UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER U.S. POSTAGE mND FEES PAID ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENC' EPA-335 A ^Environmental News Deister (202) 755-0344 FOR RELEASE AFTER 10 A.M. EDT, THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 19 74 QUARLES WARNS THAT NATION FACES LONG, TOUGH BATTLE TO OVER- COME WATER POLLUTION John R. Quarles, Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, today warned that despite the progress that has been made the nation still faces a long and difficult task in overcoming water pollution. Quarles, in a speech to the Midwest Research Institute's Conference on Industry and Clean Water in Kansas City, Missouri, reviewed the progress that has been made in the past 15 months in meeting the requirements of the 1972 Amendments of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The EPA official said, "The 1972 Act was a complete over- haul of the entire statutory basis for conducting our national water pollution control program. Standards were made more demanding, funding was greatly increased, enforcement was beefed up, and a host of research, planning and other support- ing provisions were added." Quarles said he was impressed by the progress that has been made, but even more impressed by the effort that had been expended and the scope of the job that still lies ahead. And, he conceded that the Agency has missed more deadlines for standards and regulations than it has met. Return this sheet if you do NOT wish to receive this material ~, or if change of address is needed Q (indicate change, including zip code), EPA FORM 1510.1 (REV. 8-72) R-334 ------- -2- "Underlying the 1972 Act was a major new commitment to water pollution control that would require a great leap for- ward across the entire spectrum of water pollution abatement programs," he said. The Deputy Administrator said that isn't going to happen, adding, "Giant steps may be possible on the moon, but on earth we generally have to proceed at a more measured pace." The vast machinery of the government and industry cannot be completely transformed in a year or two or even three, Quarles continued. He noted that one fundamental misconception of the 1972 Act was a consistent failure to anticipate and allow for the workload of the new requirements particularly on limited State staff and funds. He called for a practical, realistic and common sense approach to get the job done without any feelings of panic or frustration in not being able to achieve unrealistic deadlines or commitments. But the Deputy Administrator said he was not challenging the efficiency or desirability of the goals of the 1972 Act but rather the transitory problems of getting to these goals. "Putting together the nuts and bolts of a program that will work and actually making it operate involves something more than commitment, idealism and deadlines," Quarles said. The Deputy Administrator said the most important action that must be taken now to get the job done is to simplify the procedures employed by government at all levels. "We are now in the process of reviewing our regulatory requirements, looking for ways to make modifications which may make the requirements more flexible and workable ;n Quarles said. R-334 ------- |