Steps that our division has already taken (or is currently taking) to increase sustainability and environmental performance, reduce waste, save energy, etc.

• Converted incandescent lighting to compact florescent and eventually to LED throughout the ship and visitor center;
• Converted high pressure sodium street lights to LED;
• Replaced aging HVAC units with higher SEER rating units and variable flow refrigerant/split systems;
• Entered into a contract with local environmental engineering firm to conduct “living shoreline” feasibility studies and pursue grants to transform traditional shorelines into “living shorelines.”
• Engaged federal and state regulatory agencies to discuss the environmental and economic impacts of rising river levels and the dramatically increasing number and intensity of flooding events on the Cape Fear River. 
• Invested in check valves that were installed on all drain pipes leading to the river to reduce flooding and the amount of contaminants carried into the river from water that floods the parking lot;
• Offloaded 16,000 gallons of WWII bunker fuel from Battleship and cleaned tanks to avoid potential oil spills;
• Constructed a $8M permanent, sheet pile, steel cofferdam that surrounds the Battleship to allow for hull repairs and doubles as a containment that protects the surrounding environmentally sensitive areas;
• Currently constructing a nature marine trail dock that will include ADA accessible kayak launches to allow the public to explore and increase awareness of the environment surrounding the Battleship;
• Expanded waste contracts to include recycling containers and invested in additional recycling receptacles throughout the Battleship Memorial property;

Steps that our division would like to explore/research to increase sustainability and environmental performance, reduce waste, save energy, etc.

• Continue to address the flooding situation on the Cape Fear River and specifically at the Battleship;
• Receive funding for, and construct, living shorelines throughout the Battleship Park to promote environmentally healthy erosion control efforts;
• Continue converting all lighting to LED (we’re roughly 75% complete);
• Continue to remove the remaining 1.8M gallons of oil/water from within the Battleship that has been in the tanks since 1961;