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SELECTED
PUBLICATIONS
ISO
14000
·
"Assessment
of the Value of ISO 14001 in Improving Environmental Performance."
ISO 14001: Case Studies and Practical Experiences. Ruth Hillary, Ed.
Greenleaf Publishing, 2000.
·
"ISO 14000: The Worldwide Reaction of Industry and Governments."Environmental
Quality Management, Autumn 1996, pp. 45-49
Natural Resource Damage Assessment
·
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Deskbook, Environmental
Law Institute, 2002.
Brownfields
·
"Brownfields:
Where the Market Makes Green." Natural Resources &
Environment (ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources), Vol.
13, No. 1, Summer 1998, pp. 345-349, 371-372.
Risk Communication
·
"Risk Communication Manual for Electric Utilities: Volumes 1
and 2." Electric Power Research Institute, 1991.
·
"Principles
and Guidelines of Effective Risk Communication." Issues and Trends
Briefing Paper #55, Edison Electric Institute, 1989.
Pollution Prevention
·
Pollution
prevention and waste management brochure for the City of Normandy Park, WA
Endangered Species Act
·
"Breathing New Life Into the
ESA: The Pacific Northwest's Endangered Species Act Experiment in Devolution."
The Environmental Law Reporter (Environmental Law Institute), 31 ELR
1-2001, pp. 10102-10110.
·
"Washington Local Governments Score a Win Against
Possible Lawsuits...or Did They?" Planning Northwest (American Planning
Association), Vol. XIV, Issue 6, December 2001, pp. 4-5.
·
"ESA Presents Big Challenge for Local Government."
Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, June 29, 2000.
Climate Change
·
"Environmental,
energy and resource lawyers and business managers tackling global climate
change." Trends (ABA Section of Environment,
Energy, and Resources), May/June 2000, 10-11.
World Trade Organization
·
"The Seattle WTO Ministerial and beyond
- outlook on trade and the environment." Trends (ABA
Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources), January/February 2000, 12-13.
·
"Global trade may be best hope for the health of the
global environment." Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October
14, 1999.
PRESS
RELEASES
EI
Provides Analysis on Community Involement Models
to Oil Spill Early Action Task Force
For release on March 22, 2005
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Environment International Ltd. (EI) recently submitted
its final report on citizen involvement models that could improve oil
spill response in the first twelve hours. The analysis was commissioned
by the Oil Spill Early Action Task Force (Task Force), which was convened
by then-Governor Gary Locke and RADM Jeffrey Garrett of the United States
Coast Guard in response to the October 14, 2004 Dalco Passage oil spill.
The final report may be accessed at the Washington Department of Ecology’s
website (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/response/taskforce/tasksforce.htm).
In conducting its analysis, EI interviewed more than 50
representatives of the response community in Washington, Oregon, Alaska,
and California; environmental groups; interested citizens; and experts.
Following the interviews, EI prepared a draft and final report that
provided a framework for its analysis of ten potential models that could
provide a means for citizen involvement to improve spill response. In
the report, EI also considered potential costs and funding mechanisms
to fund such citizen involvement. Valerie Lee, EI’s President and Project
Manager for the analysis stated, “There was unanimous consent among
all interviewed that there was a need for more informed citizen involvement
in the oil spill response framework in Washington. We hope that this
report provides the Task Force, the state legislature, and others with
enough information to make an informed decision regarding citizen involvement
in oil spill response.”
Environment International Ltd. (EI) is based in Seattle,
Washington with offices in Portland, Oregon and Washington, DC. EI is
an interdisciplinary group of experts in engineering, science, community
outreach and regulatory/policy analysis. Our clients are diverse. They
include businesses, non-profits and all levels of government – federal,
state, tribal and local. EI prides itself on its integrity and ability
to address complex issues thoughtfully and fairly.
EI
Environmental Risk Assessment Expert Comments
on EPA's Risk Assessment Process
For Release on January 1, 2004
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Dr. P.J. Bridgen of Environment International Ltd. (EI)
was asked to contribute an article to this month’s issue of Integrated
Environmental Assessment and Management (IEAM), the second, peer-reviewed,
international journal from The Society of Environmental Toxicology and
Chemistry (SETAC). The January issue of IEAM presents commentaries and
reviews from different perspectives on the EPA Risk Assessment Task
Force’s recent review of EPA risk assessment principles and practices.
(Available on-line at http://www.epa.gov/osa/ratf-final.pdf.)
Dr. Bridgen’s article, entitled Protecting Native Americans Through
the Risk Assessment Process: A Commentary on “An Examination of
U.S. EPA Risk Assessment Principles and Practices,” provides a
critique of the EPA risk assessment process based on the perspective
of Native Americans. (SETAC IEAM 1(1): 83-85 2005)
The purpose of the commentary is to provide a better understanding
of how Native American rights and cultural practices should be accounted
for by the U.S. EPA’s risk assessment process to ensure the requisite
level of protection of the health and way of life of this unique group
of citizens. Drawing on her experience assisting Native American tribes
in the Pacific Northwest with hazardous waste cleanups, water quality
criteria issues, water discharge permits and other issues, Dr. Bridgen
outlines the necessary steps for adequate protection of tribal members
taking into consideration exposure factors such as the subsistence lifestyle
and use of fish and wildlife for medicinal and cultural purposes. Dr.
Bridgen also offers several recommendations for the improvement of EPA’s
risk assessment process in which she stresses the need for comprehensive
exposure assessments and inclusive policy implementation.
Dr. Bridgen, EI’s CEO has more than 20 years of experience
providing advice and training in the areas of human health risk assessment
and communication, pollution prevention, hazardous waste management
and environmental management. Dr. Bridgen has served on the Technology
and Innovation Committee of the National Advisory Council on Environmental
Policy and Technology, and was appointed by the Secretary of the Department
of Health and Human Services to the National Biotechnology Policy Board
to advise the President and Congress on issues relating to biotechnology
and the environment.
For questions and comments regarding the commentary contact
Dr. P.J. Bridgen at pj.bridgen@eiltd.net.
Satisfy
Executive Order 13148 Mandates Cost-Effectively
For Release on September 20, 2004
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
In October 2003, the Environmental Technology Division
at the Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC)
located in Picatinny, NJ awarded a team headed by Environment International
Ltd. (EI) a contractual vehicle for Quick Reaction Engineering Services/Environmental
Management System – ISO 14001 Implementation Support. The contract
is available to the Army, Navy and DoD for the purposes of Environmental
Management Systems (EMS) implementation at installations and other environmental
engineering services including Monitoring Systems, Environmental Compliance
Systems, Greening Munitions development, Chemical Homeland Security
needs and solutions identification, Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) detection
and identification, intelligent system development and demonstration,
and corrosion prevention and detection demonstration technologies.
EI personnel have been contacting some 150 DoD installations
to apprise them of the opportunity to have the EI team provide prompt
and cost-effective EMS implementation support in compliance with Executive
Order 13148.
For a more complete description of the contract vehicle,
the EI team and ARDEC/EI points of contact, click here.
EI Team Conducts Gap Analysis
for U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll
For Release on August 1, 2004
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA), home to the Reagan Test
Site, plays a central role in the nation’s space and defense programs.
In addition to its role in national security, USAKA has exerted its
leadership in environmental management and vulnerability assessment
within the Army. The installation has developed a strategic plan that
includes an assessment of environmental regulatory risks and impacts.
Currently the installation is considering how to integrate its environmental
database, risk assessment and programs into an overall environmental
management system (EMS) in compliance with Executive Order (EO) 13148.
Environment International Ltd. (EI) was contracted to assist
in this integration process, which required a self-assessment (also
referred to as a gap analysis) against Army and EO requirements. Over
a several week period, EI’s team of environmental management specialists,
engineers and scientists conducted an independent environmental assessment.
The process consisted of reviewing USAKA documents, plans, policies,
procedures and databases; visiting the site to conduct additional document
review; touring appropriate range areas and facilities and interviewing
the installation’s personnel from some 35 departments. This allowed
the team to evaluate the current status of environmental management
practices compared to Army and EO requirements.
Upon completion of the gap analysis, EI personnel produced
a brief report identifying elements that were missing from an ISO 14001-conforming
(EMS). The report describes the aspects of an EMS that USAKA already
has in place, as well as suggestions of steps that should be taken to
meet applicable requirements.
Under the Quick Reaction Engineering/ Environmental Management
System – ISO 14001 Implementation Support contract with the U.S.
Army, EI’s highly qualified team has the capability to analyze
your installation’s management plans according to ISO 14001 and
EO 13148 requirements. Guided by the needs of each installation, the
EI Team works to develop a customized approach to achieve results on
time and within budget. For more information contact Pam Bridgen at
pj.bridgen@eiltd.net or 206.525.3362.
Tri-County
Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon Selects EI for Environmental
Engineering and Management Support
For Release on July 7, 2004
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Environment International Ltd. (EI) will be providing on-call
services in the area of Environmental Engineering and Environmental
Management for Oregon’s Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation
(TriMet). EI’s team has been selected to assist TriMet with its
transportation and development projects in the following areas: environmental
investigation/evaluation/analysis, report and recommendations preparation,
project planning, remediation, health and safety plans, hazardous waste
assessments, ISO 14001-based environmental management systems, EMS gap
analysis services and sustainability training.
EI is an environmental consulting firm with offices in
Portland, Seattle, and Washington D.C. The interdisciplinary EI team
is comprised of environmental scientists, lawyers, engineers, policy
analysts, facilitators and community outreach specialists who have exceptional
depth of cross-disciplinary education and training, giving them an outstanding
capacity to provide thoughtful, effective advice. EI’s experts
have counseled governments and businesses and provided advice to aid
clients in the United States and abroad by helping them frame creative
solutions to difficult environmental challenges.
Save
the Planet And Get a Bang for Your Buck
For Release on June 25, 2004
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
The Pacific Northwest is known across the country for its
advances in sustainable technologies and industries in both research
and development. It includes the largest network of businesses and universities
involved in sustainable growth issues and environmental management.
It is also one of the only regions in which state agencies are required
to implement sustainability plans within their offices. It is only appropriate
that a conference dealing with sustainable profitability will be hosted
in the city of Seattle.
The conference “Profitable Sustainability: The Future
of Business” is being presented by the Network for Business Innovation
and Sustainability NW (NBIS/NW), the Future 500, and the Collins Family
Foundation. The program is unique in that it has been developed and
organized by a voluntary team of local environmental leaders, executives
and professors who are involved in both technical and policy aspects
of sustainable development.
“The conference will be the first of its kind,”
comments Valerie Lee of Environment International and member of the
executive planning committee, “It is designed to provide practical
solutions for improving environmental performance and corporate image
while increasing profitability. You can’t go wrong.” Ms.
Lee will be presenting a workshop on environmental management systems
and indicators titled “You Get What You Measure.”
The conference is targeting CEOs, financial planners and
marketing directors charting new paths to profitability and corporate
social responsibility. It will also provide an opportunity for policymakers,
educators and NGOs to exchange information about sustainable business
initiatives and to foster partnerships. “Profitable Sustainability:
The Future of Business” will be held on September 26-29, 2004
at the Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle.
E-Waste
House Bill 2488
Passes Unanimously in Washington State
Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel Testified in Support
For Release on June 10, 2004
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
The fastest growing portion of the U.S. waste stream has
been identified as “e-waste,” referring to consumer electronics
such as computers, TVs and cellular phones. This type of toxic waste
is growing almost three times faster than the country’s overall
municipal waste stream according to the Environmental News Service.
House Bill 2488 addresses the problems related to the high
turnover rate of electronic products. The bill provides a framework
to conduct research and develop recommendations for implementing and
financing an electronic product collection, recycling, and reuse program
in the state of Washington. It was unanimously passed on May 10 and
became effective as of June 10 of this year. The state has set an important
precedent in prioritizing a strategy for an e-waste management system.
The Governor's Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel (the Panel) testified in support of HB 2488 shortly after the introduction of the bill in January. Ms. Valerie Ann Lee, of Environment International, spoke on behalf of the Panel addressing the Fisheries, Ecology and Parks Committee of the Washington House of Representatives.
In September 2002, Washington Governor Gary Locke convened
the Panel and charged the members with developing an action plan to
move Washington onto a path towards sustainability. Five months later,
the Panel submitted its report in which a number of priority actions
and essential strategic outcomes were identified. Among the principle
outcomes set was a “no waste” goal by 2030.
Ms.
Lee reported that HB 2488 coincided with the intent envisioned by the
Panel because “the bill works to eliminate hazardous materials
from the conventional solid waste streams by enforcing appropriate disposal
restrictions.” It’s anticipated that a job market in the
area of electronics collection and processing would begin to grow. “The
bill encompasses the tenets of sustainability and considers environmental
as well as economic impacts,” Ms. Lee concluded. She continues
to work with the Panel to address issues related to sustainability,
waste reduction and climate change.
Ms.
Lee is President of Environment International Ltd., a Seattle-based
environmental consulting firm specializing in pollution prevention,
environmental management systems and sustainable development.
EI
President Mediates Unprecedented
Settlement to Preserve Water Resources in Florida
For Release on May 6, 2004
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Valerie Lee, President of Environment International Ltd.
(EI), successfully mediated a multi-million dollar dispute between the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Miami-Dade
County under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The dispute was recently resolved
under a Consent Decree (CD) filed with DEP on April 29, 2004. The settlement
outlined in the CD involves resolution of alleged non-compliance issues
and an integrated water management plan in a region short of water.
The mediation involved multiple representatives from the
parties and is under continuing close public scrutiny. Henry Gillman,
Assistant County Attorney for Miami-Dade County, stated, “The
fact that no one challenged the Consent Decree is a testament to everyone's
contributions in drafting and negotiating this unprecedented consent
order. I want to especially thank Valerie Lee for her invaluable assistance
as mediator.”
EI
comprises a well-qualified, interdisciplinary team of mediators/facilitators,
environmental managers, scientists, policy analysts, lawyers and community
outreach specialists. EI has a track record of success providing practical
and effective approaches for consensus-building including consulting
on a wide array of environmental issues surrounding land-use, water
rights, the Endangered Species Act, natural resource damage assessments
and flood risk management. EI’s team of experts can assist in
mediating disputes, facilitating joint fact-finding and partnering sessions,
negotiating contract disputes, conducting early neutral evaluation,
and designing and implementing community outreach programs compliant
with NEPA, SEPA, and other federal and state requirements.
The
Port of Seattle Prioritizes an Environmental Information Management
System
For Release on April 25, 2004
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
The Port of Seattle’s Corporate Environmental Data
Services Program (CEDSP) is currently expanding its Environmental Management
Information System (EMIS) and services to provide a broader range of
tools and expertise for decision support, analysis, and reporting.
The Port awarded a contract to Environment International
Ltd. (EI) to assist in accomplishing these goals. EI will plan and facilitate
the expansion of the Port’s EMIS that will accommodate the CEDSP.
Under this contract, EI will offer services in facilitating the analysis
of requirements, planning and needs in the context of the Port’s
evolving EMIS based on ISO 14000 guidelines.
EI
is an interdisciplinary team of scientists, policy analysts, training
specialists, lawyers and engineers with specialized knowledge and experience
in environmental management systems, sustainable development, pollution
prevention and strategic planning. EI can analyze your organization’s
management plans under ISO 14001 and other environmental standards and
apply them to address your organization’s needs and concerns.
EI also can provide training to ensure that employees understand plans
and follow them. If there is no plan in place, EI can help you develop
one. EI helps organizations develop and implement solutions for a sustainable,
productive workplace.
EI
Awarded Quick Reaction Engineering / EMS ISO 14001
Services Contract with the U.S. Army
For Release on October 1, 2003
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Environment International Ltd. was recently notified
that it has been awarded a contract with the U.S. Army to develop
environmental management systems and associated solutions and technologies,
as well as implement ISO 14001 at Army installations. Under this contract, engineering
services will include investigations in multiple areas of technical and
managerial concern, determining potential problems, analyzing alternatives,
and recommending solutions.
Specific objectives of the contract include:
·
Promoting
Army acquisition reform by applying sound life cycle principles in design,
material selection and manufacturing.
·
Reducing
or eliminating hazardous materials from selected facilities/products.
·
Aiding
installations in complying with Executive Order 13148 requirements by
implementing ISO 14001.
·
Transfering
these methods and technologies to other Department of Defense sites.
·
Applying
dual use technologies that leverage activities in the private sector.
EI
Awarded EMS Implementation and Maintenance Contract
with the U.S. Navy
For Release on December 1, 2002
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Environment International Ltd. has finalized a contract
with the U.S. Navy to implement and support environmental management systems
(EMSs) at U.S. Navy facilities primarily stateside and in Puerto Rico. Under
the contract, EI will review Navy environmental policy and management,
conduct gap analyses and waste stream surveys, develop standard operating
procedures that incorporate ISO 14001 principles, develop database structures
to store EMS information, and provide on-site training to Navy personnel. EI
will also provide support for the Navy’s Environmental Quality Assessment
program. Garry Struthers Associates, Inc. and Hart Crowser, Inc. are
providing additional expertise for work under the contract.
Dr. Bridgen, CEO of Environment International Ltd., is
the Navy contract Program Manager. She has conducted facility audits and has
been responsible for development and implementation of EMSs for more than 20
years. Dr. Bridgen was among the first in the United States to receive ISO
14001 Lead Auditor certification from the Registrar Accreditation Board. She
has developed and presented customized training courses on EMSs and has
authored papers and book chapters on EMS development.
EI President Appointed to the Technical
Resources Group for the Governor's Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel
For Release on October 1, 2002
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Environment International Ltd. announced that its
President, Valerie Lee, was appointed to the Technical Resources Group for
the Governor's
Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel. The Advisory Panel and the
Technical Resource Group supporting it are charged by Governor Gary Locke to
create an action plan to guide Washington State to sustainable development.
On September 18, 2002, the Advisory Panel held its first of four meetings
scheduled for the fall of 2002. The work of the Advisory Panel will
complement Governor Locke's recent Executive Order, "Sustainable
Practices By State Agencies," that directs every agency to establish
sustainability objectives and prepare a biennial Sustainability Plan. Ms. Lee
commented that "Our work with the Advisory Panel provides an exciting
opportunity to create a robust economy through business practices that ensure
a healthy environment for future generations."
Ms. Lee contributes to the Advisory Panel’s activities
through her expertise in sustainable business practice, environmental dispute
mediation and environmental law. As a member of the Technical Resources
Group, she will make recommendations to the Advisory Panel as it sets its
agenda and considers issues critical to the creation and implementation of a
sustainability action plan. Ms. Lee is a well-regarded environmentalist and
businesswoman from Seattle and is a former successful environmental
prosecutor. As President of Environment International, Ms. Lee is helping
businesses and governments achieve win-win situations for economies and the
environment.
EI Awarded GSA MOBIS Contract
For Release on October 1, 2001
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Check out EI's GSA MOBIS information page.
EI Awarded GSA Environmental Advisory Services
Contract
For Release on November 16, 2000
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Check out EI's GSA EAS information page.
Leading Seattle Environmentalist Invited to Trade
Talks
For Release on December 2, 1999
Environment International Ltd.
Seattle, WA
Environment International Ltd., a Seattle based
environmental firm, announced that its President, Valerie Lee, spoke today at
Day of the Americas, an event sponsored by the Coalition for Trade with the
Americas and the Seattle Host Organization Business Outreach Committee for
the WTO Ministerial. Governor Gary Locke and the Consuls of Chile,
Mexico, Peru and Canada were event organizers.
Ms. Lee is a well-regarded environmentalist and
businesswoman from Seattle and is a former successful environmental prosecutor.
As President of Environment International she is helping businesses and
governments achieve win-win situations for economies and the
environment.
With a backdrop of heated debate over environment and
the WTO, Ms. Lee presented a different perspective on trade and the
environment. In her speech "Green in the Global Marketplace"
Ms. Lee outlined an historic opportunity with liberalized trade rules for
businesses and the environment. Ms. Lee observed: "Markets
are highly competitive. Today, sound business management is converging
with good environmental management. Sound environmental management
provides businesses with the competitive edge that they need to
succeed." Ms. Lee explained that "Consumers of the developed
nations are demanding that products be green. A growing number of major
purchasers will not buy products from a company unless it demonstrates it has
systems in place to manage for environmental protection. Controlling costs in
this highly competitive global marketplace is a necessity." She
said, "Companies can reap financial rewards through controlling costs,
which translates to gains for the environment. Both business and the
environment win by adopting internationally accepted approaches to
environmental management systems. This convergence is driven by the opening
of world markets; opportunities in part created by WTO rules."
Ms. Lee outlined an international voluntary standard for
environmental management — ISO 14001—a standard that helps managers develop
systems to effectively and efficiently achieve pollution prevention, improved
performance, and compliance with environmental laws and save money. She
said that "implementation of this international standard also sets the
stage for positive recognition by consumers in the developed nations through
eco-labeling. In these markets, being green allows a company to
increase its market share. In short, globalization and the WTO creates
opportunities for the environmental improvements and business success that
did not exist twenty years ago. We encourage businesses and
environmentalists to seize them."
LINKS
EMS
and Sustainability Links
·
International Organization for
Standardization
·
Sustainable
Washington Advisory Panel
·
WCIT Corporate Social Responsibility Roundtables
·
World Business Council for
Sustainable Development
·
Global Reporting
Initiative
·
US EPA Pollution
Prevention Homepage
·
Trade
Development Alliance of Greater Seattle
Natural
Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Links
·
NOAA's Damage Assessment and
Restoration Program
Brownfields Links
·
City of Aberdeen
Brownfields Redevelopment Project Homepage
·
US EPA Brownfields
Homepage
Endangered
Species Act (ESA) Links
·
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) Northwest Regional Office
·
King County, WA ESA
Salmon Conservation and Recovery
·
Washington Governor's
Salmon Recovery Office Homepage
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