Environmental Management Systems National Ocean Service National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science March 1, 2006

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) were established to manage the environmental components of operations effectively and efficiently In the early 1990’s many organizations recognized that environmental issues were becoming a critical component of their operations and established risk-based business systems to manage these issues In the early 1990’s many organizations recognized that environmental issues were becoming a critical component of their operations and established risk-based business systems to manage these issues In 1995 the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed a standard, ISO 14001, that describes a standardized set of elements that comprise an environmental management system In 1995 the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed a standard, ISO 14001, that describes a standardized set of elements that comprise an environmental management system In 2000 the Presidential Executive Order (EO) Required Federal Agencies to implement Environmental Management Systems at appropriate facilities by December 31, 2005 In 2000 the Presidential Executive Order (EO) Required Federal Agencies to implement Environmental Management Systems at appropriate facilities by December 31, 2005 In 2005 NCCOS established an Environmental Policy confirming its commitment to implement an EMS for NCCOS as a single organization allowing flexibility for each facility – SSMC IS PART OF THE EMS In 2005 NCCOS established an Environmental Policy confirming its commitment to implement an EMS for NCCOS as a single organization allowing flexibility for each facility – SSMC IS PART OF THE EMS

Step 1: Implement the System Design the Process for - Identifying Risks Identifying Risks Managing/Controlling Risks Managing/Controlling Risks Assessing Performance Assessing Performance Integrating Improvements Integrating Improvements Develop Procedures for - Communication Communication Training Training Contracting Contracting Procurement Procurement Recordkeeping Recordkeeping Assessing, etc Assessing, etc Plan Identify risks requiring managementIdentify risks requiring management Establish objectives for risk managementEstablish objectives for risk management Implement Implement programs to manage risksImplement programs to manage risks Place controls on high risk activitiesPlace controls on high risk activities Review Monitor programs and controlsMonitor programs and controls Conduct system assessmentConduct system assessment Improve Identify performance trendsIdentify performance trends Identify improvement prioritiesIdentify improvement priorities Step 2: Start Using the System NCCOS established its EMS in 2005, this year it will start using the system to support NOAA’s mission through improved management of environmental issues Step 1: Implement the System

The EMS ties together an organization’s environmental programs into a single integrated system that can be leveraged to drive improvement Organization Mission Green Purchasing Resource Management Facility O & M Policy Making Budgeting Personal Property Real Property Increase Efficiency – Reduce Costs Reduce Costs Free up personnel Free up personnel Compress Schedules Compress Schedules Increase Capacity Increase Capacity Increase Control Over Risks – Avoid breaks in operational continuity Avoid breaks in operational continuity Accurately pinpoint weaknesses & future failures Accurately pinpoint weaknesses & future failures Efficiently focus resources on weaknesses Efficiently focus resources on weaknesses Improve Performance – Reduce environmental impacts Reduce environmental impacts Avoid environmental costs Avoid environmental costs Improve stakeholder perceptions Improve stakeholder perceptions

EMS Benefits to NCCOS Compliance with E.O and NOAA directives Compliance with E.O and NOAA directives Standardization of Processes across SSMC Standardization of Processes across SSMC Decrease environmental liability Decrease environmental liability Some cost savings in energy, waste disposal Some cost savings in energy, waste disposal Improve recycling opportunities Improve recycling opportunities Enhance cross-functional integration with employees and collaborators Enhance cross-functional integration with employees and collaborators Increase community stewardship and public perception Increase community stewardship and public perception

Important EMS Web Sites SECO EMS Website SECO EMS Website NCCOS EMS Website NCCOS EMS Website NCCOS Web EMS AwarenessTraining NCCOS Web EMS AwarenessTraining

Proposed Actions for SSMC Tenant Board Recognize NCCOS’ SSMC EMS Team and allow them to bring environmental issues to this forum (e.g., switch from antibiotic soap to normal soap, response time for maintenance of faucets) Recognize NCCOS’ SSMC EMS Team and allow them to bring environmental issues to this forum (e.g., switch from antibiotic soap to normal soap, response time for maintenance of faucets) Provide copies of the annual Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Energy reporting information as well as results of any air/water quality testing to the Board Provide copies of the annual Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Energy reporting information as well as results of any air/water quality testing to the Board Include more discussions on ways to improve energy efficiency and increase recycling at the campus (e.g., encourage 2-sided printing and copying, use of light sensors, recycle cardboard boxes). Include more discussions on ways to improve energy efficiency and increase recycling at the campus (e.g., encourage 2-sided printing and copying, use of light sensors, recycle cardboard boxes).