The Indian Health Service (IHS) will actively partner with Tribes, States, and Federal Agencies to integrate the principles of Executive Order (EO) 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management, and EO 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, by committing to the following:

1. Making efforts to comply with applicable Federal, State, Tribal, and local environmental laws and regulations, in addition to all sustainability and environment-related EOs, where they don't conflict with the IHS's Federal responsibilities.
2. Adhering to all regulatory and sustainability audit practices including::  Part 1, Chapter 13, "Environmental Compliance, Stewardship, and Sustainability," Indian Health Manual; IHS Circular No. 2013-03, Sustainability Advisory Board - Charter; the Office of Environmental Health and Engineering Technical Handbook; and the IHS Architectural/Engineering Design Guide.
3. Preventing pollution and waste.
4. Integrating sustainable practices and behaviors into all IHS activities, e.g., planning, designing, purchasing, and contracting decision-making processes.
5. Continually improving environmental stewardship by setting environmental goals, measuring progress, taking corrective actions when necessary, and communicating the results to IHS management, staff, customers, and stakeholders.

   This Special General Memorandum (SGM) supersedes SGM No. 2006-06, Environmental Management Systems, dated September 11, 2006 in its entirety.

   I am counting on the full support of all members of the IHS community to incorporate the policy outlined here in their daily decision-making processes and work procedures.  If you have any questions regarding this SGM, please contact Mr. Gary Hartz, Director, Office of Environmental Health and Engineering (OEHE) at 301-443-1247.