Shaw Air Force Base > Public Affairs > Community Engagement

The 20th Fighter Wing embraces the goal of protecting the environment and our natural resources within their area of responsibility including Shaw AFB, Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, and Wateree Recreation Area.

Read the full Shaw AFB environmental commitment statement

Shaw EE/CA Public Notice - 10 September 2024

OPEN PROPOSALS
There are currently no open proposals.
CLOSED PROPOSALS
(CLOSED) NOV 2023 | CONTRACTED ADVERSARY AIR (ADAIR)

A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) have been prepared by the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to analyze the impacts of providing dedicated contract adversary air (ADAIR) sorties for Combat Air Forces training at Shaw Air Force Base (AFB), South Carolina.

The Proposed Action includes contracting an estimated 12 contractor aircraft to fly approximately 3,500 annual sorties from Shaw AFB to support the 20th Fighter Wing and other units at Shaw AFB. The Proposed Action would require an estimated 78 contracted maintainers and 15 contracted pilots who would maintain and operate the contract ADAIR aircraft. Aircraft would depart from Shaw AFB, transit to existing military special use airspace, perform ADAIR training, transit back, and land at Shaw AFB. Special use airspace includes military operations areas and Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace overlying portions of South Carolina and Georgia, and offshore warning areas over the Atlantic Ocean. Operations and maintenance activities would be consolidated in existing facilities at Shaw AFB; no facility construction, demolition, or renovation activities are included in the Proposed Action.

The Draft EA and proposed FONSI are available electronically here. Printed copies are also available at the following public libraries:
- Sumter County Library, 111 North Harvin Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150
- Augusta County Library – Headquarters, 823 Telfair Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901
- Florence County Public Library, 509 S. Dargan Street, Florence, South Carolina 29506
Please provide comments on the Draft EA and proposed FONSI by Nov. 27, 2023 to:

Mr. Bryan Jobe, NEPA Program Manager
20 CES/CEIEA
428 Chapin Street
Shaw AFB, SC 29152

or by email to bryan.jobe@us.af.mil. Please note that in accordance with Privacy Act provisions, the DAF will not publish personal information of commenters, such as home addresses, e-mail addresses, or phone numbers.

Learn about PFAS
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS, are a group of manmade chemicals used for a wide variety of residential, commercial and industrial purposes including: nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabric and carpet, some food packaging and firefighting foam. In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency established health advisory levels in drinking water for two types of PFAS - perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

On April 10, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule on drinking water standards for certain PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The Department supports EPA’s development of a nationwide drinking water standard for PFAS that applies to everyone. DoD has been preparing to implement the final rule for both our on-base DoD drinking water systems and within our cleanup program.

DoD remains committed to fulfilling our PFAS-related cleanup responsibilities and will take necessary actions to implement the rule, in accordance with the federal cleanup law, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

The DoD PFAS website (www.defense.gov/pfas) offers additional information about DoD’s actions to investigate and clean up PFAS resulting from DoD activities, DoD PFAS policies, DoD PFAS Task Force, DoD PFAS community outreach activities, and PFAS research and development efforts.
REQUEST PFAS Testing

If you live within the yellow border AND have a personal well water supply on your property, contact the POC below or email a Sample Request Form.

Contact Info:
Mr. Corey Anderson
canderson@briceeng.com
803-464-0621

SHAW DRINKING WATER INFORMATION
Shaw Air Force Base receives its water from two different aquifers which are the Upper and Lower Black Creek Aquifers. There are currently five (5) drinking water wells permitted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), which operate on Shaw AFB. In December 2019, SCDHEC conducted a source water sanitary survey for Shaw AFB. For information on the quality of these wells, refer to the current water quality report contained in the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
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September 24, 2024
August 27, 2024
July 22, 2024
June 25, 2024
May 24, 2024
April 23, 2024
On April 23, 2024, Shaw Air Force Base conducted a base-wide drinking water sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in accordance with DoD policy. Shaw AFB analyzed the water for 29 PFAS compounds. The table below contains the results of those PFAS detected. The Air Force will use this information to begin planning for proper treatment ahead of the EPA’s new PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Standards compliance requirements.
Learn more: ASD(EI&E) - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (osd.mil).
APRIL 8, 2024
On April 8, 2024, Shaw Air Force Base conducted a base-wide drinking water sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in accordance with DoD policy. Shaw AFB analyzed the water for 29 PFAS compounds. The table below contains the results of those PFAS detected. The Air Force will use this information to begin planning for proper treatment ahead of the EPA’s new PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Standards compliance requirements.
Learn more: ASD(EI&E) - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (osd.mil).

Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Study identifies and evaluates noise and safety impacts associated with projected flying operations at the base. It reaffirms the United States Air Force’s policy of promoting public health, safety, and general welfare in areas surrounding an air installation while seeking development that is compatible with the defense mission.

Click Here to Read the 2024 Shaw AICUZ Study

The Shaw Restoration Advisory Board is the cornerstone of a proactive community involvement program to promote communication between the community and the Air Force regarding environmental cleanup at the base. The mission of the Shaw RAB is to establish and maintain open and interactive dialogue between the US Air Force, state regulatory agencies and the local community concerning the Environmental Restoration Program at Shaw Air Force Base. Meetings are held annually and open to the public.

For more information, please contact the 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office at (803) 895-2019 or via e-mail at 20fwpublicaffairs@us.af.mil

August 26, 2024 INVITE
May 22, 2023 RAB Info
2023 RAB Minutes (click here)

2023 RAB PowerPoint (click here)
May 20, 2022 RAB INFO
2022 RAB Minutes (click here)

AFCEC is responsible for managing the Air Force compliance, restoration, sustainability and National Environmental Policy Act programs. It provides environmental technical assistance and advice to Air Force installations, major commands, higher headquarters and interagency partners. Additionally, AFCEC develops execution strategies for environmental and sustainability issues, as well as projects and programs based on best practices garnered from experience and research. For more information click here.

Members of the public interested in obtaining a copy of a Shaw Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Analysis Statement should contact the 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs at (803) 895-2019.

Copies of Shaw EISs and EAS are also available for public review at the Sumter County Library.

Image of longleaf pines

The 12,500 acre Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, located 20 minutes from Shaw, provides a unique training environment with forest that allows pilots to track hidden targets. Additionally, Airmen and military members have the opportunity to practice survival and navigation training, which prepares them for real-world encounters.

Shaw AFB takes the responsibility of protecting the environment which allows us to train for the combat mission extremely serious.

In doing so, we have pledged a commitment to restoring native species to Poinsett, including the Longleaf Pine, ensuring the health of the environmental ecosystem and re-establishing the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker to South Carolina.

Shaw AFB commitment to environmental protection

Environmental Stories

Public Notices

PROPOSED ACTIONS

PFAS Information

Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR)

SHAW DRINKING WATER PFAS SAMPLING INFO

PFAS: MORE INFO

Air Installations Compatible Use Zones Study (AICUZ)

RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD

AIR FORCE CIVIL ENGINEER CENTER

Environmental Publications

POINSETT ELECTRONIC COMBAT RANGE