PennDOT Strategic Environmental Management Program by Kenneth Thornton, PG, Ileana Ivanciu, PG, and James Heeren, PE 2011 TRB Waste Management and Resource Efficiency Workshop

Strategic Environmental Management Plan Policy Pennsylvania Governors Executive Order Required each Commonwealth Agency to develop a Green Plan to incorporate the policies outlined in the Executive Order

PennDOT Green Plan Developed a Green Plan Policy appropriate for the PennDOT Assessment of potential environmental impacts concentrated in the construction and maintenance activities of the agency – 833 Construction activities – 678 Maintenance activities Development of an Environmental Management System in conformance with the ISO standard

Green Plan Policy Statement

Green Plan Policy Implementation The Green Plan Policy (GPP) is reviewed and approved by the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Requirement of ISO standard Describes PennDOTs commitment to responsible environmental management – Practicing resource conservation – Ensuring regulatory compliance – Continually improving performance

SEMP is the Green Plan for PennDOT Strategic Environmental Management Program

Programs Included in SEMP Strategic Recycling Program Maintenance Districts ISO Certifications (11 districts) Bureau of Construction – Materials Testing Laboratorys ISO 9001 Certification Underground Storage Tank Phase II Compliance Program Engineering Districts 9001 Certifications – District 10 – District 12

District Certifications

Maintenance Operations Registration Each Maintenance District is independently registered. The scope of the registrations include three (3) distinct Focus Areas. – Winter Services – Stockpile and Garage Management – Roadway Maintenance Activities

Winter Services De-icing Materials ApplicationSnow Removal

Winter Services Winter Maintenance Materials – Application rates applying the correct amount of material limits the chemical impact on the environment monitor road temperatures for correct material application rate – Material tracking – Reporting what is used is proof of a process for checks and balances for application rates

Winter Services Application rates and mix, matched to conditions Tracking materials usage Pretreatment and new technology Equipment calibration Post-storm review

Environmental Impacts of Road Salts Wide range of impacts on: – Freshwater ecosystems (groundwater/surface water) – Soil – Vegetation – Wildlife – Human Health In high concentrations, road salts pose a risk to plants, animals and the aquatic environment

Environmental Impacts of Road Salts Many freshwater organisms cannot tolerate high concentrations even for a short period Impaired growth of aquatic plants and animals Impacts to residential drinking water wells are primarily from historical salt handling and storage practices

Stockpile and Garage Management Underground Storage TanksAboveground Storage Tanks Total No. of Maintenance Facilities/Stockpiles: 461 USTS = 115 ASTS = 1,051

Garage/Stockpiles Management Proper Stockpile maintenance will eliminate surface and groundwater contamination Significant aspects include: – Operations – Materials control – Materials containment – Housekeeping (runoff control; salt water cover) – Facility maintenance – Model stockpile implementation – Emergency response

Stockpile and Garage Management Materials Storage

Garage/Stockpile Management Follow procedures and protocols for storage and waste removal Inspections: – Foremans Quarterly Inspection – Environmental Compliance Checklist – Emergency Response requirements: Annually update Combined Facility Response Plan (CFRP) Periodic Emergency drills (spill drill) – Annual BOMO Quality Assurance Inspection

Stockpile Management Grass barrier reduces runoff into groundwater

Salt Storage

Roadway Maintenance Activities Erosion and Sedimentation Control Waste Management and Spill Prevention/Control

Roadway Maintenance Significant aspects include: Erosion & sedimentation controls (silt fences; rock lining; seeding and mulching) Roadway Maintenance waste management Due diligence of soil cuttings Spill management in PennDOT and contractor operations

Erosion and Sedimentation

Maintenance ISO Each District SEMP Manager is responsible for day-to day activities including: – Document Control and Records Management – Contractor notification – Scheduling of Internal and External Audits – Providing, scheduling and tracking of maintenance personnel required training – Preparation of the District SEMP annual report and presentation to District Management

Pollution Prevention Section (PPS) Provides administrative and technical support: – Analysis of Waste Management – Analysis of Environmental Aspects and Impacts – Analysis of External Audit results and trends – SEMP improvement goals at the statewide level – Tracking of Statewide Legal and other requirements – Statewide ISO Procedures and other SEMP support – Preparation and submittal of the Annual Statewide SEMP Management Report – Management of SEMP consulting and external ISO Registration contracts

External Audit Findings by Fiscal Year

Financial Benefits Materials reuse Environmental Liability avoidance (pollution prevention) Waste Management/minimization Performance enhancements and qualitative improvements Less re-work on maintenance activities Fewer operation stoppages by County Conservation District

Cultural Change Management support and participation energizes workers and supervisors to continually improve performance SEMP Awareness leads to Cultural Change – Properly planned work protects the environment – Awareness of how actions can impact the environment

Questions & Comments Ileana Ivanciu, PG Dewberry-Goodkind, Inc. Kenneth Thornton, PG Pennsylvania Department of Transportation James Heeren, PE Dewberry-Goodkind, Inc.