OOON92001
Front
,ANDBY
JUL 09 1992
EPA EMPLOYEES
ENVIRONMENiAl PPOTtUlflN AliENrv
LIBRARY. REGION ,.5 tiNLY
—WJTH BILL REILLY
Reflections on the Earth Summit
W;
e knew it wouldn't be
easy. Whenever inter-
national negotiations
involve such core values as the
environment and economic
development, it is almost impossible to achieve a
balance that will please everyone. The odds were
enormcms against all 178 countries agreeing on five
ambitious and precedent-setting documents: the
Rio Declaration of environmental principles;
Agenda 21, which lays out a course of action on
environment and development until the year 2000;
and three treaties involving global climate,
biodiversity, and the conservation of forests.
But the fact that we were there, at the bargaining
table, for the first time in history discussing
environmental concerns and responsibilities on a
global level was what made the Rio conference
significant—indeed, historic. Having spent almost
30 years working towards a better global
environment, I found Rio to be an extraordinary—
and unforgettable—experience.
The widely-reported incident that helped to
distract media attention away from the
achievements of the conference was unfortunate.
I was furious that sensitive and confidential
communications between the White House and me
were leaked to the press. Private negotiations that
rely on trust between the parties must remain
confidential or they will likely fail. What followed,
though, to my delight, was an outpouring of
support from both the President and from many of
my counterparts at the summit. They know first-
hand the passions involved in trying to achieve
environmental and economic objectives.
There is no question that economic
considerations have played and will continue to
play a role in shaping our position on
environmental issues. That's a reality that we have
recognized and have been working with for some
time—I think very effectively. Consider, for
example, all of the voluntary programs we have
implemented... Green Lights, 33/50, Cooling Our
Communities, just to name a few. The cooperation
and participation by industry and state and local
governments have made these programs major
success stories for the Agency.
Finally, the fact that the President appointed me
to head the U.S. delegation to the Earth Summit
reflects the high opinion he holds of EPA and its
people. 1 saw and was a part of history unfolding.
And history will continue to unfold because the
process, begun even before Rio, will continue for
generations to come.
As the President said in the final hours of the
summit, "As important as the road to Rio has
been, what matters more is the road from Rio."
1 look forward to walking that road with all of you.
Inside
Heads Up 2
Policy Updates 3
EPA Communications 4-5
On the Hill 6
In the News 6
Your Turn 7
Calendar/Classifieds 8
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with Soy/Canola Ink on paper that
contains at least 50% recycled fiber
-------
Heade Up
A QUICK LOOK AT EPA NEWS AROUND THE NATION
Tim Oppelt
EPA LABORATORIES
/ Atmospheric Research and Environmental Assessment
Lab, RTP—U.S. EPA and China's EPA recently
sponsored an international workshop on stationary
source emission sampling and analysis. Approximately
135 Chinese students participated. The workshop was
die first international workshop sponsored by U.S.
EPA and China's EPA. Instructors included Rodney
Midgett and Jimmy Pau (AREAL/RTP), Peter
Westlin (OAQPS), and John Hepola, Region 6. The
event received considerable media coverage in China.
(Contact: Rodney Midgett, 8-919-541 -2196.)
/ Environmental Monitoring Systems Lab, Las Vegas—
A young Desert Storm veteran is die subject of a
study by EMSL/LV with the U.S. Army. The vet was
wounded by shrapnel, containing uranium, from
"friendly" anti-tank fire. The purpose of the study is
to determine the effects of shrapnel on the human
body. A final report is expected to be issued later this
year. (Contact: Anita Mullen, 8-702-798-2632.)
/ Environmental Research Lab, Corvallis—Scientists
from ERL-C recently established EPA's first inter-
national cooperative agreement in biotechnology.
Under this agreement, Environment Canada and
EPA will fund a study to evaluate the survival and
competition of genetically-engineered micro-
organisms in soil/plant microcosms. Their research
will be conducted at die University of Maryland, and
will later include field validation of die microcosm
studies at dieir Agricultural Research Station.
(Contact: Lidia Watrud, 8-503-754-4874.)
/ Risk Reduction Engineering Lab, Cincinnati—
For the 18th consecutive year, RREL held its
annual Research Symposium. More than 750
environmental professionals from the U S. and
20 foreign countries participated in the three-
day symposium. Lab Director Tim Oppelt and
his staff shared information on RREL's research
on biotreatment, pollution prevention, and
Superfund treatment technologies. (Contact:
Gordon Evans, 8-513-569-7684.)
/ Health Effects Research Lab, RTP—Biostatisticians at
HERL/RTP are developing maps of U.S. counties that
indicate where mortality rates for 36 types of cancer
were highest during the 1980s. HERL/RTP has
already done similar maps for die 195()s, 1960s, and
1970s. These maps provide valuable data for determin-
ing whether patterns exist that warrant further study.
(Contact: John Creason, 8-919-629-2598.)
B
EPA REGIONS
•/ Region 4—The largest monetary fine ever
ordered in American courts for RCRA-related
violations has been levied against the United States
Sugar Corporation in Clewiston, Florida. USSC has
agreed to pay almost $4 million in fines for, among
other crimes, unlawfully transporting hazardous
waste without a manifest and to a nonpermitted
facility from 1986 to 1 (>89. (Contact: Bruce Mirkin,
8-404-347-4885.)
/ Region 8—-The city of Casper, Wyoming may
have to pay a $125,000 penalty for its alleged failure
to implement and enforce an industrial pretreatment
program. Pretreatment protects public health and
the environment from industrial pollutants sent to
cities' wastewater treatment plants, called POTWs.
Region 8 may take siir.ilar action against several
other western cities. (Contact: Charlynn Boddie,
8-303-293-1118.)
SAVER, recently received the
1992 Federal Women's Program Achievement Award
in the category of "Manager/Large Agency" (5,000 or
more employees). Don was honored for his many
accomplishements to improve the status of women in
the workplace, particularly in OSWER. This is the
first time an EPA m?nager has won this award.
(Contact: Lucy Lovett, OCR, 8-202-260-7780.)
EPA Might • July 1992
-------
Policy Updatee
Environmental Equity
EPA Takes Key Steps to Address Issue
byDr Warren Banks, AO
In a memo to top management dated June 1,
Administrator Bill Reilly announced several major
decisions to institutionalize environmental equity
efforts within the Agency:
/ Establish an Environmental Equity Cluster to be
chaired by Herb Tate, AA for Enforcement. The
purpose of the "cluster" team is to develop Agency
policy by organizing a comprehensive action plan
to identify and address environmental equity
ssues.
/ Establish an Environmental Equity Staff in OARM,
which will be headed by Clarice Or Clarice Gaylord
Gaylord, currently Deputy Office
Director for OHRM. Bob Knox, OSWER, will be
the staffs deputy. Among other responsibilities,
the staff will help track Agency activities involving
environmental equity and serve as the central
point of contact for external groups.
Release a final report on environmental equity.
EPA's Environmental Equity Workgroup released
a draft report last February (see Eebruary issue of
EPA InSight).
A New-and-Lnproved
Performance System
for PMRS Employees
Ai EPA quality action team has proposed a
number of significant changes to the Agency's
Performance Management and Recognition System.
In a memo dated June 2 to all EPA managers, Chris
Holmes, AA for OARM, summarized the changes,
which will be effective this fall:
-------
Tf?g
Word on . . .
Goals: Accuracy and Readability
EPA Adopts Review Process
for Public Information Products
by Helga Butler, AO
The last time you read a publication on
something you thought would interest you,
what was your reaction?: "This is gobbledy-
gook;" "Too technical;" "Boring;" or "This is interest-
ing;" "Well done;" "Wow, I understand this stuff!"
If reaching out to the public is your business, help
is available to you. At Hank Habicht's request,
OCEPA staff put together a TQM workgroup of
regional and program office employees to develop a
process—which is now EPA policy—for producing
information materials. The group also wrote some
"plain English" guidance on how to avoid mistakes.
Both the process and the guidance are contained in
the helpful handbook, "Developing Products for the
Public."
Basically, the process involves two stages: Concept
Notification (as soon as you know what you are
going to do) and Final Draft Review. In each stage,
the "Product Originator" (which may well be you)
works with the AA's/RA's "Product Review Officer,"
who is responsible for notifying OCEPA of all public-
oriented products. The last formal step is to submit a
final draft for review by appropriate outreach experts
and others. OCEPA and the AA's/RA's staff have
committed to very short turnaround times, so
involving other experts adds only a few days to your
production schedule while ensuring that your product
is easy-to-understand, accurate, and attractive.
If you have any questions about this policy, or wish
to get a copy of the handbook, please contact
OCEPA's Communications Planning Division, 8-202-
260-5590.
Editor's Note: Helga B/i,ier, fomierly uith OCEPA, is now
working directly for Hank Habicht on budget, contracts,
human resource, and TQM issues.
A Multi-Media Experience
New Public Information Center Draws Crowds
by'SuzanneAnnand, OARM
Visitors have been flocking to the new Public
Information Center (PIC) at Headquarters
;ince it opened its doors at a ribbon-cutting
ceremony with Administrator Bill Reilly on Earth
Day 1992. Visitors can enjoy EPA videos in the
Center's theater; displays on EPA's programs; and
numerous informational brochures, fact sheets, and
even environmental databases.
Many EPA staff who remembered the old PIC in
the basement of Waterside Mall have dropped by to
see what is now a real visitors' center. The other half
of our visitors come from a wide range of
organizations outside the Agency. Recent visitors
include the Girl Scouts Association, the National
Wildlife Federation, Environment Canada, the
Defense Reserve Policy Board, and visitors from
many colleges and universities.
We'd like to encourage EPA employees to take
advantage of what the Center has to offer. The PIC
is an ideal place to bring your constituent groups
when they are visiting the Agency. The Center staff
takes reservations for tours and for reviewing films in
the theater. With advanced notice, the Center staff
will also assemble packets of materials tailored to the
needs of your group.
We would also like to hear from EPA staff who are
interested in making presentations to our visitors
about the work that ';hey do.
To make reservations, volunteer for presentations,
or learn more about the Center, please contact
Center managers Gloris Butler, 8-202-260-1077, or
Jim Keys, 8-202-260-0075.
EPA InSight • July 1992
-------
. . . EPA Communications
EPIC — A Valuable New Service
for Distributing Agency Materials
The EPA Publications & Information Center
(EPIC) in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a hub of
Agency information resource services and
the major distribution point for EPA publications
and multi-media products. EPIC holdings amount to
over 10 million copies of 8,000 up-to-date materials
that are available to the Agency, the public, and other
interested customers. Operational since April 15,
EPIC can already claim some successes, including:
/ support of ,1 new Agency numbering system, co-
developed by EPIC:, OIRM, OCF.PA and ORD
Cincinnati, for efficient tracking and dissemination
of Agency information;
/ an automated inventory/ordering database
system that covers 32,000 publication titles and
electronic format products that are housed within
EPIC, NTIS (National Technical Information
Center), or Agency programs. Over 2,500 new
titles are added to this system annually.
EPIC's distribution services are being sought as an
alternative to hotlines and clearinghouses, freeing
professionals and technical staff from having to pull,
assemble, and mail materials themselves. If you have
any questions about EPIC] or would like more
information, please contact Earl Eastwood or
Deborah McNealley, 8-5H-569-7980.
Challenge for New TQM Team
How to Improve Internal Distribution
We spend a good deal of time at EPA.
tning to communicate with each other
by memo, meetings, telephone, Email,
flyers—you name it! And when we decide to
communicate in writing, we work on every word and
comma until it's perfect (well, almost). By the time
we've finished writing the darn thing, the battle's only
half over—because now we have to make sure the
word "gets out." That's where OARM's Distribution
Section comes in. It has made a number of
"Mr Sh/ft/n wants to know what you're of a mind of
these days in regard to you know who vis-a-vis
you kmw what if you get his drift"
EPA InSight • July 1992
improvements over the years to the Agency's
distribution system and the stage is set to make it
work better. But they need OUR help. Once they've
delivered/sent out the mail to field and Headquarters
organizations, the rest is up to us.
If you would like to join the new Quality Action
Ten?)} for Improving Internal Distribution, please call
Kym Burke, OCEPA, 8-202-260-0336, or Chris
Thomas, OARM, 8-202-260-2040.
Email—It's Growing by the Hour
By May 1992, more than half (10,238) of the Agency's
workforce had Email boxes—or have one on the way.
OARM and ORD have the greatest numbers in this category,
while Region 9 is tops in the field.
And, in both May and June, over 1,000 people read EPA
InSight on Email...
If you want to "get with the program," please have your
Email Coordinator fill out an "Application Request Form"—
which is available through Email under the "Request
Forms" (REQ) option.
Questions? Comments? Need help? Please call the
ALL-IN-1 Customer Support Group at 8-919-541-7862.
B
-------
On the Hill
by Robin Grove, OCLA
NOMINATION
Senate — The nomination of Christian R. Holmes
to be EPA's Assistant Administrator for Administra-
tion and Resources Management was confirmed
unanimously by the U.S. Senate on June 18.
SUPERFUND
House — On June 30, the House Public Works and
Transportation Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations (Chairman Robert Borski, D-PA) will
hold a hearing on remedy selection at Superfund
sites. EPA witness to be determined.
House — On July 21, the House Public Works and
Transportation Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations (Chairman Robert Borski, D-PA) will
hold a hearing on Superfund/Federal Facilities. EPA
witness to be determined.
RCRA RESEARCH
House — On June 30. the House Science, Space and
Technology Subcommittee on Environment
(Chairman James Scheuer, D-NY) have tentatively
scheduled mark-up on a RCRA research bill (to be
introduced).
GREAT LAKES
House — On July 1, the House Merchant Marine
and Fisheries Committee (Chairman Walter Jones,
D-NC) will mark up the Davis Great Lakes Research
bills.
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
House — On July 8, the House Energy and
Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations (Chairman John Dingell, D-MI) will
hold a hearing on the final report of EPA's Standing
Committee on Contract Management. Administrator
Bill Reilly will testify.
In the News
Watershed Protection
A New Way Of Doing Business at EPA
What is "watershed protection"? To put
it simply, it's an approach that looks at
the whole forest rather than a single tree
to restore and protect water resources.
Historically, EPA has addressed impaired waters by
targeting specific pollutants and implementing
pollutant-specific controls. This approach has
produced significant improvements in the quality of
the Nation's waters; however, many waters remain
polluted and are getting more so every day. National
"pollutant-by-pollutant" solutions have not been
effective in dealing with major problems, such as
habitat degradation and wet weather runoff. To
satisfy our original goals of swimmable, fishable
waters, a comprehensive approach that addresses all
threats to a watershed in an integrated manner, rather
than addressing each threat individually, is necessary.
In response to this need, EPA is adopting a watershed
protection approach.
B
How does this approach work? Within a particular
watershed—the Colorado River, for example—EPA
would work with local stakeholders to:
/ evaluate the primary threats to human and
ecosystem health;
/ involve people who are most likely to be
concerned or most able to take action to solve the
problems; and
/ develop and implement comprehensive restoration
and protection strategies.
The famous naturalist John Muir once said,
"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find
it hitched to everything in the universe." That's what
watershed protection is about—providing the greatest
protection possible to our waters by taking a holistic
rather than a pollutant-specific approach.
For additional information, please contact
Louise Wise, OW, at 8-202-260-7166 or Janet
Pawlukiewicz, OW, at 8-202-260-9194.
EPA In Sight • July 1992
-------
Your Turn
Editor's Note: The following letter refers to a draft audit report from the
EPA Inspector General's Office on ERL-Duluth. Entitled "The Contracting
Activities at the Environmental Research Laboratmy-Diiliith," the draft
report is dated May 29, 1992.
EPAlnSight • July 1992
i
-------
Calendar
M
5
12
• July 20
Hank Habicht,
Region 5
~~~l^i 26
^4!SL,
U f> Postal System
established, 177)
ft '
Repubhtan Party
founded, 1854
13
20
7
14
• July 14
Hank Habicht,
Region 9
8
Fir\t L' S pa\\pon
mW. 1796
15
• Julv 15
Hank Habicht,
Region 10
• Julv 20-22 - EPA's Human Resources Couneil Vice! ing
(Contact Linda Smith, ORD-Cmci, 8-202-260-7 Wl)
• Ju!\ 20-24 FPVs National Federal Women's Program Mana
Annual Training (Contact Barbara Gary, OCR, 8-202-260-45
27
US State
Department
established, 17X9
28
• JuK 28-29 DAAs/
Meeting on Qualitv
29
DRAs Leadership
9
• EPA hiSigbt
Editorial Board
Meeting
16
District of
Columbia
established, 1790
h e cream J ^L
com ** J
invented, 1901
^ers Meeting/
«)
30
10
17
24
• Julv 23-24
Bill Reilly,
Region 9
31
• July 31 Open Sea
Thrift Savings Plat
Leave Bank
11
18
25
sons end
\ and
A Special Thank You to the EPA
Employees Recreation Association
A few months ago the EPA Employees Recreation Association asked
me to one of their meetings so they could learn about the EPA Schol-
arship Fund. To my surprise, they gave me a check for $-400. Since we
can no longer accept honoraria, I was really having a hard time raising
money for the scholarships (each is worth about $300-500 and we give
about 10 a year to children of EPA employees who meet certain criteria).
The Rec Association then asked me to come to another meeting, in
which President John Showman gave me a second check—this time for
$5,000! I want to thank every member of the Association for their sup-
port. Without it, we might not have had any scholarships to give this year.
Everyone—I encourage you to join your Rec Association. It is a
really worthwhile cause.
Betty Wonkovich, AC)
Director, EPA Scholarship Fund
C\a&eif\ed&
ROTATION/Full-Time
HQ/OPPTS—Full-time EPA employees wanted for temporary
assignments in support of 33/50 Program. Excellent chance to work
with EPA programs, Regions, states, industry, and other non-govern-
mental organizations. Work involves encouraging companies to
make voluntary commitments in pollution prevention and facilitating
flow of information on technical and institutional approaches to
pollution prevention. Please call Lee DePont, 8-202-260-9499.
EPA
Bill Reilly
Administrator
Hank Habicht
Deputy Administrator
Lew Crampton
/i4, Communications,
Education, and Public Affair:
Charlie Osolin
Director
Editorial Services Division
Kym Burke
Editor
Norma Case
Field Editor (May-July)
ERL/Corvalln
Krista Wright
Assistant Editor Quly)
OARM
EDITORIAL BOARD
Labs/Field Offices
Rhoda Ritzenberg, RTP/OSORD
Elaine Sartwell, RTP/HERL
Gloria Koch, RTF/AREA],
Pat Sharpe, RTP/AEERL
Bob Ryans, Athens
Carroll Wills, NEIC
Norma Case, Corvallis
Mike Gruenfeld, Edison
Tom Osberg, Env. Photo
Terry Grady, LV/EMSL
Pati Cooke, Cincinnati
Trudy Oliver, Stennis
Bob Drummond, Duluth
Jan Prager, Narragansett
Betty Jackson, Gulf Breeze
William \Vitson, Gulf of Mex
Charles Petko, Montgomery
Regions
Frank Mclntyre, Region 1
Paul Hedley, Region 2
Carolyn Szumal, Region 3
Norman Black, Region 4
John Rapsys, Region 5
Linda Thompson, Region 6
Rowena Michaels, Region 7
Linda Adams, Region 8
John Duff, Region 9
Jean Baker, Region 10
Headquarters
Betty Wonkovich, AO
Karen Smith, OAR
Craig Hooks, OARM
Robin Grove, OCLA
Sandie Fnedland, OCR
Bill Frank, OE
Wanda Ford, OEX
Craig Annear, OGC
Dale'Medeans, OIA
Tom Maloney, OIG
Edgar Thornton, OPPE
Tom Kean, OPPTS
Mary Wiggmton, ORD
Lew Kerestesy, OROSLR
Scott McMurray, OSWER
Mary Lou Soscia, OWr
DESIGN/EDITORIAL
SERVICES
Steve Delaney, OCEPA
Gilah Langner
Free Hand Press
i
EPAlnStght • July 1992
------- |