INTRODUCTION One of the most significant long-term trends affecting the future vitality of the petroleum industry is the public's concerns about the environment. Recognizing this trend@ API member companies have developed a positive@ forward-looking strategy called STEP: Strategies for Today's Environmental Partnership. This program aims to address public concerns by improving our industry's environmental@ health@ and safety performance; documenting performance improvements; and communicating them to the public. The foundation for STEP is the API Environmental Mission and the API Guiding Environmental Principles. Other parts of STEP include a series of environmental strategic plans; a review and revision of existing industry standards; documentation of industry environmental@ health@ and safety performance; and mechanisms for obtaining public input. API member companies recognize the importance of protecting the environment for the health and welfare of today's citizens@ as well as future generations. API members have publicly expressed their commitment to protecting the environment and the health and safety of their employees and the public by incorporating these concerns into their operation via the adoption of API's Guiding Environmental Principles@ which are now part of the API Bylaws. In 1992@ API's Management and Executive Committees and Board of Directors endorsed@ as part of STEP@ adoption of management practices as an API recommended practice and API providing a recommended self-assessment process@ which would assist the members' implementation of the API Guiding Environmental Principles. The recommended management practices are intended to act as a bridge between the API Guiding Environmental Principles and individual company activities aimed at improving environmental@ health@ and safety performance. The recommended self-assessment process provides a mechanism for measuring progress in implementing the management practices. These management tools will assist companies in examining existing programs and in designing new programs that will@ over time@ help member companies further minimize the impact of their operations on the environment. They provide guidance on what companies can do to meet the goals of the principles but allow great flexibility in how companies define their own programs. The management practices@ self-assessments@ and resource materials are organized around the following strategic elements@ which are condensed from the API Guiding Environmental Principles: a. Pollution prevention. b. Operating and process safety. c. Community awareness. d. Crisis readiness. e. Product stewardship. f. Proactive government interactions. The management practices are not operational measures but are instead an outline of actions to address the management of environmental health and safety concerns generally. The practices are designed to help companies incorporate these concerns into their planning and decision making. API member companies are already subject to a wide range of federal@ state@ and local laws and regulations that currently govern their operations. By recommending ways that companies can implement these practices@ API is not creating new operational requirements@ nor is it intending to create any new obligations to third parties. These practices serve as management tools that will facilitate the development of more effective and efficient environmental@ health@ and safety programs. Companies should find these management practices useful in varying ways. Some companies may already be doing many of the things contemplated. The value of the practices will necessarily differ among companies and types of operations. A goal of the management practices is to highlight areas for improvement. API recommends that each year@ companies assess the extent to which they have incorporated these practices into their management of environmental@ health@ and safety issues (see appendix for self-assessment forms). Some management practices apply to more than one group (for example@ employees@ contractors@ and the public); all such groups should be addressed during self-assessment. The expectation is that regular progress will be made in the implementation of the practices@ although this may vary from year to year. Each company will necessarily make its own decisions on its approach to these issues; the management practices will assist companies in assessing their programs@ but each company will reach its own separate conclusions on how and whether to change its operations. These management practices apply generally to all operations. Substantial manned facilities@ such as refineries@ major gas processing plants@ and major distribution terminals@ should develop programs to implement management practices under each strategic element. However@ a company is not expected to design a unique program for each small facility@ such as an individual service station@ distribution plant@ or production lease site. Companies can choose to organize their implementation programs at an appropriate regional or central managerial level at which staff can assist in addressing the concerns of citizens@ officials@ employees@ and customers. API has also developed a compilation of resources to assist API members with their implementation of the management practices. The resources identify a selection of existing materials that provide recommendations and guidance on various operational areas of the oil industry that may affect the environment@ health@ and safety. These have been compiled to assist member companies as they implement the management practices and consider possible measures that might be incorporated into their operations. These materials are illustrative only and are available for consideration by the individual companies to assist them as they each design their company's strategy in connection with the management practices. These resources are in no way mandatory or essential elements of the management practices. Each individual company can use whatever measures@ if any@ it determines are best suited to the company and its operation.