UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY OCTOBER 22, 1976
EPA SEEKING GREATER PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN WATER QUALITY
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
The Environmental Protection Agency is making a con-
certed effort to bring about greater public involvement
in planning and carrying out water quality management
programs throughout the country.
The thrust toward- increased public participation in the
areawide planning process was the subject of a recent two-day
meeting of EPA regional officials. John R. Quarles, Jr.,
EPA Deputy Administrator, spoke of an urgency of getting
citizen support for the programs, known as the 208 planning
process.
Quarles told the more than 200 attendees that water
quality management programs are high on EPA's priority list
but that "these programs cannot succeed without public involve-
ment ."
Noting that public participation is essential in many
stages of the planning and implementation of an areawide
plan, Quarles said that "getting the public involved is not
just getting people to come to meetings," The objective
he declared is sustained citizen support, starting early in
the process.
As an initial step in the drive for public involvement,
he asked for development of a strategy for an active Regional
program.
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The magnitude of the 208 programs is reflected by the
fact that $216 million in grants have been obligated to date
by the Agency for development of plans.
The areawide designation and planning process was!
established by Section 208 of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act of 19 72, to permit comprehensive/ long-range
efforts to solve water pollution problems common to specific
areas. The 208 program focuses primarily on areas where urban,
industrial, or other kinds of development have produced
pollution problems that span more than one political juris-
diction.
Areas within a State can be designated for the planning
and implementation process by the Governor, who also names
a regional agency to be responsible for the program. So far,
176 such designations have been made.
Under a 1975 Federal District Court ruling, States have
individually been made responsible for instituting 20 8 programs
in all non-designated areas within their jurisdictions. These
programs may cover an entire state or can single out specific
areas.
The 20 8 process includes assessment.of existing and -
potential water pollution problems, development of an abate-
ment plan and schedule, and an assessment of the economic,
social, and environmental impacts encountered in carrying
out the plan.
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