**902.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE** This chapter outlines the Environmental
Appraisal program for BPA. It applies principally to pollution
prevention and abatement and other environmental activities. It also
applies to the contractors performing the work where BPA has established
specific environmental performance requirements and controls pursuant to
contract specifications for the work to be performed. It does not apply
to appraisals conducted or required as a part of the Federal Employee
Occupational Safety and Health Program.

**902.2 POLICY** BPA's policy is to use Environmental Appraisals as an
intricate part of the environmental program, and is intended to support
the achievement of BPA's Environmental Goals

**A. Increase employee awareness of environmental concerns;**

**B. Comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations;**

**C. Promote conservation of all natural resources** (including land,
water, and air); and

**D. Take prudent risks to favor environmental stewardship.**

**902.3 OBJECTIVES** The objectives of BPA's Environmental Appraisal
Program are to:

**A.** **Assure the use of all practicable means to restore and enhance
the quality of human health and the environment**;

**B.** **Assure the safety and health** of its employees and the public;

**C.** **Assure that BPA's facilities, programs, and projects comply**
with applicable Federal, state and local environmental standards;

**D.** **Increase employees' awareness** of environmental requirements
and BPA's commitment to compliance;

**E.** **Evaluate the effectiveness of BPA's programs and project
implementation** to avoid, minimize, rectify, or reduce adverse impacts
to the environment;

**F.** **Promote a lessons learned program** that emphasizes sharing the
benefits and individual successes of participants, and serves as an open
forum where environmental assistance can be requested and provided; and

**G.** **Ensure BPA's progress toward the goals identified in BPA's
Strategic Business Objectives**

**902.4 ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL PROCEDURES**

**A.** **Environmental appraisals are conducted** by environmental staff
as well as by staff within the functional operations. Appraisals are
conducted on an ongoing basis and may vary in scope.

**B.** **The environmental appraisal process** may include the use of
written criteria (e.g., checklists) to insure a comprehensive
examination of practices, facilities, and equipment, including field
observation of actual conditions within a stated scope.

**C.** **Conditions which can be immediately corrected** or which
require immediate attention are reported promptly to the appraised
functional unit. Successes or failures of the environmental
awareness/compliance in the workplace are shared with others in support
of continuous improvement.

**D.** **If during the appraisal process a situation is discovered that
could expose BPA to penalties or other potential legal liability**, the
individual performing the appraisal contacts the facility manager or
project manager and determines if the situation can easily be remediated
or if additional consultation is required.

**E.** **A report or checklist may be prepared at** the completion of an
environmental appraisal with a copy to the affected organization.
Deficiencies are identified in sufficient detail to insure understanding
and insure that appropriate corrective action can be identified and
effectively carried out.

**F. A root cause analysis may be performed** to identify the underlying
factors which may have led to a specific deficiency. Findings of the
root cause analysis are shared with others as lessons learned and
modifications are made to existing practices, procedures, or facilities
as needed.

**902.5 RESPONSIBILITIES:** The Manager for Pollution Prevention &
Abatement is responsible for the administration and management of the
appraisals for the PP&A function. Other environmental functions (e.g.,
NEPA) that may require appraisals are the responsibility of that Tier II
Manager.

**902.6 REFERENCES**

**A. Order DOE 5400.1,** General Environmental Protection Program, which
establishes environmental protection program requirements.

**B. Order DOE 5482.1B,** Environmental, Safety, and Health Appraisal
Program, which describes the procedures for a safety and health
appraisal program and includes factors to use in performing an appraisal
(see *DOE Environmental Audit Manual* Volumes I, II, III: DOE/EH-0125).

**C. Executive Order 12088,** which requires the head of each Executive
agency to be responsible for insuring that all necessary actions are
taken for the prevention, control, and abatement of environmental
pollution with respect to Federal facilities and activities under the
control of the agency. This includes compliance with applicable
pollution control standards, including those established pursuant to,
but not limited to, the following:

> 1\. Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.).
>
> 2\. Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et
> seq.).
>
> 3\. Public Health Service Act, as amended by the Safe Drinking Water
> Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.).
>
> 4\. Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.).
>
> 5\. Noise Control Act of 1972 (42 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.).
>
> 6\. Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) and
> Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 42 U.S.C. 3251 et seq.
> as amended).
>
> 7\. Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as
> amended (33 U.S.C. 1401, 1402, 1411-1421, 1441-1444, and 16 U.S.C.
> 1431-1434).
>
> 8\. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7
> U.S.C. 136 et seq.).
>
> 9\. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
> Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq. as amended by the Superfund
> Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986).

**D. National Environmental Policy Act,** as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.