Environmental Management Systems

Environmental management systems (EMS) are helping a growing number of local governments around the country improve their environmental performance and compliance, reduce costs, improve community relations, and build greater confidence by managers on environmental issues. EMSs provide local governments with a flexible and proven framework for setting environmental goals and reducing environmental impacts through the use of best practices, operational controls, and measurable plans for achieving goals. In certain cases, an EMS can also help reduce insurance premiums and improve bond ratings. For example, the city of San Diego was able to save approximately $800,000 and significantly reduce air emissions from heavy equipment at its municipal landfill in the first year of implementing an EMS.

ICMA, in cooperation with the American Public Works Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is leading an effort to help educate and encourage local government managers to adopt EMSs. ICMA and APWA will conduct EMS outreach events at their national conferences, facilitate regional learning events at state association or chapter meetings, and host a web-based training program. For more information, contact lgean@icma.org .

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Local Government Innovations

	Smart Yard Contest Year: 2004;
	Small Town Manages Its Environment Year: 2003;
	Volunteer Litter Collection Program Year: 2002;

Sample Government Documents

	Environmentally Preferable Procurement Policy Year: 2007; Pages: 4.
	Environmental Management Systems: A Guidebook for Improving Energy and Environmental Performance in Local Government Year: 2004; Pages: 245.
	Achieving Environmental Excellence: Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Handbook for Wastewater Utilities Year: 2004; Pages: 171.
	Environmental Management System Manual Year: 2001;

Reports and Articles

	IBM and Dubuque, Iowa Partner on Smarter City Initiative Year: 2009; Pages: 2.
	Solar Cities: Livermore/Pleasanton/Dublin Year: 2009; Pages: 5.
	Biosolids Management System (BMS) Manual Year: 2009; Pages: 51.
	Las Vegas' CityCenter to be One of the World's Largest Green Developments Year: 2009; Pages: 6.
	Environmental Services 2008 Annual Report City of Sarasota Year: 2009; Pages: 20.

Case Studies

Creative Recycling Programs Year: 2002; Pages: 1.

Plans

	County of Amador Unified Program Inspection Plan Year: 2009; Pages: 30.
	Green Government Year: 2008; Pages: 31.
	Ventura County 2007-2008 Energy Action Plan Year: 2007; Pages: 8.
	Seattle, a Climate of Change: Meeting the Kyoto Challenge Year: 2006; Pages: 40.
	City of Boulder Climate Action Plan Year: 2002; Pages: 72.

Ordinances

	Rockingham Wind Energy System Zoning Amendment Year: 2009; Pages: 8.
	Mason City Wind Zoning Ordinance Year: 2009; Pages: 10.
	City of Port Orange Ordinance 2009-12: Green Building Program Year: 2009; Pages: 11.

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