OCTOBER 1977
VOL. THREE, NO. NINE
LEARNING PESTICIDE SAFETY
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
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ERA'S PURPOSE
TO FORMULATE AND IMPLEMENT ACTIONS
WHICH LEAD TO A COMPATIBLE BALANCE
BETWEEN HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND THE
ABILITY OF NATURAL SYSTEMS TO SUP-
PORT AND NURTURE LIFE.
•w Y 7° a" have very legitimate needs for shelter,
\A/ food, and jobs, hut these needs must he met
without destroying or permanently impairing
the renewal capacity of the natural systems which
sustain people.
KPA's role is to help keep the halance which
protects the environment while still allowing fulfill-
ment of society's aspirations.
A recent Harris poll indicated that the American
people recognize their stake in protecting the envi-
ronment.
Most Americans now "would rather live in an
environment that is clean rather than in an area
with a lot of jobs," according to the poll.
The poll also showed that those questioned have
serious misgivings about technology and "bigness."
A majority felt that "modern technology furthers
the progress of society more than the progress of
the individual."
And a majority reported that they felt that
"bigness in almost anything leads to trouble for
individuals who can't stand up to it."
A point often overlooked is that while EPA is
carrying out its role as guardian of the environment,
it also helps protect human health, creates recrea-
tional opportunities, and provides new jobs and
industry.
To help emphasize the responsibility EPA has to
account to the public about its opportunities and
challenges, the name of its Public Affairs Office has
been changed to the Office of Public Awareness.
Some examples of the developments EPA will be
reporting on to the public in the months ahead are:
The environmental movement has spawned a ma-
jor pollution control industry as private companies
and factories all over America spend billions of
dollars to clean up their wastes.
EPA's multi-billion dollar construction grants pro-
gram to help cities build waste treatment plants
provides thousands of jobs.
Restrictions placed by EPA on the use of pesti-
cides protect farmers and other workers whose
health might otherwise be permanently impaired.
The massive efforts to clean up rivers and lakes
across the Nation provide recreational benefits for
thousands of low-income workers who cannot afford
to visit expensive resort areas.
The Agency's efforts to curb excessive noise will
eventually help reduce the psychological and hearing
damages from the cacophony of urban sounds in
our major cities.
The progress in reducing air pollution will protect
two of the most vulnerable groups in our popula-
tion—children and the aged.
While the environmental cause still must over-
come enormous obstacles, it is one which a properly
informed public will insist on winning.
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US. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
Douglas M. Costle.
Administrator
Joan Martin Nicholson
Director
Office of Public Awareness
Charles D. Pierce.
Editor
Truman Temple,
Associate Editor
Dave Cohen, Chris Fferham
Assistant Editors
Cover: An iowa farmer studying manual
during a pesticide applicator train ing
course. USDA Photo. (See story on Page 2).
Photo Credits:
Ernest Bucci. USDA. U.S. Navy
Printed on recycled paper.
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Articles
PESTICIDE SAFETY
Two million farmers and commercial applicators learn
how to apply highly toxic pesticides.
PAGE 2
PRESERVING FARMLAND PAGE 4
EPA to seek ways of encouraging preservation of farmland.
CHILD-PROOFING PESTICIDES PAGE 6
New rules would require special packaging to prevent children
from consuming poisons.
CONTROLLING TOXICS PAGE 8
Curbing toxic pollutants is one of EPA's top priority programs.
THE VIEW FROM THE DEPUTY PAGE 10
ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE
Barbara Blum gives her opinions about EPA and its future.
EPA'S NEW LEADERSHIP PAGE 12
Photos and thumbnail sketches of the new team running EPA.
NEW DIRECTIONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL PAGE 14
ARENA
Alice Brandeis Popkin outlines EPA's future role in dealing with
foreign countries on environmental problems.
YOUTH AWARDS PAGE 18
The President's.Environmental Youth Awards Program has
helped more than five million youngsters improve their
environment.
SOLAR POWER FOR WASTE TREATMENT PAGE 22
Heat from the sun will help run a sewage treatment plant in
Maine.
A GUNBOAT FOR EPA BACKCOVER
The Agency has been given a Naval warship which will be
converted to a research vessel for use on the Great Lakes.
Departments
NATION
PEOPLE
ALMANAC
UPDATE
NEWS BRIEFS
PAGE 16
PAGE 20
PAGE 21
PAGE 24
PAGE 25
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PESTICIDE SAFETY
•s*,*.
~
Pesticide is sprayed on a Michigan cherry
I'ACil- 2
OC'TOBKR 1977
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Under a new pesticides safety pro-
gram, more than one million
Americans have received special
training on how to apply highly toxic
chemicals, and by the time next spring's
crops are planted nearly two million
farmers and commercial applicators will
have been given this instruction.
Approximately 1,400 pesticides ingre-
dients are used in making about 35,000
different pest-killing products in the
United States. Use of many of these have
controlled insect damage and helped spur
food production.
But pesticide misuse or careless storage
can pollute water sources, create other
types of environmental damage and
sicken or kill animals and humans.
For this reason, Congress included in
the amendments to the Federal Pesticide
Act a requirement that farmers and other
applicators must be certified before using
certain pesticides which will be classified
by JEPA as "restricted". The program
goes into effect on October 21, 1977, but
over half of the people who EPA predicts
will require this training have already been
certified in anticipation of the new regu-
lation.
Most pesticides, however, and espe-
cially those used by homeowners and
home gardeners, are expected to remain
classified for general use, and thus may
be applied by anyone who follows label
directions. This means the general public
will not as a matter of course be involved
in the certification process.
Under the new program, the States
adopt plans for applicator certification
programs, which EPA then reviews and
approves. The training is conducted by
the State Cooperative Extension Service,
and certification is granted by the appro-
priate State agency. Should any State fail
to adopt a plan, EPA is planning to admin-
ister the program in that State.
"As the new certification program be-
gins, we expect that all but two States—
Colorado and Nebraska—will have ap-
proved plans," said Edwin L. Johnson,
EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Pesticide Programs. "Almost all of the
States, as well as four US. Territories,
have already submitted plans and gained
such approval.
"Certification will have positive bene-
fits for both the pesticide users and the
general public. As a result of their train-
ing, certified applicators know more
about the products they are using, the
safety measures needed and the dangers
to the environment."
Individual State pesticide laws and
plans for applicator certification may go
beyond the basic Federal requirements,
as some States have elected to do in
formulating their programs. Agreements
for the training sessions have been worked
out among EPA, the US. Department of
Agriculture, State pesticide officials, and
the involved State Cooperative Extension
Services. EPA is aiding in the funding of
the training program.
Georgia became the first State in the
Nation to develop an acceptable State
plan for applicator certification in August
1975. Iowa was second. Three northwest-
ern States—Washington, Oregon, and
Idaho—are credited by the Agency for
having taken the lead in simplifying pro-
cedures for applicators who apply pesti-
cides in more than one State by working
out reciprocal programs.
Pesticide applicators affected by the
new program are divided into two cate-
gories: private and commercial. Private
applicators are those who are producers
of agricultural commodities; all others are
regarded as commercial applicators.
Adam Quick of Baltimore County,
Maryland, recently attended such a
course with about 30 other men and
women, most of whom, like Quick, were
farmers. The four-hour agenda included
movie and slide presentations, lectures
and discussions, and study of training
manuals.
The instruction included techniques on
safe pesticide use and disposal, pest iden-
tification, pesticide labeling, and other
aspects of handling these chemicals.
Some days later. Quick received a small
plastic card which will tell chemical deal-
ers that he is certified to buy and use
pesticides which have been designated as
restricted by EPA.
"I figure its a good idea to learn all we
can about pesticides," Quick said of the
new program.
Many State programs have alternate
certification procedures for private appli-
cators where class attendance is not re-
quired if one studies at home and then
takes an open- or closed-book exam. Said
Charles Ensor, a Baltimore County
farmer who took the course in this fash-
ion, "Farmers don't realize the danger
involved in using pesticides. I learned
some new things from the course."
Until a restricted product is actually
relabeled as such at the retail level, per-
sons not certified to buy or use it won't
be penalized for doing so. EPA has pro-
posed that retailers have up to 180 days
after a product is judged restricted to
relabel old stocks. Afterwards, uncertified
applicators buying or using a restricted
product could be subject to penalties rang-
ing from a simple warning to fines of
several thousand dollars.
Restricted pesticide ingredients are
those which the Agency determines could
pose problems for people or the environ-
ment unless used by persons who have
demonstrated their competency to handle
such materials.
EPA has already proposed that all use
of 23 pesticide ingredients—many impor-
tant to agriculture—be restricted. EPA has
also asked for additional information on
38 other pesticide ingredients it considers
candidates for restricted use. The Agency
is particularly interested in skin and inhal-
ation effects and the use history of the
pesticides.
"We hope to have final decisions on
the 23 pesticides by October 21 of this
year," said EPA Administrator Douglas
M. Costle. "Restrictions on at least some,
and perhaps all, of the 38 remaining pes-
ticides will then follow. The same proce-
dure will apply in both instances: a group
will be proposed for restricted use, public
comment sought, and a final decision
made."
According to Johnson, "The certifica-
tion program gives EPA more options
when considering whether to register or
re-register a pesticide—or whether uses
should be cancelled or suspended. Instead
of allowing unrestricted use of some pes-
ticides—or being forced to cancel all
uses—we can now restrict certain prod-
ucts or uses to certified applicators who
have demonstrated their competence to
handle products safely.
"This increases the ways EPA can
achieve its long-term goal of providing
the pesticides needed to maintain our food
supply while avoiding risks to people and
to the environment. We've come a long
way toward better pesticide use . . .."
Johnson said.
Harry Hubble, another Baltimore
County farmer who took the training
course, had this observation about the
new program for farmers and others who
might feel that it is just more government
red tape: "I remember when we objected
to milk inspection, and it turned out to be
one of the best things that ever happened
to us." •
EPA JOURNAL
PAGE 3
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OCTOBER 1977
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PRESERVING FARMLAND
The Environmental Protection
Agency has begun an intensive re-
view of its programs and regula-
tions to assure that they will encourage
the preservation of America's prime farm-
lands.
The actions come at a time when the
American farmer is beset by pressures on
every side to sell out and let his land be
converted to other uses.
Every year the Nation experiences a
net loss of more than a million acres in
valuable croplands. Some of this acreage
is eaten up by urbanization—the spread
of streets and houses and shopping cen-
ters across once productive fields. Other
farmland reverts to grazing and forest.
And still other acreage is prone to erosion
and dust storms and other natural forces
that cause rapid soil depletion.
. The trend wouid be serious enough by
itself, but it comes at a period when the
Nation and indeed a hungry world needs
the American farmer's products. EPA in-
tends to shape its policies with the
farmer's interests in mind.
As Administrator Douglas M. Costle
recently told the Essex Agricultural and
Technical Institute in Danvers. Mass.:
"EPA has what might be called a vested
interest in preserving farmland. It also
carries out a series of mandates that—if
not carefully thought out and managed—
could conflict with thai vested interest."
Why is farmland lost? What are the
factors that conspire to change a farmer's
view of the future and convince him,
despite his own love of the land, to sell
out and either retire or find work in some
other walk of life?
"Almost every aspect of modern life
conspires to destroy the farmer's incen-
tive to keep on farming," Mr. Costle said.
"Costs have risen. Labor is tough to
come by. Prices for farm products have
not kept pace. Taxes have skyrocketed.
And many a farmer is caught between
the difficulty of making a living, the temp-
tation to sell out to developers who have
been offering top price for his acreage,
and lack of support from his neighbors
and local representatives who too often
would dearly love to see his farm become
a source of greatly increased tax revenues
through development. Yet the added costs
of meeting the resource needs—roads.
sewers, schools—of such development al-
most inevitably offset the gain in taxes,
not to mention the losses in quality of life."
There are obvious reasons why many
EPA JOURNAL
observers are concerned over the shrink-
ing supply of prime agricultural land. Al-
though the loss of a million acres annually
seems small compared with the 470 mil-
lion acres in cropland, the land going out
of food production often is the best in
terms of quality and accessibility. Also,
the change in land use can have a major
local impact—economically, environmen-
tally, and socially.
Once the farmland is lost to urbaniza-
tion, particularly in industrialized areas
such as the northeastern United States, it
cannot be retrieved. And when enough
land is taken out of farm production,
related industries such as local feed mills,
farm machinery outlets, and farm supply
stores also must close.
There are other undesirable side-ef-
fects. A recent Congressional report noted
that agricultural land in floodplain areas
often is shifted to industrial or commercial
development, with pressure-then created
for public investment to provide flood
protection.
One of the social effects, of course, is
the loss of the farmer himself and the
enduring, sturdy values that he histori-
cally has contributed to the national char-
acter. Such things cannot be weighed in
dollars and cents, but they have been
known and honored for many centuries.
As Oliver Goldsmith wrote in "The De-
serted Village" two centuries ago:
"III fares the land, to hastening ills
a prey.
Where wealth accumulates,
and men decay."
The Environmental Protection Agency
has an interest in preserving prime farm-
land and keeping it in food production for
other and more specific reasons.
"The drought and water shortages of
this past summer," Mr. Costle pointed
out, "have underscored one of the essen-
tial attributes of farmland: the protection
of watersheds. Open lands such as farms
maintain local water supplies by absorbing
precipitation and transferring it to the
ground water system. They also protect
aquifer recharge areas and provide buffers
for water supply and other natural areas."
In addition to protecting such environ-
mental entities as wetlands and flood
plains, farms furnish a habitat for wildlife,
including game such as deer, grouse and
quail, as well as songbirds and other
nongame species, he noted. Equally valu-
able are the emotional, aesthetic and so-
cial benefits of our verdant fields and
valleys.
Because of the Agency's specific con-
cern for preserving and protecting such
valuable land, Costle has directed EPA to
take a fresh look at the way its pro-
grams may affect the future of farmland.
He listed these steps the Agency now is
taking:
• An examination of land use changes
which may be induced by-EPA programs.
"We have already begun revising the con-
struction grant program for building sew-
age treatment facilities, for example, in
order to make sure that we are minimizing
pressure to take land out of food produc-
tion," he declared.
• EPA is becoming increasingly sensitive
to regional variations in water and land
availability in implementing Agency pro-
grams that affect farmlands.
• The Agency is working to bring about
closer cooperation with the Soil Conser-
vation Service through joint technical as-
sistance projects.
• EPA is seeking to assure that there is a
thorough review of environmental impact
statements on any actions that will affect
agricultural lands.
• The Administrator has directed that
EPA develop an overall policy statement
on the preservation of prime agricultural
lands to give general guidance for the
implementation of EPA programs.
The English poet Goldsmith was not
the first to warn of the serious social side
effects that can result when farmland is
squeezed out and the "bold peasantry"
disappears.
As Costle noted, "Two thousand years
ago the Roman poet, Virgil, warned his
countrymen that the loss of agriculture
would be the destruction of the nation.
He was right. Just as an army becomes
vulnerable when its supply lines grow too
long, a city, a state, or a nation is weak-
ened when it is no longer capable of
producing most of its basic food supply."
in announcing the new policy, the Ad-
ministrator concluded:
"I would like to assure you that EPA,
both nationally and regionally, will do
everything in its power and within its
mandate to preserve and protect our farm-
lands. We will devote our best efforts to
developing a common-sense awareness of
the very real problems and opportunities
thqt our policies and progress can create
for farmers. We will work to minimize
the problems and expand the opportuni-
ties."*
PAGE 5
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CHILD-PROOFING PESTICIDES
PAGE 6
(XTOBKR 1977
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Two boys, ages 12 and 24 months, were visiting their grandmother. They found the
aerosol spray can containing DDVP she was using for roach control and took turns
spraying each other in the mouth with the pesticide. Both began vomiting and when
seen at the hospital several hours later were in a coma. They responded to vigorous
treatment with atropine SUlfate. —The Archives of Environmental Health
Each year an estimated 10,000
youngsters under the age of five
end up in hospitals because of
accidental poisoning due to pesticides in
the home, according to reports from Poi-
son Control Centers across the Nation.
Research indicates that most of the time
these incidents could have been prevented
by the use of special packaging.
The danger of household pesticides to
children has prompted the Environmental
Protection Agency to propose regulations
that would require industry to package
most hazardous household pesticides in
child-proof containers. About one fourth
of the 8,000 pesticides found in residences
would be affected. Included are such fa-
miliar items as ant and roach insecticides,
bathroom and kitchen disinfectants, and
pet sprays.
Child-protective packaging require-
ments have already been in effect for
several drugs and chemicals that fall under
the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product
Safety Commission as spelled out by the
Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970,
including aspirin and certain household
products such as drain cleaners.
The products affected by the new regu-
lations would be pesticides associated
with households and other places where
children are apt to spend time, and pa:
tient-care areas of health institutions. Spe-
cial packaging will be required if there is
a human health hazard, such as acute
toxicity or the potential for serious skin
and eye damage, or if use history, accident
data, or any other evidence indicate the
existence of a serious threat of accidental
injury or illness to children.
Household pesticides are considered by
EPA to include indoor pest control prod-
ucts, garden and patio bug and weed
killers, pet kennel sprays, and some swim-
ming pool chemicals, as well as pesticides
used in mobile homes, marine pleasure
craft, campers and recreational vehicles.
non-commercial campsites, and educa-
tional and daycare facilities.
EPA was given jurisdiction over pesti-
cide packaging under the amended Fed-
eral Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenti-
cide Act in 1972. The Administrator is
authorized to establish packaging stand-
ards, as long as they are consistent with
those standards that have been established
under the Poison Prevention Packaging
Act.
Under EFA's proposed regulations the
type of packaging, such as "press-down-
and-twist" caps, is left to the discretion
of the manufacturer. The packaging stand-
ards are broadly spelled out, thus provid-
ing leeway for new and innovative de-
signs. Essentially, the child-protective
package must be effective when the pesti-
cide is in the container, and the package
must not damage the integrity of the prod-
uct during storage and use. In addition,
the safety design must be effective
throughout the reasonably expected life-
time of the package.
Special packaging has been shown to
be very effective in reducing the number
of child poisonings. For instance, the drug
that children most often eat accidentally
is aspirin, which falls under the jurisdic-
tion of the Consumer Product Safety
Commission. In the three-year period
after special packaging regulations for as-
pirin were set for 1973, accidental swal-
lowing of aspirin decreased 41%. Anti-
freeze has also been subject to packaging
requirements, and poisonings from that
common item have dropped 70%. Mean-
while, products that have not been re-
quired to use safety packaging, such as
perfumes, colognes and pesticides, have
shown annual increases in the number of
accidental child poisonings.
In addition to establishing broad stand-
ards for packaging, the proposed regula-
tions set forth the procedures for industry
to test for effective child-proof packaging.
Two hundred children, ages 8'/2 months
to 5 years, are assembled as a test group.
Each child is given five minutes to figure
out how to open a container. If, after the
first five minutes, he or she can't master
the task, a visual demonstration is given.
A second five minutes is allowed, and
children are even encouraged to use their
teeth on bottle caps. Eighty-five percent
of the children must fail to open the
package, and 80% must still not be able
to open it even after being shown, ideally,
if a container is properly engineered, it is
too complicated for children under five to
open since they lack the manual dexterity
or finger length needed to successfully
manipulate the cap or type of closure.
EPA hopes that another outcome of
the designs will be to alert parents to the
toxic nature of the pesticide. Children
have often been the accidental victims of
adults who have taken pesticides out of
original containers and placed them in
soft drink bottles. Since those containers
are familiar and appear harmless, children
often do not hesitate to sample their con-
tents. For this reason, adults are included
in the testing procedures. One hundred
adults, 18-45 years old, comprise the test
group. Since women are most likely to
encounter household pesticides, 70% of
the group are women and 30% men. They
are given only printed instructions and
allowed five minutes to figure out how to
open the container. According to EPA's
proposal, 90% of the adults tested have to
be able to open it in the given time period
"without a demonstration."
Criticisms have been leveled at safety
packaging because the elderly and the
handicapped experience difficulties in
opening such containers. However, the
marketing of non-safety containers could
seriously deter efforts to reduce pesticide
poisoning in young children. Therefore,
all pesticides falling within the criteria for
special packaging will have to be specially
packaged.
The procedures and regulations pro-
posed for pesticides by EPA are similar to
those being used successfully by the Con-
sumer Product Safety Commission. It is
hoped that the EPA regulations, supple-
mented by parental common sense, will
be equally effective in reducing accidental
deaths due to poisoning from pesticides.
Industry has filed few objections to these
/ proposals, since special packaging is cur-
rently available and in use for other prod-
ucts such as aspirin, and the economic
burden for carrying out the proposals is
expected to be slight. In fact, several
companies including Shell and S.C. John-
son and Son (manufacturers of "Raid"
and "Off!") have voluntarily used safety
packaging for several of their pesticide
products. Both Shell and Johnson adopted
the idea because they found consumer
interest in specially packaged products a
market for them. It has been estimated
that the total cost to industry will be
approximately $2.5 million. •
EPA JOURNAL
RAGE V
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CONTROLLING TOXICS
By Anne Haughton
The control of toxic pollutants is
now one of KPA's top priorities
as the Agency moves with in-
creasing determination to prevent what
Administrator Douglas M. Costle has
called "the occurrence of silent epidem-
ics of cancer and other health risks."
Last October the Toxic Substances
Control Act was signed by President
Carter, giving HPA the authority as of
January I, 1977. to regulate the produc-
tion and use of chemicals which threaten
human health or the environment.
The law is designed to prevent hazard-
ous new chemicals from being intro-
duced into the marketplace as well as
to deal with existing chemicals that are
found to be harmful.
The measure is regarded as one of
the most important pieces of legislation
ever enacted by the Congress—a law
that would fill a long-recognized gap in
our Nation's environmental and public
health protection programs.
President Cartel', in his Environmental
Message to the Congress in May said.
"The presence of toxic chemicals in our
environment is one of the grimmest dis-
coveries of the industrial era. Rather than
coping with these ha/ards after they have
escaped into our environment, our pri-
mary objective must be to prevent them
from entering the environment at all ....
"The Toxic Substances Control Act
enables Ihe Federal Government, for the
first time, lo gather the information on
chemical substances needed lo determine
their potential for damaging human health
and the environment and to control them
where necessary to protect the public "
KPA Administrator Douglas Costle con-
siders implementation of the Act one of
the most difficult challenges and impor-
tant priorities now facing HPA. "We have
neglected the subtle but lethal effects of
chemicals for decades." he says. "Now
we must extend Ihe frontiers of scientific
knowledge to evaluate what those risks
really are and find ways to control them.
We must act in haste but not in panic. We
must recogni/e that minimal risks are
inescapable, hut our society must take
any needed precautions to prevent the
occurrence of silent epidemics of cancer
and other health risks."
i.\ an l:f'A Headquarters frc.v.v
Officer.)
PAGI: x
-------
Under the new law, EPA is undertaking
regulatory action to limit the threats of
one of the more notorious toxic chemi-
cals—PCB's.
A regulation has been proposed to en-
sure the safe disposal of all accessible
PCB's. it calls for the destruction of PCB
liquids through high-temperature inciner-
ation, the only known way of effectively
destroying the chemical and preventing it
from escaping into the environment. If
adopted, the regulation would permit PCB
disposal in properly-controlled chemical
waste landfills for two years until more
incinerators can be constructed. In addi-
tion, it would require that PCB products
be marked with special information and
warning labels.
This winter regulations are also ex-
pected to go into effect limiting the manu-
factnring, processing, distribution and use
of PCB's to products from which they
cannot escape into the environment. And
as required by the law, all PCB manufac-
turing will be banned after January I,
1979, and all PCB processing and distri-
bution prohibited after July 1, 1979.
PCB's represent the most vivid exam-
ple of the danger of uncontrolled chemical
contaminants. It was not until after tens
of millions of pounds of PCB's were
produced and released into the environ-
ment that scientists realized how toxic
and persistent they were. Despite limited
restrictions imposed in the early 1970's
by industry to reduce production and to
restrict use of PCB's to electrical equip-
ment where escape to the environment
would be minimal. PCB levels are still so
high in the Hudson River and the Great
Lakes, for example, that fishing has been
banned. Over the past few years, PCB's
have been found not only in fish but even
in the milk of nursing mothers.
More recently, the hazards of poly-
brominated biphenyls or PBB's, a chemi-
cal closely related to PCB's, have been
discovered. Accidental use of PBB's in
animal feed led to the contamination of
thousands of Michigan cattle. The health
effects of PBB's on the Michigan families
who consumed the contaminated prod-
ucts are still uncertain, but preliminary
reports are disturbing. And now environ-
mental contamination from PBB's, once
thought to be confined to Michigan, has
been discovered near two plants in New
Jersey that manufactured the chemical
and on Staten Island near a plant that
EPA JOURNAL
used PBB's in its manufacturing process.
EPA is currently considering various
regulatory actions on PBB's, including a
possible prohibition on its use as a fire
retardant, its only known function.
The Toxic Substances Control Act has
also been used to propose regulations
(jointly with the Food and Drug Adminis-
tration and the Consumer Product Safety
Commission), to ban the non-essential
aerosol uses of fluorocarbons. The pro-
posed EPA regulations would affect pesti-
cides and industrial uses such as lubri-
cants and battery sprays and household
products such as cleansers, air fresheners,
waxes, and polishes. Food, drug and cos-
metic products would be regulated by
FDA.
The proposed inter-agency plan, un-
precedented in the history of the
Federal Government, calls for these
aerosol products to be phased out in
stages beginning October 15, 1978. If
adopted,' the manufacture of fluorocar-
bons for use in these products would be
prohibited after that dale. Then, on De-
cember 15, 1978. all companies would
have to stop using existing fluorocarbon
supplies in making the products, and fi-
nally, after April 15, 1979, stocks contain-
ing the banned propeJlant could no longer
be shipped in interstate commerce. Final
regulations are expected to be promul-
gated in December.
EPA is also planning to propose regu-
lations for the non-propellant uses of fluo-
rocarbons, such as in refrigeration and air
conditioning equipment.
Another group of chemicals suspected
of harming human health or the environ-
ment is currently being investigated.
These include: phosphates, cadmium,
benzene, asbestos, mercury, trichloroethy-
lene, acrylonitrile, the flame retardant
Tris, lead, hexachlorobenzene, benzidene,
arsenic, polynuclear aromatic hydrocar-
bons and vinylidene chloride.
The Agency is currently gathering exist-
ing data on each of these chemicals, and
examining the work being done by other
Federal agencies in order to make a pre-
liminary evaluation of what, if any, regu-
latory actions should be taken.
As far as the thousands of other chemi-
cals produced in this country are con-
cerned, EPA has proposed reporting re-
quirements to help it develop an inventory
of all existing chemicals as required by
the law. The inventory, which will contain
more than thirty thousand chemicals, is
expected to be published next September.
Thirty days afterwards, anyone wishing
to manufacture a chemical that is not on
the inventory will have to notify the EPA
90 days before beginning commercial pro-
duction. This will give the Agency time to
evaluate new chemicals coming on the
market to determine if they pose a risk to
health or the environment.
To enable EPA to compile the inventory,
major chemical manufacturers will have
to report the names, production volumes
and manufacturing sites of the chemicals
they make.
Additional reporting will be required in
phases over the next two years. This will
enable EPA to develop a broad base of
information on chemicals, particularly
those suspected of being hazardous.
In addition, an eight member inter-
agency committee is expected to submit
an initial list of "priority" chemicals this
month which they believe should be tested
to assess their safety or potential for
human or environmental damage.
The committee, which is required by
the law, is composed of representatives of
the Department of Commerce, the Coun-
cil on Environmental Quality, the Occupa-
tional Safety and Health Administration,
the National Science Foundation, EB\,
the Department of Health, Education and
Welfare's National Institute of Occupa-
tional Safety and Health, National Cancer
Institute, and National Institute of Envi-
ronmental Health Sciences.
Upon receipt of the list of "priority"
chemicals, EPA will have one year either
to initiate testing requirements for each
of the designated chemicals or to state
publicly its reasons for not doing so.
Over the next few months, organization
will be a primary goal of the Toxic Sub-
stances program. Steven D. Jellinek, for-
mer Staff Director of the Council on
Environmental Quality, will be taking over
the reins as Assistant Administrator for
Toxic Substances. A search is also under-
way for three new Deputy Assistant Ad-
ministrators—one responsible for chemi-
cal testing and evaluation, one for
chemical regulatory control programs,
and one for program integration and infor-
mation. The program staff is expected to
double in size this year and again next
year. •
PAGE 9
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THE VIEW FROM THE DEPUTY
ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE
Interview with Barbara Blum, Deputy Administrator
Q: What originally inspired your involvement
in the environmental movement?
A: It was probably my children. I recall that
one day I was driving down the street when
one of my sons said: "1 don't think I have to
think too much about the future because with
the air being as bad as it is. and the problems
we have with the water, I may not grow up."
Of course, that was grossly exaggerated.
But, it's frightening when a young child feels
that threatened by the environment around
him.
Also, about that time, there were some
sewer problems in the area in which I lived. I
was very concerned about that. It affected us
because the sewer line was going to destroy a
water-fall, which was one of our favorite
family places.
So I joined together wish a group of other
concerned citizens and we took a leadership
role in seeing that the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency did the first environmental im-
pact statement on sewer lines that was ever
done.
Q: Can you tell us about your work for conser-
vation causes in Georgia?
A: I started, as I told you. getting involved in
a neighborhood issue and my interest just
sort of sprouted out in the fairly early days of
the environmental movement.
Eventually, 1 became president at different
times of two grassroots environmental orga-
nizations in Georgia and at one time or an-
other was on the boards of most of the
environmental organizations in the State. Si-
multaneously, I was on the Citizens Advisory
Council to the Atlanta Regional Commission.
was appointed by Governor Carter to the
Vital Areas Council to study and make land
use planning recommendations to the Georgia
General Assembly, and served as vice-chair-
man of the Fulton County Banning and Zon-
ing Commission. I guess one reason I have
such a strong feeling that grassroots groups
should be included in everything that the
Environmental Protection Agency does is that
these groups are such a large, productive
segment of our constituency that they should
never be overlooked.
Q: As one who has been active in grassroots
politics, do you feel that your perspectives
have changed much now that you are involved
inside the system?
A: I think certainly it's safe to say that it's
easier to tell the 'Government how the Gov-
ernment should be managed than to manage
it.
When one is an advocate for a specific
cause, such as saving a river, or helping to
B\GE 10
determine a positive approach to a sewer
line, you can leave the difficult task of com-
promise up to somebody who is less "pure"
than yourself.
1 think another area where my perspectives
have broadened is that I have a better under-
standing of the word "bureaucracy".
I found that the bureaucracy is a very
positive force, made up of a lot of dedicated
people who feel that working for our country
is an important profession.
Q: Since public participation has been one of
the major themes in the Carter Administration
thus far and you have already chaired several
American Environmental Forums, do you find
these sessions to be of value, and what are the
issues that seem to be on people's minds?
A: I have found them to be very valuable;
"I know we have
got a long way to go
before the
Federal Government
regains the trust of the
public — which still
remembers Watergate."
I've done two so far: One in Salt Lake City
and one in Little Rock, Arkansas. There was
quite a difference between those two forums
because people in Salt Lake City were much
more suspicious and skeptical about the Fed-
eral Government than the people in Little
Rock.
But I also found that it's a good educational
experience for me—probably more for me
than for the people who attend the meetings.
I am finding out just how broad the Spectrum
of public opinion really is. 1 find that it's very
hard to get a consensus—when you're meet-
ing with 500 people and half of them are
telling you that you should do more and the
other half are telling you you should do less.
Q: Would you share with us some personal
observations about President Carter's con-
cerns and commitments to the environment?
A: I have worked with the President very
closely since 1970, when he first became
Governor of Georgia and I was an environ-
mental lobbyist in both Georgia and in Wash-
ington on Georgia causes.
I found out that he was the only person in
that entire State whom I didn't have toilobby to
try to get my ideas across. That was because
he was almost always there before 1 was, in
his conceptual thinking. There are several
reasons for this. One is that he doesn't just
take what his staff gives him and digest it—
he reads voraciously on his own. He prides
himself on his ability to listen to conflicting
opinions and draw independent conclusions.
Being a peanut farmer and a man of the land.
he has a real feel for the environment.
He is the first President that we have ever
had, 1 believe, that we could say is an environ-
mentalist. Teddy Roosevelt certainly was a
conservationist, and a preservationist. Others
have made lasting contributions. However, I
think that Jimmy Carter is the first President
who understands the science and the scope
of the environmental issues from a biospheric
perspective.
Q: As one of the top-ranking women in the
Carter Administration, do you ha\'e a special
interest in women in management at EPA ?
A: Yes. Very definitely so. Women in man-
agement all over Government are of special
interest to me.
Regarding EPA specifically, 1 think that the
environmental movement owes a great deal
to women, especially women who started on
the grassroots level. As we're building the
EPA team here, we're going to be building it
on basis of skill and talent. But, you can be
sure that nobody in this Administration is
ever going to be held back because of anything
so unrelated to performance as sex. color, or
country of origin. I think that one of the
things we need to concentrate on in EPA is
bringing women and minorities into the mid-
dle management level so that they can develop
to move into senior management positions.
Although I am really pleased with the changes
that we have made here so far, it is not as
good as I would like it to be. However, we
have established a "consciousness raising"
committee, that will soon be making specific
recommendations with regard to recruitment,
training and promotions. 1 am confident that
they will be able to give us some good direc-
tion.
Q: With your background in planning, can
you comment about the importance of long-
range land use planning as a tool for managing
OCTOBER 1977
-------
the environment?
A: Both Doug Costle and ! believe that long-
range land use planning is going to serve as a
most vilal lool to manage the environment.
As I mentioned. I served on Governor
Carter's land use planning council in Georgia.
I shared his belief that land use planning
needs to be implemented at the level closest
to the people, at the State and local level.
That can be done under 208. and 1 think
that although land use planning is not directly
addressed in any of our authorities, we have
other areas in which we can have an impact.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act. and certainly, many provisions under the
Clean Air Act are going to enable us to focus
and plan a key leadership role in land use
planning.
Q: Do you expect to conduct the Office of
Deputy Administrator in the tradition of your
predecessors, or do you plan any major depar-
tures in your management of this office?
A: 1 think certainly that both Bob Fri and
John Quarles did really good jobs in managing
the Agency. We don't plan to have any major
reorganizutional changes. Although we are
going to do some organizational fine tuning
such as moving the Pesticides Program over
to the Toxic Substances Program. I think that
both-Doug and 1 will try to leave our own
imprint on the Agency by the nature of the
job we do.
Q: What are your main hopes and desires for
the Agency for your own sense of accomplish-
ment?
A: There are several areas that we are going
to be initially concentrating on:
We're going to be concentrating on new
legislative programs, the toxic control pro-
gram, solid waste, the amendments to the
Clean Air Act and the Water Act. I think
these new mandates are going to be really
vital issues of concern which will impact the
future of EPA.
Another area we want to emphasize is
public participation. In the past this is some-
thing that I think has not been stressed as
much as it should have been. It is something
that the President is committed to and some-
thing that I very much believe in.
Recently. 1 had an opportunity to experi-
ence the international environmental commu-
nity's perception of EPA. With our new legis-
lation in the toxics area, the international
implications of such issues as chloro-fluoro-
carbons and PCB's are immense. We feel that
the International Activities Program is going
to play a key role in communicating our
initiatives and concerns to the many environ-
mental agencies around the world. Environ-
mental consciousness transcends all interna-
tional boundaries and ideologies and the
socially aware in every country understand
the need for a biospheric perspective.
Q: What is the most difficult decision you
have had to make so far?
A: There have been many tough decisions.
The most difficult decisions have been getting
key positions filled with people that are going
to make a difference.
For instance, in Toxic Substances, and
that's just one example, we worked very hard
to find somebody that was a proven manager
and had the ability to bring together a multi-
disciplinary program that is going to cut
across all facets of the Agency.
Q: How would you assess the condition of
the Agency when you inherited it?
A: When Doug and I came here, there had
been that period of uncertainty about who
was going to run the Agency and when they
were going to arrive.
Many of the Assistant Administrators had
already left or were in process of leaving, so
that 1 found, when 1 got here, that the Deputy
Assistant Administrators were in effect run-
ning the Agency. I am pleased to say, they
were doing a really good job of it.
Q: EPA is perhaps one of the most decentral-
ized agencies in the Federal Government now.
Do you feel it will continue that way or do you
think that it is time to try and dra\v some of
the strings in?
A: I think that the decentralization of the
Agency is what makes it one of the strongest
agencies in Government today, because it is
bringing the Government closer to where the
"EPA has the total
support of an
Administration that
is dedicated to the idea
of environmental
protection."
decisions should be made—on the local and
State level.
We plan to continue this trend, although,
we also would like to have a more consistent
management policy so that we don't have one
region enforcing against a particular industry
and an adjacent negion not enforcing against
that particular industry. Unless you have con-
sistency, the municipalities and industries
sometimes play one region off against the
other.
Q: One of the most difficult problems con-
fronting the Agency is the problem of toxic
substances and I wonder if you think at this
time the Agency has the manpower and legis-
lation and general equipment necessary to
deal with this problem?
A: Based upon public expectation and the
implications of the regulation of new chemical
compounds, the Toxic Substances Program
probably will be one of our more crucial
programs. We have a very broad legislative
mandate. Initially, we were fortunate in ob-
taining resources to assist this program in
getting it under way. The Agency is now
going through a zero-base-budgeting process
which, I believe, will direct more emphasis
and resources toward this program. Since I
have spent a considerable amount of time on
the program, I feel that I can safely say that
we do not have enough resources for this
important mission, but that we are trying to
manage from within by reprogramming and
by involving the other program offices which
will be directly affected by this Act.
Q: What message would you like to convey to
EPA's employees across the country above all
else?
A: I suppose that the message that I would
most like to convey to the EPA team, above
all else, is that for the first time in its history,
the Agency has the total support of an Admin-
istration that is dedicated to the idea of envi-
ronmental protection. I have never seen
Jimmy Carter back off when it has been a
question of protecting important environmen-
tal considerations. And I've seen him under
many pressures in the conservative State of
Georgia.
So I think that we have the leadership, we
have the mandate, we have the total support
of the President, and we have the chance
now to apply the kind of programs and use
the kind of innovative thinking necessary to
carry out our mission.
What I have heard in my town hall meetings
from the people is their strong concern about
quality of life issues.
At the same time I have seen a great deal
of skepticism about whether the Government
really does care about their concerns.
I hear a lot of complaints that may be
justified about Government inefficiency and
lack of responsiveness. I know we have got a
long way to go before the Federal Govern-
ment regains the trust of the public—which
still remembers Watergate.
Q: What are your hopes for the Agency?
A: One of my hopes is that sve can help
bring all the people who really fell disen-
chanted with government in the past back
in—the environmentalists who often felt that
the regulatory agencies were just rubber
stamps or servants of special interest groups.
and also the corporate and labor and agricul-
tural groups that have felt unnecessarily
threatened by what the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency was perceived to be—a regu-
latory authority with extremely strict man-
dates to impose. I feel that through public
outreach and involvement, we can clarify
many of the misconceptions that special inter-
est groups have about EPA.
And then, ultimately. I just hope that we
will al! be able to live up to the opportunity
and responsibility that the President and the
Congress have given to all of us here at EPA.
I hope that we will be known as a fair but
firm Agency that served the people well. •
EPA JOURNAL
PAGE II
-------
EPA's New
Leadership
Team
Administrator:
Douglas M. Costle, the third
Administrator of EPA, is an
attorney with extensive
experience at both State
and Federal levels in the
organization and
administration of
environmental programs
Deputy
Administrator:
Barbara Blum is an
environmentalist and
businesswoman who
served as deputy director
of the Carter-Mondale
election campaign last year.
Assistant
Administrators
Assistant Administrator for
Planning and Management:
William Drayton Jr. was a
lecturer at Harvard
University's Kennedy School
of Government and a
management consultant for
McKinsey and Co., New
York City
Assistant Administrator
(designate) for Toxic
Substances:
Steven D. Jellinek was a
staff member of the Council
on Environmental Quality
and for the last four years its
Staff Director.
Regional
Administrators
Assistant Administrator for
Water and Hazardous
Materials:
Thomas C. Jorling was
Director of the Williams
College Center for
Environmental Studies,
Williamstown, Mass., and
had extensive experience
with the Federal
Government
Assistani Administrator
(designate) for Research
and Development:
Stephen J. Gage was
Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Energy,
Minerals, and Industry in
EPA's research -program
Assistant Administrator
(designate) for
Enforcement:
Marvin B. Durning was a
partner in a Seattle law firm
and a leader in
environmental and
conservation matters in the
Pacific Northwest.
Assistant Administrator
(designate) for Air and
Waste Management:
David G. Hawkins was a
staff attorney for the Natural
Resources Defense Council
from 1971 to 1977, dealing
with a wide range of air
pollution issues and
litigation.
Region I Administrator,
Boston:
William R. Adams, Jr. had
been Maine's Commissioner
of Environmental Protection
for the last five years
Region II Administrator,
New York City:
Eckardt C. Beck was EPA's
Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Water
Planning and Standards
and had extensive
experience in the
environmental field at the
State Government level.
Region III Administrator,
Philadelphia:
Jack J. Schramm was a
lawyer in Clayton. Mo., and
an environmental consultant
for the engineering firm of
Arthur D. Little, Inc.
12
OCTOBER I
-------
Region IV Administrator,
Atlanta:
John C. White has served
for two years as head of
EPA's Dallas regional office,
and before that as Deputy
Regional Administrator in
Atlanta
Region VI Administrator,
Dallas:
Adlene Harrison was a
member of the Dallas City
Council and had extensive
experience in land-use,
zoning, energy, and
environmental issues.
Region IX Administrator,
San Francisco:
Paul DeFalco, Jr. has held
that post since EPA was
organized in 1970. and
before that he headed West
Coast regional activities in
San Francisco for EPA's
predecessor water pollution
agencies in the Department
of the Interior.
Region V Administrator,
Chicago:
George R. Alexander Jr. has
held this post since March,
1976. Before that he served
as Deputy Director. Office of
Regional and
Intergovernmental
Operations, in EPA
Headquarters-
Region VII Administrator,
Kansas City:
Kathleen Q. Camin was
Associate Dean of Wichita
(Kan.) State University's
College of Business
Administration. She has
done environmental
research
Region X Administrator,
Seattle:
Donald R DuBoisvvas first
appointed to this post in
July, 1976, after having
served five years as Deputy
Regional Administrator in
Denver,
Region VIII Administrator,
Oenver:
Alan Merson was a
professor at the University
of Denver's College of Law,
teaching courses in
environmental law and land-
use planning law.
Office Leaders
General Counsel:
Joan Z. Bernstein was a
partner tn a Washington.
D.C. law firm before pining
EPA. She also worked for
five years with the Federal
Trade Commission's Bureau
of Consumer Protection.
Public Awareness:
Joan Martin Nicholson >s
Director of this office. An
experienced
environmentalist, she
founded the Bolton Institute,
a nonprofit organization
dedicated to helping
people find practical
solutions to environmental
problems.
International Activities:
Alice Brandeis Popkin is
Associate Administrator.
Office of International
Activities. A former attorney -
professor at the Antioch
School of Law she was a
member of the original staff
that set up the Peace Corps
in 1961 and was its Director
of International Programs
Regional and
Intergovernmental
Operations:
J. Edward Roush is Director
of this office. He was a
member of the House of
Representatives from
Indiana and had experience
on committees dealing with
natural resources.
Legislation:
Charles S. Warren is
director of this office. He
was chief legislative
assistant to Sen. Jacob K.
Javits of New York for seven
years, and before that
practiced law in
Washington, D.C. and New
York City.
KPA JOURNAL
PACK 13
-------
NEW DIRECTIONS IN THE
INTERNATIONAL ARENA
Interview With Alice Brandeis Popkin,
Associate Administrator for International Activities
Q: How do you see your mission as the new
leader of the Office of International Activities?
A: EPA, as the U.S. Government agency with the primary compe-
tence, technology, know-how and authority to protect the quality
of this Nation's ecosystems, must play a major role in establishing
and carrying out America's international environmental policies.
The Office of International Activities (OIA) must be the effective
staff instrument for planning and managing EPA's international
role. I envision OIA developing, implementing, and administering
Agency-wide international objectives in accordance with the prior-
ities set by the Administrator, Doug Costle, and Deputy Adminis-
trator, Barbara Blum. These objectives can then be used to focus
EPA's international activities and to measure the value of existing
and future international efforts.
It is vitally important to involve all parts of the Agency,
including the Regional Offices, in planning and implementing
EPA's international responsibilities. By developing a good recipro-
cal working relationship with all the program offices, OIA will be
able to depend on their technical input, which is one of the
greatest assets of the Agency.
Q: Do all foreign governments have agencies
concerned with pollution control now?
A: When the United States established EPA, we were the first
country to have a national environmental control agency. Not all
governments have pollution control agencies yet, although the
number is growing rapidly. Almost 100 governments have formed
environmental agencies since 1970. In many countries, people
look to EPA as a possible model of how to deal with the
environment. 1 think one of the important roles that EPA should
continue to play is to advise other nations on how to set up
governmental units or programs to deal with environmental issues.
Q: What do you consider to be the most press-
ing environmental issue confronting the world
today from EPA's perspective?
A: One of the most pressing problems is toxic substances. I use
that phrase in the broadest possible sense to include problems
with pesticides, chemicals in drinking water, and the manufacture
and use of commercial chemicals for a wide variety of other
purposes. Internationally, there are several initiatives in the field
of toxics. Our Deputy Administrator, Barbara Blum, in her recent
meeting with environmental officials in Japan told them of our
deep concern about this problem.
My major work in the next few months will be to work with the
Assistant Administrators and their.staffs to establish the priorities
at the international level which are most significant to EPA's
domestic mandate. The establishment of international priorities by
the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator, based on national
program needs, is critical to the optimum use of EPA resources.
Since we need international agreements on procedures, we are
concentrating our work primarily within a few international orga-
nizations, rather than dealing individually with a number of
countries. We are working within the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development Chemicals Group to develop
common testing procedures for bioaccumulation and persistence.
We have undertaken an ongoing dialogue with the European
Commission toward harmonization of regulations, and will be
meeting with the World Health Organization later this month to
draw up an international plan of action to improve the evaluation
of health risks from exposure to chemicals.
Q: / understand that the third United Nations
conference on the Law of the Sea has also
considered the marine environment. I have two
questions. Has EPA played a part in this confer-
ence? And, should we be satisfied with the way
in which the conference has dealt with the
question of the marine environment?
A: Yes, EPA has played a role. Since the beginning of the
Conference in 1973, we have participated in the formulation of
U.S. positions, and have been represented, through this office, on
the delegations to each of the Conference's five negotiating
sessions. Frankly, 1 am not that pleased with the Conference's
results on the issue of marine pollution. The current draft treaty, if
it became final, would probably not harm the environment, but it
would add little to existing international law on pollution. On the
well-publicized issue of pollution from ships, 1 read the current
text to mean, in essence, "business as usual."
On the whole, I think the negotiations to date will be seen
someday as a muffed environmental opportunity. It is hard to
know where to place the blame. Certainly, the U.S. environmental
position has been one of the more enlightened viewpoints repre-
sented at the Conference, but we do not seem to have had much
success in selling that viewpoint internationally.
Q: What has been achieved under the US-
USSR Environmental Agreement?
A: Doug Costle is the chairman of the U.S. side of the Joint
Committee formed to carry out this agreement. In the first five
years since the Agreement was signed, there has been a productive
exchange of information and specialists between the Soviets and
ourselves, as well as an impressive amount of joint work in
various fields. The Agreement defines 11 different areas for joint
work in which there are at present 41 projects underway. In this
connection, it should be noted that 16 of these projects are led by
EPA; the others are chaired by other agencies and institutions
such as Interior, Commerce, Agriculture,' Transportation, and
Coast Guard, and universities. This Agreement thus represents a
broad-gauged US effort aimed'at developing cooperation with the
USSR.
An excellent example of recent joint work in an EPA-led project
was the testing of a U.S. electrostatic precipitator and a Soviet
wet scrubber used for the abatement of paniculate emissions from
electric power stations. In another project, U.S. and Soviet
specialists have conducted joint balloon experiments to measure
stratospheric aerosols.
Q: What is the State of U.S.-Canadian cooper-
ation in protecting the Great Lakes?
A: The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972 has been a
very successful vehicle for mobilizing support to clean up the
Great Lakes. The U.S. will be spending more than $6 billion on
municipal wastewater treatment alone in the Great Lakes Basin to
meet the terms of the Agreement. The fifth year review of the
Agreement is taking place this year. Both the U.S. and Canada are
pleased with progress made through the Agreement and look
forward to the Agreement negotiations to strengthen the environ-
mental programs between the two countries.
Q: / wanted to ask you about a complaint by
the Canadian Minister of Environment, that air
pollution from this country is blowing into Can-
ada and causing harm to Canadians. Are you
familiar with that complaint?
A: One of our most important and challenging international roles
PAGE 14
OCTOBER 1977
-------
is to work with Canada to solve our mutual environmental
problems. I'm aware of Minister LeBlanc's comments. We are
planning to meet with him this fall to discuss a broad range of
issues, including trans-boundary pollution. Minister LeBlanc rec-
ognized in a speech before the Air Pollution Control Association
in Toronto that this is a two-way street. EPA, through my office,
is participating in State Department negotiations with Canadian
and Ontario officials about their proposed fossil fuel plant ai
Atikokan, Ontario, that would be just 35 miles from the pristine
areas of northern Minnesota. I expect to spend considerable time
on the subject of long and short-range transport of air pollutants
in the coming months.
Q: Internationally, EPA puts a great deal of
effort into CCMS. Can you describe what the
essential characteristics of this organization are?
A: The NATO Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society
(CCMS) was created, on U.S. initiative, to explore ways in which
the quality of life could be improved. Administrator Costle has
been named by the President to be the new U.S. Representative to
CCMS.
Countries recommend CCMS adoption of studies which have
the most relevance to their environmental policy needs. Interested
CCMS members thereby "plot" international analyses, based on
ongoing scientific, technical and economic work, toward policy
. recommendations.
EPA participated in five of the eleven current CCMS projects:
Advanced Wastewater Treatment, Disposal of Hazardous Wastes,
Air Pollution Assessment Methodology and Modeling, Flue Gas
Desulfurization, and Drinking Water.
Through the CCMS projects, EPA improves its knowledge of
the- state-of-the-art and of available solutions to problems of
industrialized countries. Under auspices of the Rue Gas Desulfuri-
zation project, EPA will gain substantial information on success-
fully operated systems, operational problems and costs. The
Hazardous Waste Project has provided EPA with valuable insight
into mine and landfill disposal practices, and has produced
recommended procedures for hazardous waste management. De-
tails on sophisticated methods of wastewater treatment used
abroad have helped EPA experts determine which treatment
methods may be feasible for use in the U.S.
Q: How does EPA cooperate with the UN
Environment Program (UNEP), "the environ-
mental conscience of the United Nations"?
A: Administrator Costle met with the Executive Director of
UNEP, Mustafa Tolba, this spring. Mr. Costle pledged EPA's
strong continuing support for UNEP's activities. For example,
we've helped design the International Register of Potentially Toxic
Chemicals, an international information system that will assist
countries in dealing with chemical problems.
EPA technical staff are active in planning UNEP's Global
Environmental Monitoring System which will link together existing
national monitoring programs and then seek to fill in the gaps. In
addition, we provide the U.S. focal point for UNEP's International
Referral Center for Sources of Environmental Information.
As a result of the Administrator's meeting, we have stepped up
cooperation in sharing our experience with UNEP on a broad
range of issues including basic industrial analyses, initiating envi-
ronmental legislation, demonstrating that environmental expendi-
tures create jobs, and that overall savings do result from environ-
mental expenditures.
Q: What role does EPA have in developing
regional and world monitoring systems for iden-
tifying and assessing problems in the global
environment?
A: EPA is participating in the UNEP Global Environmental
Monitoring System (GEMS) primarily in urban air monitoring.
Our cooperation in the Global Water Quality Monitoring Network
is increasing as a result of our role as a World Health Organization
Collaborating Center for Environmental Pollution Control. We are
also working with Canada in developing joint surveillance and
monitoring programs in the Great Lakes. This data will be
incorporated into the GEMS system.
I believe that the U.S. can fully participate in the establishment
of a global system only after it establishes a comprehensive,
nationally coordinated environmental monitoring program. This
would give us the ability to increase our data base of knowledge
as to which pollutants may be building up in the general environ-
ment before thei r presence becomes a crisis.
Q: Are there many opportunities abroad for
adopting ideas and technology to benefit EPA's
domestic programs?
A: Yes! Although we are not yet taking full advantage of all that
is available, we have found many unique situations that provide
valuable information for domestic efforts. We may be able to
learn from Germany's experience concerning the reclamation of
strip mined lands and resettlement of affected populations. In
Poland several projects have provided us with valuable information
on methods of utilizing stripped lands for agricultural purposes
and methods for treating mine waste discharge. This information
might assist in unlocking the coal reserves of the Great Northern
Plains in an environmentally safe manner.
Through cooperation with the Japanese, we are learning about a
new dredging technology which allows reclamation of contami-
nated harbors without major increase in suspended water sedi-
ments. This type of technology may prove useful in situations
such as the Kepone contamination of the James River bottom. We
also gained first-hand information on Japanese air pollution control
measures at coke production ovens and used it to resolve a court
action in Region III.
We are working to determine the positive health impact of a
World Bank-financed pollution abatement effort in the city of
Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Reduction in environmental air and water
pollution is expected to be dramatic. By working with the Sarajevo
government, EPA researchers hope to.obtain valuable data on the
benefits of pollution abatement programs.
Q: In the past, the United States has exported
pesticides abroad that we prohibit in this coun-
try, and I just wondered what your view is on
that?
A: While I don't feel that the U.S. is in a position to assess the
internal needs of other countries for particular pesticides to
combat malaria, for example, 1 do feel strongly that the U.S.
should keep other governments fully informed of significant
actions taken in this country regulating the use of pesticides. EPA
currently informs all foreign countries with which we have diplo-
matic relations, and concerned international organizations, when-
ever a registration, cancellation, or suspension of a pesticide
occurs. As one of my first acts, I am undertaking a complete
review of the procedures currently in use for notification of
foreign governments. This approach relates to private commercial
transactions. I believe the U.S. has additional responsibilities when
Federal action or funding is involved. We have been working with
AID on its Environmental Impact Statement concerning its pest
management program, and 1 plan to hold discussions with other
funding organizations.
Q: Is there any particular message that you
would like to give employees of EPA and our
general public?
A: I hope all concerned environmentalists can feel my excitement
at the challenge and opportunities for action in the international
environmental arena. Ultimately, all environmental problems must
be solved globally, and EPA has a crucial role to play in
international environmental decision-making during President
Carter's administration.
1 hope that the Office of International Activities can reach out
to all the employees of EPA, and work with them to develop the
international implications of EPA's mandate.
To the general public, 1 want to emphasize that there is
tremendous need for support on international environmental is-
sues, from both the general public and from non-governmental
organizations and citizen groups.
As part of the President's program for obtaining a greater
awareness of citizens' needs, EPA management is participating in
numerous town meetings across the country. During this ongoing
exchange we hope .that citizens will express their concerns
regarding global as well as domestic issues. •
EPA JOURNAL
PAGE 15
-------
AROUND
THE
NATION
septic systems
Maine summer home owners who want to
convert their houses for year-round use can-
not do so unless they have adequate sewage
disposal systems, according to a new law that
took effect last month. The law, proposed by
the water planning group for the Greater
Portland area, an agency created under Sec-
tion 208 of the Water Pollution Control Act,
is designed to help preserve Maine's lakes
and rivers, crucial to the State's tourist indus-
try, and reduce the need for central sewer
systems in many areas.
It requires owners who live in their houses
more than six months of the year to have
their septic tanks and fields inspected by
town officials to assure that they are capable
of handling the added sewage loads. If they
fail such inspection, the owners must replace
them. Overloaded septic systems can pollute
nearby rivers and lakes.
certification
Maine is the first New England State to win
EPA approval of its plan for certify ing appli-
cators of restricted-use pesticides. Region 1
Administrator William Adams recently ap-
proved the State's plan, submitted more than
a year and a half ago by Gov. James B.
Longley. h takes effect Oct. 21.
manhattan traffic
A plan for auto traffic control to reduce air
pollution in Manhattan has been agreed to by
New York City and EFA. It is scheduled to
go into effect soon, after expected approval
by a Federal judge. The plan relies less on
banning mid- and downtown parking and
FACE 16
more on stricter enforcement of traffic laws
and encouraging mass transit by setting up
express lanes for buses and park-and-ride lots
near mass transit terminals outside the bor-
ough.
The proposal to charge tolls on all East River
bridges has been dropped.
ocean watch
Abnormally low levels of oxygen in the bot-
tom waters of the Atlantic Ocean from two to
five miles from the New Jersey coast were
recorded this summer, but they did not affect
water quality on the beaches. The condition
was reported by EPA and two other
agencies—the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration and the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection—
which are jointly monitoring the waters' qual-
ity. The decline in oxygen levels began in
March, a normal occurrence for that time of
year. In early August at some points off
Manasquan, Barnegat, and Atlantic City the
oxygen decline was so severe that bottom-
dwelling fish and other organ isms could be
harmed.
The decline did not originate in the 12-square-
mile site farther off the Jersey shore where
sewage sludge from the New York metropoli-
tan area is dumped, but in waters farther
south, according to Dr. Richard Dewling,
Director of Surveillance and Analysis for EPA
Region II. "Oxygen levels at the dump site
have not gone down and are not expected to
go below normal," he said.
water plants
Herbicides washed into Chesapeake Bay are
believed to be causing a decline in rooted
aquatic plants in the bay, according to prelim-
inary results of a study being conducted for
EPA by the Smithsonian Institution. Such
plants provide food for migratory birds, and
also nurture many kinds offish and shellfish.
The study is also testing the theory that
increasing silt from agricultural runoff may be
reducing the amount of sunlight that water
plants receive, thus speeding their decline.
At the Smithsonian's Chesapeake Bay Center
for Environmental Studies, scientists are
growing typical aquatic plants in laboratory
tanks and measuring the effect of different
levels of waterborne herbicides.
flood cleanup
Region Ill's Emergency Response team
which was rushed to Johnstown, Pd., the day
after a disastrous flood occurred there in July
to help in the cleanup directed the recovery
of more than 175,000 gallons of oil, SOOdrums
of chemicals, and 500 propane gas cylinders.
Breathing apparatus, gas detection meters,
and protective clothing were lent to the local
fire department by EPA to forestall injuries
and damage from gas and explosive fumes.
Hundreds of cars and trucks that were swept
into the Conemaugh River and its flood plain
had to be handled with care to avoid further
contamination from oil and gasoline.
Other Region ill people helped assess the
damage to water and sewer systems to speed
Federal aid for their repair or reconstruction.
polluter fined
C.F: Industries, a fertilizer manufacturer near
Chattanooga, Tenn., has agreed to pay a
$5,000 civil penalty for discharging pollutants
into Chickamauga Lake last year. Without
notifying State or EPA officials, the firm
began dumping untreated chemical wastes
into the lake in August, 1976, after an explo-
sion damaged its pollution control equipment,
according to PauITraina, regional Director of
Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray
H. Ledford handled the case for the Justice
Department.
steel mill
More than 300 persons attended a hearing at
Conneaut, Ohio, recently to discuss the envi-
ronmental effects of a proposed new steel
mill on the shore of Lake Erie east of the city
and straddling the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.
U.S. Steel Corporation had asked EFft and
other Federal and State agencies to make a
preliminary environmental assessment, and
the hearing was called both to inform local
residents and to obtain their reactions. The
study is not yet complete.
permits
A request by Illinois to take over administer-
ing and enforcing the wastewater discharge
permit system in that State was the subject
of a hearing in Chicago Sept. 7. If the request
is approved by EPA, Illinois will be the sixth
and last State in Region V to be granted this
authority. A decision is expected by Oct. 23.
OCTOBER 1977
-------
convicted
A Durant, Okla., exterminator was recently
convicted of seven violations of the Federal
pesticide law in connection with the deaths of.
three small children who ate poisoned cookies
from his truck in March, 1976. The court
postponed sentencing of J. D. Jones, pending
a probationary investigation. Maximum pen-
alty would be $25,000 fine and a year in jajl
for each violation: four counts of improper
application and one each of improper storage,
improper mixing, and failure to keep poisons
out of reach of children. The cookies had
been poisoned for use as rat bait. The children
took them from an open can by the driver's
seat of Jones's truck.
payment halted
Further payment on a $ 1.9-million wastewater
treatment grant to Jefferson Parish (county).
La., has been held up by Region VI officials.
because of a Justice Department investigation
into the handling of parish funds.
A Federal grand jury has indicted two parish
officials and a consulting engineer on conspir-
acy charges, alleging irregularities in the
awarding of contracts for the first phase of
work on a $!62-million sewage treatment proj-
ect. "We are making a special check concern-
ing compliance with EPA subcontracting re-
quirements, and an intensive audit will be
conducted," said John C. White, Regional
Administrator, when the suspension was or-
dered. "No further payments will be made
until there is complete assurance of. . . pro-
priety."
new waste law
A new law in Missouri creates a Waste Man-
agement Commission and empowers the
State's Department of Natural Resources to
regulate the generation, transport, storage,
and disposal of all hazardous wastes. The law
also provides the legal framework for the
State to operate a hazardous waste program
under the Resource Conservation and Recov-
ery Act of 1976.
extra service
Personnel of Region VIl's Surveillance and
Analysis Division, under William Keffer, have
recently been sampling and analyzing waste-
water from industries far outside the four-
State region.
Their special task involves factories as far
away as Little Rock. Ark.: Houston, Texas;
and San Francisco. Calif.: about 60 locations
altogether. It provides field and laboratory
support for EPA's Effluent Guidelines Divi-
sion, which is establishing specific limits for
some 65 different water pollutants in 21 types
of industry. To be chosen to handle the bulk
of this investigative work, said Keffer, "is a
technical compliment to Region VII." The
project started in August and will extend
through October.
The Kansas City Sampling and Analysis ex-
perts are also assisting EPA contractors in
training their water sampling teams and eval-
uating their results.
oil shale
Plans for extracting oil from shale near
Rangely, Colo., have been tentatively ap-
proved by Region VlII's Office of Energy
Aclivities. Public hearings on the $93-million
pilot plant were held in July, and EPA officials
said the lessees. Standard Oil Co., of Indiana
and Gulf Oil Corporation, appear to have
made adequate plans to control environmen-
tal damage. If various other approvals are
obtained, the companies expect to start work
before the end of the year.
farm liaison
Region VIII is seeking to get farmers and
farm organizations actively involved in envi-
ronmental programs. An employee of the Soil
Conservation Service. Department of Agri-
culture, has been detailed to the Region to
encourage the participation of State and local
conservation agencies and to give technical
assistance to areawide water quality planning
groups.
The National Association of Conservation
Districts sponsored a three-day meeting Sept.
7 to 9 in Grand Junction. Colo., to discuss
how to carry out water quality management
plans.
A meeting of State water pollution and con-
servation agencies is scheduled for Oct. 20 in
Denver to discuss implementation programs
and new legislation.
The Region had exhibits on agriculture and
the environment at the Montana and Colo-
rado State Fairs this summer.
city sued
At EPA's request the US. Attorney in Los
Angeles has brought suit against the Los
Angeles Sanitation District, alleging discharge
permit violations at the Hyperion Treatment
Plant at Playa Del Rey. The plant discharges
sewage sludge diluted with secondary effluent
through an outfall pipe extending more than
six miles into the Pacific Ocean at Santa
Monica Bay. Since 1971 the District has re-
ceived $20 million in Federal and State funds
for the total elimination of the sludge dis-
charges. The permit, issued in August 1975.
provided for ending the discharges within 30
months from the concept approval date, Oct.
! of that year.
EPA officials say Los Angeles has failed to
take necessary interim actions, and the Los
Angeles City Council last April adopted a
report of its Public Works Committee stating,
"It is not practicable for the City to bind
itself to a specific timetable for the termina-
tion of the discharge of sewage sludge."
The sludge contains toxic heavy metals, phe-
nols, and chlorinated hydrocarbons as well as
other chemicals and organic substances.
forestry burning
Forestry burning — the deliberate use of fire
in the management of forest land or for the
disposal of slash after timber cutting — is the
subject of a scientific study launched last
month by EPA's Region X at the request of
State officials in Oregon and Washington.
Geomet, Inc.. a Gaithersburg. Md.. engineer-
ing consulting firm, will perform the study
under a $ 130.000 contract. The first phase is
to be completed in mid- 1978. and a draft
report will be made available for review by
industries, government agencies, and the pub-
lic.
The study seeks to determine what kind of
pollutants will result from a particular type of
burn, the best burning methods, the effects
of terrain and elevation on smoke transport.
alternatives to slash burning, and human
health effects.
Deliberate burning is now regulated by the
U.S. Forest Service and by various State
authorities, who issue permits only during
certain favorable weather conditions.
EPA JOURNAL
PAGE 17
-------
YOUTH AWARDS
The Rower-decorated bus pulls up in
front (if an elementary school. Soon a
stream of small children carrying
newspapers, maga/.ines. and cartons of soda
bottles file into the bus. Under the watchful
eye of a group of high school students they
deposit their treasures into the marked barrels
and boxes that line the inside of the bus.
When Ihe "Ecology Bus" pulls out later that
day it will be filled with reusable materials.
Students at Governor Mifflin Senior High
School in Shillington. Pa., are starting their
fifth year of a project that has recycled close
to 300 tons of newspaper and over 300 tons
of glass. They persuaded the school board to
turn over to them a bus that was due to be
traded in. It was painted, equipped with a
desk, chairs, and bins for materials. Several
times a month the bus is driven to other area
schools to help promote recycling.
The kids who bring Iheir contributions to
Ihe "Hcology Bus" are among more than
five million young people who arc learning to
appreciate, enjoy and improve their physical
surroundings through the President's F.nvi-
ronmenlal Youth Awards program, adminis-
tered by F.PA. The program fosters ecological
awareness by involving students in projects
of their own design that deal with air and
water pollution, noise, and solid waste dis-
posal in their communities. These activities
often tie in with school work as science classes
take water samples, art classes produce anti-
pollution posters, and English classes write
plays and reports about local environmental
problems.
The youth program is first and foremost a
local effort. Although the administrative staff
for the program is located in EPA's Office of
Public Awareness in Washington. D.C.. under
youth program director Mary Faye Dudley.
the choice of a project, planning, and execu-
tion are all done by the kids themselves. They
gel assistance from parents, teachers, com-
munity groups, and local businesses.
When a youth group finds a project that
interests them, they must first choose an
Awards Panel from interested local adults.
The Panel members serve as a liaison between
students and the community. One member,
who serves as a sponsor must enroll the
projects with the President's Knvimnmental
Youth Awards staff.
The Panel members set guidelines for the
project according to local environmental
problems and needs. They advise students.
encourage community involvement, and eval-
uate the results at the completion of the
project.
At the recommendation of Panel members
students receive a Certificate of Merit or an
Award lor Environmental F-xcellence from
local dignitaries at a special ceremony. F.PA
staff supply the certificates and keep a record
of Ihe projects. Some projects, like the "Kcol-
ogy Bus" have been with the program since
the very beginning and are getting better each
year.
Speaking about the program. President
Carter has said. "Young people in summer
camps and schools today are much more
interested in environmental problems than
their parents were, and this is good. We need
your help with the job of cleaning up our
world."
The youth program was created by F.xecu-
tive Order on October 25. 1971. to recogni/.e.
reward, and encourage environmental activi-
ties by American high school students. The
program was expanded to include summer
camps on March 10. 1972.
The first awards ceremony was held in
April 1972 in the White House Rose Garden.
That year close to 10.(XX) youngsters received
certificates for taking part in the new pro-
gram.
Participation in the environmental program
more than doubled in the next year: 1972-73
saw 26.(XX) youngsters involved. In 1973-74
participation rose to more than 52,000 boys
and girls. The number of participants has
grown each year and in 1976-77 close to
KO.(XX)certificates were distributed.
More than 300,000 children have received
awards for their service to .the environment
since the President's program began. The
President's Environmental Youth Awards
now involve all youth organisations. F.PA staff
members estimate that over 5 million young-
sters have been exposed to ecologicaliy-ori-
Thefr»f> who adorns the front of the "E
Bus" is a symbol of recycling for many
Pennsylvania schoolchildren.
ented activities through teachers or other
youth group leaders.
Agency support of the program includes
supplying teachers and leaders with informa-
tional brochures, bi-annual bulletins describ-
ing projects underway, and shoulder patches
for participants. F.PA has an environmental
activities workbook called "Fun With the
Environment" for younger children. A book-
let called "Environmental Exchange—a Be-
ginning' outlines experiments that can be
done by junior high and high school students.
"Career Choices." an outline of educational
programs that train students for environmen-
tal jobs, is also available.
EPA IX-puty Administrator Barbara Blum
made this comment about the Agency in-
volvement in the youth program: "If we can
encourage their respect and appreciation for
our beautiful land, help them understand the
fragile nature of Nature, inspire their partici-
pation in projects of social benefit and provide
positive reinforcement for accepting environ-
mental responsibility at such an early age.
then what great rewards we all receive."
KPA staffers report that the youth projects
they receive reports on cover a wide range of
interests from outdoor activities to petitions
and public information campaigns that require
more enthusiasm than sweat.
Students at Columbia Grade School in
Portland. Ore., tackled 28 weed-
choked acres to start work on an ar-
boretum and wildlife refuge as then" youth
project. They planted I.(XX) trees and plotted
sites fora future forest of MMXX).
The school children are working on a five-
year plan. They hope to build nests for water-
PAC1K 18
OCTOBF.R 1977
-------
fern I along the 3-acre pond that borders the
arboretum, and to improve the access road.
Eventually the area may also have picnic
tables and a cleared area for annual garden
crops.
High School students in Iowa are learning
to he active stewards of their environment
through a youth project that ties ecological
issues in with the political process. Students
Concerned About Tomorrow's Knvironmem
(Project SC'ATH) involves some 50 school
districts across ihe State. At workshops teach-
ers and students learn environmental investi-
gation techniques from ecologists. State legis-
lators also pitch in to teach political
participation.
The students pick a local or State issue for
research and leg-work. Recent topics have
included land use. energy, and a returnable
bottle hill. In January they hold regional as-
semblies, introduce resolutions to solve envi-
ronmental problems, and then hold debates
to decide which resolutions lo send on to
then-version of the State assembly.
Selected SCAT 1-1 members act as lobbyists
for the environmental measures at the two-
day mock State assembly. There the bills go
through committees that determine which
proposals will be presented for debate before
the full suidcnt assembly. Measures that pass
(his final test go hi the Iowa General Assem-
bly where they receive the attention of career
legislators.
Tho student project is having some impact.
Under the watchful eye of their sponsor, high
school students from Governor Mifflin High
School son newspapers for recycling.
In Iowa City, as part of shop courses, the
school system builds a house each year.
SCATE members have persuaded the educa-
tors to build solar heat into the homes. A
bottle bill that has student support has passed
the Iowa House of Representatives
In a Passaic. N.J. youth project inner-city
youngsters get to know a different envi-
ronment by spending six weeks in a
rural setting. Groups of high school boys and
girls stay at the Delaware Water Gap National
Recreation Area, where they work at improv-
ing the camp sites and themselves.
On an average .day these young people
spend several hours refurbishing buildings.
tending the grounds, and caring for animals.
They have classes on environmental topics
and then apply their new knowledge in the
work they do on their surroundings. This
project is unfamiliar ground for city kids, but
it has worked well. The project, which started
in 1974, has expanded and last summer in-
cluded several hundred young people.
These are only a sampling of the projects
that youngsters are involved in all across
America. The scope of the President's Envi-
ronmental Youth Awards program allows stu-
dents to see many ways that daily life and the
environment are tied together.
In Vineland. N.J. grade school students
recycled paper and glass. They learned a new
meaning of the recycling concept by collect-
ing used clothing and household items for a
family that had been burned out of their
home.
In Culver City. Ca.. at the Braddock Drive
School the Student Council planted and main-
tained a garden of crops popular during colon-
ial times.
Knoxville. Tenn.. students at the Doyle
Middle School developed an understanding of
the importance of energy conservation in the
fight against pollution.
In Centereach. NY. children at the North
Cole man Road School have developed a
compost heap to make fertilizer for their
garden project. They recycle leftovers from
their lunches into the compost he'ap. The
students have also built a worm farm to
supply beneficial wildlife for their garden.
Some schools vary their projects from year
to year as the interests of the children involved
change. Other projects, like the "Ecology
Bus" continue even when the students move
on. In a few cases, ihe environmental projects
take mot and grov\ into more complex pro-
grams that benefit entire communities.
As an outgrowth of their marine biology
classes, students at Biloxi High School on
Mississippi's Gulf Coast took on the project
of explaining the intricacies of their environ-
ment. They studied the unique ecology of the
Mississippi Sound, and catalogued the scien-
tific research being done in the area. The
results of their research were published in a
book, "Guide to the Marine Resources of
Mississippi", which has since been adopted
as a State text.
Students learned the history of the harrier
islands off their beaches in the Gulf of
Mexico. They investigated the habits of the
fish that have provided livelihood for gener-
ations of their families. They also studied
the fine art of beachcombing.
As a result one young man built a me-
chanical simulator that illustrates the oscil-
latory movement of water in waves. The
Gulf shoreline is often dotted with natural
oddities called "hurricane balls". A young
woman, as her part of the project, formu-
lated a theory about how waves build these
conglomerations of marsh plant material
and sand around flotsam like grassroots
and cigarette filters.
The youth project has expanded into the
Biloxi High School Environmental Cooper-
ative Education Program. Students with no
classes scheduled the last few hours of the
school day participate in a work-study pro-
gram with local environmental agencies like
the Mississippi Conservation Commission.
When word got out just how well the
students were working, some agencies came
to the school looking for more participants.
This year students may even receive aca-
demic credit for their efforts.
Ms. Blum has said, "In so many ways,
every effort to preserve and protect the
environment is ultimately for the children—
and the beauty of the President's Environ-
mental Youth Awards is that it helps them
to help themselves." •
KPA JOURNAL
PAGH 19
-------
PEOPLE
Swep Davis Jr. has been
promoted lo HPA's Deputy
Assistant Administrator tor
Water Planning and Standards
after having served as Director
of the OITice of Analysis and
Kvaluation, since June. 1976. He
started with HPA in 1972 in the
Water Economics Branch.
Economics Analysis Division.
Previous experience includes
consulting for a non-profit public
policy consulting firm and Army
service from l%8to 1970.
including a year in Viet Nam.
Davis received a degree in
mechanical engineering from the
Georgia Institute of Technology
in I96Kand an M.B.A. from the
Harvard Graduate School of
Business Administration in 1972.
His background combines
engineering wilh math.
economics, management and
policy planning. He is 32 years
old and is from Hattiesburg.
Miss.
Gerald Hanslcr, former HPA
Region II Administrator in New
York, has been appointed
Kxecutive Director of the
IX'laware River Basin
Commission, a four-Slate body
responsible for water resource
planning and development in the
Delaware Valley. Before joining
EPA in 1970, Hansler was an
environmental affairs official in
the Department of Health.
Education, and Welfare. He
recently retired as a
commissioned officer with the
Public Health Service after 20
years of service. Hansler has
also worked in public health
protection, water supply and
pollution control. A native of
Summit, N.J., he holds degrees
in civil and industrial
engineering from the University
of Washington.
Anthony Freedman is the new
Deputy Director for the Office
of Legislation. He comes to HPA
from C'apitol Hill, where he was
legislative assistant for Rep.
Elizabeth Holtzman (D-N. Y.)
from I972lo 1977. Freedman
was an attorney in private
practice and taught junior high
school science as well from 1968
to 1972. He received his B.S.
degree in political science and
English in 1965 from the City
College of New York, and a J.D.
from Stanford Haw School in
I96X.
Dr. Stephen J. Gage has been
recommended for the post of
EPA Assistant Administrator for
Research and Development. The
recommendation to the White
House was made by EPA
Administrator Douglas M.
Costle. Since 1975 he has
served as Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Energy,
Minerals and Industry in the
()ffice of Research and
Development. Before coming to
EPA in 1974, Dr. Gage was
Senior Staff Member for
Energy Programs with the
Council of Environmental
Quality. He was a White House
Fellow in 1971. working with
the White House Office of
Science and Technology, and
Director of the Nuclear Reactor
Laboratory University of Texas,
Austin, from 1966 to 1971.
Dr. Gage received a B.S.
degree in mechanical
engineering from the University
of Nebraska in 1962, and M.S.
and Ph.D. degrees from Purdue
University in 1964 and 1966.
respectively. His background is
primarily in nuclear engineering
and energy conversion.
Professional affiliations include
the American Nuclear Society.
the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, and the
American Association for the
Advancement of Science, and
honorary membership in the
Society of Sigma Xi. Originally
from Nebraska. Dr. Gage. 37.
now lives in Bethesda,
Maryland.
Rebecca \V. Hanmer has been
named IX'puty Regional
Administrator for EPA's Region
1 office in Boston. Mass. For the
past two years she has been
Director of the Agency's Office
of Federal Activities, which
included the coordination of
EPA's program for reviewing
Federal agency projects and
environmental impact
statements. Hanmer has been
with EPA since its beginnings.
Her previous experience
includes working tor EPA's
predecessor agencies, the
Federal Water Quality
Administration and the Federal
Water Pollution Control
Administration in the
Department of the Interior. She
earned a bachelor's degree in
political science in 1963 at the
College of William and Mary in
Virginia, and a master's degree
in the same subject at American
University in Washington. D.C.
Hanmer is a member of several
conservation organisations and
professional societies.
Roy N. Gamse, former Director
of the Economic Analysis
Division in the Office of
Planning and Evaluation, has
been named Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Planning and
Evaluation. Before joining EPA
in l972.Gam.se was employed in
the Systems Analysis
Department of the Mitre
Corporation. A I%7 graduate of
the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology with a B.S. in
economics. Gamse earned an
M.B.A. from the Harvard
School of Business in 1972. He
is 32 years old and lives in
Washington. D.C.
fAGH 20
OCTOBER 1977
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL ALMANAC
A GLIMPSE OF THE NATURAL WORLD WE HELP PROTECT
OCTOBER
Bon Voyage!
The last of the chimney swifts, those
birds that look like flying cigars,
are leaving the Washington area on their
fall migration to the Amazon Basin,
thousands of miles away in Brazil and
Peru.
We'll miss their chattering calls as
they rolled and twisted through the sum-
mer sky in relentless pursuit of their
insect food. We enjoyed watching them
at dusk, as they congregated around an
abandoned church building, shaping
their flying formation into a funnel be-
fore descending into a chimney to spend
the night clinging to the rough bricks.
Their chattering stopped the other
day and we realized they had departed
for their winter home. The swifts are
part of the great autumnal departure of
birds, one of the cyclical wonders of
Nature.
The swifts apparently leave because
the approach of cooler weather dimin-
ishes their food supply of insects. Called
swifts because they are one of the faster
fliers, these birds can travel 100 miles
in a day. They sometimes reach speeds
of 60 to 70 miles an hour but even in
migration frequently make extensive de-
tours to nourish themselves on insects.
The use of abandoned chimneys by
these swifts as a protected area to spend
the night is a remarkable adaptation.
Swifts used to roost in hollow trees but
now prefer these man-made structures.
We had speculated that in the Ama-
zon Basin the swifts might once again
seek out replicas of their ancestral
homes—old trees or caves. However, a
recent report stated that thousands of
them had been seen pouring out of an
abandoned factory chimney in Brazil.
The remarkable fact is that the swifts
and thousands of other migrating spe-
cies survive their extraordinary jour-
neys. The casualty rates on these trips
are usually high.
Some birds crash into tall buildings,
blinded by the light from a setting sun,
confused by their reflected images in
mirror-like building exteriors, or
smashed by obstacles they never saw
on dark nights.
An occasional peril for migrating birds
is pesticides. For example, some robins
in Florida died after feeding on berries
which had been inadvertently contami-
nated when a nearby potato field was
sprayed.
Canada geese and ducks have been
killed when they fed on alfalfa which
had been recently sprayed with an in-
secticide.
Another type of death is illustrated
by the following example, cited by EPA's
Pesticide Programs Office. Some snow
geese migrating through Missouri died.
An investigation produced evidence sug-
gesting that the deaths resulted from
the delayed effects upon the geese of
eating rice seed in Texas which had
been treated with an insecticide.
The geese stored the insecticide in
their body fat without suffering any
harm at first. However, when the birds
used the fat as a source of energy in
flight, the insecticide entered their
blood stream and traveled to the brain.
There are obstacles and dangers all
over the world for the aerial migrants.
Thousands of geese trying to cross the
Himalayas in Asia have crashed into
these peaks or succumbed to chilly
blasts.
Yet nothing seems to check the urge
to migrate to warmer climates. In Brit-
ain, the swallows fly off to southern
Africa to spend the winter.
The Arctic Tern, in the most exten-
sive flight of all, winters in the Antarctic
and then spends summer in the Arctic,
a distance of over 10,000 miles.
Even in the insect world, some ex-
traordinary migrations are under way.
Monarch butterflies, which are widely
seen over the United States and south-
em Canada during the summer, start
moving south in September. Some fly to
Florida, some to California, and others
to Mexico where they spend the winter
semi-dormant, clinging to trees in huge
colorful masses.
With the return of spring to the Wash-
ington area we will be visited again by
hummingbirds from Panama, white-
eyed vireos from Mexico, Cape May
warblers from the West Indies, the sooty
shearwater from Tierra del Fuego at the
southern tip of South America, and of
course, the chimney swifts back from
the Amazon. Some will nest here and
others will be on their way to points
farther north. All w ill be welcome.—C. D. P.
KPA JOURNAL
PACK 21
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SOLAR POWER FOR WASTE
TREATMENT
Solar power will be used to help run
a national award-winning waste
water treatment plant now being
built in southwestern Maine with the aid
of EPA funds.
The design for this facility now being
built in Wilton, Maine, has won the Ow-
ens-Corning Energy Conservation award,
industrial category, in 1975.
Wilton, population 4,300, is located
about 60 miles north of Portland. Some
homes in the area have septic tanks but
many have been discharging raw sewage.
In order to meet the standards set by the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act of
1972, the town had to build a waste
treatment plant.
EPA is contributing 75 percent of the
cost of the project, over $3 million. The
State of Maine is paying 15 percent.
$600.000. The remaining 10 percent will
be raised by the townspeople through
loans from the Farmer's Home Adminis-
tration, property taxes, and user charges.
Some local industries will be served by
the new treatment plant, but only for
sanitary sewage, not for industrial ef-
fluent.
Harold Cahill. Jr.. chief of EPA's Mu-
nicipal Construction Division, says, "The
Wilton, Me. treatment plant may well be
part of the real solution for the future.
This treatment plant has been designed
as an energy conserving solar power sys-
tem. Fiberglass panels will transfer solar
heat into the processing areas. Solar col-
lectors will carry heat to the anaerobic
digesters. The design, orientation, and ex-
posure have been thoughtfully developed
to get the optimum benefits from the
climate and geography of the site."
Designer of the plant is engineer and
solar consultant Douglas A. WilkeofGlen
Head, N.Y. The engineering firm for the
project is Wright, Pierce, Barnes and Wy-
manofTopsham, Me.
Active and passive solar collectors will
be used to the utmost by the southern
orientation of the buildings. Projecting
sidewalls protect the collection surface
from the chilling effects of the wind. The
north roof will be covered with light stone
chips to prevent heat accumulation in the
summer. The roof is also designed to hold
snow, which will act as an insulator during
the winter months.
Insulated fiberglass panels on the south
side of the building will allow heat from
the sun to warm the air in the process
rooms of the plant.
Active solar energy wil! also be cap-
tured through black metal solar collection
panels set at a 60 degree slope, forming
the south roof of the treatment plant. An
antifreeze solution will be pumped
through these panels and heated to 120°-
140° F by the sun.
The energy from this system will be
used to heat the sludge digesters. These
tanks, which are used to biologically break
down organic matter in the sludge, must
be maintained at a constant 98° F. A
byproduct of the decomposition process
is methane, a colorless, odorless gas that
can be used as a fuel. The methane will
be channeled into storage tanks where it
will be stored until needed to operate the
electric generator or fuel the hot water
boiler during prolonged periods of little or
no sun.
A heat pump located at the end of the
waste water treatment system will extract
heat from the process water, which can
then be used to supplement the solar and
methane systems. This device also lowers
the temperature of the wastes sufficiently
to prevent thermal shock to the plant and
animal life in the small stream which
receives the flow.
Another solar collector, made of many
layers of translucent fiberglass panels
backed by a black heat-absorber plate,
forms the south wall of the building that
encloses the bio-discs. Bio-discs are a
form of biological secondary treatment.
Use of bio-discs instead of trickling
filters for secondary treatment also saves
energy because of the lesser costs in-
volved in heating the smaller area required
to enclose the process. Trickling filters
use a rotating arm that drips waste water
over a bed of stones that support bacterial
slime. The bacteria consume the nutrients
in the effluent and produce cleaner water.
Both processes would require heated en-
closure because of the extremely cold
temperatures experienced in Wilton. The
engineers decided to use more compact
bio-discs, which work by revolving a plas-
tic drum covered with bacterial slime in a
holding tank full of waste water.
John T. Rhett, EPA's Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Water Program Opera-
tions says, "We are hoping, once the
Wilton plant is built and operating, it will
live up to its potential. Saving energy is a
big asset for our EPA construction proj-
ects, particularly in our goal to cut oper-
ating costs for the smaller communities.
While none of the energy supply, energy
saving, and energy recovery methods de-
signed into the plant are completely new
and untried, the combination of the energy
capturing methods in the design is unprec-
edented and innovative. That is why we
funded 75 percent of the capital cost, and
why we are hoping the consulting engi-
neering and design profession will be chal-
lenged by the Wilton experience to come
up with even better energy savings at less
cost." The engineer estimates that the
systems will save Wilton approximately
$4500 per year.
The two plant buildings have been situ-
ated to take fullest advantage of any sun-
light available. Parts of the buildings will
be sheltered below ground to take advan-
tage of natural insulation. The earth and
other material excavated during this proj-
ect will be used to build a small hill to the
west of the plant at an angle that will
reflect the rays of the early morning sun
onto the solar collector surface. A
scooped out plain south of the plant will
also reflect sunlight onto the collectors
when there is snow on the ground. Natu-
rally-occurring woods in the surrounding
PAGE 22
OCTOBER 1977
-------
area have been left standing to act as a
windbreak. Plantings of juniper, a low-
tying evergreen, will collect snow and
form a natural insulator around portions
of the building.
Another energy-saving feature of the
Wilton plant is the use of gravity wherever
possible to reduce the need for pumps.
Sewage is lifted into the plant by screw
pumps, devices that look like giant augers.
The-only energy used is for turning the
screws. These automatically lift a meas-
ured amount of sludge to the top of an
incline with each rotation. The processes
within the plant are grouped to take ad-
vantage of gravity flow.
The eft'luent from the Wilton plant will
be discharged into Wilson Stream, a small
brook that runs from Wilson Lake into
the Sandy River. The discharge pipes will
be submerged to keep winter disruption
to a minimum. During drought periods,
when the flow of Wilson Stream is low,
the effluent will not be discharged into
the stream but will be sprayed onto a
nearby wixided area where it will provide
water and nutrients for trees and plants.
Digested sludge from this plant will be
Architect's rendering oj a waste treatment plant
being built at Wilton, Maine.
loaded into trucks and earned to local
farmland where it will be used as a soil
supplement. During winter months the
sludge will be stockpiled.
"Saving and recovering our environ-
mental resources—usable materials such
as soil conditioners from sewage sludge—
must be the future direction of our envi-
ronmental program," Assistant Adminis-
trator for Water and Ha/ardous Materials
Thomas Jorling said. "The Wilton project
represents a commendable application of
a resource conservation alternative to our
needs for affordable waste water treat-
ment facilities under the HRA construction
grants program."«
* i^.~5 i T.A.JK?i £Mf9&SSiiAnMju
I-I'A JOURNAL
PAGH 23
-------
UPDATE
A listing of recent Agency publi-
cations, and other items of use to
people interested in the environ-
ment.
GENERAL
PUBLICATIONS
Single copies available from
Printing Management Office
(PM-215) US EPA, Washington,
D.C. 20460. (202)755-0890
A Global Environmental Con-
cern: EPA's Scientific Activities
Overseas Program (October
1977) A 12-page booklet that de-
scribes EPA's scientific activities
in other countries. The multi-mil-
lion dollar program funds envi-
ronmental research in six na-
tions.
Residuals Management and
Water Pollution Control Plan-
ning (October 1977) A 12-page
pamphlet describing the impact
of solid waste on water quality.
It deals with water pollution from
industry, agriculture, mining,
and wastewater treatment.
Earth Trek (October 1977) A 16-
page environmental handbook
for junior high school students.
The pamphlet gives students an
overview of the ecological sys-
tem that they are a part of, and
explains why it must be pro-
tected.
A World Fit for Chipmunks and
Other Living Things (July, 1977)
This 16-page coloring book for
young children continues the
story of Charlie the Chipmunk.
Charlie moved from the litter-
filled park to the forest, and the
book tells about his new home.
Available from Office of Public
Awareness, EPA, 1735 Baltimore
Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. 64108.
WOE 24
Sludge Handling and Disposal
Practices at Selected Municipal
Wastewater Treatment Plants
(MCD-33) This 56-page report de-
scribes sludge handling prac-
tices used by members of the
Association of Metropolitan Sew-
age Agencies. It evaluates de-
watering and disposal methods
with respect to availability of
equipment, handling costs, and
other factors. The book also dis-
cusses research needs and non-
technical aspects of sludge.
Available from General Services
Administration (8FFS), Central-
ized Mailing Lists Services, Bldg.
41, Denver Federal Center, Den-
ver, Co. 80225.
FEDERAL
REGISTER
NOTICES
Copies of Federal Register
notices are available
at a cost of $.20 per
page. Write Office of the Federal
Register, National Archives and
Records Service, Washington,
D.C. 20408.
Fuel Economy Retrofit Devices.
EPA establishes interim test pro-
cedures and evaluation criteria;
effective 8-10-77. pp. 40438-444.
August 10.
Pesticide Programs. EPA issues
rebuttable presumption against
registration and continued regis-
tration of Ethylenebisdithiocar-
bamates(EBDC's). pp. 40617-
675. August 10.
New Stationary Sources. EPA
revises detailed requirements
used to measure emissions from
affected facilities: effective 9-19-
77. pp. 41753-89. August 18
Truck-mounted Solid Waste
Compactors. EPA proposes
noise emission standards, com-
ments by 11-25-77. pp. 43225-
243. August 26.
COMING EVENTS
More information about
these events and
EPA's participation in them is
available from Sue Sladek(202)
426-4188.
Current Issues on Environmen-
tal Regulation of Nuclear Power
Facilities, sponsored by the
Atomic Industrial Forum, Octo-
ber 11—14 at the Capitol Hilton,
Washington, D.C.
American Environmental
Forum, with Deputy Administra-
tor Barbara Blum in Madison,
Wisconsin, on October 25, to be
carried by WHA-TV, a Madison
TV station.
The American Public Health As-
sociation, annual meeting Octo-
ber 30—Novembers, Washing-
ton, DC. Administrator Douglas
M. Costle will address the meet-
ing on November 1.
National Solid Waste Manage-
ment Association, annual meet-
ing, November 14—16, Washing-
ton, D.C.
-------
briefs
THE 1978 GAS MILEAGE FIGURES
As of this month, EPA's newly released fuel economy guide
for 1978 model year vehicles should be available in new car
showrooms. "The best way to use these railes-per-gallon
figures," Administrator Costle said, "is to recognize that
if Car A gets 20 percent better fuel economy on the test
than Car B, then any owner can reasonably expect to get 20
percent better fuel economy in Car A." Last year's overall
winner, the Honda Civic CVCC, has not yet been certified by
EPA, but of those which have, the top three by class were:
the Datsun B-210 (minicompact; averaging 40 mpg), the
Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel (subcompact; 45 mpg), and the
Peugeot 504 Diesel (compact; 30 mpg).
CLEANER AIR
In its annual report to Congress on air pollution prevention,
EPA states that atmospheric levels of particulates (dust) have
been reduced four percent a year since 1971, resulting in 33
percent fewer Americans breathing dangerous levels of this
pollutant in 1976. Also, levels of sulfur dioxide have been
cut 30 percent in urban areas from 1970-1975. Although levels
of carbon monoxide, photo chemical oxidant (smog), and nitrogen
dioxide have not been monitored as long as the other pollutants
— making national trends difficult to establish — encouraging
evidence suggests that progress has also been made in varying
degrees in reducing levels of these contaminants.
PUBLIC MEETINGS ON HAZARDOUS WASTES
EPA will hold three public meetings this month to explain the
probable content of guidelines and regulations being developed
for the management of hazardous wastes -- those wastes such as
radioactive and toxic substances which present special dangers
to public health and the environment. The meetings will be in
Arlington, Va., on Oct. 11-12; St. Louis on Oct. 13-14; and
Scottsdale, Ariz., Oct. 17-18. Registration times, exact
location, meeting times, and summaries of the materials to be
reviewed are available by contacting EPA's Office of Solid
Waste, (WH-462), Wash. D.C. 20460 (Phone: (202) 755-9157).
PACii: 25
-------
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AWARENESS (A-107)
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EBV335
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A Gunboat for EPA
A patrol gunboat, of a class rated
"pound-for-pound the deadliest" war-
ships in the U.S. Navy, has been given
to EPA and will patrol the Great Lakes as a
floating water quality laboratory.
The former USS Crockett. PG-88. was
turned over to the Agency late in July at
Norfolk. Va. A hired crew sailed her to the
Naval Ship Research and Development Cen-
ter. Annapolis. Md.. to have her guns, range
tinder, and gas turbine removed. They then
took her to Milwaukee. Wis., via the St.
Lawrence Seaway and l^akes Ontario. Erie,
Huron, and Michigan.
Conversion of the vessel will be completed
this winter, according to George R. Alexander
Jr.. Regional Administrator of KPA Region V.
Chicago. Monitoring cruises are expected to
start in the spring when the ice breaks up and
Great I-iikes navigation opens. The ship will
be based in Cleveland. Ohio.
"We are very grateful to the Navy for
giving us the Crockett,"said Alexander. "She
will be the largest U.S. research vessel on the
Great Lakes and will greatly help in our
studies and enforcement efforts toward im-
proving the lakes' water quality."
The former gunboat is 165 feet long. 25
feet wide, and in naval service drew nine and
a halt feet of water. Her hull and main struc-
ture are aluminum. Glass fiber is extensively
used in the above-deck housing and super-
structure.
As a patrol gunboat. Ihe Crockett also had
a gas turbine—an adaptation of the J79 air-
craft engine—providing 13.300 shaft horse-
power and a top speed of 40 knots (about 46
mph). but such speed is not needed in a
research vessel.
The two 725-horsepower 12-cylinder die-
sels that remain in the ship are so geared to
the twin, adjustable-pitch propellors that
either engine alone can drive the vessel.
The space left after removal of the gas
turbine will become the ship's main chemical
laboratory. 30 feet long and 18 feet wide.
Alexander said. The former radar room will
become the "wet lab."
The refitting and conversion will include
installing cranes for lowering instilments and
sampling gear, modification of the ship's ra-
dar, depth-finding, and navigation equipment;
installing laboratory equipment; and refitting
living quarters for the scientists and techni-
cians.
According to Robert Bowden. Chief of the
Great Lakes Surveillance Branch, the ship
will probably have a crew of about eight
persons, employed by a firm that will operate
the ship on contract to KPA's Region V.
The monitoring work will be performed by
from eight to 15 scientists and technicians.
The number will vary according to the work
to be done on any one cruise. "The ship will
be available for research by universities in
the Great Qikes area as well as by KPA and
its contractors." Bowden said.
The Crockett will be the fifth vessel in
Region V's Great Lakes "fleet", which in-
cludes the Roger R. Simons, a 122-foot for-
mer Coast Guard buoy tender, and three
smaller vessels now on loan to two universi-
ties and to EPA's Office of Research and
Development.
The converted gunboat is faster and room-
ier than the Simons and should be more
economical to operate and maintain.
As Edward McClain. of KPA's Headquar-
ters Contracts Office put it: "The Simons.
with all four engines running and jumping off
their pads, can go 12 miles per hour, if we're
lucky. The Crockett can cruise at 16 miles
per hour on her twodiesels."
"U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1977 7ZO-U6/9 1-3
The Crockett will be used for the next two
years for an intensive survey of Lake Erie.
according to Chris Timm. Director of Region
V's Surveillance and Analysis Division, to
analyze changes since the last major survey
done in the I960's. She will then move to
Lake Huron.
The USS Crockett was built in 1966 at
Tacoma. Wash., and launched and commis-
sioned in June of that year, named for the
city of Crockett. Calif. She was the third of
the Navy's Patrol Gunboat class that included
14 light, fast ships. All are being decommis-
sioned.
The Crockett sailed across the Pacific,
served for two years in Viet Nam waters, and
later in the Mediterranean. The ship won the
Navy's Meritorious Unit Commendation and
was nominated as Ship of the Year among the
patrolling forces in Viet Nam.
When it is fully converted to research and
water testing duty, the ship will be consider-
ably lighter than the 250 tons it displaced as a
gunboat. While moored at Annapolis, the
Crockett's bow rose about eight inches when
a crane lifted off the forward gun and its
turret, weighing more than eight tons.
Removal of the gas turbine and jet-fuel
tanks also decreased the weight. The con-
verted ship is expected to draw somewhat
less than nine feel of water, permitting it to
work close to shore as well as in the deepest
parts of all five Great Lakes.B
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