Pikes Peak Ranger District
Sustainable Operations "Green Peak" Program
Walking The Talk Tour
Sustainability
There are finite resources on the planet to sustain an ever-growing and ever-consuming population.
The concept of sustainability is striking a balance among commercial interests, ecological impacts and
social / cultural activities for all communities.
What is it to an individual?
A frame of mind
A deliberate act of conservation
An awareness of one's impact on the world
What is it in a global sense?
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.
As we enter a new century of service, we recognize that to be true to our mission, we must acknowledge
the ecological, economic and ethical impacts of our business operations. Worldwide there are only 4.5
biologically productive acres of land per person. A single person living in the United States requires on
average 24 biologically productive acres to support her/his consumption. The earth currently has a
population of 6.1 billion people, many of whom want to move toward U.S. lifestyle. As an agency
charged with stewardship and conservation leadership, and as a global citizen, the Forest Service must
acknowledge its level of consumption and its impacts on the earth's increasingly finite resources.
Goals
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Respond to Presidential declaration of 10% Energy Reduction 1 2 3
Meet 15% energy reduction challenge of Regional Forester Rick Cables 4
Follow conservation guidance outlined by PSICC Forest Supervisor 5
Pikes Peak Ranger District employees institute measures toward a 20% Energy Reduction 6 7
Zero Accidents - Zero Waste
1
President's Memorandum on Energy and Fuel Conservation by Federal Agencies. September 26, 2005.
USDA Memorandum, President’s Memo on Energy and Fuel Conservation Actions. October 3, 2005
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USDA Forest Service Memorandum, President’s Memo on Energy and Fuel Conservation Actions, Chief Dale E. Bosworth,
October 18, 2005
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USDA Rocky Mountain Region Memorandum, Regional Forester Rick Cables, November 15, 2005.
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PSICC Memorandum, President’s Memo on Energy/Fuel Conservation Actions. Bob Leaverton, November 7, 2005
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Pikes Peak Ranger District Vision Statement.
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District Ranger Sustainability Statement. Brent Botts. December 2005.
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Preliminary Findings
1. Law, Policy and Directive: Established and in place, we do not need additional direction. 8 9
2. Measurements of success are based upon 2003 utility and fuel data.
3. Conducting an energy / conservation audit is not necessary. Based upon existing data, tasks
can be identified and measured to achieve conservation goals. 10
What We Can Do Now
9 Ongoing procurement of recycled and environmentally preferable "Green" purchasing materials via
GSA sources and products found commercially available sources. Continue Emphasis
9 Personal computers - Ensure ENERGY STAR power down features are activated.
9 Turn off fluorescent lights when leaving an area for 5 minutes (office space & restrooms are
examples).
9 Collect advertisement facsimiles and dial 1-800 number to be removed from list.
9 Reduce phantom loads with electric strips (example of electronics like a TV with a remote control).
9 Turn off coffee maker in the afternoon hours. Install a timer.
9 Set black and white printer default to print double-sided documents. Continue Emphasis
• Don't print NEPA documents, make CDs and link to FS Web page(s) instead.
9 Proper hazardous waste disposal including batteries and fluorescent light bulbs. Utilize designated
collection area located in downstairs utility room. Reference permanent file records 6460 for
disposal protocol.
9 Continue to support existing employee recycling of cardboard, glass, plastic 1 & 2, newspaper,
magazines, paper and aluminum at District Office. At Woodland Park Work Center support the
organized efforts to collect materials salvaged from the forest such as tires, metal and wood.
• Reduce vehicle winter warm-up time to five minutes and use the ice / snow scraper.
9 Sustainability Stand Down. Take-five for sustainability at family meetings.
9 Review cited memorandums to identify additional core conservation measured that could be applied.
• Vehicle pool to training sessions. Encourage double room occupancy in hotel accommodations.
District Office
Obtain utility usage/billing information form Colorado Springs Utilities. Completed 02/09/2006
Water Baseline 32,587 CF 20% Reduction Goal 6,518 CF
22% Reduction
9 Replace existing 2.0 gpm faucet aerators with .5 to 1.0 gpm aerators.
9 Replace exiting toilet in women's restroom with dual flush toilet. Recommended model is
manufactured by ToTo. Installed 2 dual flush toilets.
9 Replace flush model urinal with Falcon 2000 waterless model.
• Install rain sensor on sprinkler system.
9 Replace filters in water purification system in break room.
9 Phased conversion of existing (grass) landscape to water wise (xeriscape) landscape.
Electric Baseline - 68,360 KWH
20% Reduction Goal – 13,672 KWH
7% Reduction
9 Purchase "Kill-A-Watt" meter. Use to collect electric measurement and identify potential energy
saving opportunities. Share meter with all districts.
9 On two water heaters install blankets and lower temperature to 120 degrees.
• Replace (51) T 12 with T 8 ballast and fluorescent lamps.
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Secretary's Memorandum 9500-6, Sustainable Development, USDA Office of the Secretary, September 13, 1996.
Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2130 Solid Waste Management; 2170 - Energy Management; 7130 - Fleet Management; 7180 Internal Energy Conservation.
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Energy Audits, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden Colorado
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9 Continue replacement of light bulbs to compact fluorescents. Focus on lights that are illuminated
more than 400 hours annually. In other words, do not replace the bulb in the closest until it dies.
9 Add separate circuit with on/off switch for lights in unoccupied portion of attic.
• Replace existing pre-1990 refrigerator with efficient ENERGY STAR model. Model would need to
be compatible with proposed new office. 11
9 Retrofit outdoor lighting with motion sensors. Continue to use low wattage bulbs compatible for
outdoor use.
• Turn off front office lighting display and decorative lighting.
• Install automatic shut-off switches in areas frequently unoccupied.
Natural Gas Baseline – 814 CCF 20% Reduction Goal – 605 CCF
26% Reduction
9 Set programmable thermostats to 68 heat and 78 cool for M-F and 60 for heat on weekends. The
inefficient east / west office alignment is understood. Do the best we can.
9 Replace 1930s era doors with two insulated core metal doors.
9 Schedule annual furnace cleaning and replace filters routinely.
• Installation of duct insulation if feasible.
Fleet
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Consider replacement / conversion of one fleet vehicle with a gasoline - electric hybrid sedan vehicle.
Sedan would practical to meet highway-commuting needs of the district.
Consider eliminating one fleet vehicle. Leverage our ability to promote vehicle sharing.
Now or in the near future, use bio-diesel B20. Encourage flex-fuel including E-85 ethanol-gas.
Consult with fleet manager. See worldwide web connections section for alternative fuel locater we
site.
Office Management & Human Resources Actions
• Subscription of sustainable and energy conservation magazines. Route to all employees.
9 Encourage bicycle comminuting under the wellness plan.
• Explore opportunities for work at home agreements. As needed.
9 Establishment of an Employee Sustainability / Conservation Committee. Conservation committee
will draft a charter and select a coordinator for approval by the District Ranger. Duties will be
assigned as a collateral duty not to exceed 10% of the employee position description. Duties will be
described in a memorandum of understanding for collateral duty and approved by the employee,
immediate supervisor and line officer. Coordinator will assist District Ranger and employees to
design timelines, task list and assignment of actions.
• Add sustainability criteria to position descriptions and performance appraisals. In progress by RO/
WO Sustainability Board of Directors.
• Add sustainability criteria to Knowledge, Skills and Ability's (KSA's) in all job announcements. In
progress by RO/ WO Sustainability Board of Directors.
9 Review janitorial service contract to ensure services complement FS conservation measures.
• Estimate of office ecological footprint could be posted publicly on the Internet and Intranet.
9 Require that all cleaning products used in our facilities be environmentally friendly. Continue
emphasis
• Purchase duplex attachment for color printer.
9 Purchasing of environmentally preferable "Green Purchasing" office products. See worldwide web
section for a sampling of sources. 12 Continue emphasis
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PSICC, E-mail from Linda Casteel, Lead Purchasing Agent, 11/16/2005
USDA Forest Service, Acquisition & Material Management Brochure
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Land/Resource Management Actions
9 Incorporate contract specifications requiring on-site recycling and conservation measures for FS
facilities managed and operated by Concessionaires.
9 Continue to incorporate market development of bio-mass utilization of products into fuel reduction
treatments.
• Integrated pest management use and management of insects in lieu of herbicides for management of
yellow toadflax and leafy spurge to minimize application of herbicides.
• Inquire and identify with USDA Forest Service Smokey Bear Program coordinator opportunity's to
produce Smoky Bear educational materials from environmentally preferable materials.
• Construct an ecological foot print interpretive display for office and public events.
• Work with Forest Public Information Officer to craft sustainable operations speaking points for
media. In your respective work capacity, engage the public in a discussion toward reducing our
collective ecological footprint.
New District Office (2008-2010) - Postponed
9 Lose the baggage in existing office now. Focus on items located in basement and western portion of
attic. Use tools such as excess property program, auction, donation and recycling to reduce the load.
• Separate from the sustainability/conservation committee, form New Office Committee reporting to
all employees and District Ranger. Charged with development of concepts for landscape, parking
area design including convenient parking for bicycles, office layout/furnishings and appliances along
with implementation of conservation recommendations.
• Prepare interpretation plan to increase public awareness of the ecological office design and employee
measures toward sustainability.
• Management support of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, rating to meet
green building criteria.
• Consider adding on-site electric generation using renewable energy or other appropriate technology.
An alternative would be to purchase electricity from renewable energy sources or acquire renewable
energy credits.
Monument Fire Center
Identify point 2-4 person conservation team and point of contact. Employees identify energy conservation
measures. Areas to be evaluated include; Fleet, Energy - Facilities, Water, Waste Prevention, Recycling and
• Obtain utility usage data:
Electric - Mountain View Electric Cooperative
Natural Gas - Aquilla (People Natural Gas)
Water - Well
Waste Water - Septic systems
• Clean up bone yards and offices, loose the baggage. Leverage tools such as excess property program,
annual FS auction, donation, and recycling.
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Woodland Park Work Center
Identify point 2-4 person conservation team and point of contact. Employees identify energy conservation
measures. Areas to be evaluated include; Fleet, Energy - Facilities, Water, Waste Prevention, Recycling and
Green Purchasing.
• Obtain utility usage data:
Electric - Intermountain Rural Electric Association
Natural Gas - Aquila Inc.
Water - City of Woodland Park
Waste Water - Septic systems
• Repair mountain bikes and use when possible to commute between fire cache and office.
• Clean up bone yards and offices, loose the baggage. Leverage tools such as excess property program,
annual FS auction, donation or recycling.
Show me the money
9 Pool $3,000 from District Ranger discretionary funds ($1,500) and facility maintenance project work
plan ($1,500). Based upon actions limited program / project dollars could contribute to
implementation of conversation measures. Distribute budget allocation equally to District Office,
Monument Fire Center and Woodland Park Work Center. Employees in an informed family meeting
format will discuss conservation initiatives and priorities.
9 Compete for Regional Forester Award for "Sustainability". Nomination submitted.
• Set up accounting code for retention of dollars from reimbursement from recyclables. Dedicated
specifically for re-investment into projects consistent with sustainability goals. Coordinate with
Keith Anna, PSICC Supervisors Office
World Wide Web Connections
™ Ecological Footprint Quiz: http://www.myfootprint.org
™ U.S. Forest Service Sustainability: http://www.fs.fed.us/sustained/msie4.html
™ Office of the Federal Environment Executive: http://www.ofee.gov
™ U.S Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: http://www.eere.energy.gov
™ Federal Network For Sustainability: http://www.federal sustainability.org
™ Amazing Recycled Products: http://www.amazingrecycled.com
™ GSA Environmental Products: http://www.pub.fss.gsa.gov/environ
™ GSA Advantage!: http://www.gsaadvantage.gov
™ El Paso County Recycling Directory: http://adm.elpasoco.com/solidwst/default.asp
™ Department of Energy Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Locator:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/locator.html
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When You Participate You Will
™ Conserve natural resources and improve our environmental footprint
™ Improve worker safety and health
™ Reduce federal energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste to landfills
™ Stimulate new markets and create jobs
™ Reduce liabilities
™ Provide potential cost savings $$$
---==Go Home and Apply==--Balance over time
Interdependent and interconnected
Joy
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." -Edmund Burke
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only
thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead
"To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of
present and future generations." -The Forest Service Mission
Prepared by: Jeff Hovermale, 11/25/2005
updated 11/20/2006
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