Mission Statement

Environmental Policy

To assist with accomplishing this mission, the Authority has developed and implemented an Environmental Management System in accordance with the standards set forth by the International Organization of Standards (ISO 14001).

The Authority strives to achieve this mission according to the following guiding principles:

• Pursue excellence in all endeavors.

• Establish sustainable systems which provide the optimum balance between conservation of resources and disposal of wastes, current costs and long-term liabilities, governmental interests and market forces, stability and flexibility, and innovation and reliability.

• Minimize the volume and toxicity of wastes; maximize the recovery of resources and reuse and recycling of valuable materials; minimize energy consumption; and maximize energy recovery.
  

• Apply sound scientific reasoning and prudent and ethical business practices in the development and management of all programs and facilities; and ensure the equitable distribution of operational impacts, benefits and costs in accordance with local community values and sound public policy.

• Utilize the best available demonstrated technologies to assure compliance with all legal requirements; and transcend legal requirements as necessary and appropriate to prevent emissions to the environment in harmful quantities or concentrations.

• Accept responsibility for environmental harm resulting from operating and closed Authority facilities; resolve to remedy appropriately environmental or personal damages; and report environmental information to the public in a prompt and accurate manner.

• Employ qualified, capable and effective employees and advisors and the appropriate education, training, discipline and compensation to maintain highest standards of performance.

• Maintain fiscal integrity and minimize public financial risk; incorporate life cycle costs into current fee structures; utilize private enterprise in the delivery of services to the extent appropriate; and strive to minimize all costs without sacrificing quality of service.

• Share information and perspective in the interest of public education to promote the development of rational public policy; and solicit advise and foster participation from all sectors of the community.

As such, the Authority is commited to the following:

• Compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations, rules, policies, and other requirements.

• Dedicating the resources necessary to meet or exceed environmentally related permit requirements.

• Endeavoring to continually improve our environmental performance and prevent pollution.

• Continuing to set and evaluate environmental performance goals.

• Considering environmental factors as they relate to Authority Facilities and operations, especially when planning new projects, purchasing new equipment and reviewing/implementing operational practices.

• Communicating the environmental policy to all Authority employees and persons working on behalf of the Authority.

• Providing employees the opportunity to continue their environmentally related education through seminars, course-work or similar venues.

• Continuing to share regulated environmental performance information with the public in accordance with the Authority's Public Information Policy.