Proposed Voluntary Environmental Compliance Audit Policy; Notice of Availability [26 Pa.B. 632] The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is requesting public comments on a proposed policy to encourage companies, local governments and individuals to find and fix environmental problems by conducting environmental compliance audits and self-assessments.
Under the proposed policy, a company, local government or individual conducting an environmental compliance audit and taking action to promptly correct violations uncovered by the audit would be entitled to a waiver from fines and penalties, if they disclose those violations to DEP.
The proposed policy would not apply to deliberate polluting or when significant environmental harm occurs or for repeat violators. It also does not apply to situations where spills or other violations are required by law to be reported immediately.
An environmental audit is a comprehensive, systematic, documented evaluation of whether a facility or company meets environmental laws and regulations. It includes not only an evaluation, but regular reporting require-ments and schedules for correcting problem areas uncovered by the audit.
The program will also encourage the use of environmental compliance systems like the ISO 14000 environmental standards or other standards approved by DEP for small businesses that will help assure continuous compliance.
Comments on the proposed Voluntary Environmental Compliance Audit Policy should be sent to Richard P. Mather, Director, Bureau of Regulatory Counsel, P. O. Box 8464, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8464 or by e-mail to: Mather.Richard@a1.dep.state.pa.us by March 11, 1996 (30 days after publication).
A copy of the proposed policy and a question and answer fact sheet are available on DEP's World Wide Web Site at: http://www.dep.state.pa.us (choose Public Participation Center/Proposals Open for Comment) or by e-mail request to: Mather.Richard@a1.dep.state.pa.us.
Copies are also available by writing: Voluntary Audit Policy, Department of Environmental Protection, P. O. Box 8464, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8464; or telephone (717) 787-7060; or fax (717) 783-8926.
JAMES M. SEIF,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-184. Filed for public inspection February 9, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]
