What is EMS?

An environmental management system (EMS) is a systematic approach to improving environmental performance. The EMS is based on the plan-do-check-act cycle to establish goals, implement plans to meet the goals, determine progress, and make environmental improvements.

An environmental policy is a starting point and the foundation of the EMS. The EMS will account for environmental performance through monitoring, required audits and management reviews. Management will take corrective and preventive actions to address the findings and suggested improvements.

The Forest Service, like many other federal agencies, is establishing environmental management systems in accordance with the Executive Order 13423 - strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation management. In addition, the Forest Service is requiring through the 2008 Planning Rule that each National Forest and Grasslands establish an EMS.

The Forest Service uses the ISO 14001 international standards as guidance for establishing, implementing and maintaining an EMS.

For more information about EMS, consult the National Forest Service website.

The Northern Region and EMS

The Northern Region is following a national approach to establishing EMS on each National Forest and Grassland and the Regional Office.

EMS is not a short term project that will be completed on a specific date. It is an ongoing process that formalizes the Forest Service’s commitment to adaptive management and continual improvement of the environment.

The following is a schedule for establishing EMS. Five Forests established EMS as part of a pilot effort in 2006. They continue to implement this common EMS and include elements of the National EMS. Seven Forests, one Grassland, and the Regional Office are implementing the National EMS in 2008. See the EMS Briefing Paper for more information.

Year	National Forest/Grassland
2006	Bitterroot National Forest Flathead National Forest Idaho Panhandle National Forest Kootenai National Forest Lolo National Forest
2008	Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Clearwater National Forest Custer National Forest Dakota Prairie Grassland Gallatin National Forest Helena National Forest Lewis & Clark National Forest Nez Perce National Forest Regional Office