Environmental Management

Nauset Knoll Motor Lodge, Cape Cod National Seashore
NPS Photo — Nausett Motor Lodge, Cape Cod National Seashore
NPS Photo

Having a comprehensive and proactive concessions environmental compliance program reduces the risk of environmental harm and regulatory violations. Additionally, it can support collaboration across commercial services and the park and help to achieve a concessioner’s sustainability and environmental management goals. An Environmental Management Program (EMP) supports a robust environmental compliance program and achieves the following objectives:

Complying with all applicable laws pertaining to the protection of human health and the environment
Incorporating best management practices in these areas of concessions:
- Operation
- Construction
- Maintenance
- Acquisition
- Provision of visitor services
- Other activities under a concession contract

Concessioners should develop, document, implement and fully comply with the EMP in all activities with potential environmental impacts.

Environmental Management Program (EMP) Standards (318 KB)

EMP sample (PDF 1100 KB)

Environmental Audit Program

Commercial Services has been administering an environmental audit program for concessioners since 1999. Environmental audits support concessioners in the development and implementation of their environmental program and help park concession specialists in their oversight and evaluation of the effectiveness of the concessioner’s program. Read more about the Commercial Services environmental audit program.

Other Environmental Management Tools

The Commercial Services Program has developed tools and guidance for concessioners to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive environmental program that addresses all aspects of the operation and supports compliance with applicable laws. These tools and guidance documents provide general guidance and are not intended to describe all environmental requirements that may be applicable to NPS concession contracts, nor is it intended to suggest that all environmental authorities cited herein may be applicable to concessions. Concessioners are responsible for determining and complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

NPS Plastics Reduction Plan (PDF 1870 KB)
Solid Waste Tracking Memo (PDF 281 KB)
Concessioner Waste Data Collection Template (Excel 47 KB)
Greening Opportunities for Guides and Outfitters (PDF 824 KB)
Underground Storage Tanks Operator State Training Requirements (PDF 484 KB)
Zero Waste Planning Tool (XLSX 1.4 MB)
NPS Commercial Services Program Environmental Audit Operating Guide (DOCX 166 KB)
Environmental Purchasing Newsletter (PDF 716 KB)
EPN August 2021 Edition (PDF 887 KB)