Christine Chui Lee PRIZIM Inc. Consultant for the NPS Concession Program June 2, 2008 Advancing Executive Order Goals with Federal Agency Partners

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7 [The National Park Service]...shall promote and regulate the use of the...national parks...which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. National Park Service Organic Act, 16 U.S.C.1.

8 “The National Park Service will provide, through the use of concession contracts, commercial visitor services within the park that are necessary and appropriate for visitor use and enjoyment. Concession operations will be consistent with the protection of park resources and values and demonstrate sound environmental management and stewardship.” 2006 NPS Management Policies NPS Concession Program Mission

9 CONTRACT DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT Environmental Management Asset Management Financial Management Planning Insurance Rate Administration Operational Evaluations Professional Development & Training PROGRAM MANAGEMENT NPSCP Responsibilities Leasing

10 NPSCP At-A-Glance  $885 million in concessioners’ gross receipts  23% in merchandise and retail  21% in lodging  19% in food and beverage  590 contracts  10% of contracts generate 82% of gross receipts  70% of contracts are under $500,000 in gross receipts annually  Average of 3.4% franchise fee on all contracts  About 6,000 commercial use authorizations  200 NPS and 23,000 concessioner employees

NPS Concession Program (NPSCP)

12 A Brief History of the NPSCP and Environmental Management 1916: National Park Service Organic Act establishes the NPS 1965: Concession Policy Act establishes the Concession Program 1998: National Parks Omnibus Act reforms the Concession Program 1999: Concession Program environmental management group established 2000: Updated standard concession contract language released (65 FR 87) 2004: Director’s Order 13A – Environmental Management Systems approved 2006: NPS Management Policies finalized

13 EO 13423: Duties of Heads of Agencies (selected)  Implement sustainable practices within agency  Ensure integration of EO requirements within the EMS at all appropriate organizational levels  Establish agency programs for environmental management training, audits, and leadership awards  Ensure contracts for contractor operated government facilities or vehicles require compliance with the EO  Ensure legally-binding obligations between the agency and concessioner require, to the extent determined by Director, that the concessioner take actions within the scope of the contract to facilitate the agency’s compliance with this order

14 EO Goals  Improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions  Use renewable energy and implement renewable energy projects  Reduce water consumption

15 EO Goals  Acquire environmentally preferable goods and services  Reduce quantity of toxic and hazardous chemicals being acquired, used and disposed  Maintain cost-effective waste prevention and recycling programs

16 EO Goals  Comply with agency sustainable building principles  Reduce consumption of petroleum products  Acquires, manages, and disposes of electronics in an environmentally sound manner

17 Meeting EO Goals: Contractual  Standard contract language  EMS, BMPs, EPCRA reporting  Customized operating and maintenance (O&M) plan language  Training, energy & water management, design/renovation of structures, environmental purchasing  Selection Process: Principal Selection Factor 1 (PSF1) and Secondary Selection Factor 1 (SSF1)  Include issues important to park (e.g., alternative energy, waste reduction, other) & incorporate proposed activities into final O&M plans

18 Meeting EO Goals: Outreach  Samples  GreenLine Resources  Newsletter  CD  Tech. Assist Number ( )   Website:  Training and conferences for superintendents and park staff  On-site assistance during other tasks such as audits and evaluations

19 Challenges: Administrative  Accounting for environmental costs  Internal communication  Compliance assurance  ISO certification  Approve vs accept: NPS liability  Park EMS and concessioner EMP

20 Challenges: Implementation  Buy-in  Implementation oversight  Tracking performance data (solid waste reduction, energy savings, etc.) – CDMS  Tracking audit data  Education

21 Successes  Improved awareness of environmental management  Improved understanding of compliance  Creativity and support for environmental best management practices  Education of park visitors on environmental management  Resource protection  Models of sustainable tourism

22 Case Study: Xanterra Parks & Resorts  National company  Hired full-time staff for environmental affairs  Achieved ISO certified EMS at multiple sites – including those not in NPS  Publish publicly-available sustainability report  Won multiple environmental awards  Implement multiple BMPs  Green rooms

23 Case Study: The Power of the GreenLine Newsletter  Oli’s Trolley (Acadia NP)  Reuse of park brochures  Recycling container on-board  Minimal cleaning chemicals used  Katmailand, Inc. (Katmai NP & Preserve)  Developed EMP, per contract requirements  Set goals that could reach in a remote location

24 Take Home Points  Collaborate to achieve goals  Ensure contract language is consistent  Communicate  Standards  Expectations  Positives  Offer assistance  Be creative & flexible  Manage data

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26 Standard Concession Contract Language continues...