By Cheryl Catts
The Environmental Protection Agency accepted two Utah facilities this week into the National Environmental Performance Track, a program that recognizes organizations that go beyond regulation requirements.
Bryce Canyon Lodge, in Bryce National Park, and Zion Lodge, in Zion National Park are owned and operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts. The Lodges have established a history of compliance with regulatory requirements and a commitment to continued improvement and community outreach.
'It''s a neat program because what it really does is it takes companies and organizations that are already going beyond what basic laws and regulations say they need to do ... they go way out on their own, go the extra mile,' said Rich Mylott, communications officer for the EPA. 'These are the facilities that are already sort of like top performers.'
The lodges are the second and third Utah facilities to be accepted to the Performance Track since the program''s inception in June 2000.
There are 350 facilities and businesses nation-wide in the Performance Track, both public and private.
The facilities are rewarded with several incentives that reduce costs and create a network of other Performance Track members, who collaborate to share environmental improvement ideas.
'They can learn from each other, and it sort of builds a critical mass where they can do even more,' Mylott said.
Managers of the facilities in the Performance Track are invited to an annual recognition ceremony in Washington D.C. with EPA administrator and former Utah Governor Mike Leavitt. Members also receive a lower inspection priority and eligibility for administrative flexibility and streamlined administrative requirements.
'By voluntarily committing to improve upon an already high level of performance, these facilities set a strong example of what environmental stewardship is all about,' said Robbie Roberts, EPA''s regional administrator, in a news release.
Chris Lane, corporate director of environmental affairs for Xanterra, said the most important part of the application is a commitment to continual improvement.
'Are we going to improve tomorrow? Absolutely. Every day we are improving,' Lane said.
Xanterra is a 100-year-old company responsible for the operations at many national and state parks, along with private organizations.
'We were at the south rim of the Grand Canyon before it was a national park,' Lane said.
He said the company''s environmental performance has increased significantly in the last three or four years.
Lane said as the company saves natural resources they also save money. Xanterra''s mission statement includes reducing resource consumption and reducing impact on natural systems to protect them. Lane said they are also environmentally conscious because 'we believe in it, and it''s the right thing to do.'
'We have been around a long time and our kids are going to be around a long time, so let''s make the place better,' Lane said.
The national parks Xanterra works with include economic preservation in their mission statements, and Lane said it makes sense for the goals of the parks and the company to be aligned.