905F01004
Celebrating Our
Successes in 2001
Clean Air
Credible Deferrenf ro Poliuhon and
Greater Compliance \r
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The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect
human health and to safeguard the natural environment
air, water, and land upon which life depends
GOAL 1 Clean Air
The air in every American community will be safe and healthy to breathe. In particular,
children, the elderly and people with respiratory ailments will be protected from health
risks of breathing polluted air. Reducing air pollution will also protect the environment,
resulting in many benefits, such as restoring life in damaged ecosystems and reducing
health risks to those whose subsistence depends directly on those ecosystems.
GOAL 2 Clean and Safe Water
All Americans will have drinking water that is clean and safe to drink. Effective
protection of America's rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifer and coastal and ocean
waters will sustain fish, plants and wildlife, as well as recreational, subsistence
and economic activities. Watersheds and their aquatic ecosystems will be
restored and protected to improve public health, enhance water quality, reduce
flooding and provide habitat for wildlife.
GOAL 3 Safe Food
The foods Americans eat will be free from unsafe pesticide .
residues. Particular attention will be given to protecting sub-
populations that may be more susceptible to adverse effects of
pesticides or have higher dietary exposures to pesticide residues.
These include children and people whose diets include large
amounts of noncommercial foods.
GOAL 4
Preventing Pollution and Reducing Risk in Communities,
Homes, Workplaces and Ecosystems
Pollution prevention and risk management strategies aimed at
eliminating, reducing, or minimizing emissions and contamination will
result in cleaner and safer environments in which all Americans can
reside, work and enjoy life. EPA will safeguard ecosystems and promote
the health of natural communitities that are integral to the quality of life in
this nation.
GOALS
Better Waste Management, Restoration of Comtanminated Waste Sites
and Emergency Response
America's wastes will be stored, treated and disposed of in ways that prevent
harm to people and the natural environment. EPA will work to clean up
previously polluted sites, restore them to uses appropriate for surrounding
communities and respond to and prevent waste-related or industrial accidents.
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GOAL 6 Reduction of Global and
Cross-Border Environmental Risks
The United States will lead other nations in successful,
multilateral efforts to reduce significant risks to human
health and ecosystems from climate change, stratospheric
ozone depletion and other hazards of international concern.
GOAL 7
Expansion of America's Right to Know About Their Environment
The public and decision makers at all levels will have access to information
about environmental conditions and human health to inform decision making
and help assess the general environmental health of communities. The
public will also have access to educational services and information services
and tools that provide for the reliable and secure exchange of quality
environmental information.
GOALS
Sound Science, Improved Understanding of Environmental
Risk and Greater Innovation to Address Environmental
Problems
EPA will develop and apply the best available science for addressing
current and future environmental hazards as well as new approaches
toward improving environmental protection.
Meta IF irasha s Initiative
Outreach R esponses
Incompliance
Out of Business
F'led Inventory-Report
Inspected
SignedAgreement
GOAL 9
A Credible Deterrent to Pollution and Greater
Compliance with the Law
EPA will ensure full compliance with laws intended to protect
human health and the environment.
GOAL 10 Effective Management
EPA will maintain the highest-quality standards for environmental
leadership and for effective internal management and fiscal responsibility
by managing for results.
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COAL 1 CLEAN AIR
The Air and Radiation Division is proud of the progress that has been made to meet
the Goals and Objectives of Goal one. Both in 2001 and since the 1990 Clean Air Act
Amendments, we have made significant strides towards cleaner air in the Region.
During 2001, our division completed some huge undertakings regarding attainment of
the 1-hour ozone standard. We worked with the States to approve attainment plans
for the most severe nonattainment areas (Chicago, Northwest Indiana and Lake
Michigan). The plans consider all of the reduction strategies that have been
implemented and that will be implemented between now and 2007 and show how,
based on modeling, the three Lake Michigan areas can attain the 1-hour standard.
This was an intensive endeavor that involved numerous rulemaking actions, court
deadlines and culminated the 11 years of work for these areas since 1990.
Another important component of the plans were the NOx SIP Call regulations. The
Region approved programs for both Indiana and Illinois, making them two of the first
non-OTC states with approved programs. This is one of the most significant steps in
ensuring reductions of more than 30% of NOx emissions in 2007 and will be important
both for maintenance of the 1-hour standard and in preparation for the 8-hour ozone
standard.
In 1990, there were over 100 counties
designated nonattainment for one of
the criteria pollutants (ozone,
particulate matter, lead, sulfur dioxide,
or carbon monoxide - there were never
any oxides of nitrogen nonattainment
areas). A significant portion of the
Region was affected especially
counties with high population.
Coutitles wtth Nonattainment Areas for the NAAQS
(2001)
However, since that time, the numbers of counties designated nonattainment
has dropped significantly to 23. Based on preliminary 2001 monitoring, every
monitor in the Region is monitoring attainment. Over the next several years,
we will be completing the modeling and working with the States to officially
redesignated these areas. Those environmental benefits correspond to
significant reductions in emmissons.
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In addition to work on criteria pollutants, ARD has been implementing and designing a
program for Air toxics. Implementation of maximum achievable control technology standards
and vehicle controls has already lead to a significant decrease.
The Region is also the sublead for air toxics, meaning that we have taken a leadership role in
working with headquarters on developing the air toxics program. ARD is working to move
towards a risk based approach and need to characterize and assess the air toxics problem.
To do this, we have launched a variety of projects including air toxics monitoring, emissions
inventory development, community assessments and building state and local capacity to
conduct risk assessments. We have worked with industry to implement voluntary mercury
reduction projects and continue to coordinate information sharing among State governments
and other stakeholders on mercury reduction opportunities. We have also worked on the
national mercury TMDL pilot study at Devil's Lake in Wisconsin. A large portion of air toxic
emissions are actually from mobile and area sources.
Region 5 Air Toxics Emissions
s
1200
1000
The future of our program is in these
toxic programs and in the new Criteria
Pollutant standards. New standards for
ozone an PM fine were promulgated in
1997 but haved been subject of several
lawsuits. The air program is currently
focusing on developing and
implementation plan and scientific review
of these standards. The following figures
show what counties monitored
nonattainment for the 8-hour standerd in
1998-2000 and what monitoring is
indicating for the PM 2.5 standards
(red and yellow is where the concentrations were monitored higher than the standard).
J 800|
| 600 |
1 4°°|
| 200
0 '
I IMllllll
1987
1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999
8 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998
J Mobile Emissions
TRI Emissions
Emissions from area, small industrial
sources, and H2SO4/HCL utility emissions
are not included
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SAFE WATER
We are using enforcement tools to protect and restore biological communities.
In June, the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of the Interior, EPA and the State of Indiana
announced that Guide Corporation agreed to pay over $14 million to settle a lawsuit that charged the
company with causing one of Indiana's largest fish kills, which extended over 40 miles of the White
River between Anderson and Indianapolis. In addition to paying over $2 million to the various
agencies to reimburse costs associated with responding to the fish kill, and $2 million in penalties,
Guide agreed to pay $6 million into two funds established to address re-stocking and restoration
efforts. In a separate action, Guide will pay nearly $4 million to settle criminal allegations under the
Clean Water Act. The settlements were the culmination of over eighteen months of effort by State and
Federal agencies, as well as local health agencies and citizens groups in central Indiana. Region 5's
Water Enforcement program's activities at Guide Corporation, and at Eramet-Marietta on the Ohio
River, led to the discovery that both companies were treating their effluent with a certain metal masking
compound. This later case resulted in large areas of native fresh water mussels being wiped out in the
Ohio River downstream of the discharge. USEPA headquarters later issued a national alert regarding
the compound used in these two situations to reduce the danger of further environmentally damaging
incidents.
We are solving problems that impair waters for swimming.
Forty percent of the nations Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are located in Region 5 states.
Many of these systems, along with aging or over- extended separate sanitary sewer systems, are
also a major source of the nation's Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs). During wet weather, these
discharge points are a significant pollution source that render receiving waters unsafe for recreation,
make beaches unavailable, and degrade aquatic habitats. The
focus in 2001 continued to be addressing these wet weather
issues in large cities. Region 5 efforts in this area will result in
improvements to wastewater treatment systems, elimination of
SSOs, and implementation of long term control plans and CSO
controls. Agreements reached during FY2001 include: Toledo:
tentative agreement on consent, to invest $400 - 600 million
over the next 20 years, Milwaukee: stipulated agreement
signed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sanitary District with Federal support to
address CSOs and SSOs in Milwaukee and the surrounding
communities, and Indianapolis: expect long term control plan
approval by the end of the year.
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We are preventing loss of existing wetlands.
We received and screened 375 permit applications
and commented on 21 proposed permits. Of
these, we recommended denial of 10 permits
totaling 1273 acres of wetland. We also sent 43
cautionary letters to the COE advising them of the
impaired status of the proposed project locations to
assure they had relevant water quality information.
We initiated nine new enforcement actions seeking
restoration of 650 acres of wetland. Six
enforcement cases were concluded resulting in the
assessment of civil penalties totaling $811,000 and
81 acres of wetland mitigation. One case involved
Hunter Lake Reservoir in Springfield, Illinois. Region 5 responded to citizens concerns
and worked with other agencies to reach consensus on project mitigation that will
include restoration or creation of 167 acres of wetlands, preservation/enhancement of
250 acres of forested wetland, preservation or enhancement of 4,700 acres of upland
forest buffer, and restoration/creation of an additional 25 acres of wetland and
streambank.
We are providing safe drinking water for Tribal nations. Region 5 has direct implementation
responsibility for drinking water regulations for all Tribally owned public water systems in the
Region. Because groundwater is a major source of drinking water for most tribal water
systems, there is concern over contamination from leaching agricultural and industrial
pollutants or leaking underground storage tanks. Potential health effects resulting from
contaminated water can range from a simple stomach ache to circulatory problems to
terminal liver cancer. We used Drinking Water Tribal set-aside funds for construction
projects and protection activities to ensure that potential contaminant sources were
controlled.
One example of our efforts is the use of funds for
two drinking water construction projects as well
as source water protection activities at the Lac
Courte Oreilles Reservation. Region 5 staff and
tribal activities included sanitary surveys of water
systems, operation and maintenance training,
assessment of wastewater discharges to
groundwater, registration of a new public water
system, construction inspections, and water
system leak identification. In addition to working
with Housing Authority, Casino Maintenance, and
Environmental Department staff, we also worked
with the high school Administrator, Casino
General Manager and a Tribal Council member to
assign dedicated maintenance and compliance
staff to each water system, with whom we will
continue to work to ensure better protection of
public health.
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Crop
Herbicide Tolerant
Soya
Herbicide Tolerant
Cotton
Bt cotton
Herbicide Tolerant
Corn
Bt corn
Yield
t
=
t
t
t
Pesticide
Usage
4-
+
i
4-
4-
Return on
Investment
t
=
t
=
=/t
Potential Benefits of Biotech Crops
(Source: USDA/NASS)
Region Leads Nation in Adoption, Testing of Biotechnology Products:
Technology May Reduce Pesticide Risk
Region 5 states lead the United States in the development and adoption of biotechnology, thanks to the
development of crops such as RoundUp Ready soybeans and Bt corn. Biotech crops offer a number of
agronomic benefits, including herbicide resistance, insect resistance, and disease resistance. Benefits to
growers may also translate to environmental benefits.
Adoption of conservation tillage techniques increased in
Region 5 as growers embraced the herbicide tolerant
RoundUp Ready soybeans. Decreased erosion and
run-off of pesticides may protect water sources from
contamination. Bt corn crops, so named because they
contain proteins derived from the Bacillus thuringiensis
bacterium, may allow growers to decrease the amount of
pesticides used. Active against Lepidopteran pests such
as the European Corn Borer and Corn Earworm, the
planting of Bt corn may lead to decreases in conventional
pesticide use. The Office of Pesticide Programs is
working with the registrants to ensure the long-term
safety and efficacy of Bt products through mandatory
Compliance and Education programs to prevent the
development of insect resistance, as well as through requirements for additional data addressing health
and environmental impacts . Bt crops offer a safer alternative to traditional pest management strategies.
Acceptable returns on investment for growers with high pest pressures, combined with reduced risk for
both human health and the environment, have lead to a win- win situation in the Midwest.
In the future, Region 5 will see the introduction of Bt proteins into a wider
variety of crop plants, with activity against a broader range of insects. The
recent registration of corn producing the CrylF protein, which has activity
against the Southwestern Corn Borer, Fall Armyworm, and Black cutworm, as
well as against the European Corn Borer and Corn Earworm, is one of
several products that has been under development for the past several years.
The future will also see corn resistant to the Corn Rootworm, a major pest in
the Region. Experimental Use Permits have been issued to test soybeans
and tomatoes with Bt proteins incorporated to confer resistance to other
lepidopteran pests, such as the velvetbean caterpillar and soybean looper.
Current biotech product development is aimed at producing multiple control
options for major pests, and expanded insect control to reduce the threat of
resistance to a single compound. Due to the dominance of corn and soya in
Region 5, the region leads the country in field tests regulated under USDA
and EPA experimental use permits.
Leptidoteran larvae on corn.
Insect pests frequently cause
economically significant
amounts of damage to
Midwestern corn crops.
As a wider variety of biotech modifications becomes
available to growers, biotech acreage in Region 5 will
likely increase slightly, providing the market for
genetically engineered crops remains open. The
formation of a Regional/OPP cooperative workgroup
on biotech in FY2001 will allow Region 5 to keep
abreast of changes in technology and regulation of
biotech as the industry continues to evolve.
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Promoting Safer Food
EPA Region 5 staff help ensure the continuing safety of our nation's food supply by promoting the transition
from potentially hazardous conventional pesticides to reduced-risk pesticides. Through cooperative efforts with
growers groups, Extension personnel, university researchers, and other stakeholders, the risk from pesticide
residues in food can be reduced. These cooperative efforts focus on outreach to the agricultural community
and partnership-building.
The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) mandated the reregistration of older pesticides and reassessment of
pesticide tolerances in food, setting guidelines to protect vulnerable consumer groups such as children. The
Regions perform a valuable service in communicating regulatory decisions and
their potential impacts to the agricultural community. These impacts will be
driving forces in the adoption of new pest management strategies by minor-use
growers. Region 5 staff have performed direct outreach to the agricultural
community through participation in conventions, site tours, and meetings in Ml,
Wl, IN, IL, & OH. The Michigan Decision- Makers Tour, sponsored by the Ml IPM
Alliance, was a highlight. The tour offers state and federal officials who work on
policies that affect pest management practices an opportunity to see Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) in action and to talk with growers, scouts, Extension
agents and researchers (see photo at right). As growers move toward safer or
fewer pesticides, food safety will be enhanced.
Partnerships play a vital role in facilitating the transition to
reduced-risk pest management strategies. The funding of
small project grants is one tool used to form partnerships.
Four grants in three states (Ml, MN, Wl) were fully funded
using Strategic Agricultural Initiative funds. Ml Department of
Agriculture and Michigan State University are collecting
commodity-specific data on pesticide use on minor crops.
Residue data on raw and processed crops can be used to
help growers make informed decisions on pesticide choices.
The University of Wisconsin/Pesticide Use & Risk Reduction
program, in partnership with 13 local stakeholder groups, aims
to reduce reliance on high-risk pesticides. A website,
www.ThinklPM.org, provides growers resources on systems
solutions to pest management. A novel field signs campaign
educates growers and the public about IPM while promoting
the Think IPM website. Information on IPM strategies to
increase the safety of fresh- market vegetables will also be
developed and disseminated to growers through the website
and at industry events. The Minnesota Department of
Agriculture and University of Minnesota project aims to
develop and implement a survey of fruit and vegetable
growers statewide to assess the impact of the loss of minor
GROWN
Collaborative efforts between the World Wildlife
Fund, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable
Growers Association, and the University of
Wisconsin work towards more ecologically
sound potato and vegetable agricultural
systems. Raising consumer demand for
biologically based IPM produced products has
been a goal of the collaboration from its
inception. Healthy Grown potatoes are the first
marketed product to use certified IPM
agricultural practices (see logo above). IPM
enable growers to control pests in an
economical, socially sound, and environmental
manner.
use pesticides under FQPA and examine alternatives.
Growers' future educational and research needs will be identified. The pest (insects, diseases, and weeds)
management practices of Minnesota conventional and organic apple and strawberry growers are being
studied, allowing the development of tools to enhance the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) and
other reduced-risk, low-input strategies in local apple orchards and strawberry fields.
Michigan Blueberry Growers convened a
pest management strategic planning session
in Spring 2001. The USDA, University
Research & Extension staff, growers, and
EPA examined the needs of blueberry
growers in dealing with insect, disease, and
weed pests. Top research, regulatory, and
educational priorities were identified.
Partnerships with the USDA also help
the Region promote safe food. Regional
specialists have participated in Pest
Management Strategic Planning
Workshops coordinated by the USDA
North Central Pest Management Center,
USDA Office of Pest Management
Policy, and growers groups such as the
Michigan Blueberry growers. The North
Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, a partnership between
USDA, EPA, producers, and other stakeholders, provided more than $1.2 million to fund creative projects for
research and education addressing long-term enhancement of food and fiber systems in the 12-state region.
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Preventing Pollution & Reducing Risk
in Communities, Homes, Workplaces
and Ecosystems
Efforts to Address Lead Poisoned Children in Chicago
In 1998, an enforcement team comprised of Region 5, the Department of Justice, the
Department of Housing and Urban Development began a project to identify large property
management companies with histories of lead poisoned children in low income, multi-family housing
within the City of Chicago and to monitor these companies's compliance with Section 1018. The
Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) provided names of entities which had been issued
multiple lead-based paint abatement orders. Under Illinois law, the CDPH is notified whenever a
child is identified as having an elevated blood lead level (EBL), i.e., fi10 ug/dL. The CDPH then
conducts a lead-based paint inspection of the EBL child's home and if lead-based paint hazards are found to be present
will issue an abatement order for that home. Until recently the CDPH could only inspect, and order subsequent
abatement orders, in individual apartments within multi family housing were a EBL child had been identified. Using the
CDPH data the enforcement team focused on four large property management companies with the greatest number of
abatement notices and therefore the greatest number of EBL children. Over several years there were over 300 abatement
notices issued to these four entities with multiple abatement notices often issued, over time, to different apartments
within the same building and sometimes to the same apartment. Based on the recurring abatement notices and the fact
that buildings would likely have the same paint history, it was apparent that these buildings had wide spread lead-based
paint contamination problems and represented a significant health risk to young children.
Deteriorated lead paint is the most common source of lead exposure to children in the United States. About 75 percent of the
nation's housing built before 1978 contains lead-based paint. Nearly 1 million of the nation's 22 million children under the age
of six have blood lead levels high enough to impair their ability to think, concentrate and learn. Lead exposure causes reduced
IQ, learning disabilities, development delays, reduced height, poor hearing and a host of other health problems in young
children. Many of these effects are thought to be irreversible. At high levels, lead can damage a child s kidneys and central
nervous system and cause anemia, coma, convulsions and even death. According to the Chicago Department of Public
Health, an estimated 15,000 children under the age of six were diagnosed with elevated blood-lead levels in 2000.
Region 5, the Department of Justice, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Illinois, Chicago and Cook County health
officials have recently entered Consent Decrees with three of these property management companies who failed to warn their
tenants that their homes may contain lead-based paint hazards as required by Section 1018 Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard
Reduction Act of 1992. The fourth property management company declined to participate in a Consent Decree and has been issued
a Civil Administrative Complaint alleging 2,600 counts of violations of federal regulations on lead-based paint and its hazards.
Under the terms of the Consent Decrees, Wolin Levin Inc., East Lake Management and Development and Oak Park Real Estate Inc.
agreed to test for and conduct clean-up activities to make these units lead safe following HUD guidelines in their nearly 10,000
apartments in Chicago and Cincinnati. The testing and clean-up activities will be conducted over a period of six years and are
estimated to cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars. These three companies will also pay a total of $90,000 in penalties. In
addition, Wolin Levin agreed to pay $100,000 to fund a child health improvement project of Chicago s Health Department
which will entail abatement activities such as window replacement and elimination of other lead-based paint hazards in low income
housing not owned or managed by Wolin Levin. East Lake Management and Development will give $77,000 to a
community-based health center to provide free blood lead testing for children in Chicago and South Chicago. This testing
is intended to target children living in poverty which only have about a 30% testing rate under existing State requirements.
A 5 year PTB Lead (Pb) Program Strategy Plan will administer and enforce Title X Lead-Based
Paint Programs in Region 5 Indian Country.
The first objective of the strategy is to ascertain information concerning the lead-based paint hazards and/or
problems in the individual reservations housing stock. To this end, the workgroup developed a document entitled
Lead-Based Paint Program Needs Assessment Survey for Region 5 Indian Country. The survey asked for
information such as housing stock, number and age of children living on the reservation, if there were any
cultural/medical/recreational use of lead, etc. Also in the strategy, PTB staff committed to conducting site visits
with all 35 federally-recognized tribes to introduce them to the Region s lead based paint program, inform them of
the federal program requirements and opportunities that tribes have to develop, implement and enforce their own
lead-based paint programs and to obtain information concerning direct implementation needs, including/1018
enforcement. We also shared with the tribes that Region 5 has authorized two Tribes to implement the TSCA
/402 program on their reservations. Currently these are the only authorized tribes nationwide.
Completion of the Needs Assessment Survey will allow both the Region and the tribes to ascertain the potential
hazardous of lead-based paint to tribal children. The information will allow the Region in conjunction with the
tribes to determine the extent of the lead-based program activities, both the federal directly implemented program
and tribal developed program, necessary for the individual tribe.
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EPA Region 5 Promotes the Protection of Children from Potential
Pesticide Exposures within Schools and Day Care Centers
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) refers to an effective, economical, and environmentally sensitive approach to pest
control that relies on a combination of common-sense practices to manage pest problems, while also minimizing possible
exposures of pesticides to people, property, and the environment. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.
EPA) is a strong supporter of the application of IPM within urban environments, especially as it relates to the protection of
infants and children in schools and day care centers. Often associated with, or preempting, IPM adoption, are also
right-to-know interests which require that children, parents, educators, and others are notified in advance of needed
pesticide applications so that appropriate actions or access restrictions can be enacted to further minimize any potential
exposures from pesticides when used as a last resort for pest control.
While no federal legislation currently exists to regulate the use of pesticides within schools and day care centers, many States
nationwide have been actively involved locally to promote the adoption of IPM in schools. The U.S. EPA is a strong supporter of
these State efforts, through the provision of grants and technical assistance. The majority of the upper Midwestern States
now have either State laws requiring IPM in schools (Illinois, Michigan) or State laws equiring notification and pesticide
applicator standards only (Minnesota, Wisconsin). School and day care IPM is strongly advocated as a voluntary
program in Indiana as well. The U.S. EPA Region 5, has been very involved in all these State efforts from the start,
often providing start-up funding for State personnel, pesticide use surveys, school IPM workshops for school
administrators and sanitarians, pilot projects, and IPM manuals.
Especially noteable among the U.S. EPA achievements towards the promotion of school IPM is the recent establishment of
Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, with U.S. EPA funding, as one of two regional School IPM Technical Resource
Centers, with the other located at Texas A&M University. The primary purpose of these Centers is to provide assistance to
States, schools, pest control applicators, and the general public in all areas of school IPM. The Center resources include a
toll-free hotline, training programs, educational and technical materials available on the internet, a variety of informational
publications, program support, and access to an extensive network of existing IPM knowledge and expertise. During 2000,
the Purdue Center supported the States of Illinois and Indiana under a grant from the U.S. EPA in Chicago and in 2001 this
Center was further expanded to also include the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio utilizing new funding from
the U.S. EPA in Washington, D.C. Beginning this year, Texas A&M University presently supports the States of Texas, Oklahoma
and New Mexico. Within the upper Midwest, anyone seeking more information and assistance may reach the
Purdue School IPM Technical Resource Center at 1-877-668-8IPM (8476).
School IPM Goal: Protect Children s Health form Potential Pesticide Exposures within school environments
Legislative Status of School IPM in Region 5:
States with State IPM Mandate & Notification: Illinois and Michigan
States w/Notification Mandates & Applicator Standards: Minnesota and Wisconsin
State with strong Voluntary Program adopted by State School Board: Indiana
Accomplishments Impact of Accomplishments
Establishment of Purdue University as School IPM Technical
Resource Center as a central depository of knowledge,
materials, and public contact, and to assist all 6 States in IPM.
Under grant to Safer Pest Control Project, complete new
School IPM video (national and Illinois versions) targeted at
school administrators and sanitarians.
Initially under P2 Buy Clean Initiative, provide grant to Safer
Pest Control for the creation of a template School IPM
Product/Services Handbook Template will be used to create
State-specific versions throughout R5.
Concluded grant to Indiana for school IPM workshops statewide.
Provided funding to Ohio for their first Statewide school IPM
workshop, Statewide survey, and pilot school programs.
Continue to provide funding and technical support to States -
answer inquiries, share materials, participate in State workshops,
provide updates on development of Federal legislation.
Serve as one-stop shopping via toll-free hotline and web site
for public and schools for IPM information. Share Regionwide
materials, tools, and successful methods for IPM adoption.
Assist each R5 State in their own IPM pursuits.
Videos either distributed nationwide or Statewide in Illinois
used as selling tool to further promote the acceptance and
adoption of IPM in school environments.
Provide vital information to school sanitarians/purchasers on
tools for IPM implementation, or commercial pest control
specialists knowledgeable in IPM. Result in easier adoption
of IPM by schools.
Promote the voluntary adoption of school IPM throughout
Indiana through education and successful pilot programs.
Begin to engage Ohio schools in IPM through promotion of the
concept Statewide. State resources and materials identified to
help schools further protect their children students.
Provide as much support as possible to States in the absence
of specific Federal funding or a Federal program.
EPA Region 5 National Involvement [cooperation with at EPA HQ (OPP, BPPD)]:
Issue solicitation, review 18 grant proposals, and select two Regional School IPM Technical Resource Centers
(Purdue University and Texas A&M University) as first such nationally recognized. Centers funded by EPA HQ to
assist States to promote the acceptance of IPM in schools and day care centers.
R5 serves as the primary Region participant on the EPA School IPM Workgroup, which holds monthly meetings to
monitor status of School IPM nationally, review EPA briefing documents, compose EPA School IPM Strategy, Workplan,
and Communication Strategy, contract for a new National School IPM awareness brochure targeted at school
administrators, and provide input to Congress on proposed Senate School IPM Legislation.
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Better Waste Management,
Restoration of Contaminated Waste
Sites and Emergency Response
Illinois USTFIELDS Pilot Initiative:
Illinois USTField Site Returned to Productive Use
An abandoned gasoline station
after the city razed the building
and place fencing around it.
Almost 50% of the Brownfield sites in the
United States contain federally regulated
abandoned underground storage tanks (USTs)
or have been impacted by petroleum releases
from them. Federal restrictions prevent the use
of Superfund dollars to address UST related
petroleum contamination at Brownfield sites,
so the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
(EPA's) "USTFields program was developed.
The pilot program funded 10 national pilots
(up to $100,000 each) in FY01, to assess and
clean up UST related petroleum contamination
at idle or abandoned commercial properties in Brownfield pilot communities.
During FY01, Illinois was the first Region 5 State chosen for the pilot. The
Region and IEPA partnered with the City of Chicago, through the city s
Abandoned Service Station Management Program, to identify sites deemed a
public nuisance and a threat th public health and safety. The City, in
cooperation with the Illinois EPA utilized EPA funding to conduct risk-based
cleanups at 2759 W. Washington. The City will redevelop the area for low-income
housing. The site is currently awaiting a No Further Action letter from the
State before
commencing
construction of the
building. This
initiative also helped
to create and foster
state and local
coordination efforts
in Illinois and across
the nation.
A representation of what
the constructed housing will
look like since the project is
not completed. It represents
what the finished product
should look like, enhancing
the aesthetics and property
values of the neighborhood.
₯ Funding Sources (i.e,100Kfor FY01 & 400Kfor FY02)
₯ Partnerships Developed/Leveraging Resources
₯Target sites with MTBE in GW
₯ Site returned to productive use (i.e., low-income housing, etc.)
₯ Challenges (orphan tanks, statutory restrictions, etc)
Removal Enforcement Program/PRP
Lead Sites Cleanups
In FY 01, the Superfund Removal Enforcerm
Program in Region 5 saved the agency nea
$28 million in funds (over the $18 million
budgeted for the Removal Program in FY 01
This was accomplished by voluntary and
involuntary cleanups funded by the Propose
Responsible Parties (PRP). Several of thes
sites were voluntary Mercury Spill cleanup
Superfund Cleanup Negotiation Completioi
In FY 01, the Superfund Enforcement Progre
in Region 5 successfully negotiated five
settlements within the Remedial Program.
The settlements included four remedial
action cleanups and one non-time critical
removal action. The total value of the
settlements was approximately $23 million
Counter Terrorism
Region 5's Counter Terrorism Program
continues to move forward in the effort to
combat terrorism in the United States. Eac
year Region 5 has developed our prpgrarr
through training, outreach to local officials ar
other federal agencies whom we would woi
beside in a real incident, and obtaining am
learning to use advanced screening and
detection equipment. Region 5 personnel, i
addition to exercising with the National Guarc
FBI, Local Police and Fire Departments,
assisted Region 2 in the World Trade Centei
response and Region 3 in the Capitol Hill
Anthrax Response. After September 11th
and the subsequent biological attacks, the
ramp-up of the this program on the nation;
level is clearly apparent.
The National Brownfields 2001 Conference was held in Chicago at McCormick Place from Sept 24 through Sept 26, drawing
more than 3,000 attendees. This 6th annual research conference was organized to provide information about brownfields
redevelopment to all stakeholder groups. U.S. EPA Region 5 played a significant role coordinating the
conferences' outreach program, media, participated in many panel discussions and by
partnering with some 22 co-sponsers. Partners included the International
City/County Management Association, Engineers Society of Western
Pennsylvania, Illinois EPA, US. Conference of Mayors. U.S. EPA
Administrator Christine Todd Whitman opened the Plenary Session with
comments illustrating her sincere appreciation for attendees who were able to
be in Chicago, especially after the terrorist act at the World Trade Center.
Her involvement with the Brownfields program validated her commitment to
the cities and states as she spoke about the importance of redeveloping
our cities. U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Thomas Skinner spoke to 3,000
attendees about R5 Brownfields partnership with states and communities. More *r~"*
than 200 exhibits were displayed, 270 endorsers provided outreach, over 100 panel
sessions and marketplace of ideas were given, and over 100 Volunteers from R5 staff
volunteered as greeters, pre-conference outreach, session assistants and photographers. The
Regional Administrator Open House was held on Wednesday where 200 participants
attended the open house to meet and greet the R5 administrator. Overall the success of
the project was done with the enthusiasm from volunteers from Region 5 and our states
who not only supported the National Conference, but played a major role in its success.
St.
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on priority
Nicor Gas/ Peoples Energy Mercury Spill Response Effort
In July 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry
(ATSDR) received a call from a concerned resident regarding
Mercury (Hg) that they had seen spilled in their home after a
gas regulator had been replaced. Brad Stimple, Region 5's On
Site Coordinator (OSC), and an ATSDR representative
investigated the matter to discover several more homes in
Chicago s northwest suburbs had similar reports and that Nicor
Gas, the local natural gas utility, was responding to the matter.
The enforcement team quickly responded with a letter to Nicor
requesting more information. The number of homes requiring
screening and cleanups grew as EPA oversaw the ever
expanding cleanup in consultation with the Illinois Department
of Health, Illinois EPA and ATSDR. The Illinois Attorney
General got involved and convened a multi- agency task force.
As the scope of the problem became evident, the EPA Region 5
mapped out a strategy that involved multiple orders, information
requests and interagency strategies for investigating, overseeing and verifying cleanup in an ever widening area of
concern. In a matter of weeks the problem was discovered to include two additional gas companies (Peoples Gas and
North Shore Gas) involving another 100,000 homes and small businesses and almost 2,000 private industrial facilities.
The EPA team received a Bronze Award for their efforts and the experience gained in addressing the gas company
mercury situation, which is now under control, will be extremely valuable wherever similar conditions may arise.
Suzhou Creek Pilot Project: Heath
and Safety Plan and Quality
Assurance Project Plan
The U.S. EPA Region 5 FIELDS
Team traveled to China to initiate a
pilot project in Shanghai, China
during FY 01. The purpose of this
visit was to transfer information and
techniques on sound environmental
principles and effective technology
tools to the Suzhou Creek
Rehabilitation and Construction
Company(SSRCC) and the Shanghai
Academy of Sciences. The FIELDS
Team instructed the environmental
scientists in Shanghai in techniques
for site investigations. The Health
and Safety Plan, Quality Assurance
Project Plan (QAPP) and Field
Sampling Procedures, were written
for a more highly contaminated site
than the one found at Suzhou Creek.
This was purposely done to give the
trainees reference to what types of
situations can be encountered.
The objectives accomplished during
the visit were to gather all historical
data and generate base maps;
perform a bathymetric profile over
largest area of the creek; teach the
FIELDS tools to SSRCC employees;
define a pilot area to determine soft
sediment thickness using manual
probes; and to collect examples of
sample data using EPAs Standard
Operating Procedures (SOP) and
safety plan as a teaching tool for the
SSRCC.
Inland Waterways Spill Response Mapping Project
The Oil Pollution Act mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the United States Coast Guard prepare Area Contingency Plans to improve the
efficiency of spill response efforts. In this process, the plans must identify
environmentally and economically sensitive areas. To help protect Region 5's
resources from the damaging effects of oil and contamination, the Oil Planning
and Response Section is leading a project to map sensitive environmental and
economic resources that may require protection in the event of a spill.
In addition, the Oil Planning and Response Section performs facility inspections
and spill exercises throughout the course of a year. This helps ensure that
regulated facilities are complying with spill prevention and safety requirements,
and tests the adequacy of spill contingency plans.
WPTD/Tribal Illegal Dumping Cleanup:
Through EPA solid waste funding,
tribes have been successful in
coordinating voluntary cleanup
campaigns in their communities as
part of their comprehensive solid
waste management strategies.
Community cleanups of illegal dumps
have raised awareness among tribal
members about the risks of illegal
dump sites, and instilled community pride
to keep the reservations clean and prevent
future dumping. On the right are some
pictures of the community cleanup of
illegal dumps at the Nottawaseppi Huron
Band of Potawatomi reservation, where
38% of the waste removed was recycled as scrap metal. In addition to these activities
mentioned above, and as reported in the Regional Results Plan for end-of-year 2001,
the Tribes reported to us that 2012 tons of waste was removed from Tribal illegal dump
sites since year 2000. Two-thousand of those tons were removed from the White Earth
dump that qualified for funding under the Interagency open dump cleanup funds.
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Reduction of Global and Cross-Bordei
Environmental Risks
Great Lakes Naval Action
The Great Lakes National Program Office's two research vessels wrapped up
another busy year plying the waters of the Great Lakes and their tributaries.
The 180-foot Lake Guardian concluded its 2001 sampling season on
September 27th, when it tied up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The ship had
started work on April 5th and had been at sea for approximately 105 days.
During that time, it measured water quality in all the Lakes in Spring,
Summer and Fall. In addition to its own research, EPA also supported a
variety of studies by scientists from the States, Universities, and other
Federal Agencies, including Environment Canada.
The most significant finding this field season was how soon a dead zone
formed in the bottom waters of the Central Basin of Lake Erie and how
widespread it was. The bottom waters of the lake in this zone had little or no
oxygen, which fish and other organisms need in order to live. Preliminary
2001 data show dissolved oxygen concentrations in Lake Erie's Central Basin
to be near the worst observed during the last 5 years, despite international success in reducing phosphorus loadings to levels
thought to be low enough to prevent such problems. (Phosphorus is a key nutrient that feeds the algae in the lake. Too mucf
algae growth results in an overload of decaying organic matter on the bottom of the Lake when the algae eventually die off. T
decaying algae uses up the water's oxygen.) To understand and address this puzzling issue, GLNPO is updating external
phosphorus load calculations; convening researchers in a workshop to further explore the biological effects; and integrating
research and management efforts through the Lake Erie Management Plan. It is thought that the invasive zebra mussels ma^
be a key part of the puzzle.
The other vessel in GLNPO's navy, the Mudpuppy, was also kept busy this year. The Mudpuppy is a 32-foot flat-bottom boat
specifically designed for sediment sampling in shallow rivers and harbors. It is equipped with a vibro-coring unit that allows th«
sampling of cores up to 15 feet long. It also has a global positioning system (GPS) which allows for precise and accurate
determinations of sample locations. Once samples are collected, they can either be sub-sampled and processed onboard or a
land-based facilities. A triple-axle trailer allows the vessel to be transported easily from one project location to the next. In 20C
the Mudpuppy performed sediment assessments at White Lake and the Pine River in Michigan, the Des Plaines River and
Chicago River in Illinois, the Maumee River in Ohio, Burns Harbor in Indian, and the Milwaukee River in Wisconsin. The
Mudpuppy also helped Superfund and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sample sediments.
Energy Star is a Win-Win for Environment and Consumers
In a cooperative, voluntary effort to bring more energy efficient and environmentally
friendly products to consumers throughout North America, the U.S. and Canada
signed an agreement which will bring Energy Star products to Canadian citizens an
businesses. The Energy Star label makes it easy for consumers and businesses tc
identify energy-saving products. These products use energy more efficiently, save
money, conserve natural resources, decrease emissions from power plants, and he
protect the environment.
Through commercial, industrial and public participation in the Energy Star program in the U.S. alone:
ft Annual greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 23 million metric tonnes carbon equivalent in 1999,
which is equivalent to eliminating the emissions from more than 10 million cars.
fr Annual emissions of nitrogen oxides were reduced by over 100,000 tons, which is equivalent to the
emissions from 70 power plants.
£ Energy Star Buildings partners, who represent 15 percent of the commercial, public, and industrial
building market, saved more than 20 billion kilowatt hours in 1999.
£ U.S. residents saved over 25 billion kilowatt hours by purchasing more than 100 million Energy Star
products in 1999.
M- Current estimates show consumers and businesses achieving a cumulative savings of nearly
$50 billion through 2010.
Locally, the Milwaukee Public Schools and the Milwaukee Courthouse were honored for earning the Energy Star Label for
Buildings. The Milwaukee Courthouse was particularly recognized for its excellence in energy performance by upgrading the
historic 100-year-old building. In addition, twelve schools earned the Label. The media event was held in the beautiful atrium
the Courthouse building. Milwaukee Public Schools entertained with musical performances. And at a national awards dinner i
Washington, DC, five of the 34 award winners were from EPA's Midwest Region.
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The Greening of the Detroit River
The Green Ways Initiative is a
five-year $25 million initiative
led by the Southeast Michigan
Community Foundation to
protect and restore watersheds
and natural habitats of a seven-
county (Wayne, Oakland, Maoomb,
Monroe, Washtenaw, St Clairand
Livingston counties) area in
southeast Michigan, including Detroit. Greenways are linear open
spaces, including habitats and trails, that link parks, nature reserves,
cultural features or historic sites with each other, for recreation and
conservation purposes. The purpose of the Green Ways Initiative
is to demonstrate the benefits of greenways.
The primary objectives of the Initiative are to:
Help local governments and nonprofit organizations
construct and implement greenways projects,
Build the capacity of nonprofits and government
agencies to engage in future greenway projects
Build awareness in southeast Michigan about the
benefits of greenways.
This project is an outgrowth of a small EPA grant to the
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and is modeled after the
highly successful Chicago Wilderness project.
The Global Village
Drawn by the reputations of EPA Region 5 and the
Great Lakes National Program Office for innovation
and effectiveness in environmental restoration and
protection programs, international visitors came to
Chicago to learn from their experiences. During
FY 2001, Region 5 hosted 310 visitors from 25
countries (including 6 interns) a new record!
In addition, Region 5 responded to assistance
requests in India, China, Russia and Kuwait.
Region 5 and the State Department's long-term
investments in the Baltic countries of Lithuania,
Latvia and Estonia bore major results. Latvia is
restructuring its environmental programs into policy
and implementation and Lithuania's Ministry of the
Environment is seeking Region 5 advice on a similar
restructuring. Both are working with their military,
resulting in an Environmental Strategy for Lithuania's
Military and Latvia co-funding the First Baltic States
Environmental/Military Cooperation Workshop,
attended by 10 countries. All three countries now
have environmental policies, management structures,
and officers sensitized to environmental issues.
Lithuania and Latvia went beyond expectations and
drafted watershed plans for the Lielupe River. Public
participation and volunteer monitoring training
triggered local watershed planing activities on
the Gauja River between Estonia and Latvia.
Moving Mud
During Calendar Year 2000, over 400,000
cubic yards of contaminated sediments were
cleaned up at five locations in the Great Lakes:
the USX vessel slip in Indiana, the Saginaw,
Pine and Manistique Rivers in Michigan and
the Fox River in Wisconsin. This total includes
all Great Lakes cleanup activities involving
Superfund, Natural Resource Damage
Assessments, GLNPO, State agencies, and
voluntary partnerships.
The White Lake - Tannery Bay, Michigan
settlement is a significant example of how
small amounts of federal funds at a critical
time in the process can stimulate sediment
cleanup. In the settlement, the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality and
Genesco agree to clean up 73,000 cubic
yards of sediments contaminated with
chromium, mercury, and arsenic. The total
project cost is estimated to be $7.7 million.
GLNPO gave the State of Michigan a
$500,000 grant in 1998 to help jump-start
the cleanup. Dredging is expected to take
place next summer and last about 4 months.
Pollution Prevent Scores Big Against Toxics!
The latest progress report from the Great Lakes Binational
(U.S. and Canada) Toxics Strategy reports big reductions
in the worst of the toxic chemicals polluting the Great Lakes:
An 80% reduction in high level PCBs in use in Canada and
about 90% reduction in the U.S.
Approximately 60 to 90% reduction of hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
and 30 to 40% reduction of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] in Canada.
In the U.S., reductions are estimated to be about 90% for HCB
and 65% for B(a)P;
An 81% reduction in mercury emissions from a 1988 baseline in
Canada and for the U.S., a 50% reduction will be achieved by 2006
Lakes Report Card Shows Mixed Results
USEPAand Environment Canada's recently released report card
on the Great Lakes shows a mixed picture about 25% of the
indicators show good or improving conditions, 25% show poor or
deteriorating conditions, and the rest show mixed results.
Highlights of the findings:
Surface waters are still among the best sources of drinking
water in the world
Progress has been made in cleaning up contaminants and
rehabilitating some fish and wildlife species
Invasive species remain a
significant threat
Atmospheric deposition of
contaminants from distant
sources continues
Urban sprawl threatens
natural areas, rare species,
farmland and open space
Development, drainage
and pollution are
diminishing wetlands
Read the full report at: http://binational.net/sogl2001
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7
Expansion of American's Right to
Know About Their Environment
EPA Will Improve Its Internet Site
Met target of increasing the number of Website hits, pages
available and distinct hosts.
- Region 5's Web site continues to grow in size and popularity.
- Page requests in FY 00 were 32% greater than in FY 00.
During this same time, the number of distinct hosts accessing
the site increased by more than 25% and the number of
different files requested was up 23.7%.
Goal 7 Title changed from Expansion of Americans Right to Know About Their
Environment to Quality Environmental Information.
The focus of Goal 7 has shifted to better reflect the priorities set by EPA when it centralized
information policy, management and technology in the new Office of Environmental Information.
EPA is moving from a focus on public right to know to a broader focus on quality environmental
information for all decision makers. For FY 2001, Goal 7 annual goals and targets have been
refocused to better reflect this broader vision.
Goal 7, Quality Environmental Information, focuses on improving access to ERAs integrated
environmental data, educational services, and analytical tools for evaluating enviommental
conditions and trends, and on providing a secure environment for data storage and retrieval.
Environmental Education
Awarded $189,582 in EE grant funds to 20 recipients throughout Midwest.
EE Program continues to provide workshops on grant-writing for community groups.
Environmental Justice
Exceeded Regional target set for $50,000. Awarded 7 grants of $100,000.
Respond to FOIA requests in a timely manner
During FY01 Region 5 completed the backlog review requested
by the Headquarters FOIA Office. Headquarters confirmed that we
have no outstanding FOIA requests from FY 93 through 2000.
This is a major accomplishment as the Agency as a whole
reported over 9,000 FOIA requests pending in the FY 2000 Report
to Congress. Region 5 implemented the electronic routing of FOIA
requests to the program offices in March of 2001 using the locally
developed FOIA ERMS database.
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One-Stop Reporting Grants
Two grants awarded and 1 plan approved. Ohio EPA awarded grant on April 5.
OEPA submitted 120-day plan on July 25 and was approved by EPA on July 31.
Illinois EPA awarded grant on June 27. IEPA will be submitting a 120-day plan
in early FY 02.
NEPPS
Agreements in place with MN, IL, IN and Wl
(OH and Ml do not currently participate.)
Region 5 is holding a workshop meeting with States on NEPPS on December 14.
Congressional Inquiries
All Congressional requests
(letters and phone inquiries) are promptly entered
into a congressional data base. 96.3% of congressional
letters were answered within the 10 day time limit.
Toxic Release Inventory
Met Regional target of conducting one compliance workshop in each state.
Long Distance Learning program has been established the first class during
the first quarter of FY 2001. The long distance learning program has reached
several classrooms simultaneously, in an interactive manner.
Community Water Systems that will publish Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR)
The CCR regulation requires large community water systems (over 100,000 people) to
post their CCRs on the Web. The Office of Water recognizes that some of these CCRs
contain sensitive data, such as a map with a location of their surface water intake,
therefore, the Region has been asked to recommend that systems take their CCRs off
the Web and modify them to exclude sensitive information.
Review 100% of outreach products that are submitted for review
100% of Outreach Products Reviewed. Workgroup examining the Region s
product review procedures and is streamlining them. Next step is involving
rest of Region with the goal of improving compliance with product review rules.
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Sound Science, Improved Understanding of
Environmental Risk and Greater Innovation
to Address Environmental Problems
Team Maps and Measures Ecosystem Health
The Critical Ecosystems Team this year has been creating a path-breaking model on how to map
Regional ecosystem health. By using base layers of satellite data and a map of EPA-developed
EcoRegions, the team has identified the criteria and acquired the six-state data sets that will not only
measure overall ecological health but will also identify broad areas of high quality that should be
protected from any further environmental insult. In early summer '02, the team will be hosting a
national ORD/Regional meeting on how to target critical ecosystems for protection and restoration.
Keeping Region 5 In The Field
The Central Regional Laboratory, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance
and Superfund cooperated to contribute $65,000 for the purchase of several pieces of
scientific equipment for monitoring/enforcement. Over 75% of the Region's prioritized
needs were purchased during FY'01. Without these items staff would not be able to
reproducibly go back to exact locations on rivers and streams for sample collection
or monitoring over time. Accuracy is needed to digitally manipulate data for charting
to understand the extent and severity of contamination. This equipment was used
to monitor the DuPage, DesPlaines and Fox Rivers.
$
Regional Geographic Initiative
Using seed money provided by Headquarters under the Regional Geographic Initiative program,
Regional Team Managers enlisted communities, state and local governments, businesses, and citizens
to help clean the environment. Here are just a few examples: In the East St. Louis, Illinois area, two
sites within walking distance of a local elementary school, where over 52% of the children had elevated
blood lead levels, were cleaned up using RGI funds. The clean-up resulted in over 2,500 tons of lead
contaminated soil being removed. In Detroit, business leaders partnered to form a Sustainable
Business Forum to help strengthen the region's economic performance, encourage networking, and
help businesses employ best practices of sustainability. In Chicago, a Good Neighbor Dialogue with
participation from government and community residents was started with the Ford Motor Company in
order to reduce environmental releases and conduct pollution prevention at a local Ford Plant. One
concrete result was a renegotiated standard for paint solvents. In Northeast OH, the GIS action Team
helped federal, state & local agencies develop and distribute a master planning CD-ROM data set for
an 18 county area.
Research Helps Locate Diving Plumes
The winner of the FY'01 Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE),
competitive grant was the project 'Diving Plume Behavior...'
developed by Gilberto Alvarez of Region 5's Waste Pesticide and
Toxic Division and three ORD scientists. While we know MTBE is
released from leaking underground storage tanks and that its
properties make it water soluble, these two factors combine to
allow MTBE to dive below traditionally placed monitoring well
networks. The WPTD and ORD Researchers hope to identify how
rapidly MTBE dives. A computer model will be developed to help state regulators make better decisions
when it comes to tracking this groundwater menace.
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Central Regional Lab(CRL)Wins Regional Award The
CRL established quantitative methods for determining ,
alkylphenol compounds that may act as endocrine
disrupters in the environment by establishing 3 standard
operating procedures (SOPs) to analyze water, soil and
sediments using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
techniques. The SOPs were used by the CRL to provide
data to the Water Division for the Chicago, Lower Des
Plaines, Fox and DuPage River sediment studies to
determine the extent alkylphenols exist in effluent dominated
streams at amounts that may show ecological effects.
Strategy Aids Scientists and Decision-Makers
The Regional Science Strategy was finalized in FY2001 as the blueprint to enhance the support of
science in the Region and to build capacity to address the many issues facing us using sound science.
The Strategy addresses improves science collaboration, increases utilization of knowledge and skills,
creates a culture of scientific excellence, and clarifies the role of science in planning and management
decisions. In FY 2001 the Strategy was partially implemented through a series of workshops aimed to
broaden the technical knowledge and skills of the Region's science staff and to provide tools to facilitate
discussions between science staff and managers/decision makers. In FY 2002 many more activities are
underway to carry out the Strategy, including additional workshops, completion of an action plan to
implement Strategy recommendations, and provide rigor to the Region's science planning process.
States Pursue Innovation
Region 5 was busy in FY'01 working with States wishing to experiment with innovative approaches for
protecting the environment. Region 5 (except Indiana) submitted 14 innovation proposals. While Michigan
DEQ has been by far the most active with 7, Wisconsin DNR, Illinois EPA, and Minnesota PCA are all in
various stages of agreement or implementation with Region 5 EPA for 7 innovative projects or proposals.
The proposal and testing of innovations is expected to continue its challenging pace in FY'02 with the
result being greater environmental benefits as a result of unprecedented collaboration.
National Metal Finishing Strategic Goals Program and Project XL
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) is actively working with
local metal finishers to reduce metal pollutants from facility waste streams. MWRDGC joined the
National Metal Finishing Strategic Goals Program (SGP) and developed a model program, with pollution
prevention goals and incentives in mind, that is observed by other SGP participants. As a complement
to the SGP, MWRDGC entered a 5 year partnership with USEPA and IEPA in a Project XL Agreement.
One aspect of the project is the Toxic Reduction Action Plan (TRAP) which aims to control pollutants of
local concern that are not subject to District regulation. The same partnership formed for SGP worked
together on XL's TRAP to identify pollutants in the MWRDGC discharger waters. The District and its
partners selected Mercury in effluent, Hexavalent Chromium in air, Nitrogen and Phosphorous in
effluent, and PCBs, Dioxin, and Dibenzofurans in biosolids. MWRDGC will attempt to reduce emissions
of these pollutants through non-traditional strategies and will share successes with other POTWs.
Blood Lead GIS Identifies Children At Risk
Region 5 is working closely with the City of Chicago to address
children's lead poisoning using a GIS mapping methodology.
Numerous presentations have been made to raise awareness on
the need for increased screening. The mapping has allowed us
to see the spatial distribution of lead cases across the City, and
help the City target their education, outreach, enforcement, and
screening efforts in those neighborhoods where rates are highest.
Chicago Community Areas, 1999
Per cent of Children
Screened for Blood Lead
Percent of Children with
Elevated Blood Lead
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A Credible Deterrent to Pollution and
Greater Compliance with the Law
Enforcement Tools to Reduce Non-Compliance
Although inspection numbers are down, the decrease was due to a more efficient use of EPCRA/CERCLA resources to
determine compliance. The level of enforcement activity is consistent with prior years. Our pipeline continues to flow at a
consistent rate where initiations and conclusions are conducted so that we achieve our ultimate goal of environmental improvement.
Many of this year's enforcement actions have contributed to a number of pollutant reductions in the following areas:
PCBs - ~7,490 parts per million
Lead - ~66,699 parts per million
. vocs --1 o ooo tons per year Criminal Enforcement Actions Civil EnforcementMtons
Sulfur Dioxide - -60,000 tons per year Civ"Enforcement Actlons
Metals - -2,500 cubic yards The fines and restitution recovered
TCE - -680,000 parts per million as part of tne Region S criminal
Paniculate Matter - -1 912 tons per year enforcement actions for FY 2001
Nitrogen Dioxide - ~1,140 tons per year f . *,- Q.,c
Nox - -42,700 tons per year tOtal *&'yi b>
FY 2002 Enforcement Priorities
The Region will focus on the following enforcement and compliance assurance priorities:
Increase opportunities to conduct multi-media enforcement and compliance assistance activities;
Develop and implement targeting methods that increase our efficiency, particularly supporting the Region's
TNT so that it may be used to map out regulated facilities in the Region;
Continue to investigate ways to partner with our States to address environmental compliance problems;
Colleges & Universities - continue to find ways to offer assistance and to encourage compliance;
Auto Salvage Sector - continue to work with our States and local governments to develop and implement an
integrated strategy to address environmental compliance problems related to this sector in Michigan and Indiana;
Develop and implement a strategy to build capacity for our Tribes, this will include conducting Basic Inspector and
Health and Safety training;
Promoting the implementation of our Region's "Enforcement Strategy in Indian Country"; and,
Promoting SEPs that result in significant emission reductions and measurable pollution prevention
State/Local Partnerships in Enforcement Lead-Based Paint Enforcement Initiative in Chicago
Collaboration between HUD, DOJ, Chicago Dept. of Public Health, and U.S. EPA to compel large real estate management
companies to conduct lead paint abatement in the city of Chicago
targeted and inspected 14 landlords and/or realty management companies in Greater Chicago area
cases referred to DOJ
3 companies agree to abatement of all lead-based paint in their rental units (over 6,000 rental properties potentially affected)
This initiative was a good example of the Region's Environmental Justice Team, Chicago Team, Science Group, Children's Health Team, Goal
4, Goal 9, and, state and local government relations, collaboration to achieve considerable health and environmental improvement in the city
of Chicago. Many of our partners in this effort have commented that this was the most significant contribution for lead poisoning
abatement made in the Chicago area, even when the $14 million grant Cook County received from HUD for lead abatement is considered.
Guide - White River Fishkill
In response to a request by Governor Frank O Bannon, that the U.S. EPA assist to investigate the huge fishkill in the White River, the Region
collaborated with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to form a multi- media/multi-agency task force. The task force focused
on the compounds used by Guide Corporation, an automotive electroplater in the midst of shutting down its Anderson, Indiana facility. This
collaboration was instrumental in determining the specific chemical reaction that caused the fish kill and thus providing critical
information that could also be applied other similar facilities.
The lawyers from both governmental agencies (IDEM & EPA) acted as one team of prosecutors. Guide Corporation and its
original owner, General Motors Corporation, submitted to fast track negotiations which resulted in the lodging of a $10,025,000
Consent Decree, $6 million paid into two funds to fully restock the White River and river monitoring efforts planned by the State.
The settlement, ground-breaking in many respects, establishes the following environmental benefits:
restoration funds to pay for ongoing efforts to restock the White River with fish;
performance of projects designed to restore natural resources and enhance the quality of the White River for conservation and recreational purposes
The settlement also provides for reimbursement of more than $2 million that the responsible agencies expended in responding to and
assessing the impact of the fish kill. Finally, the settlement will provide for payment of a $2 million civil penalty by Guide, to be
split equally between the State of Indiana and the United States.
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Region 5, the City of Detroit, and Detroit
Citizen's Groups Efforts Result in the
Reduction and Removal of CFC and Oil
Releases to the Environment
The Region conducted multi-media inspections at 3
junkyards in the Detroit area that resulted in assessing
over $1 million in penalties. The targets for the multi-
media inspections were the result of the collaborative
effort and input from the City of Detroit and Wayne
County. The facilities were identified as a result of
local community knowledge and complaints.
The environmental outcomes that were achieved as
a result of these inspections include the following:
₯ removal of 80 cubic yards of lead contaminated
soils and three drums containing soils contaminated
with lead, chlorobenzene, benzene, 1, 4
dichlorobenzene, 1,2 dichloroethane,
tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene above
RCRATCLP concentrations.
₯ removal of almost 15,000 gallons of used
oil/water and soils.
The Region's activities in this geographic area has
positively contributed to the improvement in the quality
of life for the community. Our goal for FY 2002/2003
is to work jointly with the SEMI Team to improve water
quality & emissions in the Detroit River Flyaway.
Supplemental Environmental Projects
There are a total of 21 administrative cases with SEPS and
4 judicial cases with SEPs. (*Note -1 case involved
multiple facilities in different locations).
Judical SEPs - There are 4 judicial cases with SEPs. 3 of the 4
are in the petroleum refining sector and 1 is in the iron and
steel sector. The majority of the SEPS are in the category of
pollution prevention and pollutant reduction with one facility
having'an environmental restoration SEP. The total cost of the
SEPs in the judicial cases is $10,315,540. (Source CCDS)
There are 21 administrative cases with SEPs. The total costs of
the SEPs is $2,893,925. The majority of the SEPs are pollution
prevention and pollution reduction along with Public Health,
Emergency Planning and Environmental Compliance SEPs.
The SEPs in administrative cases are in a variety of sectors
and spread across Region 5 states. (Source CCDS).
Promote Compliance Through Incentives and Assistance
Compliance Assistance Activities
Conducted 221 compliance assistance activities (activities include
phone calls/e-mails, presentation/meetings, on-site visits, workshop/training,
tools developed in house, and outreach materials mailed/distributed)
These activities reached 81,997 entities. These activities included
providing assistance to regulated entities and sectors on compliance
with the Section 1018 Real Estate Disclosure Rule, Subtitle C & D of
RCRA, PWS - Microbial Regulations, the Lead and Copper Rule,
and new rules/regulations.
Region 5 Obtains Emissions Reductions in Petroleum Refining Enforcement Cases
Koch will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, benzene and
volatile organic compounds at its three refineries by a total of 10,000 tons per year.
Koch will pay a civil penalty of $4,500,000; close a waste pile at the Minnesota refinery at a cost of
approximately $2,000,000; and install and operate pollution control technologies that will be included in a
federally enforceable permit at a cost of approximately $100,000,000. Koch will also perform a supplemental
environmental project at a cost of $2,000,000.
Marathon/Ashland Petroleum (MAP) is
the subject of a consent decree resolving
violations at 7 of MAP s refineries.
Marathon/Ashland Petroleum (MAP) will
reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by
8,000 tons per year, sulfur dioxide by
12,800 tons per year, particulate matter
by 800 tons per year, carbon monoxide by
1,850 tons per year, and volatile organic
compounds by 120 tons per year at a
cost of approximately $265,000,000.
MAP will also pay civil penalties totaling
$3,800,000; and, perform supplemental
environmental projects totaling
$6,500,000.
BP Exploration and Oil Company (BP) is the
subject of a consent decree to resolve violations
at BP s eight refineries.
BP will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by 22,000
tons per year, sulfur dioxide by 27,300 tons per year,
as well as particulate matter, carbon monoxide,
benzene and volatile organic compound emissions.
BP will pay a civil penalty of $10,000,000 and perform
supplemental environmental projects at a cost of
$10,000,000.
These cases are excellent examples of how the
Region's enforcement actions have contributed to our
goal of cleaner air, reducing air toxics, and promoting
children s health.
Metal Platers/Finishers Sector Compliance Assistance and Enforcement Initiative
A sector-based compliance assistance/enforcement initiative focused on platers/metal
finisher that had not filed a Section 312 chemical inventory report.
60% of all platers in the country are in Region 5
initiative resulted in the initiation and conclusion of 54 separate enforcement actions
EPA collected a total of $282,225 in penalties
penalty mitigation granted to 49 small businesses
initiative resulted in hundreds of facilities coming into voluntary compliance
This integrated approach is a model for future efforts in other sectors.
Meta IF inishei * Initiative
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GOAL 10 Effective Management
Region 5's secret weapons
are behind the scene
environmentalists. Those who
do the administrative work
necessary for you to do what
you do. This includes
processing thousands of travel
authorizations and vouchers
so you can go to superfund
sites, or do other real
environmental protection work
like take soil, air, or water
samples for laboratory
analyses. They make sure you
get paid every two weeks of
the year without fail to free
your mind from pay-day
anxiety and pay out millions of
dollars to your grantee
partners and vendors. They
work with HQ and other
regions to bring more dollars to the region enableing us to cover, not just your pay check, but other
underfunded areas of need to support you in the front line of environmental work. They take pride in their
work to support you, and have met or exceeded Agency standards of excellence in this line of work. We
trained you in travel regulations, government travel card rules, payroll time and attendance, and in budgeting.
We launched a new travel management system (Travel Manager) and trained you in its use. We launched a
new grants payment system known as ASAP, for short, to speed up payments to your grantees.
Funds Management
The Reources Management Division reconciled FY 00 and 01 accounts prior to October 1 allowing the
Region to purchase nearly $1 million in critically needed equipment and supplies. Without this effort,
these funds would have been lost to the Region with additional unmet needs moved forward to the FY
02 budget year. This effort required the examination of numerous budget line items, an assessment of
remaining balances and appropriate actions to redirect funds that would otherwise be lost to the
Region.
\
New Biology Lab
In a joint project with Headquarters and GSA, the
Region completed the first phase of the
renovation of the Central Regional Lab. The
new Biology Lab will improve laboratory support
for the Region's environmental work. This
project required varied expertise including overall
project leadership and coordination, financial
management, health and safety computer
technology, telecommunications and countless
administrative details.
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Training of New Employees
During FY 2000-01, Region 5 created and implemented a New
Employee Orientation Program. The program featured, in part, an
expanded initial orientation session of 1-2 days, emphasizing identified
"survival skills," and a checklist of competencies that can be used by
new employees and their supervisors to help ensure new employees
receive the planned orientation components. The development and
implementation of the orientation program was timed to coincide with
the hiring of about 50 employees from August to December 2000
Day long orientation sessions were held on October 17 and
December 13. The orientation covered over 17 general topics of
interest to new employees. In addition, program specific training was held in February. The evaluations
from the participants confirmed that the material and presentations more than met the need.
ASSISTANCE SECTION
GRANT CLOSEOUTS
Goal Eliminate 100% closeout backlog foi non-construction grants ended
before 9/30/00
Measure 95% ot all grants will be closed within 180 days of the end of the penod
of perfoimance
3000
97-98 98-99
Year Grant Performance Ends
Closed Original
GRANTS CLOSED and ISSUED
FY 1999 TO FY 2001
1100
1000
900
800
700
600
500
842
FY 1999
FY2000
1 Closeouts ^^ New Grants
FY 2001
Acquisition of a Hybrid Gasoline-Electric Vehicle
EPA Region 5 pursued the acquisition of a hybrid vehicle for EPA's fleet in the continuing effort to
demonstrate the use of alternatively fueled and more environmentally friendly vehicles. On April 13, we
acquired a Toyota Prius which features combined gasoline and electric power. This vehicle
demonstrates technology that produces low emissions and excellent fuel efficiency. The acquisition
process was innovative since we normally acquire vehicles
through GSA. This involved extensive contacts with EPA
Headquarters and within the Region to identify
and use our authority and funds to acquire
the vehicle for the Region. The vehicle
arrived in time for Earth Week
festivities the week of April 23, 2001.
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Effective
anaqement
Fo
Preventing PeHunor tfecxiona Risk
es Work-aces nr.d
Designed and Produced
by Patn Gallichio
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