New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan Friday announced the release of a draft policy on the New York Environmental Leaders program. The draft policy sets forth the details of the NYEL program including program requirements, benefits to participating organizations, and the responsibilities of the DEC in implementing this program.

DEC has proposed the NYEL policy to provide recognition and incentives for environmentally responsible organizations. This policy is a pro-active approach to protecting the environment. Additionally, the Department will continue to use its authority to enforce violations or penalties against entities which do not abide by the laws and regulations set forth by the Department. The goal of NYEL is to motivate businesses and organizations in New York State to voluntarily implement environmental management systems by providing recognition and incentives to organizations that are able to demonstrate, and provide future commitment to improved environmental performance.

An EMS is a set of management processes, procedures, and performance objectives that allow a facility to continuously analyze, control, and reduce the environmental impacts of its activities. Participants in the program demonstrate environmental responsibility through the use of pollution prevention practices beyond compliance performance, sustainable business practices, and greater transparency of their environmental management activities, among other practices.