US A-USSR
Environmental Agreement
The US-USSR Agreement on Cooperation in the Field
of Environmental Protection was signed in Moscow on
May 23,1972, by the Presidents of the two countries. In
May  1977, it  was extended  for a second  five-year
period. The Agreement covers 11 problem areas of en-
vironmental protection:

• air pollution

• water pollution

• pollution associated with agricultural production

• enhancement of the urban environment

• preservation   of  nature and  the  organization of
preserves

• marine pollution

• biological and genetic effects of environmental pollution

• influence of environmental changes on climate

• earthquake prediction

• arctic and subarctic ecosystems

• legal and administrative measures for protecting en-
vironmental quality

  The present Chairman  for the United States is the
Administrator of the Environmental  Protection Agency,
Douglas M. Costle, appointed by President Carter in
March 1977.  Since 1974, the Soviet Chairman has
been  Academician Yuriy A.  Izrael,  Chairman of the
USSR  State Committee  for  Hydrometeorology and
Control of the Natural Environment.
  The Agreement currently encompasses 41 projects
and involves several other Federal agencies in addition
to EPA, including the  Departments of Agriculture, In-
terior, Commerce, Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Health, Education, and Welfare, as
well as the Coast  Guard, National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration,  Geological  Survey,  and
Council on Environmental Quality. Other participants in-
clude universities,  private corporations,  and various
citizens' interest groups.
  Joint work under the Agreement has assumed many
forms. Recent cooperative activities include:

• comparison of mathematical modeling methods  in
water quality management;

• exchange of beneficial insect organisms for the con-
trol of agricultural pests;

• exchange of  exhibits on achievements and tech-
niques in the area  of preservation and restoration of
historic buildings and landmarks;

• ratification of a bilateral Convention on the Conserva-
tion of Migratory Birds;

• field and computer  research on the prediction of
earthquakes in California and Soviet Central Asia.

  The Agreement is implemented by the US-USSR
Joint Committee, consisting of the US and Soviet Co-
Chairmen and representatives and specialists from each
of the 11 areas.  The Joint Committee meets annually,
alternating between Washington and Moscow.
                                                                                United Slates
                                                                                Environmental Protection
                                                                                Agency

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