand to about 70 acres.

Interested parties are invited to submit written comments for consideration within 30 days to Mr. Felix Mariani, 9430 Jackson Loop, Building 1442, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 or send via e-mail to: usarmy.belvoir.imcom-atlantic.mbx.enrd@mail.mil.  If you need further information, please contact Mr. Mariani at 703-806-3193.

 

Final NEPA Documents

Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Program | 703-806-3408

The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) was passed in 1972 to provide for the management of the nation’s coastal resources, including the Great Lakes.  This act was established to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, restore or enhance, the resources of the Nation's coastal zone for this and future generations.  The CZMA is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which has developed the Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP) to fulfill CZMA requirements.  The CZMP is administered nationally by NOAA, but each state has an agency that serves as the lead.  Currently 34 coastal states participate in the CZMP.

 

The Virginia CZMP was established through an Executive Order in 1986 and consists of a network of Virginia state agencies and local governments that administer enforceable regulations to protect coastal resources and promote sustainable development.  In the state of Virginia, the lead agency is the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).  Together NOAA, DEQ, and their partners established the coastal zone for Virginia.  The entirety of Fort Belvoir lies within the coastal zone.  

 

All construction projects on Fort Belvoir must be evaluated by the installation CZMA Program Manager for compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies before work is approved.  For more information about Coastal Zone Management, visit the links below.

 

CZMA Information

Virginia CZMP Information

Cultural Resources Program | 703-806-0022

The Cultural Resource Program at Fort Belvoir advocates that "the preservation of irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest" as determined by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).  Fort Belvoir's, "irreplaceable heritage" is represented by historic properties.  These properties can be historic buildings, archaeological sites, structures, and viewsheds.  The Cultural Resources Program ensures all historic properties are preserved in accordance with the NHPA and completes Section 106 consultations for all projects that have the potential to impact a cultural resource.  For more information on Cultural Resources Management on Fort Belvoir,  visit the links below.

 

Documents

Helpful Links

National Historic Preservation Act

Secretary of Interior Standards

Integrated Pest Management Program | 703-805-3969

The Integrated Pest Management Program uses a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.  This program  reduces reliance on pesticides, enhances environmental protection, and adheres to all applicable laws, regulations, and current IPM practices and principles.  For more information on pest management on Fort Belvoir, see the Integrated Pest Management Plan below.

Forestry & Grounds Program | 703-806-4142

The Sikes Act of 1960 requires all military installations to maintain a natural resources conservation program, which includes the protection of vegetation resources.  Vegetated areas perform a host of ecological functions and support multiple societal, economic, quality of life, and aesthetic values in addition to providing military mission support.  Healthy native vegetation cover is also an integral part of protecting water quality, enhancing watersheds and fish and wildlife habitat, and is essential for conserving biodiversity.

 

Fort Belvoir’s Forestry & Grounds Program maintains a healthy vegetation cover to ensure the future availability of land and water resources for military training and testing on the installation while providing high quality recreational opportunities for personnel and families.  For more information on vegetation management on Fort Belvoir, see the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan below.

 

Sikes Act Information

Wetlands Program | 703-806-4142

Healthy streams and wetlands improve environmental quality and resilience by protecting against erosion, alleviating flooding, improving water quality, and supporting the global cycling of nutrients.  The Wetlands Program works to maintain and improve on-post water resources by implementing a watershed-based approach to planning management and by meeting regulatory requirements to preserve, protect, and enhance its water resources.  Visit the links below to learn more about federal and state regulations protecting water resources.

Clean Water Act Section 404

Rivers and Harbors Action Section 10

Department of Environmental Quality, Section 401 Water Quality Certification

Fish & Wildlife Program | 703-805-3969

The Sikes Act of 1960 requires all military installations to maintain a natural resources conservation program in cooperation with US Fish and Wildlife Service and state fish and wildlife agencies. 

Fort Belvoir’s Fish & Wildlife Program manages natural resources by using sound ecological principles to ensure a healthy ecosystem with high biodiversity.  The Fish and Wildlife Program ensures all military mission requirements are met while protecting local wildlife species and sustaining the economic, aesthetic, and scientific value of the land. 

 

Fort Belvoir is home to 43 species of mammals, 278 species of birds, 32 species of reptiles, 27 species of amphibians, and 65 species of fish.  To manage these species, program managers focus on studying indicator species with conservation importance as a method of measuring environmental conditions.  For more information about wildlife management on Fort Belvoir, see the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) below.

 

Sikes Act Information

Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Species Program | 703-805-3968

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 was enacted to protect plant and animal species considered to be in danger of extinction. ESA provides legal protection to species listed as endangered and threatened, including protection of their habitats. Species listed as endangered or threatened are chosen by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and not by the Department of Defense or Fort Belvoir.

 

Fort Belvoir's Threatened and Endangered Species Program manages listed species while ensuring all mission critical actions are completed with limited or mitigated effects on species of concern.  This program works with other government agencies to ensure the installation remains compliant with federal law without impeding mission readiness.

 

The Threatened and Endangered Species Program also manages bald eagles. While no longer protected under the ESA, bald eagles have been provided similar protections by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and state laws.

 

Endangered Species Act Information

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act Information

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Species Information

Recreation, Fishing, & Hunting Program | 703-805-3969

The Sikes Act of 1960 requires all military installations to maintain a natural resources conservation program in cooperation with US Fish and Wildlife Service and state fish and wildlife agencies.  The Sikes Act also allows for hunting, fishing, and other recreation opportunities on military lands. 

 

With 14 miles of nature trails and 12 miles of shoreline along the Potomac River and Accotink Creek, Fort Belvoir has many recreational opportunities.  Four trail systems showcase the different habitats located on Fort Belvoir and offer great wildlife viewing opportunities with interpretive signs.  Boat launches, fishing piers, and picnic tables are also accessible in Tompkins Basin.  For trail, fishing pier, and boat launching locations, see the Fort Belvoir Trail Guide.

 

Fort Belvoir fishing and hunting permits must be purchased in addition to state licenses.  All fishing and hunting regulations, permits, access information, and maps can be found at www.ftbelvoir.isportsman.net.

 

Sikes Act Information