APPROVED BY: Patricia A. McDonald, Secretary of Transportation

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

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

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

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

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

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