THE UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
LEGISLATION,
PROGRAMS
AND
ORGANIZATION
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This document has been prepared to introduce to you the Environ-
mental Protection Agency and its programs. The document is or-
ganized to acquaint you with the legislation authorizing EPA
activities, the history and present organization of EPA, the
pollution control programs operated by the Agency, and the EPA
budget.
I. EPA LEGAL AUTHORITIES 2
II. HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION 14
ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY 17
MAJOR FACILITIES OF EPA 19
III. PROGRAM SUMMARIES
AIR 20
WATER QUALITY 26
Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction Grants-
State Allocations 30
WATER SUPPLY 31
SOLID WASTES 33
PESTICIDES 37
RADIATION 40
NOISE -.... 43
TOXIC SUBSTANCES 47
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 50
AGENCY $ REGIONAL MANAGEMENT 55
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT § SUPPORT 58
V. EPA BUDGET
APPROPRIATIONS STRUCTURE 60
APPROPRIATION HISTORY 64
JANUARY 1977
OFFICE OF RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
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EPA LEGAL AUTHORITIES
AIR
The Clean Air Act is the basic authority for the air pollution
control program. The major features of the Act are as follows:
National Ambient Air Quality Standards - The Act directs EPA to
establish national ambient air quality standards to protect the
public health and welfare.
State Implementation Plans - To meet, maintain and enforce the
standards each State must formulate an implementation plan. EPA
must review each plan; if a State fails to submit a satisfactory
plan, EPA is required to prepare a plan. If a State fails to
enforce its plan, EPA may enforce it.
New Source Performance Standards - The Act requires EPA to set
standards of performance for new and modified stationary sources
of pollution. These standards are not ambient standards; they
are direct emission limitations for specific types of sources,
such as portland cement plants.
Hazardous Air Pollutants - For stationary source pollutants
which are very toxic, the Act directs EPA to set National emis-
sion standards.
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Auto Emission Controls - The Act requires EPA to establish regula-
tions requiring a 90 percent reduction in the emissions of carbon
monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from 1970 model year
levels. The Act originally established a compliance date of the
1975 model year to meet this reduction; the 1974 Energy Supply
and Environmental Coordination Act amendments changed this to
the 1977 model year. EPA is authorized to extend compliance
dates by one year upon application from automobile manufacturers
WATER QUALITY
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 are
the primary authority for the water pollution control program.
Effluent Limitations - The law directs EPA to set effluent limi-
tations to limit discharges of pollutants from industrial and
municipal sources. The lav; states that limitations, requiring
the application of the "best practicable control technology" for
industries (secondary treatment for municipal sources), shall be
achieved by July 1, 1977. Effluent limitations requiring the
"best available technology" for industrial sources and "best
practicable waste treatment technology" for municipal sources
shall be achieved by July 1, 1983.
Wastewater Discharge Permits - The Act authorizes EPA or States
to issue permits for discharges of pollutants by municipal and
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industrial sources. The permits generally conform with effluent
limitations.
Water Quality Standards - Water quality standards are established
for all navigable surface waters. Standards consist of a designa-
tion of the use of the stream (recreational purposes, agricul-
tural and industrial, public water supply, etc.) and water
quality criteria sufficient to protect the stream for such uses.
Criteria are established for such parameters as temperature,
dissolved oxygen, microbiological content, etc. Wherever the
effluent limitations are inadequate to achieve water quality
standards more stringent limitations will be applied to the sources
discharging into these bodies.
-Municipal Pollution Control - The Federal Water Pollution Con-
trol Act established a program of Federal grants for construc-
tion or major modification of wastewater treatment plants. The
Federal share for projects is 75 percent. The act authorized
$18 billion; another $700 million is authorized by the Public
Works Employment Act of 1976. The Federal Water Pollution Con-
trol Act also authorizes EPA to quarantee loans by the Federal
Financing Bank to municipalities or States for the non-Federal
share of construction costs. The loans are to be made only when
the municipality cannot obtain credit on reasonable terms to
meet its share.
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Planning - The Act places major emphasis on planning. Facility
planning is carried out by local agencies to ensure that the most
effective and efficient type of waste treatment will be selected.
Integrated planning and management agencies are required to be
established for all major metropolitan areas; Statewide planning
is also required. The Act authorizes Federal financial support
to these State and local agencies.
Ocean Dumping - Under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanc-
tuaries Act of 1972, EPA is authorized to designate ocean dump-
ing sites, issue permits for ocean dumping which may include
implementation plans to phase out ocean dumping, and assess
penalties for improper ocean dumping.
WATER SUPPLY
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 is the basic authority for
the Water Supply Program.
Drinking Water Regulations - The Act directs EPA to establish
primary and secondary drinking water regulations--primary re-
gulations are those necessary to protect public health, second-
ary regulations are those necessary to protect public welfare.
State Enforcement Responsibility - The States have the primary
responsibility for enforcing the regulations; if a State fails
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to assume responsibility, EPA must take primary enforcement
responsibility. The Act authorizes grants to the States to
aid them in establishing enforcement and monitoring programs.
Protection of Underground Sources of Drinking Water - The Act
requires EPA to publish regulations for State underground
injection control programs. These regulations are to prohibit
underground injections which are not authorized by State per-
mits.
SOLID WASTES
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 is the
authority for the Solid Wastes Program.
Hazardous Waste Management - The Act requires that, after
October 21, 1978, each facility that treats, stores or
disposes of hazardous wastes have a permit issued by a
State or EPA. EPA will publish criteria for identifying
hazardous waste and a list of such wastes by April 1978.
Standards governing the generation, transport, treatment,
storage or disposal of hazardous wastes will also be pub-
lished by April 1978. The Act authorizes Federal grant
support for States that wish to operate hazardous v/aste
programs, including the issuance of permits. If States do
not establish hazardous waste programs, EPA must assume
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the responsibility required by the Act.
Solid Waste Disposal Planning - The Act encourages States,
communities and regional authorities to develop environmen-
tally sound plans for solid waste disposal. Federal grant
support of State and local programs is authorized through
FY 1979.
Research, Development and Demonstration - The Act authorizes
the Agency to conduct research, development and demonstrations
in areas such as resource recovery, resource conservation and
solid waste disposal.
Technical Assistance - EPA is to provide State and local
Governments with technical assistance through teams of Federal,
State and local employees or contractors.
PESTICIDES
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act as
amended in 1972 and 1975 is the basic authority for the Pesti-
cides program. It authorizes a comprehensive program to
regulate the manufacturing, distribution and use of pesticides
as well as major research efforts into the effects of pesti-
cides.
Pesticide Registration - All pesticides must be registered and
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classified for "general" use or "restricted" use by October
1977. Those placed in the restricted category may be used
only by, or under the supervision of, certified applicators.
Applicator Certification - The States will certify pesticide
applicators to use restricted pesticides; certification pro-
grams must be developed and applicators certified by October
1977.
Prohibition -of Misuse - The use of registered pesticides in a
manner inconsistent with labeling instructions is prohibited
by the Act. The label directions and precautions are approved
by EPA at the time of registration. Misuse of a pesticide is
subject to civil and criminal penalties.
State Authorities - Under the Act, States may register pesti-
cides products or issue experimental permits to meet special
local needs.
Federal Assistance - The Act authorizes Federal assistance
to the States for enforcement and to help develop and admini-
ster applicator certification programs.
Research and Monitoring - EPA may conduct research on pesti-
cides and alternatives, issue experimental use permits, and
monitor pesticide use and presence in the environment.
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Tolerance Levels - Under authority of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act, EPA establishes tolerance levels for pesti-
cide residues on food and animal feed.
RADIATION
There is no single Act which establishes the authority for EPA's
radiation abatement and control program. Under Reorganization
Plan No. 3 of 1970, v/hich established EPA, certain broad author-
ities were transferred to EPA. These together with authorities
vested under other Federal Acts but applicable to the EPA radia-
tion program, establish the parameters for the program.
Standards and Guidelines - Under Reorganization Plan No. 3
the functions of the Federal Radiation Council were transferred
to EPA. EPA issues radiation protection guidance to all
Federal agencies. In addition, under the Atomic Energy Act
of 1954, EPA was transferred the function of the Atomic Energy
Commission to establish generally applicable environmental
radiation protection standards.
Monitoring and Analysis - Under the Public Health Service Act,
(42 USC 241) Section 301, EPA has the authority to monitor
radiation levels in the environment.
State Assistance - The Public Health Service Act (42 USC 243),
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Section 311 provides the authority to assist States in radia-
tion control efforts; the Federal Radiation Guidance autho-
rizes the establishment of cooperative programs with States.
Ocean Dumping - The Marine Protection Research and Sanctua-
ries Act of 1972 provides EPA with the authority to control
the ocean disposal of radioactive wastes.
NOISE
The Noise Control Act of 1972 is the authority for EPA's noise
abatement and control program.
Noise Emmission Standards - The Act directs EPA to identify
products which are major sources of noise, and to establish
noise emmission standards, necessary to protect the public
health and welfare, taking into consideration technology and
costs. EPA is to enforce compliance with these standards.
Aircraft and Airport Noise Standards - The Act directs EPA
to submit proposed regulations to control aircraft and air-
port noise to the Federal Aviation Agency which shall con-
sider them prior to prescribing the same regulations, a modi-
fied regulation or no regulation. If EPA believes the FAA's
action does not protect the public health and welfare it
may request the FAA to review its decision and make public
the reason for its action.
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Labeling - The Act requires EPA to prescribe labeling regu-
lations for any product which emits noise capable of affect-
ing the public health and welfare or which is sold on the
basis of its effectiveness in reducing noise.
Railroad Noise Standards - The Act directs EPA to establish
noise emmission standards for railroads taking into account
the best available technology and the cost of compliance.
These regulations are enforced by the Department of Trans-
portation .
Interstate Motor Carrier Noise Standards - The Act directs
EPA to establish standards for motor carriers similar to
those for railroads.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES
The Toxic Substances Control Act is the authority for the
Toxic Substances Program.
Testing - If the EPA finds (1) that a chemical substance .
may present an unreasonable risk to health or the environ-
ment, and (2) there are insufficient data to predict health
or environmental effects, manufacturers may be required to
conduct tests to evaluate a chemical's characteristics such
as persistence, acute toxicity, or carcinogenic or mutagenic
effects.
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Priority of Chemicals to be Tested - The Act establishes an inter-
agency committee to develop a priority list of chemical substances
to be tested. Up to 50 chemicals may be listed by the committee;
within one year of a chemical's listing EPA must initiate test-
ing requirements or publish reasons for not requiring testing.
The chemicals for which EPA may require testing are not limited
to those on the list.
Premarket Notification - Manufacturers of new chemical substances
must notify EPA 90 days prior to their manufacture. EPA may
determine if there is inadequate information to evaluate the
health and environmental effects of new chemicals and require
the acquisition of additional data before the chemical is manu-
factured or distributed in commerce. The manufacture of a
chemical for a significant new use also requires premarket
notification.
Regulation of Chemical Substances - EPA may prohibit the manu-
facture, sale, use or disposal of new or existing chemical
substances if the Agency finds these activities to present an
unreasonable risk to health or the environment. EPA may also
regulate the amount of a chemical that may be manufactured
and used or the manner in which the chemical is used, or re-
quire chemicals to be labeled with instructions as to proper
use or disposal.
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Polychlorinated Biphenyls - The Act requires EPA to issue label-
ing and disposal regulations for PCBs by July 1977, and prohi-
bits all production by January 1979 and distribution by July
1979.
Research and Monitoring - The Act directs EPA, in cooperation
with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, to under-
take research and monitoring programs.
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II. HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION
EPA was created through an executive reorganization plan de-
signed to consolidate certain Federal Government environmen-
tal activities into a single agency. The plan (Reorganiza-
tion Plan No. 3 of 1970) was sent by the President to Congress
on July 9, 1970, and EPA was established as an independent Agency
in the Executive Branch on December 2, 1970.
EPA was formed by amalgamating 15 components from 5 departments
and independent agencies. Water quality responsibilities were
transferred from the Interior Department (the Federal Water
Quality Administration) and the Department of Health, Educa-
tion and Welfare (The Bureau of Water Hygiene). Other activi-
ties transferred from HEW included the National Air Pollution
Control Administration and the Bureau of Solid Waste Manage-
ment.
In addition, EPA acquired the Department of Agriculture's
authority to register pesticides and to regulate their use;
the Food and Drug Administration's authority to set tolerance
levels for pesticides which occur in or on food and to monitor
compliance with those limits; and a portion of the Department
of Interior's pesticides research program.
Finally, EPA assumed some of the Atomic Energy Commission's
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and HEW's authority for setting environmental radiation protec-
tion standards. The Agency also absorbed the duties of the
Federal Radiation Council. Organizationally, EPA is headed
by an Administrator, who is supported by a Deputy Administra-
tor and six Assistant Administrators (See chart). Three of
the Assistant Administrators are responsible for "function-
alized" activities, i.e., activities which cut across all pro-
grams. These activities are planning and management, enforce-
ment, and research. The remaining program activities have
been grouped under three other Assistant Administrators on a
media or pollutant basis, e.g., water pollution, air pollution,
solid waste, toxic substances, etc. The activities carried
out by these offices are primarily policy development, stan-
dards and criteria development, and support and evaluation
of regional activities.
EPA has made major progress in decentralizing its operating
programs. It has established regional offices in conformance
with the standard Federal regional boundaries and has assigned
major responsibilities for carrying out EPA programs and poli-
cies to the regional offices. These include the authority to
implement and enforce standards, to conduct monitoring and
surveillance programs, and to provide technical and financial
assistance to State and local Governments.
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U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
ADMINISTRATOR
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR
ASST. ADMINISTRATOR
FOR PLANNING
AND MANAGEMENT
ASST ADMINISTRATOR
FOR
ENFORCEMENT
ASST ADMINISTRATOR
FOR WATER AND
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
ASST ADMINISTRATOR
FOR AIR AND
WASTE MANAGEMENT
-
OFFICE 0
AIR QUAl
PIANN1N
AND STAND
OFFICE O
MOBILE SOU
AIR POLLUT
CONIflO
OFFICE O
NOISE ABATt
ANDCONTf
OFFICE 0
RAOiATIC
PROGRAM
OFFICE C
ASST ADMINISTRATOR
FOR
TOXIC SUBSTANCES
ASST. ADMINISTRATOR
FOR RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT
SOLIDWAS1E
REGIONAL OFFICES
REGION II
REGION nt
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORY
Administrator, Mr. Russell E. Train 755-2700
Deputy Administrator, Mr. John R. Quarles 755-2711
Office of Administrative Law Judges
Mr. Herbert L. Perlman 755-6279
Office of Civil Rights
Mr. Carol M. Thomas 755-0555
Office of Federal Activities
Ms. Rebecca Hanmer 755-0777
Office of General Counsel
Mr. G. William Frick 755-2511
Office of International Activities
Mr. Fitzhugh Green 755-2780
Office of Legislation
Mr. Bryan F. LaPlante 755-2930
Office of Public Affairs
Mrs. Patricia L. Cahn 755-0700
Office of Regional and Intergovernmental Operations
Mr. Peter Cashman 755-0444
Assistant Administrator for Planning and Management
Mr. Alvin L. Aim 755-2900
Office of Administration
Mr. Edward Rhodes 755-2911
Office of Planning and Evaluation
Mr. Paul A. Brands.. 755-2920
Office of Resources Management
Mr. Richard Redenius 755-2744
Assistant Administrator for Enforcement
Mr. Stanley Legro 755-2500
Office of General Enforcement
Mr. Richard Wilson 755-2640
Office of Water Enforcement
Mr. Jeffrey Miller 755-0440
Office of Mobile Source and Noise Enforcement
Dr. Norman L. Shutler 755-2530
Assistant Administrator for Water and Hazardous Materials
Dr. Andrew W. Breidenbach 755-2800
Office of Pesticide Programs
Mr. Edwin L. Johnson 755-8036
Office of Toxic Substances
Mr. Glenn E. Schweitzer 755-8040
Office of Water Planning and Standards
Mr. Eckhardt C. Beck 755-0402
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Office of Water Programs Operations
Mr. John T. Rhett 426-8856
Office of Water Supply
Mr. Victor J. Kimm 426-8847
Assistant Administrator for Air and Waste Management
Mr. Roger Strelow 755-2640
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
Mr. Walter Barber (919) 688-8146
Office of Mobile Source Air Pollution Control
Mr. Eric 0. Stork 426-2464
Office of Noise Abatement and Control
Mr. Charles L. Elkins 557-7777
Office of Radiation Programs
Dr. William D. Rowe 755-4894
Office of Solid Waste
Mr. Sheldon Meyers 755-9170
Assistant Administrator for Toxic Substances
Mr. Kenneth Johnson (Acting) 755-0310
Office of Toxic Substances
Mr. Glenn Scheweitzer (Acting) 755-8040
Assistant Administrator for Research and Development
Dr. Wilson Talley ". 755-2600
Office of Monitoring and Technical Support
Mr. Albert C. Trakowski, Jr 426-2202
Office of Energy, Minerals § Industry
Dr. Stephen J. Gage 755-4857
Office of Air, Land £ Water Use
Dr. Thomas A. Murphy 426-0803
Office of Health and Ecological Effects
Dr. Delbert S. Earth 755-0820
Region I
Mr. John A.S. McGlennon (617) 223-7210
Region II
Mr. Gerald M. Hansler (212) 264-2525
Region III
Mr. Daniel J. Snyder III (215) 597-9814
Region IV
Mr. Jack E. Ravan (404) 526-5727
Region V
Mr. George Alexander (312) 353-5250
Region VI
Mr. John C. White (214) 749-1962
Region VII
Mr. Jerome H. Svore (816) 374-5493
Region VIII
Mr. John A. Green (303) 837-3895
Region IX
Mr. Paul Defalco, Jr (415) 556-2320
Region X
Mr. Donald P. Dubois (206) 442-1220
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MAJOR FACILITIES OF EPA
Environmental Research Laboratory
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
Durham, North Carolina
Motor Vehicle Emission Laboratory
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Environmental Research Center
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Environmental Research Laboratory
Athens, Georgia
Environmental Research Laboratory
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility
Montgomery, Alabama
Environmental Research Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
Environmental Research Laboratory
Duluth, Minnesota
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
Ada, Oklahoma
National Environmental Investigation Center
Denver, Colorado
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada
Environmental Research Laboratory
Corvallis, Oregon
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III. PROGRAM SUMMARIES
AIR
The basic objective of the air pollution control program is to
meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards which are the
allowable level of pollutants necessary to protect public health
(primary standards) and welfare (secondary standards). Standards
have been set for total suspended particulates, sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, photochemical oxidants and
hydrocarbons. Particulates and sulfur dioxide are emitted
primarily from stationary sources such as power plants and industrial
operations. Carbon monoxide is primarily associated with motor
vehicles. Hydrocarbons and nitrogen dioxide emisions are related
to both types of sources; atmospheric reactions of hydrocarbons
and nitrogen oxides lead to the formulation of photochemical
oxidants.
Controlling emissions to meet the standards is handled through two
major types of activities. (1) States carry out State Implementation
Plans which control pollution primarily by prescribing specific
emission limitations for types of polluters, and (2) the Federal
Government controls, by regulation, pollutants from new motor
vehicles, certain new industrial sources and sources emitting
hazardous pollutants such as mercury.
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To date State Implementation Plans have been developed by the
States and major portions of the plans have been approved by
EPA. Schedules are being issued which require specific pol-
luters to order and install pollution control equipment such
as flue gas desulfurization equipment (scrubbers) to control
sulfur oxide emissions or electrostatic precipitators to
control particulate emissions. Very often emission limitations
can be met without installing 'new equipment by modifying the
combustion.or industrial process or by burning cleaner fuels.
Issuing schedules, monitoring their implementation and, if
necessary, taking legal action to enforce them is handled
primarily by State and local agencies. Federal activity is
limited to situations where the States fail to take action or
where especially difficult problems are encountered. EPA
provides funding support to State and local agencies (about 36
percent of the total cost of their operation in FY 1975); this
support is the largest single item in the air program budget
and has been annually about one-third of the total air budget
request.
There has been marked success in reducing some pollutant levels
in the past several years. The national composite trend for
levels of particulate matter (soot, smoke, etc.) showed an
approximate 14 percent decline from 1970 to 1973. The estimated
number of people exposed to particulate levels in excess of the annual
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health related standards dropped from 73 million in 1970
to less than 50 million in 1975. For sulfur dioxide the
national composite trend has declined 30 percent since 1970
and the percentage of Air Quality Control Regions reporting
violations of the annual primary standard has dropped from
13 percent to 6 percent.
However, in many areas, principally urban centers, the problem
is still severe. Of the 247 Air Quality Control Regions only 101
meet both the primary and secondary particulate standards. For
33, of the regions not meeting standards, the cause of non-attainment
is difficult to control "fugitive dust"--wind blown dust from un-
paved roads, construction sites and farms. Forty-one regions do
not meet the primary and secondary standards for sulfur dioxide.
The number of Air Quality Control Regions in violation of standards
is expected to decline markedly in the near future, however, when the
full effect of pollution controls is felt; at the end of fiscal
year 1976, 84 percent of the 22,000 major stationary polluting
sources were in compliance with the limitations specified in State
plans, compared to 71 percent at the end of fiscal year 1975. As
of June 30, 1976, an additional 6 percent of major sources were
on a schedule to achieve final compliance. A more significant
proportion of sources in industrial categories that contribute
heavily to the total pollutant load (metal smelters, iron and steel
manufacturing plants, coke batteries, coal fired power plants) are
still not in final compliance however.
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The control of pollutants from new motor vehicles is primarily
a Federal activity. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to establish
emission standards for new motor vehicles. The intent of this
portion of the law, which was amended by the Energy Supply and
Environmental Coordination Act of 1974, is to reduce emissions
of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide by 90 percent from 1970
levels. For the 1975 and 1976 model years carbon monoxide and
hydrocarbon emissions are approximately 60 percent lower than
the allowable 1970 average levels and 83 percent lower than the
average of uncontrolled pre-1968 vehicles.
Other areas where Federal regulation is the primary method of
control are the establishment of national emission standards for
new industrial sources (New Source Performance Standards) and for
new and existing hazardous pollutant sources (National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants). To date New Source
Performance Standards have been proposed or established for
twenty categories of new stationary sources such as phosphate
fertilizer plants, municipal incinerators, petroleum refineries and
iron and steel plants. Standards will continue to be set for
additional categories of sources as they provide a major tool
to prevent the deterioration of air quality in areas that are
now below national standards, the maintenance of air quality once
standards are achieved, and the control of pollution from emerging
industries such as coal gasification.
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One of the major issues facing the air pollution control program
is striking the proper balance between meeting environmental goals
and other economic and social needs. The Energy Supply and
Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 provided certain power
plants the flexibility they require to switch to coal by delaying,
until 1979, the date by which they must meet State Implementation
Plan requirements. The compliance date extension is necessary
for those plants which may have difficulty obtaining low sulfur
fuel or pollution control equipment. Regardless of the length
of the compliance date extension, however, in all cases the
primary health standards must not be violated.
EPA suspended the statutory vehicle emission standards for hydro-
carbons and carbon monoxide for the 1977 model year and proposed
a staged reduction for these standards. A significant factor in the
suspension decision was EPA's concern about sulfuric acid
emissions from catalytic converter emission control devices. Sub-
sequent studies suggest this will not be a significant problem.
Previous and current standards, proposed standards and the
statutory standard are as follows (in grams per mile):
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HYDRO CARBON NITROGEN
CARBONS MONOXIDE OXIDES
1970-1971 Model year
Federal standards 4.1 34.0
1975-1976 Model year
standards 1.5 15.0 3.1
1977 standard 1.5 15.0 2.0*
EPA Recommendation**
(June 1976)
1977-79 1.5 15.0 2.0
1980-81 .9 9.0 2.0
post-1981 .4 3.4 ***
Statutory standard .4 3.4 .4
*Statutory standard for model year 1977
**Adopted by House of Representatives in September 1976
***2.0 gram/mile or more stringent as warranted
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WATER QUALITY
Today, almost one stream or river mile out of every three
is markedly polluted. This pollution includes oxygen demanding
bacteria, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds (algae nutrients),
suspended solids, and industrial waste including toxic liquids
and heavy metals. These pollutants come from the discharge of
waste from industrial, commercial, agricultural, and municipal
sources as well as runoff from activities that cover a broad
land area and are associated with agriculture, silviculture,
mining and construction.
The emphasis of the water quality program has been on controlling
the discharge of pollutants into the waterways from specific
industrial and municipal sources. Pollution from these sources
is generally easier to control (as compared to controlling run-
off from agriculture and similar activities) as the source of
the pollution is confined, the composition of the .pollutant can
be more easily determined, and control measures are easier to
implement. Three major methods are utilized under the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act to control point source pollution:
issuing wastewater discharge permits, promulgating effluent
guidelines and improving the coverage and efficiency of publicly
owned waste treatment works.
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Wastewater discharge permits generally require sources to reduce
the level of pollution to that achievable with the "best practic-
able technology" by 1977. Permits to be issued in the future
will require the reduction of pollution to the level achievable
with the "best available technology economically achievable" by
1983. The permits include schedules for installation of control
equipment or process changes. Over 50,000 permits have been
issued by EPA and the States; virtually all of the 9,000 major
industrial and municipal dischargers have permits. EPA encourages
State assumption of this program; 28 States have accepted this
responsibility.
Effluent guidelines for wastewater discharge sources have been
largely completed for 52 industries such as cement manufacture,
phosphate production, the rubber industry, agricultural feedlots,
beet sugar processing, petroleum refining, and glass manufacturing.
A major emphasis is being placed upon developing guidelines to
limit the discharge of toxic pollutants.
Through the wastewater treatment construction grants program, the
coverage and effectiveness of publicly owned sewage treatment plants
is being upgraded. A large proportion of the Nation's population
is presently served by sewage systems that do not provide adequate
wastewater treatment. The grants cover 75 percent of the eligible
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costs of planning, designing and constructing sewage treatment
plants--either new construction plants or modifications in
existing plants. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Admendments of 1972 authorized $18 billion of Federal assistance;
the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 authorized $700 million.
Other aspects of the water quality program include planning
assistance to control pollution in major segments of river basins,
including storm water runoff and runoff from broad land areas.
This effort, under Section 208 of the Act, is coordinated by State
and local governments. Additional programs include technical
assistance to States and local authorities and research and
development into the health and environmental effects of pollutants
and means of controlling them. Grant assistance is also provided
to State agencies to assist them in their permit issuance,
monitoring and enforcement activities.
Since the enactment of the 1972 Amendments, the major emphasis in
the water quality program has been on issuing "first round" waste-
water discharge permits (those designed to reduce the level of
pollution to that achievable with the best practicable technology)
and awarding construction grants. The emphasis is now switching
to monitoring compliance with the discharge permits' requirements;
additional effort is also being placed on assuring that wastewater
treatment plant construction projects are properly managed.
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Future years' activities will be directed toward achieving the 1983
goal of making waters fishable and swimmable. Major emphasis will
be placed on toxic pollutants and pollution fron non-point sources.
Program decentralization will continue with increased delegation to
the States and greater priority given to integrating program activi-
ties with the States. Attention will be focused on the cost effective-
ness of constructing sewage treatment facilities and on the handling
of sludge which is being produced in larger and larger quantities.
- 29 -
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Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction Grants
State Allocations
Total
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Guam
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands
American Samoa
Trust Territory of Pacific
Total
Authorization for
Fiscal Years
1973, 74 6 75
Islands
$18
1
1
1
l
2
Is
,480
119
55
65
99
,894
104
308
111
146
705
269
112
43
,136
483
198
126
201
171
153
571
573
,213
337
93
321
31
81
65
153
,300
41
,089
258
17
979
151
155
992
90
184
22
228
508
53
45
496
225
156
297
12
14
175
15
2
9
,000
,341
,937
,771
,314
,076
,466
,684
,035
,295
,942
,935
,438
,090
,455
,619
,970
,616
,569
,252
,097
,991
,905
,699
,866
,476
,853
,246
,669
,544
,817
,686
,689
,647
,904
,101
,291
,808
,533
,799
,908
,554
,008
,196
,948
,924
, 397
,196
,128
,422
,482
,688
,371
,824
,390
,322
,791
,000**
,100
,600
,200
,800
,900
,200
,700
,200
,800
,500
,800
,300
,500
,100
,900
,700
,700
,400
,100
,200
,400
,000
,300
,800
,900
,600
,800
,500
,400
,300
,700
,400
,700
,200
,100
,100
,100
,600
,000
,600
,900
,800
,200
,100
,100
,400
,400
,100
,600
,800
,100
,200
,400
,700
,900
,100
Total
Available
as of
November 31, 1976*
$6,885,168,169
37,702,548
11,344,233
30,683,413
39,163,643
681,848,519
43,080,159
153,717,982
44,746,875
28,516,290
204,496,745
111,244,888
10,181,020
15,917,460
318,884,890
245,956,321
42,655,822
59,121,713
70,904,827
79,313,856
10,143,444
257,365,420
254,619,714
609,290,289
73,380,852
37,191,900
97,356,591
12,175,495
25,256,895
6,869,958
49,832,271
272,340,057
17,760,981
1,043,162,154
123,365,257
7,375,381
406,559,574
76,484,392
34,424,118
396,948,379
28,256,474
84,028,051
8,772,695
100,808,747
142,523,097
17,558,153
18,862,885
50,778,753
75,153,629
82,185,172
116,636,696
6,788,629
4,662,918
89,085,876
7,634,813
1,506,200
6,541,055
Unobligated balance as of November 31, 1976
**Includes $480 million alloted under authority of Title III of the
Public Works Employment Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-369)
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WATER SUPPLY
The primary objective of the water supply program is to assure that
the public is provided with safe drinking water. Today there are
more than 240,000 public water supply systems serving approximately
170 million people. Many of these systems are not using the most
effective equipment and techniques to collect, purify and deliver
potable water to the public. A survey of 969 water supply systems
in 1970 by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare revealed
that 36 percent of the tap water samples contained one or more
bacteriological or chemical constituents exceeding Public Health
Service drinking water standards. An EPA study conducted in 1975
revealed that all of 88 water systems sampled contained some organic
compounds with potential carcinogenic risks.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, under which EPA's program now operates,
was signed into law in December 1974. The Act gives the Agency broad
responsibilities and authorities to protect and improve the quality
of potable water. Prior to enactment of the Safe Drinking Water Act,
EPA's water supply authorities were quite limited.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act the Federal government is to esta-
blish primary and secondary drinking water regulations. Major respon-
sibilities for enforcing these regulations will be with the States.
Primary regulations will specify maximum allowable contaminant levels
necessary to protect health. Secondary regulations will specify
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contaminant levels necessary to protect public welfare and will
apply to such characteristics as the odor and appearance of
drinking water. The contaminant levels for the primary standards
are to be established by EPA based upon a study conducted by the
National Academy of Sciences. Interim primary regulations were
promulgated by EPA in December 1975 to be effecive in June 1977.
The States also have the primary responsibility for controlling
underground injection. The State programs, which are being
developed in accordance with EPA regulations, will control the
injection of contaminants, such as industrial by-products and
municipal wastes, through a permit system.
The States are being assisted in developing water supply enforcement
programs and underground injection permit programs through technical
assistance provided by EPA and through grant assistance. Other
activities that are being undertaken include a survey of the quality
and availability of rural drinking water supplies.
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SOLID WASTES
Over four billion tons of waste are generated in the United States
every year, of which over 10 million are potentially hazardous--that
is toxic, flammable, explosive, or infectious. Potential health
and environmental effects vary considerably, from the direct threat
of hazardous wastes to those of non-hazardous wastes such as sewage
sludge, abandoned cars, waste oil, and wastes from confined animal
feeding operations.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 gives EPA broad
authority to regulate the disposal of hazardous wastes, encourages
the development of solid waste management plans by States, local
governments and interstate agencies, prohibits open dumping of
wastes, and provides for a national research, development and
demonstration program for improved solid waste management and
resource conservation techniques.
The control of hazardous wastes will be undertaken through a
system of identifying and tracking hazardous wastes as they are
generated, insuring that hazardous wastes are in proper containers
and are properly transported, and regulating the storage, disposal
or treatment of hazardous wastes. EPA will develop criteria for
identifying hazardous wastes, and promulgate a list of hazardous
wastes by April 1978. Regulations applicable to generators,
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transporters and operators of facilities that dispose of
solid wastes will also be promulgated by that date. They
will include requirements for recordkeeping, labeling, and
the use of a manifest system to insure all hazardous waste
is designated only for authorized treatment, storage or
disposal facilities. These facilities will be authorized
by permits, issued by EPA or States; permits will be issued
to facilities that comply with standards to be promulgated by
EPA. EPA will encourage States to develop hazardous waste
management programs and issue permits; Federal grant support of
State hazardous waste programs is authorized by the Act. If
States do not develop hazardous waste management programs EPA
will be required to issue permits for hazardous wastes.
A major objective of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
is to protect the environment and conserve resources through the
developmet of solid waste plans by States, interstate regions
and municipalities. EPA will publish guidelines to assist States
in identifying regions which have common solid waste management
problems and are appropriate units for planning solid waste
management services. After identifying regions, States may
develop plans which will establish environmentally sound waste
disposal and resource conservation practices and provide for the
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establishment of necessary State regulatory powers. Each
plan must include provisions for closing open dumps or
upgrading them to sanitary landfills in accordance with
criteria to be established by EPA. Open dumps are to be
closed or upgraded by October 1983. A major objective of
this provision is to protect the quality of ground and sur-
face water from leachate and surface runoff contamination.
To encourage States to develop solid waste plans the Act
authorizes Federal financial and technical assistance. The
Act also authorizes special assistance to rural communities
and communities serving as the repository of other jurisdictions'
waste.
The Act recognizes the need to develop and demonstrate waste manage-
ment practices that are not only environmentally sound and
economical but also conserve resources. The Act requires EPA
to undertake a number of special studies on subjects such as
resource recovery from glass and plastic waste, and managing the
disposal of sludge and tires. An Interagency Resource Conservation
Committee is to be established to report to the President and the
Congress on the economic, social and environmental consequences of
present and alternative resource conservation and resource recovery
techniques. The Act also authorizes full-scale demonstrations of
new solid waste management and resource recovery technologies. The
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demonstrations would be similar to those completed in St. Louis
and underway in San Diego. In St. Louis shredded solid waste
was used to supplement coal at an electric power plant. The
waste processing plant handled 650 tons per day and produced 80 tons
of fuel and seven tons of ferrous metal for every 100 tons of
waste. In San Diego, a heat flash pyroloyis process is being
used to produce oil from organic wastes.
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PESTICIDES
Pesticides are of enormous benefit to man, particularly in the
area of agriculture production, sanitation and disease control.
Nearly a billion pounds of pesticides, embracing 30-35,000
pesticide products formulated from more than 1,400 chemical
compounds, are used annually in the United States. The use of
pesticides, especially in agriculture, and particularly for
cotton and corn production is widespread and has increased the
health risk to humans and the potential of damage to the environ-
ment. In 1973 there were over 2800 hospital admissions resulting
from the improper use of pesticides that involved farmworkers,
applicators, formulating plant workers and children. The potential
adverse effect on the environment of the use of less toxic but
slower degrading pesticides such as the chlorinated hydrocarbons
(e.g., DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, heptachlor and toxaphene)
has been demonstrated by the presence of hazardous traces of
pesticides in the tissues of wildlife. The delayed health effects
to humans as these compounds, soluble in body fat, are passed on
in the food chain may be many years in appearing.
EPA's pesticide program is based upon three specific approaches.
One, pesticides are registered to prevent harmful products from
entering the market and to require labeling to assure proper use.
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The 1972 and 1975 amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act require EPA to register, by October 1977,
pesticide products for general or restricted use. Products
are registered only if they perform their intended functions with-
out unreasonable adverse effects on the environment, including
humans. The registration of a pesticide may be cancelled at any
time that information becomes available which indicates that
continued use of the pesticide may result in unreasonable adverse
effects on the environment. If an imminent threat to human health
or the environment exists, the product may immediately be suspended
and taken off the market.
Two, the use of pesticides is controlled. Only certified applicators
or persons under their direct supervision may apply pesticides
registered for restricted use. States will certify the applicators
and training is being provided through a joint effort by EPA, the
agriculture Extension Service and State agencies. It is expected
that over two million private applicators and over 100,000 commercial
applicators will be certified by October 1977, as required by the
Act.
Three, monitoring and research are conducted to determine the
health and environmental effects of pesticides. Both acute and
chronic long-term human epidemiological studies of the health
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effects of pesticide exposure are conducted with particular
emphasis on new pesticides. Research is being undertaken by
the National Science Foundation and the Department of Agriculture
to develop environmentally safe alternative pest control
techniques. To determine conformity with labels, routine
sampling of pesticide products from manufacturing establishments
and the marketplace is conducted as part of an enforcement pro-
gram to insure compliance with registration requirements and
labeling instructions.
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RADIATION
The EPA radiation program is directed toward preventing all
avoidable exposure of people to ionizing radiation. The need
for EPA to set standards for exposure to non-ionizing radia-
tion is being reviewed. EPA pursues this goal through three
interdependent roles: (1) the development of standards and
criteria, (2) assessment of the environmental impact of tech-
nology employed by other Federal agencies, and (3) surveillance
of radiation levels in the environment.
EPA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission divide responsibi-
lities with respect to standard setting and guidance for radia-
tion exposure. EPA is responsible for issuing generally appli-
cable standards for the protection of the environment from all
sources of radiation, including standards for the total amount
of radiation from all facilities in the uranium fuel cycle.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is responsible for developing,
implementing and enforcing standards for individual nuclear
facilities. EPA also develops radiation guidance for other
Federal agencies. This guidance is then implemented by these
agencies in their own facilities and through regulations that
they promulgate and enforce.
EPA is working on standards for both short-lived and long-lived
radionuclides. Long-lived nuclides are relatively permanent
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pollutants and their control is particularly important in view
of the expected growth in the nuclear industry. Presently EPA
is developing standards for the uranium fuel cycle, nuclear
accident protective action guidelines, and cleanup guidelines
for areas contaminated by plutonium. Federal guidance on medical
x-rays has been proposed and work is underway to control expo-
sure from radium and uranium from phosphate plants. Prelimi-
nary work is also underway for updating Federal guidance for
occupational exposure to radiation.
In the area of technology assessment, EPA performs independent
environmental analyses of radiation technologies being used or
proposed for use by other Federal agencies. Environmental Im-
pact Statements, required by the National Environmental Policy
Act, are prepared by other agencies whenever nuclear power
plants are authorized or whenever new technologies are proposed
for introduction. The statements are analyzed by EPA; these
analyses have considerable effect on proposed programs and the
public's acceptance of them. The High Temperature Gas Reactor,
which utilizes the thorium fuel cycle and has been proposed
for use in several different sites, has been assessed. Initial
EPA reviews of the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor, which
employs the plutonium fuel cycle, indicated issues for which
additional information is required. A continuing effort in
this area is evaluation of the probabilities and potential
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consequences of accidental release of radioactive material.
This work will provide a basis for establishing guidance in
the area of emergency response planning.
EPA carries on longer range studies such as evaluation of
land burial techniques to dispose of low level radioactive
wastes and is developing criteria and standards for the dis-
posal of high level radioactive waste.
The radiation surveillance fucntion performed by EPA provides
an independent assessment of the overall radiological quality
of the environment. An air monitoring network of 19 contin-
uously operating samplers measures ambient radioactivity. This
network is expanded to 74 sites when nuclear weapon testing is
carried out above ground and radioactivity is widely distributed
in the Northern hemisphere. Other specific air monitoring
activities are carried on to measure plutonium, carbon-14 and
krypton-85 radionuclides. Water analysis and sampling programs
are carried on to measure levels of tritum and other radionu-
clides near specific sources of radioactive materials and at
drinking water sites. Another aspect of radiation surveillance
is the computation of population radiation exposure using data
on specific radionuclides released from different sources.
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NOISE
Noise induced hearing loss is a recognized problem particularly
in highly mechanized industries and in high noise exposure
occupations. An estimated 14.7 million workers are exposed to
an 8-hour average sound level (Leq) above 75 decibels, a level
at which there is a risk of hearing damage. An additional 13.5
million Americans are exposed to an average 8-hour level above
75 decibels as operators of or passengers in transportation or
recreation vehicles.
EPA has identified the day-night sound level (Ldn) necessary to
protect the general population against activity interference as
55 decibels. Outdoor day-night sound levels above 55 decibels
are likely to interfere with speech communication, sleep and
relaxation. An estimated 103 million people live in areas
where the decibel level exceeds 55. To illustrate, the day-
night sound level in a downtown urban area with some construc-
tion activity would be around 78 decibels and the operator of
a power lawnmower is exposed to 85 decibels.
The EPA moise pollution control program has several major ob-
jectives:
(1) to reduce environmental (non-occupational) noise to
a day-night sound level (Ldn) of 75 decibels as soon
as possible. Attaining this goal will essentially
eliminate the risk of hearing loss due to environ-
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mental noise and reduce extreme annoyance and activity
interference.
(2) as a longer term objective to reduce environmental
noise levels to a day-night sound level of 65 decibels
or less. As the national noise abatement program
progresses it may be feasible to lower this objective
to 55 decibels which would be most desirable to achieve
health and welfare protection.
EPA utilizes four major approaches to meet these objectives:
(1) new product standards directed principally at surface
transportation and construction noise sources,
(2) in-use controls directed principally at aviation,
interstate motor carrier and railroad noise sources,
(3) product labeling to provide protection against volun-
tary high level individual exposure.
(4) State and local programs to control noise.
Standards have been promulgated or will be proposed to reduce
noise from newly produced portable air compressors, medium and
heavy duty trucks, wheel and track loaders and dozers, buses,
truck mounted compactors and refrigerator units, and motorcycles.
These standards will significantly reduce noise levels. For
example, compliance with the portable air compressor standards will
reduce construction site noise by over 14 percent; regulation of
medium and heavy duty trucks and wheel and crawler tractors should
increase this reduction to 45 percent.
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Noise regulations are being proposed to the Federal Aviation
Administration which, under the Noise Control Act, is required
to hold public hearings and then decide whether the regulations
should be issued. Eleven regulations have been proposed inclu-
ding one that would require mandatory minimum altitudes for
jet airplane landing approaches. At present the FAA only "ad-
vises" that the minimum altitudes be used. If adopted, the
regulation would reduce areas around airports exposed to the
very highest noist levels by 20 to 25 percent. Another regu-
lation proposed to the FAA would require a new approach and
landing procedure (two-segment approach) for aircraft. Adop-
tion of this regulation would reduce noise levels for indivi-
duals living near airports or under approach flight paths. A
third regulation would require the retrofit of commercial and
private jet aircraft so that by June 30, 1978 all commercial
and private jet aircraft would have to meet the levels currently
specified for new aircraft. Other regulations would establish
airport noise abatement planning procedures and require airlines
to provide information annually on fleet noise levels.
Regulations have also been promulgated by EPA to reduce noise
from in-use interstate motor carriers (over 10,000 pounds)
and to reduce noise from trains. The practical effect of the
interstate carrier standard would be to require replacement of
mufflers or tires by about 70,000 of the more than one million
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trucks and buses affected by this regulation. The reduction
of noise from new train locomotives would be achieved through
the installation of mufflers.
Other regulatory activity in the noise program centers around
the development of labeling regulations which give notice to a
prospective buyer of the level of noise the produce emits or
its effectiveness in reducing noise. Work is currently under-
way which will lead to the labeling of devices to protect hear-
*\
ing.
EPA also provides technical assistance to State and Community
noise control programs. Noise control at the State and local
level is essential to complement Federal activities.
Enforcement activities of noise standards and labeling require-
ments applicable to new products will be increasing as these
regulations are completed. The basic enforcement approach will
be to verify that production models of regulated products com-
ply with standards. Testing is done both by manufacturers and
by EPA. A noise enforcement test facility has been established
to test new products for which regulations are being developed.
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TOXIC SUBSTANCES
There has been a dramatic surge in the development of synthetic
organic chemicals since World War II. Chemical sales now exceed
$100 billion per year and more than 30,000 chemical substances are
produced in the United States for commercial purposes. Many of
these chemicals have become essential in protecting, prolonging
and enhancing lives. In the last few years, however, many chemicals
that have been commonly used have been found to present significant
health and environmental dangers. Vinyl chloride, which is commonly
used in plastics, has caused the deaths of workers exposed to the
chemical. Mercury has caused severe debilitating effects in Japan.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), known toxicants, continue to
persist in the Great Lakes and other major waters and to accumulate
in the food chain.
The Toxic Substances Control Act, which became effective January 1,
1977, gives EPA an important new tool for addressing toxic chemical
problems. The Act is designed to provide better information about
the potential hazards of chemical substances, prevent toxic problems
through premarket screening of new chemicals, and limit the manu-
facture and use of potentially harmful chemicals.
Under the Act, EPA may require testing of new or existing chemicals
if a chemical is suspected of presenting an unreasonable risk to
health or the environment and if there are insufficient data to
predict health or environmental effects. An interagency committee will
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recommend the chemicals to which WPA should give priority
attention with regard to testing requirements. Members of the
committee are from agencies dealing with health, safety and
science such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, the National Cancer Institute and the National
Science Foundation. EPA must initiate testing requirements for
any chemical substances listed by the committee within one year
or publish reasons for not requiring testing. A maximum of 50
chemicals may be listed by the committee at any time; EPA may
require testing for chemical substances not recommended by the
committee.
Ninety days before initiating production of the new chemicals,
or manufacturing chemicals for significant new uses, manufacturers
must notify EPA. The Agency will determine if there is adequate
information to evaluate the health and environmental effects of
the chemicals. If the information is inadequate EPA may require
the manufacturer to develop additional data before the chemical
is approved for manufacture or distribution.
The Toxic Substances Control Act gives EPA broad authority to
regulate the manufacture, processing, distribution, use or
disposal of potentially hazardous chemicals. After considering
the effects of a chemical on health and the environment, the
chemical's benefits, the availability of substitutes, and the
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economic consequences of regulating the chemical, EPA, through
rulemaking procedures, may take any of a number of steps. If
EPA finds a chemical to present an unreasonable risk of injury
to health or the environment the Agency may prohibit the
manufacture or distribution of the chemical, limit the amount
of the chemical that may be produced, regulate the use of a
chemical, require the chemical to be labeled with warnings or
instructions, and prohibit or regulate the chemical's disposal.
EPA may also require a chemical manufacturer to improve his
quality control procedures if the manufacturing process causes
a chemical to present an unreasonable risk to health or the
environment. In the event that the immediate regulation of
a chemical is necessary to protect human health or the environment
EPA may make a rule immediately effective upon publication,in the
Federal Register or initiate a civil action for seizure of the
chemical (or an article containing the substance), recall of the
chemical, or public -notification of the hazards of the chemical.
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The EPA research and development program is designed to produce
the scientific information and technical tools on which to base
guidelines, standards and strategies to control environmental
pollution. The major thrusts of the program are in air and
water pollution research, with a strong emphasis on the accelera-
tion of energy related environmental research. There are also
significant programs dealing with such specific environmental
problems as solid wastes, pesticides, radiation, and toxic
substances.
The research activities in each of these programs encompass the
determination of the health, ecological, and economic effects of
pollutants, the identification and characterization of pollutant
sources, the study of transport, transformation and ultimate
disposition of pollutants in the environment, and the development
of economical means of controlling pollutant discharges. Improved
sampling, analytical, data handling, and quality assurance
methodologies for pollutant measurement and monitoring are being
developed as are new and improved technologies for pollution
control and resource recovery.
The air pollution research and development program is designed to
respond to the requirements of the Clean Air Act to protect public
health and welfare from the adverse effects of air pollution.
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Health and ecological effects studies are conducted to provide
the criteria for establishing air quality standards. For example,
the potential health impact of catalytic muffler related emissions
is being assessed as are the health and ecological effects of such
air pollutants as hydrocarbons, particulates, and nitrogen oxides.
Other work is directed at researching short and long term non-
criteria pollutants, assessing exposure to air carcinogens, validat-
ing models for providing estimates of atmospheric oxidant concentra-
tions, evaluating the desirablility of utilizing emissions standards,
rather then ambient air standards, in the development of pollutant
control strategies, and developing monitoring methods and associated
quality assurance procedures. In addition, the control technology
R§D program seeks to identify sources requiring control, to assess
the capabilities of existing control approaches, and to develop
economical control technology for the major pollution sources.
The water quality research and development program is designed
to develop cost effective wastewater control and treatment tech-
nologies for municipalities and industries, including processing
alternatives to avert pollution and save energy and raw materials.
The program also includes development of monitoring methods and
quality assurance. Strategies for the management of pollution
for such non-point sources as agricultural, mining, and construction
activities are being developed. Emphasis is placed on determining
the health and ecological effects of land disposal of sludges
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resulting from municipal waste water treatment, utilizing
industrial residuals, assessing the health and ecological
effects of water quality intended for recreational and shellfish
growing water, achieving cost reductions in the treatment of
municipal and industrial wastewater, and determining the
ecological effects of ocean dumping.
The water supply research and development program is structured
to provide criteria on which to base the promulgation of drinking
water standards, and develop new or improved technologies for
effective and economical control of drinking water contaminants.
Research efforts are focusing on detecting and identifying the
existence of contaminants, determining the health effects of
organic, inorganic, and microbiological contaminants of drinking
water, and investigating the suitability of reusing treated
municipal or industrial effluents as a potable water supply. Treat-
ment techniques for the inactivation of viruses and the removal
of asbestos, trace organics, and trace metals are also being
developed. A study of the occurrence of suspect carcinogens in
major metropolitan drinking water supplies will be continued.
Solid wastes research emphasizes the assessment and development of
technologies for managing hazardous wastes, as well as study of the
transport processes of hazardous materials and other leachates in
ground water systems. The program also involves the evaluation of
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deep well disposal of toxic materials and the study of the
persistence, in soil and ground water, of heavy metals,
organic and inorganic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides,
acids, and alkalies from industrial residuals and sludge.
Pesticides research emphasizes health and ecological studies
relating to the use of alternative pesticides, transport and
fate of pesticides in the environment and the acute inhalation
effects of pesticides. Mutagenesis screening systems and
alternative methods of pest control (e.g. biological) are
being developed, along with the necessary monitoring and
quality assurance methodologies.
The radiation research program provides an information base
for standards setting and regulatory actions and focuses
primarily on the health effects of non-ionizing radiation.
The EPA energy-related environmental research and development
program is part of a national effort to achieve energy
self-sufficiency. The purpose of the program is to provide a
sound technical and scientific basis for achieving this goal
while insuring protection of human health and welfare. There
are two major activities: the processes and effects program
to determine the health and environmental effects (and hence
the control requirements) associated with energy extraction,
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transmission, conversion and end use, and a control tech-
nology program to develop and demonstrate necessary DO!-
lution control techniques. The main thrust of the processes
and effects program is the acceleration of research on the
health and ecological implications of new and advanced energy
production technologies and conservation measures. The
control technology program involves the assessment of the
pollution potential of a variety of energy source effluent
streams and the technological processes which produce those
pollutants, as well as research and development on control
devices and process modifications to reduce the impact of the
pollutants on the environment.
A research and development program is being conducted to
provide the methodology, instrumentation, and quality assurance
procedures needed to detect pollutants and their transformation
products in all environmental media, and to evaluate compliance
with standards. The expertise in this research program is
frequently called upon to provide assistance to States in their
monitoring programs or in dealing with emergency situations.
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AGENCY AND REGIONAL MANAGEMENT
Agency and Regional Management is funded by a separate appropria-
tion which provides for the overall policy direction and admin-
istration of Agency programs as well as for certain common
services and functions which can be most effectively managed on a
centralized basis. For purposes of clarity it is useful to think
of these activities as falling under two main headings: first,
"management" and second, "support."
Management covers the salaries and related expenses of personnel
involved in program direction or in the provision of management
of administrative services and includes the following specific
activities:
* Agency management which covers the top level policy
direction of all Agency programs provided by the
Administrator and his immediate staff and staff
offices; the Agency-wide planning and management
functions of the Office of Planning and Management;
and the centralized administrative services provided
to operations located in Washington, B.C., Research
Triangle Park, N. C. and Cincinnati, Ohio.
* Regional Management which includes the direction of
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program operations by each of the 10 Regional
Administrators and their immediate staffs as
well as the general management and administrative
functions provided by the Management Division
of each Region.
The support area does not involve personnel and consists mainly
of housekeeping or common service items; these can be characterized
as follows:
* Agency support which covers the services required to
support program operations at EPA Headquarters,
Research Triangle Park, N.C., and Cincinnati, Ohio
such as office services, printing, communication
costs, utilities, guard and janitorial services, etc.
Also included are certain Agency-wide services which
are managed on a centralized basis including facilities
rental, postal service, charges for the Federal Tele-
communications Service, centralized ADP services,
security clearances and the like.
* Regional support which includes the support service
requirements of the 10 Regional offices which are not
covered by the Agency-wide services noted above, and
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covers items such as office services and supplies,
communications, guard and janitorial services.
In EPA's budget these activities are discussed under the Agency
and Regional Management appropriation. However, the estimates
for that appropriation do not reflect the full amount of these
costs. This is because the total amounts required for Agency
and Regional support activities are allocated among the various
EPA appropriations on a pro-rata basis so as to associate these
quite significant costs with the various programs which benefit
from them. The amounts allocated to the Abatement and Control,
Research and Development, and Enforcement appropriations are
included under a heading entitled "Program Support" which is
common to each of these appropriations. The residual amounts
allocated to the Agency and Regional Management appropriation are
charged to headings under that appropriation entitled "Agency
Supnort" and "Regional Support."
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PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND.SUPPORT
Each of EPA's appropriations includes an activity entitled
"Program Management and Support" which covers the direction
and management of EPA's major line organizations--Air and
Waste Management, Water and Hazardous Materials, Toxic
Substances, Research and Development, and Enforcement as
well as the "overhead" services required to support these
organizations. Specifically it includes:
* Program management which covers the program direction
and administrative/management activities of the
Assistant Administrators who direct EPA's major
line organizations, their principal deputies, office
directors, and supporting staffs. Also included are
the management and supporting staff of the laboratories
and other field installations which are under the
management of these major line organizations, as well
as the Office of General Counsel and the legal staffs
of the 10 Regional Offices.
* Program support - This includes general and technical
support services required by certain of the laboratories
and other field installations which are managed by EPA's
major line organizations. It also includes a pro-rata
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share of Agency-wide supoort costs which are allocated
to the various EPA appropriations in the manner described
in the previous section on Agency and Regional Management.
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IV. EPA BUDGET
EPA APPROPRIATIONS STRUCTURE
EPA currently has seven individual appropriation accounts. The
first five of the appropriations constitute the basic operating
budget of the Agency; the latter two are exclusively for grants
and overseas activities.
Abatement and Control - This appropriation includes the develop-
ment of standards and regulations, grants and other assistance
to States and localities, and monitoring of the status of pol-
lutants in the environment.
Enforcement - The primary activity in this appropriation is the
enforcement of Federal regulations, including compliance
monitoring, water quality permit issuance and initiation of
legal action against violators.
Research and Development - This appropriation includes research
activities aimed at supporting the Agency's standard setting
activities and development of new technology for the control
of pollution.
Agency and Regional Management - This appropriation provides
for basic central management and support activities, including
overall program direction, progress assessment, program evaluation,
finance, personnel, printing, facilities management, etc.
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Buildings and Facilities - The design and construction of all
new EPA owned facilities as well as repairs and improvements
to Federally owned facilities is included in this appropriation.
Scientific Activities Overseas - This appropriation is used to
purchase excess foreign currencies from the Treasury Department
to finance cooperative environmental activities in excess
currency countries such as Poland, Egypt, India and Pakistan.
Construction Grants - This appropriation finances grants to
municipalities for the construction of wastewater treatment
facilities. Obligational authority consists primarily of
contract authority provided under P.L. 92-500. Appropriations
to liquidate the contract authority are requested as needed.
The appropriations structure has been changing continously since
the Agency was established in 1970. Initially, the operating
budget was included in a single appropriation, Operations,
Research and Facilities. This account was split into four
pieces in FY 1973 - Research and Development, Abatement and
Control, Enforcement, and Agency and Regional Management.
Energy Research and Development was added in FY 1975 to cover
work related to new energy programs and in FY 1977 combined
with the Research and Development appropriation. The Buildings and
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Facilities appropriation, constructed from portions of each
of the four operating budget appropriations, was also added
in FY 1975. Scientific Activities Overseas and Construction
Grants have been separate appropriations from the inception of
the Agency.
Funds appropriated under the Enforcement and Agency and
Regional Management appropriations must be obligated in one
year. Funds appropriated under the Abatement and Control
and Research and Development appropriations are available for
obligation for two years. Funds appropriated under the other
appropriations are available until expended.. Funds
appropriated under the old Operations, Research and Facilities
account were also available until expended.
To provide flexibility between appropriations, Congress has
approved language to permit the Agency to transfer up to
seven percent of any appropriation except Construction Grants
to any other appropriation. This provision enables EPA to make
small fund shifts required in day-to-day management without
obtaining Appropriation Committee concurrence. Major shifts
exceeding seven percent and minor shifts accumulating to more
than seven percent are cleared with the committee.
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In addition to the appropriation structure, EPA plans and
budgets by "media", or major program areas. The media are:
Air
Water Quality
Water Supply
Solid Waste
Pesticides
Radiation
Noise
Interdisciplinary
Toxic Substances
Energy
Program Management and Support
Agency and Regional Management
Media programs cross appropriation lines. For example, Air
programs are supported by funds from Abatement and Control,
Enforcement and Research and Development.
Program strategies are generally developed along media lines
rather than by appropriation. Consequently, it is generally
easier to understand major programs on a media basis. In the
interest of clarity, therefore, the EPA budget justification
is organized by media. Program segments corresponding to the
appropriation breaks are separately described within the total
media section.
The Appropriations Committees have also placed controls on
shifts between media. The Agency may add or subtract up to ten
percent of the funds provided for any media. Greater changes
require clearance with the Committees. Although this is not
a legal restriction in the sense of the limitations on transfers
between Appropriations, the practical effect is similar.
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EPA APPROPRIATION HISTORY
Operations, Research § Facilities
Research 5 Development
Abatement 5 Control
Enforcement
Agency 5 Regional Management
Energy, Research 5 Development
Buildings § Facilities
Subtotal
Scientific Activities Overseas
Construction Grants
Total
(in thousands of dollars)
FY 1972 FY 1973
440,520
177,221
266,089
34,020
45,891
---
---
440,520 523,221
7,000 4,000
2,000,000 6,900,000
2,447,520 7,427,221
FY 1974
...
159,427
356,015
45,812
55,694
...
---
616,948
2,000
4,000,000
4,618,948
FY 1975
...
170,157
428,488
52,843
59,107
134,000
1,400
845,995
---
9,000,000
9,845,995
FY 1976
...
164,871
375,283
52,263
71,583
100,550
2,969
767,519
4,000
—
771,519
FY 1977
---
259,496
379,588
56,331
70,890
...
2,100
768,405
5,000
—
773,405
FY 1978
Request
---
261,287
394,698
68,748
71,860
....
1,142
797,735
5,000
4,500,000
5,302,735
GPO 013-077
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