All concessioners operating under new Concession Contracts are required to prepare and submit an initial documented Environmental Management Program (EMP) to the park for review and approval within 60 days of being awarded the Concession Contract. Section 6, Environmental Management, of the Standard Concession Contract, outlines the primary objectives and nine elements to be addressed in an EMP.

When developing the EMP requirement, the Concession Environmental Management Program (CoEMP) analyzed a number of existing Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) and standards, including the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 14001 standard. Instead of adopting one of the existing EMS standards, the CoEMP created a system that was responsive and appropriate to NPS concession services, but still encompassed many key principles emphasized in other standards (such as ISO 14001). Yet the nine EMP elements required in Section 6 of the Standard Concession Contract also incorporate the need for protecting human health and implementing appropriate BMPs.

• What are the benefits of an EMP?
  • Improved environmental performance
  • Reduced Liability
  • Competitive Advantage
  • Improved compliance
  • Reduced costs
  • Fewer accidents
  • Improved public image and customer satisfaction

• EPA, Practical Guide to Environmental Management for Small Businesses