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First South Dakota facility accepted into EPA Program

Release Date: 8/25/2003
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Denver -- The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 announced Friday that Xanterra at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, S.D., was selected as a member of the EPA's National Environmental Performance Track program.

Xanterra at Mt. Rushmore's acceptance into the program makes them the first facility in South Dakota to become a member of this voluntary leadership program. To qualify for membership, Xanterra at Mt. Rushmore's managers have demonstrated that they have an environmental management system in place, a history of sustained compliance with regulatory requirements, a commitment to continuous environmental improvement and a community outreach program. Xanterra at Mt. Rushmore joins approximately 300 facilities in the nation that have been accepted into the program.

Xanterra at Mt. Rushmore achieved the international standard certification for its Environmental Management System, a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency. This standard is verified by an external auditor who confirmed the company demonstrated that its EMS conforms to its stated environmental policy. This certification is not a criteria for acceptance into the Performance Track Program, but was sought voluntarily by Xanterra at Mt. Rushmore.

The National Environmental Performance Track program recognizes, rewards and encourages top environmental performers that consistently exceed regulatory requirements, work closely with their communities and excel in protecting the environment and public health. Performance Track is open to facilities of all types, sizes and complexity, public or private, manufacturing or service-oriented.

EPA Region 8 encompasses the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 Tribal Nations.