# Presentation: 354173

## EMS  in the Forest Service

**EMS  in the ****Forest Service**

**Federal Environmental Symposium **
**June, 2008**

## What is EMS?

**	**A systematic approach to identifying and managing an organization’s environmental obligations and issues.

- An EMS is a tool that helps an organizationfocus on and achieve key environmental objectives.

## What is driving our EMS?

- Our desire to apply the principles of adaptive management to improve environmental performance and accountability.
- Executive Order 13423 and the 2008 Planning Rule
* **Both the EO and the Planning Rule require the agency to develop and implement an ISO 14001- conformant EMS*

## National EMS Strategy

- Area of concern for** Sustainable Operations **– cross-functional team formed under “Instructions for Implementing EO 13423”

**Green Teams and other FS place-based Sustainability efforts**

- Area of concern for** LMP Monitoring and Evaluation (MET) and Performance Accountability System (PAS) **under “Instructions for Implementing EO 13423”

_**Focus Area 1**_
- Sustainable Operations
- Defined by
- EO 13423 to start

_**Focus Area 2**_
- Vegetation and
- Transportation
- System Management
- to start

_**Focus Area 3**_
- Local Options once National System Is Functioning

- EMS

## Forest Service EMS Strategy Guiding principles for Forest Service EMS

- Start s**mall** and **grow** the EMS within budget and organizational capacity.
- Make maximum use of existing systems.
- Build upon a foundation of success.
- Initiate an ISO 14001 conformant EMS addressing Fleet Management in 2008
- Make the EMS work for us, rather than us working for the EMS.

## Scope of the EMS

- We have a National EMS that is implemented on all administrative units.
- Our EMS addresses all our activities that interact with the environment.
- For 2008 – Learn the principles of EMS
- Focus on Fleet Management as it relates to petroleum fuel reduction

## EMS Guide & Unit Instructions

- The 17 elements of ISO 14001 are formally documented in the Forest Service EMS Technical Guide.
- Less technical 2008 EMS Unit Representative’s Instructions and an EMS 101 Training material is available.

## Significant Environmental Aspect

- 	For 2008, the Forest Service will focus nationally on only one environmental significant aspect:  Fleet Management as it relates to fuel consumption

## Objectives, Targets, and Action Plan for Fleet Management

**Objective:**  Reduce petroleum-based fuel consumption.
**Targets:**  Reduce by 2% per year nationwide, and increase alternative fuel use by 10% annually
**Action Plan:** Tasks, resources, and timelines for accomplishing objectives and targets are detailed in the Fleet Management Implementation Plan.

## Operational Controls

**Operational controls** are practices designed to mitigate or eliminate adverse environmental impacts associated with significant environmental aspects.

**For 2008 Operational Controls are provided for** **Fleet Management :**
-   Acquiring hybrid and other **fuel efficient** vehicle
-   Encourage **carpooling** and ride sharing
-   Follow **Eco-Driving tips**, which address vehicle     maintenance and operation

## Eco-Driving Tips

## Key Components

**Every administrative unit must have an ****Environmental Emergency Response Plan**** that addresses at a minimum:**
**Hazardous materials spills**
**Wildfire**
**    ****Environmental Compliance Management**** fully integrated**

**Employees access and use a ****Finding Notice**** to:**
**   ****Suggest actions to reduce Environmental impacts**
**   ****Identify best management practices to share with others**
**   ****Suggest improvements to the EMS**

**In ****2008**** our ****monitoring**** will include:**
**   ****Fuel consumption and **
**   ****Application of Operational Controls**

**EMS Audits**** will be conducted on a sample of Units in 2008.**

**The ****EMS Management Review**** completes the  adaptive management cycle.**

## How will EMS benefit the FS?

**EMS provides a framework for practicing  adaptive management. **
**Better integration among functions**
**Better vertical communication **
**Assists in prioritizing agency resources**
**Cost savings through improved efficiency**
**Better information systems**

**EMS will continually improve the effectiveness, efficiency, accountability and responsiveness of Forest Service natural resource management. **

## Where to find more informationon the EMS

_**EMS contacts:**_**  **
**Kurt Gernerd (**_[kgernerd@fs.fed.us](mailto:kgernerd@fs.fed.us)_**) and **
**John Roland (**_[jroland@fs.fed.us](mailto:jroland@fs.fed.us)_
** ****Forest Service Headquarters, Washington, DC**
- _[http://](http://www.fs.fed.us/ems)__[www.fs.fed.us/ems](http://www.fs.fed.us/ems)_