308.63 - Environmental Management Council
10/10/06
OPR: Office of Management Services
Instructions:The following is a list of the primary changes/modifications made to both, Survey Manual, Chapter 308.63 - Environmental Management Council, and Appendix A, Charter Environmental Management Council.
1. Purpose. This Survey Manual Chapter provides the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) policy on the purpose; membership; roles and responsibilities; and operations of the USGS Environmental Management (EM) Council. The Director signed a Memorandum to establish the USGS EM Council on December 29, 2003.
2. Scope. The EM Council provides bureau-level environmental guidance, program oversight, and policy direction. The Council also establishes bureau-wide environmental management goals, and provides guidance to Regional Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental (OSHE) Committees (See SM 308.65) to facilitate field implementation of effective Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
3. Authorities and References.A. 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapter 1 through the end, “Protection of the Environment”.
B. Executive Order (E.O.) 13101, September 16, 1998, “Greening the Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling and Federal Acquisition”.
C. E.O. 13148, April 26, 2000, “Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management”.
D. Memorandum from the Director, “Improving Environmental Compliance and Performance through Environmental Management Systems,” December 29, 2003.
4. Membership.
A. The USGS EM Council will consist of the following members:
(1) Bureau Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (DASHO);
(2) Bureau Environmental Program Manager (Chair);
(3) Chief, Environmental Affairs Program;
(4) Eastern Region Environmental Protection Specialist;
(5) Central Region Environmental Protection Specialist;
(6) Western Region Environmental Protection Specialist;
(7) Headquarters Branch of Facilities Management Representative;
(8) Headquarters Branch of Property Management Representative;
(9) Headquarters Office of Acquisition and Grants Representative;
(10) Headquarters Branch of Materials Management Representative;
(11) Headquarters Office of Communications Representative;
(12) Headquarters Office of Accounting and Financial Management Representative;
(13) Eastern Region Field Representative nominated by the Regional Director;
(14) Central Region Field Representative nominated by the Regional Director; and(15) Western Region Field Representative nominated by the Regional Director.
B. Regional Field Level Representatives will be either a Senior Field Manager (e.g., a Science Center Director) or a Collateral Duty Environmental Program Coordinator from a field location that is required to implement Environmental Management System (EMS).
C. Bureau Environmental Program Manager will ensure that the EM Council membership is representative of all national, regional, discipline, and field perspectives.
D. EM Council members will have appropriate bureau, regional, or field authority to represent their respective areas of responsibility (e.g., bureau function, region, or field offices) and to make commitments on behalf of the functions or organizations they are representing.
E. EM Council members will be knowledgeable regarding environmental and related policies, regulations, and processes (e.g., acquisitions, property, vehicle management, environmental protection, facilities, etc.). Within six months of appointment to the EM Council, members will receive any additional training needed in order to effectively carry out their membership responsibilities.
5. Ad Hoc Membership. As needed, the following advisors will serve as ad hoc members to the EM Council:
A. Bureau OSHE Program Manager;
B. Bureau Industrial Hygienist;
C. Bureau Specialized Program Managers;
D. Bureau Human Resources Office Representative;
E. Regional OSHE Managers; and
F. Headquarters Geospatial Information Office Representative.
6. EM Council Roles and Responsibilities.A. Serves as an advisory body on environmental program matters to the Bureau Executive Leadership Team (ELT) through the Bureau DASHO.
B. Monitors performance of the USGS environmental program and resources allocated to program implementation. Develops environmental policy recommendations (including changes in resources allocated for program implementation) to improve program operations.
C. Provides a focal point for oversight and coordination of bureau environmental policy and programs. As deemed appropriate by the EM Council, reviews internal and external evaluation reports; inspection reports; bureau environmental training programs; proposed USGS environmental policies; bureau plans for abating environmental deficiencies; the status of implementation of Environmental Protection Programs and Management Systems; and the establishment of greening goals.
D. Provides bureau policy and program interpretation, coordination, and assistance to the regions.
E. Provides a forum for the exchange of information between the EM Council,
the USGS OSH Council, and the Regional OSHE Committees.
F. Monitors the operation of, and assists in the development of, USGS OSHE
Regional Committees.
G. Through the USGS DASHO, provides an annual status report to the ELT on environmental program accomplishments and upcoming plans for the next fiscal year. Additional information regarding roles and responsibilities is provided in the EM Council Charter (See Appendix A.).
7. Reporting. The EM Council will report to the USGS DASHO (Associate Director for Administrative Policy and Services).
8. Meetings. The EM Council will meet at least quarterly, including at least one face-to-face meeting per year, preferably scheduled to coincide with a Bureau OSH Council meeting. The EM Council members will make every effort to participate in the quarterly meetings. If a Council member cannot participate, a designee will be sent in his/her place.
9. Minutes. The minutes of each EM Council meeting will be recorded and distributed to all EM Council members, the Bureau DASHO, and the Regional OSHE Committees. The Chair of the EM Council will ensure that EM Council minutes are retained for a minimum of two years.
10. Work Groups. The EM Council is authorized to establish work groups as needed. Purposes of work groups may include research, investigations, inspections, development of environmental program guidelines or other documents, or conducting special environmental projects. EM Council work groups will include a minimum of one environmental program manager/specialist to provide group direction and oversight and other representatives (e.g., bureau, regional, and/or local representatives).
11. Salary, Travel and Incidental Costs. Headquarters and regional costs associated with EM Council participation are borne by the participant’s local or regional organization. Costs associated with extraordinary circumstances must be pre-approved and covered by a written agreement.
12. Termination Date. None.
Approved:
________________________________
Karen D. Baker
Associate Director for Administrative Policy and Services
Designated Agency Safety and Health Official