Special General Memorandums (SGMs)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service

SEP 11 2006

The Indian Health Service (IHS), an Agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will actively partner with Tribes, States, and Federal agencies to integrate the principles of Executive Order No. 13148, "Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management."  Respecting the traditional American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) values of environmental conservation and sustainability as a way of life, the IHS will ensure the effective and efficient management of Agency resources.  The IHS is committed to the following:

1. complying with Federal, State, local, and Tribal environmental laws, regulations, and Executive Orders;

2. preventing pollution by minimizing waste generation, reducing material consumption, recycling materials, and environmentally responsible waste disposal;

3. integrating environmental and health considerations into decision-making processes through implementation of the IHS Comprehensive Healthcare Environmental Management System, (CHEMS); and

4. continuously improving the CHEMS to enhance our environmental stewardship by setting environmental goals, measuring progress, taking corrective action when necessary, and communicating the results to IHS management, staff, customers, and stakeholders.

I am counting on the full support of all members of the IHS community to incorporate the policy outlined here in their daily decision-making processes and work procedures.

/Charles W. Grim, DDS/
Charles W. Grim, D.D.S., M.H.S.A
Assistant Surgeon General

Refer to: OEHE