Policy and Guidance

Federal facilities are impacted by various EPA enforcement and compliance policies.

Civil Enforcement
Federal facilities must comply with various environmental laws and Presidential Executive Orders. Part of EPA's mission is to ensure that Federal facilities take all necessary actions to comply with applicable environmental requirements. Applicable policy and guidance is provided here.

Cleanup Enforcement
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund), is the bases of policy and guidance which requires Federal agencies with NPL sites to investigate and clean up contamination.

Pollution Prevention is any practice which reduces the amount of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering waste streams or released into the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling, treatment or disposal. It is any practice which results in reducing the hazards to public health and the environment.

Environmental Management Systems is defined as "that part of the overall practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy. EMS focuses on environmental management practices rather than the activities themselves.

Presidential Executive Orders challenge the Federal goverment to lead by example and are a reflection of the government's commitment to being a good neighbor.

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Policy and Guidance

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