According to the objectives of DOE Order 450.1, Environmental Protection Program (DOE 2005), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sites must implement sound environmental stewardship practices protective of the air, water, land, and other natural and cultural resources potentially affected by their operations. DOE Order 450.1 requires DOE sites to have an Environmental Management System (EMS) in place to implement these practices. The DOE Office of Legacy Management (LM) EMS, which was formally implemented in October 2005, incorporates federal mandates specified in Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management (EO 2007).

LM EMS is a systematic process for reducing the environmental impacts resulting from DOE-LM and contractor work activities, products, and services and directs work to occur in a manner that protects the workers, the public, and the environment. The process adheres to “Plan-Do-Check-Act” principles, mandates environmental compliance, and integrates green initiatives into all phases of work, including scoping, planning, construction, subcontracts, and operations. EMS provides specific procedures that anticipate and mitigate negative impacts to the environment by promoting use of recycled materials; recycling unneeded materials; conserving fuel, energy, and natural resources; and minimizing the generation of greenhouse gases, use of toxic chemicals, and generation of hazardous wastes.