System of Environmental Management

The Roanoke Board of Supervisors and County Administration recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship and are committed to protecting and improving the environment of the Roanoke Valley. Roanoke County's government recognizes the fact that it has the potential to positively or negatively impact the environment as a result of its operations. Not only are there quality of life issues when it comes to protecting the environment but there are economic and legal ramifications as well. For example, by reducing energy consumption in our buildings we are saving tax dollars and reducing air pollution at the same time. Additionally, it is the County's responsibility to keep abreast of and comply with Federal and State environmental regulations. Implementing an environmental management system has been demonstrated as the most effective method for organization to minimize negative impact on the environment.

Update: April 15, 2008

Roanoke County is preparing to address the first of five steps in the ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) initiative. The first step is to conduct an inventory of green house gas emissions for Government operations and the County as a whole including industry, residential, commercial and transportation.

The next in the process is to develop an emissions reduction target. To help with that process, Roanoke County will assemble a Climate Action Advisory Team, composed of stakeholders from all sectors across the County to help determine viable green house gas reduction measures. This group will also help provide ways to solicit broad participation from the public, private and business sectors of our community.

The third step is to develop a Local Climate Action Plan composed of a variety of measures recommended by the Climate Action Advisory Team and staff.

Fourth step is to implement the Local Climate Action Plan proposed by the Climate Action Advisory Team.

The fifth step in the process will be to measure the results of the Local Climate Action Plan on an annual basis and report these results back to County business and residents each year.

It is estimated that it will take approximately two years to complete the green house gas emissions inventory and begin the actual implementation of the climate action plan.

Environmental Accomplishments

As of 4/1/08, ongoing progress has been made in a variety of areas. The County operations having the most significant impacts on the environment include vehicle use, energy consumption (GHG emissions), waste generation and motorized equipment. Specific accomplishments include:

Purchased 4 additional gas/electric hybrid vehicles for total of 8.
Improved fleet fuel efficiency to from 11.16 to 12.59 MPG.
Began use of ultra low sulfur, 2% Biodiesel (B2) in all diesel vehicles on 3/17/08
Implemented building temperature settings of 72* heating and 74* cooling.
Saved $15,526 in energy costs in County buildings FY ’07.
Designed a new Fleet Service Center which is LEED Certified and will begin construction in summer 2008.
Implemented use of biodiesel B2 in all off-road equipment.
Began to use smoke-free 100:1 oil in 2 cycle equipment.

Lastly, the County will continue to Co-sponsor the 3 annual Household Hazardous Waste pickup days held at the Roanoke Valley Resource Center.

See Roanoke County Recycling below for recycling totals.

Update: August 16, 2007

Roanoke County has joined more than 660 cities, counties, towns and villages worldwide in taking local action to limit global warming. The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors voted August 14, 2007 to join the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, commonly known as ICLEI. As a first step, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions resulting from government operations and the community at large.For information, see Roanoke County Joins ICLEI organization.

Roanoke County Recycling

Roanoke County continues to increase recycling and waste reduction connected with the daily operations of the conducting business. Here are the most recent recycling totals for Roanoke County's internal operations...

Recycling Totals

Weight

Paper at County Facilties

4.7 tons

Waste oil at County Garage

28,448 lbs

Scrap Metal

17,261 lbs

For more information about community recycling centers established in Roanoke County, visit the General Services Recycling page.

Purpose and Background

In the Spring of 2001, Roanoke County embarked on an investigation of its potential to adversely impact, and improve the environment. It was decided that in order to have a positive impact on the environment through its activities, management practices must be put in place so as to objectively assess and improve operations that may potentially impact the environment. An environmental assessment team (EAT) was assembled made up of Department Heads whose department activities had the greatest potential to impact the environment.

At a work session held on July 10, 2001, the County of Roanoke Board of Supervisors, received a presentation on how to develop and implement an environmental management system (EMS). During that session, the EAT recommended implementation of an environmental management system for County operations as well as adoption of an environmental policy statement that would guide the activities of the EMS. To avoid confusing references with "Emergency Management" or "Medical," the EAT decided to call the County's environmental program the "System of Environmental Management" or "SEM."