8000 - Environmental Protection

As an integral part of Jefferson Lab's Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS), the Environmental Management System (EMS) manages risk to the environment in a similar fashion as it manages risk to workers and the public. Like the ISMS, this is achieved by identifying and managing risk to the environment through proper planning, operational controls, and continual improvement. Jefferson Lab’s Site Sustainability program is integrated into the EMS.

 

This EMS applies to all Jefferson Lab facility operations and to its entire population. Activities, products, or services that involve interaction with the environment are designated environmental aspects. These environmental aspects are reviewed and prioritized annually, and measurable goals for improvement are set, tracked and communicated.

The reviews are designed to guide the collection and review of information related to individual construction, maintenance and research activities so that the following can be accomplished:

  • Identify potential environmental impacts and revise activity scope, if possible, to eliminate or minimize impacts.
  • Identify all environmental requirements (local, state, federal and contractual) that need to be satisfied.
  • Develop and implement operational controls to eliminate or minimize impacts and assure project regulatory compliance.
  • Make a recommendation to Thomas Jefferson Site Office (TJSO) as to whether the project requires additional action pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
  • Local and regional water resources are protected through a variety of operational controls in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
    • Storm water runoff deposited on-site or traveling from off-site locations, is managed through several programs that control the quantity and protect the quality of the water.
    • Land disturbing activities, such as construction, receive special attention to prevent erosion and sediment from affecting the lab’s downstream neighbors.
    • Wastewater from the Lab’s cooling towers, production chemistry, sinks, and floor drains enters the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) system for treatment; the quantity and quality of the wastewater must be controlled.
    • Wastewater from several other lab processes is discharged to surface ditches and retention ponds prior to leaving the site.
    • Jefferson Lab properly stores and manages petroleum products with adequate secondary containment to prevent discharges to surface or open water resources.
  • The purpose of this chapter is to outline the policies and procedures that govern the management of these various, related elements.

     

  • Appendix T1: Storm Water Management

  • Appendix T2: Discharges to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District System

  • Appendix T3: Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures

 

  • The Air Quality Program focuses on identifying and minimizing emissions from all sources that have the potential to impact ambient air quality.  The goals of the program include:
    • identifying potential air quality issues during experiment, task, and project review
    • utilizing proper control measures to reduce or eliminate air pollutants from on-site operations, facilities, and equipment
    • maximizing the use of safe alternatives to ozone depleting substances, hazardous air pollutants, and materials containing volatile organic compounds
    • abiding by all applicable regulatory requirements described in the chapter.
  • Environmental monitoring focuses on the examination of the laboratory’s water and soil to ensure emissions and discharges are compliant with all regulatory limits. 
  • A major element of this program is the routine submission of monitoring data required by permits. In addition, to keep stakeholders informed about its environmental monitoring performance, monitoring information is summarized in a comprehensive annual report titled, “The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility – Annual Site Environmental Report”.
  • Guidance for the proper management of waste generated as a result of Jefferson Laboratory operations in a compliant and sustainable manner is contained in this chapter and the cross-references contained within.

As an integral part of Jefferson Lab's Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS), the Environmental Management System (EMS) manages risk to the environment in a similar fashion as it manages risk to workers and the public. Like the ISMS, this is achieved by identifying and managing risk to the environment through proper planning, operational controls, and continual improvement. Jefferson Lab’s Site Sustainability program is integrated into the EMS.

 

This EMS applies to all Jefferson Lab facility operations and to its entire population. Activities, products, or services that involve interaction with the environment are designated environmental aspects. These environmental aspects are reviewed and prioritized annually, and measurable goals for improvement are set, tracked and communicated.

The reviews are designed to guide the collection and review of information related to individual construction, maintenance and research activities so that the following can be accomplished:

  • Identify potential environmental impacts and revise activity scope, if possible, to eliminate or minimize impacts.
  • Identify all environmental requirements (local, state, federal and contractual) that need to be satisfied.
  • Develop and implement operational controls to eliminate or minimize impacts and assure project regulatory compliance.
  • Make a recommendation to Thomas Jefferson Site Office (TJSO) as to whether the project requires additional action pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
  • Local and regional water resources are protected through a variety of operational controls in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
    • Storm water runoff deposited on-site or traveling from off-site locations, is managed through several programs that control the quantity and protect the quality of the water.
    • Land disturbing activities, such as construction, receive special attention to prevent erosion and sediment from affecting the lab’s downstream neighbors.
    • Wastewater from the Lab’s cooling towers, production chemistry, sinks, and floor drains enters the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) system for treatment; the quantity and quality of the wastewater must be controlled.
    • Wastewater from several other lab processes is discharged to surface ditches and retention ponds prior to leaving the site.
    • Jefferson Lab properly stores and manages petroleum products with adequate secondary containment to prevent discharges to surface or open water resources.
  • The purpose of this chapter is to outline the policies and procedures that govern the management of these various, related elements.

     

  • Appendix T1: Storm Water Management

  • Appendix T2: Discharges to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District System

  • Appendix T3: Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures

 

  • The Air Quality Program focuses on identifying and minimizing emissions from all sources that have the potential to impact ambient air quality.  The goals of the program include:
    • identifying potential air quality issues during experiment, task, and project review
    • utilizing proper control measures to reduce or eliminate air pollutants from on-site operations, facilities, and equipment
    • maximizing the use of safe alternatives to ozone depleting substances, hazardous air pollutants, and materials containing volatile organic compounds
    • abiding by all applicable regulatory requirements described in the chapter.
  • Environmental monitoring focuses on the examination of the laboratory’s water and soil to ensure emissions and discharges are compliant with all regulatory limits. 
  • A major element of this program is the routine submission of monitoring data required by permits. In addition, to keep stakeholders informed about its environmental monitoring performance, monitoring information is summarized in a comprehensive annual report titled, “The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility – Annual Site Environmental Report”.
  • Guidance for the proper management of waste generated as a result of Jefferson Laboratory operations in a compliant and sustainable manner is contained in this chapter and the cross-references contained within.