[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 186 (Monday, September 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51973-51975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25051]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6381-8]


The Yellow Book: Guide to Environmental Enforcement and 
Compliance at Federal Facilities

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: To assure that Federal agencies adhere to the requirements 
under various laws and Executive Orders, EPA has revised and reissued 
the 1988 Federal Facilities Compliance Strategy, commonly referred to 
as the ``Yellow Book.'' The revised Yellow Book is titled The Yellow 
Book: Guide to Environmental Enforcement and Compliance at Federal 
Facilities. This notice is to inform the public that the revised Yellow 
Book is available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anissa M. McNeill, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, 
Federal Facilities Enforcement Office (2261A), 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-0013; fax: (202) 501-
0644; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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I. General Information

A. Does This Notice Apply to Me?

    The primary purpose of the Yellow Book is to provide field-level 
personnel that have environmental responsibilities at Federal 
facilities with a comprehensive informational tool to help them comply 
with environmental requirements and to understand the enforcement and 
compliance processes used by EPA and States at Federal facilities. The 
information contained in the Yellow Book may be of value to others 
within the environmental community such as Federal agency environmental 
managers, EPA Headquarters and Regional staff with Federal facility 
responsibilities; State, Tribal, and local environmental staff; and 
contractor (or subcontractor) operators of Federal facilities.
    The above description is intended to provide examples of entities 
likely to find the Yellow Book useful. If you have any questions 
regarding the applicability of this announcement to you, consult the 
person listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

B. How Can I Get Additional Information or Copies of This Document?

    1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this 
document at http://www.epa.gov/oeca/fedfac/yellowbk/, or by accessing 
the Federal Facilities Enforcement Office (FFEO) web page at http://
www.epa.gov/oeca/fedfac/fflex/html.
    2. In person or by phone. To purchase a copy of the Yellow Book, 
contact the U.S. Government Printing Office, 710 North Capitol St., 
NW., Washington, DC 20401; telephone: (202) 512-1800; fax: (202) 260-
1800. Either the stock number 055-000-00624-5 or the publication number 
EPA 315-B-98-011 can be used when ordering the Yellow Book.

II. Background

    Since its inception, EPA has relied on a strong, aggressive 
enforcement program as the centerpiece of its efforts to ensure 
compliance with national environmental laws. Federal agencies, just 
like private parties, are required to comply with all environmental 
requirements. To ensure that Federal agencies adhere to environmental 
requirements, EPA monitors Federal agency compliance, issues and 
assesses fines and penalties, and develops Federal agency enforcement 
and compliance policy and guidance.
    In February 1999, EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance and 
Assurance, Federal Facilities and Enforcement Office revised and 
reissued The Yellow Book: Guide to Environmental Enforcement and 
Compliance at Federal Facilities, commonly referred to as the Yellow 
Book. The document supersedes the 1988 Yellow Book titled Federal 
Facilities Compliance Strategy. The Yellow Book is intended to assist 
Federal facility staff with achieving and maintaining compliance with 
environmental requirements as required by Executive Order 12088, 
Federal Compliance with Pollution Control Standards. In addition, by 
providing compliance assistance to Federal facilities, the Yellow Book 
will help EPA achieve it's goals--of Federal facility compliance 
equaling or surpassing the rest of the regulated community and of 
Federal facilities leading the way in minimizing environmental 
contamination.
    The Yellow Book is a comprehensive informational tool that has been 
developed by FFEO to help Federal agencies comply with environmental 
requirements. It has been developed to:
     Provide a ``roadmap'' for Federal agency compliance with 
environmental requirements.
     Explain how, and by whom, Federal facility activities are 
monitored and tracked.
     Explain the enforcement tools and processes used by EPA, 
States, American Indian Tribes, and citizens to ensure compliance.
    The Yellow Book is designed to function as a user-friendly guide 
that contains useful and easily accessed information and as a resource 
for obtaining additional information on specific environmental issues. 
The Yellow Book is not intended to ensure compliance with all 
regulations.
    The revised Yellow Book contains many changes from the 1988 
version. For example, the new Yellow Book:
     Includes new and revised policies and procedures.
     Includes new and reauthorized laws.
     Discusses more environmental laws.
     Broadens the scope of environmental statute descriptions 
by: Detailing the requirements of the law; tailoring the descriptions 
to highlight the law's application to Federal facilities; and 
describing the enforcement response that can be taken when a Federal 
facility is in violation of a law's requirements.
     Discusses more executive orders and broadens the scope of 
executive order descriptions by providing more detail regarding 
requirements.
     Provides the reader with sources of more information for 
each subject discussed in the Yellow Book. The Yellow Book contains a 
preface, seven chapters, and seven appendices.

III. Summary of Chapters

    The chapters and appendices are listed below.
Chapters I through VII
Chapter I: Identifying Federal Facilities and Tracking Federal Facility 
Compliance
    This chapter defines Federal facilities, describes the different 
types of Federal facilities, and identified how EPA tracks Federal 
facility activity. It provides answers to the following questions: What 
is a Federal facility? How are Federal facilities identified and 
tracked?
Chapter II: Environmental Statutes and Executive Orders
    This chapter summarizes key provisions of environmental statutes 
and executive orders with which Federal facilities must comply. It 
addresses the need for Federal facilities to comply not only with 
Federal environmental requirements, but also with those of State, 
Tribal, and local governments. In addition, several other laws 
affecting Federal facilities (e.g., the Base Closure and Realignment 
Act) are discussed.
Chapter III: Crosscutting Environmental Issues
    This chapter discusses several crosscutting environmental issues 
that affect Federal facilities. Included is a discussion of pollution 
prevention, Federal government environmental awards and challenge 
programs, environmental justice, American Indian Tribes, innovative 
technology, the Federal Facilities Environmental Restoration Dialogue 
Committee, formerly used defense sites, and environmentally beneficial 
landscaping requirements.
Chapter IV: Monitoring Federal Facility Compliance
    Chapter IV discusses why and how EPA, States, and Tribes monitor 
Federal facility activities. It includes a discussion of the goals and 
objectives of EPA's Federal facility compliance program and identifies 
the tools frequently employed to monitor Federal agency compliance. 
Specific topics discussed in Chapter IV include coordination between 
EPA Regions and the States on Federal facility compliance; the 
reporting and recordkeeping activities that are required of Federal 
facilities; the Code of Environmental Management Principles; 
Environmental Management Systems; inspections of Federal facilities by 
EPA, States, and/or Tribes;

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audits conducted by the facilities themselves; and Federal Agency 
Environmental Management Program Planning, commonly referred to as 
FEDPLAN.
Chapter V: Enforcement Response to Federal Facility Violations
    Chapter V discusses EPA's Federal facility enforcement philosophy, 
summarizes key enforcement policies affecting Federal facilities, and 
provides an overview of enforcement authorities and the enforcement 
process. Also discussed is EPA's response to violations at Federal 
facilities operated by non-Federal parties (e.g., government-owned/
contractor-operated facilities) and State/Tribal response to Federal 
facility violations. A chart depicting the EPA Federal facilities 
enforcement process is provided. In addition, an exhibit is presented 
that provides definitions for significant violators and significant 
noncompliers of environmental requirements.
Chapter VI: Compliance Assistance, Training, and Outreach
    This chapter discusses EPA's role in providing compliance 
assistance to Federal facilities. Included in the discussion are 
training opportunities, available hotlines, and access to EPA 
publications.
Chapter VII: EPA Offices With Major Federal Facility Responsibilities
    Chapter VII provides an overview of the major organizations and 
groups within EPA that are directly involved in activities affecting 
Federal facilities. The chapter discusses the roles and 
responsibilities of the Federal Facilities Enforcement Office, Federal 
Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office, Office of Site Remediation 
Enforcement, Office of Federal Activities, Federal Facilities 
Leadership Council, and Regional Federal Facility Coordinators.
Appendices A through F
Appendix A: Regional Federal Facility Coordinators
Appendix B: Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties Against 
Facilities Under the Clean Air Act and Guidance on Implementation of 
EPA's Penalty/Compliance Order Authority Against Federal Agencies Under 
the Clean Air Act (CAA)
Appendix C: Key Executive Orders
Appendix D: EPA/FFEO Compliance Assistance Tools for Federal Facilities
Appendix E: Hotlines
Appendix F: Web Pages

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection.

    Dated: September 17, 1999.
Craig E. Hooks,
Director, Federal Facilities Enforcement Office.

[FR Doc. 99-25051 Filed 9-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F