Figure 9. Conceptual process for integrating the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA’s) adaptive management with a VEMS. Adapted and modified from Eccleston, (2003 p. 65); see also Boling, (2005). The processes noted in the double-bounded ovals are typically performed under an adaptive management/NEPA concept whereas the others are accomplished under a voluntary environmental management system (VEMS). There is considerable overlap between NEPA’s intent and voluntary environmental management systems standards. The reader should note that “integration” of provisions found in NEPA, EIA and VEMS is an on-going process; compare with Figure 10 from Eccleston and Smythe (2002 p. 10).