Annual Assessments.

EP 1165-2-1

30 Jul 99

(a) Environmental Compliance Assessments. The purpose of

Environmental Compliance Assessments is to identify and correct

noncompliance. Environmental Compliance Assessments, conducted on a

regular basis, provide a picture of compliance levels and corrective

action requirements. Environmental Compliance Assessments are a

proactive approach to assuring that potential environmental protection

and compliance issues are promptly identified. Once identified, the

full range of specialties within the Corps can be called on to assist

in their resolution. Deficiencies are prioritized and corrective

actions taken as routine maintenance work or programmed in the Civil

Works budget process.

(b) The Environmental Assessment and Management (TEAM) Guide

and the Environmental Review Guide for Operations (ERGO). These

manuals are the foundation of a comprehensive program to achieve,

maintain, and monitor compliance with applicable environmental laws

and regulations, and to implement good management practices. The TEAM

and ERGO manuals contain checklists of Code of Federal Regulations,

Engineer Regulations, and Management Practices that show legal

requirements and specific operations or items to review at Civil Works

projects and facilities. The manuals are divided into categories or

"protocols" to assist in the evaluation of such items as: air

emissions, cultural resources, hazardous materials and waste, natural

resources, pesticides, solid waste, wastewater, underground storage

tanks and toxic substances. They are designed for on-site personnel

to use for internal (self) assessments or for district teams,

contractors, and others to use for external assessments.

(c) Annual Assessments. Annual external or internal

assessments are performed to evaluate environmental compliance and to

give necessary feedback so supervisors can organize, direct, and

control environmental compliance and protection activities. A

multidisciplinary approach is essential to resolving environmental

issues because most activities that affect the environment must be

assessed from various perspectives to achieve the most effective

environmental management. TEAM/ERGO assessments: enhance Corps

environmental compliance at Federal, state and local levels; improve

Corps environmental management; build supporting budget requirements;

and, assure supervisors that their environmental programs will be

implemented effectively according to Corps goals and objectives.

c. Enforcing Environmental Regulations. Managing Corps

projects and facilities includes accepting responsibility for

compliance with applicable environmental regulations. The EPA and

other Federal and state agencies are charged with enforcing

environmental regulations. An effective TEAM/ERGO assessment program

will help to reduce risks and liability.

d.

Pollution Prevention.

(1) Policy. As in the case of environmental compliance,

pollution prevention is one of the four pillars of the Army

Environmental Strategy. It is Corps policy that:

(a) The Corps will comply with all applicable Federal, state,

and local environmental laws and regulations.

(b) Pollution shall be prevented or reduced at the source.

Wastes and by-products that cannot be prevented shall be recycled.

Pollutants that cannot be recycled shall be treated to minimize

environmental hazards. Disposal or other release into the environment

11-19