Solid Waste Disposal

The two primary types of disposal practices employed by local governments are landfilling and municipal waste combustion, or incineration, which may employ conventional techniques or a "waste-to-energy" approach.

In some cases, local governments own and operate facilities that process or dispose of some or the majority of solid waste generated within the local government's jurisdiction.

LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Solid Waste Management:

Recycling

Local governments across the country have developed residential and/or commercial recycling programs as part of their waste management strategy. Some communities have also developed special recycling programs for individual materials such as tires or glass.

LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Recycling:

Emergency Services

Fire departments are typically responsible for emergency planning and emergency mitigation. In this role, fire departments attempt to safeguard lives and property against the injurious effects of accidents or uncontrolled hazards, fire, explosion, or hazardous materials. Fire protection responses and other emergency services have the potential to impact the environment and are regulated under U.S. environmental laws and regulations.

LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Recycling:

Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance

Local governments are responsible for operating, maintaining and purchasing motor vehicles and equipment to perform government services. The types of vehicles include school buses, fire engines, snowplows, heavy construction equipment, and automobiles (e.g., those used by building inspectors, police departments, and other government officials). Equipment may include items such as pumps, tools, and boilers. Local government fleet operations include vehicle repair shops, fueling stations, and purchasing operations.

LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance:

Precipitation Management & Preparation

Throughout the year, local governments must be prepared to respond to various types of weather, including winter storms and torrential summer downpours. For example, during winter, communities across the U.S. pour thousands of tons of salt and other deicing materials on roads and highways. These and other response actions can have negative effects on the surrounding environment and may be regulated under U.S. environmental laws and regulations.

LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Precipitation Management & Preparation:

  • Deicing.
  • Watersheds.
  • Stormwater.

    • Pesticides Application & Management

    In the process of eliminating pests on local government properties, local governments may risk exposing workers and visitors to pesticides through inhalation, ingestion, and absorption and contaminating local water resources. Federal law regulates the use and application of pesticides in an effort to prevent human health and environmental harms.

    LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Pesticides Application & Management:

    Bridges, Roads, and Other Infrastructure Construction & Maintenance

    Local governments may be responsible for constructing and maintaining roads, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure. Construction and maintenance activities are essential to providing proper infrastructure, but these activities have the potential to impact the environment and, therefore, may be regulated under U.S. environmental laws and regulations.

    LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Bridges, Roads, and Other Infrastructure Construction & Maintenance:

    Drinking Water Systems Operation

    The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) protects public water supplies primarily by establishing minimum water quality standards for contaminants that the nation's nearly 50,000 public water systems must meet, as well as monitoring and reporting obligations.

    LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Drinking Water Systems Operation:

    Wastewater Management & Sewage Treatment

    Local governments may be responsible for designing, planning, constructing, financing, operating and maintaining wastewater treatment facilities and attendant conveyance systems—commonly referred to as publicly owned treatment works which are regulated primarily under the Clean Water Act.

    LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Wastewater Management & Sewage Treatment:

    Building Maintenance, Renovation, and Construction

    Local governments may be responsible for constructing and maintaining local government buildings. In addition, construction, renovation, and maintenance (as well as demolition) activities may be an essential part of providing some government services such as public housing. However, these activities have the potential to impact the environment and may be regulated under U.S. environmental laws and regulations.

    LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Building Maintenance, Renovation, and Construction:

    Transportation Planning, Operation, and Management

    Local governments may construct, maintain and operate various types of transit systems, including heavy rail, light rail, and/or buses and associated facilities such as ports, airports, and rail stations. The operation of these systems and facilities can have negative impacts on the environment and some activities may be regulated under U.S. environmental laws and regulations.

    LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable Transportation Planning & Management:

    Public Healthcare Services Operations

    Some local governments are responsible for the operation of local public healthcare systems and their facilities such as hospitals and/or clinics. Activities undertaken in the management and operation of these systems and facilities can have negative impacts on the environment and some activities may be regulated under U.S. environmental laws and regulations.

    LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Public Healthcare Services:

    Public Land Management

    Local governments are often responsible for the administration and management of some public lands within their jurisdiction. Certain activities, such as controlled burns, can have environmental impacts and may be regulated under U.S. environmental laws and regulations.

    LGEAN Compliance Tabs Applicable to Public Land Management: