File Code:	1330	Date:	September 26, 2008	

Subject:	Environmental Management System Audits and Management Reviews    	
		
To:	Regional Foresters, Station Directors, Area Director, IITF Director, Deputy Chiefs, Forest Supervisors, and Monument Managers 	

The Environmental Management System (EMS) Executive Oversight Committee has approved the audit program, unit selection, and audit schedule for this year’s EMS audits.  The audits are designed to be a positive experience and will demonstrate our commitment to adaptive management and continual improvement.  Forest Service employees will conduct audits on 12 administrative units selected by a stratified random sample.  The list of units is enclosed.  Please notice that a back-up unit has been selected as a contingency if the audit of the primary unit is pre-empted by unforeseen circumstances.
I am assigning Larry Hayden of the Ecosystem Management Coordination staff to lead the effort to form and train audit teams.  Larry’s background with EMS auditing makes him well suited for the job.  The audits will be conducted between mid-October and mid-November.  Larry will contact the selected units soon to make arrangements.  Please provide Larry and his teams with your cooperation.
All implementing units should conduct an EMS management review by November 28, 2008.  These reviews need not be elaborate or time consuming but are very important to the success of our EMS.  The instructions and template for documenting EMS management reviews are enclosed.
Top management from each unit should be involved in management reviews, because the reviews will provide recommendations for improving environmental performance and fuel conservation in 2009.  The instructions include procedures and deadlines for forwarding review results to the next higher organizational level so that all the reviews will contribute to the Executive Leadership Team’s national management review in January 2009.
Although we only have a few months of experience in implementing our EMS, I am pleased with the overall progress we are making.  I look forward to reviewing the reports of your efforts. Keep up the good work.

	
/s/ Abigail R. Kimbell	
ABIGAIL R. KIMBELL	
Chief	

Enclosures