Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ens Page 5 of 11 <br /> Many businesses and government facilities have <br /> implemented formal Environmental Management <br /> Systems to systematically manage their <br /> environmental and health safety activities . <br /> An Environmental Management System (EMS ) is <br /> a cycle of planning, implementing, reviewing , and <br /> improving the processes and actions that an <br /> organization undertakes to meet its business and <br /> environmental goals . <br /> Most Environmental Management Systems are <br /> built on what the EPA calls a " plan, do , check, act " <br /> model . This includes identifying environmental <br /> aspects and establishing goals , implementing those <br /> goals , monitoring and taking corrective action, and <br /> reviewing to make necessary changes . <br /> The guidance is intended to increase the use of <br /> Environmental Management Systems in civil legal <br /> settlements . The guidance document also explains <br /> how these management systems will be used to <br /> address the root causes of violations of U . S . <br /> environmental laws and regulations and the risks <br /> these violations pose to communities and <br /> ecosystems . <br /> The agency is working with the U . S . Department <br /> of Justice to implement Environmental <br /> Management Systems in appropriate criminal plea <br /> agreements to achieve beneficial outcomes for the <br /> environment . The EPA has issued a memorandum <br /> to encourage and expand the use of these <br /> management systems in enforcement settlements <br /> and in community involvement . <br /> The guidance is an extension of the Environmental <br /> Protection Agency' s May 2002 position statement <br /> on Environmental Management Systems , in which <br /> the agency committed to promote their use and <br /> emphasize their adoption to achieve improved <br /> environmental performance and compliance and <br /> pollution prevention through reduction of waste <br /> and hazardous materials at the source . <br /> Open Space Enhances Nearby Property <br /> Values <br /> httD : Hens -news . com/ens/iun2003 /2003 - 06 - 13 - 09 . asp 06/ 16/2003 <br />