[Federal Register: August 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 155)]
[Notices]
[Page 45297-45298]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au07-121]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Availability of Environmental Management Systems Training and
Assistance for State and Local Transit Agencies
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability of Environmental Management Systems
training and assistance.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will sponsor training
and assistance in Environmental Management Systems (EMS) for up to ten
state and local transit agencies. EMS can play a valuable role in the
establishment of sound business management practices that include
concern for the environment. Adoption of environmental management
systems has been shown to result in advantages in financing, insurance,
marketing, regulatory compliance, and other areas of operations. FTA
will sponsor assistance in the form of training workshops, on-site
technical advice and consultation, including follow-up. Applications
from transit agencies to participate in this training and assistance
are solicited.
DATES: Letters of application to participate in this training and
assistance program must be received by September 7, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Letters of application should be submitted to: Federal
Transit Administration, Office of Planning and Environment, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Room E45-130, Washington, DC 20590, Attention: Jim
Barr, Fax: (202) 366-2478.
[[Page 45298]]
Applications may be hand delivered between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays; for confirmation of
mail delivery, a stamped, self-addressed post card must be included.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Barr or Julie Atkins, Office of
Planning and Environment, Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Room E45-130, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone:
(202) 366-1568.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Environmental Management Systems
Environmental management systems are designed to develop a
systematic management approach to the environmental concerns of an
organization. Evidence suggests that adoption of environmental
management systems results in advantages in financing, insurance,
marketing, regulatory compliance, and other areas of operations.
Perhaps the most recognized and widely employed environmental
management system is ISO [International Organization for
Standardization] 14001, a model for implementing environmental
management systems used by tens of thousands of organizations in more
than 100 countries.
In January 2006, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) concluded
a successful Environmental Management Systems (EMS) training and
technical assistance program based on ISO 14001 for ten public transit
agencies. The results of the final audit and the responses of the
participating transit agencies, documented in a report entitled,
``Environmental Management Systems Training & Assistance Final Report''
(January 2006), available online at http://www.fta.dot.gov/library/FTA_EMS/index.htm
, were impressive. Nine of the ten participating
transit agencies achieved an overall rating of 93 per cent or higher,
and four of those agencies achieved an overall rating in excess of 97
per cent. Cost savings could not be easily quantified in the
abbreviated implementation period, but one participating transit agency
reported an annualized savings of $66,000 in fuel and labor costs
alone. So impressed were two of the participating transit agencies with
ISO 14001 as a framework that inspires and channels the creative
thinking of all their employees that they elected to become ISO
certified.
FTA is now prepared to provide an opportunity for up to ten more
public transit agencies to receive similar EMS training and assistance.
EMS Training and Assistance
FTA will provide assistance in the form of training workshops, on-
site technical support visits and electronic materials and
consultation. FTA is currently selecting a skilled contractor to carry
out EMS training and assistance under a cooperative agreement. Training
will be designed to help transit agencies develop and implement an
environmental management system based on ISO 14001 which provides a
structured process for the achievement of continual improvement, the
rate and extent of which are determined by the organization in light of
economic factors and other circumstances.
The EMS training program will include:
EMS training and assistance for up to ten transit agency
teams, consisting of three to four members each, over a two-year
period;
A curriculum designed specifically for transit agency
implementation of an EMS with a possible emphasis on the implementation
of an EMS for a transit capital program;
A pre-workshop site evaluation visit to each agency by the
contractor team;
A training ``tool-kit,'' including guidebooks and
software, as necessary;
Four three-day workshops at the site of the contractor's
choosing which would include all transit teams; participants are
responsible for travel and accommodation costs for these workshops;
Two site visits and progress reviews by the contractor for
each participant; and
Monthly conference calls with the contractor, FTA, and all
program participants.
At the conclusion of training, and following a period of
implementation, FTA will assemble a final report that includes the
participating transit agencies' case studies and an assessment of
training results.
How To Apply for the Program
Interested transit agencies should submit a letter, signed by the
head of the public transportation organization, that contains the
following information:
A brief description of the transit organization and its
responsibilities;
The name of a high-ranking transit agency management
representative who will have the responsibility and the authority for
ensuring that the EMS is developed based on the program provided above.
The transit agency's representative should be available to travel and
participate in workshops with other transit participants over the life
of the project; and
A clear assurance that senior management in the
organization will provide the necessary visibility, staff time, and
other resources necessary to successfully develop and implement the EMS
through its implementation team. Ongoing top management support is the
most critical factor for ensuring a successful and sustainable EMS.
Judging Applications
Once all applications are received, FTA will conduct follow-up
interviews with each applicant to discuss the information contained in
the letter of application in more detail and to obtain any other
necessary information. FTA will give preference to agencies that are
particularly interested in the implementation of an EMS for a transit
capital program. FTA may consult with the contractor before final
decisions are made.
FTA will use a number of criteria to select participants,
including:
Organizational commitment by transit agency leadership to
EMS implementation;
Geographical diversity;
Previous environmental experiences; and
Environmental challenges from operations and/or pending
capital projects.
The first program workshop should occur in early 2008.
Issued in Washington, DC this 7th day of August 2007.
James S. Simpson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7-15754 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am]
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