United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of
The Administrator
Washington DC 20460
February 1983
Administrator's
Guidance
Operating Year FY 1984
Budget Year FY 1985
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ADMINISTRATOR'S GUIDANCE
FOR
OPERATING YEAR FY 1984
AND
BUDGET YEAR FY 1985
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PREFACE
V"""""' N
\Tjiis document^ establishes the Administrator's direction forjthe Environmental
Protection Agency [EPA) over the next two years and beyond. Pa'rtJ^of the
documentfsets out fee principal mission of the Agency under this Administration
and establishes the Administrator's six major goals to be achieved in accom-
plishing this mission^] It: a^-so contains a list of fundamental approaches or
strategies for achieving these goals.
II and irjjbf this document provide general guidance to the Agency's
program offices in the form of key objectives to be achieved by each organization
in pursuit of the Agency's goalslf These objectives are defined for each of
the next two years. Thus, this '"document incorporates both operating year
(FY 1984) and initial budget year (FY 1985) guidance. Henceforth, general
guidance from the Administrator will be issued at this time each year in
order to provide an appropriate framework for the planning, budget, State/EPA
Agreement and grant negotiation processes that begin in early spring.
The Administrator's Guidance will integrate major elements of EPA's key
management systems, combining important aspects of the planning,- budget,
management accountability and personnel performance review processes (see
below). It also presents the overall goals and objectives for both the
operating and budget years and forms the basis for the program specific
commitments contained in the FY 1984 Management Accountability System. The
Office of the Comptroller will issue more specific guidance for the Agency
budget process later this spring.
and
Finally, this document is intended as broad guidance to Agency managers
iot as detailed, program specific guidance! Development of such detailed
program guidance is the responsibility of Agency managers, subject only to
review by the Office of Policy and Resource Management for consistency with
the Administrator's integrated management program for the entire Agency.
The Office of Water expects to issue its guidance in March and the Office of
Solid Waste and Emergency Response will be issuing guidance in April.
MANAGEMENT CALENDAR
Operating
Year
Guidance
Final
Operating
Plans
Management
Accountability
Final Systems
Revised Commitments
Operating
Plans
Administrator's
Guidance
and
Goal Setting
Performance
Standards
*«
Budge t
Call
Letter
Draft
Budget
Budget
Hearings
Budget
To OMB
M
j
1
^
S
0
N
D
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PART I
ADMINISTRATOR'S OVERVIEW
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ADMINISTRATOR'S OVERVIEW
EPA's MISSION
It is EPA's mission to protect and enhance the public health
and environment through effective and balanced implementation of
the statutes under EPA's jurisdiction in partnership with State
and local governments.
AGENCY GOALS
To accomplish this mission, EPA will pursue the following
major goals:
I. Strengthen Partnership with States.
II. Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
III. Manage for Environmental Results.
IV- Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
V. Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum Use
of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
VI. Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
FUNDAMENTAL APPROACHES
To achieve the six major goals of the Agency, I expect all
managers to carry out the fundamental approaches or strategies
identified here.
GOAL I: Strengthen Partnership with States.
Approaches:
A. Assure responsibilities are delegated to State and
local governments to the maximum extent allowed by
statute in accordance with provisions of the Agency's
delegation policy.
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B. Utilize incentives such as greater flexibility in
regulations, reduction of unnecessary Federal require-
ments, and program grants to encourage delegation
while maintaining program integrity.
C. Provide timely program guidance, technical and other
assistance to support effective State management of
environmental programs.
D. Oversee implementation of State programs, minimizing
reporting and evaluation burdens while using clear and
objective criteria that emphasize environmental results.
E. Promote consistency from State to State in the application
of environmental laws to guarantee a baseline of environ-
mental quality nationwide.
GOAL II: Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
Approaches:
A. Target inspections to verify compliance and follow-up
with enforcement responses where instances of significant
noncompliance occur.
B. Foster a high level of voluntary compliance, but act
expeditiously against sources failing to achieve timely
compliance.
C. Minimize duplication of enforcement efforts with State
and local agencies, but pursue enforcement actions if
State and local agencies fail to bring sources into
compliance in a timely manner.
D. Encourage development and use of control equipment,
instrumentation and self-monitoring practices to ensure
compliance is maintained.
GOAL III: Manage for Environmental Results.
Approaches:
A. Evaluate the capability of the Agency's monitoring
networks to produce accurate information on the true
status of environmental quality nationwide and make
necessary improvements where appropriate.
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B. Develop Region-based Environmental Management Reports
for use by Agency senior management in making important
program decisions.
C. Develop indicators based on ambient monitoring and
other basic sources of environmental data to assist in
evaluating the Agency's progress toward achieving its
cleanup and pollution reduction goals.
GOAL IV: Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
Approaches:
A. Ensure that research and development efforts support
the Agency's fundamental regulatory and public health
respons ibilities.
B. Promote state-of-the-art science to identify and abate
threats to human health and the environment in the most
cost-effective manner.
C. Support a program of basic, long-term research foscused
on finding solutions to critical problems and meeting
the Agency's key future needs.
D. Improve methods of risk analysis for use in managing
EPA programs.
E. Implement an internal Agency quality assurance program
for sampling, monitoring and laboratory analysis.
GOAL V: Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum
Use of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
Approaches:
A. Promulgate, review and revise regulations to provide
clarity, equity, flexibility and to ensure an appropriate
balance between costs and benefits.
B. Expand use of the bubble and other incentive-based
approaches to control environmental pollution more
quickly, cheaply and effectively.
C. Initiate, track and follow through on innovative, new
approaches, including alternatives to command-and-control
regulation where appropriate.
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GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
Approaches:
A. Meet major statutory, court-ordered and other internal
and external Agency deadlines.
B. Systematically streamline administrative processes and
institute management reforms to eliminate backlogs and
expedite actions.
IE M. 'BURFORD.
ADMINISTRATOR
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PART II
OPERATING YEAR FY 1984
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OFFICE OF AIR, NOISE AND RADIATION
GOAL I: Strengthen Partnership with States.
0 Maintain the full delegation of NSPS and NESHAPS achieved in
FY 83 by continuing to delegate newly promulgated standards.
0 Achieve full or partial delegation of PSD for every State.
0 Initiate effective oversight of State programs that is
tailored to each State and is in conformance with general
audit criteria developed and tested in FY 83.
0 Work with States to improve air quality monitoring and data
reporting; conduct a joint evaluation of current air quality
monitoring criteria, regulations and related guidance.
0 Provide guidance and support to States on technically complex
emerging air program areas such as
0 Work with States to improve programs for the control of
tampering and fuel switching.
0 Continue to provide technical support to States on a request
basis to help them deal with hazardous air pollutants.
GOAL II: Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
0 Complete administrative actions on the initial group of
counties included in the 1982 non-attainment exercise.
0 Take appropriate EPA enforcement actions and promote State
enforcement actions against significant violators of SIP
regulations to help bring remaining nonattainment areas
into attainment.
0 Make special effort to address sources of hazardous air
pollutants and VOC emissions.
0 Continue working with States to adapt their compliance
reporting systems to make them compatible with EPA's compliance
data system (CDS); improve data quality and minimize State
reporting burden.
0 Work with States on a voluntary basis to develop and test
elements of programs designed to ensure continuous compliance.
Provide support to States in dealing with operation and
maintenance of emission control devices and improved test
methods .
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Assure that in-use vehicles meet emission standards.
GOAL III: Manage for Environmental Results.
0 Evaluate regional Environmental Management Reports (EMR),
and in conjunction with the Regions, develop procedures for
incorporating results into program planning and resource
allocation decisions for FY 85.
0 Target resources to areas causing or expected to cause the
most serious environmental and public health problems.
0 Assess NAAQS attainment status for criteria pollutants to
determine areas which are not meeting standards.
0 Complete determination of what, if any, additional baseline
and trends data are needed for both criteria and non-criteria
pollutants to identify public health and environmental
problems.
0 Develop monitoring strategies to generate quality data for
making environmental results determinations with emphasis on
emerging issues such as PM^O.
0 Develop, refine and report progress against selected
environmental indicators for both stationary and mobile
sources.
GOAL IV: Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
0 Assist ORD in revising the research strategy to identify
ORD's priority projects and to reflect the program's changing
priorities and objectives, including an increased emphasis
on hazardous air pollutant research.
0 Implement quality assurance programs consistent with ORD's
technical guidelines and instructions.
0 Accelerate development of an integrated data base management
system for all ambient and air pollution source data.
0 Ensure adequate documentation of procedures used to set air
standards, including use of risk assessment.
GOAL V: Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum
Use of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
0 Promulgate NSPS in accordance with approved schedules;
review and revise existing NRPS in accordance with statutory
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schedule; incorporate all feasible measures to increase NSPS
compliance flexibility and technological innovation.
0 Implement well balanced NESHAPS standard setting process.
0 Promulgate revised NAAQS for NO2, SO2 and PM; review ozone and
lead NAAQS using innovative techniques to improve the decision-
making process.
0 In conjunction with the States, continue to expand and
implement the bubble, generic trading rules and other forms
of emissions trading.
0 Maintain the scheduled development of radiation standards.
0 Continue mobile source regulatory relief and reform measures,
especially related to heavy duty engines.
0 Continue assessment of the alternative mobile sources
compliance program.
0 Provide guidance and support to States in developing generic
SIPs that would simplify revision of emission limits.
Techniques to be considered should include use of State
operating permits.
GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
0 Continue to refine SIP processing to focus on major revisions
with greatest environmental impacts, and continue to process
all SIPs in an expeditious manner.
0 Expedite action on lead SIPs.
0 Assess ORD research results and identify additional research
needs with special emphasis on the phenomenon of acid
deposition.
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OFFICE OF WATER
GOAL I: Strengthen Partnership with States.
0 Increase the number of States with full delegation of the
Construction Grants Program.
0 Increase the number of fully approved State NPDES programs,
i.e., State programs including NPDES, pretreatment and
Federal facility permitting responsibilities.
0 Complete timely action on State applications for primacy in
the UIC Program.
0 Implement effective oversight of delegated programs in
accordance with the Administrator's Oversight Policy once
it is issued.
0 Provide guidance documents and technical assistance to States
in reviewing and revising water quality standards and in
issuing permits to reflect final effluent guidelines and
water quality standards.
0 Work with States to improve water quality monitoring and
reporting to provide site-specific and trend monitoring data
for use in planning water quality programs and tracking
progress in meeting environmental goals.
0 Promote State use of local agencies and the private sector
in implementing water quality monitoring programs.
0 Target Clean Water Act program grant funds to specific high
priority activities articulated in the Office of Water
Operating Guidance.
GOAL II: Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
0 Improve NPDES compliance rates for both municipal and
nonmunicipal facilities in significant noncompliance and
work with States to develop State municipal enforcement
strategies implementing the National Municipal Policy.
0 Conduct inspections to verify NPDES permit compliance,
targeting compliance sampling inspections on facilities in
significant noncompliance, and follow-up with necessary
enforcement responses to instances of noncompliance.
0 Complete revisions and refinements to compliance monitoring
and enforcement tracking systems.
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0 Improve compliance rates of public water systems with interim
primary drinking water regulations, focusing on persistent
violators of bacteriological and turbidity MCLs and of
monitoring and reporting requirements.
GOAL III: Manage for Environmental Results.
0 Target resources to priority water bodies, i.e., those
waterbodies for which pollution abatement and control decisions
are most needed to reverse or prevent the impairment of a
designated use.
0 Develop, refine and report on environmental results indicators
to track program progress in meeting environmental results
objectives.
0 Evaluate regional Environmental Management Reports and
incorporate findings into program planning and evaluation.
0 Implement monitoring needed to identify and assess the most
significant public health and environmental problems, to
make regulatory and programmatic decisions and to identify
trends.
GOAL IV: Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
0 Promote the development and use of biological monitoring
methods, particularly for chronic toxicity testing, to
support a balanced approach to water quality monitoring
that will support program decisions.
0 Identify and set priorities for data collection and analysis
activities which require new or revised quality assurance
programs. Implement quality assurance programs consistent
with ORD's technical guidelines and instructions on a
priority basis.
0 Provide data management support to States and Regions to
link ambient and point source data.
0 In conjunction with ORD, revise the 1983 research strategy
as needed to reflect the Office of Water's changing priorities
and objectives.
0 Establish a monitoring program to assess the risks associated
with the transport and fate of toxic and conventional
pollutants disposed at sea.
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GOAL V: Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum
Use of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
0 Promulgate NPDES, Pretreatment, Dredge and Fill, and Ocean
Dumping Regulation revisions and Sludge Management Guidance/
Regulations.
0 Promulgate remaining effluent guidelines by July 1984.
0 Propose Revised National Primary Drinking Water Standards
and propose and promulgate, as appropriate, standards for
volatile organic chemicals.
0 Implement the more flexible and cost-effective approaches
to water pollution control identified and approved as a
result of the FY 83 joint water reforms evaluation with
OPRM.
GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
0 Implement UIC programs in States that choose not to accept
primacy and on Indian lands over which States have not
demonstrated jurisdiction.
0 Ensure timely physical and administrative completion of
construction grants projects and eliminate project closeout
backlogs.
0 Ensure achievement of construction grants obligation and
outlay projections.
0 Assist communities in developing systems to ensure the
financial capability to construct and operate publicly
owned treatment works.
0 Identify and take appropriate action on inactive construction
grants projects with high unliquidated balances.
0 Prevent waste, fraud and abuse of construction grant funds.
0 Reduce the backlog of NPDES permit renewals and upgrade the
permits to reflect the new water quality and technology-based
standards, especially for toxics.
0 Issue NPDES permits to new facilities and 301(h) ocean
discharge permits as expeditiously as possible.
0 Issue general permits to facilities with similar discharges and
develop other vehicles for streamlining permitting procedures.
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Designate or redesignate ocean disposal sites in accordance
with the revised Ocean Dumping Regulations.
Establish an ocean disposal fee system, if proposed legislation
is approved.
Review and make final decisions on water quality standards
revisions submitted by the States. Assist States in
revising submittals and promulgate standards as necessary.
Implement sludge management guidance or regulations to
ensure consistent cross-media programs.
Fulfill U.S. commitments under the Water Quality Agreement
with Canada. Continue ongoing scientific studies sponsored
by the Great Lakes Program.
Issue health advisories to deal with unregulated drinking
water contaminants.
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OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT (RCRA)
GOAL I: Strengthen Partnership with States.
0 Work with the States to seek full authorization of 45 States
by January 1985.
0 Develop a policy for initiating and processing permits and
for transferring permits to States as they become authorized.
GOAL II: Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
0 Target RCRA compliance monitoring inspections on (1) facilities
required to monitor ground water and, (2) other facilities
located in environmentally sensitive areas.
0 In conjunction with OLEC, initiate prompt enforcement actions
in cases of noncompliance with administrative orders. Work
closely with the Office of Legal and Enforcement Counsel
and the Department of Justice.
GOAL III: Manage for Environmental Results.
0 Develop, refine and report progress against environmental
indicators that indicate the environmental impact of the
RCRA program.
0 Incorporate the findings of the Regional Environmental
Management Reports into program evaluation and planning.
GOAL IV: Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
0 In conjunction with ORD, revise the research strategy to
reflect the program's changing priorities and objectives.
0 Maintain a quality assurance program for all sample collection
and data analysis in accordance with ORD's technical guidelines
and instructions.
0 Arrange for appropriate in-house expertise to provide States
with assistance in reviewing and issuing permits and evaluating
corrective actions at facilities.
0 Begin to develop a technology clearinghouse to facilitate
implementation of State programs and information exchange.
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0 Conduct scientific analyses and develop data necessary to
issue RCRA regulations in the most cost-effective manner.
GOAL V: Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum
Use of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
0 Based on Regulatory Impact Analyses (RIAs), complete existing
rule proposals and finalize appropriate changes to those
existing permitting rules proposed in FY 83.
0 Promulgate RCRA regulations, especially on land disposal
and incinerators, to provide for a better balance between
costs and benefits.
0 Continue examination of unregulated hazardous waste problems
and develop regulations as appropriate, in accordance with
RIA guidelines.
0 Using analytical procedures developed in conjunction with
ORD, continue the listing of additional hazardous wastes.
° Reconsider regulatory schedules in accordance with RCRA
reauthorization amendments.
GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
0 Work closely with the States in issuing permits for all new
and existing facilities, giving priority to those facilities
where there are the greatest potential environmental risks.
° Conduct full RCRA program in States that fail to receive
authorization.
0 Work with OPTS to resolve the issue of whether RCRA or TSCA
will cover PCB disposal activities after FY 84.
OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
SUPERFUND
GOAL I: Strengthen Partnership with States.
0 Work with States to assume responsibility for remedial
activities through cooperative agreements and provide
necessary assistance to States.
0 Assist States to establish the necessary capabilities to
carry out objectives of the Superfund program.
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GOAL II: Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
0 In conjunction with OLEC, implement a compliance program
that provides timely administrative and legal enforcement,
with opportunity for voluntary settlement by responsible
parties. Initiate cost recovery actions where appropriate.
0 Provide support to State enforcement programs and work
closely with States on Federal cases.
GOAL III: Manage for Environmental Results.
0 Develop and report against indicators that measure to the
extent possible the public health and environmental impact
of removal and remedial actions.
0 Incorporate the findings of the Regional Environmental
Management Reports into program evaluation and planning,
targeting resources on actions where EPA involvement will
have the greatest public health and environmental benefits.
GOAL IV: Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
0 Make use of available technology and risk assessment
methodologies in determining cost effective solutions at
Superfund sites.
0 Maintain a quality assurance program for all sample collection
and data analysis consistent with ORD's technical guidelines
and instructions.
0 In conjunction with ORD, revise the research strategy as
needed to reflect the program's changing priorities and
objectives.
GOAL V: Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum
Use of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
0 Initiate remedial investigations/feasibility studies only
at sites where sufficient funds are available to carry out
complete, cost-effective actions.
GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
0 Take appropriate cost-effective remedial actions at sites on
the National Priority List and focus EPA removal actions on
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only the most serious incidents that require the Federal
government to assume lead responsibility. Aggressively move
projects toward final solution.
Work with States to complete site inspections, undertaken
with RCRA 3012 funds, by the end of the fiscal year.
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OFFICE OF PESTICIDES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES
PESTICIDES
GOAL I: Strengthen Partnership with States.
0 Enhance State participation in the emergency exemption,
experimental use permits and special local needs programs
and provide guidance to States for operation of these
programs.
0 Work with States to ensure that they thoroughly consider
potential unreasonable adverse effects to health and the
environment in reviewing emergency exemptions.
0 Consolidate and further delegate the Cooperative Enforcement
and Certification and Training Programs and ensure smooth
transition to newly participating States.
GOAL II: Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
0 Develop oversight protocols for State enforcement programs.
0 Develop cooperative programs with States to ensure proper
use of pesticides.
0 Foster a high degree of voluntary compliance with FIFRA and
use FIFRA authority to achieve industry compliance where
voluntary action is inadequate.
GOAL III: Manage for Environmental Results.
0 Develop, refine and report against selected environmental
indicators.
Using input from ORD, the States and other agencies, develop
a national monitoring network to report against selected
environmental results indicators.
0 Use information from Agency tracking systems including
Environmental Management Reports and FATES to evaluate and
revise program priorities and to target special review and
enforcement actions on areas posing the greatest threat to
health and the environment.
GOAL IV: Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
0 Implement the strategy developed in FY 83 to assure that
registration data are developed in accordance with good
laboratory practices.
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In conjunction with ORD, revise the research strategy as
needed to reflect the program's changing priorities and
objectives.
Implement quality assurance programs consistent with ORD's
technical guidance and instructions.
GOAL V: Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum
Use of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
0 Use the negotiation process where appropriate to address
initial concerns of risk early in the Special Review process.
0 Minimize pre-market screening of pesticides with little
potential for unreasonable adverse health or environmental
effects.
0 Promote State and EPA enforcement strategies which encourage
responsible, voluntary remedial actions to achieve and
maintain compliance.
0 Review existing recordkeeping and reporting regulations to
determine whether the regulations meet the requirements of
FIFRA without creating unnecessary regulatory burdens.
GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
0 Protect public health and the environment through evaluation
of existing pesticide products:
develop complete chronic toxicity data bases for existing
pesticides scheduled for Data Call-in in FY 84;
establish an appropriate number of registration standards
and increase reregistration of pesticides covered by
registration standards;
- assure human food safety by reassessing tolerances; and
conduct special reviews of pesticides that have
potentially unreasonable adverse effects.
0 Develop a procedure to review data received in response to
the Registration Standards Program.
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OFFICE OF PESTICIDES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES
TOXIC SUBSTANCES
GOAL I: Strengthen Partnership with States.
0 Maximize cooperation with States in the development and
exchange of technical information on toxic substances.
0 Complete evaluation of State pilot grant program in order to
assess potential future role of States in TSCA implementation.
GOAL II: Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
0 Foster a high degree of voluntary compliance with TSCA and
use TSCA authority to achieve industry compliance where
voluntary action is inadequate.
0 Develop and implement a strategy to allocate more enforcement
resources to compliance monitoring activities contributing
to the achievement of the goals of TSCA for both new and
existing chemicals.
0 Work with the OSWER to resolve the issue of whether RCRA or
TSCA will cover PCB disposal activities after FY 84.
GOAL III: Manage for Environmental Results.
0 Develop, refine and report against selected environmental
results indicators.
0 Evaluate information from Agency tracking systems, including
Environmental Management Reports, to plan for and implement
program strategies.
0 Review information from agency tracking systems, including
Environmental Management Reports and FATES, and revise
monitoring strategies to target monitoring activities to
areas posing the greatest threat to health and the environment,
GOAL IV: Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
0 Work with ORD to ensure that scientific and analytical
requirements are feasible prior to promulgation of regulations
0 Implement quality assurance programs consistent with ORD's
technical guidelines and instructions.
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Monitor compliance with Good Laboratory Practice Standards
and, where indicated, conduct data audits to assure the quality
of test data submitted for regulatory evaluation.
0 Identify areas of weak scientific expertise within the program
and realign existing personnel as appropriate.
0 In conjunction with ORD, revise the research strategy as needed
to reflect the program's changing priorities and objectives.
GOAL V: Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum Use
of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
0 Continue to pursue negotiated testing agreements as an
alternative to formal test rule development and ensure timely
completion of testing.
0 Implement the exemption and follow-up programs for the New
Chemical Review program.
0 Implement the strategy developed in FY 83 for existing
chemicals.
0 Implement strategies which encourage responsible, voluntary
remedial actions to achieve and maintain compliance.
GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
0 Meet commitments on asbestos, PCBs, formaldehyde, and other
regulatory actions.
0 Meet the statutory deadline to take action on new ITC
designations.
0 Review incoming Section 4 testing data quickly and efficiently
and determine appropriate action.
° Emphasize the development of Significant New Use Rules and
require Section 8a reporting when necessary as a follow-up to
the premanufacture notification process.
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OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
GOAL III: Manage for Environmental Results.
0 Work with program offices in their development of environmental
results indicators.
0 Independent of specific operating program strategies, ORD
should develop an integrated long-term Agency research
strategy that focuses oh exploratory research needed to meet
long-term and emerging environmental problems.
0 Consider Environmental Management Reports when developing
long-term research plans.
Goal IV: Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
0 In conjunction with the program offices and the Regions
revise as necessary the research strategies developed in
FY 83.
0 In conjunction with OANR and the Interagency Task Force on
Acid Precipitation, conduct the research and monitoring
necessary to make a preliminary assessment in FY 85 of the
current health and environmental effects of acid deposition
and to propose scientifically feasible strategies for the
control and mitigation of this problem.
° Establish a process for ensuring that exploratory research
findings and conclusions are distributed systematically to
the relevant Agency programs.
0 In conjunction with the regulatory program offices and the
Regions, establish specific, minimal criteria for the
Agencywide quality assurance program, against which the
regulatory programs will be audited each year.
0 In conjunction with OPRM, develop and implement a management
plan to ensure systematic scientific reviews of all major
regulations.
0 Develop and implement an accelerated schedule for conducting
comprehensive risk assessments for hazardous air pollutants
(HAPs). Work on all 37 HAPs should be well underway by
midyear.
0 Work directly with the Office of Water, and through OW with
State and local government officials, to develop the analytic
methods needed to implement the water quality based approach
to pollution control.
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Develop necessary scientific and technical information and
analytic methods to support a groundwater protection policy.
Continue to work with the programs to identify Regional and
State research needs and to provide appropriate technical
assistance to the Regions and States.
Conduct research necessary to develop cost effective land
disposal and incineration regulations under RCRA.
Demonstrate progress toward a uniform risk assessment
methodology for use by all Agency regulatory programs.
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OFFICE OF LEGAL AND ENFORCEMENT COUNSEL
GOAL I: Strengthen Partnership with States.
0 Identify potential solutions for resolving legal and
enforcement problems associated with state authorization
applications.
0 Assist programs in developing oversight procedures and
standards for enforcement aspects of delegated programs.
0 Assist States through special training programs in civil
and criminal investigation and evidence collection.
0 Maximize collaboration and cooperation with State and local
enforcement agencies to promote adequate resolution of
problems involving noncompliance with Federal law.
GOAL II: Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
0 Strengthen attorney-client relationship with individual
program offices and Regions. Consult regularly with clients
to ensure capability for representing clients' interest.
Provide advice on administrative actions and case development
Counsel programs on enforcement strategies. Provide legal
representation for clients in dealing with outside parties.
Increase familiarity with nonlitigative areas of enforcement.
0 Provide proper support to the Department of Justice in
handling EPA's litigation.
GOAL V: Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum
Use of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
0 Assist program offices in developing flexible regulations
by identifying solutions to legal and enforcement problems.
GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
0 Implement consent decree tracking system that was developed
in FY 83.
0 Ensure expeditious progress in resolving legal challenges
to Agency programs.
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OFFICE OF POLICY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
GOAL I: Strengthen Partnership with States.
0 Ensure that program regulations specifically identify EPA's
expectations concerning the evolving State role in administering
the program as appropriate.
0 Continue to provide technical assistance for expeditious
adoption and expansion of generic State emissions trading
rules.
0 Work with the Air, RCRA, NPDES, and Construction Grants
programs to develop criteria for evaluating State performance
in delegated program areas.
0 Review and make necessary revisions to streamline Agency
approval procedures for delegation applications.
GOAL II: Achieve and Maintain a High Level of Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations.
0 Work with programs and OLEC to develop improved methods for
both EPA and the States to target major violations.
Continue to encourage use of sound corporate environmental
management practices to insure better compliance and more
effective use of enforcement resources, at both Federal and
State levels.
GOAL III: Manage for Environmental Results.
0 Work with Program Offices to analyze the status of and
trends in environmental quality across the nation, including
current and emerging problems, the causes associated with
these problems, and the barriers to solving them. Assess
the implications of this information for Regional and national
strategies over the short and long term.
0 Work with Program Offices to coordinate the development of
statistically valid methods for the collection, analysis
and interpretation of environmental data.
0 Work with Program Offices to conduct a comprehensive evaluation
of the Agency's environmental monitoring programs as part of
the triennial review of information collection activities.
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GOAL IV: Improve the Quality of EPA Science.
0 Develop and implement, in conjunction with ORD, a management
plan to ensure systematic scientific reviews of all major
regulations.
0 Ensure that major regulatory development packages specifically
identify the underlying assumptions concerning acceptable and
unacceptable levels of risk.
GOAL V: Promote Flexible Regulatory Approaches Making Maximum Use
of Alternatives, Incentives and Reforms.
0 Develop a five year Information Resource Management Plan for
managing Agency information collection activities. Review
Agency programs against established criteria to ensure that
no information is collected without a clearly specified
need.
0 With program offices and regions, continue to track, accelerate
and expand implementation of the bubble, water reform, and
other new approaches.
0 Analyze possible ways to achieve integrated regulatory programs
on an industry-specific basis for two of the following
industries:
- iron/steel
petroleum refining
pulp and paper
and on a regional basis for at least two geographic areas.
0 Refine the Agency's benefit analysis techniques.
GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
0 Increase the effectiveness of the regulatory development and
review process in ways which ensure that all appropriate
offices are substantively involved in early development
stages, that use of consensus methods and non-regulatory
alternatives is encouraged, and that final review is
accomplished in a timely manner.
0 Develop a comprehensive listing of all statutory and
court-imposed deadlines, and track the Agency's progress in
meeting them.
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OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION
GOAL VI: Meet Program Commitments with Maximum Efficiency and
Effectiveness.
0 Implement the approved changes to the procurement process
identified during FY 83, and establish service standards for
processing EPA procurement requests.
0 Develop a plan and schedule for implementing the President's
private sector survey recommendations, based on evaluation
of those recommendations in FY 83.
0 Prepare a list of the repair and improvement projects that
are in the FY 84 budget and begin work on these projects in
accordance with the revised policy and procedures issued
jointly with OPRM during FY 83.
0 Complete the development of a program to integrate and
modernize EPA's information systems technology, including
establishment of required procurement vehicles, by the
end of FY 85.
0 In conjunction with OPRM, explore the possibilities of
alternative funding mechanisms (such as a revolving
fund) to provide reliable financing of EPA's data
processing and telecommunications resources.
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PART III
BUDGET YEAR FY 1985
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OFFICE OF AIR, NOISE AND RADIATION
Issues to study in FY 83 for FY 85 Budget preparation:
Examine alternative funding approaches, the impact
of regulatory reform, and other initiatives to
reduce the need for Federal grants to States.
Consider the impact of meeting current schedules for
promulgation of NSPR, NESHAPS, NAAOS and radiation
standards on program resource requirements in FY 85.
Evaluate and optimize the basis for distribution of air
resources between Headquarters and the Regions,
considering program trends for the decade, including
increasing delegation and State self-sufficiency,
decreasing Federal resources, the technical complexity
of emerging air problems, the increasing EPA audit
role, and the need for national consistency.
Consider new approaches to our radiation program, including
naturally occurring radiation and the laboratory program.
Assess the technically complex problems emerging for
the mid-19801s and develop a strategy that allows their
solution efficiently and consistent with current policies
on delegation and State self-sufficiency. For instance,
regulators will require improved decision-making tools
now being developed, such as modeling, risk assessment
and consideration of uncertainty. States will need
assistance to implement revised NAAOS, including modeling,
monitoring, SIP development, definition of RACT, and
compliance techniques.
Evaluate greater State involvement in promoting mobile
sources anti-tampering and anti-fuel switching programs.
As States move toward self-sufficiency, enhance the EPA
oversight function to assure effectiveness in attaining
national standards.
Refine the compliance monitoring and enforcement strategy
to complement State efforts to address continuous compliance
problems.
Complete action on lead SIPs.
Refine and report on environmental results indicators to
track program progress in meeting environmental objectives.
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Update evaluation of emerging air issues identified in the
EMRs and provide guidance, regulations, action plans,
and technical support as appropriate.
Improve information flow to State agencies to ensure personnel
have adequate training to address with scientific credibility
problems such as air toxics, visibility, fugitive emissions,
regional transport, and continuous compliance.
Continue to identify alternative mobile source compliance
approaches; assess impact of alternative approaches implemented
Accelerate support to nonattainment areas with the most
severe economic sanctions to help ensure the rapid development
and implementation of the most efficient regulatory programs.
Develop detailed mid-course evaluation of progress and
problems for each of the 1987 extension cities. Emphasis
should be on early identification of those areas that may
not be in attainment by 1987.
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OFFICE OF WATER
Further increase the level of delegation of the Construction
Grants Program, including potential State assistance in
technically nondelegable activities.
Define the long term role of the Corps of Engineers in the
Construction Grants Program and develop a schedule for
transferring appropriate Corps activities to the States.
Implement and refine EPA's Oversight Policy as it relates to
Office of Water delegated programs.
Provide program guidance and technical assistance to States
on water quality standards, monitoring, water quality based
permits, and unregulated drinking water contaminants, as
needed.
Target Clean Water Act program grant funds to specific high
priority activities identified in program operating guidance.
Explore methods, including alternative State funding
sources and reduced program requirements, to increase
State self-sufficiency in funding.
Further improve compliance rates in water quality and drinking
water programs.
Refine and report on environmental results indicators to
track program progress in meeting environmental objectives.
Incorporate findings of regional Environmental Management
Reports into program planning and evaluation.
Implement monitoring needed to provide baseline data and
identify trends.
Develop, revise and implement quality assurance programs
on a priority basis.
Support users of EPA and State water quality information
systems.
Propose revisions to trihalomethane standards and consider
standards for radionuclides and alternative disinfectants and
their by-products.
Implement UIC program in States that do not have primacy and
on Indian lands.
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Reduce backlog of NPDES permits, including 301(h) ocean
discharge permits.
Define role of Effluent Guidelines Program once guidelines
are promulgated.
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OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT (RCRA)
0 To support the development of the FY 85 budget, conduct the
following analyses:*
Delineate EPA's responsibilities, including oversight
and technical assistance in States that have attained
final authorization. Also delineate EPA and State
responsibilities in implementing the RCRA program
after January 1985 for those States that do not
attain final authorization.
In accordance with the State responsibilities
delineated above, develop a multi-year resource plan
which addresses the resource needs of the States to
implement successfully the RCRA program. Consider
ways to assist the States to develop self-sufficient
RCRA programs.
Develop a policy on EPA's responsibilities for
initiating and processing permits in States that are
nearly authorized. This policy should also address
procedures for the States to pick up EPA initiated
permits.
Prepare a plan which specifies ongoing and planned
regulatory efforts for FY 84 and FY 85, along with a
schedule for completion. This plan should delineate
the supporting analytic effort that will occur in
the process.
Analyze actual Regional resources dedicated to
permitting hazardous waste facilities and determine
if the FY 82 RCRA permit strategy should be revised.
Also analyze new information and updated costs of
processing permits.
Analyze current Regional compliance activities and
resource requirements. Develop a policy on the long-term
Federal enforcement role after State authorization, con-
sistent with the Agency's overall policy on apportioning
Federal and State enforcement responsibility.
0 Reconvene the workgroup process to develop a consistent and
valid analytical base to estimate and justify 1985 resource
needs for EPA Regions and States.
*Note: The analyses are to be completed in the spring of FY 83.
The conclusions may be implemented immediately.
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Refine and report on environmental results indicators to
track program performance in meeting environmental objectives,
Incorporate findings of Regional Environmental Management
Reports into program planning and evaluation.
OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
SUPERFUND
Establish a coordinated Agency position on the role of the
Federal government in Superfund implementation once the
current taxing authority expires. To support the development
of a position and the FY 1985 budget, the following analyses
should be completed:*
Using the following assumptions, definitions contained
in the NCP and the latest cost estimates for the
program, provide estimates of the total number of
individual sites that can be addressed with the
available resources both for the response and
enforcement program if:
current assumptions are used to determine the
level of response that is adequate to stop work
at a site;
— complete source control remedial action and/or
off site remedial action are required at all
sites where work has begun.
Review the availability of State resources, both
technical and financial, to address the National
Priority List sites that the Fund does not cover.
Identify and develop feasible options for significantly
decreasing active Federal involvement in the program.
Refine and report on environmental results indicators to
track program progress in meeting environmental objectives.
Incorporate findings of Regional Environmental Management
Reports into program planning and evaluation.
*Note: The analyses are to be completed in the spring of FY 83
The conclusions may be implemented immediately.
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OFFICE OF PESTICIDES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES
PESTICIDES
Implement oversight protocols for State enforcement programs.
Consider development of registration fees to recover total
registration program costs.
For pesticide enforcement grants and certification and training
grants explore methods to increase self-sufficiency in funding.
Insure adequate resources are available to review data received
in response to the Registration Standards Program and to update
regulatory positions when necessary.
Consider encouraging States to utilize a portion of their
enforcement grants to provide environmental monitoring data
to OPP-
Refine and report on Environmental Results Indicators to track
program progress in meeting environmental objectives.
Incorporate findings of Regional Environmental Management
Reports into program planning and evaluation.
OFFICE OF PESTICIDES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES
TOXIC SUBSTANCES
Develop and implement a strategy to monitor compliance with
negotiated testing agreements and premanufacture notification
requirements.
Develop options for testing of existing chemicals other than
those specifically designated by the Interagency Testing
Committee.
Refine and report on Environmental Results Indicators to
track program progress in meeting environmental objectives.
Incorporate findings of Regional Environmental Management
Reports into program planning and evaluation.
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OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
In conjunction with the client program offices and SAB, ORD
should revise the research strategies as needed and assure
that they are developed in a timely manner so that they can
become a useful planning document for the preparation of the
Agency's budget.
On the basis of research, development and monitoring conducted
during FY 84 and FY 85, publish a first assessment of the
current health and environmental effects of acid deposition
and propose alternative strategies for the control and
mitigation of this problem.
The engineering and technology program should be designed to
produce technical information which supports regulatory
development, permitting, enforcement and technical assistance
activities.
Except for high risk control technology, phase out control
technology development activities.
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OFFICE OF LEGAL AND ENFORCEMENT COUNSEL
Ensure that EPA and State duplication of enforcement effort
is minimized and that the responsibilities are clear for
resolving all significant noncompliance problems.
Maintain and continue to develop the OLEC lead role as
coordinator of Agency enforcement policy and activities.
This must include a capacity to provide current and accurate
indicators of the level of enforcement activity within the
Agency. As a corollary to this, continue to develop innovative
methods to measure enforcement success through environmental
changes rather than number of cases processed.
Ensure that OLEC's role in cost recovery litigation is
adequately supported. Clearly identify support for the RCRA
program.
Conduct litigation as a high priority. There should be no
case backlog in Regional field offices or at Headquarters.
Consider alternative litigation and administrative action
processing methods to minimize duplicative Headquarters and
Regional reviews.
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OFFICE OF POLICY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Ensure that the Agency's budget request reflects a shift of
resources from direct operations to oversight, that it
includes adequate resources to implement identified major
reforms, and that program budgets for State grants reflect
specific EPA expectations for delegation.
Ensure that resource requests for information collection
activities are fully justified in accordance with the
established criteria.
Ensure that Agency programs facing statutory and court-
imposed deadlines are allocated Agency resources on a priority
basis.
Ensure that program budget requests target resources for
activities that will address significant problems identified
in the Regional and Headquarters analyses of status and
trends in environmental quality.
Ensure that Agency monitoring networks provide the information
needed to manage for environmental results.
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OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Continue implementation of the cost control initiatives
approved during FY 84.
In coordination with user organizations, evaluate the services
provided by the consolidated data processing office.
Complete modernization of information system technology
in EPA.
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