What operating principles do business sector specialists (BSS) use when providing assistance to a company or sector?

1. The role of the BSS is to serve the entire business sector or industry in promoting business practices which reduce environmental impacts (e.g. waste generation). Our goal is to form partnerships with trade associations and provide proactive educational information on regulations.
2. On some occasions, the BSS would visit individual facilities under a partnership to provide information to the facility without other DNR staff present. A BSS would inform the facility of these operating principles. The BSS would not be at the facility to provide site or source specific compliance directives, nor would they perform any regulatory evaluations (inspections).
3. A BSS may accompany a DNR program's inspector to a facility. The presence of a BSS will not influence the outcome of the inspection. Field personnel will use their standard enforcement procedures as apparent violations are discovered. A BSS may be asked to provide input on pollution prevention, waste minimization alternatives or cross media impacts.
4. If an apparent problem area is identified by a BSS at any time when dealing with a company one-on-one in the course of their duties, the BSS would alert the company to the apparent problem and give them a contact name and number at the DNR whom they can contact for more information or to correct any problems. The BSS will also let the company know that it is the company's responsibility to correct any problems and, by having a BSS on-site does not constitute a pass on any violations (enforcement discretion).
5. The BSS would notify the company and appropriate DNR program if they notice spills, apparent illegal discharges to the waters of the state, situations immediately dangerous to life and health or apparent criminal actions. The individual DNR programs will follow up based on their program priorities. For any "whistle blower" contact, the BSS would advise the person to use the "1-800-TIP-WDNR" line to register their complaint for appropriate follow-up.
6. When a BSS is involved in off-site workshops, training or trade shows and is made aware of apparent problem areas, they will encourage the company or individual to contact the appropriate department representative, get them the name and number, and assist them with regulatory fact sheets.
7. When a BBS receives an unsolicited environmental audit report, they will contact the company/consultant/legal counsel that submitted the audit to determine if this information was request by the DNR or if they intend this report to become part of the public record. If the company indicated yes to either question, the BSS will forward a copy of this report to the applicable regional director for action within the environmental programs. Otherwise, the BSS will return the documents to the company. If companies choose to notify DNR of their intent to forward audit results, they will be told that this information, once received, will become part of the public record.
8. For situations arising outside these operating principles, the BSS will consult with the bureau director of CEA and air and waste division regional leaders to determine the appropriate response.