Fort Benning leaders and Auburn University officials formally entered a community partnership March 2, designed to enhance on-post environmental compliance support.
During a signing ceremony at Auburn University, Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe, commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning, and retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess, executive vice president, Auburn University, signed a proclamation for the Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA). Beginning in April, the IGSA will provide environmental compliance support services to meet the installation’s stewardship of natural resources at Fort Benning.
“This partnership we have between Auburn and Fort Benning goes back a long way,” said Donahoe. “It’s been a multidimensional approach to talking about athletic trainers and all of our environmental resources to make Fort Benning better and our Army better. Auburn has been there every step of the way, so thank you for that.”
The IGSA partnership streamlines federal acquisition regulations. This includes a unified approach to facilitate compliance with state and federal regulations for the next 10 years, at a significant cost savings for Fort Benning.
Donahoe explains, “I do appreciate this relationship to help us better manage the land at Fort Benning, but also to make sure we are completely compliant with the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act.”
The IGSA paves the way for expansion of a multidisciplinary approach, which will develop new research opportunities.
“This long-term partnership between Auburn University and Fort Benning is a welcomed venture that will link our two great neighboring institutions for years to come.” said Burgess.
The IGSA partnership will also provide a platform to foster innovation with methods of meeting compliance. These include chemical waste management, storm water pollution prevention, spill response, and personnel training.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Auburn University and for risk management and safety.” said Chris O’Gwynn, executive director, Department of Risk Management and Safety, Auburn University. “Our environmental health and safety team does an outstanding job for the university, and the opportunity to work with Fort Benning to provide the same exceptional level of support is very exciting.”
Fort Benning provides mission readiness execution, enabling the well-being of Soldiers, civilians, retirees, and their Families, while improving infrastructure and preserving the environment through the equitable, effective support of installation services. The new IGSA partnership will help to create and sustain installation readiness.
