H. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.pdf

Environmental Policy

Summary of Policy The purpose of the Environmental Policy is to provide guidance in:

1) identifying potential environmental impacts generated by our development activities and developing mitigation measures to address those impacts;

2) operating and maintaining Metro vehicles and facilities to minimize negative impacts on the environment;

3) reducing our consumption of natural resources;

4) reducing or eliminating the use of hazardous materials;

5) increasing the amount of recycling and use of recycled products; and

6) reducing and/or diverting the amount of solid waste going to landfills.

Historical Perspective On August 13, 2007, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published an invitation to state and local transit agencies to apply for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) training and assistance, which is offered in the form of workshops, on-site technical advice, consultation and comprehensive training in the development of an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 1400l-based EMS. An EMS is a set of operational procedures, based on an adopted Environmental Policy, to ensure compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations, as well as to facilitate environmental stewardship.

These procedures address energy conservation, efficient water use, material recycling and waste minimization, vehicle emissions reduction, improved fueling operations and hazardous material management and substitution, among other practices. Evidence shows that adoption of environmental management systems result in better regulatory compliance and fine avoidance, as well as advantages in financing, insurance, marketing, regulatory compliance, and other areas of planning, construction, operations, and procurement.

In December 2007, LACMTA was selected as one of seven participating agencies in the Second Round of FTA assisted EMS training. The EMS training is designed to help agencies develop and implement a complete EMS using the 14001 Standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The ISO 14001 Standard is a toolbox of management techniques to minimize harm to the environment. The ISO 14001 Standard serves as the basis of the EMS development, although it will be at the discretion of the implementing agency whether to pursue ISO certification or not.

FTA will assemble a final report that includes the participating transit agencies' case studies and assesses training results.

The FTA will also participate in ensuring that participating agencies' EMS conform with ISO 14001 certification standards.

In April 2009, the Board adopted the Environmental Policy which provides guidance in carrying out the agency’s on-going commitment to provide multi-modal public transit services that greatly improve the quality of the environment in the communities it serves; and its commitment to planning and constructing projects, operating and maintaining facilities and vehicles, and procuring products and services consistent with state and federal laws and regulations and in a manner that protects human health and the environment but not neglecting the efficient delivery of quality public transit services within its financial ability.

Environmental Policy Last Board Action April 23, 2009 – Environmental Policy

The Board adopted the Environmental Policy.

Attachment Environmental Policy

See Related Energy & Sustainability

Sustainability

AlTACHMENT A

METRO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

POLICY STATEMENT

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) will be a leader in maximizing the environmental effort and its benefits for Los Angeles County through our core mission ofmoving people efficiently and effectively using an Environmental Management System as its primary tool in applying sustainable principles and practices in our planning, construction, operations, and procurement to protect the environment for present and future generations.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in 1) identifying potential environmental impacts generated by our development activities and developing mitigation measures to address those impacts; 2) operating and maintaining Metro vehicles and facilities to minimize negative impacts on the environment; 3) reducing our consumption ofnatural resources; 4) reducing or eliminating the use ofhazardous materials; 5) increasing the amount of recycling and use of recycled products; and 6) reducing and/or diverting the amount of solid waste going to landfills.

COMMITMENT

Metro provides multi-modal public transit services that greatly improve the quality ofthe environment in the communities it serves. We are committed to planning and constructing our projects, operating and maintaining our facilities and vehicles, and procuring products and services consistent with State and federal laws and regulations and in a manner that protects human health and the environment but not neglecting the efficient delivery of quality public transit services within our financial ability.

To demonstrate our commitment, we will:

o Comply with all environmental, federal, State, and local laws and regulations;

o Restore the environment by providing mitigation and corrective action and by monitoring to ensure that environmental commitments are implemented;

o Improve our ability to manage and account for environmental liabilities and risk;

o Avoid environmental degradation by minimizing releases to air, water, and land;

Metro Environmental Policy Page 6 o Prevent pollution and conserve resources by reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling, and preferentially procuring for environmentally-friendly products and materials;

o Encourage and support the development of standards that encourage public transit use and environmental protection;

o Conduct training to raise awareness among employees and the general public regarding environmental protection and sustainable practices;

o Ensure that the planning, design, construction, and operation of our facilities and services consider environmental protection and sustainable features;

o Periodically review and implement updated environmental protection procedures and practices to ensure that they provide effective solutions for the problems they are designed to prevent or correct;

o Recognize and encourage citizen awareness and involvement in our efforts to protect the environment and educate the public about the environmental benefits ofour transit system;

o Build relationships with our contractors, vendors, consultants, and transit partners during planning, design, construction, operation and procurement to protect and enhance the environment;

o Consider alternative solutions such as promoting and tapping renewable energy sources to address energy and environmental challenges;

o Establish and maintain an Environmental Management System (EMS) with environmental objectives and targets that are measurable, meaningful and understandable; and o Communicate the goals and progress of this Policy and the EMS to Board Members, officers, employees and the public.

Metro Environmental Policy Page 7