[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 155 (Monday, August 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45297-45298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15754]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Availability of Environmental Management Systems Training and 
Assistance for State and Local Transit Agencies

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability of Environmental Management Systems 
training and assistance.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will sponsor training 
and assistance in Environmental Management Systems (EMS) for up to ten 
state and local transit agencies. EMS can play a valuable role in the 
establishment of sound business management practices that include 
concern for the environment. Adoption of environmental management 
systems has been shown to result in advantages in financing, insurance, 
marketing, regulatory compliance, and other areas of operations. FTA 
will sponsor assistance in the form of training workshops, on-site 
technical advice and consultation, including follow-up. Applications 
from transit agencies to participate in this training and assistance 
are solicited.

DATES: Letters of application to participate in this training and 
assistance program must be received by September 7, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Letters of application should be submitted to: Federal 
Transit Administration, Office of Planning and Environment, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Room E45-130, Washington, DC 20590, Attention: Jim 
Barr, Fax: (202) 366-2478.

[[Page 45298]]

    Applications may be hand delivered between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays; for confirmation of 
mail delivery, a stamped, self-addressed post card must be included.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Barr or Julie Atkins, Office of 
Planning and Environment, Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Room E45-130, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: 
(202) 366-1568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Environmental Management Systems

    Environmental management systems are designed to develop a 
systematic management approach to the environmental concerns of an 
organization. Evidence suggests that adoption of environmental 
management systems results in advantages in financing, insurance, 
marketing, regulatory compliance, and other areas of operations. 
Perhaps the most recognized and widely employed environmental 
management system is ISO [International Organization for 
Standardization] 14001, a model for implementing environmental 
management systems used by tens of thousands of organizations in more 
than 100 countries.
    In January 2006, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) concluded 
a successful Environmental Management Systems (EMS) training and 
technical assistance program based on ISO 14001 for ten public transit 
agencies. The results of the final audit and the responses of the 
participating transit agencies, documented in a report entitled, 
``Environmental Management Systems Training & Assistance Final Report'' 
(January 2006), available online at http://www.fta.dot.gov/library/FTA_EMS/index.htm, were impressive. Nine of the ten participating 
transit agencies achieved an overall rating of 93 per cent or higher, 
and four of those agencies achieved an overall rating in excess of 97 
per cent. Cost savings could not be easily quantified in the 
abbreviated implementation period, but one participating transit agency 
reported an annualized savings of $66,000 in fuel and labor costs 
alone. So impressed were two of the participating transit agencies with 
ISO 14001 as a framework that inspires and channels the creative 
thinking of all their employees that they elected to become ISO 
certified.
    FTA is now prepared to provide an opportunity for up to ten more 
public transit agencies to receive similar EMS training and assistance.

EMS Training and Assistance

    FTA will provide assistance in the form of training workshops, on-
site technical support visits and electronic materials and 
consultation. FTA is currently selecting a skilled contractor to carry 
out EMS training and assistance under a cooperative agreement. Training 
will be designed to help transit agencies develop and implement an 
environmental management system based on ISO 14001 which provides a 
structured process for the achievement of continual improvement, the 
rate and extent of which are determined by the organization in light of 
economic factors and other circumstances.
    The EMS training program will include:
     EMS training and assistance for up to ten transit agency 
teams, consisting of three to four members each, over a two-year 
period;
     A curriculum designed specifically for transit agency 
implementation of an EMS with a possible emphasis on the implementation 
of an EMS for a transit capital program;
     A pre-workshop site evaluation visit to each agency by the 
contractor team;
     A training ``tool-kit,'' including guidebooks and 
software, as necessary;
     Four three-day workshops at the site of the contractor's 
choosing which would include all transit teams; participants are 
responsible for travel and accommodation costs for these workshops;
     Two site visits and progress reviews by the contractor for 
each participant; and
     Monthly conference calls with the contractor, FTA, and all 
program participants.
    At the conclusion of training, and following a period of 
implementation, FTA will assemble a final report that includes the 
participating transit agencies' case studies and an assessment of 
training results.

How To Apply for the Program

    Interested transit agencies should submit a letter, signed by the 
head of the public transportation organization, that contains the 
following information:
     A brief description of the transit organization and its 
responsibilities;
     The name of a high-ranking transit agency management 
representative who will have the responsibility and the authority for 
ensuring that the EMS is developed based on the program provided above. 
The transit agency's representative should be available to travel and 
participate in workshops with other transit participants over the life 
of the project; and
     A clear assurance that senior management in the 
organization will provide the necessary visibility, staff time, and 
other resources necessary to successfully develop and implement the EMS 
through its implementation team. Ongoing top management support is the 
most critical factor for ensuring a successful and sustainable EMS.

Judging Applications

    Once all applications are received, FTA will conduct follow-up 
interviews with each applicant to discuss the information contained in 
the letter of application in more detail and to obtain any other 
necessary information. FTA will give preference to agencies that are 
particularly interested in the implementation of an EMS for a transit 
capital program. FTA may consult with the contractor before final 
decisions are made.
    FTA will use a number of criteria to select participants, 
including:
     Organizational commitment by transit agency leadership to 
EMS implementation;
     Geographical diversity;
     Previous environmental experiences; and
     Environmental challenges from operations and/or pending 
capital projects.
    The first program workshop should occur in early 2008.

    Issued in Washington, DC this 7th day of August 2007.
James S. Simpson,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E7-15754 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P