Xanterra Parks & Resorts Announces ISO 14001 Certification at Mount Rushmore National Memorial

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For Immediate Release

Xanterra Parks & Resorts Announces ISO 14001 Certification at Mount Rushmore National Memorial

COLORADO, DENVER, Apr. 24 -/E-Wire/-- The concessioner at South Dakota's Mount Rushmore National Memorial is among the first hospitality companies to receive the prestigious ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard Certification. The certification is a clear reflection of Xanterra's ongoing and aggressive environmental initiatives at Mount Rushmore. Other Xanterra national park operations are expected to receive the certification in coming months. ISO 14001 is an international Environmental Management System (EMS) standard published in 1996 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The goal of ISO 14001 is to support environmental protection and pollution prevention. While widely used in Europe and Japan, the certification is relatively new in the U.S. Only 1,645 certified sites exist in the U.S. "ISO 14001 certification of the Mount Rushmore EMS was a rigorous process, and we are honored to have garnered this recognition," said Chris Lane, director of environmental affairs for Xanterra. "It has long been our policy to go beyond mere compliance with environmental laws by setting higher standards of performance for ourselves. ISO 14001 certification is not easy to achieve, and few hospitality companies have been able to achieve this recognition." Lane noted that ISO 14001 certification must be renewed each year. Among the initiatives installed at Mount Rushmore are:

â¢ Compliance with all environmental regulations and policies â¢ Establishment of specific environmental responsibilities for each employee â¢ Programs to protect water quality, and conserve water and energy â¢ Environmental education programs targeting employees and visitors â¢ Sustainable design and construction practices â¢ Hazardous materials and waste management â¢ Emergency planning and response programs Xanterra has been widely recognized for its environmental initiatives, and the concessioner recently formalized and enhanced its environmental program. Last month, the company announced the formation of "Ecologix, Xanterra's Environmental Commitment." Ecologix is rooted in Xanterra's long-held belief that all business decisions must balance economic viability with ecological responsibility.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates lodges, restaurants and other concessions in Yellowstone National Park, the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Death Valley National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Everglades National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial; and at resorts in Napa, Calif.; Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and seven Ohio State Parks.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts

Mesereau Public Relations, (1) [REDACTED-PHONE], [REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://www.xanterra.com

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