USGS Environmental Management Council
I. Purpose/Scope. The USGS Environmental Management (EM) Council operates in cooperation and concert with Regional Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental (OSHE) Committees to develop initiatives and enhancements to the USGS Environmental Program. The EM Council will determine collective actions to achieve program objectives and goals in concert with Department of the Interior strategic plans. The EM Council will be guided by the USGS Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (DASHO) and the Environmental Program Manager. The DASHO is the final approving authority of EM Council actions and recommendations.
II. Authorities.
A. Executive Order 13148, April 26, 2000, “Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management.”
B. Memorandum from the Director, USGS, December 29, 2003, “Improving Environmental Compliance and Performance through Environmental Management Systems.” This Memorandum established the EM Council.
III. Membership.
A. The USGS EM Council will consist of the following members with full voting rights:
(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;
(14) Central Region Field Representative; and
(15) Western Region Field Representative.
B. The USGS EM Council may use the following ad hoc members as advisors, as needed:
(1) Bureau OSHE Program Manager;
(2) Bureau Industrial Hygienist;
(3) Bureau Specialized Program Managers;
(4) Bureau Human Resources Office Representative;
(5) Regional OSHE Managers; and
(6) Headquarters Geospatial Information Office Representative.
IV. Responsibilities.
A. Develop the USGS annual environmental program plan that achieves program objectives and goals in concert with the Departmental Greening Strategic Plan and EOs related to environmental programs and activities. Provide recommendations on program planning to the Bureau DASHO.
B. Provide a focal point for oversight, coordination and direction for the USGS Environmental Management Program.
C. Make decisions about USGS Environmental Program activities, actions, and initiatives based on Department initiatives and USGS Regional OSHE Committee activities and recommendations.
D. Advise the DASHO on the implementation of programs targeted toward environmental activities.
E. Serve as an advisory body to the Bureau Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on program matters.
F. Provide Bureau environmental policy and program interpretation, coordination, and assistance to Regional environmental program activities.
G. Provide a forum for the exchange of information between Headquarters, Regional, and field level committees.
H. Collaborate to perform functions in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Departmental, and USGS regulations. This includes establishing an environmental program; recommending sufficient budget and staff to implement program initiatives; establishing guidance to ensure effective program implementation; setting goals and objectives for reducing and eliminating environmental impacts; establishing plans and procedures for evaluating program effectiveness; and setting priorities to implement environmental management systems (EMS) at appropriate locations.
I. Serve as the reviewing and approving body for USGS environmental awards. Administer Bureau level environmental awards. Develop new awards and associated awards criteria, as appropriate.
V. Meetings and Reports. The EM Council will establish meeting dates; develop reports necessary to conduct business; and evaluate the overall performance and achievements of Council decisions. The EM Council will meet no less than four times a year, with at least one face-to-face meeting annually, preferably in conjunction with the Bureau OSHE Council. The EM Council will report annually to the ELT, through the Bureau DASHO. The annual report will include the program accomplishments of the previous fiscal year and program plans for the upcoming fiscal year. The minutes of each meeting will be recorded and distributed to the USGS DASHO, Council members, and Regional OSHE committees.
VI. Working Groups. The EM Council may establish working groups, as needed.
VII. Voting. The EM Council will act in accordance with votes by the majority of its members. An EM Council member may send a designee to cast a vote in his/her absence
VIII. Salary, Travel, and Incidental Costs. Headquarters and regional costs associated with Bureau EM Council participation are borne by each participant’s Headquarters or regional organization. Costs associated with expenses for extraordinary circumstances must be pre-approved and covered by a written agreement.