The Chief of Compliance shall conduct periodic compliance audits of MES facilities and projects.   All MES employees shall cooperate with the Chief of Compliance in the conduct of such audits.

 The Chief of Compliance shall develop explicit written audit procedures for each audit conducted.  The procedures shall include and address the audit scope, review and evaluation of audit findings, communicant of the audit results to appropriate individuals in MES and to regulatory bodies, and follow-up.  The procedures by which the audits are conducted shall, at a minimum, meet the standards set forth in the EPA Policy Statement “Incentives for Self-Policing:  Discovery, Disclosure, Correction and Prevention of Violations,” dated May 11, 2000, and as it may be amended from time to time.

 With the advice of the OAG, the Chief of Compliance, Group Executive Directors and the MES Auditor shall conduct periodic scheduled and unscheduled surveys of MES programs and procedures utilized to control the handling, storage, discharge, emission and disposal of materials from MES facilities and projects.  The results of the survey shall be reported to the MES Director and OAG, who shall jointly recommend follow-up actions, if any.

 If, in the course of conducting an environmental audit or survey, the Chief of Compliance, a Group Executive Director, or the MES Auditor form a belief, which has an objectively reasonable basis, that a violation has occurred, then the individual forming such belief shall immediately report the belief to the MES Director, and the OAG.  Within twenty-one (21) days after the individual forms such belief, or sooner if a shorter reporting time period is required by law, the Chief of Environmental Compliance shall disclose the potential violation to the EPA and the Maryland Department of the Environment.

 The Group Executive Director for the facility shall ensure that any violation discovered as a result of a compliance audit or survey shall be corrected within sixty (60) days from the date of the discovery.  If more than 60 days will be needed to correct the violation, the Chief of Compliance will notify EPA and MDE in writing before the 60-day period passes.

 In consultation with OAG, the Chief shall prepare an annual compliance report based on facility compliance audits describing the status of its environmental compliance efforts, and provide this report to Director.  The Director will provide copies of the report to the Board of Directors of MES.