DSCC Environmental Division

DSCC is a certified Tree City USA site

DSCC has been certified as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.  Tree City USA is an excellent environmental protection program in which we work closely with Ohio Department of Natural Resources .  DSCC has implemented a DSCC Tree Ordinance to enhance our urban forest.

All trees planted, removed, treated or severely pruned require a permit. The ordinance also establishes a Do Not Plant list for trees, shrubs and perennials. Contact the Environmental Division for more information.

Community initiatives outside of DSCC

The Community Backyards program is an educational rebate program for Franklin County, Ohio residents. The goal is to capture rainwater where it falls and soak it in. This is an annual program that allows residents to implement a conservation method that works best for them. Eligibility for the rebate is based on your home's tax district within Franklin County and whether you live in a participating municipality. For more information on participating communities, please visit the Community Backyards  website or Email  communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org.

What is the Environmental Management System?

EMS is a management system that integrates environmental concerns and issues into management processes.

What do I need to know about EMS?

• DSCC has an Environmental Policy Statement   (.pdf)
• DSCC is committed to:
  • Complying with legal requirements
  • Preventing pollution
  • Continual improvement of the EMS program

What are my EMS responsibilities?

• Be aware of the commitments in the Environmental Policy Statement. 
• Understand how your daily activities affect the environment
• In the event of an environmental emergency call 614-692-2111 or 911

DSCC identified aspects of its operation that may significantly impact the environment and developed objectives to mitigate their impact. The objectives are:

• Reduce the use of fossil fuels
• Improve the management of water resources
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with Defense Department operations
• Divert solid waste from landfills
  • Everyone is responsibly for recycling commodities such as:
    • Mixed paper and cardboard
    • Plastic bottles
    • Aluminum cans
    • Scrap metal
• Ensure that all projects are reviewed by the Environmental Division, per the National Environmental Policy Act
• Ensure clean drinking water is available throughout DSCC

Environmental Management System Environmental Control Committee Information

What is the ECC?

A committee of installation personnel selected to assist with the implementation of the EMS. The scope of the EMS at DSCC includes all personnel, tenants and contractors working for or on behalf of the installation.

What are my EMS responsibilities as a member of the ECC?

• Disseminate pertinent environmental information to personnel in the organization you are representing
• Take part in identifying, reviewing and approving significant environmental aspects
• Attend quarterly ECC meetings
• Provide input on your area of expertise related to EMS procedures, activities, objectives and targets

Why must we maintain an EMS?

Executive Order 13693: Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade requires federal agencies to continue implementation of formal Environmental Management Systems where those systems have proven effective and deploy new EMSs where appropriate.

Who do I contact for more information?

The EMS Management Representative at 614-692-8815.

As part of the comprehensive environmental management of DSCC, the following policies have also been put in place. 

• Installation Personal and Non-Tactical Vehicle/Equipment Idling Policy  - 1 April 2022 (.pdf)
• Fuel Transfer Policy - 24 March 2023 (.pdf)

Integrated Solid Waste Management

DSCC is committed to reusing, reducing, and recycling. 

The following materials must be recycled: cardboard, metal, plastic, wood pallets, paper and yard waste.

DSCC is required to achieve a 40% diversion rate for non-hazardous solid waste and a 60% diversion of construction and demolition debris, IAW interim instructions of E.O. 13834 and the Defense Department's Sustainability Report and Implementation Plan. All construction, renovations, repair, maintenance, and demolition contracts and internal operations shall divert non-hazardous solid waste and construction and demolition debris from landfill disposal whenever practicable to assist in meeting this goal.

New recycling bins have been placed throughout the installation to collect all types of approved recyclables. These bins are small and cannot take wood pallets, large pieces of cardboard or yard waste. Please continue to drop those items off at the larger bins positioned throughout the installation.  Please do not throw food waste into these bins as they are for recyclables only. Next to each bin is a waste can for all other waste disposal. 

All actions are in accordance with the DSCC Integrated Solid Waste Policy  (.pdf) dated February 21, 2023. 

Native Plant Suggestions

Small Trees (under 40 ft width, spread):

• Redbud (Cercis canadensis) (will grow anywhere) – beautiful floral display
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) – flowers, berries, fall foliage (great alternative to ornamental pears)
• Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida species) – beautiful flowers, berries, fall foliage
• American Hornbeam
• Sourwood Tree
• White Fringetree

Medium/Large Trees (over 40 ft width, spread):

• Tulip Poplar
• River birch
• Ohio Buckeye
• Beech
• Sugar Maple
• Sycamore
• Chinquapin Oak
• Kentucky Coffee Tree
• Honeylocust
• Northern Catalpa
• Black Gum

Bushes:

• New Jersey Tea
• Spicebush
• Black Chokeberry

Shrubs:

• Oakleaf Hydrangea
• Wild Hydrangea (hydrangea arborescens)
• Clethera (sumersweet)
• Red Osier Dogwood
• Silky Dogwood
• Grey Dogwood
• Snowberry
• Mapleleaf Viburnum
• Nannyberry Viburnum
• Bottlebrush Buckeye (native to region, not Ohio)

Sun:

• Black eyed Susan
• Purple coneflower
• Blazing Star
• Coreopsis
• Indian blanket (annual)

Part Sun/ Sun:

• Ox Eye Sunflower
• Goldenrod
• New England Aster
• Bee balm
• Golden alexanders
• Northern blue flag iris
• Blue eyed grass
• Joe Pye Weed
• Milkweed (butterfly, swamp, purple)

Part Sun/ Shade:

• Cardinal flower
• Great blue lobelia
• Geranium maculatum
• Ohio spiderwort
• Woodland phlox
• Canada Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
• Virginia Bluebells
• Great White Trillium
• Spring beauty