UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                         WASHINGTON, D.C.  20460
                   USEPA  West Building
                 Headquarters Repository
               1301 Constitution Avenue N.W.
               Room 3340 -  Mailcode 3404T
                  Washington, DC 20004
                     APR 2  0  1992
                                            OFFICE OF
                                   SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
                                   OERR DIRECTIVE
                                          9204.1-01
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:  Establishment of OERR Records Management Program

FROM:
TO:
Henry L. Longest II, Director      .
Office of Emergency and RemedialAfesponse

OERR Division Directors and Supervisors
PURPOSE.  This directive establishes a formal structure for
building a consistent,  efficient and legally defensible records
management program  for  OERR.

BACKGROUND.  Establishment of these programs in Regional
Superfund Offices is virtually complete.   We have been requested
now to replicate this effort  in Washington.   Although OERR has
participated in regular clean-up days and has generally archived
records in accordance with agency policy,  a  formal structure to
ensure cross-Division consistency has never  been established.
The move to Crystal Gateway,  with its limited file space,
provides an outstanding opportunity to solve this problem
permanently.

OBJECTIVE.  Cooperative development of an OERR Records Management
Program, under senior management sponsorship,  will enable OERR to
examine records retention needs and legal responsibilities,
understand procedures for retention and disposition,  and
appropriately track and archive our records.   Centralized
knowledge, coordinated  by Division representatives,  and managed
as part of the Superfund Documents Program,  will ultimately save
time for technical  and  professional staff.   Records reduction
before the move will simplify relocation  logistics and better
utilize space in the new quarters.

IMPLEMENTATION.  A  work group chaired by  Betti VanEpps and
initially consisting of the Divisions'  Special Assistants will
manage this project.  Their first task is to develop a records
management strategy, with immediate attention to issues raised by
the move.  As the work  proceeds,  Divisions should expect to
identify other participants with specialized knowledge, who
should participate  as appropriate.   Lisa  Jenkins,  OSWER Records
                                                          Printed on Recycled Paper

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Management Officer, will participate on this work group to bring
us the benefit of experience and knowledge gained in the Regional
effort.

      Ultimately, an OERR policy directive will be issued which
describes the final program and responsibilities for its
maintenance.

      I have asked Steve Luftig to serve as ex-officio
participant on this project to provide the senior management
support which will ensure success.

cc:  Steve Luftig
     OERR Staff
     Lisa Jenkins

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