UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
May 17, 2010
In Reply Refer To:
1703 (280) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 05/25/2010
Information Bulletin No. 2010-079
To: All Field Officials
Attn: Abandoned Mine Land and Hazmat Program Leads
From: Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning
Subject: Hazardous Materials Environmental Compliance Guide for Field Managers
Program Areas: Hazard Management and Resource Restoration “Hazmat” and
Abandoned Mine Lands (AML)
Purpose: The purpose of this Information Bulletin is to make you aware of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Hazardous Materials Environmental Compliance Guide for Field Managers, which summarizes the BLM’s environmental compliance and pollution prevention policies.
Background: Compliance with environmental laws and regulations is one of the many challenges for which the BLM’s Field Managers have responsibility. The attached guidance document has been specifically developed to assist the Field Manager in complying with the numerous Federal, State, and local environmental requirements.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are approximately 14,000 environmentally regulated Federal facilities nationwide. The BLM manages a significant number of State and District/Field Offices, Field Stations, and other sites in support of the multi-use land management responsibilities defined by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA).
The Division of Environmental Quality and Protection created this guide to assist new and experienced Field Managers in identifying, understanding, and implementing key environmental compliance requirements. This guide provides a brief discussion of the most common environmental compliance requirements related to the BLM’s land management activities. A list of environmental resources and contacts is included at the end of this document to assist the Field Manager in understanding and dealing with these environmental compliance requirements.
This guide provides the Field Manager with the basic materials to facilitate discussion and understanding of environmental compliance requirements and the resources that exist within the BLM to assist in managing these requirements. The systems of environmental compliance requirements as expressed in statutes, Executive Orders, regulations, and the Department of Interior’s and the BLM’s policies are designed to protect human health and the environment. Field Managers can use this guide as a tool to gain quick insight regarding a particular environmental subject. The guide is designed to provide a series of useful information on a range of environmental topics that can be reviewed as a whole, or independently, as specific environmental compliance issues occur. The guide summarizes the applicability, regulatory overview, description, and implementation of the following topics that will help Field Managers in discussing these issues with staff members:
- Pollution Prevention and Recycling – Regulating the disposal of solid and hazardous waste generated by the BLM
- Safety and Hazardous Materials – Ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for the BLM’s employees
- Solid and Hazardous Waste– Managing the generation, storage, treatment or disposal of solid and hazardous wastes generated by the BLM
- Illegal Dumping –Disposal of solid waste such as white goods, yard wastes, household trash, vehicles, furniture, construction debris, and hazardous waste on public lands
- Drinking Water –Managing drinking water sources on lands owned by the BLM
- Contaminated Site Clean-up – Investigating, evaluating and implementing response actions due to releases of hazardous substances on lands owned by the BLM
- Acquisition and Disposal of Real Property – Evaluating a property’s environmental condition and assessing potential liability for contamination
- Emergency Response to Oil Spills and Hazardous Releases – Coordinating with the EPA and U.S. Coast Guard to respond to emergencies
- Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) – Restoring natural resources injured as a result of oil spills or hazardous substance releases on lands owned by the BLM
- Compliance Assessment for Safety, Health, and the Environment (CASHE) Program and Internal Audits – Assisting the BLM’s managers with their facilities management responsibilities
- Environmental Management Systems – Using a process and framework to manage the BLM’s environmental affairs and issues
- Hazardous Material, AML Cleanup, Resource Restoration and other Project Funding Mechanisms– Using the various funding sources available to the BLM
Coordination: This Field Guide has been coordinated with the various Division of Environmental Quality and Protection (WO-280) programs, the AML and Hazmat Program Leads and the Department of the Interior Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance.
Contact: Miyoshi Stith, Hazard Management and Resource Restoration Program Lead (202) 912-7452.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Richard Hanes Robert M. Williams
Acting, Assistant Director Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Renewable Resources and Planning
1 Attachment
1 – Hazardous Materials Environmental Compliance Guide for Field Managers (38 pp)
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