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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NEW ENGL7U*0
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to EPA Employees
We regard these Accomplishment Plans as an important experiment.
We've never before tried to define our objectives and plan our
activities in quite this way. Our intention is that these in-
dividual Flans, when viewed together, can function as a helpful
map that indicates where the Region wants to go and how we expect
to get there.
Because this 'Plan' charts a course for the whole Region, we would
like everyone in the organization to take time to read this document.
Each of us has an significant role to play in achieving the Region's
goals.
These Accomplishment Plans will provide the basis for our mid-year
and 3/4's year reviews of the Region's activities (and ultimately,
the progress we've made toward the goals we've set for ourselves).
As part of the review process, we will make any mid-course correc-
tions in the Plans that may be called for.
As you will note, we have decided to go ahead now with the Plans in
draft form rather than ask that 'final* Plans be prepared. We feel
it doesn't make sense to devote more time to developing the Plans,
since we're ready halfway through this fiscal year. It is more
important now to gain some practical experience with them through
actual applications than devoting more time trying to perfect them.
Because we have to begin' to plan our activities for fiscal year 1985
in only a few months, we need to assess the effectiveness and utility
of the Plans soon. When the activity reviews are being done, we will
ask the Division and Office Directors how they feel about the Accomp-
lishment Plans as a way to plan our activities for the upcoming year.
Therefore, if you have any comments (good or bad) or any suggestions
about the Accomplishment Plans (their content, utility, format, etc.),
please let your Division or Office Director know soon. It will be
important to have the Region's reactions to the Accomplishment Plan
concept before we commit to it or another planning process for 1985.
Thank you for your helpful participation in this year's 'Plan1 for
the Region.
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CONTENTS
Air
Water
Waste
Regional Counsel
Environmental Services
Administrative Services
Public Affairs
Government Relations
& Environmental Review
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Air
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FY84 ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN - REGION I
AIR MANAGEMENT DIVISION
FY84 will be a transition year for the Air Management Division.
We will continue to implement and oversee the traditional Clean
Air Act, TSCA, and FIFRA requirements while also devoting an
increasing share of our resources to emerging problems, especial-
ly those concerning toxics. In accordance with national and
regional guidance, we will be increasing our enforcement efforts,
maintaining effective State—EPA relationships, and improving
our ability to manage for environmental results. Our specific
objectives include the following new or reemphasized program
areas:
o Assist and Oversee State Programs — Respond to state requests
for technical assistance, with emphasis on modeling and toxics.
Conduct comprehensive audits of state air programs and
involve state personnel and the public. Develop air grant
conditions cooperatively with state agencies.
o Continue Progress on Complicance Enforcement — Increase the
number of state and EPA inspections. Take aggressive enforce-
ment action against violating sources. Improve mobile
source enforcement efforts.
o Support an Integrated Toxics Program — Oversee the Toxics
Coordinating Committee. Develop the air toxics program and
hire a toxicologist. Coordinate asbestos actions between
the TSCA and NESHAPS programs and with OSHA.
o Improve Our Evalutation of Air Program Data — Improve the
air program’s regulatory data bases and evaluate relation-
ships among emissions, ambient concentrations, and viola-
tions.
o Continue Regulatory Reform Efforts — Maintain the region’s
national leadership role in developing the bubble policy.
These and other objectives are discussed in more detail in the
following pages.
ARD— 1
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Program
SEA EMR AMAS Guidance
Goal #1 Improve Agency credibility and restore public trust
In Region I
° Public communication
Respond to congressional, public and state inquiries concern-
ing air, radiation, pesticides, and toxics problems. Conduct
required public hearings. Conduct public educational meetings X X x
as part of state oversight process.
• Special p
rojec
ta
Publish
AMD
annual
report.
Complete
special
reports
on
topics
such
as
open
burning,
the
1983
ozone
season,
and
other
X
issues.
Goal 02 Delegate authority from HQ to Regions and from the Region
to the States
° Grants management
Issue program guidance to states and NESCAUM on 5105 grants.
Participate in NESCALJM task force to simplify grant process
and make jt more relevant to state needs. Negotiate grant
outputs with states. Develop grant packages and award X
grants. Conduct semi—annual oversights.
o NSPS/NESHAPs delegations
Delegate applicable NSPS/NESHAPS standards to states within
6 months of EPA promulgation. Provide states assistance and
incentives_for_accepting_delegation.
o General modeling guidance (UNIVAC tie—in and workshops)
In support of delegated PSU programs and SIP related work,
X
X
increase state air quality modeling capability through
Interagency Agreements to use EPA computers, modeling work-
‘shops,_and_direct_EPA_assistance.
X
ARD-2
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• State oversight
Participate in national
NSR and SIP planning).
audits and write report
oversight audits (grants; compliance,
Issue guidelines to states, conduct
of findings.
Goal $3 Increase our enforcement capability
Compliance monitoring
Condijcc case development and state oversight inspections.
J sue Section 114 information inquiries as appropriate.
SEA
EMR
Program
AMAS Guidance
x x
• Conduct Technical and policy workshops for states
X
o FIFRA Delegations
Encourage all states to upgrade their performance on delega-
ted_programs.
• TSCA Delegations
X
Continue to support the pilot delegation of PCH inspection
authority_in_CT.
x
x
x
x
• Initial case development (administrative and litigative)
Prepare and issue notices of violation as appropariate.
Schedule_conferences_with_violating_sources.
X
X
X
• Compliance Data System (CDS)
Assure all states submit quarterly compliance data and
enforcement statistics to EPA. Establish system for quality
assurance of regional CDS data. Report quarterly data to
Headquarters_and_Regional_Administrator.
X
X
ARD— 3
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Program
SEA EIIR AMAS Guidance
Administrative orders -
Prepare, issue and monitor §113(d) orders to violating
sources as appropriate. Monitor compliance with previously x
issued coal conversion orders.
o Technical support to civil/criminal actions
Develop technical support for DOJ referral cases. Prepare
litigation report. Prepare, issue and monitor consent
decrees_as_appropriate.__Refer_contempt_actions_to_D03.
x
x
°.Technical support to noncompliance penalty determinations
(notice; petition review; prehearing settlement;
adjudicatory hearing; judicial review and delegation)
X
• New source review programs
Determi .e applicability, and issue and enforce PSD permits
in non—lelegated states. Overview SllO permit issuance
in all states assuting conformance with both attainment and
nonattainment_SIP_requirements.
X
X
• Mobile source enforcement
Study the need for, and assess the feasibility of imple—
menting_a_Region_I_mobile_source_enforcement_program.
X
X
Emergency Response
Respond_to_emergencies_as_needed_under_Section_303.
X
• Pesticide Enforcement
Increase state enforcement capabilities by funding additional
inspectors and helping them focus their resources on high
priority_projects.
X
I
ARD-4
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• Asbestos Enforcement
Continue use of the American Association of Retired Persons
contract to increase the number of asbestos inspections and
subsequent enforcement actions.
SEA EMR
x
P rog ram
AMAS Guidance
x x
• PCB Enforcement
Contir ue to
nonitor and enforce compliance with PCB
X
X
X
re lations.
Goal 04 Manage for environmental results and meet accountability
system objectives
o Administration and program planning
Negotiate workload model allocations, accountability system
requirements, and program guidance with Headquarters.
Prepare program plans.
x
x
• 1982 SIPs
Complete action on state nonattainment plans for Co and 03.
X
X
• SO 2 relaxations
Process state requests for revised SO 2 emission limits within
time frames prescribed by Headquarters.
X
X
o Lead SIPS
Promulgate state plans for attainment of new lead standard
in conformance with time frames prescribed by NRDC law suit.
X
X
o Post 1982 attainment SIPS
Using required CAA sanctions as applicable, obtain revised
attainment plans for states whose plans were inadequate for
meeting 1982 standard attainment.
X
X
a
.RD— 5
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Program
Guidance
• Newly designated nonattainment areas
Monitor existing air quality in New England and obtain
attainment plans from states for areas which slip back into
standards nonattainment after the required attainment date.
SEA
EMR AlIAS
x
x
• Section in redesignations
Assure that states properly designate the attainment
status_of_areas_within_their_jurisdiction.
x
• NSR guidance
Assure that EPA NSR regulations resulting from Chemical
Manufacturer’s Association and Alabama Power lawsuits are
implemented_in_state_regulations
X
• SIP Changes
Process state requests for SIP amendments within time
frames_prescribed_by_Headquarters.
X
• State modeling guidelines
Review 4nd approve state modeling guidelines in conformance
with national guidance.
X
• Additional guidance and support (PSD permitting; guidance for
emission trading programs; and interstate/international
coordination)
X
• Mobile Sources ‘
Assess the effectiveness of I/N progrcuns in MA and CT. Work
to’:ards establishing Federal Vehicle Fleet compliance with
CT and MA I/N program. Assess state feasibility studies of,
and negotiate for implementation of anti—tampering/anti-fuel
•_switching_programs_in_NH,_ME,_CT_and_RI.
X
X
X
ARD-6
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• £18 review
Review and comment on Environmental Impact Statements in
coordination with Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Goal * Improve the quality of our data and science
o NECRNP model workgroup
Coordinate with Headquarters, states and Region II to plan
for the modeling of the NY—NJ-CT Ozone plans with a photo—
chemical grid model to examine the adequacy of SIPS for the
attainment of ozone standards in CT.
• Special report on air quality/emissions
Perform a study of the SAROAD (air quality), NEDS (emissions)
and CDS (compliance) data systems to develop a system of
annual analyses designed to yield new or better insights into
air quality/emissions/compliance relationships and trends.
SEA EMR AlIAS
Program
Guidance
x
• Radiation
Represent
EPA on the New England
Radiological Health
.
Committee
and work closely with states
to implement EPA
radiation
guidelines. Assist FEMA in
overviewing state
and
x
local_emergency_radiation_plans.
x
S
o NEDS tracking
Assist states in solving problems with their enission
invento es while assuring compatibility with NEDS. Develop
system for tracking of state NEDS .su nittals through the edit
and_update_cycles.
X
o Radiation Exposure Assessment
Develop_automated_models_for_predicting_radiation_exposure.
ABD-7
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Coal 16 Strive to make Region I a pacesetter in environmental
protect ion
• Acid rain
Provide a focal point for information gathering and exchange
on acid rain related activities. Keep abreast of regional
and national developments. -
0 Assistance in development of new generic emission trading
regulations
Participate in Headquarters task force. Comment on proposed
policy
.
Approval
of source specific bubbles
Educate
states and industries on
EPA’S
emission trading
pol cy.
Seek approvable source
bubbles
for incorporation
into at
ate plans.
• Development of
regional modeling policy
Maintain an
active liason with both
state agencies and
Headquarters
for the development of
material
and
required
EPA modeling
policies.
• Air toxics
Establish and head Region I interdivisional task force to
establish unified agency position for difficult inter—media
toxic cases, and to provide staff with state of the art
information. Establish air toxics program in Air Management
Division by hiring toxicologist and restructuring of existing
programs. Conduct toxics workshops for state and update
state data bases.
$
ARD-8
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Program
SEA ENR AMAS Guidance
AsbestoB NESHAPs
Develop and implement a coherent asbestos inspection program
which fulfills all NESLIAP5 and TSCA requirements. EBtablish
interagency agreements with state agencies and OSHA to help X X X
implement program.
• Radiation
Represent Region I in the
development
of non—ionizing radia-
tion criteria, low—level radioactive
and_radionucleidesNESHAPS.
waste
disposal
policy,
X
X
ARD—9
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Water
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FY84 ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN — REGION I
WATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION
During FY84 the Water Management Division will direct resources
and activities toward the achievement of the key goals of the
Agency and of the Regional Administrator. In implementation of
the water programs, attention will be focused on achieving the
greatest water quality and public health benefits through such
vehicles as: (a) effectively managing the limited federal re-
sources to maximize environmental benefits; (b) improving the
quality of water—related data and planning to improve decision—
making capabilities; Cc) improving compliance with water and
wastewater statutes and regulations via increased monitoring,
technical assistance, and appropriate enforcement actions; and
(d) enhancing state/EPA relationships through increased delegation
to states with demonstrated environmentally sound programs and the
elimination of redundancy in delegation overview. The WMD will
take the lead in resolving some of the Region’s highest priority
water quality problems, including Boston Harbor and South Essex
Sewerage District. In addition, the WMD will continue the develop-
ment of innovative programs that will maintain the Region’s posi—
tion as a pacesetter in groundwater and acid rain. The following
accomplishment plan reflects the Water Management Division’s ac-
tivities and directions for FY 1984 which will contribute to the
attainment of these goals.
Goal #1 Improve Agency credibility and restore public trust in
Region I .
o Continue to participate actively in the NEWPCF, NEIWPCC,
AWWA, NEWWA, RWA and other constituency groups to increase
awareness of current activities under the CWA and SDWA,
including presentations at meetings and participation in
training activities.
o Assist the public in resolving questions about federal
regulatory authority and respond to public complaints of
illegal activity.
O Provide advice and assistance to states and the public in
interpreting and implementing drinking water regulations
on volatile organics as well as the revised primary
standards.
o Conduct meetings with states, environmental groups, and
business interests to discuss the National Groundwater
Policy.
O Maintain a high level of awareness and visibility in con—
struction projects and other program issues with or likely
to have an overriding federal interest.
WRD—1
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o Inform the National Acid Deposition research program of the
needs and concerns of New England States, public and
private interest groups, and research community in the
development of a National Acid Rain Policy. In turn,
explain National Policy and research program to the New
England States and interests.
Goal #2 Delegate authority from HO to Regions and from the
Region to the States .
o Administer Regional water programs in partnership with the
New England States by pursuing delegation in states which
have demonstrated sound environmental programs and by re-
ducing redundancy in current operations and delegation
overview wherever possible. (AMAS)
— In the NPDES Program, achieve delegation in two states
(Massachusetts and Rhode Island); continue negotiations
in the remaining two states (Maine and New Hampshire)
for delegation next fiscal year.
— Complete delegation of the EJIC Program in the remaining
three states (Connectict, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
— Pursue delegation of the 404 permitting authority from
the Corps of Engineers (COE) to the State of Rhode Island.
o Develop and implement a water program state overview strategy
which encompasses all water programs. In addition, we expect
to:
— Implement appropriate improvements in overview programs
in the two delegated NPDES states (Connecticut and Vermont).
— Revise the Construction Grants Program 205(g) Delegation
Agreements in all six states incorporating the Agency’s
policy on delegation overview and provisions for additional
delegable items such as the I/A and MBE/WBE programs.
o Seek delegation of authority from Headquarters to the
Regional Administrator to make decisions on local matters
of environmental concern.
— Under 404(c), based upon a determination of unacceptable
impacts, assume authority to veto issuance of COE
permits c to predesignate sites as unsuitable for
discharge of dredged or fill material.
— Under Part 6 of NEPA Regulations, acquire authority to
approve a segment of a 201 construction grants project
during the overall environmental review process.
WRD-2
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Goal #3 Increase our enforcement capability .
0 Establish a strong but fair enforcement presence in the
water community by application of the appropriate enforce-
ment tools in response to compliance violations of environ-
mental laws and regulations. (AMAS)
— In the NPDES Program, either return to compliance or
take an appropriate enforcement action against all
permittees out of compliance at the start of the fiscal
year.
— In the PWS Program, reduce the percentage of microbio-
logical and turbidity violations and ensure that appro-
priate enforcement actions are taken against systems in
violation at the start of the fiscal year.
— Although the Region will strive to attain the goal of
achieving compliance with the fixed list of violators
identified above, we will assess other sources which
violate their standards during the year to determine
if they are more serious violators than those remaining
on the fixed list. If so, we will either direct our
resources or work with the delegated states to address
the new violators at the expense of not meeting our
predetermined goals.
o Work with all six states to implement the National Municipal
Policy. The policy requires the states and EPA to prioritize
their municipal enforcement efforts to achieve the highest
compliance rates for operational facilities and to develop
lists and an enforcement scheme to have all major municipals
on schedules to meet the July 1, 1988 date where feasible.
(AMAS, OWOGAS, SEA) — The states have all submitted draft
State Municipal Policies and have committed to submitting
final policies by March, 1984.
o Assist New Hampshire and Vermont in improving compliance
with IPDWR by providing technical assistance through
sanitary surveys and program guidance on the development
of enforcement strategies.
o Provide technical assistance to the Regional Superfund pro-
gram and RCRA program in the form of geohydrological evalu-
ations and health effect assessments where water supplies
are affected by hazardous waste sites.
o Work more actively with the Corps of Engineers to enforce
against unauthorized dischargers. Issue administrative
orders and/or refer cases to the Department of Justice as
appropriate. In particular, the Region will monitor the
Cumberland Farms case with the option to commence inde-
pendent enforcement action or join the Corps as a co—
litigant.
WRD—3
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Goal #4 — Manage for environmental results and meet accountability
objectives .
o Manage limited federal resources to maximize environmental
benefits of public investment. Provide technical and admin-
istrative review, guidance, and assistance to the states
on all water media assistance programs. Monitor awarded
grants to assure that milestones are accomplished, time
requirements are met, and special conditions are being
complied with. These programs include: Section 106 (Water
Pollution Control Programs); Section 205(j) (Water Quality
Management Planning); Section 205(g) (Construction Grants
Management); Section 314 (Clean Lakes Program); Section
104(b) (Training); UIC (underground Injection Control Pro-
gram); PWS (Public Water Systems).
o Assure the improvement of state decision—making for pollu-
tion control to address the most significant water quality
problems. (OWOGAS)
— Work with states to assure development of high quality
planning tools, including Continuing Planning Process,
Priority Waterbody List, and Annual Planning Work Program.
— Provide technical assistance and support to states to
conduct TMDL/WLA for conventional and toxic pollutants on
priority water bodies. Assure completion of TMDL/WLA
needed for priority permits and construction grants.
— provide leadership through support of NEIWPCC efforts in
toxic pollutants control, water quality standards, and
toxicity testing procedures.
o Assure effective implementation of the revised water qual-
ity standards regulation. Work with each state to implement
the provisions of the water quality standards regulation.
provide assistance to states in water quality criteria for
toxic pollutants. Assure incorporation of attainability
analyses and antidegradation considerations into water
quality standards revisions. (OWOGAS)
O Provide financial and technical assistance to Clean Lakes
projects for the restoration and/or protection that will
maximize public benefits. Integrate Clean Lakes projects
to the greatest practicable extent with other EPA and other
agency programs to maximize the effectiveness of limited
resources. (EMR)
O Maintain active wetlands preservation programs to insure
protection of critical wetlands and their environmental
values.
o Assist in the designation of an acceptable offshore dredge
spoil disposal site for southeastern Massachusetts and
WBD—4
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Rhode Island by developing the required environmental
studies in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers.
° Manage the Division efficiently to meet major program commit-
ments. (AMAS, OWOGAS)
— In the Construction Grants Program, achieve obligations
($201.6 million) and outlays ($198.0 million) in accord-
ance with quarterly and monthly schedules and complete
approximately 50% of the administrative completions
backlogged at the start of the fiscal year.
— Reduce the backlog of expired major municipal and non—
municipal permits each by approximately 50%.
— Reduce the backlog of municipalities needing approval of
their pretreatment program at the start of the fiscal
year by approximately 50%.
— Issue general NPDES permits for controlling the discharge
of non—contact cooling waters.
— Administer 301(h) waiver program to insure all decisions
are completed in a timely manner, are scientifically
sound, and provide complete protection of the environment.
Goal #5 — Improve the quality of data and science .
o Improve the effectiveness of monitoring activities to
support water quality control decisions and to evaluate
progress in meeting water quality objectives. (OWOGAS)
— Provide guidance and assistance to states in the prepara-
tion of high quality 305(b) water qality assessment
reports.
— Assure eftective utilization of 305(b) information in
water quality planning and in developing water quality
management priorities and decisions.
— Improve capabilities to assess the impact of non point
sources of pollution (urban runoff, agricultural runoff,
etc.) on attaining designateu t ses.
o Continue to improve quality in the Construction Grants and
Permits/Compliance data management systems, GICS and PCS.
(OWOGAS)
o Follow—up on problem areas identified in data verification
studies to improve accuracy of PWS compliance data.
WRD-5
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O Enhance data management capability/reliability through ex-
panded use of existing (and future) computer systems in
such areas as diagnostic evaluation of wastewater treat-
ment plants.
Goal #6 Strive to make Region I a pacesetter in environmental
protection
O Coordinate and accelerate efforts directed toward implement-
ing the Boston Harbor clean—up to insure the upgradiny of
the MDC treatment facilities and the MDC and member munici-
palities’ sewer system infrastructure. (SEA,EMR)
— Coordinate state/federal efforts through the SEA process
with Massachusetts EOEA.
— Complete the draft EIS on siting wastewater treatment
facilities in Boston Harbor. Coordinate the development
and completion of supplementary environmental studies
required for a decision and initiation of design of sludge
disposal facilities for the MDC.
— Maintain an active involvement in priority construction
grants projects for the MDC/Boston Harbor.
O Coordinate and accelerate efforts that will correct the
pollution problems in Salem Harbor caused by the discharge
of sludge by South Essex Sewerage District (SESD).
(SEA, EMR)
r Coordinate state/federal efforts through the SEA process
with the Massachusetts EOEA.
— Work with DOJ, MDEQE, and SESD to insure that SESD will
achieve compliance with its permit.
— Maintain an active involvement in priority construction
grants projects for SESD.
o Serve as regional focal point for ground water program acti-
vities to enhance overall ground water protection. Provide
regional input and direction into the National Ground Water
Strategy by actively soliciting and compiling regional,
state and public comments, including a state/EPA meeting to
discuss the Strategy and participation in state ground water
management conferences. Assure the Regional Ground Water
Steering Committee is effective in coordinating existing EPA
programs and identifying and addressing emerging issues.
O Take a lead role in identifying ground water contamination
problem, and work toward resolving these problems. (EMR)
WRD-6
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— Continue identification of extent of leaking underground
storage tanks by updating the Regional Status Report.
Coordinate control efforts with all New England States.
— Participate with Headquarters in completing an underground
storage tank UST statistical survey to better define the
extent of ground water contamination from leaking under-
ground storage tanks.
provide leadership in developing and implementing programs
to control toxic substances in water and sediments. (EMR)
— Implement the procedures for establishing effluent limita-
tions for toxic pollutant discharges to small streams based
on toxicity testing.
— Complete planning with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to
set up field work on the Ten Mile River for this fiscal year
needed to obtain data necessary to establish toxics waste—
load allocations for a complex multiple discharge situation.
Implement a similar effort for the Pawtuxet River in Rhode
Island.
° Provide leadership in developing National acid rain policy,
strategies and research priorities. Work with Northeast
Task Force on Acid Deposition.
o Provide leadership to Headquarters, the states, other
federal agencies, and interest groups in developing effec-
tive strategies and approaches to control nonpoint sources
of pollution. (EMR,OWOGAS)
— Assist states in refining NPS assessments and providing
status of NPS control activities.
— Assist in the further development of strategies to con-
trol NPS and to involve the diverse agencies and interest
groups which are the key to implementation.
— Provide input on regional priorities and needs to Head-
quarters to influence national policy development. Give
special attention to urban runoff.
o Enhance state/federal partnership by providing technical
training to-c ssist States to perform delegable functions.
— Assist and instruct grantees in proper management and
administration of construction grants by providing train-
ing through project management conferences, guidance
manuals, and workshops/seminars in such areas as Preven-
tion/Resolution of contractor claims, environmental review
under 205(g) and technology transfer.
WRD-7
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— Set up NPDES permitting and compliance workshops for the
states to improve their capabilities in such areas as
writing BPT permits, biomonitoring, pretreatment, compli-
ance sampling and diagnostic audit inspections, and
quality assurance.
O Develop model for annual pretreatment status report to be
submitted by all municipalities and adopted by Headquarters
for national use.
WRD- 8
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Waste
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FY84 ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN — REGION I
WASTE MANAGEMENT DIVISION
The Waste Management Division is responsible for implementation
of a coherent, overall program for the management of solid and
hazardous waste; coordination of planned removal and remedial
response; as well as the management of PCB releases to the
environment. These activities are performed under the authority
of the Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA); the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act (CCRCLA); and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
The major initiatives for the Division in FY84 are:
— Maintain on—going progress in cleaning up hazardous waste
sites with major emphasis on National Priority List sites,
— Foster private party cleanup through use of enforcement
mechanisms, and
— Ensure implementation of the RCR.A program in all Region I
states with emphasis on state authorization, compliance
monitoring, enforcement, and permitting.
Goal #1 Improve Agency credibility and restore public trust in
Region I
o Maximize public understanding of the Superfund cleanup
process by developing and implementing community relations
programs for all active NPL sites. (HO guidance memo)
o Maximize public understanding of the RCRA program by
responding to public inquiries and Freedom of Information
Act requests in a timely manner and, as requested, meet
with all constituency groups.
o Initiate an EPA enforcement presence, where necessary, in
each RCRA authorized state.
Goal #2 Delegate authority from HO to Regions and from the
Region to the States
O Develop an effective partnership with the states through
management of 3012 grants, site cooperative agreement
development, and technical support for field investigation
and laboratory analysis. (0SWER Operating Guidance)
WSD-1
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Goal #2 (Continued)
o RCRA Delegation Process (AA Guidance)
— Make 6 Phase .11 Authorization decisions
— Receive 6 Final Authorization applications
o RCRA Overview Program (AA Guidance)
— Actively participate in the development of the national
RCRA overview policy
— Develop interim Region I oversight policy guidance
— Conduct quarterly file reviews, mid—year (SEA) and
end—of—year reviews where necessary in conformance with
the emerging national overview policy
— Implement HO/Region I audit recommendations
— Encourage voluntary state enforcement referrals to EPA
for recalcitrant sources
o State Training/Technical Assistance
— Provide state on—site staff technical assistance where
necessary to achieve AMAS commitments utilizing details,
IPA’s, short term agreements, etc.
— Conduct training workshops for the states in Permits
Development, Negotiation Skills, Incineration Trial
Burn Reviews, and Financial Evaluations
— Carry out authorized state permit assistance agreements
as negotiated in each Authorization MOA
— Provide contractual support where necessary, i.e.
—assist Massachusetts to develop a list of
financial violator referrals
—perform financial reviews in support of the Maine
hazardous waste program
o State/EPA Strategy Development
— At least annually continue to meet with State Directors
jointly to develop mutual strategies to implement RCRA
and to resolve major policy issues
Goal #3 Increase our enforcement capability
o Maximize conservation of the trust fund by encouraging
voluntary private party cleanup and conducting an effective
enforcement program consisting of: (AMAS, RAP, REAP)
— Complete 7 Responsible Party Searches
— Undertake 4 Responsible Party Ner tiations
— Issue 4,Administrative Enforcement Actions
— Develop and refer to HO 1 Judicial Enforcement Action
— Monitor 5 Active Enforcement Cases
— Develop and refer to HO 5 Cost Recovery Actions
— Initiate 2 New Enforcement Remedial Investigation!
Feasibility Studies
WSD-2
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Goal #3 (Continued)
Reorganization
— Centralize all RCRA responsibilities in one Branch,
establishing a new Compliance Monitoring and
Enforcement Section
— Initiate monthly enforcement staff meeting to insure all
cases are brought to resolution
— Develop and implement a Regional enforcement policy in
authorized states
o Overview Program (AA Guidance)
— Receive, evaluate and track all state HWDMS reports
— Conduct joint inspections to enhance state inspector
capability and evaluate individual performance
— Conduct overview inspections to evaluate state program
performance
— Refer cases for enforcement followup to the authorized
states where necessary, in accordance with the MOA, and
track state progress to insure “timely and effective”
enforcement
— Institute administrative and civil federal enforcement,
where necessary, in conformance with the MOA
Goal #4 Manage for environmental results and meet accountability
system objectives
o Maintain and expand the database on the Regional inventory
of over 800 potential uncontrolled sites. Conduct over 125
preliminary assessments and over 50 site inspections by EPA
or through oversight of state RCRA 3012 grants. (AMAS)
O Rank all sites submitted by states for inclusion on the
National Priority List “NPL”. (HO Program Guidance)
o Maximize response to current 45 NPL sites in Region.
Oversee: (RAP, EMR)
— 21 ongoing Remedial Investigation Feasibility Studies
(RI/FS)
— 5 new remedial RI/FS
— 8 private party RI/FS
— seek supplementa]. funds for an additional RI/FS
— 4 Remedial Designs
— 4 Remedial Constructions
— 1 Initial Remedial Action
O Meet state and EPA schedules for decisions on RCRA Final
Authorization (A ’AS)
O Meet annual RCRA permit commitments (AMAS)
O Meet quarterly EPA and authorized state quarterly
inspection targets (AMAS)
WSD- 3
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Goal #5 Improve the quality of our data and science
o Effectively manage the Remedial Planning/Field
Investigation (REM/FIT) contracts to insure cost—
effectiveness and high quality technical data development
and innovative remedial option selection. (HO Program
Guidance)
O Coordinate through interagency agreement with Corps of
Engineers for supervision of federal lead design and
construction and with Center for Disease Control for
conduct of health studies and health advisories.
(Interagency MOA’s, lAG’s, HO Program Guidance, EMR)
o In conjunction with HO, develop a computerized system that
can receive state monthly reports and produce management
reports for the states and EPA. (AA Guidance)
o Continue to encourage the development of the New England
Manifest ADP System compliance tool.
Goal #6 Strive to make Region I a pacesetter in environmental
protection
o Improve the scientific data by effective coordination with
the regional sample control center. Selectively prioritize
the most critical data such as that used for enforcement
case support of determination of public health impacts.
(HO Program Guidance, EMR)
o Continue to impact national regulation and policy
development by actively participating in the development
of national hazardous waste tank regulations and national
RCRA overview policy.
WSD-4
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Regional Counsel
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FY84 ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN — REGION I
OFFICE OF REGIONAL COUNSEL
During FY84, the Office of Regional Counsel will place great
emphasis on working closely with program offices to develop
new enforcement initiatives, to pursue administrative, civil
and criminal enforcement actions, and to help initiate CERCLIA
cleanup actions. This Office will also work closely with the
Department of Justice to insure vigorous prosecution of on-
going court actions. Finally, this Office will give increased
attention and priority to state applications for delegations
of environmental programs, while also continuing our legal
advice functions.
The following plan sets forth the specific items which this
Office expects to accomplish. It should be noted, however,
that the office is dependent to a significant degree on the
work of other offices. In addition, it should be noted that
it is impossible to determine with precision what resources
will have to be expended on particular enforcement matters.
As a result, the ability of the Office to accomplish the items
set forth in the plan cannot be determined with certainty at
this time.
Goal #1 Improve agency credibility and restore public trust
in Region I
Work with program offices in developing and •implementinc
enforcement strategies which tackle the Region’s major
environmental violations.
Vigorously prosecute existing court actions.
Participate in public hearings prior to issuance of RCRA
hazardous waste permits and respond to public comments.
Provide the public with an opportunity to review ano
comment on proposed settlements of judicial actions
in hazardous waste entorcement cases. Where possible,
solicit public input prior to settlement of administrative
actions in such cases.
Respond to inquiries from the public in as complete and
timely a manner as possible.
Rend r legal advice which adheres to the principles and
purposes articulated by the environmental statutes and
which is supported by other relevant legal principles.
ORC-1
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Goal #2 Delegate authority from HO to the Region and from the Region
to the States
Give priority to legal reviews of state applications for delega-
tions of environmental programs and work closely with the states
and program offices in order to expedite these delegations. Speci-
fic programs planned to be delegated by the program offices
include:
• NPDES program to Massachusetts and Rhode Island,
• tJIC program to Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont,
• 404 program to Rhode Island,
• Further NSPS and NESHAPs categories for the six Region I
states, and
• RCRA Phase II interim authorizations for Massachusetts and Rhoae
Island and final authorizations for the six Region I states.
Review of cooperative agreements and contracts for state conduct
of CERCLA remedial actions.
• Seek increased delegation of authority for enforcement activities
from HQ to the Region in order to maximize enforcement and minimize
paperwork.
• Provide legal advice to the Water Management Division in con-
nection with its revision to the Construction Grants Program
205(g) Delegation Agreements in each of the six Region I states.
Participate with the program offices in providing assistance to
states with delegated programs and in conducting overviews of
state programs.
Goal *3 Increase our enforcement capability
Work closely with program offices to develop quality enforcement
actions, including actions that will help ameliorate the most
significant environmental problems. In particular, emphasis
will be placed on developing enforcement actions
to insure that NPDES sources, not in compliance at the start
o . he fiscal year, will be brought into compliance,
under RCRA, subtitle C,
for cost recovery under CERCLA,
ORC-2
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• against all sources on the list of significant violators
under the Clean Air Act,
• to protect wetlands, and
• in the pretreatment area.
provide proper support to and coordinate actively with the
Department of Justice in handling Region i litigation in order to
insure vigorous prosecution of court cases. (A’s Guid.)
Work with Department of Justice, FBI and EPA criminal investigators
to develop quality criminal cases, particularly cases under RCRA
and CERCLA.
Assist program offices in working closely with Region I states to
implement appropriate enforcement strategies. Where necessary
to meet compliance objectives, work with program offices to assume
the lead in enforcement cases.
Assist in implementing the National Municipal Policy so as to
require municipalities and other public entitities to adhere to
the statutory requirements.
Goal *4 Manage for environmental results and meet accountability
system objectives
Assist program offices by giving prompt attention to requests
for legal opinions and providing timely reviews of items
requiring legal concurrence or attention. In particular,
• continue and expand our NPDES permits advisor role in order
to help the Water Management Division reduce the backlog of
expired major municipal and non—municipal permits.
give increased priority to the legal review of pretreatment
programs in order to assist the Water Management Division in
reducing the backlog of such programs requiring approval.
• assist the Air Management Division ifl completing action on
state non—attainment plans for CO and 03.
• assist the Air Management Division in promulgating state
plans for attainment of the lead standaLt in conformance
with the schedule dictated by the NRDC settlement.
assist the Air Management Division in processing state
requests for revised so 2 emission limits.
• provide legal advice and opinions on grant issues, including
bid protests, grant appeals, and issues relating specifically
to the Construction Grants Program (including those arising
under the 205(g) Delegation Agreements).
ORC-3
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• Provide timely legal support to program offices when necessary
to the smooth functioning of program operations. For example,
arrange for program personnel to have site access to conduct
inspections and CERCLA and CWA cleanup operations.
Goal #5 Improve the quality of our data and science
• Assist the program offices in collecting reliable evidence for
specific enforcement actions.
Assist program staff in gaining an understanding of the types
and thoroughness of evidence necessary to support enforcement
actions.
Goal #6 Strive to make Region I a pacesetter in environmental
protection
• Work with program offices in developing creative enforcement
responses to priority pollution problems such as cases involving:
• air toxics,
• asbestos NESHAPs requirements, and
pretreatment.
• Continue our vigorous enforcement efforts to bring the South
Essex Sewerage District into compliance with applicable legal
requirements and work to resolve major municipal enforcement
questions relating to this effort.
Continue our enforcement and defensive litigation efforts
relating to the cleanup of Boston Harbor, and provthe legal
advice regarding the major environmental impact decisions to
be made for the harbor in 1984 and 1985.
• Participate in the regional groundwater task force and the
regional underground storage tank work group.
Serve as lead region contact on RCRA state program authoriza-
tion issues and as assistant lead region contact on municipal
enforcement.
Provide advice on the legal aspects of technical training that
the Water Management Division provides to states in connection
with the performance of states’ delegable functions under the
Construction Grants Prog am.
Participate in various national workgroups such as those on
the RCRA penalty policy, and
• community relations.
ORC-4
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Environmental Services
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FY84 ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN — REGION I
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION
While many major initiatives for the Environmental Services
Division in FY84 reflect a continuation of past efforts, we
will increase our efforts in certain target areas. They are
emergency response and removal actions, compliance monitoring,
scientific input to enforcement activities, toxics monitoring
and assessment and procedures to upgrade the quality of con-
tractor generated data. We shall also provide technical assis-
tance and training for State agencies to promote successful
delegation of additional program activities. Finally, we shall
strive to improve EPA science and data quality through further
dissemination of method development and implementation of Agency
quality assurance requirements.
Goal #1 — Improve Agency Credibility to Restore Public Trust
in Region I
o Continue to inform, consult and coordinate our emergency
response activities with municipal officials, community
action groups and others. Procedures to implement these
activities have been included in the OSC’s operation
manual.
o Institute outreach programs to schools and professional
groups using this facility for training/tours, and by
making speakers available.
o provide skilled personnel and resources to other agencies
to help them with difficult environmental problems.
Environmental Services Division’s assistance to the State
of Vermont at Williamstown, Vermont and the expertise we
provided the FBI in Connecticut are good examples.
o Continue to provide expert witnesses not only to the
enforcement efforts of the region’s line programs, but
with the approval of the Regional Counsel to enforcement
efforts of other levels of government.
° Since most of the personnel of this division deal directly
with the regulated community and since credibility ulti-
mately turns on the professional calibre and integrity of
our personnel, we will:
1. Continue an aggressive training program (all
personnel will take some formal training each
• year).
2. Revise our Division employees’ manual before the
end of January 1984.
ESD-1
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3. Continue a very aggressive safety program using
the Division Safety Committee and personnel
training. We must keep the risk accidents to a
minimum especially, when we are in the public eye
as we clean up a site.
Goal #2 — Delegate Authority from Headquarters to Regions and
from the Region to the States
o Work with States and Headquarters in identifying areas
which may be in violation of the soon to be proposed
primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Parti-
culate Matter commonly referred to as PM1O. As only a
very small data base of PM1O exists, surrogate statisti-
cal methods will be used to manipulate the present total
particulate standard (TSP) data base to identify areas of
possible PMlO violations. As there are virtually no PM1O
monitors in the Region, we intend to first help the states
attain the necessary number of PM1O monitors, train them
in their use, and assist them in locating proper monitor—
locations to allow operation of these networks within one
year of promulgation of the PM1O standard.
o To continue to improved the capabilities of State labora-
tories, particularly in organic chemistry by means of
technical assistance, consultation and training, to meet
current and emerging program support requirements.
O Provide technical assistance, training, test organism cul-
tures and Quality Assurance laboratory audits to those
States which have begun a toxicity testing program in the
NPDES process. (Connecticut and Maine). New Hampshire is
developing an organism culturing capability for future
testing; Massachusetts has a program conducted through
agreement with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
o Implement toxicity testing strategy through the NPDES
permit reissuance program with the concurrence and cooper-
ation of the States including cooperative studies to
further develop States’ capabilities in toxicity reduction
programs.
Goal #3 — Increase our Enforcement Capability
o Provide timely and adequate support to EPA Enforcement
personnel in evaluating continuous emissions monitors and
associated excess emissions reports to increase the prob-
ability of continuous compliance. This includes review
of reports, auditing instruments, providing workshops for
State and Regional personnel, etc.
ESD—2
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0 Provide timely and adequate support to the Water Compliance
Section by providing sampling and analytical assistance in
developing technical data, especially for case referrals,
and yet maintain our output of approximately 100 compliance
inspections a year.
Provide expertise and sufficient documentation to Super—
fund recovery/enforcement actions.
Provide expert witnesses and scientific documentation to
assist enforcement actions directed to abate toxics contain—
ination of all media (Also mentioned under Goal #1).
Goal #4 — Manage for Environmental Results and Meet Account-
ability System Objectives
Continue to publish “Annual Report on Air Quality in New
England” which provides valuable information to all levels
of the public and private sectors, as well as much of the
air—related information in the Regional Administrator’s and
Air Management Division’s annual reports.
Work with the State Air Agencies to ensure that air moni-
toring data is reported within 90 days of the end of the
quarter to the Agency.
1. Percentage of NAMS data from continuous
analyzers.
2. Percentage of NAMS data from 24—hour integrated
hi—volume samplers.
3. Percentage of reporting organizations for which
the required precision and accuracy data have
been submitted.
0 To establish and operate a Regional Sample Control Center
in accordance with HQ directives to manage and control
requests for CERCLA and RCRA laboratory support in the most
timely and advantageous fashion.
0 Con: ..ict up to 12 immediate removal actions under CERCLA at
both NPL and non—NPL sites and at unanticipated emergency
events.
Goal #5 — Improve the Quality of our Data and Science
o In accordance with the regulatory requirements, provide
technical guidance and review of Quality Assurance Pro-
gram Plans and QA Project Plans for State assistance pro-
grams governing grants and cooperative agreements.
ESD—3
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o Implement the QA/QC requirements for extramural projects
performed for EPA for contracts over $10,000.
o Participate in the national EPA Performance Evaluation
Studies for Water Supply and Pollution Control parameters
to maintain analytical exellence.
o Document standard operating procedures for field and ana-
lytical services concerned with environmental sample coll-
ection, analysis, and data processing.
o Conduct training for field and laboratory staff both within
Regional EPA and State agencies. Such training may range
from “hands on” laboratory bench analyses in comprehensive
as trend analysis to the preparation of QA/QC plans.
o Document the precision and accuracy of all environmental
data as required by the Agency mandatory Quality Assur-
ance Program.
o Promote the development and use of new and supplemental
methods to support a balanced approach to environmental
monitoring that will support program decisions.
o Institute procedures that will allow this division to
evaluate the quality of all data generated by contractor
owned laboratories.
Goal #6 — Strive to make Region I a Pacesetter In Environ-
mental Protection
O Provide adequate support and coordination to the National
Dioxin Study (tiers 3—7). Keep the States and other fed-
eral agencies informed and enlist their aid and assistance
in selecting sampling locations and possible sampling
assistance. Complete all the fish tissue sampling under
tier 7 for background stations in FY 84.
o Participate on Regional acid rain task force and dissemin-
ate the expertise developed by ORD to answer all questions
relating to wet and dry depostion monitoring.
Maintain toxics air monitoring expertise and continue to
assist the States with setting up progr ms, training, and
technical assistance.
Work with Headquartors to set up a toxics air monitoring
station in the Boston area, and ensure that the needs of
both the States and Headquarters are met.
ESD—4
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Administrative Services
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FY84 ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN — REGION I
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION
The major FY84 initiatives of the Administrative Services
Division are to improve the communication of our major respon-
sibilities, policies and goals to all Region I employees; to
provide better rationale for our policies that reflect a concern
for equity between programs and cost effective decisions; to
provide information to management that is helpful in decision—
making; to inform our clients of how we carry out our activities
and what they can do to work with us to obtain good service; to
provide more responsive and courteous service to our clients
and to operate our programs in a manner that can withstand
scrutiny by the Inspector General’s office (within the resource
constraints imposed on the Division).
Goal #1 Improve Agency credibility and restore public trust
in Region I
Recognize the extremely negative publicity generated by such
specific reports and public forums as the “Grace Commission
Report” and the public pronouncement of Peter Grace that the
Federal government is grossly mismanaged, and recognize the
importance of operating a credible administrative operation to
manage public resources. To properly manage public resources,
do the following:
O Develop personnel policies for hiring, promoting, awarding
and training employees and tracking actions aQainst these
policies for budget and other management purposes.
O Help all segments of the regional office expeditiously hire
well—qualified people and put them into appropriate )obs
commensurate with their salaries and be mindful of EEO
commitments. Provide an orientation program for new employees,
stressing among other things general Federal employment
responsibilities and opportunities, and unique opportunities
in EPA, Region I.
o Develop relevant, understandable, standards of job performance
for SES and Merit Pay employees that allow for discrimination
between superior, average, and poor performance that can be
communicated between supervisors and subordinate. Counsel
managers and supervisors’ and track implementation of this
performance management system for conformance with the
requirements for pay and award determinations.
o Provide managers assistance in dealing with a wide range
of issues including a new labor contract when it is
finally negotiated, the improvement of our health and
ASD-1
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safety program, and how to work with problem employees
(rare as they are in EPA, Region I).
o Maintain the directives system which provides clear
guidance on assignment of responsibilities to minimize
duplication of work.
o Manage the regional planning process to direct resources
and efforts toward key environmental problems and to
prepare the region’s annual operating plan and regional
accomplishment plans.
o Improve the resource allocation process in the region
by a more careful review of the use of existing resources.
o Coordinate the accountability systems in Region I to track
program accomplishments against program commitments.
Prepare and conduct quarterly briefing sessions for
DRA, Division and Office Directors on regional progress
in meeting commitments and the status of specific
tracking items.
o Support the DRA in agency budget planning activities.
o Maintain the operation of the audit coordination process
in, support of the audit action official to ensure timely
actions and responses; and to ensure resolutions
consistent with EPA laws, regulations and with standards
acceptable to the Inspector General to the extent
practical. Effective audit coordination, resolution
and to follow—up is an integral part of sound federal
financial management.
o Administer the annual regional budget so that regional
managers know the resources available to them including
any special appropriation act requirements; receive
reports on their actual and planned usage and adjust
the budget allocations as needed to meet special needs
during the year. Hold budget briefings and meetings
for regional senior managers to explain the annual
approved budget, budget status at mid—year and fourth
quarter status for determining priority resource needs
before year end, plan and monitor resource expenditures
so that regional allowances dc’-”t exceed appropriation
limits or HO allocations.
o Operate procurement of goods and services such that regional
office needs are met in a timely and effective manner and
to the general satisfaction of the organization while
being certain to comply with EPA procurement policies and
regulaitons. Endeavor to enhance procurement user satisfaction
ASD-2
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by providing information, briefings or training to regional
employees on their obligations in requesting items and on
the federal procurement system constraints ana the reasons
for them.
Perform the major financial management activities of grants,
travel, payroll, commercial payments, general ledger mainte-
nance and cash management in accordance with goals and objec-
tives of the Prompt Payment Act, Debt Collection Act, Federal
Manager’s Financial Integrity Act and Reform 88 EPA initiatives.
Endeavor to enhance the activities by training regional employ-
ees in their obligations in these areas, with particular atten-
tion to monitoring correct cost charging under the Superfund
program. Plan for and utilize new automated financial systems
for processing to optimize utilization of EPA financial manage-
ment resources.
O Re—establish a sound system of managing federal supplies and
property to support regional needs to do work effectively that
includes costing out and planning for acquisition of goods or
reviewing acquisition plans of others; receipt of goods; dis-
position, review of use and establishment of understandable
policies for use; and implementing proper procedures for
excessing property.
O Prudently manage the short term and interim space moves
including providing telephone and electrical service and
other essential amenities to meet managers’ needs.
O Plan for, cost out and implement a sound security program for
the region, including implementing agreed upon security report
recommendations.
o Continue to provide cost effective communication support for
Region I, running the gammet from mail delivery, library,
photocopy, phones to ADP support. Provide the support in a
manner that explains to management the reasons for levels of
service provided and the cost of the service.
o Introduce and support the Headquarters’ supplied office
automation computer within the Administrative Services
Division. Use of the Headquarters’ supplied PRIME COMPUTER
SYSTEM will be for internal electronic mail; shared text
processing capabilities; interactive data collection, retrieval
and graphic facilities for meeting special local needs;
financial modeling tools; and connection to some of the
Headquarters’ budget information on their PRIME computer.
o Test and evaluate the applicability of the Lexitron word
processor for some personal computer uses such as handling
spreadsheet and list processing needs for general, regional
use. A favorable evaluation would then lead to establishing
ASD-3
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an in—house user training, application consulting and
support capability to insure fullest exploitation of
this technology.
0 On a pilot basis, install, test and evaluate introduction
of general purpose, personal computing in a regional
setting. Specifically, use of two IBM Personal Computers
supplied by Headquarters will be reviewed from the two
perspectives listed below:
A. From the standpoint of its ability to provide
ready, easy to use, enduser access to
“breakthrough” computing tools such as
integrated database—spreadsheet—graphics anc
project management packages.
B. From the perspective of its impact on and
requirement for traditional ADP staff
consulting and support, and its overall
impact on information sharing and management
concerns.
Goal #2 Delegate authority from HO to Regions and from the
Region to the States
0 Coordinate the State/Federal Roles task force workshop
in Region I and support regional efforts to implement
the report and/or workshop recommendations.
0 Coordinate the presentation of the Maryland Environmental
Atlas development process and results to interested
New England States. Do this in Rhode Island to
enhance SEA issue which seeks to develop a similar atlas.
o Assist in the development of Consolidated Grant
Reviews of State programs that are usetul to Regional
Administrator/Environmental Secretaries in follow—up
discussions as part of several SEA’S.
0 Work with the New England states and regional program
managers through the State/EPA Agreements to simplify,
expedite and make more efficient the application for
and award of financial assistance. This encompasses
coordination of EPA activities and requirements,
thereby, s porting administratively sound and secure
environmental programs.
o Investigate providing direct access to states on the
regional minicomputer facility to simplify data
collection and reporting burdens and also to provide
easy to use inquiry facilities for getting at EPA
national database information of interest.
ASD-4
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o Coordinate review of Agency draft program guidance to
permit the states maximum opportunity to comment.
o Provide assistance to Hazardous Waste program staff
and Office of Regional Counsel in reviewing State
submission for RCRA delegation in Massachusetts and
New Hampshire.
Goal #4 Manage for environmental results and meet accountability
system objectives
o Determine the impact that selected EPA regulations
will have on industries and municipalities. Report
on verifiable specific impacts by name, location, and
extent of impact through the Economic Dislocation
Early Warning System.
Goal #6 Strive to make Region I a pacesetter in environmental
protection
o Increase the effectiveness of the Region’s participation
in rulemaking by conducting briefings for the RA/DRA,
Division and Office Directors and staff who are
involved in regulation development and review; institute
a regional. Regulatory Priority System in Region I.
O Work closely with the Office of Strategic Assessment
and Special Studies at Dartmouth College to produce
the New England Environmental Assessment. Incorporate
the information from this report into the Environmental
Management Report.
o Continue to provide policy analytic support in the
Region and/or to participate in special studies in
cooperation with national, inter—regional and
Headquarters/regional analytic efforts.
SD-5
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Public Affairs
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FY84 ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN - REGION I
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The Office of Public Affairs will support the Region I efforts to
improve the quality of data and science, manage for environmental
results, delegate authority to the states and improve the Agency’s
credibility and restore public trust. OPA expects to play a
broader role in community relations now that the Administrator has
approved the establishment of an Agencywide Community Relations
Program which is to provide for better communications with the
public in environmental crises. One aspect of the draft plan
already in development is a training program for front line
staffers on community relations techniques. Region I OPA is
actively involved. OPA will collaborate with the Region I Office
of Government Relations and Environmental Review (OGRER) in reach-
ing out to business and environmental groups.
Goal #1 Improve Agency credibility and restore public trust in
Region I
o Openness with news media and general public while still
maintaining confidentiality where required by law or
circumstance.
o Public education via the media on principal environmental
problems facing the region including groundwater contamin-
ation, acid rain, pesticide residues, asbestos in schools
and local environmental issues such as hazardous waste
sites.
O Explain to media and general public the statutory and policy
aspects of environmental regulation writing, how regulations
develop, how the public can affect final regulations.
o Prompt response to FOIA information requests, timely determi-
nation of privileged or confidential matter.
o Prompt and thoughtful response to requests for EPA literature,
films and slide shows. Careful maintenance of inventories.
o Prompt and thoughtful response to requests for EPA speakers.
O Special publicity focus on enforcement actions.
o Assist in planning and implementing community relations at
Superfund sites and other local environmental crises.
o Train and assist front line staff in community relations
techniques in collaboration with Headquarters CPA to improve
communications and agency credibility at Superfund sites
and other scens of environmental crises, real or perceived.
OPA-1
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O Work with Headquarters OPA to establish national community
relations Clearing House to develop teaching documents and
audio—visuals to be used in community relations training and
implementation.
o Work with Headquarters OPA on formation of emergency response
team to move into environmental crises locations, identifying
regional personnel capable of assisting in these situations.
O Collaborate with OGRER Region I on outreach to and consultation
with citizen and business groups.
O Collaborate with state environmental agencies, the U.S.
Attorneys and other state, federal and local government
agencies in media relations.
o Conduct annual environmental awards program, EEEPPP competition
and other eduction/award programs
Goal #2 Delegate authority from HQ to the Region and from Region
to the States
o Publicity focus on delegation of program authority to the
States
o Improve EPA—State partnerships by collaboratling on public
information, news releases and press conferences
Goal #4 Manage for environmental results and meet accountability
system objectives
o Relate EPA programs to obvservable or measurable environ-
mental results in news releases and other publicity docu—
men ts
O Collaborate with program offices in redefining REgioni I
objectives in terms of environmental results
Goal #5 Improve the quality of data and science
0 Report to media and general public on monitoring and
analytical techniques employed by EPA, includ 4 ng limits
of detection.
O Explain to the media and general public risk analysis
and risk management.
OPA-2
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Government Relations
& Environmental Review
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FY 1984 ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN — REGION I
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This newly created Office will support EPA’S goals as it carries out
its five substantive functions and its liaison responsibilities with
five major client groups. Its five substantive functions are the
following:
1. The environmental review of major actions of other federal
agencies, under the National Environmental Policy Act and Section
309 of the Clean Air Act.
2. Coordinating compliance of federal facilities with environmental
standards, under Executive Order 12088.
3. Managing the annual State—EPA agreement process, in which senior
officials identify and move toward resolution of issues which are
either major, emerging, multi—media or otherwise worthy of special
attention.
4. The Director of the Office serves as senior policy advisor to the
Regional Administrator and Deputy Regional Administrator and as
acting Regional Administrator in their absence.
5. The Office’s liaison responsibility is to promote EPA’S overall
goals by maintaining or by helping to maintain close and effective
working relationships with the following five governmental consti-
tuencies in the region:
o The United States Congress;
o The Governors;
o Major state environmental officials;
o Municipal elected officials;
o Foreign governments, principally Canada.
In addition to maintaining the currently excellent Congressional
relations, principal ij _ itiatiyes during Fiscal Year 1984 will include
the following:
1. Further revitalizing the resources and responsibilities of the
NEPA/309 environmental review function both nationally and in the
region, and developing its links with the environmental policy
community in state government and pub. ic interest groups.
2. Creating a Federal Facilities Compliance Coordination Program.
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3. Developing the role of senior policy advisor to be of maximum
assistance to the Regional Administrator, deputy, and senior
staff.
4. Re—establishing ties with certain Congressional and guberna-
torial offices in which there has been staff turnover.
5. strengthening the role of the State—EPA agreement as an effec-
tive environmental management tool fully supportive of the
state—Federal partnership Task Force Report.
6. Further developing a local government assistance and advocacy
program and cooperating with the intergovernmental aspects of
the emerging community relations program.
7. Attempting to focus the various functions of the office (inform-
ation flow, intergovernmental contacts and environmental
review and policy advisor tasks) on premier issues to promote
their resolution.
Goal #1 Improve Agency credibility and restore public trust in
Region I .
o Be open and responsive to governmental inquiries concerning EPA
activities and inform principal officials of major EPA actions
within their jurisdictions.
o To the extent permitted by resources, re—establish a govern-
mental outreach program that will regularly intorm officials of
a wide range of EPA activities.
O Develop the links between the 309/NEPA program and the environ-
mental policy staffs of state government and public interest
groups.
O Collaborate with the regional Office of Public Affairs in
reaching out to business and environmental groups, and in
implementing the intergovernmental aspects of the community
relations program.
o Focus intergovernmental information outreach on such priority
issues as enforcement, Superfund, Boston Harbor, etc.
Goal #2 Delegate authority from HO to Regions and from the Region
to the States .
o Promote and utilize the State—EPA agreement process as an
effective management tool
o Advocate within EPA methods of dealing which will reduce
misunderstandings and avoidable conflict.
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o Ensure that appropriate state officials are told of, and if
possible, concur in major EPA actions.
o Continue environmental policy dialogue with state officials.
o Ensure that, through briefing materials, weekly reports or
other contacts, that EPA Washington knows where the New
England states are coming from on environmental issues.
Goal #3 Increase our enforcement capability
o No direct responsibilities — see “Public Trust” and “Environ-
mental Results”.
Goal #4 Manage for environmental results and meet accountability
objectives .
o Protect and revitalize the resources and responsibilities of
the NEPA/309 environmental review process so that it can fully
address emerging environmental issues on a generic as well as
project—specific basis.
O Develop a Federal Facilities Compliance Coordinator Program
which will highlight serious non—compliance and facilitate
resolution.
o Utilize the State—EPA agreement process to manage major
environmental issues.
o Under a new diplomatic note, focus the activities of the US—
Canadian Committee on the St. John on continued environmental
improvement.
Goal #5 — Improve the quality of data and science .
o Ensure that data given to government contacts are accurate.
O Refine Federal Facilities Compliance data base to ensure
accuracy.
o Utilize NEPA/309 environmental review process to improve the
data presentation in other federal agencies’ environmental
impact statements.
Goal #6 — Strive to make Region One a pacesetter in environmental
protection
o Focus the various functions of the office (information flow,
intergovernmental contacts, and environmental review and
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policy advisor tasks) on premier issues to promote their
resolution.
o Ensure that EPA Washington, through preparation of the
Administrator’s briefing material and of the Weekly Signifi-
cant Issues Report, as well as regular contact with senior
EPA officials, knows of significant environmental problems
and progress in the region.
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