Sustainable Sandhills

The projects listed below are the currently active projects approved by the COMBINED AIR TEAM (CombAT) , a collaboration between the Sustainable Sandhills Air Team, the Fort Bragg Air Team, the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO), the NCDENR Division of Air Quality (Fayetteville Regional Office), and a number of other key air quality stakeholders in the Cumberland, Hoke and Harnett Counties area. The CombAT is working to expand its geographic scope in 2009.

RETAIL ALTERNATIVE FUELING STATION NEAR FORT BRAGG

Fort Bragg has plans to construct an alternative fuels station on post for use by military vehicles. The CombAT is working to find a public commercial location in Cumberland County to provide E-85 fuels.

'NO IDLE' POLICIES IN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

To promote improved Air Quality, the CombAT is working to implement a ‘no-idle’ policy at Cumberland County Schools. The goal to start this program was initiated during the 2008-2009 school year. Schools are currently being surveyed to determine the best pilots for the program.

FLEET CONVERSION TO ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND HYBRIDS

The Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) is currently in the process of evaluating and implementing a conversion of its fleet to alternative fuels. PWC’s conversion will provide a resource for other businesses considering a conversion in the future.

UPDATE FAST (FAYETTEVILLE AREA SYSTEM OF TRANSIT) SIGNAGE

One of the key ways to increase ridership on public transit is to inform riders of transit availability. FAST is currently working to update signage at stops to provide more information to the public.

FORT BRAGG HERITAGE VILLAGE - TRANSIT CONNECTION

Fort Bragg’s Heritage Village is located farther away from the active portion of Fort Bragg than most on-post housing. Fort Bragg is working to implement a mass transit system for this location.

PROMOTE FAST (FAYETTEVILLE AREA SYSTEM OF TRANSIT) ROUTE 40

FAST Route 40 connects to the Fort Bragg bus system. The CombAT is working to promote this route to improve ridership in the hopes of increasing the number of trips available to riders.

AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY NOTIFICATION

We are looking for businesses/organizations that are willing to allow us to send an email to all of their employees on Orange (or higher) Action Days to inform the employees what they could/should do. The following organizations have committed: Cape Fear Valley Hospital, Fort Bragg, Cumberland County, City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County Libraries, PWC, and Sustainable Sandhills.

REGIONAL PARK AND RIDE

Throughout the region there are many concerns regarding the increased traffic congestion in the vicinity of Fort Bragg. The CombAT will summarize the efforts to locate and develop park-and-rides for review by local governments and planners.