An August 2006 report describes the status of implementation of environmental management systems within state DOTs. Prepared by AASHTO's Standing Committee on Highways, Subcommittee on Construction, Environment and Human Resources Section, the report finds that 27 state DOTs either have implemented or are in the process of developing EMSs. The findings are based on a survey of state DOTs conducted in 2006. The report also includes case studies from state DOTs. For more information, link to Environmental Management Systems Implementation Update.

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The Council on Environmental Quality is seeking public comment on a proposed guide to help federal agencies integrate environmental management systems (EMS) with requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The proposed guide, issued on July 10, 2006, is based on a CEQ report issued in 2003, Modernizing NEPA Implementation, which included more than 50 recommendations for federal agencies. For more information, link to Proposed EMS-NEPA Guide: Aligning the Complementary Processes of Environmental Management Systems and the National Environmental Policy Act.

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A report documenting the Federal Transit Administration’s management and training initiative on environmental management systems has been issued by the FTA Office of Planning and Environment. The report contains the results of a 29 month effort by FTA, ten local transit agencies and the Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to advance international environmental management standards (ISO 14001) in U.S. public transit agencies. For more information, link to: Federal Transit Administration Environmental Management Systems Training and Support: Final Report.

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The Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging the widespread use of environmental management systems in an updated position statement published in the Feb. 2 Federal Register. The statement explains EPA's policy on environmental management systems "and the agency's intent to continue to promote the voluntary widespread use of EMSs across a range of organizations and settings." The notice replaces EPA’s 2002 EMS position statement. For more information, view the EMS Position Statement [PDF 264kb] or contact Shana Harbour at (202) 566-2959.

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The Center for Transportation and the Environment’s June 24 web broadcast on the results of National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Environmental Information Management and Decisions Support Systems for Transportation (Project 25-23), is now available on DVD or video cassette, and it can be replayed from the CTE website at the following link: CTE Webcast Archive.

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A new analysis of environmental management system software has been completed by GETF as part of the Ports Environmental Management System (EMS) Assistance Project supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). GETF conducted a neutral analysis of “off the shelf” software products specifically designed to support an organization's development, implementation, and subsequent management of its EMS. While the assessment was conducted specifically with Ports in mind, the assessment may be useful to other public sector businesses and organizations considering the use of software to support their EMS. View text of the analysis: EMS Software Assessment [PDF 200kb] (March 15, 2004).

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In August 2003, Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO held a workshop on environmental management systems for state DOTs. The workshop included how-to sessions on implementing an EMS, and provided an implementation guide with templates for state to develop their own systems. For more information, please link to the EMS Implementation Guide and other information from the 2003 Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO workshop.

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To encourage the widespread use of Environmental Management Systems (EMSs), EPA has issued a Guidance on Use of EMSs in Settlements as Injunctive Relief and Supplemental Environmental Projects [PDF 300kb]. The guide is intended to promote EMS use in compliance assurance and enforcement programs. It explains how EPA will employ EMSs in enforcement settlements to address the root causes of violations and the risks they pose to communities and ecosystems.

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The Federal Transit Administration has launched an EMS initiative in which it will provide training workshops, on-site technical support visits, electronic materials and consultation for public transit agencies. Get more information.

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