The mission and the environment Published May 10, 2016 By Malmstrom Environmental Cross Functional Team MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The Air Force has adopted a standardized Environmental Management System to manage the environmental issues the base is faced with while performing the mission. Knowing the aspects and impacts Malmstrom's mission has on the environment helps plan the actions and procedures for ensuring the base remains in compliance and effectively manage base and natural resources. Identifying significant aspects and their impacts helps the base focus resources. What are aspects? Aspects are the activities, products or services that can interact with the environment. For example, the mission requires driving in the missile field. This activity affects the air quality of Montana. Some of the listed aspects are storm water management, fueling activities and energy. What are impacts? Impacts are any change (complete or partial) to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, resulting from the mission or activities of Malmstrom. Some of these activities include storm water runoff from construction projects at Malmstrom or the impact of vehicle usage on the air quality. On the positive side, the base is reducing harsh chemicals used in shops by buying green, less harmful products. Also, improvements to Powwow Pond have benefited base personnel. These impacts, good or bad, all have an effect on both the mission and the environment. The 341 Missile Wing Environmental Cross Functional Team has identified the following significant aspects and impacts for 2016. Aspects: Storm water management Driving vehicles Underground storage tanks (fuel) Construction management Impacts: Energy erosion issues Air quality Environmental and regulatory issues Asbestos exposure/cultural impacts Natural resource/ storm water Natural resources/ air quality Identifying the significant aspects and their impacts helps the base focus resources by developing action plans and obtaining funding for these particular environmental issues.