Applying the Built Environment Image Guide to Administrative Sites, page 3

Portraying the Forest Service Image—Applying the Built Environment Image Guide to Administrative Sites

Requirements

Using the BEIG isn't just the right thing to do, it's also required. Retired Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth's 2001 letter introducing the BEIG (/recreation/programs/beig/ Chiefs_Intro_letter.pdf) directed the employees of the Forest Service to use the BEIG when we "repair, renovate, replace, and expand existing facilities or build new ones." Item 6 in the Forest Service Manual section 7313.3—Design Standards (/im/directives/fsm/7300/7310.doc) requires that administrative sites be designed to project the image of an environmentally aware, concerned, professional land management organization—which is exactly what using the BEIG will do.

Many of the practices that enable compliance with the BEIG also are required by Federal, departmental, and Forest Service regulations. Federal regulations requiring energy efficiency or sustainability include:

National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA), as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) (http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS65979)
Executive Order 13423, January 2007—Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management (http://www.ofee.gov/eo/EO_13423.pdf)
Executive Order 13221, July 2001—Energy Efficient Standby Power Devices (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/07/20010731-10.html).

USDA Departmental Regulation 5500-001, Facilities Energy and Water Conservation and Utilities Management (http://www.ocio.usda.gov/directives/doc/DR5500-001.htm), sets specific requirements for energy-use reduction, purchase or generation of renewable energy, energy-use tracking equipment, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of water use, and purchase of energy-efficient equipment and appliances. It requires sustainable design, including a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver rating in the design and construction or major renovation of USDA facilities.

The Architectural Barriers Act (http://www.access-board.gov/about/laws/ABA.htm) became law in 1968. The act mandates that all facilities built, purchased, rented, altered, or leased by, for, or on behalf of a Federal agency must be accessible to people with disabilities. The Forest Service must follow the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/). The Forest Service Handbook 7309.11, sections 34.16—Access for Persons With Disabilities (/im/directives/fsh/7309.11/7309.11_30.doc) and 41.3—Access for Disabled Persons (/im/ directives/fsh/7309.11/7309.11,40.txt) emphasize that Forest Service facilities must be accessible.