™:Em limes NEWS FOR AND ABOUT EPA EMPLOYEES Inside: • Drinking Water Lead • Acid Rain Cost Analysis VOLUME 5 NUMBER 5 MAY 1988 Eco-Youth EPA has launched its 1988 President's Environmental Youth Awards Program with a letter from Lee Thomas to the nation's governors and a brochure explaining how young people can participate in this worthy competition. Thousands of students in grades K-12 have received Presidential certificates over the years for such activities as collecting litter along roadways and rivers, building nature trails, conducting water-quality tests, performing scientific experiments, cleaning debris from streams and organizing recycling drives, to cite a few. These projects have helped to foster an environmental ethic among the youth of the nation. All who participate will receive a Presidential Certificate recognizing them for their exemplary work. Participants may also compete on a national level. Each of EPA's ten regional offices will select one project for recognition as a national winner. Along with their project sponsors, all will be flown to Washington where top government officials will sing their praises in a national ceremony. Applications must be filed by August 31, 1988. ~ Pro Bike 88 More than 40 workshops and two special seminars are scheduled for Pro Bike 88, the Fifth International Conference on Bicycle Programs and Promotions, October 9-12, in Tucson, Arizona. EPA is one of several co-sponsors. Under the aegis of the Bicycle Federation of America, Pro Bike 88 will bring together some 300 key people in all aspects of biking—transportation planning, education, promotion, activism, tourism and law enforcement. Several Canadian bicycle program specialists will attend, and participants from England, West Germany. Switzerland, Australia and Japan are expected. Workshops will embrace Institutionalizing Bicycling in Government, Advanced Advocacy, Mapping 101, What Corporate Sponsors Want, A Review of Educational Approaches, Basic Law Enforcement, Courts and Lenient Sentences, Careers in Bicycling and so forth. Two special seminars have been scheduled for the weekend before the conference. "Designing and Producing Bicycle Videos and Public Service Announcements", a one-day seminar, will cover planning, budgeting, finding a producer, location scouting and other essentials. Led by Tallahassee producer Robert Seidler, participants will actually create a video and shoot it. A half-day seminar, "Legal Liability Aspects of Bicycle Environments: Problems, Reasons, Solutions", will also be offered. Seminar leader Alex Sorton, Deputy Director of Northwestern University's Traffic Institute, will focus on the reasons behind continuing liability problems with bicycle facilities and what can be done about them. Case studies will be examined. People who want to see the Arizona sights before the conference may join a special section of the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association's Grand Canyon to Mexico Tour. More information about Pro Bike 88 is available from the Bicycle Federation of America, 1818-R Street NW. Washington, DC 20009 (202-332-6986). ~ The Gift of Time The House has voted legislation that would establish "time banks" in U.S. agencies where feds could donate spare sick or annual leave to colleagues needing extra time off to cope with family or medical exigencies. Agencies are already beginning to implement a system allowing transfer of vacation time within their own bailiwicks. But the new House approach mandates a three-year, government-wide test that would include not only leave-sharing, but also establish three leave-bank pilot projects. Employees could donate sick or annual leave and it could be used in some cases by workers in other agencies. Now it's up to the Senate. ~ FERS Flop Federal workers rejected the new FERS pension plan last year because they didn't understand it, believed it wasn't as good as the present plan and suspected that politicians would tamper with it, according to the General Accounting Office (GAO). The old Civil Service Retirement System is generally considered best for those who plan to stay in government. However, only 30 percent of those who go into government eventually retire from it, so officials thought FERS portability would persuade hundreds of thousands to switch. The government spent millions training staff, printing brochures and paying outside experts to explain FERS to the two million employees hired before 1984 who were entitled to join. A paltry 40,000 signed up. GAO found that the main reason feds rejected FERS was that they planned to make government a career and felt the old retirement plan was best for them. In addition, they didn't understand FERS or feared that budget-cutters would slash the very features that make it an attractive option. Moreover, many said they couldn't afford to contribute to the first-rate thrift investment component—it permits feds to invest 10 percent of pay and shelter it from taxes, and get a matching 5 percent tax-deferred contribution from the government they can take with them if they leave. Finally, last minute changes in the FERS program convinced many not to make the switch, either because they couldn't follow the permutations or felt they were a tip-off that the new plan is too vulnerable to political mischief. ~ No AIDS in Water Deputy Administrator Jim Barnes has replied as follows to letters from the general public expressing concern about the spread of the AIDS (HIV) virus. For several years EPA has been evaluating the possibility of water-borne transmission of the AIDS virus and has recently developed a fact sheet on discharge of AIDS-contaminated waste to municipal wastewater treatment facilities. The sheet reports the AIDS virus is a delicate "bloodborne" pathogen that does not multiply or survive outside a hemotological environment. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control has advised EPA that it does not consider water-borne routes of transmission possible. Moveover, it is EPA's understanding that blood and other effluvia from embalmed AIDS-infected cadavers are disposed of by means of incineration or other accepted procedures. ~ ------- Granting Wishes Region 4's Deputy Regional Administrator Lee A. DeHihns, III (2nd right) presents a $1,259 check to Ronnie D. Wilson, Southern Regional Director of the Sunshine Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to terminally-ill young people. The money was raised through sales of the region's famous cookbook, Friendiy Feasts. Pamela Howell (left) and Nancy Harshaw led efforts to produce and market the book. ~ 25 Years at Wheeling Region 3 staff at Wheeling, West Virginia, are preparing to celebrate 25 years of government service at the same location. The Department of Health, Education and Welfare opened its doors in Wheeling on April 1, 1963 as the Ohio River Basin Project, which in its later phases was absorbed into EPA. If you worked at Wheeling, please write the office at Room 301, Methodist Building, Wheeling, West Virginia 26003, or call Elsie Tavlores, 304-233-1271. ~ Winkle, R-6 DRA On Monday, May 2. 1988. Joe D. Winkle will be joining Region 6 as the new Deputy Regional Administrator. At present Assistant Associate Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he manages FEMA disaster, superfund relocation and hazardous mitigation assistance and several other national programs. Winkle graduated from Texas A&M in 1959 with a degree in civil engineering and is a registered professional engineer in Texas. In 1987, he was awarded the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive. ~ Lingo Mangle: Twisting the Mother Tongue Novelist Peter DeVries once said. "I love being a writer; what I can't stand is the paper work." More than one manager, by contrast, has said to himself. "1 love the paperwork; I just can't stand the writing." And it shows. According to a Wharton Business School study, the most important predictor of executive success after interpersonal skills is the ability to communicate. Most managers can handle the oral part, but very few master more than the rudiments of expository prose. Take your typical memo. It doesn't come quickly to the point. It's redundant if not superfluous to start with. It buries the central idea in a swamp of verbiage, takes too long to figure out and if it conveys the wrong tone can make the nicest guy sound like a jerk or a tyrant. What's more, memos cost money—corporate America spends more than a billion dollars per year producing them. But they cost even more to read. Some 21-38% of the average executive's time is spent plowing through interoffice communications. The figures for government could hardly be lower. What is a good memo? It's not a report. It's designed to get someone to do or understand something important. It should be personal and conversational, not laden with abstractions and circumlocutions. It should not be longer than a page or so. The ideal memo does not mince words or waste them. It leans heavily upon short sentences and an Anglo-Saxon as opposed to a Greco-Latinate vocabulary. Of course, there's nothing wrong with a literary flourish or two, or even a trenchant bit of philosophy, so long as the effect is to keep the reader's attention and persuade him to agree with you. A good memo often ends with a call for action. Remember the five cardinal rules of memorable exposition—accuracy, parsimony, cogency, elegance and wit. in that order. And be sure to proof twice all names, numbers and dates—that's where a simpel mistek can maek you lok bad. So write on! But can the federalese. ~ WIC Open House EPA managers, supervisors and staff attended demonstrations of Agency information systems and services at the fifth annual Open House of the Washington Information Center (WIC) April 19-20 from 10-4. The theme of this year's OH was "EPA Technology; Tools That Work for You." Co-sponsored bv the WIC and the Office of Information Resources and Management, the OH embraced more than 20 job-related exhibits and demonstrations. ~ Summer School The summer evening session of the Graduate School, U.S. Department of Agriculture, meets June 20 through August 29. All adults are welcome to participate. Subjects include computer science, communications, foreign languages, law, paralegal studies, management/organization, mathematics/statistics, natural history, horticulture, personnel administration, photography, engineering and secretarial studies. Register by phone or mail until May 27; walk-in registration will be from June 13-18 at the USDA South Building, Ro<^^ 1107, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W. Registration hours will be Monday-Friday, 11 AM-6:30 PM and Saturday, 9 AM-1 PM. For a schedule of classes or information, call 447-4166. ~ Reflection for the Day Unhappy the land that needs heroes. Brecht ~ Quote of the Month Toutes choses sont dites deja, mais comme personne n'ecoute, il faut toujours recommencer (everything has been said already, but since no one is listening, it is always necessary to repeat). Nobel laureate Andre Gide, commenting on bureaucracy. ~ The EPA Times is published monthly for EPA employees. Readers are encouraged to submit news about themselves or fellow employees, letters of opinion, questions, comments and suggestions to the editor, The EPA Times, Office of Public Affairs (A-107). Telephone: 475-6643. Items selected for publication may be edited to accommodate space available. Editor: Don Bronkema ------- prinking Water Lead light of the potentially serious threat to public health posed by lead contamination of drinking water. Lee Thomas is accelerating the proposal of a rule to control it. In a memo to top agency officials, the Administrator reiterated that replacement of lead service connections is an important remedial option. It should be presented for public comment but the agency needs more evidence before it can endorse a national requirement for replacement of lead service lines as a preferred course of action. Deferring the fuller analysis of that option, however, will simplify preparation of a more limited proposed rule. Thomas said the speed-up proposed by OW is aggressive but meetable. given the whole-hearted cooperation of all participants. ~ Research Funding Administrator Lee Thomas has sent EPA's proposed Environmental Research, Development and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1988 to the Senate. The bill would provide appropriation authority for research and development in support of media programs through FY 1990. Present authority has expired. Enactment would enable EPA to continue essential research and development under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, lid Rodenticide Act; the Safe Drinking Water Act; the noxic Substances Control Act; the Public Health Service Act (radiation activities); the Clean Air Act; the Solid Waste Disposal Act; and for interdisciplinary activities, energy-related research, and program management and support including basic operating expenses and salaries. The Agency's request for FY 89 R&D totals $307,436,800. ~ Acid Rain Cost Analysis It has been suggested that widespread adoption of new technologies and alternative cost estimates for conventional flue gas desulfurization (FGD) could reduce compliance costs for acid rain control proposals EPA is currently conducting such analyses ot Title II ot Senate Bill 1894, and will include sensitivity cases examining the impact of repowering technologies and lower FGD costs. EPA and DOE staff arc trying to resolve differences in theii methodological approaches. Once EPA is able to develop a range of appropriate assumptions, the agency will estimate the potential impact of these technologies in reducing the cost of compliance with S. 1894. In the case of FGD. EPA is aware of the differences in available cost estimates for FGD systems designed to meet NSPS. As part of the analyses noted above, we are examining the sensitivity of acid rain control impacts to alternative scrubber costs. ~ Combustion Waste Lee Thomas has transmitted a two-volume report to Congress on coal combustion waste generated by electric utility power plants. Presenting results of studies carried out pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the report assesses management of such wastes, which account for approximately 90 percent of all wastes generated from the combustion of fossil fuels. The principal waste categories include fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag and flue-gas emission-control waste. ~ Caron in Haiti Bob Caron, Chief of Region 3's Emergency Response and Preparedness Section, recently spent a week in Haiti as a technical advisor to the Pan American Health Organization, helping PAHO and the Haitian government characterize 2,000 tons of Philadelphia incinerator ash left there by a ship carrying 15,000 tons of combusted residues. Other members of the team advising on proper disposal were Dr. Harry Allen and Harry Compton of the National Environmental Response Team, Edison, NJ. ~ Seif in Italy James M. Seif, Region 3 Administrator, recently spoke at a symposium on urban solid waste management in Rome at the invitation of the Italian Ministry of the Environment. Seif presented his views on the U.S. problem and consulted with European waste-management officials. The event was keynoted by the Italian Minister of the Environment and covered by television, which interviewed the participants. Return visits by Italian officials are being planned by the Office of International Affairs. ~ GLO The Greater Leadership Opportunities program is off to a successful start; two groups have already finished the week-long seminar. GLO is primarily for GS 11-13 women and minorities who show leadership potential and are interested in pursuing supervisory careers. They are selected by a competitive process in each region and headquarters. GLO plans to train one group of about 25 participants every four months. The seminar covers career management, situational leadership, cross-cultural communication and the hasic supervisor's Survival Tool Kit. Follow-up activities include a group project and a short rotational or observational assignment to give participants a close-up, hands-on experience of what it means to be a supervisor. Several high-level agency officials addressed the group, including Deputy Administrator Jim Barnes, Assistant Administrator for OARM Charles Grizzle, and Bruce Barkley, Director for Office of Management Systems and Evaluations. The first GLO seminar took place in November. 1987, at the Twin Bridges Marriott in Crystal City, and the second at the Woods Conference Center in West Virginia in March, 1988. Participants found the seminar exceeded their expectations and they appreciated the opportunity to focus on their careers and their goals as potential EPA managers. For information, call Sandy Bingham, OHRM, 382-3311. ~ ------- Air & Day Care Contracts SES Candidates In their continuing effort to improve working conditions, EPA headquarters unions and management have consumated contractual agreements on indoor air pollution issues at our Washington facilities such as ventilation rates, smoking, asbestos, PCBs and chemical exposures from new rugs, furniture, paints and other solvents; and day care services for the children of civil servants, including a mechanism for employee oversight. These agreements, developed by an equally weighted subcommittee of management and non-management peers, have been approved by EPA's Labor-Management Committee and are now binding contractual agreements. ~ Indoor Air Pollution The purpose of the first mentioned agreement is to establish a clean-air policy for EPA headquarters buildings (Waterside, Crystal City, Fairchild) which ensures that the level of airborne pollutants in these buildings is kept sufficiently low to provide a salubrious work environment free from significant health risks associated with exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents. Management is committed to maintain a well-functioning ventilation system capable of distributing an adequate air supply to all employees; control pollutants generated or accumulated within the building including monitoring as necessary; set up, analyze and distribute the results of an employee occupational health survey at headquarters buildings to detect possible indoor-air-related illness; and maintain an open forum for communications between employees and management on occupational health-related concerns. ~ Day Care The high quality child-care program for employees located at headquarters enhances productivity and morale. The Agency will provide space, facilities and general services for the program, which will operate in conformance with applicable laws and regulations governing child-care facilities. The Agency will recommend to the contractor that the program provide high quality care designed to meet the developmental needs of children; a mechanism for financial aid to help defray costs for needy employee parents; enrollment priority for the children of employee parents; and opportunity for all employees to participate in policy and operations. A reasonable amount of official time shall be granted to employees while serving as non-paid members of the board of directors, or while serving in an official, non-paid capacity as an officer in the program. Management reserves the right to determine the limits of this time. Negotiations on child-care facilities for children of employees may be re-opened at the request of either party and will be conducted through the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Biannually, beginning in September 1988, the Agency will distribute a child-care needs survey developed by the unions to all headquarters employees. ~ Lee Thomas has announced with pleasure the selection or 22 of EPA's top managers to participate in the SES Candidate Development Program. More than 170 applicants applied. Panels in Headquarters and the Regions, comprising members of the SES. reviewed the applicants and identified 57 individuals as best qualified for the program. The Executive Resources Board (ERB) interviewed the best qualified group, carefully considered all recommendations and made final selections in March. Thomas said he was very impressed with the quality of the new candidate class, and is "confident they have the potential to be among the future leaders of the Agency." The candidates will participate in an assessment and orientation program in May to identify their developmental needs. Thomas urged top officials to be thinking of opportunities for rotational assignments beneficial to accelerated development. The best-qualified applicants not selected. Thomas acknowledged, were also of very high caliber. Their background and abilities will be reviewed in order to provide them opportunities for further career growth. Thomas thanked members of SES panels and ERB for their contributions to this important program: "Your efforts have helped us identify an outstanding cadre of future senior executives', and your continued contribution will ensure their success in the upcoming training and development phase of the program". ~ SES Final Candidates John C Jones Walter E Mugdan Peter H Wyckoff Cheryl E Wasserman Daiva A. Balkus Kathy Petruccelli Chester J France Bruce C Jordon William R Diamond Gerald F. Kotas Stephen L Johnson Anne E. Lindsay Thomas A. Clark Raymond C. VVilhour Patricia L iVleaney Thomas J Maslanv Dale S Brvson Mary A Cade William B Hathaway Laura K Yoshii Alvin L. Ewing Randall F Smith Office of the Inspector General Office of the General Counsel Office of the General Counsel Office of Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring Office of Administration and Resources Management Office of Administration and Resources Management Office of Air and Radiation Office of Air and Radiation Office of Water Office of Water Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances Oflice ol Pesticides and Toxic Substances Office of Research and Development. Cincinnati Office of Research and Development. Gull Breeze Region I Region 3 Region 5 Region 5 Region 6 Region 'J Region 10 Region 10 ------- |