Environmental Management

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Department Regulation (DR) is to define responsibilities and requirements with respect to:
a. USDA efforts towards sustainable operations, specifically: · Decreasing energy intensity; · Increasing renewable energy use; · Reducing petroleum consumption and increasing alternative fuel use; · Conserving water; · Promoting pollution prevention, waste reduction, and recycling; · Implementing sustainable building design, construction, and operation; · Increasing green procurement; · Promoting electronic product stewardship; and · Embracing environmental management systems.
b. Restoring natural resources affected by hazardous substances, pollutant or contaminants.
c. Minimizing and responding to the release or threatened release of hazardous substances which could endanger public health or the environment.
d. Minimizing environmental liabilities by ensuring compliance with property disposal statutes and identifying potential environmental liabilities prior to property acquisition.