Compliance Assistance Resources

E N V I R O N M E N T A L   C O M P L I A N C E   S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T   G U I D E

F O R   S M A L L   B U S I N E S S   &   M U N I C I P A L I T I E S

A Compliance Tool

What is the Purpose of the Environmental Compliance Self-Assessment Guide?

The Environmental Assistance Office (EAO) of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recognizes the challenge to both understand and keep up with all the regulations that apply to your business or municipality.  We developed this compliance self-assessment guide as a starting point to identifying the regulations that apply to your operations and to help you determine if you are in compliance.

Business owners and municipal officials are encouraged to be proactive and conduct environmental compliance assessments regularly because this can help you:

• Improve environmental quality;
• Identify ways to reduce wastes and pollution, recycle, and save money;
• Increase worker safety and improve the quality of the work environment; and
• Reduce the possibility of violations and fines if you are ever inspected.

This guide highlights major areas of environmental compliance and does not address environmental regulation in detail. You will need to review Vermont’s environmental regulations and other resources to gain a more complete understanding of the requirements.

Your answers to the questions in this guide will help you recognize where you are on track or where compliance needs to be improved.  If you have questions about how to use the guide or about the regulations, contact EAO’s small business or municipal compliance assistance programs at (800) 974-9559.  The EAO is a non-regulatory assistance program within the DEC and we offer free assistance, including phone and email consultation, web resources, training, and on-site consultations, and assistance with permit applications and other forms.

To view the online version of the Self-Assessment Guide (with live links), Click Here.      Email or call us at 1-800-974-9559 to have a hard copy mailed to you.

L I N K S  O F  I N T E R E S T    < UNDER CONSTRUCTION >

EPA Tools & Databases (including the "Lists of LIsts") 

EPA Emergency Management 

Superfund In New England - Emergency Response & Planning  

EPA SPCC New England Enforcement  

National Fire Codes  

EPA's Small Business Ombudsman 

The Small Business Ombudsman (SBO) serves as an effective conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitate communications between the small business community and the Agency. The SBO reviews and resolves disputes with EPA and works with EPA personnel to increase their understanding of small businesses in the development and enforcement of environmental regulations. The SBO function was established in 1982 and is currently a part of EPA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization located within the Office of the Administrator.  The SBO's primary customer group is the nation's small business community. Significant secondary customer groups include state and EPA regional small business ombudsmen and national trade associations serving small businesses.

Questions about the contents of this page? Contact:

Judy Mirro  802-241-3745,  800-974-9559, ext 2   

Small Business Compliance Assistance Program