[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: [[Page 51974]] 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; [[Page 51975]] 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