ADEM outlines plan to become tops in U.S.

02/25/04

MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Department of Environmental Management wants to be the premier environmental agency in the nation, according to a draft strategic plan distributed Tuesday.

Under its mission statement, the document stated that ADEM should "protect and improve the quality of Alabama's environment and the health of its citizens."

A coalition of new members of the Environmental Management Commission, the board that oversees ADEM, last year proposed writing a strategic plan for the agency, saying that every successful business and department must have a plan.

In a series of meetings around the state, the public was invited to provide comments on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the department and commission. A subcommittee drafted the plan now before the commission.

Among its recommendations for becoming the premier agency, the draft called for:

Developing a more defined enforcement and penalty policy.

Expanding pollution prevention programs and providing incentives for recycling and pollution prevention.

Creating a standing committee to monitor the Legislature and assist the director and ADEM staff in meetings with the governor and legislators on key issues, including ADEM funding.

Establishing a committee to evaluate the director and provide comments on the performance of senior ADEM staff.

Re-evaluating ADEM's Web site and finding additional ways for the public to receive and provide information.

The report also recommended finding ways to get more money for ADEM through fees on solid waste dumped in the state's landfills. It also suggested the department evaluate its permit fees to ensure they are in line with other states and cover all permissible costs of ADEM.

It also is imperative, the report said, that ADEM develop better relationships with the governor, Legislature, public and regulators.

"ADEM's credibility problems are readily apparent from comments received during ... meetings and from ADEM's perception among legislators and other agencies," the draft states.

Other recommendations included improving diversity within ADEM, reaching out more to media and making technology a priority.

Commissioners are expected to submit their responses to the draft by March 19 and discuss it at a subsequent meeting.