All construction professionals are facing environmental challenges. Increasingly complex environmental laws, escalating compliance costs, and the financial impact of a violation can affect the company's growth and profitability. These challenges, as well as rising public demand for environmental stewardship, are leading companies to consider new ways to enhance their competitiveness. Some construction companies--large and small--have found that an Environmental Management System (EMS) is one way to remain competitive. They are systematically managing their environmental operations, which is as good economically as it is ecologically.