Region VII
FY93-96
Strategic Plan
January 1992
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Printed on recycled paper
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Region VII
FY93-96
Strategic Plan
January 1992
Printed on recycled paper
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Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Foundation Principles for Our Strategy 3
Our FY93-96 Strategic Directions 4
• Lead Risk Reduction 7
• Pesticides and Nitrates Risk Reduction 9
• . Toxic Chemical Releases Risk Reduction 11
• Ecosystem Assessment and Protection 13
• State, Tribal, and Local Capacity Building 15
Appendix A Region Vn's Long-Range Goals
Appendix B Region VH's FY93-96 Strategic Planning Process
Appendix C Strategy Summaries for Statutory Implementation
Air and Toxics Division
Waste Management Division
Water Management Division
Environmental Services Division
Office of Policy and Management
Office of Regional Counsel
Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Liaison
Office of Public Affairs
Region VII Ff93-96 Strategic Plan
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Introduction
The diagram on the next page
summarizes our goals, objectives,
and strategic directions.
Effective Implementation of our
statutory mandates Is our top
priority.
Five other strategic action areas
will complement, coordinate, and
strengthen our base programs.
We used a team-oriented, Inter-
governmental approach to develop
our action strategy.
This Plan outlines the strategy Region VII will use to control, reduce,
or eliminate pollution and protect or restore our valuable environmen-
tal resources. Figure 1 summarizes our long-range goals, our environ-
mental strategic objectives for FY93-96, and the "strategic direc-
tions" or action areas we will focus on in that period. Our goals are tied
closely to the ten "Agency Planning Themes" defined by EPA's
Administrator and Deputy Administrator as the underpinning for
strategic planning throughout the Agency. (See Appendix A for more
on the Region's goals).
Our primary objective is to carry out our statutory mandates as
effectively as possible. As we implement our base programs, we also
may engage in other activities that complement, coordinate, and
strengthen those programs. Strategic planning is, for us, a matter of
identifying and choosing among the wide range of areas where we
might focus this additional effort
The objectives listed in Figure 1 reflect the Region's decision on
where, specifically, we want to concentrate additional attention over
the next few years. Our strategic directions restate these objectives as
action areas. The Region will build on its current activities in each of
these areas to develop action-oriented initiatives, ranging from short-
term, immediate-payoff projects to multi-year efforts requiring major
investments of our resources.
The action strategy presented here is the product of a highly partici-
patory process emphasizing team-building and state/EPA coopera-
tion (Appendix B). Multi-disciplinary teams made up of managers
and staff met regularly to perform risk analyses and define potential
risk-reducing projects. Representatives from state environmental,
health, and agricultural agencies were full participants in the teams,
reflecting the Region's commitment to partnership with the states in
; addressing matters of mutual concern to us. EPA senior managers
periodically discussed interim results with their counterparts in the
state agencies to achieve a state/EPA consensus on directions and
priorities.! &
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Figure 1. An Overview of
Region VM's Strategic Plan for FY93-96
The Agency
Planning Themes
Strategic Implementation of Statutory Mandate*
Science/Data: Improving EPA'i Knowledge
..But. •:..-,.- .•• ....:....-,-.,,., .' ; , ..... ...
Pollution Prevention: The Solution of Choice
Geographic Targeting on an Ecosystem Basis
Greater Reliance on Market Mechanisms and
Economic Incentives
Improving Multi-Media Enforcement
Building State and Local Program Capacity
Extending International Cooperation
Education and Outreach
Better Management and Infrastructure
Our Long-Range Goals
Effective implementation of statutory mandates
Capacity for developing and applying sound
scientific data as a basis for environmental
decisions
Reliance on pollution prevention as the preferred
approach to environmental protection
Redaction of risk to health and ecology through
• geographic targeting
Effective use of market and economic incentives,
where appropriate
Cross-program integration, including
mnlti-niedia enforcement
State, tribal, and local capacity sufficient for
environmental analysis and action
Contribution to international cooperation on
environmental It roe*
Education and outreach to the regulated
community, interest groups, and the general
public
A highly-skilled, culturally-diverse workforce in
which creativity and teamwork are valued and
lewaiuco
Productive use of all our resources
Our FY93-96
Strategic Objectives
Implement and enforce all base programs
effectively while at the same time exploring
other environmental approaches, such as
pollution prevention and environmental
education.
Reduce to insignificant levels the risk to human
health from exposure to lead from all sources.
Reduce substantially the risk to human health
and fee environment from exposure to
pesticides and nitrates.
Reduce substantially the risk to human health
and the environment from exposure to toxic
chemicals from planned and accidental releases
into all environmental media.
Assess the status of selected ecological systems
in the Region, and identify geographic areas
where protective or corrective actions are most
needed.
Assist state, tribal, and local government
entities in enhancing their authorities, tools,
and skills for environmental management
Our
Environmental
Vision Statement
Region VII, through an effective partnership with all government entities,
the public, and the regulated community, will strive to achieve continual
improvements toward protecting health and Ae environment
Our FY93-96
Strategic Directions
Statutory Implementation
Lead Risk Reduction
Pesticides and Nitrates Risk Reduction
Toxic Chemical Releases Risk Reduction •
Ecosystem Assessment and Protection
State, Tribal, and Local Capacity Building
Foundation Principles
For Our Strategy
Statutory Implementation and
Support
Total Quality
intergovernmental Cooperation
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Foundation Principles
For Our Strategy
Implementation of Our
Statutory Mandates
Total Quality
Intergovernmental
Cooperation
Three fundamental tenets underlie and support all that the Region
does. They are strong currents that run through all of our activities, the
foundation principles for our FY93-96 strategy and beyond.
• Everything we do supports, directly or indirectly, our main reason
for being, which is to implement and supervise the environmental
protection programs established through Congressional legislation
over the last twenty years. Our efforts to reduce health and ecological
risks will include cross-media approaches such as pollution preven-
tion and environmental education. These approaches complement
and strengthen our base programs. We will continue to carry out fully
our regulatory, remedial, and enforcement responsibilities in con-
junction with our states, while also looking for ways to improve these
efforts through risk-based targeting, selective reallocation of re-
sources, and cross-media cooperation. Appendix C summarizes the
FY93-96 statutory implementation strategy for each .Region Vn
division and office.
• To do the very best job we can for our "customers," we are striving
for continuous improvements in our work. We will continue to devote
a great deal of energy to developing a highly-skilled, quality-con-
scious management and staff that reflects our Nation's cultural
diversity. We will continue to streamline our work processes, using
productivity-enhancing tools such as computers and advanced tele-
communications systems where appropriate. We also will pursue new
efficiencies through program integration and collaboration with our
partner agencies at all levels of government
• As we begin to focus more attention on nonpoint source pollution,
habitat destruction, and other difficult issues, it becomes clearer than
ever before that no single agency has the authority, the resources, or
the know-how to tackle such challenges alone. Effective environmen-
tal management requires a partnership between EPA, state and local
agencies, other federal agencies, Indian tribes, and other government
entities with a stake in environmental protection and resource man-
agement. We are exploring creative and flexible methods for promot-
ing intergovernmental teamwork in studying problems, identifying
priorities, resolving conflicts, and selecting and implementing solutions.
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Our FY93-96 Strategic Directions
Our strategic planning asked:
Whew sfcould we focus to get the
- highest payoff from our
resources?
We performed a comparative risk
analysis to prioritize our
environmental challenges.
We found that the residual risks
are very high In three areas,
among others;
Lead Contamination
Pesticides and Nitrates
Toxic Chemical Releases
Environmental managers at the federal and state level are faced with
a widening array of pollution prevention and control challenges,
ranging from short-term, localized problems with a single facility to
long-term, widespread problems with a Region-wide or even global
impact No organization can address all of these challenges with equal
emphasis. Our goal for strategic planning was to identify a manage-
able number of areas where we can focus our efforts in the next few
years, in addition to our on-going work to fulfill our Congressional
mandates, with confidence that these are among the highest-payoff
uses for our resources.
A vital element of our planning process, therefore, was a wide-ranging
comparative risk analysis in which we identified the most serious
threats to human health and the environment that remain despite the
continued operation of our current pollution control programs. We
based our analysis of these "residual risks" on the recommendations
of EPA's Science Advisory Board in their landmark 1990 report,
Reducing Risk: Setting Priorities and Strategies for Environmental
Protection. We concluded that the risks are very high for three
environmental problems we face in this Region. -
• Lead Contamination. Lead can be very toxic, especially to
children. Although more data on Region Vn exposure and effects are
needed, information from other parts of the country makes us reason-
ably sure that many of our residents also are at risk from lead in paint,
urban soil and dust, plumbing systems, and other sources. Moreover,
the Region contains the largest lead ore deposits in the world and has
led the nation in lead mining and refining for decades. Four primary
smelters and the largest lead-acid battery recycling facility in the
country are located in the Region.
• Pesticides and Nitrates. Two-thirds of Region VIT s land surface
is farmland, making us EPA's most heavily agricultural Region. An
estimated 6.8 million people in the Region are exposed to the herbi-
cide atrazine in the water they drink, and applicators, farmers, and
even urban homeowners risk acute exposure from pesticide mishan-
dling and accidents. Nitrates have been found in groundwater through-
out the Region, posing a potential health threat to infants in families
that get their drinking water from affected aquifers.
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Three strategic directions emerged
from our comparative risk analysis:
Lead Risk Reduction
Pesticides and Nitrates
Risk Reduction
Toxic Chemical Releases
Risk Reduction
• Toxic Chemical Releases. Releases of toxic chemicals are
commonplace in our industrial areas, as they are throughout the
country. Data from EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) indicate,
for example, that at least 440 million pounds of TRI-reportable toxics
were released by manufacturers in our Region in 1988, a figure that
accounts for only a fraction of all planned releases and does not
include all accidental releases. Public concern over the health effects
of toxic chemicals has grown rapidly in the past few years, due in part
to the industry-reported information now available through the TRI.
Our comparative risk analysis indicates that we can get the most out
of our available resources, in terms of reducing the overall danger to
health and ecology in the Region, by increasing our efforts on these
three "risk reduction opportunities" (RROs). We have designated
these high-risk target areas as co-equal strategic directions for FY93-96:
Lead Risk Reduction, Pesticides and Nitrates Risk Reduction, and
Toxic Chemical Releases Risk Reduction.
The Region's senior management identified other areas for high-
water
Management
FY93-96 Strategic Directions
Statutory Implementation
Lead Risk Reduction
Pesticides and Nitrates Risk Reduction
Toxic Chemical Releases Risk Reduction
Ecosystem Assessment and Protection
State, Tribal, and Local Capacity Building
Waste
Management
Congressional &
Intergovernmental
Liaison
Policy and
Management
Regional
Counsel
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Senior management also selected
two otker strategic directions:
Ecosystem Assessment
and Protection
State, Tribal, and Local
Capacity Budding
priority attention. Through a series of consensus-building meetings
and forums, they determined that two additional strategic directions
should be added to the three risk reduction objectives.
• Ecosystem Assessment and Protection. Habitat alteration ranked
high as a problem area in the Region's comparative risk analysis, and
Region Vn has placed increasing emphasis on protecting ecological
resources. Our Environmental Services Division, Office of Policy and
Management, and Water Management Division are working on
pioneering projects to develop "environmental indicators" to gauge
changes in the health of our Region's ecosystems, to develop a
computer-based geographic inventory of the Region's wetlands, and
to manage watershedprotection approaches including the Platte River
and Central Ryway Initiatives.
n
State, Tribal, and Local Capacity Building. Our strong partner-
ships with state, tribal, and local government entities are an essential
ingredient in the transfer of experience and technology between
agencies. We continue to work together to develop and maintain
successful programs in meeting our statutory requirements and ad-
dressing risk areas of concern. In selecting State, Tribal and Local
Capacity Building as an FY 93-96 Strategic Direction, our Senior
Staff highlighted the Region's continuing commitment to enhance the
financial and technical assistance we provide to our state and local
partners.
In the remainder of this plan, we describe each of the five strategic
directions in more detail and outline some of the FY93-96 activities
we will undertake.
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FY93-96 Strategic Direction:
Lead Risk Reduction
Objective
Background
Examples of
FY93-96 Activity Areas
Reduce to insignficant levels the risk to human health from expo-
sure to lead from all sources.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can produce a variety of adverse
health effects at relatively low levels of exposure, particularly in
children. Sources of lead contamination are ubiquitous, including
lead-based paint, urban soil and dust contaminated by lead from
gasoline and other sources, pipes and fixtures in residential plumbing
systems, air and water releases by lead-handling industries, and many
others. Missouri has been the center of the U.S. lead mining and
refining industry for over a century, adding complexity to the lead-
related problems we face in Region Vn. At the national level, EPA is
participating in, and in many cases leading, inter-agency activities in
the areas of research, abatement, regulation, pollution prevention, and
public information.
Region VII will participate actively in the Agency's National Lead
Strategy, in collaboration with other government agencies such as the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Centers for
Disease Control, and state and local public health organizations. In
addition, we will attempt to identify all significant sources of lead in
the Region that contribute to human exposure and take steps to
minimize that exposure.
The Region Vn Risk Reduction Opportunity Team on lead contami-
nation collected information on the relative risks associated with lead
from a wide variety of sources. The Team focused on particular source
types in the analysis stage of their work. They then recommended a
geographic targeting approach in which coordinated multi-media,
multi-agency action is directed toward all of the specific sources of
lead affecting a given area. Activities proposed by the Team include:
• Identification of geographic areas in the Region where people are
being exposed to high concentrations of lead.
• Preparation of a risk reduction plan for each targeted area that will
reduce exposure of children such that an average blood lead level
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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below 10 jig/dl is achieved. These plans will include a combina-
tion of activities in areas such as outreach and education, recycling
programs, regulatory and enforcement coordination, and addi-
tional data collection and analysis.
Monitoring the environmental and blood lead concentrations in
each targeted area to document the effectiveness of the risk
reduction activities.
Conducting a general public information campaign, in conjunc-
tion with other federal, state, and local organizations, to acquaint
as many people as possible with the sources and risks of lead
exposure and how they can minimize these risks.
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FY93-96 Strategic Direction:
Pesticides and Nitrates Risk Reduction
Objective
Background
Examples of
FY93-96 Activity Areas
Reduce substantially the risk to human health and the environment
from exposure to pesticides and nitrates.
Two-thirds of Region Vfl's land surface is farmland—the largest
proportion of any EPA Region. Almost 70,000 tons of pesticide active
ingredients and about seven million tons of fertilizer are applied to the
122 million acres of farmland in the Region every year. These
substances are indispensable to agricultural productivity and thus to
our economic well-being, but they also pose risks to health and
ecology.
Atrazine, an herbicide used on corn, has been detected in surface
water in many locations in the Region. Nitrates have been detected in
groundwater throughout the Region, often at levels above the national
drinking water standard.
In mid-1991, a Region VQ Risk Reduction Opportunity Team con-
ducted a detailed examination of the risks associated with pesticide
and nitrate use. The Team has proposed several activity areas for
FY93-96, including:
• Outreach to agricultural applicators (including farmers and their
families as well as professional applicators) to promote safer
practices in handling, storing, and disposing of pesticides and
containers.
• Identification of watersheds most impacted by atrazine contami-
nation, and development of Best Management Practices to reduce
atrazine use.
• Development of materials for schoolchildren on the risks and
benefits of pesticide and nitrate use, focusing on protecting the
environment.
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Identification of geographic areas at greatest ecological risk from
pesticide contamination, with emphasis on habitats of threatened
and endangered species, and development of comprehensive risk
reduction plans for each targeted area.
Submittal of a formal proposal for Agency research on the long-
term ecological effects of pesticides.
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FY93-96 Strategic Direction:
Toxic Chemical Releases Risk Reduction
Objective
Background
Examples of
FY93-96 Activity Areas
Reduce substantially the risk to human health and the environment
from exposure to toxic chemicals from planned and accidental
releases into all environmental media.
Toxic chemicals from industrial and commercial use are routinely
released into the air and water and disposed of on the land throughout
the Region. Data from EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and
other sources show sizable releases of many substances known to
have adverse human health effects. For example, in 1988,440 million
pounds of TRI-reportable substances were released by Region VII
sources. Accidental spills of toxic substances (from transport ve-
hicles or storage structures, for example) are much less common, but
when they do occur they can pose a high risk to nearby workers and
residents because of the high concentrations often involved.
Region VII has made it a high priority to reduce the composite risk
from intentional and accidental toxic releases. For example, in col-
laboration with state and local agencies, we are aggressively pursuing
voluntary reductions by industries in or near several of our larger
cities as part of EPA's nationwide "33/50" effort to reduce TRI-
substance releases by 33% by the end of 1992 and 50% by the end of
1995. Our activities in this area go well beyond the national 33/50
targets by including voluntary reduction of all chemicals reported into
the TRI.
The Region VII Risk Reduction Opportunity Team on toxic chemical
releases examined additional ways in which the Region can reduce
exposures during the next few years. The Team developed a computer
model for using TRI data to rank facilities, chemicals, or geographic
areas according to the composite risk they pose to human populations.
The Region will use the Toxics Release Inventory Geographical Risk
Analysis System (TIGRAS), a successor to the teams' model, to help
enhance our 33/50 projects and other program-based and multi-media
activities.
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Other FY93-96 activities proposed by the Team include:
• Reduction of health risk and ozone formation from gasoline
vapors through outreach and voluntary efforts of industry.
• Identification of potential cause-effect relationships between se-
lected toxic chemicals and human illness and between certain
chemicals and ecological degradation.
• Creation of a data base to track accidental spills of toxic chemicals
in the Region, providing a common point of access for data from
local and state emergency response data bases.
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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FY93-96 Strategic Direction:
Ecosystem Assessment and Protection
Objective
Background
Examples of
FY93-96 Activity Areas
Assess the status of selected ecological systems in the Region, and
identify geographic areas where protective and corrective actions
are most needed.
Recent years have brought growing recognition that human health
and welfare are inextricably related to fragile ecological systems and
processes, and that ecological resources have intrinsic value in their
own right. The Agency as a whole is now devoting increasing
attention to protecting scarce habitats from human harm and restoring
valuable ecological resources, such as wetlands, that have been
damaged by decades of stress. We also are beginning to develop more
sophisticated ways of gauging the health of complex ecological
systems and then tracking their condition over time to see the impacts
of various forms of pollution and to measure the effectiveness of our
corrective actions.
Region VTI demonstrates a strong commitment to ecological protec-
tion by promoting ecological data integration from all programs. To
facilitate the integration, we are applying Geographic information
System (GIS) technology in several ways, including the creation of a
GIS-based wetlands inventory for the Region. We are developing
"environmental indicators" to assess ecological conditions and
progress, particularly for aquatic ecosystems. The Region has an
agencywide leadership responsibility in issues interfacing water and
agriculture, especially in the area of agricultural nonpoint sources
which impact both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We will also
support the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
(EMAP), a nationwide effort to measure and track ecological health.
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Platte River
Ecosystem Management
and Enforcement Initiative
Central Flyway Initiative
Environmental Risk Analysis
In FY93-96 the Region also will continue to build on the foundation
we have already established in three geographically-focused, ecologi-
cally-oriented initiatives:
• Thegoalofthisproject,beguninFY91,istomaintainandenhance
environmental and human health in the Platte River Basin of
Nebraska through multi-media, multi-agency action to protect
surface water and groundwater quality. A state/EPA workgroup is
now identifying and prioritizing threats to water quality from all
sources. Next steps will include integrated regulation, enforce-
ment, pollution prevention, and outreach activities to resolve the
most severe problems, incorporating indicator-based tracking of
water quality improvements.
• We will accelerate our efforts to ensure the ecological integrity of
this broad migratory pathway for waterfowl and other birds,
which includes Kansas and Nebraska. We will participate in a
multi-Region, risk-based analysis of environmentally sensitive
habitats in the flyway and will work with other organizations to
define protective or corrective actions where needed. Pollution
prevention, including conservation approaches, and environmen-
tal education will be the methods of choice.
• We will continue our efforts to develop sophisticated risk models
for geographic targeting. Our ongoing projects in this area include
refining and applying our Synoptic Risk Model, which assesses
the risk of functional loss for a specified ecosystem type due to
specific stressors. Another model we are developing, the Toxics
Release Inventory Geographic Risk Analysis System (TIGRAS),
is aimed primarily at human risk analysis but will have some
corollary benefit for ecological assessment as well. This model
estimates the risk for a specified geographic area based on
emissions information from EPA's Toxics Release Inventory.
Another regional effort, known as the Tri-State project, employs
remote sensing techniques linked with GIS and intensively moni-
tored watersheds to model the effects of nonpoint source pollution
on aquatic systems.
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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FY93-96 Strategic Direction:
State, Tribal, and Local Capacity Building
Objective
Background
Assist state, tribal, and local governmental entities in enhancing
their authorities, tools, and stalls for environmental management.
The complexity of our remaining challenges and the leveling off of
federal resources for environmental protection have made us realize
that we cannot do it all ourselves. We are developing strong partner-
ships with state, tribal, and local government entities, which often are
closer to the problems and the constituencies involved than we are. As
a part of this collaboration, we are looking for ways to share our own
expertise in identifying, analyzing, and acting upon environmental
problems. In the next four years, we will continue to promote the
transfer of knowledge and technology that will assist our partner
agencies in environmental decision making.
The Region will maintain and enlarge our commitment to providing
or supporting training for state staff in subjects of value in environ-
mental program management and support, including training in
technical and management topics and laboratory certification proce-
dures. We will continue and expand our current efforts to increase the
ability of small communities to comply with the many legislative
requirements that pertain to them. Capitalizing on the initial steps we
have already taken, we will assist state agencies in encouraging
development of state legislation that is "environmentally friendly."
Data development and management will be a major focus of our
capacity-building efforts over the next few years. We will continue
within the framework of the State/EPA Data Management Program
(SEDM) to increase the interaction between state and Regional staffs
and to provide training in the use of EPA data systems and modeling
tools. We also will accelerate the transfer of key information tech-
nologies such as geographic information systems and the Global
Positioning System to our state and local partners. Through distribu-
tion of SEDM grant funds, we will promote multi-media data integra-
tion andrisk analysis projects that enhance state and/or local decision-
making.
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Examples of
FY93-96 Activity Areas
Provide continuing access to a variety of technical and adminis-
trative information and training to assist state and local officials in
decision making.
Expand existing technology transfer and other programs to pro-
vide support, and promote the "train-the-trainer" approach for
maximum efficiency.
Coordinate delivery of information on pending and newly enacted
legislation to assist state and local governments in planning and
compliance efforts.
Increase the level of effort supporting state and local initiatives
involving legislation at the state level.
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Appendix A
Region Vll's Long-Range Goals
The Region's long-range goals
correspond to the Agencywide
planning themes.
Our long-range goals are broad statements of what we wish to achieve
in the long run through the accumulated effect of many short-run
accomplishments. As the table below shows, these Regional goals are
tied closely to the ten Agency Planning Themes articulated by the
Administrator and his staff over the last few months as the framework
for EPA's "strategic direction."
We already have made significant progress in each of these areas, and
our efforts will continue and expand during the next four years. This
appendix elaborates on each of the goals and lists highlights of
relevant Region VII activities.
Agency Planning Theme
Region VII Goal Statement
Strategic Implementation of Statutory Mandates
Science/Data: Improving EPA's Knowledge Base
Pollution Prevention: The Solution of Choice
Geographic Targeting on an Ecosystem Basis
Greater Reliance on Market Mechanisms and
Economic Incentives
Improving Multi-Media Enforcement
Building State and Local Program Capacity
Extending International Cooperation
Education and Outreach
Better Management and Infrastructure
Effective implementation of statutory mandates
Capacity for developing and applying sound scientific data as a
basis for environmental decisions
Reliance on pollution prevention as the preferred approach to
environmental protection
Reduction of risk to health and ecology through geographic
targeting
Effective use of market and economic incentives, where appro-
priate
Cross-program integration, including multi-media enforcement
State, tribal, and local capacity sufficient for environmental
analysis and action
Contribution to international cooperation on environmental
issues
Education and outreach to the regulated community, interest
groups, and the general public
A highly-skilled, culturally-diverse workforce in which
creativity and teamwork are valued and rewarded
Productive use of all our resources
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
Effective implementation of statutory mandates
Strategic Implementation of Statutory Mandates
Everything we do supports, directly or indirectly, our main reason for
being, which is to implement and supervise the environmental
protection programs established through Congressional legislation
over the last twenty years. Many of our other goals reflect our
expansion of this job to include non-regulatory approaches such as
pollution prevention and environmental education. These approaches
complement and strengthen our base programs. In Region VII, we
will continue to fully carry out our regulatory and remedial respon-
sibilities in conjunction with our states, while also looking for ways
to improve our efforts through risk-based targeting, selective reallo-
cation of resources, and cross-media cooperation.
Implementation of early reduction requirements under Title in of
the Clean Air Act Amendments
Implementation of 28 new Maximum Contaminant Levels for
drinking water
Multi-media inspection and enforcement for manufacturers and
recyclers of lead-acid batteries
Incorporation of the newly adopted toxic water quality standards
into water discharge permits for states in the Region.
Identification of wetlands that may fall under federal regulation
(the Rainwater Basin Advanced Identification project).
Implementation of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Criteria and
RCRA Air Emission Standards.
Field implementation of plans to protect both agricultural workers
and groundwater from pesticides.
Development of an integrated approach to coordinate with other
applicable regulatory programs on investigations and cleanups of
NPL sites.
A-2
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
Capacity for developing and applying sound scientific data as a
basis for environmental decisions
Science/Data: Improving EPA's Knowledge Base
Nothing is more important to our integrity and effectiveness than
basing our actions on scientific understanding and factual data. In
Region VII, we are enhancing our capabilities for gathering sound
data and for analyzing and interpreting it appropriately. The Region
is a leader in the use of statistics to design monitoring networks and
to interpret the data from those networks, in evaluating how well
samples represent the media from which they were collected, in the
development and use of real-time field measurements such as the
longpath infrared system, and in the use of modern analytical tools
including matrix isolation infrared and high-resolution mass spec-
troscopy. Information technologies, including Geographic Informa-
tion Systems (CIS), are playing an increasingly important role in
helping us visualize the implications of the data we collect.
Development of environmental indicators for the Plane River
ecological management and enforcement initiative
Use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy monitoring for
volatile organic compounds
Use of the Global Positioning System for locational data accuracy
Development of the Toxics Release Inventory Geographical Risk
Analysis System (TIGRAS)
Development of a synoptic, ecological risk screening model for
geographic targeting of wetlands protection efforts
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
Reliance on pollution prevention as the preferred approach to
environmental protection
Pollution Prevention — The Solution of Choice
EPA's regulatory approach to pollution abatement has been very
effective in the last 20 years, but significant environmental risks
remain in the form of residue disposal, cross-media transfer, and the
aggregate effects of multiple permitted discharges. Major new gains
in environmental quality can be achieved through reducing or elimi-
nating pollution at its source. Region VII has devoted increasing effort
to such pollution prevention approaches as recycling, product substi-
tution, and voluntary waste reduction.
Seven demonstration and outreach projects to reduce agricultural
chemical contamination of surface water and groundwater through
Best Management Practices and use reduction
Development of K-12 materials for pollution prevention educa-
tion on source reduction and recycling
Small business pollution prevention grant to McCollister Com-
pany in Council Bluffs, Iowa resulting in development of a
process to recycle used lubricants
Geographically-oriented "33/50" industrial toxics reduction
projects in Wichita, Kansas City, St Louis, Des Moines, and four
other metropolitan areas in the Region
Pesticide container recycling programs in Iowa and Nebraska
with joint efforts between state agencies, pesticide and agricul-
tural organizations, and private and commercial applicators
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Region VII Ff93-96 Strategic Plan
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
Reduction of risk to health and ecology through geographic targeting
Geographic Targeting on an Ecosystem Basis
In a 1990 report, EPA's Science Advisory Board strongly urged the
Agency to target its environmental protection efforts on the basis of
opportunities for the greatest risk reduction, attaching as much
importance to reducing ecological risks as to reducing human health
risks. Building on the start we made with the Comparative Risk
Analysis project, Region VII will increasingly incorporate risk as-
sessment in our environmental management decisions. We are now
developing data and methods to help us identify geographic "hot
spots" where our efforts can bring about the greatest reduction in
ecological and health risks.
Delaware River watershed atrazine reduction project
Creation of a CIS-based Regional wetlands inventory
Development of the Toxics Release Inventory Geographic Risk
Analysis System (TIGRAS), which targets geographic areas
where releases of specified toxic chemicals pose the greatest risk
to human health
Development of an ecological risk model that targets landscape
units based on the estimated risk of loss of ecological function due
to specified stresses
Establishing a watershed-based approach to water quality man-
agement, integrating point and nonpoint source controls in a more
holistic manner (we are taking this approach, for example, in the
Platte River Ecosystem Management and Enforcement Initiative)
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
Effective use of market and economic incentives, where appropriate
Greater Reliance on Market Mechanisms and Economic Incentives
As traditional regulatory controls reach the limit of their effective-
ness, EPA is exploring ways to harness the vast power of market
forces to encourage pollution reduction and prevention. The Agency
is promoting the development of economic incentives, such as fees
and rebates, and market mechanisms, including product labeling
schemes and tradeable pollution credits, to make environmentally
responsible behavior consistent with the competitive pressures of a
market economy. The 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act, for
example, allow companies that achieve more than the required
reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions to sell their "pollution credits"
to companies that find it more profitable to purchase such credits than
to reduce their emissions by the required amount In Region VII, we
have begun to examine other uses of market forces, for example in the
public-private partnerships we are establishing to reduce toxic chemi-
cal releases in our major urban areas.
A Recycled Products Procurement Conference to encourage
development and use of markets for recycled materials by Kansas
City-area government facilities, industry, and commercial business
Allocation of a portion of Missouri's solid waste tonnage fee to
provide incentives to cities and private industry to reduce solid
waste and encourage recycling
Kansas incentive program to encourage cities and private industry
to establish household hazardous waste collection facilities and to
develop marketable uses for old tires
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
Cross-program integration, including multi-media enforcement
Improving Multi-media Enforcement
Effective reduction of environmental risks often involves more than
one of our media programs. Cross-program collaboration is needed to
bring our full expertise to bear in devising responses to multi-media
challenges such as lead contamination, agricultural runoff, and indus-
trial toxic releases. Multi-media enforcement—one important aspect
of cross-program integration—ensures that we take a comprehensive
look at the waste stream from regulated facilities and industry sectors.
The Region will continue to devise organizational "bridges" that
make it easier to coordinate our individual programs.
Schuylkill lead smelter enforcement (air and water programs,
RCRA, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, with
participation by the Office of Regional Counsel)
Our Multi-Media Inspection Group, consisting of deputy division
directors, compliance section chiefs, inspectors, and attorneys,
has held meetings for over a year to implement and then improve
our multi-media enforcement program
Coordinated Superfund/TSCA enforcement of PCB requirements
for natural gas pipeline operators
Joint Waste Management/Water Management/Environmental
Service Division efforts, in conjunction with USDA, to address
contamination of drinking water sources by carbon tetrachloride
once used as a fumigant in USDA-owned grain storage bins
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
State, tribal, and local capacity sufficient for environmental
analysis and action
Building State and Local Program Capacity
The complexity of our remaining challenges and the leveling off of
federal resources for environmental protection have made us realize
that we cannot do it all ourselves. We are developing strong partner-
ships with state, tribal, and local government agencies, which often
are closer to the problems and the constituencies involved than we are.
As a part of this collaboration, we are looking for ways to share our
own expertise in identifying, analyzing, and acting upon environmen-
tal problems. In the next four years, we will continue to promote the
transfer of knowledge and technology that will assist our partner
agencies in environmental decision making.
Preparation of multi-media inspection and case development
training materials for state agencies
Technical assistance to help Indian tribes become more know-
ledgeable in dealing with a broad range of environmental issues
using multi-media approaches, with particular emphasis on solid
waste and groundwater protection
Financial support and quarterly meetings with state staff to ensure
continuous improvement of state IRM capabilities and compat-
ibility with Regional systems
Advice and assistance to help states facing statutory barriers to the
Clean Air Act Amendments to draft legislation to overcome them
Initiated a state/federal effort involving seminars on environmen-
tal laws and regulations for small community officials
Consolidation of State Grant Reviews which enable EPA and
grant recipients to focus jointly on the management requirements
of all financial assistance agreements and assess the recipient's
ability to meet EPA's procurement, financial, property, and
general management requirements
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
Contribution to international cooperation on environmental issues
Extending International Cooperation
Many environmental problems are international, even global, in
scope, and EPA is taking a leadership role in efforts to understand and
resolve them. The Agency's general goals include protecting the
global atmosphere, which may be threatened by greenhouse gases,
ozone depletion, and transboundary air pollution; protecting marine
and polar environments from threats such as waste dumping and oil
spills; conserving species, habitats, and ecosystems; encouraging
sustainable development; and sharing our information and expertise
on pollution remediation and reduction. Region Vn is taking the lead
on agriculture-related environmental policy. We will play a major
role in international education and outreach, sharing our knowledge
in areas such as integrated pest management, groundwater protection,
and the vital role of wetlands in agricultural ecosystems.
Coordination with EPA's Office of International Activities and
Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation to create a comprehen-
sive package of support for central and eastern European countries
on environmentally sound agricultural practices
Initiating an effort including demonstration projects (most likely
in Poland) to show environmental benefits and agricultural
sustainability of low-cost technologies such as filter strips and
low-impact tillage for erosion control, reduced infiltration and
runoff control for livestock areas, and other Best Management
Practices for agricultural production
Preparation of a fact sheet on new rules governing motor vehicle
air conditioning, aimed at reducing the release of chlorofluorocar-
bons
Providing the Region Vll-produced leaflet, "A Citizen's Look at
Superfund," to Russian scientists for translation and possible use
in their country
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
Education and outreach to the regulated community, interest
groups, and the general public
Education and Outreach
Environmental quality is the product of hundreds of millions of
decisions made by individuals. Environmental protection is largely a
matter of influencing these decisions and thereby altering the behav-
iors that result EPA is taking many steps to increase environmental
awareness in the business community and the public at large and to
ensure that these decision makers are well informed about environ-
mental issues and solutions. We also have come to recognize the
importance of seeking out knowledge and opinions from these con-
stituencies and incorporating this information in our own decisions.
In Region Vn, we are committed to education and outreach through
a wide variety of channels, and we will continue to expand and
improve our activities in this crucial aspect of our work.
Establishing the National Environmental Education and Training
Center with the University of Kansas to provide leadership in
environmental education, teacher training, and professional de-
velopment
Creation of a course and presentations on household hazardous
waste
A Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program to increase citizen knowl-
edge and involvement in protecting water quality
Developing presentations for air emitters that are most likely to be
able to benefit from the early-reduction provisions of Tide in of
the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
Preparation of educational flyers and using local news media to
promote participation in pesticide container recycling programs
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
A highly-skilled, culturally-diverse workforce in which
creativity and teamwork are valued and rewarded
Better Management and Infrastructure
People are indeed our most important resource. To achieve our other
goals, we must attract, develop, and retain the necessary number of
people with the abilities and commitment to carry us through the
challenges we face. We will continue to devote a great deal of energy
to developing a highly-skilled, dedicated management and staff that
reflects our nation's cultural diversity. We are working daily to create
a workplace in which cooperation is the rule, in which creativity and
constructive risk-taking are rewarded, and in which each employee
can feel that he or she is making a valuable contribution.
Creation of Quality Councils in each division and office to select
quality improvement projects from the candidates nominated
Formation of cross-divisional Quality Action Teams to improve
the timeliness of Administrative Order and Action Memo pro-
cessing in the Superfund removal program and to reduce turn-
around time for civil actions on TSCA and FIFRA cases
Establishment of a Personal Education Achievement Center con-
taining written, video, and computer-based resources for em-
ployee self-training
Heavy reliance on cross-divisional, multidisciplinary teams for
comparative risk analysis and strategic planning
Facilitation of meetings between Region Vn staff and other
federal, state, and local agencies to address wetlands issues and to
coordinate efforts
Improvement of the Region's ability to attract and maintain
minorities and women through efforts of the Branch Chiefs'
Recruitment Council
Training and internal publicity on cultural diversity provided by
the Region's Federal Women's Program subcommittee on diversity
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Region VII Goal Statement
Corresponding Agency Theme
Goal Description
Highlights of
Current Region VII Activities
Productive use of all our resources
Better Management and Infrastructure
We want to do the very best job we can for our "customers." In
everything we do in the Region, we strive for continuous improve-
ments in the quality of this service. In an era of complex challenges
and limited resources, advances in quality often must come through
"working smarter" with the resources we have instead of relying on
budget increases to lighten the growing workload. In the next few
years, we will continue to streamline our work processes and use
productivity-enhancing tools such as computers and advanced tele-
communications systems. We also will achieve productivity gains in
"low-tech" ways—for example, finding new efficiencies through
program integration and inter-agency cooperation.
Use of "site specific" contracts to clean up Superfund sites, which
saved EPA over $1,000,000 in FY91
Improvements in communications and management efficiency
through establishing a Publications Distribution Center, a central
records management f acility, a videoconferencing center, and, for
the general public, a document viewing room
An increased emphasis on contract management by surveying
direct costs attributed to ARCs and training employees, both at a
general awareness level, which is mandatory for all employees,
and in detailed training for employees involved in managing
contracts directly
Development of a Region-wide Information Resources Man-
agement strategic plan
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Appendix B
Region Vll's FY93-96 Strategic Planning Process
Stage 1:
Comparative Risk Analysis
Region VH developed its FY93-96 Strategic Plan through a highly
structured process lasting more than a year. The process contained
four stages: Comparative Risk Analysis, Selection of Risk Reduction
Priorities, Definition of Risk Reduction Initiatives, and Selection of
Other Strategic Directions. We made extensive efforts in all phases of
the process to ensure broad participation and foster ownership among
the Regional and state staff involved. This appendix summarizes our
planning activities, which we view as the first round of an iterative
process.
A major goal of strategic planning in the Region, and ultimately of all
our activities, is to bring about significant reductions in the risks to
human health and environmental quality in this four-state area. In
1990, we conducted a project to identify the environmental challenges
facing this part of the country, examine the nature of the "residual
risks"—both to human health and to the environment—associated
with each one (risks still remaining after existing regulatory controls
have been fully applied), and prioritize them according to their degree
of risk.
In Region VII, we organized "Media Teams" to examine the relative
risks of the environmental problems pertinent to each of our program
divisions—Air and Toxics, Waste Management, and Water Manage-
ment The three 15-member Media Teams first defined environmen-
tal problem areas specific to their programs. Then, using stressor/
receptor worksheets and methodological guidance developed in-
house, they examined each of these areas in detail, combining avail-
able data and professional judgment to produce a relative rating—
High, Medium, or Low —of its risk. Separate ratings were produced
for human health and ecological risk. The Media Teams also identi-
fied major data gaps or research needs that should be addressed to
improve the confidence level of the risk analyses.
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
B-l
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Summary of Consensus
Problem Area Ratings
From Region VH's 1990
Comparative Risk Analysis
V
To provide a cross-media perspective on risks and to lay the founda-
tion for strategic planning, the Region convened a "Comparative Risk
and Planning Conference" in September 1990. A principal objective
of this three-day meeting was to merge the Media Team rankings into
a cross-media prioritization. More than 100 people attended the
conference, including the Regional Administrator, Deputy and Assis-
tant Regional Administrators, Division and Office Directors, numer-
ous program office and administrative office staff, environmental
managers and analysts from state agencies, and several members of
the academic community. The Comparative Risk and Planning Con-
ference produced the consensus prioritizations shown in the table
below. Responsibility for carrying the risk-based planning process
forward was assigned to a council made up of the Region Vn Deputy
Division Directors.
RESIDUAL
RISK
RATING
ECOLOGICAL
HUMAN HEALTH
HIGH
Agricultural Practices and Pesticide Pollution
Habitat Alteration
Large-Scale Atmospheric Pollution
Lead Contamination From All Sources
Agricultural Practices and Pesticide Pollution
Ambient Air Quality, Including Air Toxics
Indoor Air Pollution, Including Radon
Toxic Chemicals
Large-Scale Atmospheric Pollution
MEDIUM
Solid and Liquid Municipal and Industrial
Wastes
Resource Extraction, Including Lead and
Zinc Hazardous Waste Sites
Active and Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites
Ambient Air Quality, Including Air Toxics
Drinking Water System Contaminants
(Additions From Systems)
Solid and Liquid Municipal and Industrial
Wastes
Active and Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites
Underground Storage Tanks and Petroleum
Product Spills and Leaks
LOW
Underground Storage Tanks and Petroleum
Product Spills and Leaks
Toxic Chemicals
Radiation
Naturally Occurring Contaminants
Resource Extraction, Including Lead and
Zinc Hazardous Waste Sites
Radiation
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Stage 2: Selection of
Risk Reduction Priorities
The Deputy Division Directors Council (DDDC) met several times
between September 1990 and February 1991 to devise a general
approach and develop a schedule of activities for our strategic
planning process. Members of the DDDC agreed that the Region
should select one or more environmental management challenges to
be the subject of intensive, cross-media strategic initiatives imple-
mented by the Regional Office and its partner agencies. The focus
areas would constitute high-priority risk reduction opportunities
(RROs) for the Region, using as a foundation the analysis performed
in the Comparative Risk Analysis.
The DDDC held a day-long work session with representatives from
two states to identify candidate RROs and to rank them in priority
order. Using the following criteria, the workgroup narrowed its
original list of 41 candidates to nine RROs.
• Consensus Rating in Comparative Risk Analysis (H-M-L)
• Value Added From a Multi-Media Strategy
• Are Existing or Planned Activities Inadequate? (EPA and Others)
• Is Risk Reduction Feasible/Achievable?
• Is Risk Reduction Measurable?
• Valued Added by Multi-Organization Participation
• Especially Relevant to Region Vn?
The Regional Administrator and his Senior Staff then presented the
final nine RRO candidates to state office directors at a forum in
Kansas City. The discussions focused on the feasibility of achieving
measurable risk reductions in one or more of the areas, and on what
type of assistance the states would need from EPA to enable them to
participate in the specific risk reduction initiatives to be defined later.
The group achieved consensus on three RROs—the risk reduction
opportunities the Region and the states agreed are top priorities for
FY93:
Lead Contamination From All Sources
Pesticides and Nitrates
Toxic Chemical Releases to Any Environmental Medium
Region VII Ff93-96 Strategic Plan
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Stage 3: Definition of
Risk Reduction Initiatives
The Region then formed three "RRO Teams" to examine the RROs in
detail and identify specific initiatives. The 20-member teams were
multi-disciplinary, bringing together the appropriate backgrounds
and skills from all of the EPA and state media programs involved and
from all relevant functional areas, such as regulation, research,
enforcement, and data management Each RRO Team chose its own
organizational structure, approach, and meeting schedule. The teams
met in Kansas City several times between May and October 1991, and
individual members devoted extensive time on their own to gathering
information and performing analysis that contributed to their team's
work.
Each RRO Team first segmented its focus area into "risk targets"
representing the specific problems or threats contributing to the
overall risk in that area. For example, the seven major risk targets for
the Pesticides and Nitrates RRO included Nitrates in Drinking Water,
Occupational Exposure to Pesticides, and Stress to Threatened or
Endangered Species From Pesticides. Team members researched
each risk target to find information on the nature and extent of the risks
posed to human and ecological health. Based on this information and
collective professional judgment reflecting the cross-section of ex-
pertise on the team, they then prioritized the risk targets according to
the potential payoff of risk reduction efforts. With minor variations
among the three teams, the following kinds of criteria were used in
ranking the target areas:
• Size of Human Population Exposed
• Intensity of Human Exposure
• Geographical Extent of Ecological Exposure
• Intensity of Ecological Exposure
• Inadequacy of Existing EPA or Other Agency Activities
• Feasibility and Measurability of Risk Reduction Within 3-4 Years
• Significance to Region VII
Team members and Deputy Division Directors then visited each state
to present the results of the risk target analysis, establish consensus on
the priorities, and discuss the practical issues of state involvement in
risk reduction activities in some or all of the target areas. The state
visits included the departments of agriculture, environment, and
health to ensure that all responsible entities had input into the analysis
and priority-setting.
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Stage 4: Selection of
Other Strategic Directions
After the review by state managers, the RRO Teams developed ideas
for short-term and longer-term projects aimed at achieving signifi-
cant, measurable risk reductions in each target area within the next
few years. Each team refined its initial project idea list to 10-15
candidate initiatives and outlined a set of proposed activities for each
one. Each team then prioritized its proposed projects, using risk and
non-risk criteria. The Deputy Division Directors discussed the pro-
posed projects, which addressed both ecological and human health
risks, with state managers and the Region's Senior Staff to select and
prioritize the final set of projects for each RRO. These initiatives
became the basis for action priorities for the RRO components of the
Region's strategic plan.
The activities of the RRO Teams provided a framework for the
Region's division and office directors to identify other areas that
should be the focus of additional Regional concentration for the next
few years. Through a series of Senior Staff meetings, two more action
areas were selected as strategic directions.
• Ecosystem Assessment and Protection was selected to ac-
knowledge the increased effort we have begun to devote to
protecting ecological resources, encompassing several activities
already under way or planned for the near future. (Habitat alter-
ation had ranked high in the Region's comparative risk analysis.)
• State, Tribal, and Local Capacity Building was chosen as a
strategic direction to emphasize our continuing commitment to
enhance EPA financial and technical assistance to state, tribal, and
local governments in addressing the environmental challenges we
face together and in developing a greater degree of mutual trust.
The Region's Action Plans for FY93 and FY94 describe priority
activities and associated resource estimates for each of the five action
areas in this Strategic Plan.
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Appendix C
Strategy Summaries for Statutory Implementation
Each of our Divisions and Offices will have much to do in FY93-96
to keep pace with new statutory requirements and to maintain the
effectiveness of our established environmental protection programs.
Our first and foremost strategic direction is to perform these duties
well. In acting on our mandates, we will continue to expand our use
of non-regulatory methods such as pollution prevention and environ-
mental education while also employing our more familiar permitting,
compliance monitoring, and enforcement tools. As we are carrying
out our obligations for statutory implementation, we also will work
within and across our base programs to accomplish the other objec-
tives we have set for ourselves.
This appendix presents a summary of each program division's FY93-
96 strategy for statutory implementation. Strategy summaries also are
presented for our major organizational units that support the base
programs. These strategies map out Region-specific courses that are
consistent with the priorities set by EPA's national program offices
and support offices in their strategic plans.
In addition to the media-specific program activities outlined here, the
Region will continue to develop cross-media responses to our envi-
ronmental challenges. For example, we will expand our practice of
grouping usually-separate activities into integrated coordinated ac-
tion with respect to a particular industry, pollutant, environmental
medium, or geographic area. In Region YE, the Superfund program
is using source categories to gain efficiencies in cleaning up groups
of sites (as described in the Region's Waste Management Division
strategy summary). We will extend this concept in several ways over
the next few years. We already have made a solid start with category
approaches to lead-acid battery manufacturers and recyclers, natural
gas pipeline companies, atrazuie, and groundwater protection, among
others.
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Air and Toxics Division
FY93-96 Statutory Implementation Strategy Summary
Environmental Statutes
Strategy Overview
Clean Air Act (CAA)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act (ASHAA)
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)
Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
The Air and Toxics Division faces significant challenges in each of its
main areas of responsibility: air quality and radiation, pesticides, and
toxic substances. In air quality management, we will continue to work
with the states to achieve and maintain the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS). We also will begin to carry out some
significant new activities mandated by the Clean Air Act
reauthorization, including issuance of Phase I acid rain permits,
developing and implementing a Tide V operating permit program,
and control of air toxics through voluntary "enforceable commit-
ments." Other areas of growing emphasis are indoor air contaminants,
where we may have to respond to new legislation, and global climate,
where we will contribute to the national goal of restoring the ozone
layer and reducing skin cancer deaths.
The pesticides program has expanded on its historical focus of
enforcing bans and restrictions, placing greater emphasis on proper
handling and disposal of pesticide products. In the next several years,
for example, we will implement new regulations on transportation,
storage, disposal, containers, and rinsate; increase field compliance
inspection and enforcement activities to reduce exposure risks; en-
hance applicator certification and training programs; oversee devel-
opment and implementation of state groundwater management plans;
and develop public education programs on proper use, handling, and
disposal of pesticides.
The toxic substances program is expanding beyond the relatively
mature PCB and asbestos control efforts into a second generation of
activities focused on pollution prevention. The Region will continue
the progress already made in these newer areas, including the Toxics
Release Inventory (TRI) program, the Industrial Toxics Project, lead
risk reduction, and biotechnology.
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Examples of
Key Strategic Activities
Work with states to meet the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards for ozone, lead, paniculate matter, and sulfur dioxide in
high-population areas
Provide technical assistance and outreach to state and local
agencies, other EPA programs, the regulated community, and the
general public in areas including radon, indoor air quality, reduc-
tion of chlorofluorocarbons, air toxics, and NAAQS
Work with states to develop groundwater management plans in
areas vulnerable to pesticide contamination
Promote toxics use reduction legislation and programs in the
states
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Waste Management Division
FY93-96 Statutory Implementation Strategy Summary
Environmental Statutes
Strategy Overview
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA)
The Waste Management Division's mission mirrors that of EPA's
headquarters Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response: pre-
pare for and respond in a timely manner to releases of hazardous
substances into the environment; reduce the quantity and toxicity of
waste created by commercial, industrial, and governmental activities;
and ensure the environmentally sound management of solid and
hazardous wastes.
In the RCRA program, emphasis will continue to shift over the next
four years toward pollution prevention and waste minimization through
permit conditions, inspections, enforcement settlements, and out-
reach to industry, local governments, and the public. In the Superfund
program, we will expedite the cleanup of abandoned hazardous waste
sites in the Region, focusing on former manufactured gas plant sites,
former USD A grain storage sites, large mining sites, and natural gas
pipeline sites.
To help us achieve the maximum environmental benefit from the
available resources, we will continue and expand the "cluster" ap-
proach to site cleanup and enforcement We are structuring our efforts
now toward pollutant-specific source categories, such as sites where
lead or carbon tetrachloride are primary concerns; to industry-specific
clusters, such as natural gas pipeline and manufactured gas plant sites;
and to critical geographic areas, such as the Platte River basin. Our
approach reflects EPA's national-scale clustering initiative, which
encourages regulatory implementation and enforcement in high-
priority categories such as lead, petroleum refining, groundwater, and
small communities.
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Examples of
Key Strategic Activities
Assist states in obtaining approval for permit programs and
technical standards for solid waste landfills
Encourage environmentally beneficial source reduction and recy-
cling of hazardous waste
Identify ecological impacts of and residential exposure to lead
during RI/FS at federal facilities, and conduct public outreach
around sites where lead is present
Expedite cleanups at Superfund sites in the Platte River basin, and
monitor the reduction in exposure pathways
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Water Management Division
FY93-96 Statutory Implementation Strategy Summary
Environmental Statutes
Strategy Overview
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
Oil Pollution Act (OPA)
Also participates with other divisions in implementing other statutes, such as
RCRA.CERCLA.FIFRA.TSCA.andNEPA
EPA's approach to water quality management is shifting from the
traditional emphasis on administrative accomplishments—such as
NPDES permits issued, inspections conducted, and enforcement
actions taken—toward risk-based targeting of surface waters and
groundwaters and cross-program, multi-agency cooperation to ad-
dress special problems. Ultimately the new approach will enable us to
use watersheds and their associated groundwater systems as the basis
for planning all water protection programs.
At the same time, our basic regulatory programs are becoming more
complex. In the drinking water program, we are adding major Maxi-
mum Contaminant Level and monitoring requirements, and states and
local governments will require substantially increased assistance
from us in meeting them. In the surface water programs, we are putting
in place storm water programs, combined sewer overflow programs,
new toxicsrequirements in water quality standards and in permits, and
sludge permit programs. In groundwater, we are requiring states to
reevaluate and amend their basic groundwater protection strategies to
meet national criteria, and we are pressing harder for state and local
implementation of wellhead protection programs. We also are in-
creasing emphasis on and expanding our nonpoint source programs.
Region VH will continue to provide national leadership in the rela-
tionships between water quality protection and agricultural activities.
We also will continue our leadership role in understanding and
mitigating the burdens of water quality management on small com-
munities. In cooperation with other Regional divisions and the entire
environmental community, we will aggressively advance the Platte
River initiative as a proving ground for the emerging watershed
protection approach.
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Examples of
Key Strategic Activities
Coordination of the Platte River Ecosystem Management and
Enforcement Initiative
Participation in national task forces on agriculture/water issues,
such as the EPA/USDA Committee and the Nitrate Strategy task
force
Support of Kansas' efforts toward atrazine reduction use in the
Delaware River Basin to protect public water supplies
Aggressive outreach to small communities, including hosting
annual meetings and providing technical assistance in complying
with water quality requirements
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Environmental Services Division
FY93-96 Statutory Implementation Strategy Summary
Environmental Statutes
Strategy Overview
CERCLA1SARA—Removal Program
Technical FUldandLaboratorySupponforAllStatutory Implementation Activities
The Environmental Services Division" (ESD) will face a continuous
growth in removal actions in the Superfundprogram. The incineration
of dioxin waste at Times Beach, Missouri will require that the removal
and transport of dioxin-contaminated waste from 27 sites be com-
pleted. The Division will provide constant overview of the incinera-
tion of all dioxin waste at Times Beach. With the growing emphasis
to complete more remedial sites sooner, the number of removals at
remedial sites will increase significantly. For support of both the
Removal and Remedial programs, the Division will manage a new
type of laboratory contract (RECAP) to supply valid laboratory data
to users faster than by the present CLP system.
The ESD will need to complete implementation of an accurate
geographical location-based information system to continue im-
provement of cross-media integration of environmental data. To
protect both ecologically sensitive terrestrial and aquatic habitats and
human health, we will continue to work with each program division
and the states to assure good science is used to fill critical data gaps
and to collect additional data.
The ESD provides most of the field inspections for the Region's
program offices. By focusing on a multi-media approach for inspec-
tions, they can ensure that a facility, company, or industry takes a total
environmental approach and not a piecemeal approach. This total
approach will prevent the solving of an environmental problem by
creating one in another medium. The total approach strongly encour-
ages facilities to make pollution prevention their next logical step.
With the additional laws and new regulations, the demand for labora-
tory analyses continues to outpace the supply. The ESD has already
promoted the coordination and integration of data needs across media.
Analytical methods, sampling methods, and data bases need to be
integrated across media. More efficient methods will be developed to
assure data quality from all sources. RECAP is a pilot contract to test
one approach. In the future, the demand for quality environmental
data by EPA, DOE, DOD, and the private sector is expected to outpace
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Examples of
Key Strategic Activities
the supply of trained analysts. Integration and system improvements
will be key activities to meet that demand.
The Division must continue to improve its employees' base of
scientific knowledge and their ability to perform state-of-the-art
scientific studies. ESD employees must strengthen themselves in
areas such as the use of statistics in designing sampling networks and
interpreting data from those networks; sample collection procedures;
biochemical and molecular biology measurements of toxic effects;
and procedures to document data quality. These improvements are
necessary to enable the Division and the Region to estimate the
current risk of harm from exposure to pollutants and the changes in
that risk that result from our pollution abatement and prevention
activities.
Develop, implement, and support geographically-focused initia-
tives
Manage implementation of the Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program (EMAP) in the Region and coordinate the
use of EMAP products
Develop environmental indicators
Support compliance and enforcement through inspections based
on multi-media approaches
Implement Global Positioning System (GPS) technology for
developing accurate geographical location data
Coordinate data needs and availability with other federal agen-
cies, states, and media programs
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Office of Policy and Management
FY93-96 Statutory Implementation Strategy Summary
Environmental Statutes
Strategy Overview
Administrative Support for All Statutory Implementation Activities
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Clean Water Act (wetlands protection provisions)
Government-Wide Statutes, including the Chief Financial Officers Act, the Federal
Managers Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA), and the Civil Rights Act
The Office of Policy and Management provides support and infra-
structure (planning, budgeting, and administrative services) for all of
the Region's environmental management activities. In addition, we
are the focal point for cross-media program interests such as wetlands
protection, coordination with other federal agencies and Indian tribes,
and integrated data management In the international arena, we are
leading the Region's development of a package of support for central
and eastern European countries on environmentally sound agriculture.
During FY93-96, we will strengthen our existing support operations
and, where necessary, develop new approaches for supporting the
Region's risk-based targeting, multi-media, and state capacity-build-
ing activities. In the finance and budgeting arena, we will ensure
strong, effective internal controls in all Regional programs, particu-
larly in the area of Agency contracting. We will better integrate
Regional budgeting with program operations to ensure that our
limited resources are directed toward the most pressing risk reduction
opportunities, and we will be at the forefront in streamlining financial
information processing and integrating management systems. Our
human resources management activities will focus on workforce
planning, in anticipation of the challenges posed by a vastly changing
(culturally and technically) workforce and the potential loss of insti-
tutional knowledge and Agency culture as present managers and
senior technical staff begin to reach retirement age.
We will continue to ensure that our physical facilities meet the
Region's space and telecommunications needs and that every em-
ployee has a safe, clean, and healthy working environment. We will
coordinate and improve our strategic planning capabilities and serve
as a catalyst for cross-media integration throughout the Region,
focusing on measurable reduction of health and ecological risks and
providing leadership and assistance in the effective use of geographic
information systems (CIS) and other advanced information technolo-
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Examples of
Key Strategic Activities
gies to support environmental decision making. Through our environ-
mental review responsibilities, we will raise the consciousness of
other federal agencies to help ensure the best possible protection for
the environment Our wetlands protection program will focus on risk-
based targeting and will include activities to expand public awareness
and intergovernmental cooperation.
Provide direction in structuring an agencywide planning;and
budget process which aligns resource allocations with cost-ef-
fective opportunities for reducing risk
Coordinate multi-agency development of a GIS-based inventory
of wetlands in the Region, and build the capacity to use satellite
imagery to update the data base and track changes in wetlands
resources over time
Intensify EEO program activities and reinforce staff development
efforts to support a culturally diverse workforce
Initiate a project in Eastern Europe (most likely Poland) to
demonstrate low-cost technologies to enhance environmental
protection in the agricultural sector
Implement Total Quality training regionwide
Introduce a comprehensive, strategic approach to data integration
in Region Vn. First steps are the development of a data accuracy
policy and training of states in Global Positioning System tech-
nology
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Office of Regional Counsel
FY93-96 Statutory Implementation Strategy Summary
Environmental Statutes
Strategy Overview
Examples of
Key Strategic Activities
Legal Support for All Statutory Implementation and Enforcement Activities
The mission of the Office of Regional Counsel (ORC) is to contribute
to the restoration, maintenance, and protection of the nation's envi-
ronment by ensuring compliance with statutory mandates and by
reducingandpreventingpollution through innovative settlements and
effective resource management at all levels, based on clear measures
of environmental success.
ORC, as a service organization within the Region, will pursue a
number of key objectives in FY93 and beyond. One of our main
objectives is to provide legal services through administrative, civil,
and criminal enforcement to correct violations of statutes. To aug-
ment and enhance the effectiveness of enforcement, we will assist our
program clients in achieving consistently high compliance rates and
environmental benefits beyond the statutory requirements. We will
tailor our client services to meet the strategic goals of our program
clients.
As part of our ORC initiatives, we are developing training and
outreach programs to enhance the enforcement arid legal counseling
capabilities of our state counterparts. In conjunction with ourprogram
clients, we will participate in an on-going effort to improve the
public's understanding of legal andregulatory issues through training
and outreach.
ORC will plan and provide opportunities for training, both in-house
and outside of ORC, to maintain adequate and motivated legal staff
who are capable of supplying timely and quality legal services to the
Regional Administrator, Senior Staff, and program staff.
Participate in Regional and national enforcement initiatives
Serve as a catalyst for successful implementation of multi-media
enforcement activities
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Enhance and expand ORC's In-Service Training Program
Develop a "road show" modeled on our in-house multi-media
enforcement training seminar for presentation in each state in the
Region
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Liaison
FY93-96 Statutory Implementation Strategy Summary
Environmental Statutes
Strategy Overview
Clean Air Act (CM)
Oil Pollution Act (OPA)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Intergovernmental Support for Other Statutory Implementation Activities
To assist Congressional staff in responding to constituent concerns,
we will expand and maintain our knowledge base on the issues. We
will respond rapidly and completely to inquiries and will take the
initiative in disseminating information on Agency actions that are of
general interest and concern. We will refine our data base on state and
local elected officials and will keep appropriate officials informed
about EPA activities that may affect them. To ensure that we have a
broad perspective on the issues, our staff will assist in coordinating
cross-program activities within the Regional Office and among
government agencies.
We also will continue to maintain an active Regional Response Team
and will work to increase awareness of the Team throughout the
Region. We will coordinate federal, state, local, and private activities
related to developing a hazardous materials annex and other facets of
the Federal Response Plan. We will participate in Emergency Man-
agement Team training and exercises to prepare for response to
national security events. In addition to these EPA-centered responsi-
bilities, we will assist state and local authorities in developing their
own emergency response capabilities. We will provide technical
assistance and training to state emergency response commissions
(SERCs) and local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) in
emergency response, hazard analysis, and exercises which result in
effective contingency plans and operations.
We will help prevent harmful releases of oil and hazardous sub-
stances by working to increase awareness among the chemical
producer and user community about safe management of chemical
hazards. We will continue to monitor the Continuous Release Report-
ing program for compliance, helping to ensure complete and accurate
information in EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). In addition,
we will coordinate the Region's Clean Air Act §112(r) program
relating to accident prevention and risk management plans.
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Examples of
Key Strategic Activities
Coordinate and participate on the Regional Emergency Manage-
ment Team and with other federal agencies
Coordinate the Region's small communities outreach activities
Participate in the Geographic Voluntary Reduction Program, the
Region's "33/50" industrial toxics reduction projects
Coordinate Superfund site-specific activities
Conduct workshops throughout the Region for facilities required
to report under Section 313 of the Emergency Preparedness and
Community Right-to-Know Act
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Office of Public Affairs
FY93-96 Statutory Implementation Strategy Summary
Environmental Statutes
Strategy Overview
National Environmental Education Act (NEEA)
Communications Support for All Statutory Implementation Activities
The Office of Public Affairs is the Region's primary channel for
communicating information on environmental issues and actions to
the general public and to specialized audiences. The Office also takes
the lead in coordinating citizen participation in the Regional decision
making process.
In the next four years, we will expand and enhance our communica-
tions activities in several ways. The general public continues to be
very interested in the state of the environment, and we will step up our
efforts to keep them informed about key issues and EPA activities. We
will continue and expand our outreach to the regulated community as
this constituency grows through additions to our legislative mandates.
We will work to inform public interest groups of the Region's plans
before they become actions. Interest groups range in size from the
Sierra Club to a small group of neighbors living near a Superfund site,
but regardless of their "interest," we must reach them early and give
them ample opportunity to become involved in our work. We will
work even more closely with the news media to ensure that complex
environmental issues and technologies are presented fully and accurately.
In the critical area of environmental education, we will work exten-
sively with educators in our Region to ensure that young people
receive adequate information about environmental matters, so that
they can make sound environmental choices throughout their lives.
Educational opportunities also exist in vocational/technical schools,
continuing education programs, and colleges. Environmental equity
is an increasingly visible issue in every Region, and we are learning
to recognize the issue when it arises. Our communications will
demonstrate our empathy and professionalism in this area.
A major objective for our outreach activities is to provide even more
opportunities for citizens to participate in our decision making pro-
cess. As we continue to encourage this participation, the number of
requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act is
growingrapidly. The Office will respondto these requests inamanner
that is useful to our constituents, in keeping with our Total Quality
commitment.
Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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Examples of
Key Strategic Activities
Seek opportunities for public input with increased use of direct
mail and quarterly environmental meetings in non-traditional
locations
Hold workshops on the amended Clean Air Act and the new
regulations that will be forthcoming
Offer seminars to the media on emerging technologies and new
regulations
Build on established working relationships with the Cooperative
Extension Service, the U. S. Forest Service, Project Wild, and
Project Learning Tree to expand our environmental education
resources
Train teachers in the Indian reservation and settlement schools in
the Region to use the environmental education curriculum guide
developed by our staff
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Region VIIFY93-96 Strategic Plan
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