™:Em
Trnies
NEWS FOR AND ABOUT EPA EMPLOYEES
INSIDE:
~	Bloodmobile
~	Changing Plans
~	Action on EDB
US EPA
HQ & Chemical Libraries
Washinaton DC 20460
VOLUME 1 NUMBER 6 FEBRUARY 17, 1984
EPA Seeks 800 Workyear Increase
President Reagan's proposed budget
for EPA requests an increase of 750
workyears in fiscal year 1985 in addi-
tion to a 1984 supplemental of 50
workyears. (A workyear is any com-
bination of permanent or temporary,
full- or part-time, labor equivalent to
one full-time employee.)
The regional offices will gain 63
percent of the new positions for 1985.
(See chart on back page.)
The proposed budget is $4.2 billion.
This is a seven percent increase over
1984 and one of the largest proposed
percentage increases in the domestic
federal budget. When funding for
wastewater treatment facilities and
Superfund is excluded, the 1985 in-
crease in Agency operating programs
is 27 percent.
Spending increases are called for in
almost all of the Agency's programs.
Administrator Bill Ruckelshaus said
the expanded budget, together with
the $295 million provided in the
amendment to the 1984 budget, in-
creases EPA's resources by $590 mil-
lion since he re-entered government
service.
"My long-range priorities reflect
specific charges the President gave me
when I returned as Administrator
last May, and the press of problems—
some old, some new, and all
difficult—that the Agency must try to
solve in carrying out its mandate,"
Ruckelshaus said. "Our 1985 budget
continues a period of expansion for
the Environmental Protection Agency,
an expansion necessary for the Agen-
cy's talented employees to do their job
and to restore the public's trust in
EPA."
Ruckelshaus said the budget reflects
Continued to back page
EPA 1985 Budget Proposal
$4,249 million
Operating
Programs
Superfund
Construction
Grants
949
310
2,400
1,114
410
2,430
1,209
640
2,400
+ 27%
+ 106%
Stable
FY 84 Budget	FY 84 Estimate	FY 85 Budget
Training Center Readies Spring Offerings
A series of courses, intended to
meet the most frequent high-priority
training needs reported by super-
visors, has been scheduled for Febru-
ary, March and April.
The EPA Training Center, run by
the Human Resources Development
Branch (HRDB), designed the courses
in response to the input of managers
and supervisors in a training needs
survey. Most of the offerings are free
of charge to the participants.
The full menu of courses will
appear in the 1984 Training Center
catalog, due for distribution to all em-
ployees in the near future. In addi-
tion, HRDB will send a supply of
Training Opportunities Bulletins to
Agency administrative officers ap-
proximately 4-6 weeks before each
course begins. Watch for these bulle-
tins for complete information on
course content and objectives, loca-
tion, qualifications, and nomination
procedures.
Supervisory Management (the basic
supervisory training course): Two
non-consecutive weeks, March 19-20
and April 9-13.
Meeting Management: Two days,
March 12-13.
Stress Management for Supervisors
and Managers: Two days, March 5-6.
Effective Writing for Professionals:
Three days, March 26-28.
Time Keeping for Supervisors: One
day, March 14 and March 15.
Proofreading: Five half-days, March
12-16.
Beginning Secretarial Development:
Three days, March 27-29.
Effective Listening for Secretaries
and Support Staff: Two days, March
7-8.
Seminar on Biotechnology: Three
days, February 27-29. Fee: $198.
For additional information call the
HRDB on 382-2997.B

-------
People	
Congratulations on 40 years of service to: Joseph Mas-
tandrea, Region 2.
Congratulations on 30 years of service to: Paul Wagner,
Office of Administration and Resources Management . . .
Shirley Tenhover, Cincinnati.
Bronze Medal awarded to Frank Mischlich, an engineer
in Region 7, for outstanding work in outlay forecasting. As
Program Management Coordinator for construction grant
activities, Mischlich is responsible for the estimates of
actual payment requests submitted by grantees throughout
the year.
EPA's 1984 nominee for the Federal Engineer of the
Year Award, sponsored by the National Society of Pro-
fessional Engineers, is Richard Rykowski, a chemical en-
gineer at the Motor Vehicle Emissions Test Laboratory in
Ann Arbor. Rykowski was nominated for this honor as a
result of his achievements in regulatory developement re-
lated to mobil source emission control issues.
Special Act Awards go to: James Priestly and Gwen-
dolyn Gray, Pesticides and Toxic Substances . . . Robin
Campbell, Deborah Johnson, William Faustman and
Edmund Hickey, Administration and Resources Man-
agement.
Continued Superior Performance Awards go to: Sherry
A. Kaschak, Douglas Barrett, Michele Evans and Mary
Rudisill, Administration and Resources Management."
Agency Snapshots
Changing Plans
During Open Season, the largest shifts by
EPA headquarters employees between health
benefit plans were:
93 employees changed from Blue
Cross High Option to Blue Cross
Standard Option
@ 110 employees left Blue Cross
for another plan
Q 123 employees left GEHA for
another plan
@ 92 employees changed from
Comprehensive Medical Plans
to Health Maintenance
Deputy Administrator Alvin Aim speaks at opening of Black
History Month ceremonies.
Q & A
Q. According to the pamphlets I read, the change I re-
quested in my health insurance took affect on January 8,
yet I have still received no card or official notification. Is
something wrong? What should I do if I need medical ser-
vices?
A. Due to processing delays in the offices of the in-
surance companies caused by the large number of federal
employees who change plans during open season, enrol-
lees may experience a six- to eight-week delay before
receiving their correct identification cards. Your copy of
the Health Benefits Enrollment Form (SF-2809) may be
used until the cards arrive. If you have misplaced the
form, you may obtain a copy from the personnel office.
Q. Several months ago I heard that new personnel rules
making within-grade increases dependent upon perform-
ance appraisals were about to be issued. What has hap-
pened to them?
A. The Office of Personnel Management's revisions to
personnel regulations became final on November 25. How-
ever, Congress attached a last-minute rider to OPM's con-
tinuing budget resolution which stopped implementation
of those rules during FY 1984. After reviewing the exact
wording of the congressional rider, OPM concluded that
federal agencies were able to implement the regulations,
but that OPM was precluded from providing agency assis-
tance in that implementation. OPM directed agencies to
begin implementation, but the National Treasury Em-
ployees Union brought suit to contest that order. A federal
judge has now ruled that Congress clearly intended to
block implementation of the regulations. OPM Director
Donald Devine has announced his intention to appeal. Un-
til a decision on the appeal is reached, the regulations are
in limbo. The main thrust of the rules was to strengthen
the pay-for-performance philosophy by giving more weight
to performance ratings in actions such as within-grade in-
crease determinations and RIFs. The new rules also woul
have guaranteed full comparability and an equivalent of a
within-grade increase to all Merit Pay employees."

-------
Around EPA
Between October and January EPA hired 603 new
people, and had 169 separations—for a net increase of
434 employees . . . The Agency's National Recruitment
Task Force reports that 27 percent of the new hires are
minorities and 56 percent are female . . . The task force
plans a series of Job Fair/Career Days throughout the coun-
try, beginning in March in Puerto Rico . . . Letters have
been sent to over 200 minority schools and organizations
to solicit their support in obtaining interested and quali-
fied candidates to fill our vacancies ... If you have a
specific need or hard-to-fill position, contact your local
Recruitment Coordinator or Rich Lemly on 382-3348.
Washington, D.C. area blood supplies are at a critically
low level, according to Red Cross officials. About 800
donors are required each day to maintain adequate sup-
plies. The Bloodmobile will be at Headquarters in Room S-
353 from 9:30 to 3:30 on March 6, 7, and 8. Appointments,
which are preferred but not required, may be made by
calling any of the following volunteers: Kate Litzelman,
382-7100; Alex Hall, 382-2546; George Garland, 382-4761;
or Jack Diskin, 382-3618. For further information about the
blood drive contact Debra Johnson on 382-4399.
Procurement and Contracts Management Division an-
nounces cutoff dates for receipt of procurement actions
which must be processed prior to, or at the start of, FY 85.
For contracts the cutoff date is April 30; except for ex-
tensions of existing service contracts—June 30. For small
purchases—September 1; except for certain lease renewals
or maintenance agreements—August 1. For further in-
formation contact your servicing procurement office.Q
Agency Activities	
Regulatory: EPA announces the immediate emergency
suspension of EDB (ethylene dibromide) use as a grain
fumigant—the strongest action the agency can take under
the law . . . Also establishes recommended maximum ac-
ceptable residue levels for raw grains, milled grain prod-
ucts and ready-to-eat products . . . Rulemaking process in-
itiated to revoke the exemption that currently prevents the
Agency from setting tolerance levels enforceable by the
Food and Drug Administration . . . Coupled with the sus-
pension last September of EDB use as a soil fumigant,
these actions eliminate 97 percent of the chemical's agri-
cultural use . . . Will announce decision soon on use of
EDB on citrus fruit.
Rule proposed to protect metalworkers from unreason-
able health risks by prohibiting the addition of nitrites to
certain corrosion inhibiters (a procedure which creates
carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds) . . . This is the
Agency's first exercise of powers under section 5(f) of the
Toxic Substances Control Act to immediately regulate
human health risks.
Another first for EPA: Wastes contaminated with chlor-
inated hydrocarbons are listed as hazardous as a group in-
stead of issuing individual regulations to cover the wastes
of 25 or so major commercial products such as dry
cleaning liquids and degreasing solvents . . . Expediting
the listing of wastes should bring about control quicker.
Approval given of National Municipal Policy to ensure
that publicly owned wastewater treatment plants (POTWs)
meet pollution control deadlines under the Clean Water
Act . . . Policy states in part: "EPA will focus on POTWs
that previously received federal funding assistance and are
not currently in compliance with their applicable effluent
limits, on all other major POTWs, and on minor POTWs
that are contributing significantly to an impairment of
water quality."
Compliance: A problem with the emission control sys-
tem on approximately 78,000 vehicles will be voluntarily
remedied by Subaru of America . . . Excessive nitrogen ox-
ides are produced when deposits clog the recirculation
systems on 1979 model-year vehicles using leaded gaso-
line.
Superfund: Two contracts totalling more than $100 mil-
lion have been awarded for immediate emergency re-
sponse capabilities at hazardous waste sites in the North-
east and Midwestern states . . . Emergencies in regions 1.
2, and 3 will be handled by O.H. Materials Co. of Findlay,
Ohio. PEDCO Environmental. Inc., of Cincinnati, Ohio will
cover sites in Region 5.
The Superfund Hotline will be significantly upgraded
under a new three-year, $1 million contract awarded to
Geo-Resource Consultants of San Francisco . . . The sys-
tem, first established in 1980, will become a computerized
information management system capable of storing data on
inquiries and responses for quick access and reference.
Five specialists will be available to handle the approx-
imately 3,500 questions per month over two local and four
toll-free lines (800-424-9346). A separate toll-free number
is available to report spills and other releases of hazardous
substances (800-424-8802).
International: Ruckelshaus attends a series of meetings
in Japan dealing with joint environmental projects the two
countries are conducting . . . On his return trip he meets
with Hawaiian Governor George R. Ariyoshi.
Speaking Out: Administrator Bill Ruckelshaus urges the
nation to "calm down" because there is no immediate
health threat from EDB residues. "What we are doing is
eliminating a chronic, long-term, unacceptable risk."
"We have to develop a certain controlled state of out-
rage in this Agency if we are going to get these laws en-
forced . . . You not only have my support, you've got my
demand that something be done."—Ruckelshaus at a
meeting in Alexandria, VA, urging regional officials to in-
crease enforcement efforts under RCRA and the Clean
Water Act.Q
The EPA Times is published 24 times per year to provide news
and information for and about EPA employees. Readers are encour-
aged to submit news of fellow employees, letters of opinion, ques-
tions, comments, and suggestions to. Miles Allen, Editor, The EPA
Times, Office of Public Affairs (A-107) Telephone 382-4371. In-
formation selected for publication will be edited as necessary in
keeping with space available. All letters of opinion must be signed
and accompanied by submitter's office location and telephone
number.

-------
Workyear Increases in Proposed 1985 Budget
Inspector
General
+ 10
Management &
Administration
+ 25
General Counsel
& Enforcement
+ 36
Water
No change
Air &
Radiation
+ 36
Research &
Development
+ 65
Pesticides
& Toxic
Substances
+ 63
Solid
Waste &
Emergency
Response
+ 45
(Superfund
Portion
+ 20)
Increase
the Reagan Administration's com-
mitment to the cleanup of hazardous
wastes, as well as its intention to seek
reauthorization of the Superfund pro-
gram. Most of the 56 percent increase
in the Superfund budget will be used
to support a threefold increase from
last year in the number of sites where
remedial cleanup will begin.
Other proposed Superfund program
increases would fund EPA's expanded
enforcement efforts, particularly
for cost recovery, and for Superfund
research and development.
Based on current EPA estimates,
there will be sufficient funds to sup-
port the Superfund program through
the end of fiscal 1985, when Super-
fund taxing authority expires. Ruckels-
haus will submit a study
recommending changes in the Super-
fund Act to Congress this fall, as re-
quired by law.
The proposal more than doubles
funding for acid rain research to $34.4
million in 1985, and calls for a 1984
supplemental increase of $5.5 million
to support the National Lakes Survey.
This survey will measure acid rain
damage to approximately 3,000 lakes
around the country.
"Many questions still remain un-
answered about the causes, effects and
methods of mitigating or controlling
acid rain," Ruckelshaus said. "In 1985
we will expand the basic research
program in order to develop the
necessary data to fully understand the
sources and characteristics of acid
rain, to define the extent of damage
caused by acid rain and, most im-
portantly, to provide realistic options
for mitigating its effects."
The Office of Research and De-
velopment is designated to receive re-
sources to strengthen research in four
areas: risk assessment of hazardous
chemicals, acid rain, the assessment
of technologies for pollution control,
and the health effects of pollutants.
Ruckelshaus said proposals to in-
crease research resources "seek first to
improve the management of our re-
search efforts, and second to strength-
en the resource base where it is
needed and where it can be used
effectively to achieve measurable en-
vironmental benefits."
The budget includes dramatic in-
creases in the funding of enforcement
efforts—60 percent of which will be
used in the Superfund program. Re-
sources for toxic substances enforce-
ment to support additional in-
spections and case development for
PCB and asbestos-in-school rules will
also be increased. And there will be
increases aimed at eliminating the
backlog of major water permits so that
industrial and municipal dischargers
have permits in time to comply with
water statute limits.
A special initiative in the 1985
budget proposes a $10 million dollar
program to support efforts to clean up
the Chesapeake Bay. The money
would be used in cost-sharing grants
to Bay states and to continue EPA's
role in monitoring and modeling.
Ruckelshaus said that the budget
proposals "are most significant in that
they are very clearly focused on the
emerging needs of the Agency . . .
With these resources, we will be able
to achieve the objectives that the
President, the Congress and the peo-
ple have set for the Agency. These re-
source needs are a solid foundation
for the policies and strategies we as a
nation must pursue to assure contin-
ued progress across the spectrum of
environmental challenges.""

-------