From: Subject: Policy:VTrans Environmental Stewardship Ethic Policy Statement Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:28:36 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.aot.state.vt.us/policies/8021.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 Policy:VTrans Environmental Stewardship Ethic Policy = Statement

VERMONT
AGENCY OF=20 TRANSPORTATION

ORIGINAL POLICY = ADOPTED=20
10/07/2004

ORIGINAL POLICY=20 IDENTIFIER
N/A


POLICY=20 MANUAL

EFFECTIVE=20 DATE
10/07/2004 IDENTIFIER
8021 RESPONSIBLE=20 SECTION
AA SUPERSEDES
N/A
SUBJECT: VTrans Environmental = Stewardship=20 Ethic Policy Statement SCREEN/PAGE 1 OF=20 1 

STATUTORY REFERENCE/OTHER=20 AUTHORITY: None

APPROVAL=20 DATE: 10/07/2004

APPROVED = BY:=20 Patricia A. McDonald, Secretary of Transportation

PURPOSE/COMMENT: To=20 establish the Environmental Stewardship Ethic Policy for = VTrans

VTrans Environmental Policy:=20 VTrans = recognizes that=20 environmental quality - clean water and air, scenic beauty, ecological = diversity=20 and protection of the state=92s historic character - are what Vermonters = desire=20 and are considered integral parts of the state=92s economic well-being. = VTrans=20 will fulfill its environmental responsibility through an Agency-wide=20 environmental stewardship ethic. This ethic will be guided by=20 principles and practices that will apply to all of the = agency=92s=20 business activities. An annual work plan will be developed each year and = a=20 yearly report will outline the success of specific agency environmental=20 initiatives. The Agency will aim to be a positive force in supporting = the=20 state's environmental quality and unique sense of place, and will strive = to=20 exceed state and federal environmental laws when practicable, while = subject to=20 the Agency=92s responsibility to make judgments and decisions based on = numerous=20 factors including cost, safety, and resource = availability.   =20  

VTrans Environmental = Principles: =20 VTrans and its = employees,=20 consultants, and contractors should when practicable consider these = basic=20 environmental principles:  

  • Protect and/or improve water and air=20 quality=20
  • Protect and/or enhance wildlife habitat =
  • Preserve and/or enhance cultural and scenic=20 resources=20
  • Support healthy communities and sustainable=20 growth=20
  • Encourage design that compliments the visual = quality=20 of the surrounding environment including the historic and scenic=20 character 
  • Increase transportation choices including=20 non-motorized options=20
  • Minimize agency-generated waste by reducing, = reusing,=20 or recycling materials and find = substitutes for hazardous materials whenever possible=20
  • Reduce the use of non-renewable energy = resources by=20 promoting building and vehicle energy efficiency, and considering the = use of=20 alternative fuels in Agency operations

VTrans Environmental Practices:=20 The following = practices=20 are on-going and help define how employees will execute the Agency=92s=20 environmental stewardship ethic and follow its environmental = principles: =20  

  1. Plan, design, construct and maintain = VTrans-sponsored=20 projects in compliance with federal and state environmental=20 laws.=20
  2. Work collaboratively with national, regional and local = stakeholders=20 including, federal and state regulatory agencies, regional planning = entities,=20 municipal officials, interest groups, and the general = public.=20
  3. Encourage the agency environmental = stewardship ethic=20 through continual VTrans staff education and training regarding state = and=20 federal environmental law and policy, as well as environmental = research and=20 technical advances. 
  4. Provide opportunities for continual staff = feedback and=20 input regarding how to best implement an agency environmental = stewardship=20 ethic.   
  5. Consider the initial costs of transportation = investment alternatives as well as future costs over life of the=20 investment. 
  6. Encourage the development of all = transportation modes=20 and an integrated seamless transportation system.=20
  7. Conduct public outreach and = education,=20 including local governments and agency consulting engineers and = contractors,=20 regarding VTrans=92 environmental policy and initiatives. =
POLICY HISTORY
ORIGINAL POLICY = ADOPTION=20 DATE: 10/07/2004

REVISION NO:=20 1

EFFECTIVE DATE:=20

REASON: =20

REVISION NO:=20 2

EFFECTIVE DATE:=20

REASON:=20


Policy Home = Page=20