# Presentation: 423831

## Executive Order 13148

**Environmental Management System (EMS)**

**Notes:**
Welcome everybody.  This will be a followup to the EMS presentation back in August, which then we focused on aspects and impacts.  This time around it will be narrowing down the aspects and picking a target for 2006.

First off we will have a quick review of the EMS as a refresher.

## Introduction to EMS

**	****At USDA, being a good environmental steward is everyone's business.**   Performing your job in an environmentally safe and sound manner benefits us all by protecting the health of the surrounding ecosystem, preserving resources for future generations, minimizing mission impact due to non-compliance issues, and saving money by decreasing wasted resources.
- 	You are responsible for performing your job in an environmentally safe and sound manner by:
- Knowing how your job impacts the environment
- Adhering to Standard Operation Procedures (SOPS), and
- Knowing the potential environmental impacts of departing from these Standard Operating Procedures.

## 	EMS is a set of procedures based on a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and has five Major Components: Policy, Planning, Implementation and Operation, Checking and Corrective Action, and Management Review

- ContinualImprovement

**Plan**

**Do**

**Check**

**Act**

- 	EMS is a set of procedures based on a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and has five **Major Components:** Policy, Planning, Implementation and Operation, Checking and Corrective Action, and Management Review

- For this initial training, we are going to review the Environmental Policy, _Environmental Aspects and Environmental Impacts, and Targets_.

**Notes:**
Actions to address the requirements of the Executive Order by the USDA is the Environmental Management System, known to you as the EMS.

The EMS forces us to go from the usual reactive stance to a proactive position, such as improving internal structures and processes, the point being to anticipate and prevent adverse effects on the environmental and human health.

Most of these requirements are already in place but require further refinement by writing procedures, adding a more formal review process and/or better documentation. 

Last time we focused on Environmental Aspects and Impacts, which we will review PSNL’s.  After this our main goal will be targets.

## Environmental aspects and environmental impacts exist in a “Cause and Effect” relationship with each other.

	     Aspect (Cause)	 		Impact (Effect)

- 	     **Aspect (Cause)**	 		**Impact (Effect)**
**	**

-    use of hazardous
-          chemicals

- Pesticide applications

- Fish production

- Waste generation

- Soil, water quality
-         degradation

-   Resource depletion

**Environmental Aspects and Environmental Impacts**

**Notes:**
Since the goal of EMS is to anticipate and prevent adverse effects on the environment, we will look into the current practices and its potential effects.  Here are examples of how to identity Environmental Aspects and its Impacts.  First, definition of Aspects are things we need to manage.

The EMS is a blanket Federal Executive Order with especially the military in mind.  Fortunately the very nature of the USDA makes us part of the solution.

For Ithaca we have listed and ranked the aspects, narrowing down to the top 5
.
For most researchers such as yourself, you are part of the solution i.e. ERRC finding use for waste corn oils; University Park Pasture lab is watershed monitoring; Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Laboratory in Newark, Delaware study insects as biocontrol of pests instead of a pesticide or chemical product.

## Aspects Identified at PSNL

**Aspect #1:**** Temperature control inside building**
**Impacts:**
- Depletion of natural resources (fossil fuel)
- Air emissions
- Storage tank management (at Geneva)
- Annual Consumption of:
- Electricity: $188,128
- 1,677,000 kwH
- Water: $150,757

## Aspects Identified at PSNL

**Aspect #2:**** Use of hazardous chemicals**
**Impact:**
- Hazardous chemicals disposal through p*ickup by Clean Harbors on as-needed basis*
- Hazardous waste cost to facility  - *pick-up by Clean Harbors: *
*FY 04 = 3 pickups at **$3,498.19**  *
*FY 05 = 3 pickups at **$5,403.88**  *
*FY 06 = 3 pickups at** *
*	**$5110.33*

## Aspects Identified at PSNL

- 	**The following items were recycled since 2002:**
- 98 pounds of batteries
- 753 fluorescent bulbs
- 12 computers, 20 monitors, 12 printers
- 4 microwaves
- 55 gallons of waste oil and 20 gallons from Freeville Farm
- 245,000 sheets of paper in FY04
- 315,000 sheets of paper in FY05

**Aspect #3:**** Purchase, operation, and disposal of electronic equipment**
**Impact: **
- 	Landfill and environmental degradation

**Notes:**
Ever since I set out that dead battery collection box, I’ve collect on average 15 pounds of batteries every 3 months.  Are the batteries really coming from here or are people bringing them from home?  It doesn’t matter to me personally since the batteries are not ending up in landfills.  But if the dead batteries are coming from here then maybe it is time to look into rechargeable batteries.

## Aspects Identified at PSNL

**Aspect #4:**** Use of Farm Equipment**
**Impact:** Resource Consumption
*Fossil fuels at Ithaca farm from 2005 - 2006: *
**gasoline = 40 gallons/ 20 gals per year**
**motor oil = about 10 gal/ 5 gals per year**
*Fossil fuels at Geneva farm from 2005 - 2006: *
**Diesel fuel = 1200 gallons**
**Motor oil = 10 gallons per year**
**Irrigation Water = 100,000 gallons per year**

## USPSNL Targets for 2007

Full Compliance with regulations
Reduce consumption of energy (electricity)
Reduce consumption of paper

- Full Compliance with regulations
- Reduce consumption of energy (electricity)
- Reduce consumption of paper

**Objectives and Targets**

**Notes:**
Next step is the Bigger Picture and your participation in choosing the Targets.  Know where your location’s impacts are and work to reduce its effects.

The automatic reaction is to choose the easiest aspect.  That is fine, but bear with me.  The bigger picture includes taking into account the requirements and deadlines stated by the Executive Order

## Energy Consumption

**Object No. 1 – Reduce Electricity Consumption**
- Target No. 1 – Continue the policy to ensure that fume hood “override” switches are not left on unnecessarily.
- Target No. 2 - Implement night time temperature set back in greenhouses.
- Target Date – April 2007
- Target No. 3 – Ensure the thermostats are functioning and operating properly
- Target Date – April 2007
**Location Target** – Reduce energy consumption by 2% during 2007

**Notes:**
Application of pesticide would fall under Chemical Resource Management.

Reduction of toxic chemical by 50% does not mean the entire chemical inventory has to be cleaved in half.  Rather, pick the substance that should or can be reduced by 50% if possible

## Waste Generation

**Objective No. 2 – Reduce the volume of solid radioactive and hazardous waste**
- Target No. 1. – Increase storage capacity to allow decay of most radioisotopes.
- Target Date – January 2007
- Target No. 2. – Increase storage capacity of hazardous liquid to accommodate increased number of employees producing hazardous waste.
- Target Date – March 2007
**Location Target **– Maintain current level as new group of employees add to the waste generation.

**Notes:**
This also refers to the pesticide application.  

Like the goal of the Chemical Recouce Management, the target of 40% reduction does not mean our entire haz waste to Clean Harbor has to be cut by 40%, but how I interpret this is there a particular ingredient that we can target for 40% reduction. 

For example, our getting rid of mercury equipment.

## Reduce Paper Consumption/ Increase Recycle

**Objective No. 3 – Reduce Paper Consumption/ Increase Paper Recycle**
- Target No. 1 – Reduce paper use from 1680 to 1650 reams in a year by encouraging employees to use double sided copying when possible.
- - Target Date – April 2007
- Target No. 2 – Reduce toner cartridge use by setting the default option on all computers for printing on EconoMode (save Toner) when possible.
- - Target Date – April 2007
**Location Target – **Reduce paper consumption by 2% by 2008

**Notes:**
I’ve been inquiring with Dina Marino and Doris Hagen on utility bill and paper purchasing.  Also Brad Gates have been providing me datas on the electronic recycling.  We will need to keep a consistent record.  Over time we will compare the electronic equipment purchase versus what gets thrown up or recycled.

Even if this aspect is not chosen to be a target for 2006, it could years down the road and we will have record of trends to work with.

Regarding paper, the number of paper can be reduced.  Such as doing double sided printing.  To help save on toner cartridge, you can do “eco-toner” under the properties option of the print menu when you are printing draft reports.

## Ranking of the Aspects

- Plant, Soil, & Nutrition Laboratory
- Facility Electric Utilities (energy conservation)
- Chemical Disposal
- Paper Consumption
*Copier/printer Paper* *(30% recycled content):*
*FY 04 = 490 reams; FY 05 = 630 reams*

- Plant Genetic Resource Unit
- Farm Machine Operation
- Pesticide Application
- Purchase & disposal of Electronic goods
- Facility Electric Utilities
- (energy conservation)

## U.S. Plant, Soil and Nutrition Laboratory 
& 
Plant Genetic Resource Unit
USDA - ARS

Environmental Management System Policy

	The U.S. Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Laboratory (USPSNL) consist of two Research Units: the Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Unit (PSNL) and the Plant Protection Research Unit (PPRU).   The research mission of the PPRU is to develop new innovative methods to protect crops from pest damages by developing environmentally compatible strategies that minimize or eliminate chemical pesticide usage and limit pest damage to sub-economic levels for long term management of diverse pests.   The research mission of the PSNL is to improve our understanding of the movement of nutrients and/or toxic substances through the soil-plant- animal/human food chain and to utilize this knowledge to improve the nutritional quality of plant foods.  

	The Plant Genetic Resource Unit has two mission: preservation of germplasm of selected crop plant, and breeding and improvement of grapes and apples.  Specific activities include acquisition, documentation, maintenance, characterization, breeding, enhancement and distribution of the assigned crops.  PGRU maintains approximately 20,000 different accessions representing over 300 species.

	In conjunction with the missions, PSNL-PPRU-PGRU is committed to protecting human health, the environment, and maintaining sustainable pollution prevention program; while meeting or exceeding Federal, State, and local laws.  The Environmental Management System (EMS) builds upon the existing ARS Safety, Health and Environmental Management Program and is designed to be an integral part of scientific research activities, project review processes, facility operations and ARS Policy and Procedures.  Annual objectives, targets, and actions to advance the EMS program are developed in terms of both regulated and unregulated impacts.  Personnel will be provided with the appropriate training, and recognized for their environmental performance.  Progress and achievement related to the EMS policy are to be documented and reported.

**& **
**Plant Genetic Resource Unit**
**USDA - ARS**
**Environmental Management System Policy**
- 	The U.S. Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Laboratory (USPSNL) consist of two Research Units: the Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Unit (PSNL) and the Plant Protection Research Unit (PPRU).   The research mission of the PPRU is to develop new innovative methods to protect crops from pest damages by developing environmentally compatible strategies that minimize or eliminate chemical pesticide usage and limit pest damage to sub-economic levels for long term management of diverse pests.   The research mission of the PSNL is to improve our understanding of the movement of nutrients and/or toxic substances through the soil-plant- animal/human food chain and to utilize this knowledge to improve the nutritional quality of plant foods.
- 	The Plant Genetic Resource Unit has two mission: preservation of germplasm of selected crop plant, and breeding and improvement of grapes and apples.  Specific activities include acquisition, documentation, maintenance, characterization, breeding, enhancement and distribution of the assigned crops.  PGRU maintains approximately 20,000 different accessions representing over 300 species.
- 	In conjunction with the missions, PSNL-PPRU-PGRU is committed to protecting human health, the environment, and maintaining sustainable pollution prevention program; while meeting or exceeding Federal, State, and local laws.  The Environmental Management System (EMS) builds upon the existing ARS Safety, Health and Environmental Management Program and is designed to be an integral part of scientific research activities, project review processes, facility operations and ARS Policy and Procedures.  Annual objectives, targets, and actions to advance the EMS program are developed in terms of both regulated and unregulated impacts.  Personnel will be provided with the appropriate training, and recognized for their environmental performance.  Progress and achievement related to the EMS policy are to be documented and reported.

## Questions?

## 	CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU !!!

	You have completed EMS Annual Awareness Training.  Record of your participation is recorded at Area Safety office.

	Your feedback allows us to continually improve the EMS.  For more information or to actively participate in EMS implementation, please contact:

	Kathie Moh, 607-255-8849 
	Glen Davis, 304- 725-3451,ext 309
	Bonnie Disalvo, 215-233-6592

- 	You have completed EMS Annual Awareness Training.  Record of your participation is recorded at Area Safety office.
- 	Your feedback allows us to continually improve the EMS.  For more information or to actively participate in EMS implementation, please contact:
- 	Kathie Moh, 607-255-8849
- 	Glen Davis, 304- 725-3451,ext 309
- 	Bonnie Disalvo, 215-233-6592