Environmental Audit Program

In 1999, the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation that ensured the continuation of the Environmental Improvement Program, more commonly known as the Environmental Audit Program (EAP). This program encourages industries, businesses, and governments to examine how well a facility's operations are complying with local, state, and federal environmental regulations, and correct any problems that are identified.

The program focuses first on technical assistance and compliance, rather than enforcement. Organizations that conduct environmental audits are likely to take the necessary actions to correct problems, before the problems can develop into major environmental or public health issues.

Organizations that meet the program's requirements may receive protection from enforcement action, fines, and other penalties. However, the amnesty provisions do not apply to organizations involved with activities that cause serious harm to the environment or endanger public health. Also, the amnesty provisions do not apply to organizations involved in criminal activities, or to organizations that have committed the same violations within the past 3 years (if there was an enforcement action that resulted in imposition of a monetary penalty), or the past year (if there was an enforcement action that did not result in imposition of a monetary penalty).

How to participate

A facility must submit a report to the MPCA (see the Report Inventory below) summarizing the results of the audit or the findings from the facility's environmental management system. Reports from smaller facilities must certify that the owner or operator has examined pollution prevention opportunities, while larger facilities must also submit the summary of a pollution prevention plan (see the "Cover Letter" or the "Environmental Audit Legislation" link below). A facility must correct problems identified within 90 days, or submit a performance schedule to the MPCA for approval, and describe steps that will be taken to prevent a recurrence of the problem(s).

You will find the following documents useful in successfully completing the program:

• Cover Letter (ea-p1-02)
• MPCA Environmental Audit Program - Fact Sheet (ea-p1-01)
• Fact Sheet: Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Activities
• Report inventory - Environmental audits
• Environmental Audit Legislation (Minn. Stat. 114C)

Environmental audit checklists

MPCA staff has created environmental audit checklists that cover a number of areas, such as water, air, solid waste, hazardous waste, and tanks. Some of these checklists are attached below. Organizations may choose to use their own forms or hire a consultant to perform their audit.