United States
            Environmental Protection
            Agency
Office Of
Chief Financial Officer
(2732)
EPA 205-R-99-003
January 1 999
&EPA    FY  1999 Final  Annual  Plan






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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FY 1999 Final Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Introduction and Overview
      Mission Statement and Agency Purpose	i-1
      Goals	i-2
      Organization for the Final Annual Plan	i-4
      Overview of the Plan	i-6

Goal 1: Clean Air	1-1

Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water	H-l

Goal 3: Safe Food	HI-1

Goal 4: Preventing Pollution and Reducing Risk in Communities, Homes,
            Workplaces and Ecosystems	IV-1

Goal 5: Better Waste Management and Restoration of Contaminated
            Waste Sites	V-l

Goal 6: Reduction of Global and Cross-Border Environmental Risks	VI-1

Goal 7: Expansion of American's Right to Know About Their Environment	  VII-1

Goal 8: Sound Science, Improved Understanding of Environmental Risks,
            and Greater Innovation to Address Environmental Problems	Vffl-1

Goal 9: A Credible Deterrent to Pollution and Greater Compliance
            with the Law	DC-1

Goal 10: Effective Management	X-l

Special Analysis
      The Customer Service Program and its Goals	SA-1
      Costs and Benefits for Economically Significant Rule in 1999 Or 2000 	S A-3

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                          EPA's Mission and Purpose
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and to safeguard
the natural environment— air, water, and land— upon which life depends. EPA's purpose is to ensure that:
       All   Americans  are  protected   from
       significant risks to human health and the
       environment where they live, learn, and
       work.

       National efforts to reduce environmental
       risk  are  based on  the  best available
       scientific information.

       Federal laws protecting human health and
       the environment are  enforced fairly and
       effectively.

       Environmental  protection is an integral
       consideration in U.S. policies concerning
       natural resources, human health, economic
       growth, energy, transportation, agriculture,
       industry, and international trade, and these
       factors  are   similarly  considered  in
       establishing environmental policy.
All  parts   of  society-communities,
individuals,  business,  state  and local
governments, and tribal governments—have
access to accurate information sufficient to
effectively participate in managing human
health and environmental risks.

Environmental protection contributes to
making our communities and ecosystems
diverse,  sustainable, and  economically
productive.

The United States plays a leadership role in
working with other nations to protect the
global environment.

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                                      EPA's Goals
       EPA has developed a series often strategic, long-term Goals in its Strategic Plan.  These goals, together
with the underlying principles that will be used to achieve them, define the Agency's  planning, budgeting,
analysis, and accountability process.
                                                     •       Preventing Pollution and Reducing Risk
                                                            in Communities, Homes, Workplaces
                                                            and Ecosystems: Pollution prevention and
                                                            risk management strategies aimed at cost-
                                                            effectively   eliminating,  reducing,  or
                                                            minimi/ing emissions and contamination
                                                            will   result  in   cleaner   and   safer
                                                            environments in which all Americans can
                                                            reside, work, and enjoy life. EPA will
Clean Air:  The air in every American
community will be  safe  and healthy  to
breathe. In particular, children, the elderly,
and people with respiratory ailments will be
protected from health risks of breathing
polluted air. Reducing air pollution will
also protect the environment, resulting in
many benefits, such as restoring life  in
damaged ecosystems and reducing health
risks to those whose subsistence depends
directly on those ecosystems.

Clean and Safe Water:  All Americans
will have drinking water that is clean and
safe  to  drink. Effective protection  of
America's rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers,
and coastal and ocean waters will sustain
fish,  plants,  and  wildlife,  as well  as
recreational, subsistence, and economic
activities. Watersheds  and  their aquatic
ecosystems will be restored  and protected
to improve public health, enhance water
quality,  reduce  flooding,  and  provide
habitat for wildlife.

Safe Food: The foods Americans eat will
be free from  unsafe pesticide residues.
Children especially will be protected from
the health threats  posed  by pesticide
residues, because they are among the most
vulnerable groups in our society.
                                                            safeguard ecosystems and  promote the
                                                            health  of natural communities  that are
                                                            integral to the quality of life in this nation.

                                                            Better Waste Management, Restoration
                                                            of  Contaminated  Waste  Sites,  and
                                                            Emergency Response: America's wastes
                                                            will be stored, treated, and disposed of in
                                                            ways that prevent harm to people and to the
                                                            natural environment.  EPA  will work to
                                                            clean up previously polluted sites, restoring
                                                            them to uses appropriate for surrounding
                                                            communities, and respond to and prevent
                                                            waste-related or industrial accidents.

                                                            Reduction of Global and Cross-Border
                                                            Environmental Risks: The United States
                                                            will lead other  nations in  successful,
                                                            multilateral efforts to reduce significant
                                                            risks to human health and ecosystems from
                                                            climate  change,  stratospheric  ozone
                                                            depletion,   and   other   hazards   of
                                                            international concern.
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Expansion of Americans' Right to Know
About Their Environment:  Easy access
to a wealth of information about the state
of their local  environment will  expand
citizen involvement and give people tools
to  protect  their  families   and  their
communities as they see fit.   Increased
information exchange between scientists,
public health officials, businesses, citizens,
and all levels of government will foster
greater knowledge about the environment
and what can be done to protect it.

Sound Science, Improved Understanding
of Environmental Risk,  and Greater
Innovation to Address Environmental
Problems: EPA will develop and apply
the best available science for addressing
current and future environmental hazards,
as  well   as  new  approaches  toward
improving environmental protection.
A Credible Deterrent to Pollution and
Greater Compliance with the Law: EPA
will  ensure mil compliance with laws
intended to protect human health and the
environment.

Effective   Management:    EPA  will
establish a management infrastructure that
will set and implement the highest quality
standards for effective internal management
and fiscal responsibility.
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                       Organization of the Annual Plan
       The organization of EPA's FY 1999 Final Annual Plan reflects the Agency's continuing commitment to
link planning and budgeting in a coherent, integrated process. In the spirit of reinventing government to better
serve the American people, the Agency presented its FY 1999 budget as its Annual Plan. While the initial FY
1999 Annual Plan represented the President's Budget Request, the FY 1999 Final Annual Plan reflects the
Agency's enacted budget.

       The Annual Plan presents the Agency's Goals and Objectives, and identifies the resource levels and
activities associated with them. The Annual Plan sets forth in measurable and quantifiable form the intermediate
levels of performance for each objective in the budget year; as such, it is the linchpin to each of the Agency's
Objectives contained in the Agency's five-year Strategic Plan.  As a result, the Annual Plan promotes fiscal
accountability through a direct connection between resources and outcomes.

GOAL CHAPTERS

       The FY 1999 Final Annual Plan is organized by the Agency's 10 Strategic Goals.  Within each Goal
chapter, you will find the following sections:
        Background and Context: Sets the broad
        context for the Goal and briefly explains
        why the Goal is of National importance.
        Means and Strategy:
        Agency's  approach to
        strategic Goal.
Describes the
achieving  the
        Resource Summary:  Provides a broad
        overview of the resources for FY 1999 by
        Goal, Objective, and Appropriation.

        Strategic Objective:   Includes  all the
        Objectives under each Goal and links the
        Objectives with:

        Key Programs: Resources levels are listed
        for Key Programs which help to achieve the
        Objective.  The Key  Programs do  not
        account for all resources in the Objective.
Annual   Performance  Goals   and
Measures:  Objective  sections contain
"Congressional"  Annual Performance
Goals, which are commitments by the
Agency to Congress to achieve certain
levels of performance. The accompanying
Performance Measures provide the means
for determining the extent to which annual
goals  and  multi-year  objectives  are
achieved.

External Factors: This section addresses
the external-Agency factors that could have
a substantial impact on the achievement of
the Annual Performance Goals.  External
factors may include the participation in
environmental programs by State and local
governments and  other stakeholders, or
economic and technological factors that
may enhance or impede progress toward
achieving environmental goals.
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       Verification and Validation: This section
       describes  how  the   values  used  in
       Performance Measures are verified and
       validated.   This   section  includes   a
       description of the source of performance
       measure data as well as procedures for
       quality assurance.  This section may also
       include information on the methodology of
       data    collection    and     review.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUDGETED RESOURCES AND ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS
AND MEASURES
Annual  Performance  Goals are related to the
resource levels contained in each Objective. Annual
Performance Goals in this Annual Performance Plan
are based upon the resource levels in the Agency's
enacted FY1999 budget However, resources may
contribute  not only to the budget year's Annual
Performance Goals but also to the accomplishment
of Goals  in future  years.   For  example,  a
performance goal  to complete a  number  of
Superfund  site  cleanups,  or  develop  research
methods and models,  generally requires a period
longer man one year. Thus, FY 1999 activities will
contribute to completion of work in FY 1999 or
beyond.    Likewise,  some  FY 1999 Annual
Performance Goals are achievable only with funding
provided in prior years.

Given this multi-year characteristic of some of the
resources requested, it is not always possible to
establish  direct linkages between the  budget
requested for a particular year and the achievement
of all performance goals for that year.
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                             Annual Plan Overview
       For over 25 years, the Environmental Protection Agency and its partners have made significant strides
in controlling pollution and other environmental risks to human health and the environment. The air, land, and
water are now safer for all Americans due to our Nation's investment in environmental protection.

       The EPA's plan for FY 1999 builds on that success and invests in programs that deliver consistently
better environmental protection at less cost.  The EPA's FY 1999 Final Annual Plan highlights significant
programs and activities the Agency will undertake with its enacted budget of $7.590 billion and 18,385 FTE.

       This Annual Plan represents the EPA's new approach to planning and budgeting, which links goals and
objectives to the human, capital, and technological resources required to achieve them. The EPA's FY 1999 Final
Annual Plan is another step forward in the Agency's full participation in the Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA), which is designed to increase the effectiveness and accountability of Federal Agencies.

KEY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

       The EPA is committed to providing the greatest degree of environmental protection at the lowest
possible cost and regulatory burden to citizens and businesses. The Agency has several key initiatives which are
designed to address environmental risks effectively while maintaining the Administration's commitment to a
strong economy and a streamlined Federal government.

       Many of these initiatives are supported across the Agency and involve a number of strategic goals and
objectives.  They all work to support the Agency's mission to reduce risk to human health and safeguard the
environment for future generations.
ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER

    The  President  has made  the  protection  of
America's water supply and waterways a national
priority.  To meet this commitment, the FY 1999
enacted budget supports the Agency's involvement
in the Clean Water Action Plan as well as strong
support  for the Nation's water  infrastructure
through State Revolving Funds:

•   Clean Water Action Plan: The EPA will play a
    key role in the  Clean Water Action  Plan
    (CWAP),  focusing on three  challenges  to
    restore  and protect the Nation's  waterways:
    preventing polluted runoff; protecting public
    health;   and  ensuring   community-based
    watershed  management.  This initiative  is
    funded in the Agency's Annual Plan at $605
    million.  The Agency  also provides for  an
    additional  $20  million in  CWAP  related
    activities such as source water protection, the
Index of Watershed Indicators, and research.
This initiative increases grants to States  to
implement water quality improvement projects
as well as other Agency activities such as the
restoration  and protection of our Nation's
wetlands.


Infrastructure-   The budget  proposes  $775
million in capitalization grants for Drinking
Water State Revolving  Funds (SRFs), which
make low-interest loans to help municipalities
meet  the requirements  of the Safe Drinking
Water Act Amendments. The funds will help
ensure that Americans  have a safe,  clean
drinking water supply — our first line of defense
in protecting public health.  The budget also
include $ 1.350 billion in capitalization grants to
Clean Water  SRFs  to help municipalities
comply with the Clean Water Act, thus helping
to  reduce  beach  closures  and  keep  our
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    waterways safe and clean. The combined SRF
    proposal, with continued outyear capitalization,
    will meet the Administration's long-term goal
    to provide about $2.5 billion a year in loans to
    needy communities.

MEETING  THE  GLOBAL  WARMING
CHALLENGE

    The United States has made a commitment to
lead the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
through market forces, new technology and energy
efficiency.   The  Climate Change  Technology
Initiative (CCTI), funded in the EPA's budget at
$109.5  million in FY  1999, will help America
continue to meet its global responsibility to lead the
world in emissions reductions.  CCTI is an inter-
agency initiative led by EPA and the Department of
Energy  to  support research  and  technology
advancements   in  energy  efficiency, renewable
energy, and carbon-reduction technologies.

IMPLEMENTING STRONGER CLEAN AIR
STANDARDS

    This budget invests $65.7 million in a national
network of Particulate Matter Monitors to help the
Nation meet the health based air quality standard for
fine particles.   This  investment level honors  the
Administration's commitment to States to fund the
costs of deploying a new fine paniculate monitoring
network and to provide them the tools necessary to
carry  out their monitoring efforts.  The EPA will
also be conducting  analyses to determine  the
chemical constituents of PM 2.5 and better identify
and understand the sources and characteristics of the
pollution.  This effort will lead to cleaner, safer air
for all Americans.

PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH

    One of the President's foremost policy concerns
is the protection  of human  health  through  the
reduction  of environmental threats. To reduce
environmental   threats   and   protect  future
generations, the Agency focuses on areas where it
can provide the greatest amount of protection, such
as the cleanup of toxic waste sites and the protection
of children from toxins in the environment.

•      Cleaning up  Toxic  Waste  Sites;  The
       budget continues a commitment to clean up
       toxic waste sites  with $1.5 billion for
       Superfund  cleanups.   Combined  with
       continuing  administrative reforms, these
       funds will help meet the President's pledge
       to clean up the most hazardous waste sites.


       Agency  has  made the  protection  of
       children's health a fundamental goal  of
       public health and environmental protection
       in the U.S.  This annual plan builds on mat
       commitment with a $33 million investment
       (an $8 million increase over 1998) for the
       Assessing  Health   Risks  to  Children
       Agenda.  This is a high-priority for the
       Agency since children face significant and
       unique health threats because they are often
       more heavily exposed and more vulnerable
       than adults to toxins in the environment
       When we protect the health of children, we
       protect the health of all Americans. Major
       activities include establishing, with HHS,
       five  Children's  Environmental Research
       Centers, ensuring that EPA's public health
       regulations consider children's health, and
       providing information to parents to better
       protect their children from environmental
       hazards.

•      Reducing Risks Posed by  Persistent.
       Bioaccumulative. and  Toxic Pollutants:
       The Agency is strengthening its efforts to
       address the health  threat  presented by
       persistent,  bioaccumulative,   and toxic
       (PBT) pollutants. This initiative is funded
       at $9.3 million in the 1999 Revised Annual
       Plan (a $6.3 million increase over 1998).
       The  Agency  will conduct research  and
       coordinate  strategies to reduce the risks
       posed by PBTs using the full range of
       regulatory,   voluntary,   programmatic,
       enforcement,  compliance  and  research
       tools.  PBT risk mitigation activities will
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       include  analysis  of economic  impact,
       pollution prevention strategies, exploration
       of safe substitute chemical alternatives and
       dissemination of public information.  This
       multi-year initiative will reduce PBTs in the
       environment and  reduce the risks these
       toxins pose to human health.

INVESTING IN  SCIENCE  FOR  SOUND
DECISION-MAKING

    Environmental   research   is   critical   for
developing  the  scientific understanding  and
technological tools to allow the Nation to enhance
environmental quality for current  and future
generations. The Agency's FY1999 enacted budget
includes $562 million for EPA's Office of Research
and Development (ORD). This investment will
provide a scientific basis for developing  cost-
effective environmental   policies,  create  the
knowledge  base  for  citizens  to make  wise
environmental decisions, and enable new and better
approaches to environmental protection.

REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES
THROUGH THE BROWNFIELDS
INITIATIVE

    The FY 1999 enacted budget continues the
President's Brownfields initiative, which promotes
local cleanup and redevelopment of industrial sites,
bringing jobs to blighted areas. This budget includes
$91 million for technical assistance and grants to
communities for site assessment and redevelopment
planning as well as revolving loan funds to finance
clean-up efforts at the local level.

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH
INDIAN TRIBES

    This  Annual Plan continues  the Agency's
commitment to carrying out its trust responsibilities
to Federally-recognized tribes with a budget of $174
million (a $35 million increase  over 1998).  The
Indian Program includes cross-Agency activities
designed to ensure the protection of public health
and the tribal homeland environment in a manner
consistent  with  a  government-to-government
relationship. The Indian Program is a priority for the
Agency because the sub-standard  environmental
conditions of many tribal homelands pose threats to
human health, Tribal economies, and ecosystems.
The program will enhance environmental protection
by increasing the number of partnerships with tribal
governments, providing infrastructure assistance,
and    helping   to   resolve   trans-boundary
environmental issues.

IMPROVING    PUBLIC   ACCESS   TO
INFORMATION

    All U.S. citizens have a right to know about the
pollutants in their environment — including the
condition of the air they breathe and the water they
drink, as well as the health effects of the chemicals
used in the food and products they buy. Access to
environmental  information  also   helps  make
American  citizens  involved  and   informed
environmental  decision makers,  and promotes
creative and lasting solutions to  environmental
problems. EPA's  participation in the President's
Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and
Community Tracking (EMPACT) initiative, funded
at $14 million in this Annual Plan, helps to carry out
this commitment to provide the public with crucial
information on environmental conditions.

SUMMARY

    The EPA's 1999 Final Annual Plan embodies
the Agency's commitment to protect human health
and safeguard the environment, while continuing on
the nation's  path of unprecedented economic
growth. As the Agency strengthens its relationships
with the public, the regulated community, and its
governmental partners, it will  provide a more
effective and efficient system of environmental
protection.   These partnerships,  along with  a
commitment to identity and solve the Nation's most
pressing environmental problems, will help us leave
a cleaner, safer environment for  generations  to
come.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Goal: dean Air

       The air in every American community will be safe and healthy to breathe. In particular, children, the
elderly, and people with respiratory ailments will be protected from health risks of breathing polluted air.
Reducing air pollution will also protect the environment, resulting in many benefits, such as restoring life in
damaged ecosystems and reducing health risks to those whose subsistence depends directly on those ecosystems.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

     Despite  concerted efforts to achieve cleaner,
     healthier air, air pollution continues to be a
     widespread public health and environmental
problem  in the United  States, contributing to
illnesses such as cancer, respiratory, developmental
and  reproductive problems.  In many cases, air
pollutants end up on the land or in rivers, lakes and
streams, harming the life in them. Air pollution also
makes soil  and waterways more acidic, reduces
visibility and corrodes buildings.

MEANS AND STRATEGY
    EPA is responding to air pollution because the
problem is national and international in scope. The
majority of the population lives in expanding urban
areas, where air pollution crosses local  and state
lines and, in some cases, crosses our borders with
Canada  and Mexico.   Federal  assistance and
leadership are essential for developing cooperative
state, local, tribal,  regional and international
programs to prevent and control air pollution and
for ensuring that national standards are met.
T7 PA develops standards to protect public health
J—/and the environment that limit concentrations of
    the most widespread pollutants  (known as
criteria pollutants), which are linked to many serious
health and environmental problems:

•      Ground-level   ozone.      Exacerbates
       respiratory  illness  especially  in active
       children, aggravates respiratory illnesses
       such as asthma  and causes  damage to
       vegetation and visibility problems.

•      Carbon monoxide.  Interferes with the
       delivery  of oxygen  to  body  tissues,
       affecting   particularly  people   with
       cardiovascular diseases.

•      Sulfur dioxide. Aggravates the symptoms
       of asthma and is a major contributor to acid
       rain.
•      Nitrogen oxides.   Irritates the lung and
       contributes to the formation of ground-level
       ozone, acidic deposition  and visibility
       problems.

•      Lead.  Causes nervous system damage,
       especially in children, leading to reduced
       intelligence.

•      Particulate  matter (PM).    Linked  to
       premature death in the elderly and people
       with cardiovascular  disease,  respiratory
       illness in children; affects the environment
       through visibility  impairment.

    Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), commonly
referred to as air toxics or toxic air pollutants, are
pollutants that cause, or may cause, adverse health
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     FY1999 Final Annual Plan
effects or ecosystem damage. The Clean Air Act
(CAA) lists 188 pollutants or chemical groups as
hazardous air pollutants and targets sources emitting
them for regulation.

    Examples of air toxics include heavy metals like
mercury and chromium, dioxins and pesticides such
as chlordane and toxaphene. HAPs are emitted from
literally thousands of sources including stationary as
well as mobile sources.

    Adverse effects  to human health and  the
environment due to HAPs can result from exposure
to air toxics from individual facilities, exposures to
mixtures of pollutants found in urban settings, or
exposure to pollutants emitted from distant sources
that are transported through the atmosphere over
regional, national or even global air sheds.

    Compared to information  for  the criteria
pollutants, the information  concerning potential
health effects of  the HAPs (and their ambient
concentrations) is relatively incomplete. Most of the
information on potential health effects of these
pollutants is derived from experimental animal data.
Of the 188 HAPs referenced previously, almost 60
percent are classified by EPA as known, probable or
possible carcinogens.

    Some    Maximum   Achievable    Control
Technology (MACT) standards, particularly the
coating rules, typically achieve concurrent reduction
in both Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and
HAP  emissions.    The  standards  reduce  the
emissions created by evaporation of solvents from
the coatings and these solvents often contain both
HAP and VOC. Air toxic and particulate matter
pollution share common sources.  In some cases
particulates are also hazardous air pollutants.

    One  of  the  more documented ecological
concerns associated with toxic air pollutants is the
potential for some to damage aquatic ecosystems, In
some cases,  deposited air  pollutants  can  be
significant contributors to overall pollutant loadings
entering water bodies.

    The Clean  Air Act Amendments of  1990
established an emissions trading program to control
emissions from electric power plants that cause acid
rain and other environmental and public  health
problems.  Emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and
nitrogen oxide (NO*) react in  the atmosphere and
fall to earth as acid rain, causing acidification of
lakes and streams and contributing to the damage of
trees at high elevations.

    NOX emissions are a major precursor of ozone,
which affects public health and damages  crops,
forests,  and  materials.   NOX  deposition  also
contributes to eutrophication of coastal waters, such
as the Chesapeake and Tampa Bays.  Additionally,
before falling to earth, S02 and NOX gases form fine
particles that affect public health by contributing to
premature mortality, chronic bronchitis, and other
respiratory problems.

    The fine particles also contribute to reduced
visibility in national parks and elsewhere.  Acid
deposition also accelerates the decay of building
materials and paints and contributes to degradation
of irreplaceable cultural objects such as statues and
sculptures.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                           FY1999 Final Annual Plan
        Percent Change in National Air Quality Concentrations and Emissions (1988-1996)
                                                  Air Quality Concentration
                                                   % Change 1987-1996
                             Emissions % Change
                                 1987-1996
  Carbon Monoxide (CO)

  Lead

  Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

  Ozone (VOC)

  PMjo*

  Sulfur Dioxide SOX
           -37%

           -75%

           -10%

           -15%

           -25%

           -37%
-18%

-50%

+3%

-18%
-14%
SOURCE: National Air Quality and Emissions Trend Report, 19%.
* Based on 1988 to 1996 data.
+ Includes only directly emitted particles. Secondary PM formed from SOX, NOX, and other gases comprises a significant
fraction of ambient PM.
    The above table summarizes  the  10-year
percent   changes   hi  national   air   quality
concentrations and emissions.  It shows that air
quality has continued to improve during the past 10
years for all six pollutants.

    Nationally, the 1996 air quality levels are
the best on record for all six criteria pollutants.
 hi fact, all the years in the 1990s have had
better air quality than all the years in the 1980's,
showing a steady trend of improvement.

    The dramatic improvements in emissions
and air quality occurred simultaneously with
significant increases in economic growth and
population.  The improvements are a result of
effective implementation of clean air laws and
regulations, as well as improvements in  the
efficiency of industrial technologies.

    While  progress  has been  made,  it  is
important to not lose sight of the magnitude of
the air pollution problem mat still remains. Based
upon monitoring data submitted to EPA's data
base, approximately 46 million people in the United
       States reside in counties that did not meet the air
       quality standard for at least one of the National
       Ambient  Air   Quality   Standards  (NAAQS)
       pollutants for the single year 1996.

Percent of 1970 Value
250
200
150
100
 50
                                   VMT(+121%)
                                 Emissions (-32%)
                                   on
 Above: Total U.S. population, vehicle miles traveled, U.S. gross
 domestic product, and aggregate emissions, 1970-1996.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                 FY1999 Final Annual Plan
    To continue to reduce air pollution, the Clean
Air Act sets specific targets for the mitigation of
each air pollution problem and identifies specific
activities and a multi-year schedule for carrying
them out.  The Act also requires the air  quality
monitoring that helps us measure progress.  In
addition, the Act also lays out a specific roadmap
for achieving those goals - what we the Agency and
our partners -- states and tribes - have to do to
clean up the air.  One constant across the titles in the
Act  is that the pollution  control strategies and
programs it contains are all designed to get the most
cost-effective reductions early  on.   The  early
reductions program in toxics, Phase 1 of the Acid
Rain program, and the MACT program were all
designed to achieve early reductions, making our air
cleaner and safer to breathe.  The problems that
remain are some of the most difficult to solve.

    We have developed strategies to address this
difficult increment and overcome the barriers that
have hindered progress in clean air in the past. We
will use the flexibility built into the Clean Air Act,
which is  not wedded to hard and fast formulas or
specific technological requirements.
    We will focus our efforts on:

•   Coupling ambitious goals with steady progress
    - The emphasis will be on near-term  actions
    towards meeting  the standards, while giving
    states time to come up with more difficult
    measures. We recognize that it will be difficult
    for some areas of the country to attain the new
    National Ambient Air Quality Standards for
    ozone and fine particles, and we believe it will
    take more than an individual  state's efforts to
    achieve the needed emission  reductions.  We
   will work with states and •tribes to identify ways
   to  achieve  interim reductions,  principally
   through regional strategies, national measures
   and the air toxics and Acid Rain programs by
   building on cross-pollutant emission reductions.
    Using these strategies gets steady progress
toward the goal and for many areas will achieve
the goal.   For those areas where additional
measures  are  required, this work will allow
steady progress toward the goal while giving
states the time to identify measures that will get
them that last increment to fully achieve the
goal.

Maintaining accountability with flexibility -
Ensuring that there is no backsliding in the
progress already made to meeting the Clean Air
goal is  critical.  We  will also use  the Act's
flexibility to develop the NOX Trading program
to build on the Acid Rain program to help states
and  localities  reduce emissions at the lowest
cost.

Fostering technical  innovation where  they
provide clear environmental benefits - Market-
based approaches  provide "niches"  for many
types of technologies; no one size will fit all.
Sources can improvise, innovate and otherwise
be creative in reducing emissions.  We will
promote such technological innovation and men
disseminate it to others to show how they can
get needed reductions.

Building partnerships - There are  numerous
forms of partnerships, all of which we have
used at one point or another in the  Clean Air
Act: public outreach to educate people on the
air problems and encourage them to work  to
solve them;  Ozone  Transport Assessment
Group (OTAG)-type groups to study a problem
and provide recommendations to EPA on ways
to solve it; working with organizations like the
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) on both
short-term and long-term research  priorities;
and  Regulatory Negotiations to bring in many
interested parties to work on  a problem and
address a specific regulatory issue.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                    FY1999 Final Annual Plan
Research

    The  Agency is seeking  to  understand
further  the root causes of  the  air  toxics
environmental and human health problems in
urban areas, thereby improving the ability to
weigh alternative strategies for solving those
problems. Research will be  devoted  to  the
development of currently unavailable health
effects and exposure information to determine
risk and  develop alternative strategies  for
maximizing risk reductions.  We will be able to
model and characterize not only the current
toxics risk and compare  national  program
alternatives, but also to identify regional and
local "hot spots" and model alternative
strategies to assist  states and localities in
solving their air and water toxics problems.

    Using these strategies, we will work with areas
that have the worst problems to develop strategies
accounting for unique local conditions that may
hinder them from reaching attainment We will also
work with states/locals and tribes to ensure that
work they are doing on the PM and ozone standards
effectively targets both pollutants, as well as
regional haze, to maximize control strategies.  On
the national level, we will continue to target source
characterization work, especially emission factors,
that is essential for the states, tribes and locals to
development strategies to meet the standards.
                                                  STATUTORY AUTHORITY
                                                  Clean Air Act (CAA) and Amendments
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FY1999 Final Annual Plan

Clean Air
Resource Summary
(Dollars in thousands)

Attain NAAQS for Ozone and PM
EPM
S&T
STAG



Reduce Emissions of Air Toxics
EPM
S&T
STAG
Attain NAAQS for
EPM
S&T
STAG
Acid Rain
EPM
S&T
STAG




CO,S02,NO2,Lead







Total Workyears:
FY1999
Pres. Budget
$525,639.6
$361,648.7
$86,102.3
$128,926.6
$146,619.8
$97,546.9
$52,651.7
$22,800.7
$22,094.5
$44,878.2
$16,750.5
$113.2
$28,014.5
$21,565.8
$13,035.8
$4,000.0
$4,530.0
1,777.1
FY1999
Enacted
$536^68.0
$384,863.2
$81,847.5
$147,060.1
$155,955.6
$90,700.3
$46,904.8
$21,551.4
$22,244.1
$42,184.1
$17,276.4
$113.2
$24,794.5
$18,620.4
$11,010.7
$4,002.1
$3,607.6
1,762.3
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  	    FY1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Objective: Attain NAAQS for Ozone and PM
                             Key Programs
                             (Dollars in thousands)
1999 Pres Bud 1999 Enacted
Particulate Matter Monitoring Network (non-grant)
Particulate Matter Monitoring Network Grants
Air, State, Local and Tribal Assistance Grants: Other Air Grants
Mobile Sources
Sustainable Development Challenge Grants
Resources moved to Goal 8/Office of the Administrator in FY1999
enacted
Urban Environmental Quality and Human Health
EMPACT
Tribal Capacity
Research: Tropospheric Ozone Research
Research: Particulate Matter Research
$25,000
$50,700
$95,920
$54,824
$7,687
$440
$3,537
$3,813
$19,763
$37,587
$25,000
$50,735
$155,867
$45,975
$0
$0
$2,622
$3,813
$20,083
$55,657
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
ONE-HOUR OZONE STANDARD REVOKED
By 1999: 8 additional areas currently classified as non-attainment will have the 1-hour ozone standard revoked
because they meet the old standard.
Performance Measures:                                             Target:
Publish Notice Revoking 1-Hour Standard                                  8 Areas
National Guidance on Ozone SIP                                        1 Issued
States submit designations of areas for attainment of the ozone standards             5 0 States
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 £7.5. Environmental Protection Agency	/T1999 Final Annual Plan


Baseline: As a result of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,101 areas were designated non-attainment
for the 1-hour ozone standard. In 1998, as indicated in the 1997 air quality trends report, 38 areas were in non-
attainment.  The trends are updated each year with a one-year lag time (i.e., the 2000 information will be
available in 2002).
PM-2.5 MONITORS

By 1999: Deploy PM-2.5 ambient monitors including: mass, continuous, speciation, and visibility sites
resulting in a total of 1500 monitoring sites.

Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

National Guidance on PM-2.5 SIP and Attainment Demonstration Requirements.           1  Issued

Cumulative total number of monitoring sites deployed.                                 1500 sites

Baseline:  The Agency began working with the states to develop a PM-2.5 monitoring network in 1997 with
the first monitors put in place in 1998.


RESEARCH: PM HEALTH EFFECTS

By 1999: Identify and evaluate at least two plausible biological mechanisms by which PM causes death and
disease in humans.

Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

Reports (1) describing research designed to test a hypothesis about mechanisms of PM-     30-SEP-99
induced toxicity; 2) characterize factors affecting PM dosimetry in humans; 3) ID PM
characteristics (coposition) .

Baseline:  Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                 FY1999 Final Annual Plan

Strategic Objective: Reduce Emissions of Air Toxics

                               Key Programs
                               (Dollars in Thousands)

Air, State, Local and Tribal Assistance Grants: Other Air Grants
Federal Air Toxics Standards
Mobile Sources
EMPACT
Research: Air Toxics Research
99 Pres Bud
$22,095
$26,863
$1,768
$205
$21,015
99 Enacted
$22,244
$14,092
$1,736
$172
$19,682
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures

Am Toxic EMISSIONS

By 1999: Reduce air toxic emissions by 12% in FY 1999, resulting in a cumulative reduction of 25% from
1993 levels.

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

Obtain data for building the 1999 National Toxics Inventory                        1 Inventory

Air Toxics Emissions reduced from 1993                                       25 Percent

Baseline: In 1993, the last year before MACT standards and mobile source regulations developed
under the Clean Air Act were implemented, stationary and mobile sources emitted 3.7 million tons
of air toxics. In 1996, implementation of MACT standards decreased air toxic emissions by 0.7
million tons (20%) from 1993 emissions. Implementation of mobile source regulations (e.g.,
reformulated fuels) also decreased air toxics emissions. We revise air toxics emission data every
three years to generate inventories for 1993, 1996, 1999, etc with a lag time of approximately two
years (i.e., the 1999 inventory will be available in 2001).
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                       	JT1999 Final Annual Plan
RESEARCH:  HEALTH ASSESSMENTS

By 1999: Complete Health Assessments for five air toxics to be indicated as high priority by the EPA and
regional offices.

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

Complete four toxicologjcal reviews and assessments (RfC, RfD, cancer unit risks) of high  5 Assessments
priority to the Air Program

Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
 Strategic Objective: Attain NAAQS for CO, SO2, NO2, Lead


                                Key Programs
                                (Dollars in Thousands)
	99 Pres Bud    99 Enacted
Air, State, Local and Tribal Assistance Grants: Other Air Grants             $28,015        $24,795
Mobile Sources                                                   $113          $113
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
NAAQS
By 1999: Certify that 14 of the 58 estimated remaining non-attainment areas have achieved the NAAQS for
carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, or lead.

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

Regions take Final Action on CO Re-designation                                7 pmai Actions

Regions take Final Action on SO2 Re-designation                                5 Final Actions

Regions take Final Action on Pb Re-designation                                 2 Final Actions
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	         FY1999 Final Annual Plan


Baseline: As a result of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,48 areas were designated as non-attainment of the CO
standard. In 1996, as indicated in the most recent air trends report, 29 areas were non-attainment. Six areas have been re-
designated during 1997-1998. The air quality trends data is updated each year with a one-year lag time (i.e., the 2000
information will be available in 2002). As a result of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,54 areas were designated
as non-attainment of the SO2 standard. In 1996, as indicated in the most air recent trends, 34 areas were non-attainment.
The air quality trends data is updated each year with a one-year lag time (i.e., the 2000 information will be available in
2002). As a result of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,13 areas were designated as non-attainment of the lead
standard. In 1996, as indicated in the most recent air trends report, 10 areas were in non-attainment.  The air quality
trends data is updated each year with a one-year lag time (i.e., the 2000 information will be available in 2002).  There is
one area in non-attainment for NOx.
Strategic Objective: Acid Rain
                                     Key Programs
                                     (Dollars in Thousands)

Air, State, Local and Tribal Assistance Grants:
Acid Rain -Program Implementation
Acid Rain -CASTNet

Other Air Grants


99 Pres Bud
$4,530
$3,502
$4,000
99 Enacted
$3,608
$9,951
$4,000
                Annual Performance Goals and Measures


EMISSIONS REDUCTION

By 1999:  Maintain 4 million tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions reductions from utility sources, and
maintain 300,000 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) reductions from coal-fired utility sources.

Performance Measures:                                                Target:

SO2 Emissions                                                        4,000,000 Tons Reduced

NOx Reductions                                                       300,000 Tons Reduced

Baseline:  The base of comparison for assessing progress on the 2000 annual performance goals is emissions
levels before implementation of Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments in 1990. Emissions levels that
would have resulted without implementation of Title IV of the CAAA were based on projection inventories of
NOx emissions assuming growth without controls.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                    FY1999 Final Annual Plan
EXTERNAL FACTORS

    Federal and state government agencies, industry
    and individuals must work together to achieve
    the goal of healthy, clean air.  Success is far
from guaranteed. Much remains to be done if the
health and environmental improvement targets in the
Clean Air goal are to be achieved. Meeting the goal
depends on a strong partnership between the states
and EPA.   States will play a pivotal role by
providing information and working with EPA on
standard setting.

    A  variable that  we  have to consider  in
developing programs to achieve the Clean Air goal
is the weather.   In developing their  clean air
strategies, states and locals consider the normal
meteorological patterns.   However, a hot, dry
summer may prevent areas from gaining the three
full years  of clean  air  data  needed to  gain
attainment.

    Additionally, clean air strategies attempt  to
predict  changing  demographics,  transportation
patterns, impacts of urban sprawl and  industrial
demands; an increase or large shift in any of these
areas can significantly impact air quality.
    Accomplishing the Acid Rain objective's target
for a decrease in ambient  concentration  and
deposition of nitrates assumes that other sources of
nitrogen oxides (e.g. mobile sources) do not grow
at a faster rate than currently projected. The Acid
Rain program is also affected by demand for electric
power and the fuels used by electric utilities.

    Because air pollution crosses local and state
lines and in some cases, crosses our borders with
Canada and Mexico, the problems are both national
and international in scope. Successfully achieving
clean air goals will require extensive multi-state and
even multi-country planning,  coordination  and
implementation efforts.

    Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) testing through
the HAP Test Rule is also critical for development
of cancer and non-cancer dose-response assessments
as part of the Urban Air  Toxics Strategy which
seeks to reduce risk of the  30 HAPs presenting the
greatest threat to  public  health.  Without  this
fundamental data,  toxic emission  reduction  and
subsequent  risk  reduction  to  the American
population could be significantly delayed.
VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Attain NAAQS for Ozone and PM

Data sources:
•   EPA Aerometric and Information Retrieval
    System (AIRS) Air Quality Subsystem;
•   EPA National Emission Trends Database;
•   EPA Findings and Required Elements Data
    System (FREDS);
•   IMPROVE database.
    Data from the AIRS Air Quality Subsystem are
    used to determine if non-attainment areas have
    the requisite  three years  of clean air data
needed for re-designation. The National Emission
Trends database is used to determine if the states
have reduced their VOC, PM2.S, and NOX emissions.
 The FREDS system tracks the progress of states
and Regions  in reviewing  and  approving  the
required elements of the state implementation plans
also needed for re-designation to attainment. The
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     FY1999 Final Annual Plan
IMPROVE database provides data on visibility
improvement from various sites nationally.

    The EPA's highway vehicle emission factor
model,  MOBILE, provides  average  in-use fleet
emission  factors for  three  criteria  pollutants:
Volatile Organic Compounds (V OC), CO and NOX
for each of the categories of vehicles under various
conditions affecting in-use emission  levels (e.g.,
ambient temperatures,  average traffic  speeds,
gasoline volatility) as specified by the model user.
 It is used by EPA in evaluating control strategies
for highway mobile sources, by states and other
local  and  regional planning  agencies  in the
development of emission inventories and control
strategies for  State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
under the Clean Air Act.

    The model has been periodically updated to
reflect the collection  and analysis of additional
emission factor testing results over the years, as well
as changes in vehicle, engine, and emission control
system   technologies,   changes  in   applicable
regulations and emission  standards  and  test
procedures, and improved understanding of in-use
emission levels and the factors that influence them.

    Program audits assess  the  effectiveness of
Inspection/maintenance   (I/M)  programs   by
evaluating their  operations,  ability  to  identify
pollutants, and success  in ensuring the repair of
vehicles.  EPA also tracks the  number of states
implementing the programs and  completion of the
National   Highway  System  Designation  Act
(NHSDA) program evaluations.

    For the Reformulated Fuels Gasoline  (RFG)
program, the reporting  system collects data  on
quality  for RFG and conventional  gasoline to
determine  fuel program benefits.   The  system
electronically processes approximately 100,000 fuel
quality reports. The electronic data interchange was
recognized in the President's report on Reinventing
Government as a dramatic new industry reporting
initiative.
    For modeling, the verification  system is the
MOBILE highway vehicle emission factors model.
The Agency will  continue utilizing the testing
results, number of labels and certificates issued for
the compliance programs and testing programs.

Quality  Assurance/Quality  Control  (OA/QC)
procedures:

    The  QA/QC of the national  air monitoring
program has several major components: the Data
Quality Objective (DQO) process,  reference  and
equivalent methods program, the  precision  and
accuracy of the collected data, EPA's National
Performance Audit Program (NPAP),  systems
audits, and network reviews.  To ensure quality data,
the State and Local Air Monitoring Sites (SLAMS)
are required to meet the following: 1) each site must
meet network design and siting criteria; 2) each site
must provide adequate QA assessment, control and
corrective action functions according to minimum
program requirements; 3) all sampling methods and
equipment must meet EPA reference or equivalent
requirements; 4) acceptable data validation  and
record keeping procedures must be followed; and 5)
data from the SLAMS must be summarized  and
reported annually to EPA.

    There are additional quality assurance/quality
control measures  specified  for  the collection of
particulate data, such as the Federal Reference
Method  Performance Evaluation  Program,  co-
located samples, and field and laboratory blanks.
Finally, there are  systems  audits  that regularly
review the overall air quality data collection activity
for any needed changes or corrections.

Plans to Improve Data:

    The  emissions data are  difficult to quality
assure  because  of the varying  methods  of
determining the total emissions in a given area, hi
the future, EPA will post all state, tribal, and local
agency emissions data in a compiled data base so
that all stakeholders can provide  a  much more
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     FY1999 Final Annual Plan
 intense review of the inventory. Also, the Emissions
 Inventory Improvement Project (ESP) provides
 consistent methods of estimating emissions data and
 developed consistent quality assurance methods for
 use  by the  states to substantially improve state
 emissions data. Emissions data for the HEP are
 subject to enhanced quality assurance before they
 are entered into an air quality model.  In addition,
 preliminary  air   quality  model results  identify
 specific weaknesses in the emissions inputs.

     The IMPROVE network will be enhanced by
 the upgrade of 30  existing IMPROVE samplers and
 the establishment of 78 new sites in 1998 and 1999.
 The new sites established in  1998 and 1999 will
 provide additional information on class 1  areas
 previously not covered in the IMPROVE monitoring
 network.

 Research

     EPA  has several strategies to validate and
 verify  performance  measures  in the area of
 environmental science and technology  research.
 Because the major output  of research is technical
 information,  primarily in the  form of reports,
 software, and protocols, the key to these strategies
 is the performance of both peer reviews and quality
 reviews to ensure  that requirements are met.

     Peer reviews provide assurance during the pre-
 planning, planning, and reporting of environmental
 science and research activities that the work meets
 peer expectations. Only those science activities and
 resulting information products that pass Agency
 peer review are addressed and published.  This
 applies to program-level, project-level, and research
 outputs. The quality of the peer review  activity is
 monitored by EPA to ensure that peer reviews are
 performed consistently, according to Agency policy,
 and that any identified areas of concern are resolved
through discussion or the  implementation of
corrective action.

    The Agency's expanded focus on peer review
helps ensure that the performance measures listed
here are verified and validated  by an external
organization. This is accomplished through the use
of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and the Board
of Scientific Counselors (BOSC). The BOSC,
established under the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, provides an added measure of assurance by
examining the way the Agency uses peer review, as
well as  the management  of  its research and
development laboratories.

    hi 1998, the Agency presented a new Agency-
wide quality system in Agency Order 5360.1/chg 1.
This system provided policy to  ensure that all
environmental programs performed by or for the
Agency be supported by individual quality systems
that  comply fully with the American National
Standard, Specifications  and Guidelines for
Quality  Systems for  Environmental   Data
Collection   and  Environmental  Technology
Programs (ANSI/ASQC E4-1994).

    The order expanded the applicability of quality
assurance and  quality  control  to  the design,
construction, and operation by EPA organizations of
environmental technology such as pollution control
and  abatement systems; treatment, storage, and
disposal  systems; and remediation systems. This
rededication  to   quality provides  the needed
management and technical practices to assure that
environmental data developed in research and used
to support Agency decisions are  of adequate quality
and usability for their intended purpose.

    A quality assurance system is implemented at
all levels in the EPA research  organization. The
Agency-wide quality  assurance  system  is  a
management system that provides the necessary
elements to plan, implement, document, and assess
the effectiveness of quality  assurance and quality
control activities applied to environmental programs
conducted by or for EPA. This quality management
system provides for identification of environmental
programs for which  Quality  Assurance/Quality
Control (QA/QC)  is needed, specification of the
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     FY1999 Final Annual Plan
quality of the data required from environmental
programs, and provision of sufficient resources to
assure that an  adequate level  of QA/QC  is
performed.

    Agency measurements  are  based  on  the
application of standard EPA and American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methodology as
well as performance-based measurement systems.
Non-standard methods are validated at the project
level. Internal and external management system
assessments report the efficacy of the management
system for quality of the data and the final research
results. The quality assurance  annual report and
work plan  submitted by each organizational unit
provides an accountable  mechanism for quality
activities. Continuous improvement in the quality
system is accomplished through discussion and
review of assessment results.

    The  Office  of Research  and Development
Management Information System (OMIS) will be
another accountability tool used  to monitor and
track performance measures. The GPRA structure
will be incorporated into OMIS to ensure consistent
maintenance and reporting,  resulting in greater
accuracy and consistency of information to users.

Reduce Emissions of Air Toxics

Data sources include:

•   EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI);
•   National Toxic Inventory (NTT);
•   Aerometric  Information  Retrieval  System
    (AIRS)
•   MACTRAX
•   EVENTS

    The  NTI  houses  emissions  estimates  for
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).  Currently, we
have completed  a  1993 base-year NTI  and  are
developing estimates for the 1996 NTI.  Both
contain emissions estimates for major area and
mobile source categories, but at different levels of
detail.

    The main improvement in the 1996 version will
be the addition of facility-specific parameters that
will  make  the  inventory useful  for dispersion
modeling.  To date, we have  collected emission
inventory data to update the NTI from:

    (1)   emissions  data gathered  to  support
         development of MACT  standards for
         source categories, which are required to be
         promulgated within two, four, seven, and
         ten years of enactment of the 1990 Clean
         Air Act amendments;

    (2)   The  externally and internally  peer-
         reviewed national inventories undertaken
         to support regulation of  seven specific
         HAPs requiring standards under section
         112(c)(6) and 40 HAPs pursuant to
         section 112(k);

    (3)   State and local inventories (34 states);

    (4)   TRI, which consists of data submitted by
         facilities and required under Right-To-
         Know legislation.

    All of the above data sources rely on estimation
techniques since emission testing at every facility
would  be resource intensive.   Often data from
source  tests  are extrapolated to  other similar
sources,   hi addition  to source  testing,  other
estimation techniques include material balances, and
emission factors (e.g., pounds throughput per year).
For source categories for which we have no data, we
generally develop emissions data using  emission
factors and activity level.

    An update of the 1993 NTI was completed in
October 1998, including a complete compilation of
MACT baseline emissions data for two-year, four-
year, seven-year, and the majority of ten-year source
categories.    We  also plan  to  complete  the
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     FY1999 Final Annual Plan
compilation of 1996 NTI draft major and mobile
source data. The 1996 NTI, including internal and
external review, will be completed by September 30,
1999.

    MACTRAX provides a mechanism to track the
air implementation activities by each state to insure
that the emission reductions  expected  from the
development of MACT standards can be realized
through full implementation of the standards. The
EVENTS tracking system provides a means to track
the proposal and promulgation of air toxics MACT
and other regulations.

    We plan to deploy Phase 1 of the national air
toxics network by March 1999.  At a minimum
there will be 17 monitors in 1999, increasing to 40
monitors in 2000. Depending on how the resources
are distributed (sites chosen, pollutants monitored,
etc.), the number of monitors reporting as part of the
national air toxics network could be  substantially
more than the numbers above.

OA/OC Procedures

    Procedures for QA/QC of emission and ambient
air toxics data are not as institutionalized as those
used for the criteria pollutant program.  Air toxics
data are not currently required of states, but are
submitted voluntarily. EPA does review the data to
assure data quality and consistency, but no formal
procedures  are  in place for  quality assurance.
Regional offices review all MACTRAX data before
it is placed in the system. EPA sends  the NTI data
to states  for their review and incorporates state
comments and data into the system. Procedures are
now  being finalized to  assure  the quality  of
emissions inventory data collected from industry,
which is used for the development of technology-
based emission standards.

    At present,  we are developing Data Quality
Objectives  (DQOs),  Quality Assurance  Plans
(QAPs), and a network design document for the
national ambient air toxics network, which will be
transmitted to the states and Regions to help design
and deploy the network.  When completed, these
documents will  help  answer  questions on  the
interpretations and limitations of the data collected
from this network.

    Mobile source data are validated by  using
speciated test data from the mobile source emission
factor program, along  with peer reviewed models
which estimate national tons for the relevant year of
interest.

Data Limitations:

    The 1996 NTI will be the first EPA  effort to
estimate  not only HAP emissions on  a  national
scale,  but  also   to  associate  source-specific
parameters necessary .for modeling such as location
and  facility  characteristics  (stack  height, exit
velocity,  temperature,  etc.) to  emissions.   The
compilation of this huge amount of data presents a
significant challenge to EPA.  Since HAP estimates
have not previously been required, current data are
limited and new methodologies  for  estimating
emissions are necessary.

    A total of 34 states voluntarily compiled and
delivered HAP 1996 emissions inventories to EPA.
Because   states  are   not  subject  to reporting
requirements, these state data vary in completeness,
format, and quality. The majority of state data is
likely to  be  based on  emissions estimation as
opposed to direct measurement.

    The EPA is evaluating and supplementing the
state data with emissions data gathered during the
development of MACT standards and with TRI
data.     Estimates  obtained   from  regulatory
development programs such as MACT are accepted
as the best available data for the inventory because
they  are  based  on  recent  test data,  control
information, representative modeling scenarios, and
input from industry and EPA experts.  The TRI data
used to supplement the NTI is likely  also to be
based on estimations and is limited in that data is
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                    FY1999 Final Annual Plan
submitted by  thousands of individual  facilities
whose submissions are not quality assured and who
may  have  differing estimation  methods  and
interpretations of TRI reporting requirements. For
sources not included in the state inventories, MACT
data, or TRI, and for states with no data submittals,
EPA estimates air toxic emissions by using emission
factors and corresponding activity data.

    Although emission factors are not intended for
estimations of emissions on a source-specific basis,
EPA believes it is appropriate to use such factors in
a national inventory covering a large number of
sources. However, tins does not provide a complete
solution because there are not emissions factors
developed for all source categories that emit HAPs.

Plans to Improve Data:

    The emissions data are hard to quality assure
because of the varying methods of determining the
total emissions in a given area.  In the future, we
will post all state emissions data in a compiled data
base so that states and other interested parties can
provide a much  more  intense review of the
inventory. The Emissions Inventory Improvement
Program (EIDP)  provides consistent  methods of
estimating emissions and is another method for
developing better state emissions data. We prepared
air toxics emissions inventory guidance for state and
local agencies in 1998.

    We document all emission estimates  in the
1996 NTI so users of the data can determine how
each estimate was developed.  In order to improve
the 1996 NTI data, we plan to provide the data to
states and other interested parties for  external
review,  incorporate additional state  and MACT
data, and  continue gap-filling. In  1999, we will
conduct internal QA/QC to improve the  data.
Specific internal activities will include evaluation of
state data, MACT data and TRI data for individual
facilities and a comparison of air  toxics data to
VOC/PM data.
Research

(See above Research section under Attain NAAQS
for Ozone and PM.)

Attain NAAQS for CO, SO2, NO2,
Lead

Data sources:

•   EPA AIRS Air Quality Subsystem;
•   EPA National Emission Trends Database;
•   EPA Flexible Regional Emissions Data System.

    Data from the National  Emission Trends
Database and the AIRS Air Quality Subsystem are
used to determine if non-attainment areas have the
requisite three years of clean air data needed for re-
designation.    The National  Emission Trends
database will be used to determine if the states have
reduced their CO, SO2, and lead emissions. The
Findings and Required  Elements  Data System
(FREDS) system tracks the progress of states and
Regions in reviewing and approving the required
elements of the state implementation plans also
needed for re-designation to attainment.

OA/OC procedures:

    The QA/QC of the national air monitoring
program has several major components: the Data
Quality Objective process, reference and equivalent
methods program, the precision and accuracy of the
collected data, EPA's National Performance Audit
Program (NPAP),  systems  audits, and network
reviews.

    To  ensure quality data, the State/Local Air
Monitoring System (SLAMS) is required to meet
the following: 1) each site must meet network design
and siting  criteria; 2) each site  must provide
adequate QA assessment, control, and corrective
action functions according  to minimum program
requirements; 3) all sampling methods and
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     FY1999 Final Annual Plan
equipment must meet EPA reference or equivalent
requirements; 4) acceptable  data validation and
record keeping procedures must be followed; and 5)
data from the SLAMS must be summarized and
reported annually to EPA.

Plans to Improve Data:

    The emissions data are hard to quality assure
because of the varying methods of determining the
total emissions in a given area, hi the future, EPA
will post all state, tribal, and local emissions data in
a compiled data base so  that all interested parties
can provide a much more intense review of the
inventory. The Emission Inventory Improvement
Program (EUP), which provides consistent methods
of  estimating  emissions  data  and developed
consistent quality assurance methods for use by the
states, will improve the quality of state emissions
data.

    Since the dominant source of CO emissions is
on-road  mobile sources, the  best  means  of
improving the quality of the emission estimates is to
provide precise inputs to the MOBILE model (used
to calculate mobile source emission factors) and
develop more precise estimates of Vehicle Miles
Traveled (VMT).  These two inputs (emission
factors and VMT) determine the emissions from on-
road mobile sources.
Acid Rain

    The Acid Rain program performance data are
some of the most accurate data collected by the EPA
because the  data for most sources (all coal-fired
sources) consists of actual monitored, instead of
estimated, emissions.   The emissions data is
collected through continuous emissions monitors
(CEMS) and electronically transferred directly into
EPA's Emissions Tracking System (ETS).  Actual
emissions of S02, NOX and CO2 are measured for
each unit/boiler within a plant. The ETS allows EPA
to track actual reductions  for each unit, as well as
aggregate emissions by  all power  plants and
affected industrial facilities. A principal output of
the ETS is the publication of quarterly and annual
emission reports based on emissions monitoring
data.  The ETS quarterly and annual reports include
summary  statistics  for  SO2,  NO*, CO2 and
emissions.

OA/OC procedures:

    The Acid Rain program also tracks indicators
which validate the  quality of the emissions data,
such as the accuracy of the monitors achieved during
certification  testing.   There are  four validation
measures that help to demonstrate the high quality
of the data collected:   the number of CEMS
certified; the percentage of CEMS that meet the
10% relative accuracy standard; the percentage of
CEMS that  exceed  the  7.5%  relative  accuracy
target; and,  the number  of quarterly  reports
processed.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                      1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic  Goal: Clean and Safe  Water

       All Americans will have drinking water that is clean and safe to drink. Effective protection of America's
rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, and coastal and ocean waters will sustain fish, plants, and wildlife, as well as
recreational, subsistence, and economic activities. Watersheds and their aquatic ecosystems will be restored and
protected to improve public health, enhance water quality, reduce flooding, and provide habitat for wildlife.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

    Safe and clean water is needed for drinking,
    recreation,  fishing,  maintaining ecosystem
    integrity,  and  commercial  uses such  as
agricultural and industrial production.

    Our health, economy, and quality of life depend
on  reliable sources of clean  and safe water.
Waterfowl, fish, and other aquatic life that live in
and on the water, as well as plants, animals, and
other life forms in terrestrial ecosystems are
dependent on clean water.

    While the  nation has  made  considerable
progress over the past 25 years, some waters still do
not meet current Clean Water Act standards.

    The 1996 National Water Quality Inventory
Report to Congress indicates that 16 percent of
assessed  rivers  and streams  and  35 percent of
assessed  lake  acres  are not  safe  for  fish
consumption.

    Twenty (20) percent of assessed rivers and
streams and 25 percent of lake acres are not safe for
recreational activities (e.g, swimming). Finally, 16
percent of assessed rivers and streams and 8 percent
of lake  acres are not meeting  drinking water
standards.   Many of  the  remaining challenges
require a  different approach to environmental
protection  because  they  are  not  amenable to
traditional  end-of-pipe  pollution controls.  These
problems  are generally the  result of human
activities.

    EPA needs to motivate people to be responsible
in their day-to-day decisions that affect the quality
of their rivers,  streams,  lakes, wetlands,  and
estuaries.
M EANS AND STRATEGY

    To help achieve the Nation's clean and safe water
    goal, EPA will expand implementation of the
    watershed approach in carrying out its statutory
authorities under the  Safe Drinking Water  Act
Amendments of 1996 and the Clean Water Act

    Protecting watersheds involves participation by
a wide variety  of stakeholders, a comprehensive
assessment of the condition of the watershed, and
implementation  of  solutions   based  on  the
assessment of conditions and stakeholder input.
Full involvement of stakeholders at  all levels of
government, the regulated community, and the
public are fundamental to the watershed approach.
    The watershed approach helps EPA, its federal
partners, states, tribes, local governments, and other
stakeholders to implement tailored solutions and
maximize the benefits gained from  the use of
increasingly scarce resources.

    The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of
1996 charted a new and challenging course for EPA,
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
states, tribes,  and water suppliers.   One of the
central  provisions  of  the  Amendments  is a
significantly strengthened source water protection
program, which builds directly on the watershed
approach.     Other  provisions   include   new
requirements for establishing drinking water safely
standards, which place emphasis on microbiological
contaminant^   disinfectant   and   disinfection
byproducts (DBFs), and other pollutants identified
as posing potentially high risks.

    The  Amendments also established a  new
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
program to assist public water  systems in meeting
drinking water standards. They also provided for
assistance to small systems to build or strengthen
technical, managerial, and financial capacity. Finally
they established an operator certification program
and  require  "right-to-know"  reports   for  all
customers of public water systems.

    EPA has increased its efforts to provide tools
and  information to  assist states and tribes  in
protecting  their  residents  from health  risks
associated with contaminated recreational waters
and non-commercially caught fish.  These tools will
help reduce health risks including risks to sensitive
populations, such as children and subsistence and
recreational anglers.

    EPA activities include development of criteria,
enhanced fish  tissue monitoring, risk assessment,
and development offish and shellfish consumption
advisories. EPA will also establish improved safety
guidelines and  pollution indicators so that local
authorities can monitor their recreational waters in
a cost-effective way and close them to public use
when necessary to protect human health.

    For beaches, EPA's three-part strategy is to
strengthen beach standards and testing, improve the
scientific basis for beach assessment, and develop
methods to  inform  the  public  about  beach
conditions.

    Under the Clean Water Act, EPA will continue
to  develop   scientifically-based  water  quality
standards and criteria and work with its partners to
apply them on a watershed basis.  EPA will work
with states and tribes to improve implementation of
total maximum daily  load (TMDL) programs that
establish the  analytical basis for watershed-based
decisions. These decisions address the  need for
additional pollution reductions where standards are
not being met in watersheds.

    EPA will  continue to  develop  and  revise
national effluent guideline limitations and standards,
manage the  Clean Water  State Revolving  Fund
(CWSRF) program and other funding mechanisms,
and streamline  the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination  System (NPDES) permit program.
EPA will also  continue reorienting all  its  point
source programs to focus and coordinate efforts on
a watershed basis.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                            1999 Final Annual Plan
    The 1996 Clean Water Needs Survey estimates
the Nation's water infrastructure financing need at
almost $140 billion.  The CWSRF is a significant
financial tool for addressing this need and achieving
clean and safe water. With over $13 billion worth
of capitalization  grants, all 50 states and U.S.
territories have benefited  from  this and other
wastewater funding.
    EPA  has stepped  up  efforts to
engage a variety of stakeholders to
reduce nutrients,  pathogens, and other
pollutants from nontraditional categories
of  point sources,  including  animal
feeding operations, storm water drains,
sanitary sewer overflows, and combined
sewer overflows.   In addition, EPA is
continuing to increase and advocate the
use  of  CWSRF funds  for eligible
nonpoint source and estuary projects.

    EPA is assisting states and tribes to
characterize risks, rank priorities,  and
implement a  mix of  voluntary  and
regulatory approaches  through  state
nonpoint source management programs.
 State  and   tribal  nonpoint  source
programs are being strengthened to
ensure that beneficial uses of water are
achieved and maintained.

    States will continue to  implement
coastal  nonpoint  source  programs
approved by  EPA and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
under   the   Coastal    Zone    Act
Reauthorization Amendments.

    States will also work with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to promote
implementation of Farm Bill programs
consistent with state nonpoint source
management needs and priorities. EPA
will also provide tools to states to assess
and strengthen controls on air deposition
    sources of nitrogen, mercury, and other toxics.

        With respect to wetlands, EPA will work with
    federal, state, tribal,  local,  and private  sector
    partners  on  protection  and  community-based
    restoration of wetlands, and with its federal partners
    to avoid, minimize, and compensate for wetland
    losses through the Clean Water Act Section 404 and
Honpolnt Source 
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                     1999 Final Annual Plan
Farm Bill programs.

    The President's  Clean Water Action Plan,
announced in February 1998, calls for more than
100 specific key actions by EPA and other federal
agencies with either water quality responsibilities or
activities that have an impact on water quality.

    These key actions cover most aspects of the
water program at EPA. The Action Plan mobilizes
federal, state, and local agencies to work together to
achieve the Nation's clean water goals through the
watershed approach, brings a  sharp
focus to the critical  actions that  are
required, and establishes deadlines for
meeting these  commitments over  the
next several years.
              treated water  in  the distribution  system  and
              preventing the intrusion of microbial contamination.

                  Research  to  support  the development  of
              ecological criteria will improve our understanding of
              the structure, function and characteristics of aquatic
              systems, and will evaluate exposures to stressors
              and their effects on those systems.  This research
              can then be used to improve risk assessment
              methods to develop aquatic life, habitat, and wildlife
              criteria. The Agency also will develop cost effective
              technologies for managing contaminated sediments
 Research

    EPA's  research   efforts  will
 continue to strengthen the scientific
 basis for  drinking water standards
 through the use of improved methods
 and new data to better evaluate the
 risks associated  with exposure  to
 chemical and microbial contaminants in
 drinking water.  To support the Safe
 Drinking Water Act (SDWA)  and its
 1996  Amendments,  the  Agency's
 drinking water research program will
 develop dose-response information on
 DBPs, waterbome pathogens,  arsenic
 and other drinking water contaminants
 for  characterization   of  potential
 exposure risks from consuming  tap
 water.   Research will also include
 increasing the focus on filling key data
 gaps  and  developing  methods  for
 chemicals and microbial pathogens.
 The Agency will develop and evaluate
 cost-effective treatment technologies for removing
pathogens from water supplies while minimizing
DBP formation, and for maintaining the quality of
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
•   Clean Air Act
•   Clean Air Act Amendments (CAA)
•   Clean Vessel Act
•   Clean Water Act (CWA)
•   Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act of 1990
•   Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990
•   Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
    Act(CERCLA)
•   Endangered Species Act
•   Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
•   Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
•   Marine Plastic Pollution, Research and Control Act (MPPRCA) of
    1987
•   Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)
•   National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
•   National Invasive Species Act of 1996
•   North American Wetlands Conservation Act
•   Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988
•   Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)
    Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971)
•   Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
•   Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
•   Shore Protection Act of 1988
•   Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
•   Water Resource Development Act (WRDA)
              with an emphasis on identifying innovative in situ
              solutions.  EPA will continue to develop diagnostic
              tools to evaluate the exposures to toxic constituents
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
of wet weather flows, and develop and validate
effective  watershed  management  strategies for
controlling wet weather flows, especially when they
are high volume and toxic.  This research will also
develop effective beach evaluation tools necessary
to make timely and informed decisions on beach
advisories and closures.
                                Resource Summary
                                      (Dollars in thousands)

Clean and Safe Water
Safe Drinking Water, Fish and Recreational Waters
EPM
S&T
STAG
Conserve and Enhance Nation's Waters
EPM
S&T
STAG
Reduce Loadings and Air Deposition
EPM
S&T
STAG
Total Workyears:
FY1999
Pres. Budget
$2,815^08.5
$1,026,835.1
$101,726.1
$45,828.5
$879,280.5
$300,672.5
$135,543.9
$15,599.3
$149,529.3
$1,487,800.9
$127,453.8
$7347.1
$1353,000.0
2,465.9
FY1999
Enacted
$3,418,339.7
$1,092,624.2
$110,067.9
$49,847.0
$932,709.5
$339,236.8
$166,215.1
$19,492.4
$153,529.3
$1,986,478.7
$133,781.6
$8376.1
$1,844321.0
2,496.1
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Objective: Safe Drinking Water, Fish and
Recreational Waters

                               Key Programs
                               (Dollars in thousands)
	          1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Drinking Water Regulations                                        $38,860       $33,886
Drinking Water Implementation                                     $30,917       $31,688
UIC Program                                                   $11,269       $11,745
Rural Water Technical Assistance                                      $232         $9,955
State PWSS Grants                                              $93,781       $93,781
State Underground Injection Control Grants                             $10,500       $10,500
Source Water Protection (CWAP-related)                             $13,001       $11,686
Water Infrastructure :Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DW-SRF)       $775,000       $775,000
EMPACT                                                       $769         $1,291
Environmental Justice                                              $881          $881
Research: Safe Drinking Water Research                               $43,702       $47,728
Project XL                                                       $391          $391
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
               Annual Performance Goals and Measures

DRINKING WATER HEALTH STANDARDS

By 1999: 89% (an increase of 1% over 1998) of the population served by community water systems will
receive drinking water meeting all health-based standards, in effect as of 1994, up from 83% in 1994.
Performance Measures:
                                                                        Target:
Population served by CWSs that will receive drinking water for which there have been no   89% Population
violations during the year of any federally enforceable health-based standard that were in
place by 1994.

Baseline: In 1994, 83% of the population that was served by community water systems received drinking
water meeting all health-based standards. Note that a recent recalculation of the baseline for 1994 has resulted
in a baseline that is 2% higher than that reported in the FY 1999 President's Budget.
                Percent of Population Served By Community Water
                   Systems that Meet all Health based Standards
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                         J999 Final Annual Plan
 STANDARDS FOR DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS

 By 1999: EPA will issue and begin implementing two protective drinking water standards for high- risk
 contaminants, including disease-causing micro-organisms (Stage I Disinfection/Disinfection Byproducts and
 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rules).

 Performance Measures:                                                         Target:

 Regulations promulgated that establish protective levels for high-risk contaminants        2 Rules

 Baseline: These are new regulations.
 SOURCE WATER PROTECTION

 By 1999: 4,400 community water systems will be implementing programs to protect their source water (an
 increase of 1,650 systems over 1998).

 Performance Measures:                                                         Target:

 CWSs with ground or surface water protection programs in place                        4,400  CWSs

 Baseline: In 1998,2,750 community water systems implemented programs to protect their source water
 resources.
RESEARCH: CRITICAL DOSE-RESPONSE DATA

By 1999: EPA will develop critical dose-response data for disinfectant by-products (DBPs), waterbome
pathogens, and arsenic for addressing key uncertainties in the risk assessment of municipal water supplies.

Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

Data on first city study on microbial enteric disease.                                    30-SEP-99

Complete hazard i.d./screening studies on reproductive/developmental effects of selected    30-SEP-99
DBPs.

Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Objective: Conserve and Enhance Nation's
Waters
                            Key Programs
                            (Dollars in thousands)

Water Quality Criteria and Standards (CWAP)
Wetlands (CWAP)
National Estuaries Program (CWAP)
South Florida (Everglades) (CWAP)
Chesapeake Bay (CWAP)
Great Lakes (CWAP)
Gulf of Mexico (CWAP)
Long Island Sound (CWAP)
Pfiesteria (CWAP)
Pacific Northwest (CWAP)
Lake Champlain (CWAP)
State Pollution Control Grants (Section 106) (CWAP)
State Water Quality Cooperative Agreements (CWAP)
State Wetlands Program Grants (CWAP)
EMPACT
1999 Pres Bud
$19,670
$17,489
$16,399
$3,076
$18,880
$6,355
$4,284
$500
$500
$821
$1,000
$115,529
$19,000
$15,000
$0
1999 Enacted
$17,843
$16,111
$16,544
$3,099
$19,630
$5,382
$3,799
$900
$2,500
$714
$2,000
$115,529
$19,000
$15,000
$649
             Annual Performance Goals and Measures
UNIFIED WATERSHED ASSESSMENTS

By 1999: As part of the Clean Water Action Plan, all states will be conducting or have completed unified
watershed assessments, with support from EPA, to identify aquatic resources in greatest need of restoration or
prevention activities.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	1999 Final Annual Plan



Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

States that are conducting or have completed unified watershed assessments               50 States

Baseline: This is the first time Unified Watershed Assessments have been done. The baseline is zero.



WATERSHED RESTORATION

By 1999: EPA will provide funding to restore wetlands and river corridors in 30 watersheds that meet specific
"Five Star Project" criteria relating to diverse community partnerships (for a cumulative total of 44
watersheds).

Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

Watersheds/community-based wetlands/river corridors restoration projects funded by      44 Watersheds
EPA's STAR Program. (Cumulative total).

Baseline: As of August 1998, EPA co-operated on and supported wetland and river corridor projects in 14
watersheds. The Five-Star Restoration Challenge Grant Program is an outgrowth of President
Clinton's Clean Water Action Plan. The program is open to any public or private entity and
provides modest financial assistance to support community- based wetland/riparian restoration
projects and locally-based, natural resource stewardship.



RESEARCH: AQUATIC STRESSORS

By 1999: EPA will provide data and information for use by states and regions in assessing and managing
aquatic stressors in the watershed, to reduce toxic loadings and improve ecological risk assessment.

Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

Develop and provide a research strategy for integrating economic assessment with         30-SEP-99
ecological risk assessment of multiple aquatic stressors applied at two locations.

Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
                                            n-io

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Find Annual Plan
Strategic Objective: Reduce Loadings and Air
Deposition
                                 Key Programs
                                 (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Rural Water Technical Assistance                                      $ 1,456         $3,095
Effluent Guidelines (CWAP)                                        $23,716        $22,366
NPDES Program (CWAP)                                          $43,409       $35,142.8
State Nonpoint Source Grants (CWAP)                               $200,000       $200,000
National Nonpoint Source Program Implementation (CWAP)                $15,076        $15,477
Water Infrastructure: Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CW-SRF)        $1,075,000      $1,350,000
Water Infrastructure: Alaska Native Villages                            $15,000        $30,000
Water Infrastructure: Boston Harbor                                   $50,000        $50,000
Water Infrastructure: Bristol County                                    $3,000         $2,610
Water Infrastructure: New Orleans                                    $10,000         $6,525
Sustainable Development Challenge Grants                              $2,015            $0*
Urban Environmental Quality and Human Health                            $815             $0
Project XL                                                         $174           $174
Common Sense Initiative                                            $1,339             $0
Research: Watershed Research                                        $7,347         $8,376
*Resources in 1999 Enacted Budget were transferred to Goal 8
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
             Annual Performance Goals and Measures
SECONDARY TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER

By 1999: Another 3.4 million people will receive the benefits of secondary treatment of wastewater, for a total
of 179 million.
Performance Measures:

Additional people who will receive the benefits of secondary or better treatment of
wastewater
     Target:

     3.4 M People
Baseline: In July 1998,175.5 million people were receiving secondary treatment of wastewater according to
EPA's Clean Water Needs Survey Database. Note that the cumulative total (179 million people) reflects
revised estimates.

              U.S. POPULATION SERVED BY SECONDARY

                         TREATMENT OR BETTER
          200
           ISO
        =  100
           50
                                       Year
                                    n-i2

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                        ;ppp Final Annual Plan
COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS/STORM WATER CONTROLS

By 1999: More than 220 communities will have local watersheds improved by controls on combined sewer
overflows and storm water.

Performance Measures:                                                        Target:

Communities that will have local watersheds improved by controls on CSOs and storm     220
water                                                                        Communities

Baseline: No baseline information exists prior to FY 1999.
NONPOINT SOURCE PROGRAMS

By 1999: In support of the Clean Water Action Plan, 10 additional states will upgrade their nonpoint source
programs, to ensure that they are implementing dynamic and effective nonpoint source programs that are
designed to achieve and maintain beneficial uses of water.

Performance Measures:                                                        Target:

States and Territories that have upgraded their NFS programs (incorporating the 9 key     10 States
elements outlined in national grant guidance), thereby ensuring implementation of an
effective program.

Baseline: hi 1998,2 states upgraded their nonpoint source programs.
RESEARCH:  WATERSHED MANAGEMENT TOOLS

By 2003: Deliver support tools, such as watershed models, enabling resource planners to select consistent,
appropriate watershed management solutions and alternative, less costly wet-weather flow control technologies.

Performance Measures:                                                        Target:

Model Linking Urban Stonnwater Management Models and Geographic Information      30-SEP-OO
System (GIS).

Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                           1999 Final Annual Plan
EXTERNAL FACTORS
Drinking Water and Source Water
        Safe  Drinking  Water  Act  (SDWA)
    Amendments of 1996 comprise one of the first
    environmentally-focused statutes to establish
not only regulatory, programmatic, enforcement, and
management/administration provisions to ensure
that safe drinking water is available nationwide, but
also establishes an outreach process to involve all
stakeholders in the development and implementation
of the statutory provisions. To date, this extensive
stakeholder involvement has had major benefits on
the Agency's efforts in implementing  the  1996
SDWA amendments. To listen to our stakeholders,
incorporate their views, and keep the process
moving, while focusing on our mutual goal of public
health protection  has  taken the meaning  of
partnership to a new level.   The complexity of
upcoming  regulations  and the  time-consuming
process of gaining consensus with stakeholders pose
challenges  in implementing  the  1996 SDWA
amendments.

    The  adoption  of health-based   and   other
programmatic regulations by the states is another
area  of concern.   Since  states have primary
enforcement authority (primacy) for drinking water
regulations, it  is  critical that the states  have
sufficient staff and resources to work with public
water systems to ensure that they are implementing
and complying with the new regulations. To help
states and tribes, EPA has increased  funding for
grants to states and tribes to run their drinking water
programs by approximately 60% since FY 1993

    EPA is investing substantially in areas to
provide technical assistance and training to the
states  on  the  small  systems  variances   and
exemptions.  EPA is also investing in consumer
confidence report rules promulgated in 1998 as well
as the health-based, microbial regulations that will
 be promulgated early in  1999.  Without adequate
 state staff and resources  to work with community
 water systems,  there is a risk that  the  overall
 objective of protection of public health and its
 specific annual performance goals for the drinking
 water and ground water program will not be met.

     The CWAP  provides  a blueprint  for  a
 cooperative approach to restoring and protecting
 water quality in which Federal, state, tribal, and
 local  governments work collaborativery to focus
 resources and implement effective strategies.

     A key element of the CWAP is the integration
 of public health goals with aquatic ecosystem goals
 when identifying  watershed  priorities.  To help
 facilitate a comprehensive framework,  Federal

  Fish Consumption Adv&ofies in the United States
NOTE: Slajes that perform routine fah tissue anaSysss (such
                          t more cases
    conJairsjraSon and tasua BUMS advisories Si«a states
    wan less rigofoai Jiah sampfesg programs. En many
    cinaa> the states wafe ihs most fish advisories support,
    tfew best monjtars>g programs for measuring w«rie BO**-
    tamiRBtron m fish, and thear water qusSsy » no viosse
                                              11-14

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
agencies involved in water quality initiatives are
asked  to direct "program authorities, technical
assistance, data and enforcement resources to help
states, tribes,  and  local communities design and
implement their drinking water  source  water
assessment and protection programs  within the
unified  watershed protection  and  restoration
efforts..." (Clean Water Action Plan, page 29).

    Although  EPA expects participating Federal
agencies to sign a Federal  Agency Agreement
developed for mis aspect of the CWAP, the Agency
has minimal ability to ensure that these agencies
work  aggressively to  promote   source  water
assessment and protection activities. EPA staff will
devote   substantial   "front-end"  time  in  the
negotiation of this agreement with pertinent Federal
agencies early in 1999 to  maximize the expected
benefits  in drinking  water  and ground  water
programs in future fiscal years.

Fish and Recreational Waters

    The Agency's  success in protecting human
health from consumption of contaminated fish or
exposure to contaminated recreational waters could
be  compromised by  several major constraints,
including lack of regulatory authority, inability to
measure behavior,  and lack of adequate state and
local resources.

    The Clean Water Act does not require that
states  or tribes operate fish advisory or  beach
protection programs. The Agency's role is primarily
to  support them   through  guidance,  scientific
information, and technical assistance. EPA can not
take regulatory action to assure that states and tribes
conform to guidance; therefore, success depends on
state/tribal/local commitment to achieving these
goals.

    One way  of determining whether we have
reduced the consumption of contaminated fish and
shellfish is to find  out if people eat the fish they
catch from waters where fish advisories have been
issued.  In order to determine whether we have
reduced exposure  to  contaminated recreational
waters, we also need to know if people comply with
beach closure notices  when they  are issued.
Acquiring  statistical  information  for   such
determinations is difficult.

    Without comprehensive, consistent monitoring
of all the Nation's  waters, we do not know how
many surface waters should be under advisory or
how many beaches should be closed This expensive
and time-consuming task is beyond the resources of
most states.

Watersheds and Wetlands

    EPA's efforts to meet our watershed protection
objective are  predicated on the continuation and
improvement  of relationships with our Federal,
state, tribal, and local partners. Because of the vast
geographic scope of water quality  and wetlands
impairments and the large number of partners upon
whose efforts we depend, we must continue to build
strong and lasting relationships with all levels of
government, the private sector, research community,
and interest  groups.   Success  in  meeting our
wetlands objectives is particularly dependent on the
continuing and enhanced cooperation with the Army
Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service,
National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Natural
Resources Conservation Service.

    The Clean Water Action Plan development
process underscored the interrelations of the Federal
government's   environmental   protection  and
stewardship agencies and programs, and the critical
importance of working  together  to  maximize
achievements. Without continued government-wide
coordination and financial commitment to the Plan's
implementation, we may not meet our water quality
objectives. This is particularly true for successful
enhancement of state nonpoint source management
programs. The states will also  need to continue
efforts to overcome historical institutional barriers
to achieve full implementation of their  coastal
nonpoint pollution control programs  as required
                                              11-15

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                            1999 Final Annual Plan
under  the Coastal  Zone  Act  Reauthorization
Amendments (CZARA).

    Fundamental to all of the Agency's efforts to
meet this objective is managing water  quality
resources on  a  watershed  basis,  with  full
involvement   of   all   stakeholders  including
communities, individuals, business, state and local
governments and tribes. EPA's ability to meet this
objective will depend on the success of regulatory
and non-regulatory programs and nationwide efforts
to provide and use a broad range of policy, planning,
and scientific  tools to establish  local  goals and
assess progress.

    In addition, we  must  continue to improve our
understanding of the environmental baseline and our
ability to track progress against goals,  which also
depends on  external  parties.   The  Index of
Watershed Indicators  provides  reasonable  and
defensible assessments of water quality, and we will
continue to depend upon and provide support to our
partners and stakeholders in their efforts to improve
measurement tools and capabilities.  State 305(b)
assessments also provide an adequate representation
of individual  states  water  quality  conditions,
however the  agency recognizes that differing
processes and methods among states can result in
varying depictions of the Nation's water quality.
The Agency intends to address this issue in early
1999 by convening a national 305(b) consistency
workgroup.

Point and Nonpoint Sources

    States and localities are assumed to be able to
continue to raise sufficient funds for construction of
necessary   wastewater  treatment and  control
facilities.   This  is especially  critical for new
regulated sources like  storm water and Combined
Sewer Overflows (CSOs). In addition they must be
able to maintain sufficient programmatic funds to
continue to  effectively  manage  point source
programs.

    It  is  assumed that states  will  effectively
strengthen and implement improved nonpoint source
programs consistent with their commitments in this
area.  Federal agencies must work together and
fulfill  their  mutual  commitments under  their
Strategic Plans and the Clean Water Action Plan
(CWAP) if we are to succeed in addressing nonpoint
source (NPS) needs. No one Agency can succeed in
NPS management without the partnership efforts of
a wide  range of Federal, state, local and private
sector interests.
VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
    The Safe Drinking Water Information System
    (SDWIS)  is  the primary  data  source for
    verifying  and  validating the performance
measures  related  to the  objective of enhancing
public health through safe drinking water in the
Agency's Annual Plan. There are two components
to SDWIS.  SDWIS/FED is a national data base
(housed on a mainframe computer) that includes the
core information needed  by EPA to  assure that
public water systems are in compliance with all of
the statutory requirements in  SDWA.  This core
information  includes:  inventory data on  over
170,000 public  water  systems  '  nationwide,
violations of health-based standards and monitoring
requirements by these systems, enforcement actions
taken against systems by the  state or  EPA, and
sampling results for both regulated and unregulated
contaminants in  these public water  systems.
1 Public Water Systems (PWSs) provide piped water for human
consumption to at least 15 service connections (such as households,
businesses or schools), or serve an average of at least 25 people at
least 60 days per year. PWSs can be community (water is provided
to the same population year round), non-transient non-community
(serves at least 25 of the same people at least six months of the year,
e.g., schools, factories, hospitals) and transient (caters to transitory
customers in non-residences such as campgrounds, motels and gas
stations).
                                              n-i6

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
SDWIS/ STATE is a PC-based system at the state
level that has been designed to address the specific
drinking water information needs of the state.  It
includes not only the data that the state must report
to SDWIS/FED but also data the state determines to
be critical to cany out its primary enforcement
authority.

    Formal  quality  assurance/quality  control
(QA/QC) procedures have been implemented for
both data entry and data retrieval. The Agency has
a laboratory certification program to ensure that
there is a  consistent  approach and method  for
collecting and analyzing public water  supplies'
samples for regulated/ unregulated contaminants.  In
addition, the Agency conducts itself or supports
sanitary survey studies  of public water utilities,
performs data verification (audits) and management
reviews, and provides extensive technical assistance
and training on QA/QC measures.  The SDWIS
Executive  Board  reviews  QA/QC  approaches
regularly and a peer review process is in place to test
any new modules or revisions to existing modules of
SDWIS. In addition to completing the design and
development of SDWIS/FED modules, significant
management attention and staff resources will be
focused on expanding ways to strengthen QA/QC.
 The Agency has already initiated action in this area
through its ongoing stakeholder process as data
collection, verification, quality and control are very
important aspects for measuring how well EPA is
achieving its annual as well as longer-term strategic
objectives.

    Currently, progress in establishing local source
water protection measures  is tracked  by  State
program managers, and reported every other year to
EPA through a Congressionally-mandated report on
State Wellhead Protection Programs. EPA will be
working with States in 1999  to gain agreement to
use this approach to track progress by water systems
utilizing surface waters as well as those systems that
are ground water based.  EPA will also be gaining
agreement to report such information as a condition
in their State Revolving Fund (SRF) work plans
which would then make such data collection subject
to audit.

    Over the longer term, EPA is working to have
progress in community  source  water  protection
measured  at the individual system level through
inclusion into the SDWIS reporting requirements
and such reporting would then be subject to that
system's QA/QC regimen.

    Performance data related to NPDES permits
will be tracked largely through the Agency's Permit
Compliance Systems data base which is managed by
the  Office of  Enforcement  and  Compliance
Assurance (OECA). Data entered into this system
by the Regions and states is subjected to data entry
quality assurance (QA) procedures to verify that the
information is  consistent with  facility-provided
information. Quality assurance of facility-reported
information is provided programs such as facility
inspections. The system includes additional QA
features related to discharge data, including software
capable of rejecting gross data input errors, and
Quality Management Plans with data  criteria.
Performance data on CWSRF management will be
compiled  by EPA's Regional  offices  through
interaction with the states.

    The  data source for the  total population
receiving  the benefits of secondary wastewater
treatment  is  the  Clean Water Needs  Survey
Database.   States enter data into this database
following  a  strict EPA protocol.   Before  the
information is accepted into the database, EPA
reviews and approves the data following a strict
review protocol. When data problems are detected,
follow-up with the states occurs to resolve  the
problems.

    The Agency's progress toward the goal of clean
and safe water can be measured in part by the extent
to which point source and nonpoint source (NFS)
pollutants are discharged into the Nation's waters.
                                              H-17

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
 Since states are the primary implementers of NFS
 programs and policies, the extent to which states
 have upgraded their nonpoint source programs to
 reflect recent guidance will serve as an available
 surrogate for measuring progress toward our NFS
 reduction targets.  State program upgrades will be
 measured by evaluating each state's explicit short
 and long-term goals  and objectives  and their
 associated indicators that demonstrate  progress.
 EPA will conduct reviews and evaluations of the
 nonpoint source  documents  submitted by state
 agencies describing the nine key elements required
 to  upgrade  their nonpoint source  management
 programs. In addition, the Agency  will increase
 emphasis on monitoring and assessment of nonpoint
 source impacts in order to ensure achievement of
 long-term goals and objectives.

     The performance measure addressing people
 benefiting from secondary wastewater treatment or
 better has two data sources: the Clean Water Needs
 Survey  database  (CWNS)  and  the  Permits
 Compliance Systems (PCS). The CWNS provides
 the  population  information  and PCS provides
 information on new facilities  that are providing
 secondary treatment or greater.

     States enter  data into the CWNS database
 following  a  strict EPA  protocol.   Before  the
 information is  accepted into the data base, EPA
 reviews and  approves the data following a strict
 review protocol. When data problems are detected,
 follow-up with the states occurs to resolve the
 problems.

    Data entered into  the Permit  Compliance
 System by the Regions and states is subjected to
 data entry quality assurance (QA) procedures to
 verify  that the information is consistent  with
 facility-provided information. Quality assurance of
 facility-provided information is provided by OECA
 through programs such as facility inspections. The
 system includes additional QA features related to
discharge data, including software capable  of
rejecting gross data input errors,  and Quality
Management Plans with data criteria.

Research

    EPA has several  strategies to  validate  and
verify  performance measures  in  the  area  of
environmental science and technology research.
Most performance measures are verifiable through
quantitative  means.  For those measures mat are
output-oriented, actual outputs or products can be
objectively verified.  Because the major output of
research is technical information, primarily in the
form of reports, software, protocols, etc., key to the
validation  and  verification  strategies  is  the
performance of both peer and quality  assurance
reviews.

    Peer reviews provide assurance during the pre-
planning, planning, and reporting of environmental
science and research activities that the work meets
peer expectations. Only those science activities and
resulting information products that pass Agency
peer review  are addressed and published.  This
applies to program-level, project-level, and research
outputs.

    The quality  of the  peer review  activity  is
monitored by EPA to ensure that peer reviews are
performed consistently, according to Agency policy,
and that any  identified areas of concern are resolved
through discussion or  the implementation of
corrective action.

    A quality assurance system is implemented at
all levels in  the EPA research organization.  The
Agency-wide  quality assurance  system  is   a
management system that provides me necessary
elements to plan, implement, document, and assess
the effectiveness of quality assurance and quality
control activities applied to environmental programs
conducted by or for EPA.
                                               H-18

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                          1999 Final Annual Plan

    This quality management system provides for       required  from  environmental  programs,  and
identification of environmental programs for which       provision of sufficient resources to assure that an
Quality Assurance/Quality  Control  (QA/QC) is       adequate level of QA/QC is performed.
needed, specification of the quality of the data
                                               H-19

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic  Goal:  Safe Food

    The foods Americans eat will be free from unsafe pesticide residues. Children, because they are among the
most vulnerable groups in our society, will especially be protected from the health threats posed by pesticide
residues.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

'T'he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 J_ (EPA) plays a major role in the lives of all
Americans by  ensuring the safety of the food
supply.  EPA  accomplishes this by working to
protect human  health and the environment from
risks  associated with agricultural pesticide use,
while ensuring  that exposure from any individual
agricultural pesticide use will not, with reasonable
certainty, cause harm.

    EPA regulates  pesticides  under  two  main
statutes: the Federal  Insecticide, Fungicide and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)  and Federal Food and
Drug Control Act (FFDCA).  FIFRA requires that
pesticides be registered (licensed) by EPA before
they may be sold or distributed in the United States,
and that they  perform their intended functions
without causing unreasonable adverse effects on
people or the environment when used according to
EPA-approved label directions.

    FFDCA authorizes EPA to set tolerances, or
maximum legal limits, for pesticide residues in food.
 Tolerance  requirements   apply  equally  to
domestically-produced and imported food.  Any
food with residues not covered by a tolerance, or in
amounts mat exceed an established tolerance, may
not be legally marketed in the United States.
   •Both FIFRA and FFDCA have been amended
by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of
1996, which enhances protection of children and
other sensitive sub-populations. Because of EPA's
work under these laws, Americans enjoy one of the
safest, most abundant, and most affordable food
supplies in the world.

    Pesticides subject to EPA regulation include
insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides,
disinfectants, plant growth regulators and other
substances  intended  to  control  pests.    The
regulations  directly  affect  pesticide  producers,
formulators, distributors, retailers, commercial pest
control firms, farms, farm workers, industrial and
governmental users, and all households.

    Pesticides are used in agriculture, greenhouses,
on lawns, in swimming pools, industrial buildings,
households, and in hospitals and food  service
establishments. Total U.S. pesticide usage in 1995
was about 4.5 billion pounds, and there are about
1.3 million certified pesticide applicators in the U.S.
Herbicides are the most widely used pesticides, and
account for the greatest expenditure and volume.
Biopesticides and other non-conventional, or safer,
pesticides make up about 20 percent of the total.
Agriculture accounts for over 70 percent of all
applications.

    Through  its   food  safety  programs,  EPA
enhances health and environmental protection in a
number of ways, including the following:
                                            m-i

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
    Establishing a single, health-based standard for
    all pesticide residues in food, eliminating past
    inconsistencies in the law which treated residues
    in  some  processed foods  differently from
    residues in raw and other processed foods.

    Providing for a more complete assessment of
    potential risks,  with special protections for
    potentially sensitive groups, such as infants and
    children.

    Ensuring  that  pesticides  are  periodically
    reassessed for consistency with current safely
    standards  and  the  latest  scientific   and
    technological advances.

    Expanding consumers' "right to know" about
    pesticide risks and benefits.
•   Expediting the approval of safer, reduced risk
    pesticides.

    Consumers  are at risk for potential adverse
effects from  pesticide residues  ingested  either
directly or through processed foods. Pesticides also
"bioaccumulate" throughout the food chain.  A
critical step in protecting the  public health is to
evaluate food use pesticides  for potential toxic
effects such as  birth defects, seizures, cancer,
disruption of the endocrine system, changes in
fertility, harmful effects to the  kidneys or liver, or
short  term   effects   such   as  headaches  or
disorientation. Ensuring that any residues on food
are at safe levels is the essence of the Safe Food
goal.
 MEANS AND STRATEGY

 'T'he Agency has a dual strategy to: 1) encourage
  A the  introduction  of new, safer  pesticide
 ingredients (including new biological agents) within
 the context of new pest-management practices;
 while  2) systematically reducing the use of the
 currently registered pesticides with the highest
 potential to cause adverse health effects. FEFRA
 mandates Special Review, re-registration reviews
 and other risk-management measures available in
 the  registration  authority.     FQPA  mandates
 additional  screening  for  aggregate  exposure,
 common mechanisms of toxicity and an additional
 ten-fold  safety  factor to  ensure   protection  of
 children and infants.

    In 1999, the Agency will continue to register
 new pesticides that prevent or reduce risk compared
 to those currently on the market.   Progressively
 replacing older, higher-risk pesticides is one of the
 most  effective methods for curtailing unwanted
health and ecosystem impacts while preserving food
production rates.
    Another priority in 1999 will be testing and
screening of existing pesticides to establish new
tolerance levels, where appropriate, and to evaluate
their potential for disrupting endocrine systems in
animals or in humans.  The emphasis will be on
balancing the  need for pesticides, allowing for
smooth transitions to alternatives, with the risks of
use and exposure.

    EPA uses its FEFRA registration authorities and
the  FFDCA mechanism  (to  establish  legally
permissible  food-borne   exposure  levels,  or
tolerances), in tandem to systematically manage the
risks  posed  by  such exposures.    Using the
comprehensive review  of  existing  pesticide use
(according  to the benchmark of  contemporary
risk-assessment practices) entailed in re-registration,
together  with  the   FQPA   requirement  to
comprehensively  reassess  and  update  existing
tolerances on a six-year schedule, EPA manages the
legal use of pesticides, up to  and including the
elimination of pesticides mat present a danger to
human health and the environment.
                                               III-2

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                             1999 Final Annual Plan
   An additional dimension is the pursuit and
incorporation of the latest scientific advances in
health-risk assessment practices, ensuring current
uses meet the test of a reasonable certainty of no
harm, as stipulated by FQPA. This includes the
incorporation of new scientific data relating to the
effects of endocrine disruption.

   Finally, in addition to setting the requirements
of continued legal use of agricultural pesticides is
the broader effort of preventing the misuse  of
agricultural pesticides,  which  EPA shares  in
partnership with USDA, FDA and the states.
       Research

           FQPA identifies the need for science to evaluate
       all potential routes and pathways of exposures to
       pesticides and  their  effects  on human health.
       Research will center on such initiatives as assessing
        the risk of exposures of varying frequency and
       duration. Research will also compare the effects of
       exposure to a mixture of pesticides and other toxic
       chemicals with exposure to the individual chemicals.
    More information about EPA's food safety
efforts is available on the Office of Pesticides
Program's website at
 http://www.epa.gov/pesticides.
 STATUTORY AUTHORITY
 •  Federal Fungicide, Insecticide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
 •  Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
 •  Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996
                 New Pesticide  Registrations
                                  13


                                   4
                                        14
17
                                              23
17
 <•?

 9



15
                                                          10
                  18
                                                                17
16
                             15
                                                                           Regular
                              Safer
               1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996  1997  1998  1999
            Regular: Conventional Chemicals and Antimicrobials
            Safer: Bio-pesticides and Reduced Risk Chemicals
                                           IH-3

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
   1999 Final Annual Plan
                          Resource Summary
                               (Dollars in thousands)

Safe Food
Reduce Agricultural Pesticides Risk
EPM
S&T
Reduce Use on Food of Pesticides Not Meeting Standards
EPM
S&T
Total Workyears:
FY1999
Pres. Budget
$65,205.9
$26,477.5
$23,479.3
$2,998.2
$38,728.4
$37,276.6
$1,451.8
692.0
FY1999
Enacted
$67,546.4
$29,139.0
$26,243.8
$2,8952
$38,407.4
$30,587.9
$7,819.5
702.4
Strategic Objective: Reduce Agricultural Pesticides Risk
                             Key Programs
                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                                  1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Pesticide Registration
Pesticide Re-registration
Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program
Pesticide Residue Tolerance Reassessments
$16,166
 $4,170
 $1,164
  $977
$17,492
 $4,253
 $1,164
  $976
                                    m-4

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	1999 Final Annual Plan

             Annual Performance Goals and Measures

PESTICIDE RISK
By 1999: Decrease adverse risk from agricultural pesticides from 1995 levels and assure new pesticides that
enter the market are safe for humans and the environment.
Performance Measures:                                                Target:
Register safer chemicals and biopesticides                                    15 Registrations
New Chemicals                                                       9 Registrations
Amendments                                                         2000 Actions
Me-toos                                                            600 Actions
New Uses                                                           90 Actions
rnerts                                                              45 Actions
Special Registrations                                                   370 Actions
Tolerance Petitions                                                    95 Actions
Baseline: Risk levels for pesticides registered 1995 or before; targets are annual and as such, have no baseline.

Strategic Objective: Reduce Use on Food of Pesticides
Not Meeting Standards
                              Key Programs
                              (Dollars in thousands)
                                                   1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Pesticide Re-registration
Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program
Pesticide Residue Tolerance Reassessments
$25,274
$1,418
$8,561
$20,718
$1,418
$8,564
                                     HI-5

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
                 Annual Performance Goals and Measures
 PESTICIDE TOLERANCES

 By 1999: Under pesticide re-registration, EPA will reassess 19% of the existing 9,700 tolerances (cumulative
 33%) for pesticide food uses to meet the new statutory standard of "reasonable certainty of no harm."
 Performance Measures:

 Tolerance Reassessment

 REDs

 Product Re-registration

 Baseline: 9,700 tolerances developed prior to 1996
                             Target:

                             1850 Actions

                             34 Decisions

                             750 Actions
 EXTERNAL FACTORS

 'T'he ability of the Agency to achieve its strategic
  JL goals and objectives depends on several factors
    over which the Agency has only partial control
 or  little influence.    EPA  relies heavily on
 partnerships with states, tribes, local governments
 and regulated parties to protect the environment and
 human health.

    hi addition, EPA  assures  the safe use of
 pesticides in coordination with the USDA and FDA,
 who have responsibility to monitor and control
 residues and other environmental exposures.  EPA
 also works with these agencies to coordinate with
 other countries and international organizations with
 which the United States shares environmental goals.
  Much of  the success of EPA  programs also
 depends on the voluntary cooperation of the private
 sector and the public.

    EPA's  ability to  achieve  the goals  and
objectives is also predicated on an adequate level of
resources for direct program implementation by
EPA as well as for delegated programs.  Other
factors that could delay or prevent the Agency's
achievement of some objectives include: lawsuits
that delay or stop EPA's and/or State partners'
planned activities; new or amended legislation; and
new  commitments within the Administration.
Economic growth  and changes in producer and
consumer behavior, such as shifts in energy prices
or automobile use, could have an influence on the
Agency's ability to achieve several of the objectives
within the time frame specified.

   New environmental technology, unanticipated
complexity  or  magnitude  of  environmental
problems,  or  newly  identified  environmental
problems and priorities could affect the time frame
for achieving many of the goals and objectives. In
particular, pesticide use is affected by unanticipated
outbreaks of pest infestations and/or disease factors,
which requires  EPA to review emergency uses to
ensure no unreasonable risks to the environment will
result EPA has no control over requests for various
registration actions (new products, amendments,
                                             III-6

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
uses, etc.), so its projection of regulatory workload
is subject to change.
VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
    The performance measures for this goal include
    program outputs for the Registration program
and are used as an indirect measure of reducing risk
 New pesticides and tolerance settings undergoing
registration under the FQPA standard are deemed to
be less risky than those which were registered before
FQPA, because the new registrations have to meet
a more stringent health standard. Additionally, the
registration of  reduced  risk  pesticides  could
potentially reduce the  use  of the higher risk
pesticides, and in doing so, reduce risk.  Specific
outputs include  the numbers of new registered
pesticides, new uses of existing pesticides, inert
ingredients, "me-toos"  or pesticides produced by
more than one manufacturer, special registrations
and  newly  registered  safer  chemicals  and
biopesticides.

    The   performance   measures  are  tracked
internally by the Office of Pesticides (OPP) and the
information is readily available to the public. The
database used to track Registration outputs is the
Pesticides  Regulatory  Action  Tracking System
(PRATS),  which we  update  as an action  is
completed.  The Chemical Review Management
System (CRMS) tracks study  requirements  for
company submission information.  PRATS and
CRMS thus provide internal means for ensuring that
goals are being met. Additional information on
pesticide usage  is available from the National
Pesticide Residue Database (NPRD).

    Other performance measures  for this goal
include outputs for the Re-registration program and
are direct measures of reducing the use of pesticides
which do not meet the FQPA standard.   The
performance measures are tracked internally by the
Office of Pesticides  (OPP).    The  Pesticide
Regulatory Action  Tracking System (PRATS)
which tracks registration actions, also tracks product
re-registration actions. Outputs include the number
of tolerance reassessments, re-registration eligibility
decisions (REDS) which are a portion of the re-
registration process, and the final product re-
registrations completed in a given year.


Research

    EPA has  several strategies  to validate  and
verify  performance  measures in the  area  of
environmental science and  technology research.
Most performance measures are verifiable through
quantitative means.  For those measures that are
output-oriented, actual outputs or products can be
objectively verified.  Because the major output of
research is technical information, primarily in the
form of reports, software, protocols, etc., key to the
validation and  verification  strategies   is  the
performance of both peer and quality assurance
reviews.

    Peer reviews provide assurance during the
pre-planning,   planning,   and   reporting   of
environmental science and research activities that
the  work meets peer expectations.  Only those
science activities and resulting information products
that pass Agency peer review are addressed and
published.    This   applies  to  program-level,
project-level, and research outputs. The quality of
the  peer review activity is monitored by EPA to
ensure that peer reviews are performed consistently,
according to Agency policy, and that any identified
areas of concern are resolved through discussion or
the implementation of corrective action.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                         1999 Final Annual Plan
    A quality assurance system is implemented at
all levels in the EPA research organization.  The
Agency-wide  quality  assurance system  is  a
management system that provides the necessary
elements to plan, implement, document, and assess
the effectiveness of quality assurance and quality
control activities applied to environmental programs
conducted by or for EPA. This quality management
system provides for identification of environmental
programs for which  Quality Assurance/Quality
Control (QA/QC) is needed, specification of the
quality of the data required from environmental
programs, and provision of sufficient resources to
assure that  an adequate  level  of  QA/QC  is
performed.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic  Goal: Preventing Pollution and Reducing Risk
in Communities, Homes,  Workplaces and Ecosystems

   Pollution prevention and risk management strategies aimed at cost-effectively eliminating, reducing, or
minimising emissions and contamination will result in cleaner and safer environments in which all Americans
can reside, work, and enjoy life. EPA will safeguard ecosystems and promote the health of natural communities
that are integral to the quality of life in this nation.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

'""•""'he  diversity  and  fragility  of America's
 J_ environments (communities, homes, workplaces
and ecosystems) requires EPA to adopt a multi-
faceted approach to protecting all Americans from
the threats posed by pesticide and toxic chemicals.
 The  underlying  principle  of  the  activities
incorporated under this goal is the application of
pollution prevention. Preventing pollution before it
does damage is cheaper and smarter than costly
cleanup and  remediation,   as  evidenced with
Superfund and PCB cleanups, hi 199S, facilities
reported a total of 10.2 billion pounds of pollutants
released, treated or combusted for energy. Reducing
waste, and reducing the toxic chemicals that are
used  in industrial   processing,  protects  the
environment and  also lowers costs for industry.
Pollution prevention involves changing the behavior
of those that cause the pollution and fostering the


MEANS AND STRATEGY

THhe Agency mixes both regulatory and voluntary
 _L methods to accomplish its job. For example,
each year the New Chemicals program reviews and
manages the risks of over 2,000 new chemicals and
40  products of  biotechnology  that enter the
marketplace. This new chemical review process not
only protects the public from the immediate threats
of harmful chemicals, like PCBs, from entering the
marketplace but it has also contributed to changing
the  behavior of the  chemical industry,  making
industry more aware and responsible for the impact
wider use of preventive practices as a means to
achieve cost effective, sustainable results.

   In Goal 4 the Agency targets certain specific
chemicals of especially high risk as well as the full
range of pollutants addressed by the pollution
prevention  program.    Many  chemicals  are
particularly toxic to children.  Lead, for instance,
damages the brain and nervous system and can
result in behavioral and learning problems if blood
levels are too high. Despite great progress over the
last twenty years, there are still over 1 million
American children with elevated blood levels of
lead. Asbestos, PCB's and other chemicals present
in our buildings and in the environment pose risks to
anyone exposed as well as to wildlife.  For other
common chemicals, we simply don't know what, if
any, risks are present.
these chemicals have on human health and the
environment.

    This awareness has lead industry to produce
safer "greener" alternative chemicals and pesticides.
Fewer  harmful  chemicals  are  entering  the
marketplace and our environment today because of
the New Chemical Program. Through our Design
for the  Environment  program,  EPA  forms
partnerships with industry to find sensible solutions
to prevent pollution.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
    Much remains to be done to safeguard our
Nation's communities,  homes,  workplaces and
ecosystems.   Preventing   pollution   through
regulatory, voluntary, and  partnership actions  -
educating and changing the behavior of our citizens
- is a sensible and effective approach to sustainable
development while protecting our Nation's health.

    Preventing pollution through partnerships  is
central to the Agency's  Chemical Right-to-Know
initiative in 1999. This new initiative will provide
the public with information on the basic health and
environmental  effects  of  the 3000 chemicals
produced at the highest volumes in the U.S.  Most
Americans come into daily contact with many of
these chemicals, yet relatively little is known about
their potential  impacts.   Basic  hazard testing
information will be the focus of a high visibility,
voluntary challenge program recognizing industry's
contribution to the public knowledge base on these
prevalent chemicals.   Risks  to  children  are  a
particular focus, and the Agency will supplement the
information from industry with additional testing to
identify  and address any  chemicals of special
concern for children's health.

    Also central to the Agency's work under this
goal  in  1999  will  be  increased  attention  on
documenting and taking  action to reduce risk from
chemicals that persist, bioaccumulate and are highly
toxic  (PBT's)  and  from  chemicals that  have
endocrine disruption effects. These chemicals have
very high potentials for causing long-term damage
to humans and to ecosystems. Accumulating  in the
food chain,  often far from the source of  initial
exposure, and disrupting the life cycle and creation
of healthy offspring, in essence these chemicals
produce a multiplier effect that is difficult to halt
once it is in action in the environment.  Pollution
prevention and controlling releases are the
mainstays of protection, once these chemicals are
correctly identified.

    Under this Goal, EPA ensures that pesticide use
not only results in safe food, but also causes no
unnecessary exposure either to human health or to
natural ecosystems.  In addition to the array of
risk-management   measures  entailed   in  the
registration authorities under FIFRA for individual
pesticide ingredients, EPA has specific programs to
foster worker and pesticide-user safety as well as
ground-water protection, and the Agency fosters the
safe, effective use of anti-microbial agents. EPA
works to ensure the comprehensive protection of
non-target organisms and endangered  species in
particular,  and to  reduce  the contribution  of
pesticides to specific ecological threats  such  as
endocrine disruption  or  pollutant  loading  in
geographic areas.

    EPA also pursues a variety of field activities at
the regional, state and local levels, including the
promotion of pesticide environmental stewardship
programs with user groups as partners.  Finally,
EPA promotes the use of sensible Integrated Pest
Management (TPM) and the prevention of misuse in
both the urban and rural environments.

    In  several  cases  achieving  the  strategic
objectives under this goal is a shared responsibility
with other federal agencies. For example EPA's role
in  reducing  the  levels  of  environmental lead
exposure  involves   promotion  of  federal-state
partnerships   to   lower   specific  sources   of
environmental lead, such as lead-based paint and
other lead-content products.

    These partnerships emphasize public education
and empowerment  strategies,  which  fit into
companion federal efforts (e.g., HHS and the
                                               IV-2

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
    Centers for Disease Control; HUD) to monitor
and reduce environmental lead levels. Likewise, the
results  of EPA's efforts to  reduce indoor air
exposures are measured by public-health agencies.

    EPA focuses on specific agents (e.g., radon), on
general categories  of indoor  facilities  (schools,
homes and workplaces), and on the characteristic
risks presented in each category.
with tribes, and is cognizant of the Nation's interest
in conserving the cultural uses of natural resources.

Research

    The  human  health  and ecosystems research
included  in this  objective is designed to provide
direct support to EPA's regulatory program for
pesticides and toxic substances. The information
        Radon is estimated to cause about 14,000 deaths per year. However, this number could range from 7,000 to 30,000
        deaths per year. The numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from 1990 National Safety Council reports.
    Intrinsic to the effort to prevent pollution is the
minimization of the quantities of waste generated by
industry,  municipalities  and  hazardous-waste
management  operations.  Strategies range from
fostering  recycling and other resource-recovery
processes to broad-based campaigns to re-engineer
the consumption  and use of raw materials or
personal conservation of resources.

    This Goal focuses on how Americans live in
communities and features the particular commitment
of promoting environmental protection in Indian
country, as consistent with our trust relationship
developed  from application  of  human health
research will significantly increase understanding of
the  impacts  of specific  pesticides and toxic
substances on human health.

    Ecosystems research will help EPA develop the
evaluative  effects methods that are used in  the
regulation of toxic substances, including pesticides,
in ecosystems. Test methods developed through this
research program are incorporated in the existing
compendium of test methods  used to support
Agency regulatory requirements.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency            	1999 Final Annual Plan

   In addition,  research  under  this goal will
characterize indoor air factors that contribute to the
onset  and  exacerbation  of  asthma.    More
information on EPA's research programs can be
found on http://www.epa.gov/.
  STATUTORY AUTHORITY
     Clean Air Act (CAA) section 309 (42 U.S.C. 7609)
     Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387)]
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42
     Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) (42 U.S.C. 11001-11050)
     Federal Food, Drag and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
     Federal Fungicide, Insecticide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
     Indian General Assistance Program (GAP) Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 4368b)
     Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)
     Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 U.S.C. 6901-6992k)
     Safe Drinking Water Act sections 1412 and 1417 (42 U.S.C. 300g-l, 300g-6)
     Solid Waste Disposal Act as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984.
     Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) Title IV, "Radon Gas and Indoor
     Air Quality Research Act"
     Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
Resource Summary
(Dollars in thousands)
Preventing Pollution and Reducing Risk in Communities, Homes,
Workplaces and Ecosystems
Reduce Public and Ecosystem Exposure to Pesticides
EPM
S&T
STAG
Reduce Lead Poisoning
EPM
STAG
Safe Handling and Use of Commercial Chemicals and
Microorganisms
EPM
S&T
Healthier Indoor
Air
EPM
S&T
STAG
Improve Pollution Prevention Strategies, Tools, Approaches
EPM
STAG
Decrease Quantity and Toxicity of Waste
EPM
STAG
Assess Conditions in Indian Country
EPM
STAG
Total Workyears:
FY1999
Pres. Budget
$259,721.3
$48,998.9
$35,020.7
$863.6
$13,114.6
$30,844.6
$17,132.4
$13,712.2
$44,750.6
$32,007.1
$12,743.5
$34,017.6
$20,874.7
$4,984.9
$8,158.0
$26,829.8
$20,830.3
$5,999.5
$23,429.1
$22350.3
$1,078.8
$50,850.7
$8265.3
$42,585.4
1,122.8
FY1999
Enacted
$237,789.8
$43,178.2
$29219.0
$844.6
$13,114.6
$30,817.4
$17,1052
$13,7122
$42,443.2
$31206.6
$11236.6
$29,629.4
$16,662.1
$4,809.3
$8,158.0
$21,884.0
$15,884.5
$5,999.5
$18,852.5
$15,779.5
$3,073.0
$50,985.1
$8^99.8
$42,585.3
1,124.9
                                               IV-5

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                    1999 Final Annual Plan

 Strategic Objective: Reduce Public and Ecosystem
 Exposure to Pesticides
                                Key Programs
                                (Dollars in thousands)
                                                      1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Pesticide Registration
Pesticide Re-registration
Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program
Agricultural Worker Protection
Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training
Pesticides Program Implementation Grant
$10,253
$4,860
$268
$4,769
$5,516
$13,115
$7,451
$4,856
$268
$4,365
$5,314
$13,115
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures


PESTICIDES AND POLLUTANTS REDUCTION

By 1999: Protect homes, communities, and workplaces from harmful exposures to pesticides and related
pollutants through improved cultural practices and enhanced public education, resulting in a reduction of 15%
cumulative (1994 reporting base) in the incidences of pesticides poisoning reported nationwide.

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

Environmental Stewardship Strategies.                                        42 complete

Incidences of pesticides poisonings                                           15% Reduction
                                                                     (cumulative)

Labor Population will be adequately trained                                    38% Trained
                                                                     (cumulative)

Pesticides w/high probability to leach/persist in groundwater                        10% managed

Baseline: 1995 reporting for adverse effects data and for number of workers trained.  Stewardship figures are
cumulative. Baseline for ground water contamination managed is under development.
                                       IV-6

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                     1999 Final Annual Plan


Strategic Objective: Reduce Lead Poisoning

                                 Key Programs
                                 (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Lead Risk Reduction Program                                        $16,929        $16,911
 Grants to States for Lead Risk Reduction                              $13,712        $13,712
               Animal Performance Goals and Measures


LEAD-BASED PAINT TRAINING

By 1999: Complete the building of a lead-based paint abatement certification and training program in 50
states to ensure significant decreases in children's blood lead levels by 2005 through reduced exposure to lead-
based paint.

Performance Measures:                                                   Target:

State programs developed for the training, accreditation and certification of lead-based paint 35 States
abatement professionals.

A Federal training, accreditation and certification Program will be established and        15 Programs
administered in states which choose not to seek approval from EPA to administer.

Baseline: Number of states in which either federal or state program will be established.
                                         IV-7

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	1999 Final Annual Plan


Strategic Objective: Safe Handling and Use of Commercial
Chemicals and Microorganisms

                             Key Programs
                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                                  1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program
New Chemical Review
Existing Chemical Data, Screening, Testing and Management
National Program chemicals: PCBs, Asbestos, Fibers, and Dioxin
$1,600
$14,140
$12,491
$3,301
$1,257
$13,410
$12,870
$3,012
             Annual Performance Goals and Measures



CHEMICAL AND MICROORGANISM SAFETY

By 1999: Ensure that of the approximately 1,800 new chemicals and microorganisms submitted by industry
each year, those that are introduced in commerce are safe to humans and the environment for their intended
uses.

Performance Measures:                                              Target:

TSCA Pre-Manufacture Notice Reviews.                                   1,800 Notices

Baseline: Expected number of chemicals to be submitted in 1999.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  	                          J 999 Final Annual Plan

Strategic Objective: Healthier Indoor Air

                                Key Programs
                                (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
State Radon Grants                                                $8,158        $8,158
Indoor Environments: ETS                                          $1,183        $1,050
Indoor Environments: Schools                                       $6,789        $2,921
Indoor Environments: Asthma                                       $2,589        $1,136
EMPACT                                                        $905            $0
Research: Indoor Air Research                                       $3,012        $2,836
               Annual Performance Goals and Measures

HEALTHIER RESIDENTIAL INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
By 1999: 700,000 additional people will live in healthier residential indoor environments.
Performance Measures:                                                  Target:
People Living in Healthier Indoor Air                                         700,000 People
Baseline: 1. The baseline for people living in homes built with radon resistant features is 600,000 in 1994. 2.
 The baseline for the number of children exposed to ETS is 19,500,000 in 1994. 3. The baseline for the
number of people living in radon mitigated homes is 780,000 in 1994.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                    1999 Final Annual Plan

Strategic Objective: Improve Pollution Prevention Strategies,
Tools, Approaches
                               Key Programs
                               (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Design for the Environment                                         $4,844         $4,554
Pollution Prevention Program                                       $9,676         $8,872
Pollution Prevention Incentive Grants to States                           $6,000         $6,000
Common Sense Initiative                                          $1,179          $429
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
TRI POLLUTANTS REDUCTION

By 1999: The quantity of Toxic Release Inventory pollutants released, treated or combusted for energy
recovery will be reduced by 200 million pounds, or two percent, from 1998 reporting levels.
Performance Measures:                                                 Target:
Reduction of TRI pollutants released                                         200 million
                                                                    pounds
Baseline: Previous end level for reduction reported in most recent TRI data (1997).
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency    	1999 Final Annual Plan

Strategic Objective: Decrease Quantity and Toxicity of
Waste
                              Key Programs
                              (Dollars in thousands)
                                                    1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
RCRA State Grants
Waste Minimization
Source Reduction
Recycling
Urban Environmental Quality and Human Health
Common Sense Initiative
$1,079
$2,399
$5,505
$5,489
$220
$1,782
$3,073
$2,195
$2,729
$4,981
$0
$634
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
By 1999: Maintain levels (for a cumulative total of 28% or 62 million tons) of municipal solid waste (MSW)
diverted from land filling and combustion, and maintain per capita generation of RCRA municipal solid waste
at 4.3 pounds per day.
Performance Measures:                                                Target:
Millions of tons of municipal solid waste diverted.                               62 million tons
Daily per capita generation of municipal solid waste.                             4.3 Ibs. MSW
Baseline: 1990 levels established at 17% of MSW diverted and 4.3 pounds MSW per capita daily generation.
                                     IV-11

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                    1999 Final Annual Plan


Strategic Objective: Assess Conditions in Indian Country

                               Key Programs
                               (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Tribal General Assistance Grants                                    $42,585        $42,585
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures


TRIBAL AGREEMENTS

By 1999: 10% of Tribal environmental baseline information will be collected and 10 additional tribes
(cumulative total of 45) will have tribal/EPA environmental agreements or identified environmental priorities.

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

Tribal environmental baseline information collected                               10% Baseline

Tribes with Tribal/EPA environmental agreements or identified environmental priorities.    10 Tribes

Baseline: EPA completed the design of a system to collect and manage data on environmental conditions in
Indian country at the end FY 1998. The data assessment process will be initiated in FY 1999. In 1998, a total
of 35 tribes had EPA/Tribal Environmental Agreements or similar plans.
                                      IV-12

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
EXTERNAL FACTORS
r I %e ability of the Agency to achieve its strategic
 1- goals and objectives depends on several factors
over which the Agency has only partial control or
little influence. EPA relies heavily on partnerships
with states, tribes, local governments and regulated
parties to protect the environment and human health.
 In addition, EPA assures the safe use of pesticides
in coordination with the USDA and FDA, who have
responsibility to monitor and control residues and
other environmental exposures.  EPA  also works
with  these agencies  to coordinate with  other
countries and international organizations with which
the United States shares environmental goals. This
plan discusses the mechanisms and programs that
the Agency employs to assure that our partners in
environmental protection will have the  capacity to
conduct the  activities  needed  to achieve  the
objectives.   However, as  noted, EPA often has
limited control over these entities. ID addition, much
of the success of EPA programs depends on the
voluntary cooperation of the private sector and the
general public.

    EPA's  ability  to  achieve  the  goals  and
objectives is also predicated on an adequate level of
resources for direct program implementation by
EPA  as well as  for  delegated programs.   The
objectives in this plan are based on current funding
levels. If appropriations are lower or different from
requested,  some objectives may be difficult or
impossible  to achieve.  Other factors that  could
delay or prevent the Agency's achievement of some
objectives include: lawsuits that delay or stop EPA's
and/or State partners' planned activities; new or
amended legislation; and new commitments within
the Administration. Economic growth and changes
in producer and consumer behavior, such as shifts in
energy prices or automobile use, could have an
influence on the Agency's ability to achieve several
of the objectives within the timeframe specified.
    Large-scale accidental releases (such as large
oil spills) or rare catastrophic natural events (such
as volcanic eruptions) could, in the short term,
impact EPA's ability to achieve the objectives, hi
the longer term, new environmental technology,
unanticipated  complexity   or   magnitude  of
environmental problems,  or  newly  identified
environmental problems and priorities could affect
the timeframe for achieving many of the goals and
objectives,  hi particular, pesticide use is affected
by unanticipated outbreaks of pest infestations
and/or disease factors, which require EPA to review
emergency uses to ensure no unreasonable risks to
the environment  will result.  EPA has no control
over requests for various registration actions (new
products, amendments, uses, etc.), so its projection
of regulatory workload is subject to change.

    Success in improving indoor air quality depends
upon the work of many federal and state agencies,
and ultimately on the Agency's ability to provide
useful information to individuals so that they may
intelligently identify and avert risks to health in the
household, workplace, schools and other  indoor
settings.

    In the  absence of regulatory authority and
grants to states for indoor environment programs,
the voluntary Federal indoor environments program
relies heavily on state and local, private, and non-
profit partnerships to implement and manage indoor
environmental risk  reduction  activities/programs.
Many of our partners  and  states have  small
programs that often make it difficult to achieve the
desired level of results.

    The Agency's ability to achieve its objective of
decreasing the quantity and toxicity of waste could
be impacted by the increased flexibility provided to
states to redirect  resources  under the National
Environmental Performance  Partnership System
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
(NEPPS). If states redirect resources away from
this area, it would impact both annual performance
and progress in implementing the Agency's strategic
plan.   To mitigate this potential issue, EPA is
working with the Environmental Council of States
(ECOS) to develop core measures beyond FY 1998
and  coordinating  with states to  develop,  for
example, the RCRA Persistent, Bioaccumulative,
and Toxics (PBT) list and other tools mat will focus
state activities on shared EPA and state goals.

    In addition, recycling rates are affected by shifts
in prices and potential regulatory changes to reduce
or eliminate disincentives to safe recycling.  While
market forces have helped to achieve current rates,
better        markets        for       recycled
products/recyclables/reusables   are   needed   to
encourage increased recycling rates and  source
reduction. EPA has worked with the Chicago Board
of Trade and the Federal Environmental Executive
and  has several  other  ongoing  projects  that
encourage market development.
    Achieving our  objective is based upon a
partnership with Indian Tribal governments, many
of which face severe poverty, employment, housing
and education issues.  Because Tribal Leader and
environmental director support will be  critical in
achieving this objective, the Agency is working with
Tribes to ensure that they understand the importance
of having  good information on environmental
conditions in Indian country to meet their and EPA
needs,  hi addition, EPA also works with other
Federal Agencies,  Department of Interior (U.S.
Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and
Bureau of Reclamation), National Oceanic  and
Atmospheric  Administration, and the  Corps of
Engineers to help build programs on tribal lands.
Changing priorities   in  these  agencies  could
adversely affect their ability to work with EPA in
establishing strategies and regulations that affect
Indian Tribes.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Reduce Public and Ecosystem Exposure of
Pesticides

11 ^he performance measures for this objective are
 JL program   outputs   for  the   Field  and
Environmental Stewardship programs and are used
as an indirect measure of reducing risk.  The number
of workers  suffering  from adverse  effects  of
pesticides may be derived from various sources such
as poison control center data, public health system
data, information gathered from the  states and
public health  agencies.    The  labor  population
training data may be determined using information
from USDA and States. The pesticides considered
to be threats to groundwater have been identified
and will be used as the base.

Reduce Lead Poisoning

    The annual performance goals and measures
identified under this objective are expressed as the
completion of  explicit tasks.   These measures
require  assessment   by  program   staff and
management. Verification of these measures does
not involve any pollutant database analysis, but will
require objective assessment of tasks  completed,
compliance  with regulatory  development and
authority delegation schedules, and the satisfaction
of U.S. environmental negotiating objectives.

    The accomplishment of EPA's broader lead
poisoning   reduction  goals  (e.g.,   lead  rule
promulgation,    certified    training   programs,
completed technical reports, etc.) will be verified by
realizing a significant reduction of children's blood
lead levels compared to levels in the 1970's. For the
past two decades, the National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) has collected data on the general
health of  the Nation's population through the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHNES). The collection and laboratory analysis of
children's blood for lead has been part of this
program since its inception and has become the
standard for the estimation of national blood lead
averages.  It is also the only national survey of
children's blood lead levels.

    NCHS is preparing to begin another survey.
The results, scheduled for release in 2002, will be
used to measure the success of EPA's lead program.
 The verification and validation  of  data  from
NHNES will be conducted by NCHS through a
rigorous quality assurance program to ensure that
the sample  selected for  examination  is  truly
representative of the U.S. population and that
laboratory analyses of collected blood samples are
of known accuracy and precision  (NCHS has over
20 years experience in conducting this  survey and
these analyses.)

    In addition, EPA will evaluate the effectiveness
of regulations previously promulgated.  Through
mechanisms including focus groups and surveys, the
Agency will measure the awareness and any changes
in behavior of the regulated community as a result
of these regulations.

    For example, at the end of 1998, EPA will have
established  a   training,   certification,   and
accreditation  program  for  lead-based   paint
professionals in states that do not seek approval
from the Agency to administer their own program
(about 15-20 states are not expected to seek
authorization).       For   more   information:
(http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/leadcert.htm). In
1999, following  an outreach effort to increase
awareness of state residents on EPA's certification
program, the Agency will measure the success of
this regulation in certifying professionals.

    The success will be determined by the degree of
awareness of the program among professionals who
are likely to become certified.  Similar evaluations
will be developed for other regulations.
                                            IV-15

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
 Safe  Handling  and Use of Commercial
 Chemicals and Microorganisms)

     Performance will be measured by the number
 of  new   chemicals   Pre-Manufacture   Notice
 submissions (PMN's) that are determined by EPA to
 be safe and not  to require EPA  management
 controls. PMN's submissions and determinations
 are   tracked  under   formal   EPA  document
 management and decision-making systems to ensure
 compliance with statutory deadlines for Agency
 action.  The "greener" the  new chemical  EPA
 receives for review, the more success achieved in
 protecting  human  health  and the environment.
 Performance will also be measured by how much
 knowledge we gain in understanding the risks of
 toxic  chemicals   to   human   health  and  the
 environment.  EPA will gain this knowledge through
 required and voluntary chemical testing by industry.
 When EPA identifies specific risks posed by toxic
 chemicals, performance will be judged by its success
 to mitigate through actions  such as labeling or
 banning of the chemical  or its use  in  certain
 products.  These counts will be drawn from formal
 regulatory  action tracking systems maintained by
 EPA that have thorough QA/QC procedures to
 ensure the integrity of the data maintained therein.
 Last,  success will be judged by lowering risk
 through preventing pollution and achieving this
 through  voluntary  compliance  over regulated
 controls.

    The Chemical  Right-to-Know    (CRTK)
 initiative and the Endocrine Disrupter screening and
 testing project (http://www.epm.gov/endocrine') are
 both major efforts  EPA is undertaking to ensure
 commercial chemicals  are adequately tested for
 health and environmental effects  and that this data
 is available to the public. Performance of the CRTK
 initiative can easily be  measured by tracking the
 number of chemicals for which EPA has received
 another accountability  tool used to verify and
validate performance  measures.   The recently
developed GPRA structure will be incorporated into
OMIS  to  ensure  consistent maintenance and
commitments to complete screening-level testing
from chemical manufacturers and by tracking the
number  of chemicals  covered  by  regulations
requiring chemical testing. Verification of program
performance for the Endocrine Disrupter screening
and testing program can be determined by tracking
the number of chemicals that have been tested by
EPA with the recommended protocols.

    EPA has  several strategies to validate  and
verify performance measures in the area of environ-
mental science and research.  The Agency  has
implemented a risk-based research planning process
to use risk assessment and risk management as
principle priority-setting criteria.  EPA conducts
annual research program reviews to both evaluate
the status and accomplishments of its research, and
to determine planning priorities.

    Chief among  the  Agency's validation  and
verification mechanisms is a rigorous peer review
process.   In  a July  1997 memorandum, EPA's
Deputy Administrator states that peer review will be
expanded "to include both the major work products
provided in the past and ...  all scientific  and
technical products supporting Agency decisions...".
This expanded and  strengthened  focus on peer
review will help  ensure that the  performance
measures listed here are verified and validated by
external organizations.  The Agency utilizes peer
review throughout the  research  planning  and
implementation process, both to ensure that planned
research addresses critical knowledge issues within
EPA's mission and to assess the quality of scientific
research plans, products, and proposals.  This is
accomplished  through the use  of independent
entities.

    The  Office  of Research  and Development
Management Information System (OMIS) will be

reporting,  resulting  in greater  accuracy  and
consistency of information to users.
                                             IV-16

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
Healthier Indoor Air

Radon

    Progress on the number of homes tested for
radon and the number of homes fixed if levels are
elevated is assessed under a cooperative agreement
between EPA and the  Conference  of Radiation
Control Program  Officials (CRCPD).  CRCPD
conducts a biennial telephone survey of randomly
selected households in which the primary decision
maker  is asked questions  which  include their
awareness of radon, whether they have tested their
home for radon, whether they have taken steps to
mitigate elevated levels of radon, whether there are
children aged six and under in the home, and if so,
whether smoking goes on inside the home.  The
study is performed by CRCPD for its own uses, and
quality control and assurance procedures are the
responsibility of CRCPD and its survey contractor.
The Agency survey of the radon  industry will
determine the amount of residential testing and
mitigation completed  by radon service providers
(http://www.epin.gov/iag).    This  survey  will
supplement  the residential telephone survey, and
will be conducted by  EPA  and its  contractor.
Quality assurance and control procedures will be
designed in accordance with Agency standards. The
Agency purchases the results of an annual survey of
home builders which assesses the extent to which
residential builders are employing radon-resistant
construction techniques.  Quality assurance and
control procedures are  the responsibility  of the
National Association of Home Builders.

ETS

    To ascertain the number of children aged 6 and
under exposed to ETS in their homes, the program
utilizes the  biennial  survey conducted  by  the
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors,
as described  above. In addition, the Agency uses the
Department of Health and Human Services National
Health Interview Survey,  which poses a similar
question to a national sample of households, as a
check on the accuracy of the CRCPD study results.

Schools

    The number of schools  that implement the
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) "Tools for Schools" kit is
tracked through a centralized database where data
are  provided  by  program  office  staff,  the
Government Printing Office,  national cooperative
partners, contractor staff,  and the EPA regional
offices, (http://www.eDa.gov/iae/schools/index.html).
The accuracy of this database is dependent upon the
reliability of personnel filling out the information
form and their understanding of the steps taken in
their school(s)  to implement EPA's multi-step
guidance. Because this is a voluntary program, the
Agency has no authority to verify the accuracy or
comprehensiveness of  information provided by
school personnel. In addition, the program accesses
the National  Association of  Energy  Service
Companies database which tracks companies that
have performed ventilation work in schools as well
as public school student enrollment numbers.

Improve Pollution Prevention Strategies,
Tools, Approaches

Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data:

    Industrial  facilities in  specified  Standard
Identification  Codes (SIC)  are required to provide
TRI data for chemicals listed by law or regulation.
 The data are estimates by the reporting facility of
the quantities of toxic chemicals in production-
related wastes that are released to the environment
 (including disposed of, used for energy recovery,
recycled or treated).  Facilities also must  report
quantities that are released or managed as waste off-
site as a result of remedial actions, catastrophic
events, or one-time  events not associated with
production  processes,   hi 1999, nearly 28,000
facilities are expected to provide TRI data.
    The source reduction performance measure (see
Goal # 1, above) relies on data reported by industrial
                                              IV-17

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
facilities (on TRI Form R's) regarding any source
reduction activities undertaken by the facilities
during the reporting year, and the methods used to
identify  these activities.    Facilities  select the
methods they use to estimate the reported quantities,
and the  validity of the data depends  on proper
selection and application of the estimation methods
as well as on the quality of the available data.

    EPA conducts  data quality site surveys to
identify aspects of the TRI data reporting process
that could be improved and to provide a quantitative
assessment  of the accuracy of  data  collected
(http ://www. epa. gov/opptintr/tri).  The latest
survey, completed in 1998, showed that errors in
reporting source reduction  activities varied  by
industry sector and  resulted primarily   from
misinterpretations  (by facilities)  of key terms,
particularly  "source reduction." The survey also
suggested that source reduction activities may be
somewhat under-reported through TRI, since the
results of such activities are not subject to TRI
reporting (hence there is less incentive to disclose
the activities), and for other reasons.

    The Agency is preparing additional guidance to
assist facilities in preparing their Form R's.  This
guidance will focus on the  reporting elements
required by the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990
and should be issued in the year 2000.

    hi addition to those facilities reporting under
TRI, EPA will utilize data from a variety of sources.
 EPA's PBT program expects to draw upon National
Health and Nutrition Exam Survey (NHANES) data,
Integrated  Atmospheric  Deposition   Network
(IADN) monitoring data, a fetal cord monitoring
study, and an EPA Office of Water (OW) fish tissue
study,  as these  data sources become available.
EPA's Design for Environment Program conducts
an  evaluation of the  extent to  which cleaner
technologies have been adopted by each industry
that takes part in the program.  This  can be as
simple as collecting data on the  amount  of a
particular chemical used within an industry (for
example, perchloroethylene used in drycleaning) or
as challenging as surveying an industry's overall
progress  in  installing  newer,  less  polluting
processes. Survey participants are typically small to
medium-sized  firms.   While  no single central
database depository exists for all survey results,
findings   are   frequently   documented  and
incorporated to  produce outreach  materials for
industry.

Decrease Quantity and Toxicity of Waste

    Data for RCRA performance measures under
this objective  are  tracked through  a  variety  of
systems, ranging from national databases managed
by  EPA to voluntary reporting from  program
partners to information collected by the Commerce
Department.     In  all  instances   appropriate
verification and validation procedures are in place
(http://www.epa. gov/epaoswer/osw/index.htm').

    Monitoring national progress in reductions of
PBTs will rely  heavily on the  Toxics Release
Inventory (TRI) for establishing a baseline for
tracking  annual  performance  and measuring the
reductions of a specific list of PBT chemicals in
hazardous waste. The regulated industry reports the
TRI data, and the Agency receives the reports and
enters the data directly into the TRI.  All applicable
validation controls  are in place for the TRI system.

    Although there are some chemicals on this list
that are not included in TRI reporting in  1991, some
of these chemicals were either required to  be
reported in 1995 or will be added to the TRI in an
upcoming rulemaking that expands reporting and
lowers the reporting threshold for certain chemicals.
There still remains a subset of chemicals (very small
in number) that we will not have TRI information
on. For these chemicals, EPA plans on using the
Biennial Reporting Information, the 1986 RCRA
Generator Survey,  the National Hazardous Waste
Constituent Survey (1996), and the RCRA Waste
Code Crosswalk to establish a baseline.
                                              IV-18

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
    Limitations of the TRI include:  1) not all
sectors that generate hazardous wastes report in the
TRI; and, 2) information that is reported is not
directly related to the RCRA program.  However
these limitations are not of great concern. Although
all sectors that generate hazardous wastes do not
report in TRI, the majority of waste (as discovered
through analysis of Biennial Report System data) is
generated by those sectors that do report to TRI and
are the most consistent reporters in BRS as well as
TRI. Secondly, although information reported in the
TRI is not directly related to RCRA, EPA is able to
identify those reporters   in TRI  that are  also
generators  of hazardous wastes.    Both  these
limitations are far outweighed by the strengths in
TRI: 1) that data is collected annually and therefore
will provide us with  more trend analyses; 2) that
data is collected not on  waste streams, but on
chemicals; and 3) that improvements currently are
being  made to  the  systems and the reporting
universe is expanding, including more reporting of
use and release of chemicals of concern for which
we have limited information. An upcoming TRI
rulemaking will expand reporting of some chemicals
and lower the report threshold of others. This will
fill in some of the data limitations identified above.

    Tracking the rate of recycling for hazardous
waste will use information in the Biennial Reporting
System (BRS), a national  database which supports
EPA's  RCRA  program.    BRS  is a biennial
compilation of information supplied by hazardous
waste handlers and  provides data on types and
amounts of waste handled, as well as how the waste
is handled (e.g., disposed, recycled). EPA will track
progress  on increase of  hazardous waste safely
recycled using the BRS.   The regulated industry
reports the BRS data, and states and EPA regions
quality check the data and enter it into the data base.

    The     BRS      data     system     has
validation/verification controls  in  place to  help
ensure that data is complete and accurate. The BRS
data entry software includes  a series of basic and
advanced edits which check for completeness and
accuracy.   Additionally,  while  states and EPA
regions submit essentially complete BRS databases,
EPA  Headquarters  runs  BRS  data   quality
verification reports and then coordinates with states
and EPA regions to discuss potential data errors.
Analysis also is conducted on significant changes
which have occurred since the last biennial report.
 Prior to issuing the final BRS report, a second set
of BRS  data quality verification reports are run and
follow-on discussions to  verify/validate data are
conducted for those states with significant changes.
 BRS has a suite of user and system documentation
which describes the overall administration of the
data collection and management activities.  The
documentation identifies  which information, for
example, is mandatory versus optional and describes
how to enter the data  into the system.   All
information is provided to the appropriate state and
EPA regional user of the system. Training on use of
the systems is provided on a regular basis, usually
annually depending on the nature of system changes
and user needs.

    hi February 1997, EPA's Office of the Inspector
General  performed  an audit of  the  Biennial
Hazardous Waste Data.   They made several
recommendations which the Agency has acted on.

    A Limitation of the data available in BRS is that
when a  facility modifies its recycling  or handling
operation  thereby  becoming  excluded from the
definition of solid  waste  and/or  changes its
regulatory status so  that future reporting is not
required, that facility need no  longer submit  a
biennial report.  However, that same facility could
still be  recycling hazardous waste.  This type of
change  may lead to  an  underestimating  of the
amount  of hazardous waste safely recycled.  The
Agency is monitoring BRS submissions to identify
facilities that reported in the previous cycle but not
in the current cycle. EPA will use various analytical
means to  determine why reporting, either by the
facility as a whole or of a particular waste stream,
stopped.
                                              IV-19

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
    Extensive improvements are underway for the
RCRA national databases.  The OSW Platform
Conversion  of  national  systems  (Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act Information System
and BRS) will migrate data and interfaces to a more
supportable database platform, using Internet based
access methods. While the converted systems will
retain the essential data characteristics of the current
systems, the platform conversion will provide new
user interfaces that will help improve the quality of
the data as it is being created. In the longer term,
the RCRA program currently is in  the process of
reinventing its information management needs and
systems through a joint initiative with the states
called WIN/INFORMED.

    In  the non-hazardous  waste  program,  no
national databases are in place nor planned.  The
baseline numbers for municipal solid waste source
reduction and  recycling are developed using a
materials flow methodology employing data largely
from the Department of Commerce and can be
found in an EPA report titled "Characterization of
Municipal Solid Waste in the United States."  The
report, including the baseline numbers and current
progress, is widely accepted among  experts. Since
the report is produced by EPA, no reporting from
outside sources will be required.  Quality assurance
and quality control is provided by the Department of
Commerce's internal procedures and systems.  The
report prepared by the Agency is then reviewed by
a number of experts for accuracy and soundness.

    Data limitations stem from the fact that the
baseline and annual progress numbers are based on
a series of models, assumptions, and extrapolations
and, as such, is not an empirical  accounting of
municipal solid waste generated or recycled. Since
these numbers are widely reported and accepted by
experts, no new efforts to improve the  data or the
methodology have been identified.

Assess Conditions in Indian Country
    The Agency biannually  updates  an internal
database  on  the  number   of  Tribes   with
delegated/approved environmental programs; the
number of tribal environmental programs that EPA
has delegated/approved; the number of Tribal/EPA
Environmental Agreements;  and the  number of
Tribes that have  developed similar  plans for
environmental protection. The database is validated
against Agency Headquarters and Regional office
records (http://www.epa.gov/mdian/Programs.htm).

    The Agency will work with its Indian Tribal
partners  to   collect   baseline  environmental
information as part of the overall strategy for
conducting     comprehensive     environmental
assessments in Indian Country.  This information
will allow EPA and Tribes  to  better gauge the
environmental  outcomes of our partnership for
public health and environmental protection.  Much
of the information for the baseline assessment will
come  from existing EPA data  sources and will
conform to Agency quality assurance standards.
New  data  provided by the tribes or collected
specifically for the baseline assessment project will
be subject to QA/QC review.

Research

    EPA has several  strategies to validate and
verify  performance measures  in the  area  of
environmental science  and technology research.
Most performance measures are verifiable through
quantitative means.  For those measures that are
output-oriented, actual outputs or products can be
objectively  verified. Because the major output of
research is  technical information, primarily in the
form of reports, software, protocols, etc., key to the
validation  and  verification  strategies  is the
performance of both peer and  quality assurance
reviews.

    Peer reviews provide assurance during the pre-
planning, planning, and reporting of environmental
science and research activities that the work meets
peer expectations. Only those science activities and
                                              IV-20

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
resulting information products that pass Agency
peer review are addressed and published.   This
applies to program-level, project-level, and research
outputs. The quality of the peer review activity is
monitored by EPA to ensure that peer reviews are
performed consistently, according to Agency policy,
and that any identified areas of concern are resolved
through  discussion or  the implementation  of
corrective action,

    A quality assurance system is implemented at
all levels in the EPA research organization.  The
Agency-wide  quality assurance  system  is   a
management system that provides the necessary
elements to plan, implement, document, and assess
the effectiveness of quality assurance and quality
control activities applied to environmental programs
conducted by or for EPA.

    This quality management system provides for
identification of environmental programs for which
Quality Assurance/Quality Control  (QA/QC) is
needed, specification of the quality of the data
required from environmental  programs,  and
provision of sufficient resources to assure that an
adequate level of QA/QC is performed.
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    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                1999 Final Annual Plan
   Strategic Goal: Better Waste Management, Restoration
   of Contaminated Waste Sites, and Emergency Response
          America's wastes will be stored, treated, and disposed of in ways that prevent harm to people and to the
   natural environment. EPA will work to clean up previously polluted sites, restoring them to uses appropriate for
   surrounding communities, and respond to and prevent waste-related or industrial accidents.

   BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
   Tmproper  waste  management  and  disposal
   J-threatens the health of people, endangers wildlife,
     and harms vegetation and natural resources.
   Uncontrolled hazardous  and toxic  substances,
   including radioactive waste, often migrate to ground
   water, surface water, and air. Consequently, they
          affect streams, lakes, rivers, and water supplies.
          Toxins  bioaccumulate in fish or accumulate in
          sediments.  In 1999, EPA will promote safe waste
          storage, treatment, and disposal, clean up active and
          inactive  waste disposal sites, and prevent the
          creation of new waste sites.
   MEANS AND STRATEGY
       principal objective of this goal is to reduce or
   ^"Vcontrol the risks posed to human health and the
       environment through better waste management
   and restoration  of abandoned waste  sites.  In
        National Priorities List Status
                   (End of FY1998)
          partnership with states, tribal governments, the
          public, and other stakeholders,
          EPA will reduce or control the risks to human health
          and the environment at thousands  of Superfund,
          Brownfield, Resource Conservation and Recovery
                 Act (RCRA), and underground storage
                 tank (UST) sites.
              Remedial Assessment Not Begun
                      (58 sites)
                       41%      Study Underway, Remedy
                                 Selected or Design Underway
Construction Underway
    (457 sites)
(327 sites)
  22.9%
                  Construction Completion
                      (585 sites)
                       40.1%
   To achieve this goal, EPA strives to
apply  the fastest,  most effective waste
management   and   cleanup  methods
available,  while  involving   affected
communities  in the  decision  making
process.

   Effective   use   of  research  and
enforcement strategies will also allow the
Agency to further reduce the risks from
exposures to hazardous waste. For more
information about these programs refer to
the     following     home     pages:
http://www.epa. gov/swerrims       and
http://www.epa. gov/oeca/hazsol.httnl

   Another principal objective of this
goal is to prevent, reduce, and respond to
                                            V-l

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
 releases, spills, accidents or emergencies. Through
 the UST, RCRA, and Oil programs, the Agency and
 its partners manage the practices of thousands of
 facilities  to prevent  dangerous releases to the
 environment. When releases do occur, EPA and its
 partners will have the capabilities to successfully
 respond.

     Goal 5 has been restructured by combining the
 original objectives 2 and 3 of the Strategic Plan into
 this objective. More information on these programs
 can    be    found   at   the   home   page:
 http://www.epa.gov/osw
   Lead Raity At The Hire Of
    Construction Cor
                   FT 1998
Responsible Party or
Mxed Fining Lead
(390 sites) eaffl/o^	
                                 Federal Facility Lead
                                     (17 sites) 29%
                            Fund Lead (175 sites)
                                29.9%
Research

    Research  efforts will continue  to  focus  on
ground water and soils research, which seeks to
understand the process that governs contaminant
transport and fate to  improve remediation  and
monitoring  technologies,  especially their cost-
effectiveness.

    The  principle  areas  of  concentration  are
exposure to soil and ground water contaminants,
assessment   of  the   risks   posed  by  these
contaminants, cost-effective management of these
risks,  and  the  development  of  innovative
technologies  to  characterize  and   remediate
contaminated sites.  Work will also continue under
active waste management and combustion facilities.
    Through the development of new and improved
methods and models to assess exposure and effects,
this research will provide the fundamental science
and modeling backbone needed to conduct truly
multimedia, multi-pathway exposure modeling and
risk assessment.

    Greater  information  about   research  and
development activities can be found at the following
Internet address:
                v/ordntmt/ord
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                      1999 Final Annual Plan

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

•  Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended by the
   Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
•  CERCLA (42 U.S.C. 9601-9675)
•  CERCLA, as amended, 42 U.S.C.A. Section 9660
•  CERCLA Section 104 (a)
•  CERCLA Section 104 (b)
.  CERCLA Section 104 (b)(l)
.  CERCLA Section 104 (d)(l)
«  CERCLA Section 111 (a)(l)
.  CERCLA Section 311 (c), 42 U.S.C. 9660 D
•  CERCLA Section 311 (b)(9)(A)
.  CERCLA Section 311 (b)(3)
•  Title HI (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act) of CERCLA, as amended by Superfund
   Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986.
•  Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended by the
   Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), section 104.
•  Solid Waste Disposal Act as amended by Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984
•  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended, 42 U.S.C.A. Section 6981.
•  RCRA, as amended, 42 U.S.C.A. Section 6981
•  The 1984 Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment to RCRA
•  OPA 33 U.S.C.A. Section  276
•  Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13101-13109)
•  Subtitle I of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 to the Solid Waste Disposal Act. The
   regulated substances are liquid petroleum products and substances defined as hazardous under the
   Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability At of 1980, as amended under the
   Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.
•  Clean Air Act, Section 112(r).
•  Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.A., Section 7403.
•  Clean Water Act (CWA), Section 311.
•  Oil Pollution Act (OPA), 33 U.S.C. 2701-2761.
•  Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974: National Primary Interim Drinking Water Regulations (1976), MCL
•  Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Land Withdrawal Act (Public Law 102-579 as amended by Public Law
    104-201) 40 CFR194: Criteria for the Certification and Recertification of the WIPPs
•  Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 USC 2011 et seq. (1970) and Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970
•  Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) of 1978 (an amendment to the Atomic Energy
   Act), 42 USC 7901 et seq  (1978)
•  Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 4332
•  The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, Section 2905  (a) (1) (E) (10 U.S.C. 2687 Note).
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
  STATUTORY AUTHORITY (CONTINUED)
  •   Compliance with the Disposal Regulations (1996): Certification Decision (1998).
  •   Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 Public Law 97-425.
  •   EnergyPolicy Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486 and Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. 551-
     559,701-706.
  •   Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) as amended.
  •   Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1998.
  •   Title XTV of the National Defense Authorization Act of 1996 (Nunn-Lugar JH).
                            Resource Summary
                                 (Dollars in thousands)

Better Waste Management, Restoration of Contaminated Waste
Sites, and Emergency Response
Reduce or Control Risks to Human Health
EPM
EPM-REM
S&T
STAG
LUST
OIL
SF
Prevent , Reduce and Respond to Releases, Spills, Accidents or
Emergencies
EPM
S&T
S&T-REIM
STAG
OIL
SF
Total Workyears:
FY1999
Pres. Budget
$2,256,934.3
$2,076,119.9
$42,645.0
$0.0
$6,761.2
$28,400.6
$69,128.7
$962.0
$1,928,222.4
$180,814.4
$111,190.9
$9,229.4
$0.0
$36,126.6
$15,818.2
$8,449.3
4,304.8
FY1999
Enacted
$1,655,913.5
$1,491,141.1
$42301.1
$0.0
$49,809.4
$24,808.8
$70,418.7
$962.0
$1,302,841.1
$164,772.4
$93,966.8
$8,797.6
$0.0
$38,038.4
$13,496.9
$10,472.7
4,316.9
                                       V-4

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Objective: Reduce or Control Risks to Human
Health
                         Key Programs
                         (Dollars in thousands)
                                           1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
RCRA Corrective Action
RCRA State Grants
Federal Preparedness
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST)Cooperative Agreements
Superfund Remedial Actions
Superfund Removal Actions
Federal Facilities
Assessments
Brownfields
ATSDR Superfund Support
NffiHS Superfund Support
Other Federal Agency Superfund Support
EMPACT
Superfund - Maximize PRP Involvement (including reforms)
Superfund - Cost Recovery
Superfund - Justice Support
Research: Hazardous Substance Research: Hazardous Substance
Research Centers
Research: Hazardous Substance Research: Superfund Innovative
Technology Evaluation (SITE)
Common Sense Initiative
$22,871
$28,401
$1,500
$57,700
$1,056,615
$328,434
$28,642
$92,720
$90,882
$64,000
$48,527
$10,492
$921.7
$96,267
$30,494
$29,664
$1,094

$7,683
$0
$18,167
$24,809
$1,500
$59,883
$588,190
$199,419
$28,642
$87,739
$89,606
$76,000
$60,000
$10,000
$398
$91,042
$30,494
$29,000
$1,067

$7,663
$136
                               V-5

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                      1999 Final Annual Plan

                Annual Performance Goals and Measures
 COST RECOVERY

 By 1999: Address cost recovery at all National Priority List (NPL) and non-NPL sites with a statute of
 limitations on total past costs equal to or greater than $200,000.

 Performance Measures:                                                      Target:

 Address Cost Recovery at all NPL & Non-NPL sites w/tot. past costs = or > S200K       100% Cases

 Baseline: In FY 97 the Agency will have addressed Cost Recovery at all NPL & Non-NPL sites with total past
 costs equal or greater than $200,000.
PRP COMMITMENTS

By 1999: Obtain PRP commitments for 70% of the work conducted at new construction starts at non-Federal
facility sites on the NPL and emphasize fairness in the settlement process.

Performance Measures:                                                      Target:

Section 106 Civil Actions                                                      38  Agreements

Orphan Share Offers at all eligible work settlement negotiations much obliged           100%
                                                                           Settlements

De Minimis Settlements                                                       23  Settlements

Remedial Admin. Orders                                                       19  Orders

Baseline: In FY 97 approximately 70% of new remedial work at NPL sites (excluding Federal facilities) was
initiated by private parties.
LUST CLEANUPS

By 1999: Complete 22,000 Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) cleanups.
                                           V-6

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency        	              1999 Final Annual Plan



Performance Measures:                                                        Target:

LUST cleanups completed.                                                       22,000 USTs

Baseline: EPA completed a total of 178,297 LUST cleanups through 1997.



SUPERFUND SITES CONSTRUCTION

By 1999: EPA and its partners will maintain the pace of cleanups by completing construction at 85 additional
Superfund sites (for a cumulative total of 670 construction completions with a target of 925 construction
completions in 2002).

Performance Measures:                                                        Target:

Construction completions.                                                        85 completions

Baseline: EPA and its partners completed 585 construction completions from 1982 through 1998.



RCRA FACILITIES

By 1999: 83 (for a cumulative total of 238 or 14%) of high priority RCRA facilities will have human
exposures controlled and 45 (for  a cumulative total of 119 or 7%) will have groundwater releases controlled.

Performance Measures:                                                        Target:

High priority RCRA facilities with human exposures to toxins controlled.                83 facilities

High priority RCRA facilities with toxic releases to groundwater controlled.               45 facilities

Baseline: EPA established a baseline of 1,700 high-priority corrective action facilities in January 1999.


BROWNFIELDS SITE ASSESSMENT GRANTS

By 1999: EPA will fund Brownfields site assessments in 100 more communities, thus reaching 300
communities by the end of 1999.
                                             V-7

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                         1999 Final Annual Plan


RESEARCH: INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

By 2001: Demonstrate and verify the performance of IS innovative technologies by 2001, emphasizing
remediation and characterization of ground-water and soils.

Performance Measures:                                                         Target:

Delivery of the Annual SITE Program Report to Congress                              30-SEP-99

Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
                                            V-8

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Objective: Prevent, Reduce and Respond to Releases,
Spills, Accidents or Emergencies
                          Key Programs
                          (Dollars in thousands)
                                             1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
RCRA Permitting
RCRA State Grants
Waste Combustion
Accident Safety/Prevention
Risk Management Plans
Federal Preparedness
Community Right to Know (Title HI)
Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
UST State Grants
Oil Spills Preparedness, Prevention and Response
Project XL
Common Sense Initiative
Civil Enforcement
Compliance Assistance and Centers
Research: Hazardous Waste Research
$11,931
$25,582
$8,003
$1,010
$11,871
$8,037
$5,351
$6,701
$10,545
$14,183
$110
$177
$1,271
$0
$7,051
$10,332
$27,494
$7,347
$0
$7,258
$9,560
$4,684
$6,078
$10,545
$11,988
$113
$130
$1,234
$275
$6,619
                                V-9

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                       1999 Final Annual Plan


                Annual Performance Goals and Measures


 SPELL PREVENTION, CONTROL AND COUNTERMEASURE

 By 1999:  190 additional facilities will be in compliance with spill prevention, control and countermeasure
 (SPCC) provisions of the oil pollution regulations (for a cumulative total of 490 additional facilities since
 1997).

 Performance Measures:                                                      Target:

 Facilities in SPCC compliance.                                                  190  facilities

 Baseline:  More than 300 facilities were in compliance in 1998.
WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES PERMITTING

By 1999: 122 hazardous waste management facilities (for a cumulative total of 61% of 3,380 RCRA
facilities) will have permits or other approved controls in place.

Performance Measures:                                                       Target:

RCRA hazardous waste management facilities with permits or other approved controls in    122 facilities
place.

Baseline: EPA and its partners identified hazardous waste management facilities as of 1997. The baseline
will be finalized in 1999.
RESEARCH:  CUMULATIVE EXPOSURE-RISK ASSESSMENT

By 1999: Complete prototype model for assessing cumulative exposure-risk assessment integrating the
environmental impact of multiple chemicals through multiple media and pathways.

Performance Measures:                                                       Target:

Beta version for comprehensive modeling system.                                    30-SEP-99

HWIR Human and Ecosystems Site (Generic) Exposure-Risk Assessment Screening Model, 30-SEP-99
peer reviewed and applied to HWIR listed chemical exit levels.

Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.


                                           V-10

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
EXTERNAL FACTORS
r I ^here are a number of external factors that could
 J- substantially impact the Agency's ability to
    achieve the outlined objectives under this goal.
 The external factors include, for example, heavy
reliance on state partnerships, development of new
environmental technology, commitment by other
federal agencies, or statutory barriers.

    The Agency's ability to achieve its goals of
reducing  risks  posed  by Superfund  sites  and
ensuring  trust  fund  stewardship  are  partially
dependent upon the capacity of our partners. The
Agency's   goals  of   achieving   construction
completions, cost recoveries, and maximizing PRP
participation  in clean-up  efforts  are  heavily
dependent on the progress of PRP, state or Tribal
negotiations and the nature of contamination at NPL
sites.  In addressing  Federal facilities,  internal
decision processes within other Federal agencies
such  as  the Department of Defense  and  the
Department of Energy would impact our goal of
other clean up activities.

    The Agency's ability to achieve its  goal of
reducing community risks from chemical accidents
is dependent on a number of factors, including: 1)
 Delegating the response management plan (RMP)
review program to more states in 1999 will depend
upon those states enacting laws, allocating funds
and developing specific capabilities that will enable
them to review and audit risk management plans;
and 2) Industry's willingness to provide the strong
top-down leadership to make RMP compliance a
priority and commit the resources necessary to get
the job done.

    The Agency's ability to achieve its RCRA goals
to prevent releases by proper facility management is
dependent on a number of factors, including: 1) In
most  cases, states  have received authorization
(hazardous  waste  management  program)  or
approval (municipal solid waste landfill  permit
program) and are primary implementers of these
programs. As such, EPA relies heavily on states to
perform many of the activities needed to achieve
these targets. 2)  The technology of  Continuous
Emissions Monitors (CEMs) could affect the ability
of combustion facilities to monitor emissions  and
provide data in a  cost-effective manner.   The
Agency is  coordinating with ORD,  DOE,  and
private industry in these efforts.  3) The increased
flexibility provided to states to redirect resources
under the National Environmental Performance
Partnership System (NEPPS).   If states redirect
resources away from this area, it would impact both
annual performance and progress implementing the
Agency's strategic plan.
                                              V-ll

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
    The  Office of Underground Storage Tanks
 (OUST) uses the following processes to verify and
 validate performance measures data. Designated
 State agencies submit semi-annual progress reports
 to the EPA regional offices, who review, verify and
 then forward the data to the OUST Headquarters.
 OUST Headquarters staff examine the data and
 resolve any discrepancies with the regional offices.
 The data are displayed on a region by region basis,
 which allows regional staff to verify their data.
 OUST does not maintain a national database.

    The  performance results are also  used in
 OUST's  Regional  Strategic Overview  (RSO)
 process to assess  the status of State progress in
 implementing the program. This process is based
 on strategic discussions that the program has with
 the states, regarding how to continue to improve
 states'performance, hi the mid-year and end of year
 state evaluations, the Program discusses with states
 their efforts to update and validate their data, and to
 make continual improvements in their performance.
 EPA relies on its state partners to provide our
 measurement data which have been used by the
 UST/LUST program for 10 years.

    CERCLIS is the official database used by the
 Agency to help track and store Superfund national
 site information.  The Agency is taking steps to
 ensure that all Superfund accountability data are
 rigorously validated. The database is used to track,
 store,  and  report   national  accomplishment
 information. EPA has defined the various roles and
 responsibilities  of  key  individuals  who  are
 responsible  for  development,   operation  and
 maintenance of CERCLIS.

    The headquarterDs sponsor of CERCLIS data is
responsible for  (1) identifying the data elements
needed, (2) defining the data elements,   and (3)
informing  the  appropriate  people   that  the
information needs  to be collected and loaded into
CERCLIS.  The regional person who owns and
enters the data (e.g., Superfund remedial project
manager) is responsible for reviewing, verifying,
and validating site data in CERCLIS.

    The  responsibility  of  the   Information
Management Center, under the EPA's Office of
Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR), is to
ensure: (1) there is a data element with an accurate
definition for all data;  (2) the data element  is
accessible to  searches and can be retrieved for
reports; (3) the source for the data is referenced in
the system; (4) the data is accurately entered or
converted into the system; (5) data from other
sources is considered draft until it has been checked
against its source data, and is found acceptable; and
(6) data  integrity is maintained  in all system
applications and reports.

    The CERCLIS database is also  used to help
track and store the Oil Spill Program performance
data.   Entry of Oil  Spill  Program data into
CERCLIS began in 1993.

    To assure  data accuracy and  control, the
following administrative controls are in place: (1)
Superfund/Oil Implementation Manual (SPM) -
This is the program management manual  which
details what data must be reported; (2)  Report
Specifications - Report specifications are published
for each  report detailing how reported data are
calculated; (3) Coding Guide ~ It contains technical
instructions to data users such as regional MCs,
program personnel, report owners and data input
personnel; (4) Quality Assurance (QA) Unit Testing
-Unit testing is an extensive QA check made by the
report  programmer to assure that its product is
producing accurate data that conforms to the current
specification; (5) QA Third Party Testing - Third
party testing is an  extensive test  made  by  an
independent QA tester  to assure that the report
produces data  in conformance with the  report
                                             V-12

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
specifications; (6) Regional CERCLIS Data Entry
Internal Control Plan — The data entry internal
control  plan  includes:  (a) regional policies  and
procedures for entering data into CERCLIS; (b) a
review  process  to  ensure  that  all  Superfund
accomplishments  are  supported  by  source
documentation; (c) delegation of authorities for
approval of data input into CERCLIS; and (d)
procedures to ensure that reported accomplishments
meet accomplishment definitions.

    Two audits, one by the Office Inspector General
(OIG) and the other by Government Accounting
Office (GAO), were done this past year to assess the
validity of the data in CERCLIS.  The OIG audit
report  "Superfund   Construction  Completion
reporting", No. E1SGF7-05-0102-8100030, was
performed to verify the accuracy of the information
that the Agency was providing to Congress and the
public  regarding  the construction  completion
statistic.

    The OIG concluded that the Agency "has good
management controls to ensure the accuracy of the
information that is reported.  The GAO's report
"Superfund: Information on the Status of Sites",
GAO/RCED-98-241, also sought  to review the
accuracy of the information in CERCLIS on sites'
cleanup progress. GAO tested the accuracy of data
in the CERCLIS system for  a random sample of
NPL sites. On the basis of GAO's sample results,
GAO "estimates that the cleanup status of NPL
sites reported by the Superfund database is accurate
for 95% of the sites."

    to 1999, the Agency will begin to improve the
Superfund program's  technical information by
incorporating more site remedy  selection,  risk,
removal response, and community involvement
information in CERCLIS. Also, it will begin efforts
to share information among the Federal, state and
tribal programs.  The additional information  will
further enhance the Agency's efforts to efficiently
identify,  evaluate   and   remediate   Superfund
hazardous waste sites.
    hi   order   to   validate   the   Brownfields
performance measure data, the Outreach and Special
Projects Staff utilize data input and verification of
the Brownfields Management System (BMS) and
the  CERCLIS  system.     The   Brownfields
Management   System  is   used  to  evaluate
management,  environmental,  and economically-
related results  such as jobs  generated and acres
assessed and cleaned up. BMS uses data gathered
from Brownfield pilots' quarterly reports and from
the Regions.    The CERCLIS  system  records
Regional  accomplishments   on   Brownfields
Assessments.   Verification relies on reviews by
Regional staff responsible for pilot cooperative
agreements or Brownfields cooperative agreements
and contracts.

    The   Resource   Conservation   Recovery
Information  System  (RCRIS)  is  the national
database which supports EPA's RCRA program.
RCRIS contains information on entities (generically
referred to as "handlers") engaged in  hazardous
waste  generation  and management activities
regulated under the portion of RCRA that provides
for regulation of hazardous  waste.  RCRIS has
several different modules, including  a  Corrective
Action Module which tracks the status of facilities
for which potential needs for corrective actions have
been identified.

    For validation and verification within RCRIS,
controls include maintaining a  high  degree of
consistency in data elements  over time as well as
data screen edits to help ensure that key data is
entered for all facilities. States and Regions, who
create the databases, manage data quality control.
RCRIS  has   a suite of  user   and  system
documentation  which  describes   the  overall
administration  of  the   data   collection  and
management activities.  Training on use of the
systems is provided on a regular basis, usually
annually depending on the nature of system changes
and user needs.

    RCRA data verification procedures ensure that
the data collected at the field or facility level are not
                                              V-13

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
 corrupted or confused before they are presented,
 aggregated, and analyzed at the Federal  level.
 Environmental monitoring data will meet standard
 Quality  Assurance/Quality  Control  (QA/QC)
 procedures for the RCRA program, as documented
 in the Office of Solid Waste Quality Assurance
 Management Plan and the Guidebook  for QA/QC
 Procedure  for Submission of Data  for the LDR
 Program.   These  procedures,  in  part,  define
 requirements for sampling and analysis to assure
 data quality.

    Another common  method  of  verification
 involves  examination  of data collected  and
 evaluating the relationship of those data to other
 data collected under similar circumstances.

    Because the  RCRA statute  provides  for
 delegation of program implementation to die states,
 the majority of data for the RCRA  information
 system (RCRIS) and the Biennial Reporting System
 (BRS), originates with and is received from the
 states. In addition the system architectures provide
 states with the ability to use software other man the
 national software managed by EPA for their data
 management activities provided that they supply the
 mandatory data to EPA in the required quality and
 format.  The Agency consolidates data from the
 states which is then used to construct the national
 databases used for program oversight and public
 information.

    The national RCRA software provides a range
 of functions to ensure data quality.  Both systems
 employ on-line data validation checks  (e.g., range
 limits, mandatory data entry for required elements
 before saving of a record) to assure data type
 integrity as well as batch edits (performed when
 data  is extracted  and consolidated)  to  enforce
 program rules  requiring associated  consistency
 across data components for which on-line edits are
 impracticable or inappropriate.

    Beyond the system enforced  data  quality
controls, states and regions  who implement the
program perform data validation reviews to ensure
that  the data properly inventories the essential
program activities and is programmatically correct.
 During   periodic   program   reviews,  EPA
headquarters  also  confirms  the timeliness and
accuracy  of key data elements which  support
national program status reporting. Training on use
of the systems  is  provided  on a regular  basis,
usually annually, depending on the nature of system
changes and user needs.

   The RCRA program is currently in the process
of reinventing its information management  needs
and systems through a joint initiative with the states
called  WIN/INFORMED.   The  scope  of  the
WIN/INFORMED project covers the activities and
information currently supported by the RCRIS and
BRS data systems.  The RCRA program has been
divided   into   areas    for    analysis   and
design/construction of new systems. Each analysis
under WIN/INFORMED  includes the identification of
the  data   elements   needed  to  support  the
implementation  and management  of the RCRA
program; development of common,  agreed upon
national definitions; identification of programmatic
process improvements;   and  tracking  burden
reduction.   The design and  construction of new
systems will be based  on  the results  of each
analysis. The systems  will be designed flexibly so
where the program is still identifying data needed to
support a  program activity, that information can
later be incorporated into the system after it has
been fully developed by the program.

   The WIN/INFORMED project is scheduled to be
completed by the end  of the  calendar year  2002.
Analysis, design and construction will occur over
different times for each of the program areas. BRS
information will be analyzed in the Waste Activity
Monitoring (WAM) area which is  scheduled to
begin in June, 1999. System construction for WAM
will be completed in 2001. Permitting/Corrective
Action  information  will be   analyzed  in the
Permitting/Corrective Action (PCA) area which is
scheduled   to begin in January, 2000.   System
construction for PCA will be completed  during
2002.
                                              V-14

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
    Non-hazardous waste management is delegated
to the states.  Federal guidance is provided, but no
actual federal program implementation exists. For
this reason, individual states collect and verify data
on waste management practices for Industrial D and
municipal wastes in accordance with local needs.
The Agency receives aggregate data more indirectly
than in the case of hazardous waste, through reports,
studies, or statistical sampling rather than a national
data system.

    Since states have implementation authority for
MSW  programs, they know best the extent of
compliance within their jurisdictions.  To measure
progress, the Agency must rely on the ability and
willingness of state regulatory programs to share
this knowledge.

    Measuring the number of facilities that have
permits or other forms  of approval issued to them
directly relates to the  number of faculties  with
approved  controls in place.  Approved controls
means compliance with the requirements of federal
regulations, Agency approved state permit program,
or other system of prior  approval and conditions. In
1999, emphasis will be placed on approving State
programs  that  will  lead to all  MSW  disposal
facilities having approved controls in place.

    The Chemical Emergency Preparedness and
Prevention program uses the following processes
and data bases to collect and validate performance
data.    Facilities  will  be  required  to   submit
information on the chemical risks in their facilities
in 1999.  This  information will  be placed  in a
database mat will be accessible to Federal, state, and
local officials, as well as the public with safeguards
for sensitive information.

    The  information will be verified  through
Regional and state audits and reports. LEPCs will
be contacted periodically to verify risk reduced in
their  community.    The  Emergency  Release
Notification System (ERNS) database will be used
to confirm releases reported in RMPs.
    States and LEPCs will be surveyed to determine
the status of their chemical emergency preparedness
and prevention programs, including the steps taken
to integrate counter-terrorism planning A Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) database
will be monitored to determine if all hazard plans
include a counter-terrorism appendix. A database
will  track the  status  of RMP state delegated
programs. Regions and headquarters will routinely
enter information on the status  of state  RMP
implementation plans,  and Regions will ensure
quality of the data through quarterly reviews of the
states and random checks of LEPCs.

Research

    Under Objectives 1 and 2, EPA has several
strategies  to validate  and  verify  performance
measures in the area of environmental science and
technology research. Most performance measures
are verifiable through quantitative means. For those
measures that are output-oriented, actual outputs or
products can be .objectively verified.  Because the
major output of research is technical information,
primarily in (he form of reports, software, protocols,
etc., key to the validation and verification strategies
is the performance of both peer  and quality
assurance reviews.

    Peer reviews provide assurance during the pre-
planning, planning, and reporting of environmental
science and research activities that the work meets
peer expectations. Only those science activities and
resulting information products that pass Agency
peer review are addressed and published.  This
applies to program-level, project-level, and research
outputs. The  quality of the peer review activity is
monitored by EPA to ensure that peer reviews are
performed consistently,  according to Agency policy,
and that any identified areas of concern are resolved
through  discussion or the  implementation  of
corrective action.

    A quality assurance system is implemented at
all levels  in the EPA research organization. The
                                               V-15

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                            1999 Final Annual Plan

Agency-wide  quality  assurance   system  is  a        programs  for which Quality Assurance/Quality
management system that provides the necessary        Control (QA/QC) is needed, specification of the
elements to plan, implement, document, and assess        quality of the data required from environmental
the effectiveness of quality assurance and quality        programs, and provision of sufficient resources to
control activities applied to environmental programs        assure  that  an  adequate level  of QA/QC  is
conducted by or for EPA. This quality management        performed.
system provides for identification of environmental
                                              V-16

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                    1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Goal: Reduction of Global and
Cross-Border Environmental Risks
       The United States will lead other nations in successful, multilateral efforts to reduce significant risks to
human health and ecosystems from climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and other hazards of
environmental concern.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

 A ir, water, and waste  pollution crossing our
ZJLboarders with Mexico and Canada can imperil
the health, environment and well-being of people in
the United States. Thus, international cooperation
is critical to achieving EPA's mission.

   Depletion of the  stratospheric ozone layer
increases  the amount  of the sun's  ultraviolet
radiation reaching the earth's surface.   Climate
change, pollution of the oceans and irreversible loss
of species and habitats worldwide undermine the
resource base critical to our well-being and quality
of life and deprive us of commercially
valuable  and  potentially  life-saving  genetic
materials. EPA's continued leadership is necessary
to build the international cooperation and technical
capacity that are essential to prevent harm to the
global environment and ecosystems that we share
with other nations.

   A coordinated international response is needed
to confront the climate change threat, depletion of
the  stratospheric ozone layer, transboundary
circulation of toxics, and other environmental issues
significant to the interests of the United States.
MEANS AND STRATEGY
T7cosystems and transboundry pollutants pose
-[-/serious  environmental hazards  to  people,
communities and wildlife.  These transboundry
pollutants are transported through air, water and
toxic  substances  and  are  not  confined  by
international boundaries. As  a  result, domestic
actions alone are inadequate to  achieve some of
EPA's most important environmental goals.

   To achieve our Agency goal of reducing cross-
border environmental risks requires us to work with
other countries to address external  sources of
pollution  impacting  human health and  the
environment of our nation.
   EPA will use a variety of approaches to prevent
harm to the global environment and ecosystems
including:

   1)  formal  bilateral  and   multilateral
environmental agreements, environmental foreign
policy  initiatives,  and  regional  and  global
negotiations;

   2) cooperating with other countries to ensure
that domestic and international environmental laws,
policies,  and  priorities  are recognized  and
implemented;
                                         VI-1

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    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                      1999 Final Annual Plan
      3) working with other federal agencies, states,
   business, and environmental groups to promote the
   flow of environmentally sustainable technologies
   and services worldwide,  facilitating cooperative
   research  and   development  programs   and
   international technical assistance,  training  and
   information exchange; and

      4)  promoting  public/private  partnership
   programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Research

    EPA's Global  Change Research Program is
currently undergoing a major redirection towards a
more assessment-oriented program, with primary
emphasis   on  understanding   the  potential
consequences of climate variability and change on
human health, ecosystems,  and socioeconomic
systems in the United States.  EPA will also make
assessments of opportunities to reduce the risks or
take advantage of the opportunities presented by
climate variability and change.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
    1990 Great Lakes Critical Programs Act
    Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387)]
    Clean Air Act (CAA) Title VI, Parts A and D (42 U.S.C. 7401-7431,7501-7515)
    Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 etseq. - Section 104
    Pollution Prevention Act of 1990,42 U.S.C. 13101 et seq. - Sections 6602,6603,6604,6605
    Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. - Section 8001
    National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. - Section 102
    Global Climate Protection Act of 1987,15 U.S.C. 2901 - Section 1103
    Federal Technology Transfer Act, 15 U.S.C. - Section 3710a
    U.S. Global Change Research Program Act of 1990
    United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
    National Climate Program Act (1997)
    Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13101-13109)
    Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sections 3001-3006 and 3017 (42 U.S.C. 6921-6926, 6938)
    The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
    Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
    Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) section 313 (42 U.S.C.  11023)
    Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) sections 4,5,6,12, and 13 (15 U.S.C. 2603,2604,2605,2611,2612)
    Federal Food, Drug  and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
    North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC)
    1996 Habitat Agenda, paragraph 43bb
    U.S./Canada Agreements on Arctic Cooperation
    1989 US/USSR Agreement on Pollution
    1991 U.S./Canada Air Quality Agreement World Trade Organization Agreements
   World Trade Organization Agreements
   North American Free Trade Agreement
   North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
   Treaties:  The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 and  1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement	
                                              VI-2

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
Resource Summary
(Dollars in thousands)

Reduction of Global and Cross-border Environmental Risks
Reduce Transboundary Threats: Shared North American
Ecosystems
EPM
STAG
Climate Change
EPM
S&T
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
EPM
Protect Public Health and Ecosystems From Persistent Toxics
EPM
Achieve Cleaner and More Cost-Effective Practices
EPM
Total Workyears:

FY1999
Pres. Budget
$398,286.4
$120,392.3
$20^92.3
$100,000.0
$232,960.4
$163,237.5
$69,722.9
$26,914.3
$26,914.3
$6,883.2
$6,883.2
$11,136.2
$11,136.2
530.2

FY1999
Enacted
$229,366.9
$71,025.9
$21,025.9
$50,000.0
$127,968.9
$74347.9
$53,621.0
$17,033.8
$17,033.8
$4,125.8
$4,125.8
$9,212.5
$9,212.5
522.4
                                               VI-3

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                 1999 Final Annual Plan


Strategic Objective: Reduce Transboundaiy Threats - Shared
North American Ecosystems

                             Key Programs
                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                                  1999 Pres Bud   1999 Enacted
Great Lakes National Program Office (CWAP)
Water Infrastructure: Mexico Border
U.S. - Mexico Border
Partnership with Industrial and Other Countries
$13,315
$100,000
$4,707
$1,642
$14,615
$50,000
$10,643
$784
             Annual Performance Goals and Measures


MEXICAN BORDER

By 1999:  1 additional water/wastewater projects along the Mexican border will be certified for design-
construction.

Performance Measures:                                               Target:

Projects certified for design-construction along the Mexican Border                  1 Project

Baseline:  As of 1998,24 Mexican border projects were either certified for design-construction or had received
grants or lAGs.
                                    VI-4

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                   1999 Final Annual Plan


Strategic Objective: Climate Change

                               Key Programs
                               (Dollars in thousands)
                                                     1999 Pres Bud 1999 Enacted
Climate Change Technology Initiative: Buildings
Climate Change Technology Initiative: Transportation
Climate Change Technology Initiative: Industry
Climate Change Technology Initiative: Carbon Removal
Climate Change Technology Initiative: State and Local Climate Change
Program
Climate Change Technology Initiative: International Capacity Building
Partnership with Industrial and Other Countries
Research: CCTI RESEARCH (Office of Air and Radiation)
Research: Climate Change Research
$78,100
$58,900
$51,600
$3,400
$5,000
$8,400
$160
$0
$22,817
$38,800
$31,750
$18,600
$0
$2,900
$7,400
$409
$10,000
$16,671
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures



U.S. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

By 1999: Reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 35 million metric ton carbon equivalent (MMTCE) per
year through partnerships with businesses, schools, state and local governments, and other organizations.

Performance Measures:                                                 Target:

Methane Programs - Annual Greenhouse Gas Reductions                          8.5 MMTCE

HFC/PFC Programs-Annual Greenhouse Gas Reductions                         11-5 MMTCE

ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green Lights - Annual Greenhouse Gas Reductions       3.9 MMTCE

ENERGY STAR Labeled Products - Annual Greenhouse Gas Reductions              4.8 MMTCE

Annual Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Climate Wise) - Production of 1999 US Greenhouse  4.4 MMTCE
Gas Inventory.

Annual Greenhouse Gas Reductions (Transportation)                             1 -9 MMTCE
                                       VI-5

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                          1999 Final Annual Plan


Baseline: The baseline for evaluating program performance is a forecast of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in
the absence of the Climate Change Action Plan programs. The baseline was developed as part of an
interagency evaluation of the Climate Change Action Plan in 1997, which built on a similar baseline forecast
that was developed in 1993 for the Climate Change Action Plan. The updated baseline includes updated energy
forecasts and economic growth projections. The baseline is discussed at length in the Climate Action Report
1997, which includes a discussion of differences in baselines between the original Climate Change Action Plan
and the 1997 baseline update.
RESEARCH: CLIMATE CHANGE ASSESSMENT

By 1999:  Conduct preliminary assessment of consequences of climate change at three geographical locations:
(Mid-Atlantic, Gulf Coast, and upper Great Lakes).

Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

Conduct preliminary assessment of regional scale consequences of climate change at three   09/3 0/99
geographic locations (Mid-Atlantic, Gulf Coast, and upper Great Lakes).                  assessment

Baseline:  Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
                                              VI-6

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	             1999 Final Annual Plan


Strategic Objective: Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

                                Key Programs
                                (Dollars in thousands)
                                                     1999 Pres Bud   1999 Enacted
Multilateral Fund
EMPACT
Partnership with Industrial and Other Countries
$21,000
$382
$160
$11,362
$671
$337
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures


CFC AND HALON REDUCTION

By 1999: Ensure that domestic consumption of class II HCFCs will be restricted to below 208,400 MTs and
domestic exempted production and import of newly produced class I CFCs and halons will be restricted to
below 130,000 MTs.

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

Domestic Consumption of Class H HCFCs                                     <208,400 MTs

Domestic Exempted Production and Import of Newly Produced Class I CFC s and Halons   <130,000 MTs

Baseline: The base of comparison for assessing progress on the annual erformance goal is the domestic
consumption cap of class n HCFCs as set by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. Beginning on January 1,
1996, the cap was set at the sum of 2.8 percent of the domestic ozone depletion potential (ODP)-weighted
consumption of CFCs in 1989 plus the OOP-weighted level of HCFCs in 1989.  Consumption equals
production plus import minus export.
                                       VI-7

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                    1999 Final Annual Plan


Strategic Objective: Protect Public Health and Ecosystems From

Persistent Toxics


                               Key Programs
                               (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud   1999 Enacted
Global Toxics                                                   $3,312         $932

Partnership with Industrial and Other Countries                              $0         $ 100



              Annual Performance Goals and Measures


PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS

By 1999: Obtain international agreement on criteria for selecting Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to be
covered in a new global POPs treaty, and on capacity building activities to support the convention's
implementation

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

Agreed USG policies on selection criteria for Persistent Organic Pollutants              09/30/99
                                                                     negotiations

Baseline: POPs treaty negotiations are underway. Anticipate negotiations concluded 2001. Treaty ratification
2003-2005.
                                      VI-8

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 US. Environmental Protection Agency	^	1999 Final Annual Plan

Strategic Objective: Achieve Cleaner and More Cost-Effective
Practices

                                 Key Programs
                                 (Dollars in thousands)
                                                        1999 Pres Bud    1999
Enacted
Environment and Trade
Partnership with Industrial and Other Countries
$3,178
$7,800
$4,515
$4,547
               Annual Performance Goals and Measures


INTERNATIONAL TRAINING MODULES, ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES EXPORTS

By 1999: Deliver 30 international training modules; implement 6 tech assistance/ technology dissemination
projects; implement 5 co-op policy development project; & disseminate info products on US environmental
technologies and techniques to 2500 foreign customers

Performance Measures:                                                    Target:

Number of training modules delivered                                          30 modules

Number of tech assistance or tech dissemination projects carried-out                   6 projects

Number of info products disseminated to foreign customers                          2500 products

Number of capacity building activities scheduled for initiation in FY 2000 and beyond     2 reports

Baseline: During FY 1999, deliver 30 international training modules; implement 6 technical assistance or
technology dissemination projects; implement 5 cooperative policy development projects; and disseminate
information products on US environmental technologies and techniques to 2,500 foreign customers. The
purpose of these programs will be to reduce air, water, and waste problems in at least 6 environmentally and
geopolitically significant countries and to improve the cost-effectiveness of U.S. domestic programs.
                                         VI-9

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
 EXTERNAL FACTORS

    The success of EPA's programs and activities
    under  Goal   6  will  depend  on  active
    participation by other nations, both developed
 and developing countries. Reduction of air, water,
 and waste problems along with the U.S. border with
 Mexico will  require continued commitment by
 national, regional and local environmental officials
 in that country.

    Similarly, EPA's efforts to reduce global and
 regional threats to oceans and the atmosphere will
 require active cooperation of other countries. Health
 and environmental benefits resulting from the multi-
 billion dollar U. S. investment to reduce emissions of
 stratospheric ozone depleting compounds could be
 completely undone by unabated emissions of these
 chemicals in other countries.

    Fortunately,   the   Montreal   Protocol   on
 Substances that  Deplete the Ozone Layer has
 secured the participation of most countries,
including major producers and consumers of these
chemicals.

    While many factors outside of EPA or U.S.
control  determine  a  nation's willingness  to
participate in international environmental protection
efforts (e.g., economic or political considerations
within the country), EPA's international policy and
technical exchange programs can play an important
role in convincing particular  nations of both the
need and feasibility of participating.

    Other factors affecting EPA's programs under
Goal 6 include continued Congressional and public
support; cooperation with other Federal agencies,
such as the State Department and the U.S. Agency
for International Development;  and collaboration
with state and local groups, business and industry
groups, and environmental organizations.
 VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
    Performance  measures for the Great Lakes
    program  are  derived  from  open   lake
    measurements taken by  GLNPO  and from
 annual programmatic analysis of activities pursuant
 to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the
 Binational  Toxics Strategy,  and the GLNPO
 programs for information management,  sediments,
 and habitat.  Individual projects which generate are
 required to comply with the Agency's standards for
 quality  assurance and control.  Project data is
 entered  into the  Great Lakes  Environmental
 Monitoring  Database (GLENDA), and project
 information generated through grants and contracts.
    A QA/QC tracking system is in place to ensure
that QA/QC requirements are part of all applicable
GLNPO projects. GLNPO uses its annual planning
process as a check on performance from indirect
performance measures.  The GLNPO performance
measures are written  into  Great  Lakes  State
Environmental     Performance     Partnership
Agreements as commitments.

    GLNPO provides the states with assessments of
progress against those  commitments.  Under the
GLNPO structure, each of the GLNPO programs
conducts  an end of year review of its progress
regarding identified measures and activities, draws
conclusions, and makes recommendations  to
management regarding  the  subsequent year's
activities and measures.  Management ultimately
determines what the activities and measures will be
for the succeeding year.

    EPA has several strategies to validate and
verify performance measures for the Climate change
Program.   At the national  level, the  primary
mechanism for monitoring  overall  changes  in
                                            VI-10

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
greenhouse gas emissions is the annual greenhouse
gas  inventory  that  is  developed by EPA  in
coordination with other government agencies and
departments.  The EPA greenhouse gas inventory
serves as the official U.S. government submission to
the United Nations.

    Within the voluntary programs, EPA monitors
and evaluates accomplishments based on extensive
information provided by partners. For example, the
Green Lights partners provide detailed information
on investments  and  energy savings from over
14,000 completed energy-efficiency projects (e.g.,
the annual kilowatt-hour savings from completed
lighting upgrades).  These standardized reports on
energy efficiency projects can be easily translated
into annual emission reductions by applying the
appropriate emission factor (Ibs/kWh) for each
pollutant of concern.

    The voluntary  programs continually use the
information collected to  improve the program's
performance and more accurately assess its future
potential.

     Another measure of progress for the voluntary
programs  is  obtained  by  using  the  Voluntary
Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program developed
by the Energy Information Agency under the 1992
Energy  Policy  which  reports  the  results and
achievements of individual companies.  Through
this program, companies submit reports directly to
the Energy Information Agency which reviews them
for accuracy and to ensure plausibility.

    Stratospheric ozone measurements are based on
atmospheric models  and  data provided  by the
National Aeronautics and Space  Administration
(NASA),  National  Oceanic  and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), the World Meteorological
Organization, and the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) where available.   Actual
measurements of stratospheric ozone will be made
by NASA's Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite
and the  Total Ozone  Mapping Spectrometer, and
also  by  the  Solar  Backscatter  Ultraviolet
Spectrometer-2 and Operational Vertical Sounder
instruments  on  the  NOAA   Polar  Orbiting
Environmental Satellite and subsequent National
Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite.

    Progress  on  the  restriction  of  domestic
exempted  production and importation of newly
produced class I CFCs, batons, methyl chloroform,
carbon tetrachloride, and HBFCs, will be tracked by
monitoring industry reports in  compliance  with
EPA's  phaseout  regulations.   Progress on the
restriction of domestic production and importation
of methyl bromide and class II HCFCs will be
tracked  by  monitoring  industry  reports  in
compliance with EPA's phaseout regulations.

    Production data  is cross-checked  through
facility   inspections   and   comparison   with
International Trade Commission data. Import data
is cross-checked by comparison with U.S. Customs
information. Results from the tracking system are
compiled and published in annual UNEP reports.

    Progress on international implementation goals
will be measured  by tracking  the number  of
countries receiving assistance, dollars allocated to
each, and the expected reduction in ODSs  in
assisted countries.
                                              VI-11

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
     The annual performance goals and measures
identified under this objective are expressed as the
completion of explicit tasks.   These  measures
require  assessment  by   program  staff  and
management.  Verification of these measures does
not involve any pollutant database analysis, but will
require objective  assessment of tasks completed,
compliance  with  regulatory  development  and
authority delegation schedules, and the satisfaction
of U.S. environmental negotiating objectives.

Research

    EPA has  several strategies  to  validate and
verify  performance measures  in  the  area  of
environmental science and  technology research.
Because the major output  of research is technical
information, primarily in the form of reports,
software, protocols, etc., key to these strategies is
the performance of both peer reviews and quality
reviews to ensure that requirements are met.

    Peer reviews provide  assurance during the
pre-planning,   planning,    and   reporting   of
environmental science and research activities that
the work meets  peer  expectations.  Only those
science activities and resulting information products
that pass Agency peer review are addressed and
published.     This  applies  to  program-level,
project-level, and research outputs. The quality of
the peer review activity is monitored by EPA to
ensure that peer reviews are performed consistently,
according to Agency policy, and that any identified
areas of concern are resolved through discussion or
the implementation of corrective action.

    The Agency's expanded focus on peer review
helps ensure that the performance measures listed
here  are verified and  validated by  an external
organization. This is accomplished through the use
of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and the Board
of Scientific Counselors  (BOSC).  The BOSC,
established under the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, provides  an added measure of assurance by
examining the way the Agency uses peer review, as
well as  the  management  of its  research  and
development laboratories.

    In   1998,   the  Agency  presented  a  new
Agency-wide quality  system in Agency  Order
5360.1/chg 1. This system provided policy to ensure
that all environmental programs performed by or for
the Agency be supported by individual  quality
systems  that comply fully  with the American
National Standard, Specifications and Guidelines
for Quality Systems for Environmental Data
Collection   and  Environmental   Technology
Programs (ANSI/ASQC E4-1994).

    The order expanded the applicability of quality
assurance  and  quality  control  to  the  design,
construction, and operation by EPA organizations of
environmental technology such as pollution control
and abatement  systems; treatment, storage,  and
disposal  systems; and remediation systems. This
rededication  to  quality provides   the  needed
management and technical practices to assure that
environmental data developed in research and used
to support Agency decisions are of adequate quality
and usability for their intended purpose.

    A quality assurance system is implemented at
all levels in the EPA research organization.  The
Agency-wide  quality  assurance  system  is  a
management system that provides the necessary
elements to plan, implement, document, and assess
the effectiveness of quality  assurance and quality
control activities applied to environmental programs
conducted by or for EPA. This quality management
system provides for identification of environmental
programs for  which  Quality  Assurance/Quality
Control (QA/QC) is needed, specification of the
quality of  the data required from environmental
programs, and provision of sufficient resources to
assure that an  adequate  level  of  QA/QC  is
performed.

    Agency measurements  are  based  on  the
application of  standard   EPA   and   ASTM
                                              VI-12

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
methodology  as  well  as   performance-based
measurement systems. Non-standard methods are
validated at the project level. Internal and external
management system assessments report the efficacy
of the management system for quality of the data
and the final research results. The quality assurance
annual report and work plan  submitted by each
organizational  unit  provides  an  accountable
mechanism for  quality  activities.  Continuous
improvement in the quality system is accomplished
through discussion and review of assessment results.

    The  Office  of Research and Development
Management Information System (OMIS) will be
another accountability tool used to monitor and
track performance measures. The GPRA structure
will be incorporated into OMIS to ensure consistent
maintenance and reporting, resulting in greater
accuracy and consistency of information to users.
                                               VI-13

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                     1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Goal: Expansion  of Americans'

Right to Know

       Easy access to a wealth of information about the state of their local environment will expand citizen
involvement and give people tools to protect their families and their communities as they see fit. Increased
information exchange between scientists, public health officials, businesses, citizens, and all levels of
government will foster greater knowledge about the environment and what can be done to protect it.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

    Providing all Americans with access to sound
    environmental information and informing and
involving the public in our work are essential
parts of a comprehensive approach to protecting
the environment.

    This goal is premised on the concept that the
public has a "right-to-know" about the pollutants
in their environment, including land, air and water
pollution as well as potential health effects of the
chemicals used in the food they consume and
everyday products they purchase. This premise is
especially important to minority, low-income, and
Native American communities that  suffer a
disproportionate burden of health consequences
from poor environmental conditions.

    The Agency believes the public has the right
to  receive  adequate knowledge of  and  be
represented in public policy and environmental
decision-making processes.
MEANS AND STRATEGY

    Access to environmental information enables
    the public to make informed decisions about
their local environment.  It also promotes creative
and lasting solutions to  environmental risks,
opportunities  for  preventing  pollution,  and
sustainable solutions to environmental problems.

   The principal accomplishment of this goal
will be to empower state,  local,  and tribal
governments  and  the public  by  providing
information to enable them to make informed
decisions regarding environmental issues in their
communities. EPA will improve the quality and
increase the quantity of general  environmental
education, outreach and data availability.
   EPA will also expand the content of its data
holdings, improve the quality and usability of the
data, and ensure the data are widely available
through the Internet and other sources.

   EPA relies heavily on partnerships with the
states, tribes, local governments  and regulated
parties to protect the environment and human
health.  EPA's success depends on the ability of
these entities to obtain access to the decision-
making  process  as it  relates  to their local
environment.

   In addition, EPA relies upon key information
management reforms that are essential to support
the Agency's new approaches to environmental
                                         VII-1

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                      1999 Final Annual Plan
protection. Examples of key management reforms
designed  to  improve   the   availability   of
major systems  and  subsequent information
collection and data integration.  The Agency is
promoting  the  implementation  of advanced
technology, including the Internet, to disseminate
environmental information at the local level.

    In  the   longer  term,  new technology,
unanticipated  complexity  or  magnitude  of
technological, partnership  or  environmental
problems or  newly identified environmental
problems and priorities  could affect the time
frame for achieving the Goal 7 Objectives.

    Therefore, the ability of the Agency  to
achieve  its  strategic goal  of  expansion  of
Americans'    Right-to-Know    about   their
environment is influenced by several factors over
which the Agency has only partial or no control.
As such, success of EPA programs depends on the
voluntary cooperation and collaboration of the
private  sector and the  general public and is
ultimately determined by increased understanding
and actions by the public about their environment.
We  believe  that  with  increased  education,
outreach and data availability, the public will be
able to participate in the decisions to solve the
Nation's environmental problems.
environmental performance data to the public
include  implementation of data standards for

Research

    EPA's research efforts under this goal include
the President's Environmental Monitoring for
Public   Access  and  Community  Tracking
(EMPACT) Program, and the Integrated  Risk
Information System (IRIS).

    EMPACT  is  a  cross-Agency program
established  to pilot strategies to provide  time
relevant, multi-media environmental information
to a broad spectrum  of the American public in
metropolitan areas across the nation.

    IRIS is an EPA database of Agency consensus
health    information    on    environmental
contaminants which  is used  extensively  EPA
Program Offices and Regions where consistent,
reliable toxicity information is needed for credible
risk assessments. Also under this goal, guidance
and support will be  provided to risk assessors
through   the  provision  of  risk  assessment
guidelines, expert consultation and support, and
risk assessment training.
 STATUTORY AUTHORITY
 •   Clean Air Act (CAA) and amendments (42 U.S.C. 7601 -7671 q)
 •   Clean Water Act (CWA) and amendments (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387)
 •   Clinger-Cohen Act
 •   Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42 U.S.C. 9601-
    9675)
 •   Computer Security Act
 •   Congressional Review Act (CRA)
 •   CPRKA of 1986
 •   Electronic Freedom of Information Act
 •   Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) (42 U.S.C. 11001-11050)
 •   Environmental Education Act
 •   Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act (ERDDA) of 1981
 •   Executive Order 12866
 •   Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.)
 •   Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) Section 408 (21 U.S.C. 346A)
•   Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136-136y)
•   FMFIA

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
  STATUTORY AUTHORITY (CONTINUED)
     Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
     Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552) Results Act (GPRA)
     National Environmental Education
     Government Performance and Results Act
     North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
     Paperwork Reduction Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Amendment of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520)
     Plain Language Executive Order
     Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13101-13109)
     Privacy Act
     Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
     Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 U.S.C. 6901-6992k)
     Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and amendments (42 U.S.C. 300f-300j-26)
     SARA
     Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA)
     Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (15 U.S.C. 2601-2692)
     Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                            Resource Summary
                                 (Dollars in thousands)



Expansion of Americans' Right to Know About their
Environment
Increase Quality/Quantity of Education, Outreach, Data
Availability
EPM

SF

Improve Public's Ability to Reduce Exposure
EPM
Enhance Ability to Protect Public Health
EPM



S&T
SF



Total Workyears:
FY1999
Pres. Budget
$158,923.3
$75,522.7
$73,094.2
$2,428.5
$49,959.0
$49,959.0
$33,441.6
$12,834.5
$20,221.3
$385.8
736.2
FY1999
Enacted
$133,467.4
$67,818.7
$65,865.8
$1,952.9
$42,247.7
$42,247.7
$23,401.0
$11,640.6
$11,517.3
$243.1
720.8
                                       VII-3

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                    1999 Final Annual Plan

 Strategic Objective: Increase Quality/Quantity of Education,
 Outreach, Data Availability

                               Key Programs
                               (Dollars in thousands)

EMPACT
Superfimd - Maximize PRP Involvement (including reforms)
Information Technology Management
Reinventing Environmental Information (REI)
SBREFA
Small Business Ombudsman
Center for Environmental Statistics (CEIS)
Environmental Education
GLOBE
1999 Pres Bud
$7,230
$364
$6,744
$17,704
$703
$987
$4,355
$8,478
$1,000
1999 Enacted
$1,202
$364
$4,235
$12,548
$760
$1,110
$3,966
$7,768
$0
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

By 1999: Provide over 100 grants to assist communities with understanding and addressing
Environmental Justice issues.

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

EJ Community Grants                                                     100  Grants

Baseline: The percentage of enforcement policy & guidance documents that are available through the
Internet is based on the number of completed documents in the given year. In 1998 there were 650
facilities in SFIP which have their information available through the SFIP web-site. These documents
provide information to populations suffering disproportionately from adverse health & environmental
effects. In 1999 each region will be required to report on the meetings held in disproportionately
disadvantaged communities & this information will provide a baseline for future years.
                                      VII-4

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                  ;ppp Final Annual Plan
ONE-STOP REPORTING

By 1999: The Agency will streamline and improve the information reporting process between state
partners and EPA by increasing the number of participants to the One Stop Reporting Program (for a total
of 29).

Performance Measures:                                                 Target:

Number of States participants in the One Stop Reporting Program.                  29 States
Baseline:  29 State participants in 1999.
Strategic Objective: Improve Public's Ability to Reduce
Exposure

                               Key Programs
                               (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Drinking Water Consumer Awareness                                $2,304        $1,366
Pesticide Registration                                            $5,460        $5,214
Pesticide Re-registration                                          $5,108        $5,462
 Toxic Release Inventory / Right-to-Know (RtK)                       $19,752       $19,800
EMPACT                                                     $5,000          $614
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
RIGHT To KNOW REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
By 1999: Increase compliance with right to know reporting requirements by conducting 1,300 inspections
and undertaking 200 enforcement actions.
Performance Measures:                                                 Target:
                                                                    600 Inspections
Section 313 Inspections
                                                                    200 APO
EPCRAAPO Complaints                                                 Complaints

                                      VII-5

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	              1999 Final Annual Plan


Baseline: The number of inspections conducted annually has remained fairly consistent in recent years.
This information is the basis for the 2000 projections, with adjustments made for changes in resource
levels. In 2000, the enforcement program will target 50% of its inspections to priority areas. These areas
will be identified in an internal guidance document which sets forth specific priorities for 2000 and forms
the basis for this calculation..

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT REGULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS

By 1999: EPA will partner with the states in implementation activities that will ensure all public water
systems — large, medium, and especially small — are informed of both the requirements of the consumer
confidence report regulation and implementation tools for complying with this rule.

Performance Measures:                                                      Target:

Number of states with which EPA has an agreement on the most efficient and effective  50 States
methods (e.g., training, outreach) for implementing this rule in each state

Baseline: The final rule for drinking water consumer confidence reports was promulgated in August 1998.
ENHANCING COMMUNITY RIGHT To KNOW AND EFFICIENTLY PROCESSING INFORMATION
FROM INDUSTRY

By 1999: Process 110,000 facility chemical release reports, publish the TRI Data Release Report and
provide improved information to the public about TRI chemicals, enhancing community right to know and
efficiently processing information from industry.

Performance Measures:                                                      Target:

TRI Public Data Release                                                        1997 Rept.
                                                                            Published

Form R's Processed                                                            110,000 Forms

Baseline: Number of facilities reporting and number of chemicals included in TRI compared with prior
year; types of public access methods and percent magnetic reporting prior year.
                                           VII-6

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                   1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Objective:  Enhance Ability to Protect Public
Health
                                  Key Programs
                                  (Dollars in thousands)
                                                        1999 Pres Bud   1999 Enacted
Small, Minority, Women-Owned Business Assistance
Research: EMPACT
                   $2,149

                  $15,002
$2,064

$6,390
               Annual Performance Goals and Measures
RESEARCH: GRANTS To EMPACT CITIES

By 1999: Complete 5-7 monitoring pilot projects in EMPACT cities, implement timely and high quality
environmental monitoring technology in 5-7 EMPACT cities.
Performance Measures:

Award 5-7 grants to EMPACT cities to implement timely and high quality
environmental monitoring technologies.
                          Target:

                          5-7 Grants
Baseline: Perfor. Baseline: Citizens in at least 75 of the USA's larger metropolitan areas are in need of
access to clear, time-relevant, useful, and accurate environmental monitoring data in an on-going and
sustainable manner. Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently
underway.
EXTERNAL FACTORS
   EPA  relies heavily  on partnerships with
states, tribes, local governments and regulated
parties to protect the environment and human
health.  EPA's success depends on the ability of
these  entities   to  obtain  access  to   the
decision-making process as it relates to their local
environment  Key management reforms are being
implemented  to improve  the availability of
environmental performance data to the public,
including establishing data standards for major
systems,  information   collection  and  data
integration.

   The Agency is promoting the implementation
of advanced technology, including the Internet, to
disseminate  environmental information  at the
local level.   New technology, unanticipated
complexity  or  magnitude  of technological,
partnership or environmental issues and priorities
could all effect the time frame for achieving the
Goal 7 objectives.

   The  ability  of the Agency to  achieve its
strategic goal of expansion of American's right to
environmental  information  is  influenced  by
factors the Agency has only partial or no control
over. The success of EPA programs depends on
the voluntary cooperation and collaboration of the
                                        VII-7

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                              1999 Final Annual Plan
 private sector and the general public. The success
 of the Agency public outreach efforts is ultimately
        determined  by  increased  understanding and
        actions by the public about their environment.
 VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
 Data Availability

   Integrated Data  for  Enforcement Analysis
   (IDEA) provides on-line access to compliance
 and enforcement information for most  EPA
 national systems. The enforcement program's use
 of the data, for screening, analysis and regional
 evaluations, provides valuable feedback to help us
 identify and correct problems.

    Documents placed on the Internet must
 have management approval  before  public
 release.   These document and data sources
 reside in EPA Headquarters and regional

 offices,    compliance   and   enforcement
 databases,  states  and  other  government
 agencies. The measurement of progress made
 toward our targets can be verified at any point
 in time.  Each of our targets for this goal is
 based upon a number of facilities, states, etc.,
 which can be tallied at any point in time.
This allows for ready tracking of our
progress toward our final goals.

    The  Agency's  Public  Access
Project, currently being implemented,
is  designed  to  make all  policies,
guidance      and      site-specific
determinations available to the public
through the Internet.

    For instance,  the  data from the
Sector Facility Indexing Project (SFIP),
which is based on numerous reviews by
EPA, states and industry, captures the
most current and complete data before
being released to the public.  SFIP is
focused on five sectors.  Therefore,
       while the data for these specific sectors is strong,
       it represents a small subset of our overall data.
       Additionally,  a  list is  maintained  of state
       participants in the One Stop Reporting Program.

       Data Enhancement

           The approach to validate progress in reaching
       Agency performance targets  will rely  on  the
       Agency's automated performance measure system
       to capture programmatic  and  customer  service
       outcomes. The  system  will  require periodic
       updating of performance data.    Performance
       information  will be collected  and evaluated
       against targets on a quarterly basis.    The
       collection of performance data
       will involve a  variety  of methods, such  as
       customer service surveys.   Customer  service
       surveys will be conducted annually to measure
       customer service satisfaction with management
       and administrative services.  The results of the

    07. I am most interested in enviroiinenlal quality infonretor
«the national level /n (he regional level   In rty state    Inrrycarmrity   No response
                                           VII-8

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                             1999 Final Annual Plan
customer service survey  will  be
used   to  validate   performance
measures.

    Verification and validation are
important aspects of the right-to-
know program.  Most performance
measures are  verifiable  through
quantitative  means.    For  those
measures that are output-oriented,
actual outputs or products can  be
counted  or otherwise  objectively
verified.  For example, the  Toxic
Release Inventory System (TRIS)
tracks progress  in  processing the
110,000  Form R's submitted each
year.   In cases  such  as the data
quality   measure,    verification
procedures are built into the data
entry process both at the respondent
               Q8. Would you describe youreetf as someone who is:
           VayfanfflarwHh Famffiarwitti EPA Unfamiliar with   Dcritknow?   No response
            EPA data/info    data/info    EPA data/Mb
   M
   c
   o
   VI
   ft
   u
   in
   to
   o
   o
  
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
level and when the data are entered into the
national TRIS database. Edit procedures internal
to the reporting form help confirm whether data
entered are internally consistent.

    If this  is not  true, an error message is
generated. Once data are entered into the national
database, they are compared with those previously
submitted to learn whether large increases or
decreases at the  largest TRI  facilities have
occurred. In cases where there are unusually large
changes relative to previous reports submitted,
facilities are contacted by staff members to verify
the information.  These and other similar data
quality checks  together  serve to verify  and
validate data that EPA collects and disseminates.

    The TRI component of the  right-to-know
program generates  data that inform the public
about what occurs  in their communities. Data
collected and disseminated under TRI are used by
a wide variety of parties, including other Federal
agencies,   state   and   local   governments,
environmental, labor and community groups, and
academics. In order to facilitate appropriate usage
of the data, EPA publishes  various analyses as
part of the annual data release.

Research

    EPA has several strategies to validate  and
verify performance measures  in the area of
environmental science and technology research.
Most  performance  measures   are  verifiable
through quantitative means.  For those measures
that  are  output-oriented,   actual  outputs  or
products can be objectively verified. Because the
major output of research is technical information,
primarily in the form of reports, software, or
protocols key to the validation and verification
strategies is the performance of both peer and
quality assurance reviews.

    Peer reviews provide assurance during the
pre-planning,  planning,   and  reporting  of
environmental science and research activities that
the work meets peer expectations. Only those
science   activities  and  resulting information
products that  pass  Agency peer review are
addressed and published. This applies to program-
level, project-level, and research outputs.

    The quality  of  the peer review activity is
monitored by EPA to ensure that peer reviews are
performed  consistently,  according to Agency
policy, and that any identified areas of concern are
resolved    through   discussion    or    the
implementation of corrective action.

    A quality assurance system is implemented at
all levels in the EPA research organization.  The
Agency-wide  quality  assurance  system  is  a
management system that provides the necessary
elements to plan,  implement,  document,  and
assess the effectiveness of quality assurance and
quality control activities applied to environmental
programs conducted by or for EPA. This quality
management system provides for identification of
environmental  programs for  which Quality
Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)  is needed,
specification of the  quality of the data required
from environmental programs, and provision of
sufficient resources to assure that an adequate
level of QA/QC is performed.
                                             VII-10

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Goal: Sound Science, Improved
 Understanding of Environmental Risk,  and Greater
Innovation to Address Environmental Problems
       EPA will develop and apply the best available science for addressing current and future environmental
hazards, as well as new approaches toward improving environmental protection.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

    Science allows us to identify the most important
    sources of risk to human health and the
    environment, and thereby guides our priorities,
policies, and deployment of resources.   Science
provides the understanding and technologies needed
to detect, abate, and avoid environmental problems.
   In the future, environmental problems will be
dealt with using those features of the current system
that have proven effective and by designing and
testing fundamentally new tools and approaches mat
utilize the latest  advances in scientific knowledge
and technology.
MEANS AND STRATEGY

    EPA has several strategies  to strengthen  its
    science base and to  develop innovations in
environmental   protection   that   will  allow
achievement of our strategic  objectives.  The
Agency has implemented a risk-based research
planning process to use risk assessment and risk
management as principal priority-setting criteria.
EPA conducts annual research program reviews to
both evaluate the status and accomplishments of its
research and determine strategic planning priorities.
    To better  draw  upon  expertise  of  the
environmental academic community, EPA created
the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program of
peer-reviewed, mission-driven extramural grants.
The Agency  is  also working  with the National
Research   Council   to   identify   emerging
environmental issues for which we must begin
planning the necessary  research. EPA's research
program will increase our  understanding  of
environmental processes and our capability to assess
environmental risks - not only to human health, but
also to ecosystems.

   The emphasis of ecological monitoring research
will shift from a Mid-Atlantic integrated assessment
of  ecosystem  health  to  a  Western  Pilot
demonstration of methods developed in the Mid-
Atlantic,  hi addition,  the Coastal Monitoring
Initiative beginning in 2000 will fund the first
national demonstration of the status and trends
monitoring of the health of U.S. estuaries. Knowing
the current conditions of these ecosystems, how best
to measure those conditions, and what problems
exist are important parts of this effort and will
provide essential input to the modeling and
assessment elements of the program. Process and
modeling research will seek to explain stressors and
their effect on an ecosystem, as well as the way in
which they cause that effect.

   EPA also is committed to  developing and
verifying  innovative  methods and models  for
                                         vm-i

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
 assessing the susceptibilities of populations  to
 environmental agents, aimed  at enhancing current
 risk assessment and management strategies and
 guidance. In response to the heightened awareness
 and concern over children's health risks and the
 provisions of the new legislation on food  safety,
 EPA established the Children's Health Research
 Program.   In  collaboration with  the National
 Institute  for  Environmental  Health  Sciences
 (NIEHS), EPA plans to continue to operate pediatric
 environmental health centers  which conduct basic
 and  applied  research   in  combination   with
 community-based prevention  efforts that focus on
 identifying  and  preventing  environment-related
 diseases  in  children.   EPA will establish one
 additional center in addition  to the eight existing
 centers.  Children's health research efforts focus on
 asthma, developmental disorders, and cancer.

    The Agency will establish research capability
 and  mechanisms  to  anticipate  and identify
 environmental or other changes that may portend
 future risk. A clear vision of future environmental
 risk will enable EPA to manage strategically for
 tomorrow and  tactically for  today.   Substantial
 capability to discern "early warnings" and patterns
 of change   will  be  developed through  work
 undertaken on endocrine disrupters. Benefits will
 include  an  improved framework for  decision-
 making, increased ability to anticipate and perhaps
 deter serious environmental risks, and enhanced
 communication   with   the   public   and   other
 stakeholders.

    In order to promote decisions which place  a
 high priority on pollution prevention, research will
 focus on the development of methods and decision
 tools that are more quantitative and easier for
 stakeholders and decision-makers to use than those
 currently  available.    Research  on  pollution
 prevention  technology   and  approaches  will
 accelerate  the  adoption  and  incorporation  of
pollution  prevention by developing,  testing, and
demonstrating   techniques   applicable   across
economic sectors. This research will test the ability
of risk assessors and risk managers to develop tools
and  methodologies which are  meaningful and
understandable to the public in terms of the costs
and benefits associated with the magnitude of the
risk reduction options.

    A key element of EPA's strategy for reinvention
is testing and adopting  innovative policy tools
designed to achieve better protection at less cost.
The  Agency has  a  number  of  new  tools and
approaches that are being tested or implemented in
various environmental programs, including: market
trading and banking, third party certification of
environmental performance, and recognition and
incentives for environmental stewardship, hi each
area, EPA is looking to advance the application of
the innovative tool  or approach by  promoting
broader testing and incorporation into our system of
environmental protection.  For  example, EPA's
Permit Action Plan outlines a broad strategy for
building  the next generation of environmental
permitting.   This   strategy   will    harmonize
requirements  across   media,  and  will  make
permitting more accessible to  the public and more
flexible for facilities.

    Sector strategies  complement  current EPA
activities by allowing the Agency to approach issues
more holistically;  tailor  efforts to the particular
characteristics of each sector; identify related groups
of stakeholders with interest in a set of issues; link
EPA's efforts with those of other agencies; and craft
new approaches to environmental protection.

    Sustainable  industry  programs  serve  as
incubators and developers of innovative  approaches
to environmental policy making, testing alternative
regulatory and programmatic approaches through
regional projects, and multi-stakeholder processes.
The experience gained in working with six industry
sectors on the Common Sense Initiative provides the
basis for moving  forward  with  sector-based
approaches to environmental protection.
                                              Vffl-2

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                        1999 Final Annual Plan
    Also, President Clinton created Project XL in
March 1995 to provide regulated entities and other
stakeholders with the opportunity to develop and
implement alternative environmental management
strategies  that  achieve  superior  environmental
performance   in  exchange   for
regulatory flexibility. Sector-based
approaches will  offer  valuable
supplements     to    traditional
environmental  policy and  may
become the predominant means for
environmental protection in the 21 st
century.
                 to reducing hazardous  emissions,  waste,  and
                 pesticide risks.  These efforts  are good for the
                 environment, make good business sense, and prove
                 that pollution prevention pays.
    Nearly 7,000 businesses, trade
association, citizens groups, state
and   local   governments,  and
universities  are  volunteering  to
improve environmental performance
in a  timely,  cost-effective way
through   an  array   of  EPA
partnership  programs.    Known
collectively  as Partners  for  the
Environment, these programs
complement traditional  regulatory
approaches   to   environmental
protection.

    Partners     set    practical,
meaningful goals to improve and
better protect the environment —
from conserving water and energy
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
•   Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
•   Clean Air Act
•   Clean Air Act Amendment
•   Clean Water Act
•   Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
    Act (CERCLA)
•   Economy Act of 1932
•   Environmental Research, Development and Demonstration Act
    (ERDDA)ofl981
•   Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) Federal Insecticide,
    Fungicide and Rodenticide At (FIFRA)
•   Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
•   Federal Technology Transfer Act
.   FFDCAofl988
•   Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996
.   FQPA of 1996
•   MPRSA section 33 U.S.C. 26
•   National Environmental Policy Act
•   Patent Statute
•   Pollution Prevention Act of 1990
•   Resource Conservation and  Recovery Act (RCRA)
•   Resources Conservation and Recovery Act
•   Safe Drinking Water Act
•   Section 309 of the Clean Air Act.
•   Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act
•   Toxic Substances Control Act
                                            vin-3

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
Resource Summary
(Dollars in thousands)
Sound Science, Improved Understanding of Env. Risk and
Greater Innovation to Address Env. Problems
Research for Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration
S&T
SF
Research for Human Health Risk Assessment
EPM
S&T
SF
Research to Detect Emerging Risk Issues
EPM
S&T
SF
Pollution Prevention and New Technology for Environmental
Protections
EPM
S&T
SF
Increase Use of Integrated, Holistic, Partnership Approaches
EPM
Increase Opportunities for Sector Based Approaches
EPM
S&T
SF
Regional Enhancement of Ability to Quantify Environmental
Outcomes
EPM
SF
FY1999
Pres. Budget
$322,661.8
$106,489.4
$105,521.0
$968.4
$57,063.6
$18.8
$57,001.2
$43.6
$61,639.2
$5,760.9
$55,843.3
$35.0
$54,246.4
$374.2
$52,515.6
$1356.6
$16,810.5
$16,810.5
$11,496.8
$11,461.8
$0.0
$35.0
$7,995.1
$4,613.7
$3381.4
FY1999
Enacted
$346,996.0
$111,978.7
$111,978.7
$0.0
$50,573.7
$18.8
$50,554.9
$0.0
$56,648.8
$7,214.4
$49,434.4
$0.0
$77,286.3
$857.0
$76,429.3
$0.0
$16,390.5
$16390.5
$21,091.7
$20,156.7
$900.0
$35.0
$6,505.5
$3,407.6
$3,097.9
                                             VIII-4

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	1999 Final Annual Plan

     Science Advisory Board Peer Review                             $2,586.7      $2 486 7
           EPM                                                 $2,586.7       $2,486.7
     Incorporate Innovative Approaches to Environmental                 $4,334.1      $4,034.1
     Management
                                                               $4334.1       $4,034.1
                    Total Workyears:                               1,212.1       1,194.2
Strategic Objective: Research for Ecosystem Assessment
and Restoration
                               Key Programs
                               (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud   1999 Enacted
Research: Clean Water Action Plan-Related Research                        $0         $1,406
Research: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program, EMAP       $36,262        $33,255
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
RESEARCH: MONITORING DATA FOR ACID DEPOSITION AND UVB
By 1999: Analyze existing monitoring data for acid deposition and UVB and implement a multiple site UVB
monitoring system for measuring status and trends
Performance Measures:                                                 Target:
Publish an analysis of the trends in atmospheric deposition and aquatic effects.          30-SEP-99
Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
                                      VHI-5

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  US. Environmental Protection Agency	1999 Final Annual Plan



RESEARCH: ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

By 1999: Provide ecological risk assessment case studies for two watersheds, final guidelines for reporting
ecological risk assessment and ecological risk assessment guidance and support.

Performance Measures:                                                         Target:

Ecological risk assessment guidelines follow-on project report.                          30-SEP-99

Report to CENR on use of Ecological Risk Assessment in the Federal Government.        30-SEP-99

Development and use of ecological information management system.                     30-SEP-99

Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.



RESEARCH: ECOLOGICAL MONITORING SYSTEM FOR THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION

By 2001: Complete and evaluate a multi-tiered ecological monitoring system for the Mid-Atlantic region and
provide select land cover and aquatic indicators for measuring status and trends.

Performance Measures:                                                         Target:

Provide baseline landscape indicators for the Mid-Atlantic Region.                       30-SEP-99

Reports on benthic and water quality indicators of condition in estuaries.                 30-SEP-99

Publish and analysis of the trends in atmospheric deposition and aquatic effects.           30-SEP-99

Publish Mid-Atlantic region stressor profiles for ozone, acid deposition, pesticides, nitrogen 30-SEP-99
and other stressors.

Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
                                            VIII-6

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency      	^	1999 Final Annual Plan

Strategic Objective: Research for Human Health Risk
Assessment
                                Key Programs
                                (Dollars in thousands)
	        1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Research: Human Health Research                                  $57,001        $50,324

              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
RESEARCH: PESTICIDE EXPOSURE
By 1999: Produce First Generation Exposure-Models Describing Residential Exposure to Pesticides
Performance Measures:                                                 Target:
First Generation Residential Exposure Models                                  30-SEP-99
Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.

RESEARCH: SUSCEPTIBILITIES TO EWTOONMENTAL AGENTS
By 2008: Develop and verify innovative methods and models for assessing the susceptibilities of populations
to environmental agents, aimed at enhancing risk assessment and management strategies and guidelines.
Performance Measures:                                                 Target:
In 1999 award up to 10 peer reviewed STAR research grants that support studies to      30-SEP-99
quantify the exposure of children to organophosphates, trazines and pyrethroids.
Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
                                       Vffl-7

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                 1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Objective: Research to Detect Emerging Risk
Issues
                             Key Programs
                             (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Research: Endocrine Disrupter Research                            $13,469       $12,230
             Annual Performance Goals and Measures
RESEARCH: CHILDREN'S EXPOSURE TO ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS
By 1999: Initiate Field Exposure Study of Children to 2 EDC's
Performance Measures:                                              Target:
Protocol for field exposure study of children to 2 EDC's          "                30-SEP-99
Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
                                   Vffl-8

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	                        ;ppp f/wa/ Annual Plan


Strategic Objective: Pollution Prevention and New Technology
for Environmental Protections

                             Key Programs
                             (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Research: Common Sense Initiative                                  $871         $867
Research: Advanced Measurement Initiative (AMI)                     $4,000           $0
Research: Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)                 $7,884        $6,991
             Annual Performance Goals and Measures


RESEARCH: FINE PARTICULATE MODEL

By 1999: Improve Computational Efficiency of Fine Particulate Model by 25%.

Performance Measures:                                              Target:

Complete parallel algorithms for aerosol dynamics.                             30-SEP-99

Baseline: Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.


Strategic Objective: Increase Use of Integrated, Holistic,
Partnership Approaches

                              Key Programs
                              (Dollars in thousands)
                  	 1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Sustainable Development Challenge Grants*                              $°         $4>702
*M FY 1999 President's Budget assigned to Goal 1
Regional Geographic Program                                    $12,045         $8,673
                                    vm-9

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                1999 Final Annual Plan


 Strategic Objective: Increase Opportunities for Sector Based

 Approaches

                            Key Programs
                            (Dollars in thousands)
 	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
 Project XL                                               $3,360       $3,360

 Common Sense Initiative                                      $3,813       $3,813



             Annual Performance Goals and Measures


 RESEARCH: PROJECT XL

 By 1999:  A total of 50 Project XL projects will be in development or implementation, an increase of 23 over
 1998.

 Performance Measures:                                            Target:

 Number of Project XL projects in implementation.                            50 Projects

 Baseline:  Development of "formal" baseline information for EPA research is currently underway.
 Strategic Objective: Regional Enhancement of Ability to
 Quantify Environmental Outcomes Key Programs


                            Key Programs
                            (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
 Regional Science and Technology                                 $7,995        $6,407
                                 vni-io

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                 7PPP Final Annual Plan

Strategic Objective: Incorporate Innovative Approaches to Environmental
Management

                              Key Programs
                              (Dollars in thousands)
	1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Reinvention Programs, Development and Coordination                    $4,334        $4,334
                                     vm-n

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                      1999 Final Annual Plan
 EXTERNAL FACTORS

    Sound science is predicated on the desire of
    the Agency to make human  health and
    environmental decisions based on sound
 scientific data and information.  It challenges
 the Agency to apply the best available science
 and technical analysis when addressing health
 and environmental problems that adversely
 impact the United States.   Such a challenge
moves the  Agency to  a more integrated,
efficient, and effective approach of reducing
risks   to   both  human  health   and  the
environment.  As long as sound science is a
central tenant for actions taken by the Agency,
then external factors  will  have a minimal
impact on the goal.
 VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
    PA has several strategies to validate and verify
   'performance   measures   in  the  area  of
 environmental science and technology research.
 Most performance measures are verifiable through
 quantitative means.  For those measures that are
 output-oriented, actual outputs or products can be
 objectively verified. Because the major output of
 research is technical information, primarily in the
 form of reports, software, protocols, etc., key to the
 validation and  verification  strategies  is  the
 performance of both peer and quality assurance
 reviews.

    Scientific  research  plans,  products, and
 proposals all are scrutinized by independent entities,
 such as the Science Advisory Board (SAB). EPA's
 Board of Scientific Councilors (BOSC), established
 under  the Federal  Advisory Committee Act,
 evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of each
 Laboratory and Center  within  the  Office  of
 Research and Development, including areas such as
 peer reviews.

    Peer reviews provide assurance during the
pre-planning,   planning,   and  reporting   of
environmental science and research  activities that
the work  meets peer expectations.  Only those
science activities and resulting information products
that pass Agency peer review are addressed and
published.  This applies to program-level, project-
level, and research outputs.

    The quality of the peer  review  activity is
monitored by EPA to ensure that peer reviews are
performed consistently, according to Agency policy,
and that any identified areas of concern are resolved
through discussion or  the  implementation  of
corrective action.

    A quality assurance system is  implemented at
all levels in the EPA research organization. The
Agency-wide  quality  assurance   system is  a
management system that provides the necessary
elements to plan, implement, document, and assess
the effectiveness of quality assurance and quality
control activities applied to environmental programs
conducted by or for EPA.

    This quality management system provides for
identification of environmental programs for which
Quality Assurance/Quality  Control (QA/QC) is
needed, specification of the quality of the data
required  from  environmental programs,  and
provision of sufficient resources to assure that an
adequate level of QA/QC is performed.

    Performance within the Office of Policy will be
verified by identifying customer usage of economic
                                           VIII-12

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                           1999 Final Annual Plan

resources  within  the  Office of Policy, and  by       satisfaction with economics information available
surveying customers to determine  adequacy and       and provided.
                                              vm-is

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                    1999 Fina I Annual Plan
Strategic  Cook A Credible Deterrent to Pollution
and Greater Compliance with the Law
       EPA will ensure Ml compliance with the laws intended to protect human health and the environment.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

   Protecting the public and the environment from
   risks posed by violations of environmental
   requirements is, and always has been, basic to
EPA's mission. Many of America's environmental
improvements  over  the  last  25  years  are
attributable to a strong set of environmental laws
and an expectation of compliance with those laws.
EPA's strong and aggressive enforcement program
has been  the centerpiece of efforts to  ensure
compliance,  and   has  achieved   significant
improvements   in  human   health  and  the
environment.
MEANS AND STRATEGY

     Many of the environmental improvements in
     this country during the past three decades can
be attributed to a strong set of environmental laws
and EPA's aggressive enforcement of them. Due to
the breadth and diversity of private, public, and
federal faculties regulated by EPA under various
statutes, the Agency needs to target its enforcement
and compliance assurance activities strategically to
address the most significant risks to human health
and the environment and to ensure that  certain
populations  do not  bear  a  disproportionate
environmental burden.

   A strong  enforcement program identifies
noncompliance problems, punishes violators, strives
to secure a level  economic playing field  for
law-abiding companies, and deters future violations.
EPA's continued enforcement efforts  will  be
strengthened through the development of measures
to assess the impact of enforcement activities and
assist in targeting high priority areas.

   State, Tribal and local governments bear much
of the responsibility for ensuring compliance, and
EPA works in partnership with them and other
Federal  agencies  to  promote  environmental
protection.  Further, EPA cooperates with other
nations to enforce and  ensure compliance with
international agreements affecting the environment.
At  the  Federal  level,  EPA  addresses  its
responsibilities under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) by seeking  remedies  for
potentially adverse impacts of major actions taken
by EPA and other Federal agencies.
                                         IX-1

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                      1999 Fina I Annual Plan
    The Agency's enforcement and compliance
assurance program uses compliance assistance and
incentives tools to enhance voluntary compliance
with regulatory requirements and reduce adverse
public health and environmental problems.

    Because government  resources are limited,
maximum compliance requires the active efforts of
the regulated community to police itself.   EPA
supports the regulated community by assuring that
requirements are clearly understood and by helping
industry find cost-effective options to comply
through the  use  of pollution prevention  and
innovative technology.
encouraging self-directed audits and disclosure;
measuring and evaluating the effectiveness  of
Agency programs in improving compliance rates;
providing information and compliance assistance to
the regulated community; and developing innovative
approaches to meeting environmental standards
through   better   communication,   cooperative
approaches and application of new technologies.
    EPA will continue to explore options for:
   STATUTORY AUTHORITY
   •   1983 La Paz Agreement on US/Mexico Border Region
   •   Clean Air Act sections 113,114, and 303 (42 U.S.C. 7413,7414,7603)
   •   Clean Water Act (CWA) sections 308,309, and 311 (33 U.S.C. 1318,1319,1321)
   •   Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act sections 106,107,109,
       and 122 (42 U.S.C. 9606,9607,9609,9622)
   •   Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act sections 325 and 326 (42 U.S.C. 11045,
       11046)
   •   Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act sections 8, 9,12, 13, and 14 (7 U.S.C. 136f,
       136g, 136j, 136k,  1361)
   •   National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
   •   North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
   •   Ocean Dumping Act sections 101,104B, 105, and 107 (33 U.S.C. 1411,1414B, 1415,1417)
   •   Resource Conservation and Recovery Act sections 3007,3008,3013, and 7003 (42 U.S.C. 6927,
       6928, 6934,6973)
   •   Safe Drinking Water Act section 1413,1414,1417,1422,1423,1425,1431,1432,1445 (42 U.S.C.
       300g-2,300g-3,300g-6,300h-l, 300h-2,300h-4,300i, 300i-l, 300J-4)
   •   Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) sections 11,16, and  17 and TSCA Titles II and IV (15
       U.S.C. 2610,2615,2616,2641-2656,2681-2692)
                                            LX-2

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Fina I Annual Plan
Resource Summary
(Dollars in thousands)

A Credible Deterrent to Pollution and Greater Compliance with
the Law
Enforcement Tools to Reduce Non-Compliance
EPM
S&T
STAG
SF
Increase Use of Auditing, Self-Policing Policies
EPM
S&T
STAG
SF
Total Workyears:

FY1999
Pres. Budget
$332,733.8

$283,209.4
$190,770.5
$8,662.8
$67,079.3
$16,696.8
$49,524.4
$45,700.3
$97.9
$3333.4
$392.8
2,559.3

FY1999
Enacted
$319^90.3

$272,965.9
$181,844.0
$8,583.9
$67,884.4
$14,653.6
$46,424.4
$43,940.3
$0.0
$2,214.2
$269.9
2,554.4
                                               IX-3

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	1999 Fina I Annual Plan

Strategic Objective: Enforcement Tools to Reduce Non-
Compliance
                                Key Programs
                                (Dollars in thousands)
                                                       1999 Pres Bud   1999 Enacted
RCRA State Grants
Compliance Monitoring
Civil Enforcement
Criminal Enforcement
Compliance Assistance and Centers
Enforcement Training
State Pesticides Enforcement Grants
State Toxics Enforcement Grants
$43,537
$65,015
$86,821
$35,412
$0
$5,086
$18,392
$5,150
$43,223
$56,839
$83,090
$33,787
$37
$4,436
$19,512
$5,150
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
INCREASE COMPLIANCE

By 1999: Deter non-compliance by maintaining levels of field presence and enforcement actions, particularly in
high risk areas and/or where populations are disproportionately exposed. In 1999, EPA will conduct 15,000
inspections and undertake 2,600 enforcement actions.

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

EPA Inspections                                                         15,000 Inspections

Baseline:  The number of inspections conducted annually has remained fairly consistent in recent years. This
information is the basis for the 1999 projections, with adjustments made for changes in resources levels, hi
1999, the enforcement program will target 50% of its inspections to priority areas. These areas will be
identified in an internal guidance document which sets forth specific priorities for 1999 and forms the basis for
this calculation.
                                       IX-4

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                         1999 pina iAnnuai p/an
TARGET HIGH PRIORITY AREAS

By 1999: Target high priority areas for enforcement and compliance assistance and complete baseline data
assessment in major databases needed to measure quality of key indicators of compliance. The Agency will
identify five high priority areas and improve 2 of their data systems.

Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

Data system improve. To capture chgs to 98 base                                      2 Data Systems

Baseline: No baseline established for FY 1999.
ASSIST STATES AND TRIBES

By 1999: Assist states and tribes with their enforcement and compliance assurance and incentive programs.
EPA will provide specialized assistance and training, including 83 courses, to state and tribal officials to
enhance the effectiveness of their programs.

Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

Specialized Asst. & Training                                                       83 Courses

Baseline: 89 training sessions in FY 97.
                                             IX-5

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                    '                 1999 Fina I Annual Plan

 Strategic Objective: Increase Use of Auditing, Self-Policing
 Policies
                                 Key Programs
                                 (Dollars in thousands)
                                                       1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Project XL
Common Sense Initiative
Compliance Assistance and Centers
Compliance Incentives
NEPA Implementation
State Pesticides Enforcement Grants
State Toxics Enforcement Grants
$2,912
$1,086
$24,376
$4,203
$9,521
$1,119
$2,214
$2,905
$1,083
$23,178
$4,076
$9,402
$1,119
$0
               Annual Performance Goals and Measures


COMPLIANCE INCENTIVES

By 1999: Increase regulated community's use of compliance incentives and their understanding of, and ability
to comply with, regulatory requirements. The Agency will cant, to operate 9 small business compl. asst.
centers and will complete sector notebooks, guides, and other outreach materials begun in FY98.

Performance Measures:                                                     Target:

Compl. Assistance Centers in Oper.                                             9 Centers

Compliance Tools Development                                               5 Sector Guides

Fed Fac Mgt Reviews                                                       15  Reviews

Baseline: The Enforcement and Compliance Assurance program collects information from the regions
annually on how many faculties are being reached through compliance assistance efforts. In 1997, EPA
conducted 98,830 activities across all sectors & statutes & reached 342,310 faculties. The number of
compliance assistance tools developed in 1997 was 1,190.
                                        IX-6

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     1999 Fina I Annual Plan
EXTERNAL FACTORS

   EPA's enforcement program's ability to meet its
annual performance goals may be affected by a
number of factors. Projected performance would be
impacted by natural catastrophes, such as major
floods or significant chemical spills, that require a
redirection of enforcement resources to address
immediate environmental threats.

   Many of  the targets  are  predicated on  the
assumption  that  state  and tribal  partners  will
continue or increase their levels of enforcement and
compliance work.

   If these assumptions do not come to fruition,
EPA's resources may be needed to cover priority
areas. In addition, several EPA targets rely on the
Department of Justice (DOT) to accept and execute
case loads. The success of EPA's activities hinge on
the availability and applicability of technology and
information systems.

   Finally, the regulated community's willingness
to make decisions to comply with the law will
greatly influence EPA's  ability  to meet  its
performance goals.

    Other factors such as the number of projects
subject to scoping requirements initiated by other
federal agencies,  the  number  of  draft/final
documents  (Environmental  Assessments  and
Environmental Impact Statements) submitted to
EPA for  review, streamlining requirements of
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(TEA-21), and the responsiveness of other federal
agencies to environmental concerns raised by EPA
may also impact the Agency's ability to meet its
performance goals.

    The Agency's ability to address issues under the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) may be
significantly affected by the number of project
proposals submitted to EPA for funding or permits
that require NEPA compliance.
VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
'~P'he following are databases that contain baseline
 JL performance information and their sources for
    the  enforcement and compliance assurance
program:

(1) National Compliance Data Base (NCDB) /
FffRA/TSCA Tracking system  (FTTS) - EPA
Headquarters (HQ), EPA regions, and states.
(2) DOCKET - EPA HQ and regions
(3) Permit Compliance System (PCS) - EPA regions
and states
(4) FIFRA Section Seven Tracking System (SSTS)
- EPA regions
(5) FTFRA  Laboratory  Inspection  Study Audit
(LISA) - EPA HQ and regions
(6) Pesticide Registration  Enforcement System
(PRES)-EPAHQ
(7) Waste Import Tracking System (WITS) - EPA
regions
(8) CERCLIS - EPA regions
(9) Integrated Data  for Enforcement Analysis
(IDEA) - EPA compliance  and enforcement data
bases and external data sources
(10)  Resource  Conservation   and   Recovery
Information System (RCRIS) - EPA regions and
states
(11) Safe Drinking Water Information System
(SDWIS) - EPA regions and states
(12) AIRS Air Facility Subsystem (AFS) - EPA
regions and states and locals
                                           IX-7

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Fina I Annual Plan
 (13) Asbestos Contractor Tracking System (ACTS)/
 National Asbestos Registry System (NARS) - EPA
 regions and states
 (14) Docket - EPA HQ and regions
 (15)  Environmental  Review Tracking  System
 (ERTS) - EPA regions and other Federal agencies.

     While specific data entry/QC practices may
 vary by individual system, each  system has been
 developed in accordance with Office of Information
 Resources   Management   (OIRM)   Lifecycle
 Management Guidance.  The systems incorporate
 data validation processes and include internal screen
 audit checks and verification, detailed system and
 user documentation, data quality audit reports, third
 party   testing   reports   and   detailed   report
 specifications for showing how report  data  are
 calculated.    EPA  is   also   developing  and
 implementing detailed  system  specific  Quality
 Management Plans for all its systems. These plans
 will  include development  of Data   Quality
 Objectives, Quality Assurance Project Plans and
 Standard  Operating Procedures.  The enforcement
 program conducted data evaluation and implement
 improved processes during  1998 and  1999  for
 enforcement  data    related   to   anticipated
 environmental outcomes.

    Continuous  and accurate data  entry to  the
 national data systems is crucial to EPA's ability to
 assess compliance with  environmental laws and
 regulations.  Questions have been raised —internally
 and externally — about the quality and completeness
 of the data in the systems as well as the ability of
 our existing systems to meet our data needs.
 Differences in the definitions of noncompliance
 applied by state  agencies and/or state failure to
 report to EPA in a timely  and comprehensive
 fashion affect EPA's ability to determine compliance
 patterns across the national program.  However,
 many state and EPA staff have noted difficulty in
 using the systems  and that the data are not useful for
 program implementation.    Some of the data
 limitations reflect systems problems - for example,
 enforcement systems are on multiple platforms and
use  different software,  many   of  which  are
technologically  obsolete and difficult to  use.
Further, the incompatible database structures and
designs make  effective  multi-media   analysis
extremely difficult and provide questionable results.
 Differences in data definitions within each system
make it difficult to link facility data for all media
programs.

    With significant state  participation,  EPA is
working on  several projects to  obtain  more
comprehensive and accurate compliance information
for the universe of regulated entities:

•   The National Performance Measures Strategy,
    intended to identify and implement an enhanced
    set of performance measures  for  EPA's
    enforcement  and compliance  program, will
    provide new, more detailed  information on
    levels of compliance in regulated populations
    and enhanced data on environmental and public
    health improvements from enforcement efforts.

•   For five  key industrial  sectors, the Sector
    Facilities  Indexing Project (SFIP)  provides
    environmental and background data, including
    numbers  of inspections,  compliance  with
    Federal regulations, enforcement actions taken,
    chemical  releases  and  spills,  location and
    production   capacity,    and   surrounding
    population.

•   Other sector-based  initiatives implemented in
    partnership with industry, including root cause
    analyses projects, are designed to provide more
    detailed accounts of inspection and enforcement
    activity over time, violations by media and by
    specific pollutants released, and the causes of
    these violations.

•   The Enforcement and Compliance Information
    (ECI) program, a long-range initiative to  re-
    engineer  EPA's   approach   to  integrated
    information, is intended to improve data quality
    and its uses and to improve public access and
    understanding of enforcement and compliance
    data.
                                               TX-8

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Fina I Annual Plan
•   The Quality Management Plan (QMP) project
    will establish  system specific data  quality
    objectives which specify how data will be used
    and limits on  decision errors.  QMP's will
    involve developing quality assurance  project
    plans to document how quality assurance and
    quality control activities will be implemented,
    setting standard  operating  procedures  for
    assessing data quality; and conducting quality
    reviews to assess progress in meeting our goals.
    QMPs are underway for the NCDB and RCRIS
    systems and were completed in 1999 for PCS,
    AIRS and DOCKET.

    The enforcement program will also undertake
modernization design and will complete the concept
and design phase of the General Enforcement
Management System.

    A  number  of external reports and internal
reviews have described problems in the quality of
EPA's data quality and analysis of enforcement and
compliance information.  A data quality  survey,
widely distributed within EPA Headquarters and
Regions and to nine states, solicited respondents'
views on the nature and extent of enforcement and
compliance data problems. A subsequent Strategic
and Tactical Automation Plan, developed to address
these  problems  and criticisms,  supports  the
Environmental Compliance Initiative and other data
management improvements.  Regional reviews of
data quality  of enforcement  and compliance
information will continue in 1999.
    The Sector Facility Indexing Project produced
a data quality findings document for AFS, PCS and
RCRIS which offers specific guidance for use in
QA/QC procedures.

    Information on the application of the  self-
policing policy, as well as targeted assistance, is
tracked manually. The enforcement and compliance
assurance program will complete the assessment of
recording and producing information on the self-
policing policy in DOCKET.

    The enforcement program publishes Federal
Register Notices for all Environmental Impact
Statements (EISs) received by EPA. EPA regions
review and comment on all EISs.

    The EPA Inspector General in 1997 addressed
problems states have identifying and reporting of
Clean Air Act significant violators, which  have
impaired EPA's ability to evaluate the levels of
noncompliance in that program. As follow up, the
enforcement and compliance assurance program is
preparing trend analyses using information in the
AFS to identify states most likely to have problems.

    In 1997  the  enforcement and compliance
assurance program also assessed its 1996 targeted
compliance assistance data and developed a series of
recommended  improvements.    The  program
implemented several improvements in  1997 and
1998 to manually track compliance assistance data.
 The program continues to assess the suitability of
tracking targeted  compliance  assistance  in the
national           database           systems.
                                              IX-9

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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                      1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Goal:  Effective Management
       EPA will establish a management infrastructure that will set and implement the highest quality standards
for effective internal management and fiscal responsibility.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
    fforts under this goal support the full range of
J— /Agency activities for a healthy and sustainable
    environment.  To  advance the protection of
human health and the environment, effective vision
and  leadership,  sound management  practices,
results-based  planning and budgeting,  fiscal
accountability, quality  customer service, rational
policy guidance and careful stewardship of our
resources form the foundation for everything EPA
does.
   The effectiveness of EPA's management will
determine, in large measure, how successful we
progress towards the goals identified  in the
Agency's annual plan and the long-term goals in the
strategic plan. Agency management systems and
processes will  be  supported by  independent
evaluations that promote efficient and effective
programs, so that we can obtain the greatest return
on taxpayer investment.
MEANS AND STRATEGY

'T'he Agency will provide vision and leadership as
 -L well as executive direction and policy oversight
    for all EPA  programs.  In keeping with its
commitment to protect children's health, the Agency
will target resources towards EPA's many diverse
children's activities. The Agency will provide policy
direction  and guidance  on equal employment
opportunity  and  civil  rights.   The Agency's
Administrative Law Judges and its Environmental
Appeals Board Judges will issue  decisions on
administrative  complaints   and  environmental
adjudications, respectively, in a timely manner.

    The Agency  will provide the management
services, administrative support and operations to
enable the Agency to achieve its environmental
mission and to meet its fiduciary and workforce
responsibilities.  We will manage  an integrated
planning, budgeting, analysis, financial management
and  accountability process  to  ensure effective
stewardship of resources which meets
statutory requirements of GPRA, CFO, and related
legislation.

    In  1999,  the  Agency  will  design   an
accountability system  that captures  all  key
performance measures, and begin to develop a cost
accounting system to enable Agency managers and
stakeholders  to know the full cost of  Agency
programs  and  the  resources  associated  with
achievement of environmental results.  The strategy
for ensuring sound management of administrative
services will be accomplished  by  managing
information  systems effectively, ensuring a high
level  of  integrity  and  accountability  in  the
management of grants and contracts, and investing
in our human resources to ensure that the Agency's
workforce is of the highest caliber and  is fully
prepared to deliver national leadership and expertise
in environmental protection.

    The Agency will provide a quality work
environment  that considers  employee safety and
security, building operations, utilities, facilities, new
construction, repairs and pollution  prevention,
                                           X-l

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                           1999 Final Annual Plan
within Headquarters and nationwide.   Plans for
building operations and new construction supports
existing infrastructure requirements that ensure
healthy, safe and secure work environments that
reflect the pollution prevention values of EPA and
helps  fulfill  the  scientific   and  functional
requirements of our programs.  In FY1999, EPA
will make significant progress in completing the
consolidated new Headquarters,
as  well  as the  consolidated
research   lab    at  Research
Triangle Park in North Carolina.
                    audits and investigations to reduce the risk of fraud
                    and other improprieties.   We  will also  increase
                    assistance services to the Agency to help resolve
                    significant management  problems and  achieve
                    maximum efficiency and effectiveness.   These
                    strategies will assist the Agency in accomplishing its
                    mission and improve the performance and integrity
                    of its programs and operations.
    The Agency will provide
audit and investigative products
and services, all of which can
facilitate the accomplishment of
the  Agency's  mission.  The
Agency     will      conduct
performance audit work with a
focus on environmental results,
and  assist  the  Agency  in
implementing    performance
evaluation  to  promote   full
compliance with GPRA. We will
continue emphasizing contract
and assistance agreement audits
and  investigations to ensure
integrity in the application of
Agency resources. For example,
15 construction grant closeout
audits  are  scheduled  to be
conducted in 1999.  We plan to
increase collaboration between
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
•   Administrative Procedure Act
•   Annual Appropriations Act
•   Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VH
•   Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI
•   Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, 41 CFR and D.C. Recycling Act of
    1998
•   Clinger-Cohen Act
•   Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
    Act
•   Computer Security Act
•   Electronic Freedom of Information Act
•   EPA's Environmental Statues, and the Federal Grant and Cooperative
    Agreement Act
•   Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), contract law,  and EPA's
    Assistance Regulations (40CFR Parts 30,31,35,40,45,46,47)
•   Federal Manager's Financial Integrity Act (1982)
•   Federal Property and Administrations Service Act
•   Freedom of Information Act
•   Government Management Reform Act (1994)
•   Inspector General Act of 1978
•   Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988
•   Paperwork Reduction Act
•   Privacy Act
•   Public Buildings Act
•   The Chief Financial Officers Act (1990)
•   The Government Performance and Results Act (1993)
•   The Prompt Payment Act (1982)
•   Title 5 United States Code.
                                              X-2

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Final Annual Plan
Resource Summary
(Dollars in thousands)
Effective Management
Executive Leadership
EPM
SF
Management Services, Administrative, and Stewardship
EPM
S&T
LUST
OIL
IG
SF
Building Operations, Utilities and New Construction
EPM
B&F
LUST
OIL
IG
SF
Provide Audit and Investigative Products and Services
EPM
IG
SF
Total Workyears:
FY1999
Pres. Budget
$659,8605
$30,895.9
$30,806.5
$89.4
$234,293.9
$173,112.3
$226.0
$1,047.6
$3.3
$72.1
$59,832.6
$354,753.9
$238,022.3
$52,948.0
$1,033.6
$537.8
$2,537.9
$59,674.3
$39,916.8
$619.7
$28,544.0
$10,753.1
2,974.7
FY1999
Enacted
$645,174.0
$31,112.6
$31,023 2
$89.4
$220,806.1
$162,828.9
$326.0
$1,047.7
$3.3
$72.1
$56,528.1
$353,366.1
$233,245.5
$56,948.0
$1,033.6
$537.8
$4,021.9
$57,579.3
$39,889.2
$592.2
$39,297.0
$0.0
2,991.2
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                  1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Objective: Executive Leadership

                             Key Programs
                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                                  1999 Pres Bud   1999 Enacted
EMPACT
Civil Rights/Title VI Compliance
Immediate Office of the Administrator
Administrative Law
Children's Health, Program Development and Coordination
$1,000
$1,312
$3,691
$2,124
$5,716
$81
$1,637
$2,791
$2,324
$6,158
             Annual Performance Goals and Measures



CHILDREN'S HEALTH

By 1999: By the end of 1999, evaluate 5 EPA standards to ensure they are protective of children's health.

Performance Measures:                                               Target:

Re-evaluate standards to ensure they consider children's special health needs            <5 standards

Baseline: Baseline will be established in 2000.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	  1999 Final Annual Plan

Strategic Objective: Management Services, Administrative, and
Stewardship
                                Key Programs
                                (Dollars in thousands)
                                                       1999 Pres Bud  1999 Enacted
Human Resources Management
Contracts Management
Grants Management
Information Technology Management
Reinventing Environmental Information (RET)
Environmental Finance Center Grants (EFC)
Planning and Resources Management
Regional Management
$22,297
$27,674
$9,680
$24,978
$2,500
$940
$73,627
$41,046
$21,932
$24,986
$8,569
$21,975
$2,507
$1,065
$69,120
$42,535
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
GPRA IMPLEMENTATION

By 1999: By the end of 1999, the Agency can plan and track performance against annual goals and capture
100% of costs ihrough the new PBAA structure, based on modified budget and financial accounting systems, a
new accountability process and new cost accounting mechanisms.

Performance Measures:                                                  Target:

The Accountability System tracks accomplishments against annual performance goals and  9/30/99
measures and provides the information necessary for evaluating and adjusting program
activities.

Baseline: OCFO's Congressional/Vital Few Annual Performance Goal and Measures reflect top mission
priorities that will be achieved in FY 1999.

PERFORMANCE-BASED CONTRACTING

By 1999: EPA will improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of EPA's acquisition and Contract
management process by completing 10% of contracts utilizing performance-based statement of works.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                          1999 Final Annual Plan


Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

Percentage of contracts utilizing performance-based statements of work.                  10 Percent

Baseline:  Baseline is 10% in 1999,5% in 1998, and 0% in 1997.

Y2K COMPLIANCE

By 1999:  All mission critical systems will continue to support core Agency functions without interruption
across Year 2000 date change.

Performance Measures:                                                          Target:

Percentage of mission-critical systems functioning in accordance with Y2K requirement     100 Percent

Baseline:  In 1999, all 58 mission critical systems are operating properly and are functioning in accordance
with Y2K requirements.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	                      1999 Final Annual Plan
Strategic Objective: Building Operations, Utilities and New
Construction
                                Key Programs
                                (Dollars in thousands)
New Construction: New Headquarters Project
New Construction: RTF New Building Project
Facility Operations: Repairs and Improvements
Facility Operations: Security
Facility Operations: Agency Rental/ Direct Lease
Facility Operations: Agency Utilities
Regional Program Infrastructure
$15,945
$32,000
$15,428
$12,962
$170,572
$10,715
$67,143
$15,945
$36,000
$15,428
$12,962
$170,572
$10,015
$66,532
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures


NEW HQ CONSOLIDATION

By 1999: Continue renovation of the new consolidated headquarters complex completing 100% buildout of the
Ariel Rios north and Wilson building and 50% of the base buildout of the Interstate Commerce Commission
building.  Move 38% of EPA personnel from vacated spaces to the new consolidated complex.

Performance Measures:                                                 Target:

Percentage of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)/Customs building completed.    50 Percent

Percentage of EPA personnel consolidated into Headquarters complex.                38 Percent

Complete buildout of Ariel Rios Building                                     100 Percent

Baseline: In 1999, RTF construction baseline is 50% completion, the Interstate Commerce
Commission baseline is 50% completion, and 100% completion of FT. Mead Lab construction.
Also, 38% of EPA personnel will be consolidated into the new HQ complex.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                  1999 Final Annual Plan
RTF CONSTRUCTION
By 1999: Complete at least 50% of construction of the consolidated research lab at Research Triangle Park
North Carolina.
Performance Measures:                                                Target:
Percent of new RTF building construction completed.                            50 Percent
Baseline:             Complete 22% of construction at RTP.

Strategic Objective: Provide Audit and Investigative Products
and Services
                              Key Programs
                              (Dollars in thousands)
                                                   1999 Pres Bud   1999 Enacted
Contract Audits
Assistance Agreement Audits
Program Audits
Financial Statement Audits
Program Integrity Investigations
Assistance Agreement Investigations
Contract and Procurement Investigations
Employee Integrity Investigations
$4,951
$6,831
$10,264
$4,188
$912
$2,650
$2,913
$953
$4,951
$6,831
$10,264
$4,188
$912
$2,650
$2,913
$953
              Annual Performance Goals and Measures
PROVIDE OBJECTIVE, TIMELY, AND INDEPENDENT AUDITING, CONSULTING, AND
INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES
In 1999: The OIG will provide objective, timely, and independent auditing, consulting, and
investigative services through such actions as completing 15 construction grant closeout audits.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	   1999 Final Annual Plan


Performance Measures:                                                            Target:

Monetary value of recommendations, questioned costs, savings, and recoveries.            $ 118.5 M

Monetary value of fines, judgements, settlements, restitutions, and savings                 $4.16 M

IG recommendations made to improve the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of        57 Recom/Action
operations and environmental programs.

Judicial, Administration and other actions taken to enforce law, reduce or avoid risk.           Actions

Construction Grants Closeout Audits                                                  15 Audits

Baseline: The Office of Investigations will use $ 4.24 million as their performance baseline for monetary
value of fines, judgements, settlements, restitutions, and savings, for judicial, administrative, and other actions
taken to enforce law, reduce or avoid risk, 53 judicial and administrative actions will be the performance
baseline, 68.9 assistance agreements and contracts opened will be the baseline, percentage of cases completed
resulting in referrals will have a baseline of 37.1% and percentage of cases completed or referred within one
year initiation will be 52%.
                                                X-9

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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
 EXTERNAL FACTORS

     New legislation that would impose major new
     requirements necessitating a shift in existing
     priorities absent any commensurate increase in
 resources  in  areas such as strategic planning,
 performance measurement,  and/or resource and
 financial management.

    New administrative requirements in areas such
 as accounting standards and reporting from central
 offices such as OMB or Department of Treasury or
 other central offices that would impose new
 requirements  for Agency  financial  and  other
 systems.
    The ability of the Office of Investigations,
Office  of Inspector  General,  to accomplish its
annual performance goal is dependent, in part, on
external factors.  Indictments, convictions, fines,
restitutions,  civil  recoveries,  suspensions, and
debarments are affected by the actions of others
(e.g., the Department of Justice). In addition, the
prosecutive criteria  established within  various
jurisdictions (e.g., dollar thresholds) can affect the
number of cases.
 VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
       Office of Children's Health Protection will
    evaluate  5  EPA standards  to ensure they
    consider the special needs of children's health.
 Records will be maintained.  Agency financial
 systems  such as  IFMS,  MARS, EPAYS,  and
 SCORPIOS will be used in preparing a variety of
 financial material and reports as  required by the
 Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Act, the Government
 Management  Reform Act (GMRA), the  Federal
 Financial Managers Integrity Act (FFMIA), and the
 Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

    An accountability system is  currently being
 designed to manage the data for all key performance
 measures  to track  progress  toward  annual
 performance goals, against which the Agency will
 be held accountable to Congress and the public.
 The NPMs will  be the source of the data in the
 accountability system and will be responsible for its
 accuracy and quality.

    The Agency requires a timely,  accurate and
useful data system for program audit follow-up.
The Management Audit Tracking System (MATS)
is such a data system. Through MATS, the Agency
aggressively tracks follow-up on  its Office  of
Inspector  General  (OIG)  audit  findings  and
recommendations.

    The approach to validate progress in reaching
Agency performance targets will also rely on the
Agency's automated performance measure system to
capture  programmatic  and  customer  service
outcomes. The system will require periodic updating
of performance data.  Performance information will
be collected and evaluated against targets on a
quarterly basis.

    The collection of performance data will involve
a variety of methods, for example customer service
surveys.    Customer service  surveys  will  be
conducted annually to measure customer service
satisfaction with management and administrative
services. The results of the customer service survey
will be used to validate performance measures.

    The major sources of key performance measure
data for the Office of Audit (OA) are the Inspector
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                        1999 Final Annual Plan
General Operation and Reporting (IGOR) system,
customer surveys, and selected follow up reviews.
 The IGOR system is an integrated tracking system
for the OIG and includes a module for OA.  The
reports  generated by IGOR are used  by OA
management to monitor workload assignments, the
cost,  timeliness,  and efficiency of audit work
products (reports, memorandums,  and briefings),
and employee time.

    Each Headquarters and divisional staff member
is responsible for data integrity and accuracy.  Data
accuracy is subject to reviews by OA management,
an OIG Management Assessment Review team, and
a peer review team from another Federal Office of
Inspector General.

    Customer surveys measure the timeliness,
relevancy, usefulness, and responsiveness of our
products and services. Follow up reviews validate
the relevancy  and effectiveness of our work and
involvement   toward   the   achievement   of
environmental outputs and outcomes.  OIG is not
aware of any limitations of performance data.

    The major source of key performance measure
data for the Office of Investigations (OI) is also
IGOR. The IGOR system will include a module for
01. The reports generated by this system are used by
OI management to evaluate productivity by tracking
the number of cases opened and closed, personnel
time charges, judicial and administrative  actions
(such as indictments, convictions, suspensions, and
debarments, sentencing or personnel actions), and
financial information to include fines, recoveries,
judgments, settlements, restitutions, and savings.

    Divisional  personnel   are  responsible  for
entering  data on  personnel  time charges  and
verifying that these charges are accurately reflected
in the system.   An investigative  information
specialist in Headquarters monitors data entered by
divisional personnel and enters information on case
openings and closings, judicial and administrative
actions, and financial information.  Management
accountability  reports are prepared and  sent to
Headquarters desk officers and divisional personnel
for review and verification. The accuracy of data in
the system is also subject to independent review by
an OIG Management Assessment Review team.

    The primary sources of key performance
measure data within the Program Support Staff are
the EPA Integrated Financial Management System
(IFMS) and the EPA Budget Automation System
(BAS).   The  IFMS  generates  the  information
necessary to prepare annual operating plans and
monthly status of funds reports which are used by
OIG management to effectively and efficiently use
available resources.

    This system provides detailed information on
operating plan projections as well as expenditures
and  remaining balances by account and budget
object class.  The BAS contains budget development
information which is used by OIG management to
estimate future budget needs and to implement the
requirements of the Government Performance and
Results Act. Data is entered in IFMS and BAS by
both the OIG and Agency  personnel who are
responsible for verifying that the information is
accurately reflected.  System security is maintained
through the use of passwords.  The accuracy of data
in the IFMS and BAS are subject to audit by the
EPA Office of Inspector General and the General
Accounting Office.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                       1999 Final Annual Plan
THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM
       Customer Service Program (CSP) was
 X established  in  1993,  immediately  after
    President  Clinton signed Executive Order
12862, "Setting  Customer Service Standards."
The  Office of  Policy provides staff support,
coordinates an annual  conference, and chairs
EPA's Customer Service  Steering Committee
(CSSC), the group that sets CSP policy.

       By   involving   approximately  400
individuals from staff and management through
CSSC work groups and office/region/laboratory
Consumer  Service  councils,   the   Agency
leverages its two person customer service staff
to implement  the Agency's Customer  Service
Strategy.

What Improved Customer  Service
Will Achieve

       EPA published a Customer Service Plan
in September 1995, and in May  1997, officially
adopted critical process  standards and a set of
universal principles  that apply to the work of
everyone at EPA. These six standards focus on:

•      helping all EPA employees understand
       the importance  and substantial mission
       related benefits of improving service to
       the public;

•      providing employees with goals  and
       guidelines   for   improvement   and
       involving them  in  identifying  and
       attempting  to  eliminate barriers  to
       achieving standards;

•      providing training to build staff capacity
       to achieve the standards and effectively
       apply customer service skills;

•      developing measurement and tracking
       systems  to  document  service  and
       product improvements;
       learning what we need to do to increase
       satisfaction with our services and our
       treatment of customers; and recognizing
       and   rewarding   customer   service
       excellence.

       By 2003, all  EPA staff will be meeting
the customer service standards that apply to their
work and will have received training necessary
to assist them to achieve the standards. Because
customer feedback and satisfaction measurement
are critical underpinnings to the overall program,
in 1998 the CSP developed "Hearing the Voice
of the Customer  -  Customer Feedback  and
Customer      Satisfaction      Measurement
Guidelines."

       In 1999, CSP will sponsor workshops to
train an advisor/consultant group to assist people
across the Agency to use the guidelines to obtain
and  use  customer   input.    All  feedback
instruments will be cleared through  the OMB
under the CSP generic Information  Collection
Request (ICR) for customer satisfaction surveys.

       The  CSP  reports  bi-monthly to the
National    Partnership   for    Reinventing
Government and the American people via the
Internet.  This initiative, "Conversations  with
America,"  solicits  and  gathers  customers'
comments  and ideas  for  improving  EPA's
products and services.

       Nearly 200 EPA staff are certified to
facilitate training across the Agency.  Many are
involved in delivering both Forging  the Links,
an EPA specific service workshop, and customer
skills  courses  that supplement the  workshop.
Through  sharing benchmarking/best practices
information  and  by  sponsoring the  annual
conference,  the  CSP  supplements  training
opportunities.  Through recognizing outstanding
service, the Agency highlights, encourages, and
reinforces service excellence.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
Expected Results

       In  support  of the Customer Service
Executive  Order   and  various   Presidential
memorandums in FY 2000, the Agency will
maintain leadership  and coordination  of the
National CSP by providing:

•      policy and guidance development;

•      communication and liaison  with Senior
       managers, the National Partnership for
       Reinventing  Government  (NPR), and
       other federal and state partners;

•      best practices research;

•      conversations with American reporting;

•      direct  and contractual  support to the
       CSP committees and work groups;

•      continuous support for guidelines and
       measurements;
•      a  third  National  Customer  Service
       Conference;

•      increased access to CSP information via
       the Intra and Internet.

       EPA's Administrator Carol Browner has
stated  that  "EPA will be a  model  for all
regulatory   agencies   by   fully   integrating
customer satisfaction measures into our strategic
planning, budgeting and decision making, while
recognizing the diversity of our customers and
the  need   for   balancing  competing   and
conflicting  interests.    Above  all, we  will
strengthen our ability to listen to the voice of our
customers so that we can identify their needs
and act upon them."  The Customer  Service
Program    supports    the   Administration's
commitment to enhance customer service.
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                      1999 Final Annual Plan
COST AND BENEFITS OF ECONOMICALLY SIGNIFICANT
RULES IN FY1999 OR FY 2000
GOAL 1: CLEAN AIR
Automobile    and    Light-Duty    Truck
Manufacturing
      (Surface
Coating)
NESHAP/VOC Reductions

       This action will result in the reduction
of HAPs and VOCs emitted by the automobile
and  light-duty  truck manufacturing industry.
The  major HAPs emitted from surface coating
operations include  ethylene glycol  monobutyl
ether,  methyl  ethyl  ketone,  methyl isobutyl
ketone, toluene, and xylene, among others.

       There are approximately 60 automobile
and light-duty truck assembly plants in the U.S.
This project  is in the data gathering phase;
thus, quantitative estimates of costs and benefits
are not available at this time.
Industrial
Combustion     Coordinated
Rulemaking - ICCR Project

       The      EPA      is      developing
combustion-related regulations for five source
categories.   The   source   categories   are:
combustion   turbines,   internal   combustion
engines,      industrial/commercial/institutional
boilers,  process  heaters,  and  solid  waste
incinerators burning non-hazardous waste. These
regulations are being developed under Sections
111, 112, and 129 of the CAA. Sections 111 and
129  require  maximum   achievable  control
technology (MACT) floors and MACT levels to
be determined. MACT standards apply to both
new and existing facilities.

       Section 111 requires the development of
new  source  performance  standards  (NSPS).
These regulations apply to new, modified, and
reconstructed sources and do not apply to
existing sources.  These source categories are
widespread and one or more of these source
categories   are  located  at  virtually  every
manufacturing and chemical plant in the US.

       Section 112 standards apply to a list of
189 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs);  Section
129 standards apply to 9 pollutants (dioxin and
furans,  mercury, cadmium, lead,  paniculate
matter and opacity, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen
chloride,  oxides  of  nitrogen,  and  carbon
monoxide) which are a combination of HAP's
and criteria pollutants; and Section 111 applies
to criteria pollutants. There is likely to be some
regulatory   interaction between these source
categories since many are collocated at the same
plant site.

       Therefore,  EPA  is  undertaking  a
coordinated   rulemaking   with   early   and
continuing  stakeholder participation, including
participation by small entity representatives.  A
coordinated  participatory  rulemaking  offers
benefits to all  stakeholders  including: the
opportunity for stakeholders to shape regulatory
development, more  cost-effective regulations,
avoidance    of  duplicative   or   conflicting
regulations,  simpler  regulations,   compliance
flexibility,   EPA  and stakeholder  resource
savings in rule development, and an improved
scientific basis for regulations.

       The benefits and costs resulting from the
ICCR are  not known at  this time.  Control
Technologies and their efficiencies and costs are
still being investigated. More should be known
in early to mid 1999. It is expected that the costs
and benefits could be large due to the fact that
there  are potentially hundreds  of thousands  of
affected facilities located at almost all types  of
industrial facilities.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
NESHAP: Integrated Iron and Steel

       The  Clean  Air   Act,  as   amended
November 1990, requires the EPA to regulate
categories  of  major  and  area  sources   of
hazardous air pollutants (HAP). The EPA  has
determined that integrated iron  and steel mills
emit several of the 189 HAP listed (including
compounds  of chromium,  lead,  manganese,
toluene,  and  polycyclic  organic  matter)  in
quantities sufficient to designate them  as major
sources.

       As a consequence,  integrated  iron  and
steel  facilities  are among  the HAP-emitting
source categories selected for regulation.   The
integrated   iron   &   steel  NESHAP   will
significantly  reduce hazardous air  pollutant
metals and particulate  emissions  from  these
sources. The cost and benefits analysis for  this
NESHAP has  not  been completed, as a  result
this  rule  may not  constitute an economically
significant (major) rule under E.O. 12866.. This
analysis should be completed in October 1999.

Control of Air Pollution from Marine Diesel
Engines Rulemaking

       This rulemaking will serve to reduce
harmful emissions from marine diesel engines
rated over 37 kW.  The measurable benefit of
the regulation  will be an approximately  35
percent reduction  in emissions of oxides  of
nitrogen   and  particulate   matter  from  these
engines.   The  costs of the  rulemaking will be
borne  by  the  manufacturers  of marine diesel
engines and will likely be passed on in part to
their customers in the form of higher prices.

       No direct costs will be borne by  any
government or household. Total estimated costs
to society range from $40  million  to  $110
million per year (in 1998 dollars). A net present
value  over 20  years  is   calculated to   be
approximately $700 million when discounted at
7 percent.  Monetized benefits estimates for this
rulemaking are not yet available.
Heavy-duty _
Rulemaking
Gasoline   Engines/Vehicles
       EPA   proposed  NOX  plus  NMHC
standards for 2004 and later model year heavy-
duty diesel and Otto-cycle (e.g. spark ignition /
gasoline-fueled)  engines.  EPA  finalized the
standards  for diesel engines (62 FR 54694,
October  21,  1997) but  did  not finalize the
standards   for  Otto-cycle  engines.     In  a
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,
EPA  will  be proposing new HD  Otto-cycle
engine and vehicle standards.

       Currently, EPA has a vehicle program
for vehicles up to 8,500 pounds gross vehicle
weight (GVWR) and an engine-based program
for engines used in vehicles with GVWRs above
8,500 pounds.  EPA plans to propose to move
complete HD vehicles (about 70 percent of HD
gasoline  engines)  into the  vehicle  program.
Examples of vehicles included in  this category
are large full size pickup, the largest sport utility
vehicles, and full size cargo and commercial
passenger vans.

       EPA  will  also be proposing  engine-
based standards 'for engines used in vehicles not
covered by the vehicle program.   The  new
standards would reduce emissions of oxides of
nitrogen and hydrocarbons from these engines
by about  75  percent  from  current  levels
beginning with the 2004 model year.   Cost and
benefits estimates are  not yet available for this
rule, however, EPA anticipates that it will be an
economically significant (major) rule under E.O.
12866.
        The  Tier n  rulemaking will  be  a
significant rulemaking under the  definitions in
Executive Order  12866.  This rulemaking will
propose the  next  generation  of  emission
standards for light-duty vehicles and light-duty
trucks.  The primary focus of this action will be
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                          1999 Final Annual Plan
reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides and non-
methane   hydrocarbons,   pollutants   which
contribute to ozone pollution. Highway vehicles
are significant contributors to  ozone pollution,
though   tighter   standards   will  also  have
additional air quality benefits.  These standards
cannot go into  effect  before the 2004 model
year, as per Clean Air Act requirements.

        EPA  is  also planning on  addressing
more stringent standards for heavy-duty gasoline
engines, effective no earlier  than  model year
2007,  in this rulemaking  since many  of  the
technologies  used to achieve better emissions
performance of light-duty trucks could also be
used to  reduce emissions  from   heavy-duty
gasoline  engines.  The  rulemaking  will  also
propose limitations on  the  sulfur content  of
gasoline. Sulfur has a  detrimental impact  on
catalyst performance and could be a  limiting
factor   in   the  introduction  of  advanced
technologies on motor vehicles.

       There  are  also  additional air quality
benefits, such  as paniculate matter and sulfate
reductions,   associated   with  reducing sulfur
levels in gasoline. This rulemaking is in a very
early stage of development, and related cost and
benefit  estimates   are   not  yet  available.
Therefore, it may not constitute an economically
significant  (major)  rule under  E.G.  12866
GOAL 2: CLEAN AND SAFE WATER

NPDES Storm Water Phase n Rule

       The  proposed  NPDES  storm  water
phase n rule establishes a permitting program to
regulate  contaminated storm water discharges
from small  municipal separate storm  sewer
systems   in   urbanized   areas   and   small
construction sites (between one and five acres).
There are some waivers built into the draft rule,
reducing or eliminating application requirements
where there is little or no environmental impact.

       For  the  rulemaking  components that
have been proposed, the Agency estimated total
annual costs ranging from $141 million to $880
million (1997 dollars).  Benefits associated with
the proposed rule include improvements to water
quality   and  reduced  human  health  risks.
Estimated annual monetized benefits associated
with financial,  recreational,  and  health related
improvements ranged from $175 million to $573
million (1997 dollars) annually.

       The Agency  has identified additional
benefit categories that it was unable to monetize
and  thus  are not included  in these estimates.
The Agency received a wide range of comments
through various public forums and  expects that
revisions will be made to these estimates. EPA
plans to finalize this rule in October  1999.
Proposed  Regulation  Governing  Cooling
Water Intake Structures

       EPA  is  developing  regulations  for
proposal  under Section 316(b) of the Clean
Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. Section 1326(b).
The  proposed  regulation governing  cooling
water intake structures is unique in that it applies
to the intake of water and not the  discharge.
Section 316(b)  provides  that  any  standard
established pursuant to Sections 301 or 306 of
the Clean Water Act and applicable to a point
source shall require  that the  location, design,
construction,  and  capacity of  cooling  water
intake structures  reflect the  best  technology
available   (BTA)   for   minimizing  adverse
environmental impact.

       A primary purpose of Section 316(b) is
to minimize the impingement and entrainment of
fish and other aquatic organisms by a facility's
cooling water intake. Impingement refers to the
trapping offish and other aquatic life in cooling
water intake screens. Entrainment occurs when
aquatic organisms, eggs and larvae are sucked
into  the  cooling  system, through  the  heat
exchanger, and then pumped back out. EPA is
currently estimating  costs and benefits of this
rule and will make them available when the rule
is proposed.
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  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                       1999 Final Annual Plan
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations:
Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts Rule

        The    regulation    for    Stage    1
Disinfectant/Disinfection Byproducts (DBFs) is
intended  to  expand  existing  public  health
protections  and address  concerns about risk
trade-offs between pathogens and  disinfection
byproducts.  EPA has estimated that the total
annualized cost, for implementing the Stage  1
DBF rule is $702 million in 1998 dollars.  This
estimate includes annualized treatment costs to
utilities ($593 million), start-up and annualized
monitoring costs to utilities ($91.7 million), and
startup and annualized monitoring costs to states
($17.3 million).

        Annualized treatment costs to utilities
includes annual operation and maintenance costs
($362 million)  and  annualized  capital costs
assuming a  7 percent cost  of  capital  as the
discount rate ($231 million).  While the benefits
of this rule are difficult to quantify because of
the  uncertainty  associated  with  risks from
exposure to DBFs (and the resultant reductions
in risk due the decreased exposure from DBFs),
EPA believes that there is reasonable likelihood
that benefits will exceed the costs. The potential
economic benefits  of the Stage  1  DBF rule
derive from the increased level of public health
protection and associated decreased level of risk.

        The   quantification   of  the  benefits
resulting from DBF control  is masked  by the
uncertainty in the understanding of the health
risks.  Epidemiological  studies,  suggest  an
association   between   bladder   cancer  and
exposure to chlorinated surface water; however,
these risks are uncertain. The lowest estimate
from five selected epidemiological studies of the
number of new bladder  cancer cases per year
attributable to chlorinated surface water is 1,100
cases, while the highest is 9,300 cases.

       In contrast, lexicological studies yield
baseline estimates of 1 to 100 new cancer cases
per year attributable to DBFs in surface water.
The  rule is  estimated to reduce  DBF levels in
finished drinking water by 24% on average. The
final DBF Stage I rule was signed in November
1998.
National    Primary    Drinking     Water
                        Enhanced  Surface
Regulations:   Interim
Water Treatment Rule
       The regulation  for  Interim  Enhanced
Surface Water Treatment is intended to expand
existing public health protections  and address
concerns    about   risk   trade-offs   between
pathogens  and disinfection byproducts.   As
reflected   in   the   November,   1998  Interim
Enhanced  Surface  Water  Treatment  Rule
(D3SWTR) Regulatory Impact  Analysis, EPA
estimated  the  national capital  and annualized
costs of possible EESWTR provisions would be
$759 million and $307 million, respectively.

       These estimates include  costs associated
with improved treatment, turbidity monitoring, a
disinfection benchmark, and sanitary surveys.
Mean  estimated   annual  benefits  of  the
provisions  range  from  $348 million to  $1.6
billion ,  depending upon varied baseline  and
improved       Cryptosporidium      removal
assumptions with corresponding reduced cases
of  cryptosporidiosis    illness   ranging from
110,000 to 463,000.  The  final IESWTR  was
signed in November 1998.

National    Primary     Drinking     Water
Regulations: Ground Water Rule

       The  Safe  Drinking  Water Act  as
amended in 1996 directs EPA to promulgate
regulations requiring disinfection "as necessary"
for ground water systems.  The intention is to
reduce microbial contamination  risk from public
water  systems relying  on  groundwater.   To
determine if treatment is necessary, the rule will
establish  a framework to identify  public water
supplies vulnerable to microbial contamination
and to develop  and implement  risk  control
strategies   including   but   not  limited  to
disinfection.

       From  a public health  perspective, the
Ground Water Rule will reduce both endemic
levels and outbreaks of illness.  The economic
analyses    for  this  rule   are  still   under
development.  EPA plans to propose this rule in
September 1999.
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National     Pr
Regulations: Arsenic

        SDWA  directs  EPA to  establish  a
maximum contaminant level (MCL) as close to
the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG)
as feasible,  considering treatment efficacy  and
costs.  EPA must list affordable technologies or
treatment  techniques  that  achieve  compliance
with the  MCL for three  categories  of small
systems considering the quality of the source
water.

        Furthermore,   alternatives   to   central
treatment, such as point-of-use and  point-of-
entry  devices, can  be  considered  for small
systems that maintain control over operation and
maintenance.   At the time of proposal, EPA
must seek comment on its analyses of costs of
compliance  and health risk reduction  benefits
likely  to  occur as the result of treatment to
comply with  the  proposed  MCL and  any
alternatives being considered.  The cost-benefit
analyses are still under development at this time.
EPA plans to propose this rule in January 2000.

National     Primary    Drinking    Water
Regulations: Radon

        Pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act
as amended in 1996, EPA is required to:

(1)     withdraw the 1991 proposed radon in d
        rinking water rule;
(2)     work  with the National  Academy of
        Sciences to conduct a risk  assessment
        for radon in drinking  water and assess
        the   health  risk  reduction   benefits
        associated  with   various   mitigation
        methods of reducing radon in indoor air;
(3)     publish a radon health risk reduction and
        cost   analysis   for   possible   radon
        Maximum Contaminant Levels  (MCLs)
        for public comment, by February, 1999;
(4)     propose a Maximum Contaminant Level
        Goal (MCLG) and National  Primary
        Drinking  Water Regulation (NPDWR)
        for radon by August, 1999; and
(5)    publish an MCLG and Final NPDWR
       for radon by August, 2000.
       EPA  is currently developing estimates
of the anticipated costs and benefits associated
with this regulation.  Among other things, EPA
will be evaluating the unit risk information (with
the input of the National Academy of Sciences),
the occurrence of radon in public water systems,
the unit costs of various types of radon in water
treatment systems, the characterization of the
flows associated with "model"  systems,  the
number of systems in various size categories, the
costs and benefits associated with  the  health
effects of radon, and models for  integrating
much of these data.

       Most of this information and supporting
calculations are expected to be available by the
time  the Health Risk Reduction  and  Cost
Analysis  is published (February 1999).

Effluent Guideline for Industrial Laundries

       The   proposed  effluent   guidelines
rulemaking for the industrial laundries industry
would limit the discharges of pollutants into
waters of the United States  and into publicly
owned   treatment    works    (POTWs)    by
establishing pretreatment standards for existing
sources   (PSES).   The proposed rule would
benefit the environment  by removing toxic
pollutants that have  adverse  effects  on human
health and aquatic life.  The standards would
also  reduce potential interference with  POTW
operations.   The proposed  PSES  limitations
would reduce the discharge  of pollutants  to
waters of the U.S. by 5 million pounds per year.

       EPA   estimates that these  pollutant
reductions  would  provide  several  types  of
benefits including: reduced incidences of cancer,
recreational  fishing  improvements,  non-use
benefits,  and reduced interference with POTW
operations. EPA estimates annual benefits in the
range of $2.9 million to  $10.6  million (1997
dollars).

       Other benefits that are  expected, but
have  not been expressed in monetary  terms,
include reduced noncancer health effects, and
enhanced recreation  other than fishing (e.g.
swimming,  boating).    The  estimated  total
annualized social cost for the standards is $139.4
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million  (1997  dollars),  which  incorporates
capital  costs  of  $470  million  and  annual
operating and maintenance costs of $86 million
using a 7 percent discount rate.  EPA plans to
issue this final rule in June 1999.
 GOAL 3: SAFE FOOD

 Ground Water and  Pesticide  Management
 Plan

        (Final  Action  09/99).    This  final
 regulation    would    establish     Pesticide
 Management Plans (PMPs) as a new regulatory
 requirement for certain pesticides.  Absent an
 EPA-approved  Plan  specifying  risk-reduction
 measures,  use  of the  chemical  would  be
 prohibited.   The  rule  would  also  specify
 procedures  and  deadlines  for  development,
 approval and modification of plans.

        EPA anticipates four categories of costs
 entailed  in requiring  PMPs.  Federal Program
 Costs are those of administering ground-water
 protection activities, such as the review of State
 or Tribal proposals. State Program Costs entail
 both capital and annual costs.  Registrant and
 user impacts are the economic losses ascribed to
 the reduced use of the classified pesticides,  as
 well  as  the   costs  (to  the  registrants)   of
 complying  with  Federal,  State  and  Tribal
 provisions.

       Benefits accrue from the reduced levels
 of pesticide residues  in  ground water,  and  a
 corresponding  reduction  in:  1) human and
 ecological risk; and 2) threats to the economic
 and  intrinsic  values  of the   ground-water
 resource.   Enormous uncertainties  attend the
 quantification of these benefits.  Because the
 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) requires
 that  EPA consider drinking  water  as part  of
 dietary  exposure,  the  Agency  is  analyzing
 implications for this regulation.

 Pesticide Tolerance Reassessment Program
 (a series of regulatory actions issued over 10
 years)

       EPA will reassess  pesticide tolerances
and exemptions for raw and processed foods
established prior to August 3,1996, to determine
whether they meet the "reasonable  certainty of
no harm"  standard of the Federal  Food, Drug
and  Cosmetic  Act  (FFDCA).   FFDCA  sec.
408(q),  as  amended  by  the  Food  Quality
Protection Act, requires that EPA conduct mis
reassessment on  a phased  10-year schedule.
Based  on its  reassessment, EPA  will take a
series of regulatory actions to modify or revoke
tolerances that do  not  meet the  reasonable
certainty of no harm standard.

       Analysis of costs will be conducted as
part  of  an  economic  analysis  of  the
revocation/modification actions proposed.  The
FFDCA allows EPA to consider benefits only in
a very limited manner in determining whether to
retain or modify a pesticide tolerance.  Actions
taken as a result of the tolerance reassessment
program will  ensure that dietary exposures to
pesticides  will be  safe, taking into  account
aggregate  exposure   from  food,  water  and
non-occupational  sources, and considering the
cumulative effects of substances have a common
mode of toxicity.

Endocrine Disruptor Screening and  Testing
Program

       The   Food   Quality  Protection  Act
(FQPA) requires  EPA to screen pesticides for
estrogenic effects on human health.  The  Safe
Drinking Water Act authorizes EPA to screen
chemicals found  in drinking water sources in
similar  manner.   EPA  proposed  a screening
program in August  1998, and FQPA mandated
that it be implemented  by August 1999 and
report to Congress in August 2000.

        EPA   established   the    Endocrine
Disruptor  Screening  and  Testing  Advisory
Committee  (EDSTAC)  in  October  1996, to
provide advice and  counsel to the Agency in
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implementing the screening and testing program.
EDSTAC  was  comprised  of  43  members
representing       industry,       government,
environmental and public health groups, labor
academia,  and other interested  stakeholders.
EPA was represented on EDSTAC by OPPTS,
ORD and  OW   EDSTAC  has held its final
meeting in June 1998.

       The  Committee  considered  human
health   and  ecological   effects;   estrogenic,
androgenic, anti-estrogenic, anti-androgenic and
thyroid effects in its  deliberations and extended
its  scope  to  include  industrial  chemicals,
drinking water  contaminants  and  important
mixtures as well as  pesticides.   EDSTAC will
submit its final report to EPA in August  1998.
EPA  will  propose  its  screening  and testing
strategy in August 1998 and will propose a more
detailed   implementation   plan   for   public
comment in fall of 1998.

       Evidence  is  continuing to mount that
wildlife  and  humans  may  be  at risk  from
exposure  to  chemicals operating  through  a
endocrine  mediated  pathway.    Preliminary
studies show decreases on IQ tests and increases
in  aggression and hyperactivity in children.
Severe malformations of the genitals of boys has
increased steadily over the last two decades.
       Although   increases   in  cancers  of
endocrine sensitive tissues have been reported,
no link has been made to show that chemicals
are the cause. Wildlife effects linked to specific
chemical exposures have been  more thoroughly
documented in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Canada
and Australia.  Evidence is sufficient for the
U.S. to proceed on a two track strategy; research
on  the   basic  science  regarding  endocrine
disruption  and screening  to  identify  which
chemicals are capable of interacting with the
endocrine system.  The combination of research
and test  data developed by this program will
enable EPA to take action to  reduce chemical
risks.

       It is too early to project the costs and
benefits  of this program accurately.  However,
as a  rough  estimate, the screening battery is
estimated to cost $200,000 per chemical.  It is
too early to determine how many chemicals will
be screened in Tier 1 much less tested in Tier 2.
It is also too early to tell the benefits-that is how
many chemicals  will be  identified that are
endocrine disrupters and their exposure reduced
either by  formal  risks management  or by
voluntary  exposure   reduction   or  product
substitution.
GOAL 4: PREVENTING POLLUTION IN COMMUNITIES HOMES AND WORKPLACES
Proposed Lead  Rulemaking  Under TSCA
Section  402.  Lead-Based  Paint Activities
(Final  rule  Remodeling  &   Renovation
09/01; Final Rule Debris 11/00; Final Rule
Buildings and Structures).

       The   Residential  Lead-Based  Hazard
Reduction Act of 1992 (TitleX) amended TSCA
by adding a new Title IV.  TSCA  Section 402,
Lead-Based   Paint  Activities  Training  and
Certification directs EPA to promulgate:

 (a)    regulations governing lead-based paint
       activities  to ensure  that  individuals
       engaged in such activities  are properly
       trained,   that  training  programs  are
       accredited, and that contractors engaged
       in such activities are certified;
(b)    a  Model State program which may be
       adopted by  any  State which seeks to
       administer and enforce a State Program
       for the  requirements  established under
       SCA Section 402;
(c)    a  rule   addressing  lead  risks  from
       renovation and remodeling activities or
       state when no regulation is necessary;
       and
(d)    a rule establishing a fee schedule for the
       lead based paint training, certification,
       and  accreditation activities addressed in
       the rules developed under TSCA Section
       402.
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        Additionally,  in  response to  concerns
that high disposal costs would discourage lead
abatements, EPA  is using its authority under
f SCA Section 402 (a) to address the disposal of
lead-based paint debris that will result from the
lead-based  paint  activities  regulated  under
TSCA Section 402. To minimize duplication of
waste  management  requirements,   EPA  is
developing a companion RCRA rule to suspend
temporarily  hazardous   waste   management
regulations applicable to lead-based paint debris
which  will  be  subject to  the  new TSCA
standards.

        For the Section 402(a)/404(Residential)
rule, the  costs  ($16 million in the initial year,
$10  million in subsequent years)  have been
provided  in the final economic impact analysis
that was prepared in conjunction with the final
rule. For the remainder of the Section 402 rules,
costs will be estimated in the draft economic
impact analyses that  will be prepared for the
proposed rules.   Since  benefits  depend on
private sector  implementation of certain  lead
hazard abatement  activities which  are   not
mandated by any of these rules, benefits will be
difficult to quantify.

TSCA   Section   403:   Identification   of
Dangerous  Levels  of  Lead  (Final  Rule
09/99)

        TSCA  Section  403  requires EPA  to
promulgate  regulations that identify lead-based
paint  hazards,  lead-contaminated   dust  and
lead-contaminated soil.   EPA  published an
interim guidance document in 1995, to provide
public  and  private   decision-makers   with
guidance   on   identifying  an    prioritizing
lead-based paint hazards for control.

        This interim guidance will continue to
serve as  EPA's official  policy until  the final
TSCA Section  403 rule is promulgated.  EPA
proposed  the Section 403 Rule in June 1998.
Net  benefits to  society  associated  with  the
proposed  standards  were estimated  to  equal
$42.5 billion over a fifty year period.
Polvchlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Disposal
Amendments   (Final   Rule   on    Use
Authorizations 03/99;  Notice/Decisions on
Import Issue 09/99)

       This  mlemaking will  make  over 90
modification, additions, and  deletions  to the
existing PCB management program under the
Toxic  Substances  Control  Act  (TSCA).   A
notice of proposed rulemaking was published on
December 6,1994, and covered the manufacture
(including import) processing,  distribution in
commerce, export use, disposal, and marking of
PCBs.  On Jun 29,1998, EPA issued a final rule
involving the disposal related provisions.   The
other  provisions,  regarding use  authorizations
and imports, will be  addressed in separate
actions.

       EPA  projects  significant  cost  savings
from authorizations for existing uses and the
disposal  of  large-volume  wastes  such  as
PCB-contaminated environmental media.   In
addition,  certain  administrative  requirements
should increase the  speed of remediation of
contaminated sites and accelerate the removal
from use of PCBs.

       EPA  projects  minimal implementation
costs  and   is  reviewing  comments   which
highlight areas for additional cost savings over
the proposal.  EPA estimates  that millions of
tons of PCB-contaminated environmental media
will be  remediated  under  this rule,   thus
preventing large quantities of this long-lived,
bioaccoumulating  chemical from entering the
food chain.

Chemical Rieht-to-Know (RTK) Initiative

       Vice  President Gore announced the
Chemical  RTK  Initiative  to  encourage the
provision of information about the toxicity  of
commercial  chemicals.   There  are three key
components to this initiative:

(1)    baseline   toxicity testing for  2,800
       widely used commercial chemicals;
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(2)     additional  health  effects  testing  for
       chemicals   to  which   children  are
       disproportionately exposed; and
(3)     the listing and lowering thresholds for
       persistent,     bioaccumulative,   toxic
       chemicals reported to TRI.

       The  benefits   of   the   Chemical
Right-to-Know Initiative are unknown, but may
be  substantial  in  terms  of  assisting  risk
management and avoidance decisions.  The cost
of  the   baseline  testing  is  approximately
$200,000 per chemical.  More detailed testing,
as envisioned for the Children's Health testing
portion of this initiative is expected to impose
additional costs.
GOAL 5: BETTER WASTE MANAGEMENT, RESTORATION OF CONTAMINATED
WASTE SITES, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Revised Standards  for  Hazardous  Waste
Combustion Facilities

       The   Combustion  MACT   Standards
rulemaking was proposed in April 1996, with
the final rulemaking currently scheduled for
signature in  1999.  This is a joint action that
invokes the authorities of both the Clean Air Act
(CAA) and RCRA.  The  Final Rule will set
technology-based emission  limits for hazardous
waste incinerators,  cement  kilns, and LWAKs,
using  the  Maximum  Achievable  Control
Technologies  (MACT)  provisions under Sec.
112 of the CAA.

       Aggregate  compliance  costs for all
sources  to   meet   the final   recommended
standards are estimated to average  about $75
million per year. Individual combustion systems
are likely to experience annual compliance costs
ranging  from   $244,000   to  $1.0  million,
depending upon equipment retrofit requirements.
An  estimated  two   (2)  cement  kilns  and
approximately thirteen (13)  on-site incinerators
may stop burning hazardous waste in response to
implementation  of  the  final  recommended
standards.

       The MACT standards are  expected to
provide  both human  health and ecological
benefits.    Preliminary benefits  have  been
monetized  for  both  cancer  and  non-cancer
effects.   Ecological benefits have  not been
monetized.  Human health benefits for the final
standards are currently estimated at about  $25
million  per year.   Other  benefits potentially
attributable to the final Rule, such  as improved
visibility were not estimated.
GOAL 7: COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW
TRI:  Addition of Oil and Gas Exploration
and   Production  to  the  Toxic   Release
Inventory (Final Rule 12/00)

       The original Toxics Release  Inventory
(TRI)  required  reporting  from  facilities  in
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes
20-39. These SIC codes cover facilities whose
primary economic  activity  was  classified  as
manufacturing.  This requirement was specified
under the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA).
       EPCRA provides the Administrator with
the authority to add or delete SIC codes and the
discretion to add particular facilities based on a
broad set of factors. EPA has recently expanded
this original list of covered industries.  EPA
began additional analyses to determine whether
facilities   which  perform  exploration  and
production of oil and gas should also be added to
the list of facilities covered under EPCRA. No
final decision on this issue has been made.
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        Based  on the  current  status of  the
 project,   anticipated   costs   are   unknown.
 Estimated costs for  compliance with EPCRA
 reporting requirements are available,  but until
 further evaluation is completed no estimates are
 available for  the  impact  of  the  resulting
 requirements on  any industries that may be
 added.  Generally, anticipated benefits will be in
 the form of making  available  more  complete
 information regarding the release and disposition
 of toxic chemicals in the environment.

 TRI:  Chemical  Expansion:  Finalization of
 Deferred Chemicals (Final Action 12/00)

        On November 30, 1994, EPA added 286
 chemicals and  chemical categories to EPCRA
 Section 313 list, including 39 chemicals as part
 of two delineated categories.  Each chemical and
 chemical category  was found to  meet  the
 statutory criteria described in EPCRA. At this
 time, EPA deferred final action on 40 chemicals
 and one chemical category until a later date.
 These were  deferred  because the comments
 received on them raised difficult technical or
 policy issues which required additional time to
 address.

        EPA chose not to delay final action on
 the  286 chemical  and  chemical  categories
 because of the additional time needed to address
 the issues surrounding the smaller group of 40
 chemicals and  one chemical category;  rather,
 EPA   believed  it  to  be  in   the  spirit  of
 right-to-know  to proceed  with  the  final
 rulemaking  of the additional  chemicals  and
 chemical categories.

        The final  total costs are not yet known,
 since the final listing decisions have not yet been
 made.  The addition of any of these chemicals or
 the chemical category will result in  additional
 costs   to the  reporting  community.    The
 additional information reported in TRI increases
the public's knowledge  regarding the  levels of
pollutants released  to  the  environment  and
pathways of exposure.

       It allows  the public to make  informed
decisions on where to work and live; enhances
the ability of corporate lenders and purchasers to
more accurately determine a facility's potential
liabilities; and assists Federal, State, and local
authorities  making   better   decisions   on
acceptable levels of toxics in communities.

TRI: Pollution Prevention Act Information
Requirements (Final Action 06/00)

       The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990
(PPA) requires the  addition  of several  data
elements  to  the  Toxic  Chemical  Release
Inventory (TRI)  reporting  requirements.    It
requires owners or operators of certain facilities
that  manufacture,  process,  or  otherwise  use
listed toxic  chemicals to annually report their
releases   of   these   chemicals   to   each
environmental medium.  The PPA mandates that
facilities also  report on source  reduction  and
recycling   activities   relating   to  the  toxic
chemicals beginning with the  1991 reporting
year.

       Since 1991 covered facilities have been
providing this information to  EPA in Section
8A, Source Reduction and Recycling Activities,
of EPA Form R.  EPA's proposed regulation
would provide  definitions and instructions for
reporting  the PPA data elements on the EPA
FormR.

       Because of the inconsistencies in the
PPA  data currently  reported on the Form R,
communities are unable to accurately compare
the  risks  related to  release   and recycling
activities  between   different  facilities.    By
providing covered facilities with clear guidance
for reporting this information, the public will be
better equipped to determine and compare the
risks associated  with toxic chemicals  being
released and managed in their community.

       EPA estimates industry currently incurs
a cost of $61.3 million annually to report PPA
data on Form R. This estimate does not include
the costs  related to the seven industries newly
subject to EPCRA 313.  The cost to  process
source reduction  and waste management  data
equals $2.7 million  each year.  This action is
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not expected to add to these existing costs, and
may actually result in a reduction to the overall
industry burden and costs.

TRI:  Reporting  Threshold  Amendment:
Toxic   Chemicals    Release   Reporting:
Community Right-to-Know  (Final  Action
09/99)

       The Toxic  Release  Inventory  (TRI)
currently requires reporting from facilities which
manufacture or process at least 25,000 pounds of
a  listed  chemical,  or otherwise  use 10,000
pounds of a listed chemical.  These thresholds
were initially established under the Emergency
Planning  and  Community Right-to-know Act
(EPCRA). EPCRA gives the Administrator the
power to establish a threshold amount for a toxic
chemical different from the amount established
by paragraph (1) and that such altered thresholds
may be based on classes of chemicals.

       EPA  is  considering  lowering   the
thresholds  for   those  chemicals  which  it
determines to be highly toxic at very low dose
levels and/or  have   physical,  chemical,   or
biological properties  that  make the chemicals
persist for extended periods in the environment,
and/or bioaccumulate  through the food chain.
Persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemicals  are
of particular concern in ecosystems such as the
Great Lakes Basin due to the long retention time
of the individual lakes and the cycling of the
chemicals from on component of the ecosystem
to another. EPA is currently conducting analysis
to  determine   which  chemicals   present  the
specific  problems  described  above,   and  to
determine what the  altered threshold value(s)
should be.

       Currently  communities do not  have
access to TRI data on chemicals that,  although
released  in  relatively  small quantities, pose a
potential  risk   to   human  health  and  the
environment   because   they   persist   and
bioaccumulate.    By  lowering the  reporting
thresholds for such chemicals the public will be
able to determine if such  chemicals are  being
released into their communities and whether any
action should be taken to reduce potential risks.
       The anticipated  costs  related  to this
action are unknown at present. At this point the
Agency is still unsure how low to set reporting
thresholds or for what specific list of chemicals
the lower reporting thresholds  should apply.
The information reported in TRI increases the
knowledge levels of pollutants released to the
environment and pathways to exposure; allows
the public to make informed decisions on where
to  work  and  live; enhances the ability  of
corporate  lenders  and  purchasers  to  more
accurately  determine   a  facility's  potential
liability;   and  assists Federal, State,  and local
authorities  in making  better  decisions  on
acceptable levels of toxics in communities.

TRI:  Review of Chemicals on the Original
TRI List (Final Rule 12/00)

       When TRI was established by Congress
in  1986, the statutory  language  placed 309
chemicals and 20 categories of chemicals on the
TRI list;  that  is referred to as the  original TRI
list.  The chemicals on the  original list  were
taken from two existing lists of toxic substances:
the Maryland Chemical Inventory Report List of
Toxic or Hazardous Substances, and the New
Jersey Environmental Hazardous Substances list.
This  action  constitutes  the first  systematic
review of toxicology and environmental data for
all the chemicals  on the  original TRI list to
determine whether  data for those  chemicals
conform with the statutory criteria for listing of
chemicals on TRI.  Chemicals for which data do
not meet the statutory criteria will be delisted.

        TRI  provides  information  to  industry,
governments and the public on chemicals  that can
cause harm to health or the environment The review
of toxicology and environmental  data  for  all
chemicals on the original TRI list will ensure that the
list focuses only  on  those chemicals that  pose
meaningful possibilities of risks to human health or
the environment, increasing the  effectiveness of the
TRI.

        The anticipated costs to industry  related to
this action are unknown at present.  Costs to industry
would be reduced if chemicals are removed from the
TRI list.  Benefits would result from any reduction in
reporting  burden as a result of the delisting of a
chemical.
                                             SA-13

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