NASA’s progressive history and expectations of excellence not only encompass the fields of science, technology, and engineering, but reach further into all aspects of the administration. NASA’s strong values and dedication cross into the Agency’s environmental policy. In May 1994, NASA Administrator Dan Goldin expressed these ideals in the following statement:
Environmental Excellence for the Twenty-First Century
"Environmental excellence is not a program nor can it be achieved through a policy statement. Environmental excellence is a way of life and must be ingrained as part of our culture. This strategic plan is an important first step to building global stewardship into everything NASA does. Whether it is designing and fabricating robotic spacecraft, launching shuttle, or conducting basic research, we must seek solutions which are environmentally benign. NASA must be a leader in reducing the use of ozone-depleting substances and continue to identify program and process revisions to reduce any adverse environmental impacts. Our Agency-wide impact on the global environment must be able to withstand the scrutiny of the international community. No one person can do this alone, but working together, the entire NASA community --civil service and contractor alike-- can make the vision a reality."
As a subsidiary of NASA Johnson Space Center, WSTF holds these same values and is committed to safeguarding the environment during the facility’s research and testing. The comprehensive environmental management program is driven by NASA and contractor stakeholders. The Contractor Environmental Department is under the Facilities Operations and Support Contract (FOSC), which is led by Team Easi and subcontracted to North Wind, Inc. North Wind provides the environmental expertise and management to ensure the site complies with the state and federal laws and regulations designed to protect the environment and human health.
In addition to the site’s dedication to environmental compliance, WSTF is committed to exceeding the regulatory requirements by being a “steward” of the environment. Through environmental stewardship, WSTF promotes environmental health by maintaining its pollution prevention, sustainability, and energy conservation programs. To accomplish these goals, NASA established an Environmental Management System to ensure that environmental compliance is maintained, new programs and test protocols adhere to State and Federal regulatory requirements, and continuous environmental improvement is part of the way that WSTF does business.
For additional information contact NASA’s Environmental Program Manager, Radel Bunker-Farrah, at (575) 524-5733.
