Fredericksburg Earns E3 Status from the
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
City's Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities
Department is First in State to Attain E3 Status
January 10, 2006
Contacts:
Phillip L. Rodenberg, City Manager, (540) 372-1010
Rodger H. Daft, Superintendent of Parks and Public Facilities, (540) 372-1086, Ext. 205
The City of Fredericksburg is once again being recognized by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities Department has earned the Exemplary Environmental Enterprise (E3) status for their continued commitment to the protection of the environment.
DEQ Director of the Northern Virginia Regional Office, Jeffery Steers, and other members of DEQ state and regional offices will present the award to Mayor Thomas Tomzak and Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities Director Robert Antozzi and his EMS Team at the City Council meeting this evening.
"I am extremely proud that Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities is the first department in the state to attain the E3 status," City Manager Phil Rodenberg said. "This award demonstrates that the City exceeds the requirements for E2 Status and goes 'above and beyond' the basic, minimum requirements of an Environmental Management System (EMS). It also shows that the City employees are committed to being good environmental stewards while providing first-class municipal activities and services to our citizens and visitors."
Exemplary Environmental Enterprise (E3) designation is a level of status of the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) and is awarded to facilities in the Commonwealth who have a fully-implemented Environmental Management System (EMS). An EMS is a set of management processes and procedures that allow an organization to analyze, control, and reduce the environmental impacts of its activities, products, and services; and operate with greater efficiency and control.
The Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities EMS Team is focusing on improvements to the management and handling of fuels and pesticides used throughout the City for grounds maintenance and beautification projects. The team is working on implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system to help phase out the use of certain pesticides.
Training and operating procedures have also been put in place to ensure employee awareness of environmental issues. The Public Facilities aspect of the team works with preserving the City's historic buildings in an environmentally safe manner while dealing with lead paint and asbestos. Land conservation and preservation are also at the forefront of this Environmental Management System.
The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities is the first Parks and Recreation Department in the Commonwealth to attain this Exemplary Environmental Enterprise (E3) status. To receive this award, the department has exceeded the requirements for the Exemplary Environmental Enterprise (E2) status and has a fully-functioning and fully-implemented EMS.
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