Page 7 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, September 2020

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Trash in Desert Communities By: Paul Backus, Wildlife Biologist
High Desert Warrior 7 September 2020
News
From WELCOME, Page 1
“I’m proud to have been able to successfully have supported both missions simultaneously,” Henkel said. “The Theater is changing a lot and we (759th EOD) were able to forecast those changes where EOD support was still applicable and necessary.”
The 759th EOD was in Iraq during the Iranian force’s ballistic missile attack in early January 2020. Iranian forces fired more than a dozen mis- siles at military bases housing American troops.
“This was a historic event, and rare in the area we were in.” Henkel said. “We responded to the location of those strikes and ensured there were no more explosives hazards remaining and were able to assist with intelligence gathering.”
Bohanon said they’re proud of these accom- plishments.
“If feels good, that we were able to do our job and keep people safe,” Bohanon said. “The company as a whole is a small unit and everyone has to work together to accomplish the mission.”
The 759th EOD deployed in December 2019 to Iraq and Syria in support of Combined Joint Task Force Operations called Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), 5th Special Forces Group, and other U.S. Special Operations Forces.
Their primary mission is to provide EOD sup- port to U.S. Armed Forces and joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational (JIIM) operations by detecting, identifying, conducting on-site evaluation, rendering safe, exploitation, and disposal or disposition of explosive ordnance, including weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This includes captured enemy ammunition, un- exploded ordnance (UXO), improvised explosive device (IED), and chemical, biological, radiologi- cal, and nuclear (CBRN) munitions.
The 759th EOD will resume regular duty hours upon being released from quarantine.
Redhorse Corporation DPW-Environmental Division
Have you ever watched a balloon disappear into sky and wonder where it might go? Unfortunately, balloons that create joy for a moment often become trash that lasts decades. As they rise, balloons gradually expand as the pressure drops, then they pop. The empty balloons fall back to the ground and can land in the ocean or the desert. Plastic bags and food wrappers can be swept away by wind or water to unpopulated areas. As many of us have seen through pictures and video, the large collections of trash in the ocean can harm marine life and ruin natural beauty. But what about all the trash that ends up in the desert? Does that trash have a similar negative effect?
Humans have been producing trash since the Stone Age. However, those prehistoric tools came from natural materials such as stone, clay, and plants, which can decompose harmlessly over time. But as human innovation advanced, we started to use more long-lasting materials—metals, concrete, chemicals, and plastic—which when discarded into the desert can leak harmful chemicals into soils and water sources or create a physical hazard for wild animals.
Today, cities have trash services and dumps to safely dispose of trash and protect the environment, but some seek to avoid the costs, and dump garbage in the desert or throw trash out the window. In cities like Hesperia and Hinkley, illegal trash dumping is a serious problem.
Unfortunately, the recent coronavirus pandemic has exacer- bated this issue. Single-use plastics are pouring into our waste management systems at an accelerated rate — not just masks and gloves, but plastic bags, bottles, and food containers. Many of these items cannot be recycled and are often not properly dis- posed, instead thrown carelessly into the wind. On Fort Irwin, we know that food waste is a serious problem which can attract un- wanted visitors like coyotes and ravens. Amplified access to extra food sources like trash can result in an increase of these predator populations. An unnatural upsurge in predator populations can be detrimental to sensitive wildlife like the desert tortoise. Boosts in predation by coyotes and ravens are just one reason why the desert tortoise is on the Federal Endangered Species List.
Although it may seem like plastics will decay under the intense sunlight and heat, research suggests that plastics simply break
down into tiny pieces called microplastics. Microplastics can seep into soils or fuse to plants. These plastic pieces might be eaten by wildlife—such as insects, rodents, or kit foxes— when they eat plastic-covered plants or mistake balloons for food. Because ingested plastics do not pass through the animal’s digestive sys- tem, the plastic accumulates in their body and the animal may eventually become ill. Shrubs can also be harmed when trash gets caught in branches. Plants cannot grow when trash blocks sunlight to leaves and prevents pollinators from reaching flowers. The entire natural community is impacted when plant growth decreases as there is less food for herbivores and less protection from the summer heat.
Help desert wildlife by making sure trash is disposed in secured containers. If you see litter on the ground, safely pick it up and dispose of it in an appropriate trash receptacle. The desert thanks you!
Please report any illegal trash dumping on Fort Irwin to the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) by contacting the envi- ronmental division front desk during regular business hours at 760-380-5044. If you have a wildlife concern, you can reach the on-call wildlife biologist directly by calling 619-288-8883. Any issues pertaining to domesticated pets should be directed to the Animal Control Facility 760-380-8564. To request insect, rodent, or dead animal removal, contact High Desert Support Services (HDSS) work order desk at 760-380-3539.
Residents should be aware of air cycling during extreme heat NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The summer heat has caused the Southern California Edison energy company to take some familiar measures. SCE and the Villages at Fort Irwin have sent messages, reminders and alerts when the company enforces what’s called A/C Cycling.
A cycling device is a radio-controller box attached to residents’ outdoor air conditioning compressor by the utility company. During peak energy usage hours, SCE can send a signal to a resident’s cycling device to temporarily shut down, or cycle off, their air conditioner.
“There are very few units still in inventory that have the Southern California Edison device,” Cherry Langston, Marketing Director with the Villages at Fort Irwin said. “It helps by cycling the a/c on and off during peak energy usage hours to prevent blackouts.”
Residents are encouraged to download the “SCE DR Alerts” App to receive notifications when cycling events occur.
“During extended heat waves, it’s best to reduce all unnecessary electrical usage during peak hours of 4-9 p.m. to help avoid cycling events,” Langston said.
According to SCE’s website, residents can also check to see if their air conditioning unit is broken or cycled off.
“The cycling device has an indicator light that can tell you whether your AC is currently cycled off. When your air conditioner cuts out and you’re worried that it may be a malfunction, head
outside and look at the cycling device. If you see a flashing green light, the device has initiated an off cycle and you have no reason to worry. If you see a steady green light, that means that the cycling device has not cycled your AC off and it may be in need of repair.”
For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin