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Sustainability Plan Policy
Sustainability Plan Policy
Affirming Ecology's Commitment to Sustainability
Purpose: To State the agency's commitment to implement the
sustainability plan required by Executive Order 02-03 and to the intentions of
our enabling legislation related to sustainability.
Application: This policy applies to all activities at all facilities
of the Department, including the following:
- Facilities management
- Operations support
- Community support
- Program implementation
- Ecology is Entrusted to Lead the State's Sustainability Efforts.
Ecology’s sustainability policy is rooted in historic legislative
direction to the agency and enlivened by the Governor’s Executive Order
(02-03) on Sustainability. The legislative intent and policy of
environmental law is rooted in the basic concepts of sustainability.
And, the agency’s third goal, “foster sustainable communities,” is the
current operating principle that guides our efforts. Beyond
sustainability, the agency is entrusted by the Legislature lead the
restoration of the states damaged environment.
- Establishing Ecology's Fundamental Values Relating to
Sustainability.
The Washington Department of Ecology, as created by Chapter 43.21A
RCW is state government’s primary trustee of the environment, now and
for succeeding generations. It is our policy, as clearly stated in
Chapter 43.21C RCW, the State Environmental Policy Act, to assure:
- safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally
pleasing surroundings;
- the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without
degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and
unintended consequences;
- preservation of important historic, cultural, and natural
aspects of our national heritage;
- diversity and variety of individual choice;
- balance between population and resource use, which will permit
high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities; and
- high quality renewable resources and maximum attainable
recycling of depletable resources.
To realize this policy through our work, the agency will:
- foster and promote the general welfare;
- create and maintain conditions under which people and nature can
exist in productive harmony; and
- fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present
and future generations of Washington citizens.
It is the intent of this policy to assure that all employees of the
department have opportunities for education and training in
sustainability principles and practices and to incorporate these
principles and practices in carrying out their daily work.
- Ecology Establishes Sustainability Objectives and a Biennial
Sustainability Plan.
According to the Governor’s Executive Order 02-03, Ecology must
establish sustainability objectives and prepare a biennial
sustainability plan. The plan focuses on modifying the agency’s
practices regarding resource consumption; vehicle use; purchase of goods
and services; and facility construction, operation and maintenance. The
Ecology will also develop strategies focused on our corporate
stewardship responsibilities related to the agency’s host communities
and strategies that will focus on programs integrating sustainability
principles into Ecology’s environmental work.
Following the initial plan, due to be completed by September 1, 2003,
subsequent plans will be completed by September 1 each even-numbered
year thereafter.
- Progress Reports Must be Submitted to the Office of Financial
Management.
The first annual progress report will be submitted to the Office of
Financial Management by October 15, 2004. Subsequent annual progress
reports will all be submitted each October 15 thereafter.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
