DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service
Indian Health Service
Rockville MD 20852
SGM No. 2006-06
SEP 11 2006
TO: | All Employees |
FROM: | Director |
SUBJECT: | Environmental Management Systems |
The Indian Health Service (IHS), an Agency
within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will actively
partner with Tribes, States, and Federal agencies to integrate the
principles of Executive Order No. 13148, "Greening the Government through
Leadership in Environmental Management." Respecting the traditional
American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) values of environmental conservation
and sustainability as a way of life, the IHS will ensure the effective and
efficient management of Agency resources. The IHS is committed to the
following: |
1. | complying with Federal, State, local, and
Tribal environmental laws, regulations, and Executive Orders; |
2. | preventing pollution by minimizing waste
generation, reducing material consumption, recycling materials, and
environmentally responsible waste disposal; |
3. | integrating environmental and health
considerations into decision-making processes through implementation of the
IHS Comprehensive Healthcare Environmental Management System, (CHEMS); and
|
4. | continuously improving the CHEMS to enhance our
environmental stewardship by setting environmental goals, measuring
progress, taking corrective action when necessary, and communicating the
results to IHS management, staff, customers, and stakeholders. |
I am counting on the full support of all members of the IHS community to incorporate the policy outlined here in their daily decision-making processes and work procedures. |
Refer to: OEHE