Summary of EPA's 2005 Budget
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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of the Chief Financial Officer (2710A)
EPA-205-S-04-001
February 2004
www.epa.gov/ocfo
Photographs on the front and back covers
courtesy of Meridith Sebring, U.S. EPA
Recycled/Recyclable Printed on 100% Postconsumer, Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper
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Table of Contents
Introduction and Overview:
EPA's Mission and Goals iii
Annual Plan and Budget Overview v
Goals:
Goal 1: Clean Air And Global Climate Change 1-1
Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water 2-1
Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration 3-1
Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems 4-1
Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship 5-1
Appendices:
Categorical Grants Program A-1
Infrastructure Financing B-1
Trust Funds C-1
Budget Tables:
Agency Resources by Appropriation D-1
Agency Resources by Goal D-2
Agency Workforce by Goal D-3
Program Projects D-4
List of Acronyms E-1
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EPA's Missions and Goals
EPA's Missions and Goals
EPA's Mission
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect and safeguard
human health and the environment, with a new focus on collaboration and partnerships with our
Geographic and Regional partners. This budget supports the Administration's commitment to
environmental results - making the air cleaner, water purer, and better protecting our land. The
Agency's proposal for FY 2005 also reflects our primary goal of compliance with national
standards, which support neighborhood solutions. It will enable the Agency to take a giant step
toward national market-based solutions, boosting our nation to the next level of environmental
protection.
EPA's Goals
EPA has five strategic, long-term goals in its Strategic Plan that guide the Agency's
planning, budgeting, analysis, accountability, and implementation processes.
1. Clean Air and Global Climate Change: EPA will protect and improve the air so it is
healthy to breathe and risks to human health and the environment are reduced. EPA will
reduce greenhouse gas intensity by enhancing partnerships with businesses and other
sectors.
EPA and its partners will protect human health and the environment by attaining and
maintaining health-based air-quality standards and reducing the risk from toxic air
pollutants, and will encourage voluntary actions to improve indoor air in homes, schools,
and office buildings. Through worldwide action, ozone concentrations in the
stratosphere will improve, reducing the risk to human health from overexposure to
ultraviolet radiation. EPA and its partners will also work to minimize unnecessary
releases of radiation and be prepared to minimize impacts should unwanted releases
occur. In addition, EPA will provide and apply sound science and conduct leading-edge
research in support of air programs.
2. Clean and Safe Water: EPA will ensure drinking water is safe. EPA will also restore
and maintain oceans, watersheds, and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human
health, support economic and recreational activities, and provide healthy habitat for fish,
plants, and wildlife.
EPA will protect human health by reducing exposure to contaminants in drinking water,
in fish and shellfish, and in recreational waters. EPA will also protect the quality of
rivers, lakes, and streams on a watershed basis, and protect coastal and ocean waters.
EPA's water program will be supported by providing and applying a sound scientific
foundation through the conduct of leading-edge research and development of a better
understanding and characterization of the environmental outcomes.
3. Land Preservation and Restoration: EPA will preserve and restore the land by using
innovative waste management practices and cleaning up contaminated properties to
reduce risks posed by releases of harmful substances.
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EPA's Missions and Goals
EPA will reduce waste generation, increase recycling, and ensure proper management
of waste and petroleum products at facilities in ways that prevent releases. EPA will
also work to control the risks to human health and the environment by mitigating the
impact of accidental or intentional releases and by cleaning up and restoring
contaminated sites. EPA's land preservation and restoration efforts will be supported by
the application of sound science and the conduct of leading-edge research.
4. Healthy Communities and Ecosystems: EPA will protect, sustain, or restore the
health of people, communities, and ecosystems using integrated and comprehensive
approaches and partnerships.
EPA will prevent and reduce potential pesticide, chemical, and genetically-engineered
biological organism risks to humans, communities, and ecosystems. EPA will work to
protect, sustain, and restore the health of communities, natural habitats, and
ecosystems, including brownfield sites, the United States-Mexico border, wetlands, and
specific ecosystems such as the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, and Gulf of Mexico.
The Agency will work to enhance the Nation's capability to prevent, detect, and recover
from acts of terror through research, enhanced data collection and sharing, and
provision of technical support to infrastructure. In addition, EPA will provide a sound
scientific foundation for protecting, sustaining, and restoring the health of people,
communities, and ecosystems through leading-edge research.
5. Compliance and Environmental Stewardship: EPA will improve environmental
performance through compliance with environmental requirements, preventing pollution,
and promoting environmental stewardship. EPA will protect human health and the
environment by encouraging innovation and providing incentives for governments,
businesses, and the public that promote environmental stewardship. Additional funds
and resources provided in 2004 and continued into 2005 will allow resumption of
targeted inspections and enforcement activities in both the civil and criminal context.
EPA will maximize compliance through compliance assistance, compliance incentives,
and enforcement. EPA will also work to improve environmental protection and enhance
natural resource conservation on the part of government, business, and the public
through the adoption of pollution prevention and sustainable practices, the reduction of
regulatory barriers, and the application of results-based, innovative, and multimedia
approaches. In addition, EPA will assist Federally recognized tribes in assessing the
condition of their environment, help build their capacity to implement environmental
programs, and carry out programs in Indian country where needed to address
environmental issues. EPA will also strengthen the scientific evidence and research
supporting environmental policies and decisions on compliance, pollution prevention,
and environmental stewardship.
IV
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
Annual Plan and Budget Overview
The EPA's FY 2005 Annual Plan and Budget requests $7.8 billion in discretionary
budget authority and 17,904 Full Time Equivalents (FTE). This budget request supports the
Agency's core programs and implementation of critical components of the President's
Management Agenda. Additionally, this request emphasizes the importance of adequate
resources and vision necessary to reach our Nation's environmental goals. Resources also
support the Agency's efforts to work with its partners toward protecting air, water, and land, as
well as providing for EPA's role in safeguarding the Nation from terrorist acts. The request
supports the Administration's commitment to setting high environmental protection standards,
while focusing on results and performance, and achieving goals outlined in the President's
Management Agenda.
This Annual Plan and Budget submission demonstrates EPA's commitment to protecting
human health and the environment, building and enhancing relationships with our Geographic
and Regional partners, and improving environment results. EPA's budget request places a
strong emphasis on working with stakeholders to protect human health. For example, the
Agency requests $65 million for grants to retrofit the Nation's school buses with cleaner
technologies, thereby reducing diesel emissions. The budget will also assist our state and local
partners in meeting national environmental quality standards. EPA requests $20 million and
$45 million respectively to support the Agency's request for Water Quality Monitoring and the
Great Lakes Legacy Act. These efforts exhibit EPA's commitment to collaborative
environmental protection.
Clean Air and Global Climate Change
The FY 2005 President's Budget expands EPA's Clean School Bus USA program to $65
million in grant funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions from school buses through bus
retrofit or replacement. Clean School Bus USA helps ensure that school buses - which are the
safest way for kids to get to school - also are the cleanest possible transportation for this
generation of school children. EPA initially launched the program in April 2003 using $5 million
in grant funding. The initial grant offering garnered 120 grant applications from every region of
the country totaling nearly $60 million in requests and offering some $36 million in matching
resources. EPA supported 17 of these projects with the given resources. By expanding this
program, additional resources are available to communities for localized solutions that address
an issue important to children and parents across the nation.
The Clear Skies initiative draws
on EPA's experience to modernize the
Clean Air Act. Using a market-based
The number of people living in areas with monitored
ambient ozone concentrations below the NAAQS for
approach, the Clear Skies initiative will the one-hour ozone standard will increase by 4% for
™ .. „ . , . a cumulative total of 53%.
dramatically reduce power plant
emissions of three of the most
significant air pollutants—sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and mercury. Reductions
in SO2 and NOX emissions will also reduce airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.s), which is
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
associated with these two pollutants. EPA's approach builds upon the success of the acid rain
cap-and-trade program created by the Clean Air Act amendments in 1990. The Clear Skies
initiative will achieve substantially greater reductions in air pollution from power plants more
quickly and with more certainty than the existing Clean Air Act. The initiative requires
mandatory reductions of SO2, NOX, and mercury (Hg) by an average of 70% from today's levels
and ensures that these levels are achieved and sustained through caps on emissions. EPA has
also proposed an Interstate Air Quality Rule that also utilizes a cap and trade program to reduce
SO2 and NOX as well as a proposed Utility Mercury Reductions Rule that seeks comments on
two approaches for reducing the estimated 48 tons of mercury currently emitted each year by
coal-burning power plants in the United States. Despite these reductions, some states will need
to implement further measures to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). To
help states and localities develop cost-effective strategies, EPA also will need to provide
assistance to states to implement reductions. One approach is to strengthen air models by
developing emission factors and improving emission inventories.
A key to achieving the Clean Air Goal is $313.0 million included in this budget for air
grants that support states and tribes. This total includes resources to assist states, tribes and
local governments in devising additional stationary and mobile source strategies to reduce
ozone, particulate matter, and other pollutants.
The Agency will develop strategies and
rules to help states and tribes reduce emissions
and exposure to hazardous air pollutants,
particularly in urban areas, and reduce harmful
deposition in water bodies.
Air toxics emissions nationwide from
stationary and mobile sources combined will
be reduced by an additional 1% of the
updated 1993 baseline of 6.0 million tons for
a cumulative reduction of 38%.
EPA's air research program will continue to provide a strong scientific basis for policy
and regulatory decisions and explore emerging problem areas.
Climate Change
This budget request includes $130.1
million to meet the Agency's climate change
objectives by working with business and other
sectors to deliver multiple benefits - from cleaner
air to lower energy bills - while improving overall
scientific understanding of climate change and its
potential consequences. The core of EPA's climate change efforts are government/industry
partnership programs designed to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities available to
consumers, businesses, and organizations to make sound investments in efficient equipment
and practices. These programs help remove barriers in the marketplace, resulting in faster
deployment of technology into the residential, commercial, transportation, and industrial sectors
of the economy.
Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced
from projected levels by approximately 90
MMTCE per year through EPA partnerships
with businesses, schools, state and local
governments, and other organizations.
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
Clean and Safe Water
Over the 30 years since enactment of the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts,
government, citizens, and the private sector have worked together to make dramatic progress in
improving the quality of surface waters and drinking water.
Thirty years ago, much of the nation's tap water had either very limited treatment or no
treatment at all. About two-thirds of the surface waters assessed by states were not attaining
basic water quality goals and were considered polluted. Some of the Nation's waters were open
sewers posing health risks, and many waterbodies were so polluted that traditional uses, such
as swimming, fishing, and recreation were impossible.
Today drinking water systems By 2005 the percentage of the population served by
monitor and treat water to assure community water systems will receive drinking water
that meets health-based standards with which systems
need to comply as of December 2001 will be 94%.
By 2005, using both pollution prevention and
restoration approaches, so that 500 of the Nation's
watersheds, water quality standards are met in at least
80% of the assessed water segments.
compliance with drinking water
standards applicable to a wider range
of contaminants. In addition, drinking
water sources are now protected, which
reduces treatment costs in the long run.
The number of polluted waters has
been dramatically reduced and many
clean waters are even healthier. A
massive investment of Federal, state, and local funds resulted in a new generation of
wastewater treatment facilities able to provide "secondary" treatment or better. Discharges from
over 50 different categories of industries are now regulated and efforts to implement 'best
management practices' have helped reduce runoff of pollutants from diffuse or 'nonpoint'
sources.
In FY 2005, EPA will focus on four strategies toward achieving the Nation's clean and
safe water goals. To better address the complexity of the remaining water quality challenges,
EPA will promote local watershed approaches to execute the best and most cost effective
solutions to local and regional water problems. To protect and build on the gains of the past,
EPA will focus on its core water programs. To maximize the impact of each dollar, EPA will
continue to strengthen vital partnerships with states, tribes and local governments, and others
working toward the common goal of improving the Nation's waters. To leverage progress
through innovation, EPA will promote water quality trading, water efficiency, and other market
based approaches.
In FY 2005, to further support states and tribes in implementing CWA programs, EPA is
making a significant investment in water quality monitoring to strengthen and upgrade state
programs through state grants, improved data management systems and improved monitoring
tools.
EPA's water research program will continue to provide a strong scientific basis for policy
and regulatory decisions and explore emerging problem areas.
VII
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
Water Quality Monitoring
The FY 2005 water quality monitoring investment will be a major step toward solving the
well-documented shortcomings of the Nation's water quality monitoring. EPA can make the
most of scarce resources through information-based management, using tools such as
prevention, source water protection, watershed trading, and permitting on watershed basis.
Monitoring is the foundation of information-based management and it is imperative that the data
and information gaps be closed as quickly as possible. To strengthen and upgrade water
quality monitoring programs across the country, EPA proposes two components: State grants
targeted specifically to enhance state monitoring programs as well as support and enhancement
of state data management systems.
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and Storm Water
States are struggling with implementation of the NPDES permitting programs, as shown
by withdrawal petitions and permit backlogs. Compounding the problem is that the regulated
universe has increased by tenfold due to new requirements for concentrated animal feeding
operations and storm water runoff. Additional resources in the form of state grants will assist
states in implementing the NPDES CAFO programs and issuing storm water permits.
Water Quality Trading
In FY 2005 EPA will advance water quality trading in voluntary partnerships on a
watershed basis. It capitalizes on economies of scale and cost differences among sources.
Trading allows one source to meet its regulatory obligations by using pollutant reductions
gained by another source and provides incentives for voluntary reductions at a reduced cost to
all. It encourages earlier and/or greater reductions than required, more cost effective programs,
and incentives for innovative solutions to complex water quality problems.
Water Efficiency
Growing populations place increasing demands on water sources. In addition, the
nation faces a multi-billion dollar gap between water and wastewater infrastructure needs over
the next 20 years. The touchstone of a long-term strategy to manage and maintain water and
wastewater infrastructure is sustainability. An important component of that strategy is promoting
sustainable systems. EPA will work in partnership with the states, utility industry and others to
enhance the operating efficiencies of systems. These efficiencies will help systems make
necessary investments to meet growing demand and sustain gains made over the past three
decades. EPA will also help mitigate the infrastructure needs by investing in efforts to reduce
water demand and wastewater flows, allowing for deferral or downsizing of capital projects.
Added benefits to reduced demand include: maintaining streamflows, protecting aquatic habitat,
avoiding overdrawn aquifers, and conserving supply sources.
Land Preservation and Restoration
This budget continues a commitment to clean up toxic waste sites with $1.4 billion for
Superfund. The Agency will also work to maximize the participation of responsible parties in
site cleanups while promoting fairness in the enforcement process. EPA will continue the
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
progress we have made in cleaning up toxic waste sites while protecting public health and
returning land to productive use. As of January 6, 2004, approximately 700 cleanup
construction projects were underway at over 430 Superfund National Priority List (NPL) sites
construction was complete on over 890 sites, or 59% of NPL sites. EPA has completed all final
cleanup plans at over 1,100 NPL sites, undertaken 7,900 removals at hazardous waste sites to
immediately reduce human health and environmental threats, assessed over 45,300 sites, and
removed more than 33,400 sites from the national toxic waste site list to help promote the
economic redevelopment of these properties. The waste research program continues to
support the Agency's objective of reducing or controlling potential risks to human health and the
environment at contaminated waste sites by accelerating scientifically-defensible and cost-
effective decisions for cleanup at complex sites, mining sites, marine spills, and Brownfields in
accordance with CERCLA.
Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Ensuring Safe Food
By the end of 2005, EPA will reassess a
cumulative 88% of the 9,721 pesticide
tolerances required to be reassessed over
ten years.
The FY 2005 request includes $156.7
million to meet implementation challenges of the
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 so
that all Americans will continue to enjoy one of
the safest and most affordable food supplies in
the world. The Agency's implementation of FQPA focuses on science-driven policies for
pesticides review, seeks to encourage the development of reduced risk pesticides to provide an
alternative to the older versions on the market, and works to develop and deliver information on
alternative pesticides/techniques and best pest control practices to pesticide users. The Agency
is also working to help farmers' transition-without disrupting production~to safer substitutes and
alternative farming practices. Reassessing existing tolerances ensures food safety, especially
for infants and children, and ensures that all pesticides registered for use meet current health
standards. This budget request also supports FQPA research. That research seeks to reduce
uncertainties in risk assessment by developing tools to reduce reliance on default assumptions
and support the development of new assessment methodologies.
Chemical Programs
EPA's strategy to prevent and reduce potential risks posed by chemicals and
microorganisms comprises three primary approaches: preventing the introduction into U.S.
commerce of chemicals that pose unreasonable risks; effectively screening the stock of
chemicals already in use for potential risk; and developing and implementing action plans to
reduce use of and exposure to chemicals that have been demonstrated to harm humans and
the environment. EPA will continue to work with states and Tribes, other federal agencies, the
private sector, and international entities to implement this strategy and, in particular, to make
protection of children and the aging a fundamental goal of public health and environmental
protection in the United States and around the world. Both the New Chemicals and Existing
Chemicals programs have initiated work to develop long-term, ambitious targets not only in
response to the FY 2004 PART process but also in conjunction with the EPA Strategic Plan
revision effort. Both have made significant improvements since the FY 2004 review, with new
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
chemicals program receiving one of the highest ratings of EPA programs reviewed by the PART
for FY 2005. Both programs are continuing its efforts to improve performance measurement in
response to FY 2005 PART findings by developing long-term and associated annual efficiency
measures.
Great Lakes
To advance the Agency's efforts regarding innovative and effective partnerships, EPA is
making a significant investment in the Great Lakes Legacy Act program to address cleanup of
contaminated sediments. EPA and its Great Lakes community partners will collaborate on
remedial action within the Areas of Concern identified as potential Legacy Act sediment
remediation sites in 2005.
Chesapeake Bay
The FY 2005 President's Budget includes $30 million for the Chesapeake Bay.
Of that total, $10 million in the Targeted Watershed program is directed toward
Chesapeake Bay for a regional pilot program that will help sewage treatment plants
reduce nutrient discharges to the Bay through nonpoint source projects. Partners in the
effort to protect the Bay include Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania; the District of
Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body; EPA, which
represents the Federal government; and participating citizen advisory groups.
Brownfields
Additionally, the Agency is committed to building innovative and effective
partnerships that allow states and tribes to make environmental decisions on local
levels. This budget provides $210 million for Brownfields. As one of the
Administration's top environmental priorities and a key to restoring contaminated sites to
productive use, the Brownfields program will draw on some of these resources to
enhance state and Tribal response programs. By protecting land and revitalizing
contaminated sites throughout the US, EPA continues to expand efforts to foster healthy
and economically sustainable communities and attract new investments to rejuvenate
areas.
Homeland Security
EPA's FY 2005 Annual Plan and Budget requests $97 million and 151 FTE to
support the Agency's Homeland Security responsibilities in accordance with the Public
Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, the National
Strategy for Homeland Security, and Presidential Directives (PDD) 39, 62, 63. In
addition, EPA will conduct research and provide guidance and technical support for
Federal, state, local governments, and other institutions in the areas of biological
agents, water security, and rapid risk assessment.
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
A strong enforcement program identifies and reduces
noncompliance problems, assists the regulated
community in understanding environmental laws and
regulations, responds to complaints from the public,
strives to secure a level economic playing field for law-
abiding companies, and deters future violations.
Many of the environmental
improvements in this country during
the past 30 years can be attributed to
a strong set of environmental laws
and EPA's efforts to ensure
compliance with those laws through a
smart enforcement program. A smart
enforcement program uses a mix of integrated strategies, partnerships, and innovative
approaches to provide cleaner air, purer water, and better protected land. An integrated
approach considers the appropriate tools to use when addressing environmental problems, and
uses data analysis and other relevant information to marshal and leverage resources to target
significant noncompliance and address the associated environmental risks. The program uses
a combination of tools such as compliance assistance and incentives, monitoring, and civil and
criminal enforcement, in cooperating with our regulatory partner, to provide a broad scope of
actions designed to protect public health and the environment. State, Tribal, and local
governments bear much of the responsibility for ensuring compliance. EPA works in
partnership with them and other Federal agencies to promote environmental protection.
The FY 2005 request will continue to |ncregse the regu|gted community,s
compliance with environmental
requirements through their expanded use of
compliance assistance. The Agency will
continue to support small business
compliance assistance centers and develop
compliance assistance tools such as sector
notebooks and compliance guides.
support the regulated community's compliance
with environmental requirements through
voluntary compliance incentives and assistance
programs. The Agency will provide information
and technical assistance to the regulated
community through the compliance assistance
program to increase its understanding of all
statutory or regulatory environmental
requirements, thereby reducing risk to human health and the environment and gaining
measurable improvements in compliance. The program will also continue to develop strategies
and compliance assistance tools that will support initiatives targeted toward improving
compliance at Federal facilities, in specific industrial and commercial sectors, or with certain
regulatory requirements.
The President's FY 2005 request continues to support pollution prevention.
Increasingly, the nation is recognizing the value of pollution prevention as an environmental
strategy, as a sustainable business practice, and as a funding principle of our society. It is also
a vehicle for "reinventing" traditional EPA programs and devising innovative alternative
strategies to protect public health and the environment. Through EPA's leadership, pollution
prevention has become a key element of initiatives to improve federal environmental
management, empower state and tribal programs, encourage corporate stewardship, and better
inform the public.
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
Enhancing Environmental Performance
To further EPA's goal of promoting environmental stewardship, the Agency will make
investments in programs to support State innovation and pollution prevention in FY 2005. A
new State and Tribal Performance Fund provides $23 million in competitive grants to develop
projects with tangible, performance-based environmental and health outcomes that can be
models for implementation across the nation. EPA will also continue its emphasis on working
with Tribal governments to build the capacity of their environmental programs.
Strong Science
The FY 2005 budget supports EPA's efforts to further strengthen the role of science in
decision-making by using sound scientific information and analysis to help direct policy and
establish priorities. This budget request includes $572 million for the Office of Research and
Development to develop and apply strong science to address both current and future
environmental challenges. These resources support a balanced research and development
program designed to address Administration and Agency priorities, and meet the challenges of
the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), and other
environmental statutes. The budget request includes important new or increased research
efforts in the following areas: computational toxicology, data quality, and IRIS.
In accordance with the Administration's Investment Criteria for Research and
Development (relevance, quality, and performance), the Agency will continue to improve the
application of the Criteria to achieve maximum environmental and health protections. Efforts
include applying the highest quality scientific methods, models, tools, and approaches.
Relevance
EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) has developed Multi-Year Plans
(MYPs) for each of its major research programs. These MYPs describe the scientific context
and present clear goals and priorities for each research program. Reflecting the inherently long-
term nature of research, each MYP has identified annual and long-term (five to eight years out)
goals that contribute to achievement of the Agency's strategic outcome goals and objectives.
Each MYP is regularly updated to reflect scientific and budgetary changes, and is independently
peer-reviewed.
The Agency is also exploring options for establishing periodic evaluations of EPA
research programs. Beginning in FY 2005, regular evaluations by independent and external
panels will provide prospective and retrospective reviews of program relevance, quality, and
performance to date. Specifically, evaluators will determine whether EPA research programs
have complete plans with clear goals and priorities, articulate potential public benefits, are
relevant to National, scientific, and customer needs, and identify appropriate output and
outcome measures, schedules, and decision points. Evaluations will also include an
examination of program design to determine the appropriateness of a program's short-,
intermediate-, and long-term goals and its strategy for attaining these. Recommendations and
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
results from these reviews will improve the design and management of EPA research programs
and help to measure progress under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).
EPA Program Offices and Regions actively participate in setting goals and priorities for Agency
research. This input is used on an annual basis to inform and identify the performance impacts
of budgetary decisions.
Quality
The Agency will continue to rely upon peer review as a critical means of ensuring that
Agency science activities are technically adequate, competently performed, properly
documented, and satisfy established quality requirements. To ensure quality, all scientific and
technical work products undergo either internal or external peer review, with major or significant
products requiring external peer review.
EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program is a competitive, peer-reviewed,
extramural grants program whose goal is to enhance EPA's research efforts by engaging the
nation's best scientists to provide high-quality, innovative research and solutions to protect
human health and the environment. The STAR program uses external scientific peer reviewers
to rate applications based on scientific merit.
Performance
In response to recommendations from the National Research Council, EPA's Science
Advisory Board, and OMB, ORD is continually working to improve the performance of its
research programs. Because of the inherent challenge in measuring research results, EPA is
taking a multi-faceted approach in tracking and communicating the performance of its research
programs.
Specifically, EPA has developed multi-year plans for each of its research programs
using a program design/evaluation logic model to help identify the outputs, customers, transfer
needs, and short-, intermediate-, and long-term outcomes of each research program. ORD has
incorporated these critical elements its long-term and annual performance goals to illustrate how
research contributes to the achievement of Agency outcomes. The Agency has included
specific long-term goals and annual performance goals which represent significant research
accomplishments in the individual goal chapters of the budget request. EPA will also determine
success in achieving each program's research commitments not only by its timeliness in
meeting annual performance goals, but will also hold external independent reviews on a regular
basis to evaluate the relevance, quality, and performance of its research programs.
EPA believes that taking a multi-year approach to its research planning, incorporating
the elements of logic model design in the development of outcome-oriented performance
information, and initiating external independent reviews of its research programs are important
improvements in support of achieving significant research results and contributing to the
achievement of Agency environmental and health outcomes.
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
The President's Management Agenda: A Commitment to Reform & Results
The Agency is committed to achieving the Administration's management reform priorities
for a government that is results-oriented, citizen-centered, and market-based. This Annual Plan
and Budget represents a strong commitment to reduce regulatory burdens and streamline
Agency operations, so that the Agency's focus is on positive and measurable environmental
results while working more effectively with our partners and stakeholders. Since FY 1999, EPA
has undertaken significant management reform by restructuring its budget to match the strategic
goals and objectives of its strategic plan. Since then, EPA has worked consistently to improve
its ability to manage for results. The Agency's current management reform agenda fully
supports the goals of the President's Management Agenda, and EPA has made demonstrable
progress in carrying out the five government-wide initiatives as reflected in Executive Branch
Scorecard updates and in delivering environmental results to our ultimate customer-the
American public.
Implementation of the President's Management Agenda is a major focus of the Agency's
FY 2005 budget request. EPA has identified major efforts to accelerate its progress in "getting
to green" in all five initiatives: Budget and Performance Integration, Improved Financial
Performance, Expanding E-Government, Competitive Sourcing, and Strategic Management of
Human Capital. The Agency's plans are described throughout this justification. The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) rated EPA's progress as "green" in all five of the five areas and
its status as "green" in Improved Financial Performance.
EPA continues to place a great emphasis on improving performance measures. The
results of the Administration's Performance Assessment Rating Tool (PART) were used to
inform the Agency's FY 2005 budget request. For example, EPA is investing in water quality
monitoring to ensure adequate information is available to link programmatic outputs to
environmental outcomes, and the Agency is better targeting pollution prevention (P2) efforts by
enhancing P2 programs that have shown outcome results. In addition to and complementing
the Agency's outcome-based environmental performance measures, some programs have
developed or are in the process of developing efficiency measures. These measures are
structured as a ratio of key program inputs (e.g. time, dollars, FTE) to program outputs or
outcomes. They are intended to provide EPA program managers with additional information to
be used as a tool for sound decision-making in program management.
The Agency has also incorporated Measurement Development Plans (MDPs) into this
year's Annual Plan and Budget. MDPs, which recognize that environmental performance does
not necessarily improve in one year, describe efforts to fill identified measurement gaps so that
progress toward developing fully functioning measures, whether long-term or short-term, can be
tracked. MDPs provide a road map for developing improved long-term and short-term
performance measures for inclusion in the next strategic plan, tracking current strategic targets
that cannot be measured annually, and assessing progress in addressing performance
measurement gaps.
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
Environmental Protection Agency's
Resources by Major Category
(Dollars in Billions)
Infrastructure
Trust Funds
Operating Programs
$8.0 -
$7.0 -
$6.0 -
$5.0 -
$4.0 -
$3.0 -
$2.0 -
$1.0 -
-------
Annual Plan and Budget Overview
Environmental Protection Agency's
Workforce
18,500
18,000
17,500
17,000
16,500 -
16,000 -
15,500 -
15,000
18,110
17,508
17,739
17,082
17,152
17,670
17,558
17,741
17,478
17,850
17,904
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
FY 1995 through FY 2003 reflect actual FTE usage.
FYs 2004 & 2005 work years are workforce ceilings based on the President's budget submissions.
The projected utilization rate for FY 2004-2005 is 17,635 workyears in each year..
XVI
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Annual Plan and Budget Overview
Environmental Protection Agency's
FY 2005 Budget by Goal
Total Agency: $7,759 Million
Goal 4
16.7%
Goal 3
23.1%
Goal 5
9.6%
GoaH
12.9%
Goal 2
37.7%
Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Strewardship
Note: Totals do not add due to rounding.
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global
Climate Change
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Strategic Goal: Protect and improve the air so it is healthy to breathe and risks to human
health and the environment are reduced. Reduce greenhouse gas intensity by enhancing
partnerships with businesses and other sectors.
Resource Summary
($ in 000)
\ ^
12.9% of Budget
1 - Healthier Outdoor Air
2 - Healthier Indoor Air
3 - Protect the Ozone Layer
4 - Radiation
5 - Reduce Greenhouse Gas Intensity
6 - Enhance Science and Research
Goal 1 Total
FY 2004
President's
Budget
$579,059
$48,043
$19,069
$34,859
$106,936
$128,017
$915,983
FY2005
President's
Budget
$659,876
$48,955
$21,814
$34,718
$108,389
$130,864
$1,004,616
Difference
$80,817
$912
$2,744
($141)
$1,453
$2,847
$88,632
Workyears
2,738
2,757
19
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Based on air quality trends measured at more than 5000 monitoring sites across the
U.S., air quality has improved steadily since the 1970s. This improvement has occurred even
as Gross Domestic Product has increased by 164 percent, miles traveled by cars and trucks
have increased 155 percent, energy consumption has increased by 42 percent; and population
has increased by 38 percent.1
Concerted efforts and steady progress have achieved cleaner, healthier air, but air
pollution continues to be a human health and environmental problem in the U.S. and around the
world. The average adult breathes over 3,400 gallons of air every day. Children are more
susceptible to air pollution because they breathe even more air per pound of body weight than
adults. Children also are at greater risk because they are more active outdoors and their lungs
U.S. EPA, Latest Findings on National Air Quality: 2002 Status and Trends Report, 454/K-03-001
(August 2003), http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/.
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
are still developing. The elderly are more sensitive to air pollution because they often have
heart or lung disease.2
Pollutants in the air cause cancer or other serious health effects, including respiratory,
developmental, and reproductive problems. Certain pollutants, such as some metals and
certain organic chemicals, that are emitted from industrial and other sources can be deposited
into water bodies and magnified through the food web, adversely affecting fish-eating humans
and animals. Air pollution also damages crops and forests, makes soil and waterways more
acidic, reduces visibility, and accelerates corrosion of buildings and monuments.3
In addition, air pollutants diminish the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere.
Human activities also affect the mixture of gases in the atmosphere and contribute to the
potential for world climate change.
Outdoor Air Pollution: The Clean Air Act4 addresses three general categories of outdoor air
pollution: "criteria" pollutants, air toxics, and acid rain. Criteria pollutants include six common
pollutants: particulate matter (PM), ozone, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon
monoxide (CO), and lead, for which EPA sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect
public health and the environment. Air toxics, also called hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), are
pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems, such
as reproductive effects or birth defects, or adverse ecological effects. The Clean Air Act lists
188 HAPs. Examples include: dioxin, mercury, benzene, toluene, and xylene. Acid rain is
formed when SO2 and nitrogen oxides (NOX) react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and
oxidants to form acid droplets.
The paragraphs below summarize the health and environmental effects associated with
the six criteria pollutants, air toxics, and acid rain.5
• Particulate Matter. PM is associated with a wide variety of health and environmental
problems. When exposed to higher concentration of fine PM, people with existing lung
or heart diseases - such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive
heart disease, or coronary artery disease - are at increased risk of health problems
requiring hospitalization or of premature death. Similarly, children and people with
existing lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or vigorously as they
normally would and they may experience symptoms such as coughing and shortness of
breath. Fine PM can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and can aggravate
existing respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, causing more use
of medication and more doctor visits.
PM also is a major cause of haze and reduced visibility in parts of the U.S., including
many of our national parks. Particles can be carried over long distances by wind and
then settle on ground or water. The effects of certain PM settling may include acidifying
2 Ibid
3 Ibid
4 Clean Air Act Title 1, Part A and Part D, Subparts 3 and 5 (42 U.S.C. 7401-7431, 7512-7512a, 7514-
7541a)(15 U.S.C. 2605); Clean Air Act Amendments Title II (42 U.S.C. 7521-7590); Clean Air Act
Amendments, Title IV (42 U.S.C. 7651-7661); Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q)
5 Latest Findings on National Air Quality: 2002 Status and Trends Report
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
lakes and streams, changing the nutrient balance in coastal waters and watersheds,
depleting the nutrients in soil, damaging sensitive forests and farm crops, and
decreasing the diversity of ecosystems.
Ground-level Ozone (smog). When breathed at any concentration, ozone can irritate
and inflame a person's airways. Health effects attributed to exposures to ozone,
generally while individuals are engaged in moderate or heavy exertion, include
significant decreases in lung function and increased respiratory symptoms such as chest
pain and cough as concentrations rise. Exposures to ozone result in lung inflammation,
aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma, and may make people more susceptible
to respiratory effects. Other at-risk groups include adults who are active outdoors and
individuals with respiratory disorders such as asthma.
Ground-level ozone interferes with the ability of many plants to produce and store food.
This reduces crop and forest yields by making plants more susceptible to disease,
insects, other pollutants, and harsh weather. Ozone also damages the leaves of trees
and other plants, affecting the appearance of cities, national parks, and recreation
areas.
Sulfur Dioxide. Peak levels of SO2 can cause temporary breathing difficulty for people
with asthma who are active outdoors. Longer-term exposure to a combination of SO2
and fine particles can cause respiratory illness, alter the defense mechanisms of lungs,
and aggravate cardiopulmonary disease. People who may be most susceptible to these
effects include individuals with cardiovascular disease or chronic lung disease, as well
as children and the elderly. SO2 also is a major contributor to acidic deposition.
Nitrogen Dioxide. Exposure to NO2 causes respiratory symptoms such as coughing,
wheezing, and shortness of breath in children and adults with respiratory diseases such
as asthma. Even short exposures to NO2 affect lung function. NO2 also contributes to
acidic deposition, eutrophication in coastal waters, and visibility problems.
Carbon Monoxide. The health threat from even low levels of CO is most serious for
those who suffer from heart disease, like angina, clogged arteries, or congestive heart
disease. For a person with heart disease, a single exposure to CO at low levels may
cause chest pain and reduce that person's ability to exercise. Even healthy people can
be affected by high levels of CO. People who breathe higher levels of CO can develop
vision problems, experience reduced ability to work or learn, have reduced manual
dexterity, and have difficulty performing complex tasks. CO is most dangerous in
enclosed or confined spaces and will cause death.
Lead. Lead causes damage to the kidneys, liver, brain and nerves, and to other organs.
Excessive exposure to lead causes seizures, mental retardation, behavioral disorders,
memory problems, and mood changes. Low levels of lead damage the brain and nerves
in fetuses and young children, resulting in learning deficits and lowered IQ.
Air toxics. Air toxics or HAPs, are pollutants that are known or suspected to cause
cancer or other serious health problems, such as reproductive effects or birth defects, or
adverse environmental effects. HAPs are emitted from thousands of sources, including
automobiles, utilities, and industries. HAPs also can contribute to the levels of PM and
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), precursors to ozone. Adverse effects to human
health and the environment due to HAPs can result from even low level exposures to air
toxics from individual facilities, exposures to mixtures of pollutants found in urban
settings, or exposures to pollutants emitted from distant sources that are transported
through the atmosphere over regional, national, or even global airsheds.
Compared to information for the six criteria pollutants, the information about the
ambient concentrations of HAPs and their potential health effects is relatively
incomplete. Most of the information on the potential health effects of these pollutants is
derived from experimental data. Of the 188 HAPs, almost 60 percent are classified by
the Clean Air Act (section 112 (f)(2)(A)) as known, probable, or possible carcinogens.
One of the often-documented ecological concerns associated with toxic air pollutants is
the potential to damage aquatic ecosystems.
• Acid Rain. Emissions of SO2 and NOX react in the atmosphere and fall to earth as acid
rain, causing acidification of lakes and streams and contributing to the damage of trees
at high elevations. Acid deposition also accelerates the decay of building materials and
paints and contributes to degradation of irreplaceable cultural objects, such as statues
and sculptures. NOX deposition contributes to eutrophication of coastal waters, such as
the Chesapeake Bay and Tampa Bay. Before falling to earth, SO2 and NOX gases form
fine particles (fine PM) that affect public health by contributing to premature mortality,
chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory problems.
Indoor Air Pollution: Indoor air levels of many pollutants may be two to five times, and
occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. There is no comprehensive
monitoring of the quality of indoor air in the U.S. and the actual levels for many pollutants are
not well understood. Indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because most people spend
as much as 90% of their time indoors. Common sources can include burning kerosene, wood,
or oil; smoking tobacco products; releases from household cleaners, pesticides, building
materials; and radon. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing
in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air
pollutants out of the home. High temperatures and humidity levels can also increase
concentrations of some pollutants.
Poor indoor air quality can cause short-term problems, including headaches, fatigue,
dizziness, nausea, and a scratchy throat. Other effects include cancer - particularly from long-
term exposure to high secondhand smoke and radon concentrations - and aggravation of
chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma. Exposure to naturally occurring radon gas is the
second leading cause (after smoking tobacco) of lung cancer among Americans.6
Climate Change: The buildup of greenhouse gases—primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and
nitrous oxide—has heat-trapping properties that may impact climate on Earth. These potential
regional climate changes could alter forests, crop yields, and water supplies. These changes
could also threaten human health, and harm birds, fish, and many types of ecosystems.
6 Institute of Medicine, Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures (Washington, DC: The National
Academy Press, 200). Available at http://books.nap.edu/books/0309064961/html/R1.html.
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion: A protective ozone layer is located in the stratosphere about
six to 30 miles above the Earth's surface. This layer protects humans and other species from
the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV). This protective shield is being damaged by
chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and methyl bromide, and can lead to
harmful health effects such as skin cancer and cataracts.7 Increased UV also can lead to
reduced crop yield and disruptions in the marine food chain.
Ozone depletion and climate change are separate environmental issues but are related
in some ways. Specifically, some substances that deplete the ozone layer also are potent and
very long-lived greenhouse gases that absorb outgoing radiation and warm the atmosphere.
Radiation: Radiation occurs naturally (e.g., radon), but we also use radioactive materials in
electricity generation, in industrial processes, and in medical diagnoses and treatments. Any
activity that produces or uses radioactive materials generates radioactive waste. Mining, nuclear
power generation, and various processes in industry, defense, medicine, and scientific research
produce byproducts that include radioactive waste. Radioactive waste can be in gas, liquid, or
solid form, and the level of radioactivity can vary. The waste can remain radioactive for a few
hours or several months or even hundreds of thousands of years. Frequent exposures to
radiation can cause cancer and other adverse health effects.
Science and Research: EPA relies on sound science in its clean air programs. EPA uses
sound science to determine the relative risks that air pollution poses to human health and the
environment. In addition, the Agency utilizes science in an attempt to identify the best means to
detect, abate and avoid environmental problems associated with air pollutants.
MEANS AND STRATEGY
The air problems that now remain are some of the most difficult to solve. EPA's strategy
to address the overall goals of the clean air program includes a combination of national and
local measures that reflect the different roles of Federal, state, Tribal, and local governments.
EPA, states, and local agencies work together as partners to meet clean air goals cost-
effectively by employing an array of regulatory, market-based, and voluntary approaches and
programs. Federal assistance and leadership are essential for developing and implementing
cooperative programs to prevent and control air pollution; for ensuring that national standards
are met; and for providing tools for states, Tribes, and local communities to use in preparing and
implementing their clean air plans and programs.
Healthier Outdoor Air: Problems with broad regional, national or global impact
emissions from power plants and other large sources, pollution from motor vehicles and
fuels, and stratospheric ozone depletion - are best handled primarily at the multi-state,
regional, or Federal level. A national approach allows for the use of traditional,
June 1999, "Synthesis Report of the Reports of the Scientific, Environmental Effects, Technology and
Economic Assessment Panels of the Montreal Protocol: A Decade of Assessments for Decision Makers
Regarding the Protection of the Ozone Layer: 1988 -1999"; January 2003, Report of the Montreal
Protocol Science Assessment Panel, "Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2002"; March 2003,
Report of the Montreal Protocol Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, "Environmental Effects of
Ozone Depletion: 2002".
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
regulatory tools where appropriate, and enables EPA to implement innovative, market-
based techniques such as emissions trading, banking, and averaging, and other national
programs cost-effectively.
States, Tribes, and local agencies can best address the regional and local
problems that remain after Federal measures have been fully applied. Many of these
approaches employ innovative techniques, such as diesel retrofits and community-based
approaches to toxics that are well-suited to the local nature of many air-related
problems. EPA works closely with public- and private-sector partners and stakeholders
to develop the tools - such as monitoring, modeling, and emission inventories - that
allow states, Tribes, and localities to address these more localized problems.
EPA will also work to build the institutional capacity within developing countries
and regionally manage air pollution, focusing on those countries that have demonstrated
potential and commitment to affect human health and the environment globally.
Programs include those that address clean fuels, reduction of mercury and lead
emissions, training on various air quality issues, and partnering with existing clean air
initiatives.
To improve air quality and address the highest health and environmental risks,
EPA will proceed with Federal stationary and mobile source programs aimed at
achieving large, nationwide, cost-effective reductions in emissions of PM and its
contributors such as SO2, NOX, and elemental and organic carbon; ozone-forming NOX;
and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The President's Clear Skies Initiative is a cornerstone of the EPA strategy. The
proposed legislation, re-introduced in the Congress in February 2003, would create a
mandatory program that is designed to reduce dramatically power plant emissions of
SO2, NOX, and mercury, three of the most harmful air pollutants from power generators,
from FY 2000 levels.8 (Alternatively, the Interstate Air Quality and Utility Mercury
Reduction Rules are integrated air rules proposed by EPA in December 2003 to achieve
many of Clear Skies' objectives absent new legislation.).9 Both Clear Skies and the
proposed integrated air rules would create a market-based program, with results
guaranteed by emissions caps instituted over a period of time, an approach that proved
successful in reducing acid rain. As the Clear Skies Initiative moves forward, through
enactment of new legislation or promulgation of the proposed Interstate Air Quality and
Utility Mercury Reduction Rules, EPA will continue to implement the Acid Rain Program
to reduce SO2 and NOX emissions from electric power generators and address the
interstate transport of ozone and NOX through the NOX Budget Program, a multi-state
emissions allowance trading program under the NOX SIP Call. In addition, EPA is
implementing national programs that will dramatically reduce future emissions from a
wide range of mobile sources, including cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs),
trucks, buses, motorcycles, and nonroad engines.
Senate and House of Representatives, Clear Skies Legislation Act of 2002, S. 2815 (July 29, 2002) and
H.R. 5266 (July 26, 2002), http://www.epa.gov/clearskies/bill.pdf
9 40CFR Parts 51, 72, 75, 96 Rule to Reduce Interstate Transport of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone
(Interstate Air Quality Rule) web site www.epa.gov/interstateairquality/
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
EPA will propose whether to update the particulate matter standards in FY 2005
and will continue the work necessary to propose whether to update the ozone standard
in FY 2006. EPA also will provide guidance and technical support to states, Tribes and
local communities to help meet multiple air quality standards and regional haze progress
goals, especially for those pollutants that share common precursors or emission
sources.
Healthier Indoor Air: EPA implements two primary strategies to meet its human health
objective for indoor air quality, increasing public awareness and increasing partnerships
with non-governmental and professional entities. EPA raises public awareness of actual
and potential indoor air risks so that individuals can take steps to reduce exposure.
Outreach activities, in the form of educational literature, media campaigns, hotlines, and
clearinghouse operations, provide essential information about indoor air health risks not
only to the public, but to the professional and research communities as well.
Underpinning EPA's outreach efforts is a strong commitment to environmental
justice, community-based risk reductions, and customer service. Through partnerships,
EPA disseminates multi-media materials encouraging individuals, schools, and industry
to take action to reduce health risks in their indoor environments. In addition, EPA uses
technology transfer to improve the ways in which all types of buildings, including
schools, homes, and workplaces, are designed, operated, and maintained. To support
these voluntary approaches, EPA incorporates the most current science available as the
basis for recommending ways that people can reduce exposure to indoor contaminants.
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Intensity: In 2002, President Bush announced a new
approach to global climate change designed to harness the power of the marketplace
and technological innovation. The President committed America to cut greenhouse gas
intensity by 18 percent over the next decade.10 EPA's voluntary climate programs play a
major role in meeting this goal by working in partnership with businesses and other
sectors through programs that deliver multiple benefits while improving overall scientific
understanding of climate change and its potential consequences. The core of EPA's
climate change efforts are voluntary government/industry partnership programs - such
as the ENERGY STAR program - designed to capitalize on the tremendous
opportunities available to consumers, businesses, state and local governments, and
organizations to make sound investments in energy efficient equipment and practices.
These voluntary programs remove barriers to existing and emerging technologies in the
marketplace, resulting in faster deployment of energy efficient technology into the
residential, commercial, transportation, and industrial sectors of the economy.
Through its Clean Automotive Technology (CAT) program, EPA develops unique
new technologies with high potential for improving air quality and dramatically improving
vehicle efficiency. Through partnerships with industry, significant elements of EPA's
technologies will be introduced commercially by vehicle manufacturers before the end of
the decade. In addition, EPA works with other key stakeholders in promoting the
10 The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, President Announces Clear Skies & Global Climate
Change Initiatives (February 14, 2002), http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/20020214-
5.html
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
development and commercialization of fuel cell technology in support of U.S.
environmental, energy, and national security goals.
Protect the Ozone Layer: EPA's strategy for restoring the ozone layer includes
carrying out a program that includes domestic rules and international technology
transfer. As a signatory to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer, the U.S. is obligated to regulate and enforce the terms of the treaty domestically.
In accordance with this treaty and related Clean Air Act requirements, EPA will continue
to implement the domestic rule-making agenda for the reduction and control of ozone-
depleting substances (ODSs) and enforce rules controlling their production, import, and
emission. This includes combining market-based regulatory approaches with sector-
specific technology guidelines and facilitating the development and commercialization of
alternatives to methyl bromide and HCFCs. EPA will strengthen outreach efforts to
ensure efficient and effective compliance, and continue to identify and promote safer
alternatives to curtail ozone depletion. To help reduce international emissions, EPA will
assist with the transfer of technology to developing countries and work with them to
accelerate the phase-out of ODSs. EPA estimates that the worldwide phase-out of ODS
will save 6.3 million lives from fatal cases of skin cancer, avoid 299 million cases of
nonfatal skin cancers, and avoid 27.5 million cases of cataracts in the U.S. alone
between 1990 and 2165.
Because the ozone layer is not expected to recover until the middle of this
century at the earliest, the public will continue to be exposed to higher levels of UV
radiation than existed prior to the use and emission of ODS. Recognizing this and the
public's current sun-exposure practices, EPA will continue education and outreach
efforts to encourage behavioral changes the primary means of reducing UV-related
health risks.
Radiation: EPA continues to meet the statutory mandates for managing radiation waste
and controlling radioactive emissions and to fulfill its responsibilities under Presidential
Decision Directives for radiological emergency preparedness and response. These
responsibilities form the core of our strategy to protect the public and the environment
from unnecessary exposure to radiation. EPA works with states, Tribes, and industry to
develop innovative training, public information and voluntary programs to minimize these
exposures.
Science and Research: To support achievement of its clean air objectives and the
overall goal of clean air for American communities and surrounding ecosystems, EPA
will ensure that efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available
scientific information. In addition, EPA will continue to integrate critical scientific
assessment with policy, regulatory and non-regulatory activities.
EPA's air pollution research supports the Agency's mandated responsibilities
under the Clean Air Act. This research falls into two distinct groups: 1) research
supporting the development and achievement of the national ambient air quality
standards (NAAQS), and 2) research on hazardous air pollutants. NAAQS-related
research focuses on tropospheric ozone and particulate matter (PM), while the Air
Toxics Research program provides the scientific underpinnings of the Agency's activities
to reduce hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) as identified in the Clean Air Act.
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
PM research provides methods, models, and data on the health risks associated
with exposure to PM, alone and in combination, focusing on exposures, health effects,
mechanisms of injury, and identification of PM components that affect public health. In
addition, both PM and tropospheric ozone research provide implementation tools to
support efforts by industry, state, Tribal, and local regulators to develop and improve
State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to attain the NAAQS.
Research on air toxics investigates the root causes of the environmental and
human health problems in urban areas related to these pollutants. Efforts in this area
provide the necessary health effects data, measurements, methods, models,
information, and technical support to Federal, state, Tribal, and local regulators and
industry to estimate human health effects and aggregate exposures to hazardous air
pollutants. Research also supports atmospheric and emission modeling in order to
estimate fate, ambient concentrations, and mobile source emissions of air toxics at a
more refined scale. With this information, the Agency will be in a better position to
determine risk and develop alternative strategies for maximizing risk reduction.
Several mechanisms are in place to ensure a high-quality air research program
at EPA. The Research Strategies Advisory Committee (RSAC) of EPA's Science
Advisory Board (SAB), an independent chartered Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA) committee, meets annually to conduct an in-depth review and analysis of EPA's
Science and Technology account. The RSAC provides its findings to the House Science
Committee and sends a written report on the findings to EPA's Administrator after every
annual review. Moreover, EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) provides
counsel to the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Research and Development
(ORD) on the operation of ORD's research program. Also, under the Science to Achieve
Results (STAR) program all research projects are selected for funding through a
rigorous competitive external peer review process designed to ensure that only the
highest quality efforts receive funding support. Our scientific and technical work
products must also undergo either internal or external peer review, with major or
significant products requiring external peer review. The Agency's Peer Review
Handbook (2nd Edition) codifies procedures and guidance for conducting peer review.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES & FY2005 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS
Healthier Outdoor Air
• The number of people living in areas with monitored ambient ozone concentrations
below the NAAQS for the 1-hour ozone standard will increase by 4% (relative to 2004)
for a cumulative total of 53% (relative to 1992).
• The number of people living in areas with monitored ambient PM concentrations below
the NAAQS for the PM-10 standard will increase by 1% (relative to 2004) for cumulative
total of 7% (relative to 1992).
• Air toxics emission nationwide from stationary and mobiles sources combined will be
reduced by an additional 1% of the updated 1993 baseline of 6.0 million tons for a
cumulative reduction of 38%.
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Healthier Indoor Air
• 843,300 additional people will be living in homes with healthier indoor air.
• 1,312,500 students, faculty and staff will experience improved indoor air quality in their
schools.
Protect the Ozone Layer
• Restrict domestic consumption of class II HCFCs below 9,906 OOP-weighted metric
tons (OOP MTs) and restrict domestic exempted production and import of newly
produced class I CFCs and halons below 10,000 OOP MTs.
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Intensity
• Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced from projected levels by approximately 90
MMTCE per year through EPA partnerships with businesses, schools, state and local
governments, and other organizations.
Radiation
• Certify that 40,000 55-gallon drums of radioactive waste (containing approximately
120,000 curies) shipped by DOE to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant are permanently
disposed of safely and according to EPA standards.
Enhance Science and Research
• Transfer hybrid powertrain components, originally developed for passenger car
applications, to meet size, performance, durability, and towing requirements of Sport
Utility Vehicle and urban delivery vehicle applications with an average efficiency
improvement of 30% over the baseline.
HIGHLIGHTS
Ensure Healthier Outdoor Air
In FY 2005, EPA will significantly expand its efforts to reduce children's exposure to
diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses through its Clean
School Bus USA program. More than 24 million children in the U.S. ride a bus to and from
school every day and research has found that these children can be exposed to high levels of
diesel exhaust. The Agency's Clean School Bus USA program is designed to help reduce this
exposure by providing grant funds to State, tribal, or local government entities to upgrade (or
"retrofit") newer school buses with better emission control technologies and/or fuel them with
cleaner fuels or to replace the oldest school buses in the fleet with new, less polluting buses. In
FY 2005, EPA will develop a grant solicitation process that will award these funds on a
competitive basis.
In FY 2005, EPA will complete an assessment of how sources create Fine PM in the air
and, along with mercury emissions, the effect on downwind areas. This assessment will support
the Fine PM NAAQS implementation, the Interstate Air Quality Rule and the Utility Mercury
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Reductions Rule. This work will also support the President's legislative proposal on Clear
Skies. EPA will begin implementation efforts for both the Interstate Air Quality Rule and the
Utility Mercury Reductions Rule.
The Agency will also continue to work with states, Tribes and local communities to
reduce exposure to air pollution through implementation of the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards. We will provide technical support to states in developing State Implementation
Plans to aid them in considering the transport of pollution on a regional level in their plans. For
particulate matter, EPA will be finalizing attainment designations while working with states and
local areas to develop control strategies to reduce emissions. For ozone, since designation will
be finalized in 2004, the Agency will be supporting SIP development efforts while working with
localities on innovative measures to provide early emission reductions.
For the HAPs, FY 2005 will be a critical year for implementing the national air toxics
strategy. The Agency will continue its transition from a technology-based to a risk-based control
program. The Agency is still required to set technology-based standards for area sources.
In FY 2005, EPA will, as required by the Clean Air Act, continue the extensive residual
risk analyses for already promulgated maximum achievable control technology (MACT)
standards to determine if additional standards are necessary to reduce the remaining risks from
these sources. The Agency will continue to develop the state, local, and Tribal component of
the Air Toxics Program so that state, local, and Tribal agencies can address emission issues
that are of concern on a state-wide, area-wide, or community-wide basis. As part of this effort,
EPA will continue to support community assessment and risk reduction projects. The EPA will
release an integrated final version of the national emission inventory (NEI) using data collected
from 2002. This integrated inventory will include air toxics emissions data for analyzing public
health risks from air toxics and strategies to reduce them, and to manage the risks posed by air
toxics emission. The Agency will continue to develop the national ambient air toxic network to
improve characterization of both national and community air toxic levels. Also in FY 2005, we
will be promulgating the Utility Mercury Reductions Rule. This program may utilize a cap and
trade approach that would allow emissions trading in lieu of a MACT standard which is less
flexible and more costly. (The proposed rule seeks comment on both the cap and trade and
MACT approaches.)
In FY 2005, EPA will establish and implement Federal standards to require cleaner
motor vehicles, nonroad equipment, locomotives, marine engines, and fuels that are cost-
effective and technically feasible. The Agency will continue implementation of the Tier II and
gasoline sulfur standards. The Agency will also continue work on the 2007 heavy-duty highway
engine and diesel sulfur requirements. In addition, EPA is promulgating new standards and fuel
requirements for nonroad diesel fuel that will take effect for new engines starting as early as
2008.
In addition, EPA will continue to monitor industry compliance with vehicle, engine, and
fuel standards, and to proceed with advancements in vehicle emission control technologies.
The type and amount of testing required at EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions
Laboratory continues to expand greatly to meet the much more stringent and complex
regulations for cars, heavy-duty diesel engines, and gasoline and diesel fuels.
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Ensure Healthier Indoor Air
In FY 2005, EPA will build on the success of its national "Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools
for Schools" (TfS) program and expand implementation of this program to more schools.
Adoption of EPA's low-cost/no-cost guidelines for proper operation and maintenance of school
facilities results in healthier indoor environments for all students and staff, but is of particular
help to children with asthma, lessening the degree to which they are exposed to indoor asthma
triggers. By increasing the number of schools where TfS indoor air quality guidelines are
adopted and implemented, healthier indoor air will be provided for over a million students, staff,
and faculty.
EPA expects, as a result of Agency programs, that over three quarters of a million
people will be living in healthier residential indoor environments in FY 2005. Part of meeting this
goal includes expanding the Agency's successful education and outreach efforts to the public
about sound indoor environmental management techniques with respect to asthma. In addition,
the Agency will continue to focus on ways to assist the health-care community to raise its
awareness of, and attention it pays to, indoor asthma triggers and their role in provoking asthma
attacks in those with the disease. EPA, in conjunction with the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), will continue to seek opportunities to interact with managed care
organizations and health insurers to promote effective asthma care practices and to encourage
greater emphasis on avoidance of asthma triggers, as part of a comprehensive asthma
treatment regimen.
Greenhouse Gases
The President's greenhouse gas program builds on the accomplishment of EPA's
voluntary climate programs. EPA's voluntary climate change programs have made significant
progress to date. However, opportunities remain to achieve further pollution reductions and
energy bill savings from energy efficiency programs and greater use of cost-effective renewable
energy. In the U.S., energy consumption causes more than 85 percent of the major air
emissions such as NOX, SO2, and CO2. At the same time, American families and businesses
spend over $600 billion each year on energy bills.
In FY 2005, EPA will continue to build upon its successful partnership programs such as
ENERGY STAR, the clean energy programs, Climate Leaders, SmartWay Transport
Partnership, and Best Workplaces for Commuters programs. Under these innovative programs
we will expand our work with companies to encourage them to take on new voluntary
commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Stratospheric Ozone
To protect the earth's stratospheric ozone layer in accordance with the United States'
commitment to the Montreal Protocol, EPA will continue to regulate ozone-depleting
compounds, foster the development and use of alternative chemicals in the U.S. and abroad,
inform the public about the dangers of overexposure to UV radiation, and use pollution
prevention strategies to require the recycling of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and
hydrofluorocarbons.
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Radiation
In FY 2005, EPA will continue to protect people and the environment from harmful and
avoidable exposure to radiation by oversight of radioactive waste disposal in the Waste Isolation
Pilot Plant, setting protective limits on radioactive emissions, providing guidance and training to
other Federal and state agencies in preparing for domestic emergencies and other incidents
that may involve radiation, and develop guidance for cleaning up radioactively-contaminated
Superfund sites. We will ensure that the Agency employs appropriate methods to manage
radioactive releases and exposures. These include health-risk site assessments; risk modeling,
cleanup, and waste management activities; voluntary programs to minimize exposure to
radiation in commercial products and industrial applications; national environmental radiation
monitoring; radiological emergency response; and provision of Federal guidance to our
international, Federal, state, and local partners.
Enhance Science and Research
The Tropospheric Ozone and Particulate Matter (PM) Research Programs will upgrade
methods and models to guide states in the development of State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
used to achieve the NAAQS. In FY 2005, the Agency will release an upgraded version of the
Models-3 Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system with upgraded
mechanisms for speeding up the model run time. This will be an important tool for developing
state and tribal SIPs. PM research will continue to strengthen the scientific basis for the
periodic review of the PM NAAQS, through work that includes epidemiological and exposure
studies. The PM program will also develop tools and methods to characterize PM sources and
health effects that will move the Agency toward its objective of reducing Americans' exposure to
PM. Important products of the FY 2005 PM research program will include improved receptor
models and data on chemical compounds to help identify sources that contribute to ambient PM
so that states and tribes can develop more effective control strategies
Air toxics research provides information on effects, exposure, and source
characterization, as well as other data to quantify existing emissions and to identify key
pollutants and strategies for cost-effective risk management. In FY 2005, research will focus on
providing health hazard and exposure methods, data, and models to enable the Agency to
reduce uncertainty in risk assessments, and the production of tools that enable national,
regional, state, or local officials to identify and implement cost-effective approaches to reduce
risks from sources of air toxics.
EXTERNAL FACTORS
Stakeholder Participation: To achieve clean air, EPA relies on the cooperation of Federal,
state, Tribal, and local government agencies; industry; non-profit organizations; and individuals.
Success is far from guaranteed, even with the full participation of all stakeholders. EPA has
significant work to accomplish just to reach the annual targets that lead to the longer-term health
and environmental outcomes and improvements that are articulated in the Clean Air goal.
Meeting the Clean Air goal necessitates a strong partnership among all the stakeholders, but in
particular among the states, Tribes, and EPA; the Environmental Council of States; and
organizations of state and local air pollution control officials. EPA will be working with various
stakeholders to encourage new ways to meet the challenges of "cross regional" issues as well
as to integrate programs to address airborne pollutants more efficiently.
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Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Environmental Factors: In developing clean air strategies, states, Tribes, and local
governments assume normal meteorological patterns. As EPA develops standards and
programs to achieve the Clean Air goal, it has to consider weather as a variable in the equation
for implementing standards and meeting program goals. For example, even if an area is
implementing a number of air pollution control programs under normal meteorological patterns,
a hot humid summer may cause an area to exceed standards for days at a time, thereby
exposing the public to unhealthy air.
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Goal 2: Clean and Safe
Water
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Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
Strategic Goal: Ensure drinking water is safe. Restore and maintain oceans, watersheds,
and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human health, support economic and recreational
activities, and provide healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife.
Resource Summary
($ in 000)
^L^/
37.9% of Budget
1 - Protect Human Health
2 - Protect Water Quality
3 - Enhance Science and Research
Goal 2 Total
FY 2004
President's
Budget
$1,192,187
$1,647,043
$120,502
$2,959,732
FY2005
President's
Budget
$1,170,340
$1,645,670
$120,959
$2,936,969
Difference
($21,848)
($1,373)
$458
($22,763)
Workyears
3,054
3,041
(12)
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Over the 30 years since enactment of the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts
(CWA and SDWA), government, citizens, and the private sector have worked together to make
dramatic progress in improving the quality of surface waters and drinking water.
Thirty years ago, much of the nation's tap water had either very limited treatment
(usually disinfection) or no treatment at all. About two-thirds of the surface waters assessed by
states were not attaining basic water quality goals and were considered polluted.11 Some of the
Nation's waters were open sewers posing health risks and many water bodies were so polluted
that traditional uses, such as swimming, fishing, and recreation, were impossible.
Today, drinking water systems monitor and treat water to assure compliance with
drinking water standards covering a wide range of contaminants. In addition, we now protect
sources of drinking water through activities such as regulating injection of wastes to ground
waters. A massive investment of federal, state, and local funds resulted in a new generation of
wastewater treatment facilities able to provide "secondary" treatment or better. Over 50
categories of industry now comply with nationally consistent discharge regulations. In addition,
United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water. 1998. Clean Water Action Plan:
Restoring and Protecting America's Water. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
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Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
sustained efforts to implement "best management practices" have helped reduce runoff of
pollutants from diffuse or "nonpoint" sources.
Cleaner, safer water has renewed recreational, ecological, and economic interests in
communities across the nation. The recreation, tourism, and travel industry is one of the largest
employers in the nation, and a significant portion of recreational spending comes from
swimming, boating, sport fishing, and hunting.12 Each year, more than 180 million people visit
the shore for recreation.13 In 2001, sportspersons spent a total of $70 billion- $35.6 billion on
fishing, $20.6 billion on hunting, and $13.8 million on items used for both hunting and fishing.
Wildlife watchers spent an additional $38.4 billion on their activities around the home and on
trips away from home.14 The commercial fishing industry, which also requires clean water and
healthy wetlands, contributed $28.6 billion to the economy in 2001.15 The Cuyahoga River,
which once caught fire, is now busy with boats and harbor businesses that generate substantial
revenue for the City of Cleveland. The Wllamette River in Oregon has been restored to provide
swimming, fishing, and water sports. Even Lake Erie, once infamous for its dead fish, now
supports a $600 million per year fishing industry.16
Much of the dramatic progress in improving the nation's water quality over the past 30
years is directly attributable to our improvements in water infrastructure. Entering the 21st
century, however, the job is far from over. Despite the gains made since the passage of the
CWA and the SDWA, approximately 40% of the nation's waters assessed by states still do not
meet basic water quality standards.17 Remaining water quality problems are not easily
remedied: they come not just from discharge from pipes, but from diffuse sources - farming
and forestry, construction sites, urban streets, automobiles, atmospheric deposition, even
suburban homes and yards. They are no longer just chemical in nature. There are biological
threats to our nation's waters that we must address as well if we are to truly achieve the stated
goal of the CWA to "restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the
nation's waters."
States have identified more than 25,000 waterways as being impaired and have listed a
group of principal causes of impairment to the waterways.18 One of these impairments is
pesticides. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has synthesized contaminant and nutrient data
from its 1992-1998 National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. This assessment
12 Travel Industry Association of America. Tourism for America, 11th Edition. Washington, DC: Travel
Industry of America.
13 Pew Oceans Commission. 2002. America's Living Oceans Charting a Course for Sea Change.
Arlington, VA: Pew Oceans Commission.
14 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2002. 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated
Recreation. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
15 National Marine Fisheries Service. 2002. Fisheries of the U.S. 2001. Washington, DC: Government
Printing Office.
16 United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water. 1998. Clean Water Action Plan:
Restoring and Protecting America's Water. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
17 303(d) information comes from: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. States' Listing of Impaired
Waters as Required by Clean Water Act Section 303(d). Washington, DC. Available online at
http://oaspub.epa.gov/waters/national_rept.control.
18 303(d) information comes from: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. States' Listing of Impaired
Waters as Required by Clean Water Act Section 303(d). Washington, DC. Available online at
http://oaspub.epa.gov/waters/national_rept.control.
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found that detectable concentrations of pesticides are widespread in urban, agricultural and
mixed-use area streams. Interestingly, streams in urban areas generally have higher
concentrations of insecticides than streams in agricultural areas, however incidences are
generally lower. Recent trends toward low-density development (sprawl) will increase
waterways' overall exposure to pesticides because it leaves fewer pristine natural areas and
fewer trees and exposes more land to pesticides.
Reductions of pesticide concentrations in streams and groundwater require
management strategies that focus on reducing chemical use. This means local and regional
management strategies are needed to account for geographic patterns in chemical use and
natural factors. One of the primary concerns for water quality in the U.S. is the role of small,
dispersed sources of non-point source pollution. The major factors that contribute to the
increasing levels of pesticides found in streams and groundwater include the application pattern
of pesticides, the soil condition and the amount of rainfall or irrigation, which can increase
pesticide run-off into streams and rivers.
Communities are challenged to find the fiscal resources to sustain the gains of the past
30 years, while providing clean and safe water for the future. They must find ways to replace
aging infrastructure, to meet growing infrastructure demands fueled by population growth, and
to secure their water and wastewater infrastructure against threats. To further our progress
toward clean waters and safer drinking water, we must both maintain our commitment to the
core measures we have already established and look for new ways to improve water quality and
protect human health.
MEANS AND STRATEGY
EPA will focus on four key strategies to accelerate progress toward achieving the
Nation's clean and safe water goals. To better address the complexity of the remaining water
quality challenges, EPA will promote local watershed approaches to achieving the best and
most cost effective solutions to local and regional water problems. To protect and build on the
gains of the past, EPA will focus on its core water programs. To maximize the impact of each
dollar, EPA will continue to strengthen our vital partnerships with States, Tribes, local
governments, and other parties that are also working toward the common goal of improving the
Nation's waters. To leverage progress through innovation, EPA will promote water quality
trading, water efficiency, and other market based approaches.
To achieve the Nation's clean and safe water goals, EPA will operate under an
overarching watershed approach in carrying out its statutory authorities under both the SDWA
Amendments of 1996 and the CWA. EPA is committed to helping local governments meet the
challenges of water management in the 21st century in fiscally responsible and sustainable
ways. We want to maintain the improvements in water quality, while enabling communities to
grow and prosper.
EPA's core water programs are the fundamental underpinning for protecting and building
on the gains of the past. This approach calls for setting watershed goals, assessing conditions,
determining sources of concern, addressing them using regulatory and voluntary tools, and then
re-evaluating and adapting plans as new information becomes available. By focusing and
integrating the work of EPA with sister agencies, States, Tribes, local governments, industry,
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Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
and nonprofit organizations in watersheds, we are able to pool information, resources, and
authorities and focus our collective energies on our common environmental objectives. In
watersheds, we can better understand the cumulative impact of activities, determine the most
critical problems, better allocate limited financial and human resources, engage stakeholders,
win public support, and make real improvements in the environment.
Maintaining high environmental standards and sustaining a healthy economy requires
that we work with States, Tribes, local governments, and other partners to optimize costs and
conserve our natural resources. Innovative programs like water quality trading are based on a
broad environmental perspective, looking at entire watersheds. Trading can capitalize on
economies of scale and control cost differentials among and between sources. Trading is a
valuable tool to more cost-effectively implement TMDLs, and to enable communities to grow
and prosper while maintaining their commitment to water quality. Trading can also be an
appropriate mechanism in a pre-TMDL context.
As a result of mounting evidence that pesticide use can lead to contamination of
groundwater, the Agency has developed a groundwater strategy. This strategy is designed to
protect our groundwater resources from pesticide contamination. The Agency is working with
the States and Tribes to implement local aspects of the strategy which includes providing
assistance in the development of Pesticide Management Plans for both generic aspects of
pesticide use, as well as more specific plans for a particular pesticide. The plans provide a
roadmap to managing pesticides through preventive and corrective measures. In addition, EPA
has an extensive scientific review process for data on new pesticides prior to granting
registration, and on older pesticides under the reregistration program. One of the assessment
areas for pesticides is the impact on ecosystems, including the likelihood of the chemical or
product to leach into groundwater, or to persist in surface water after it leaves the field as runoff.
Restrictions on use of the pesticide can be added to the registration (or reregistration), if
warranted.
Research
EPA's water research program supports the Agency's Clean and Safe Water Goal by
providing the scientific basis essential for protecting human health and the environment.
Implementation of the research provisions in the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
amendments and the Clean Water Act will provide improved tools (e.g., methods, models, risk
assessments, management strategies, and new data) to better evaluate the risks posed by
chemical and microbial contaminants that persist in the environment and threaten wildlife and,
potentially, human health.
The drinking water research program will focus on filling key data gaps and developing
analytical detection methods for measuring the occurrence of chemical and microbial
contaminants on the Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) and developing and evaluating cost-
effective treatment technologies for removing pathogens from water supplies while minimizing
disinfection by-product (DBP) formation. The water quality research program will provide
approaches and methods the Agency and its partners need to develop and apply criteria to
support designated uses, tools to diagnose and assess impairment in aquatic systems, and
tools to restore and protect aquatic systems. Water quality research will address a wide
spectrum of aquatic ecosystem stressors, with particular attention accorded to stressors that the
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Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
Agency most often cites as causing water body impairment, including pathogens/indicators of
fecal contamination, nutrients, and suspended and bedded sediments.
Several mechanisms are in place to ensure a high-quality water research program at
EPA. EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB), an independently chartered Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA) committee, meets annually to conduct an in-depth review and analysis
of EPA's Science and Technology account. The SAB provides its findings to the House Science
Committee and sends a written report on the findings to EPA's Administrator after every annual
review. EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) provides counsel to the Assistant
Administrator for the Office of Research and Development (ORD) on the operation of ORD's
research program. Also, under the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program all research
projects are selected for funding through a rigorous competitive external peer review process
designed to ensure that only the highest quality efforts receive funding support. EPA's scientific
and technical work products must also undergo either internal or external peer review, with
major or significant products requiring external peer review. The Agency's Peer Review
Handbook (2nd Edition) codifies procedures and guidance for conducting peer review.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND FY2005 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS
Protect Human Health
• In 2005, 93% of the population served by community water systems will receive drinking
water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water standards through effective
treatment and source water protection.
• In 2005, 94% of the population served by community water systems will receive drinking
water that meets health-based standards with which systems need to comply as of
December 2001.
• In 2005, 75% of the population served by community water systems will receive drinking
water that meets health-based standards with a compliance date of January 2002 or
later.
• In 2005 94% of community water systems will provide drinking water that meets health-
based standards with which systems need to comply as of December 2001.
• In 2005, 75% of community water systems will provide drinking water that meets health-
based standards with a compliance date of January 2002 or later.
• In 2005, 90% of the population served by community water systems in Indian country will
receive drinking water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water standards.
• In 2005, 20% of source water areas for community water systems will achieve minimized
risk to public health.
• In 2005, 80% of the shellfish growing acres monitored by states are approved or
conditionally approved for use.
• In 2005, at least 1 % of the water miles/acres identified by states or tribes as having a
fish consumption advisory in 2002 will have improved water and sediment quality so that
increased consumption offish and shellfish is allowed.
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Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
• In 2005, coastal and Great Lakes beaches monitored by State beach safety programs
will be open and safe for swimming in over 94% of the days of the beach season.
• In 2005, restore water quality to allow swimming in not less than 2% of the stream miles
and lake acres identified by states in 2000 as having water quality unsafe for swimming.
Protect Water Quality
• In 2005, 500 of the Nation's watersheds have water quality standards met in at least
80% of the assessed water segments.
• In 2005, water quality standards are fully attained in over 25% of miles/acres of waters
by 2012, with an interim milestone of restoring 2% of these waters - identified in 2000 as
not attaining standards - by 2005.
• In 2005, improve ratings reported on the national "good/fair/poor" scale of the National
Coastal Condition Report for: coastal wetlands loss by at least 0.1 point; contamination
of sediments in coastal waters by at least 0.1 point; benthic quality by at least 0.1 point;
& eutrophic condition by at least 0.1 point
• In 2005, scores for overall aquatic system health of coastal waters nationally, and in
each coastal region, is improved on the "good/fair/poor" scale of the National Coastal
Condition Report by at least 0.1 point
• In 2005, iln coordination with other federal partners reduce, by 11%, households on
tribal lands lacking access to basic sanitation.
• In 2005, water quality in Indian country will be improved at not less than 35 monitoring
stations in tribal waters for which baseline data are available (i.e., show at least a 10%
improvement for each of four key parameters: total nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolved
oxygen, and fecal coliforms.)
Enhance Science and Research
By 2005, provide methods for developing water quality criteria so that, by 2008,
approaches and methods are available to States and Tribes for their use in developing and
applying criteria for habitat alteration, nutrients, suspended and bedded sediments, pathogens
and toxic chemicals that will support designated uses for aquatic ecosystems and increase the
scientific basis for listing and delisting impaired water bodies under Section 303(d) of the Clean
Water Act.
HIGHLIGHTS
Surface Water Protection
Water Quality Monitoring; EPA's fiscal year 2005 request will be the first step toward
solving the well-documented shortcomings of the Nation's water quality monitoring. The
most cost-efficient, practical means of making the most of scarce resources is
information-based management that uses tools such as prevention, source water
protection, watershed trading, and permitting on watershed basis. Monitoring is the
foundation for information-based environmental management. It is imperative that we
close data and information gaps as quickly as possible: they lead to market and
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regulatory failures, thwart our ability to document progress, and limit our ability to
effectively target limited resources. Without adequate monitoring data, the managers of
water programs cannot inform the public about the condition of the Nation's waters;
make wise management decisions; demonstrate the success or failure of those
programs; and verify that resources are being used cost-effectively. Federal, State, and
local monitoring data are essential for States to carry out their responsibilities for Clean
Water Act requirements. Strengthening our monitoring program for both surface and
ground water will allow for special emphasis on drinking water sources to support
expeditious actions to protect or clean up these critical resources.
High quality, current monitoring data is critical for states and others to: make
watershed-based decisions, target water quality criteria development, develop
necessary standards and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), and accurately and
consistently portray conditions and trends. To support these efforts, the President's
Budget proposes $20 million to implement improved state monitoring efforts that will:
• Describe the condition of aquatic resources at multiple scales using scientifically
defensible methods that are statistically valid and compatible;
• Apply predictive tools to target waters that need more intensive monitoring;
• Implement data management systems to facilitate exchange and use of data of
documented quality;
• Determine site-specific water quality impacts, appropriate protection levels and
cost-effective management actions;
• Monitor performance to determine effectiveness of management actions and
support adaptive management, if needed; and
• Utilize monitoring councils/partnerships to improve collaboration among entities
collection, analysis, and use of monitoring data and information.
This approach will result in social costs savings by maximizing the efficiency of
monitoring and assessment resources and, more importantly, by ensuring that resources
invested in environmental protection activities are directed most efficiently and are
achieving performance objectives.
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Storm Water: As evidenced by
recent newspaper articles, withdrawal petitions, and the permit backlog, some States are
struggling with implementation of their NPDES permitting programs. In addition, the
universe of facilities is increasing due to new program requirements to permit
concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and additional sources of storm water.
Without timely issuance of high quality permits, necessary improvements in water quality
will be delayed. To help States with this workload, we are requesting an increase of $5
million for Section 106 Grants. This increase would be used by States to support
implementation of NPDES CAFO programs, which should result in pollutant reductions
of over 2 billion pounds annually,19 and to support State issuance of storm water permits,
19 United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water. (January 2001). Development
Document for the Proposed Revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Regulation
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resulting in long term annual reductions of approximately 100 billion pounds of
sediment.20
Water Quality Trading: Water quality trading is a watershed approach based on
voluntary partnerships at the local level. It capitalizes on economies of scale and control
cost differences among sources, by allowing one source to meet its regulatory obligation
by using pollutant reductions created by another source that has lower pollution control
costs. Trading provides incentives for voluntary pollutant reductions, especially from
sources that are not regulated. It encourages early reductions and more cost effective
programs for restoring impaired waters. Trading also provides incentives for innovative
solutions to complex and diverse water quality problems across the nation.
A current example of a successful trading effort between point sources can be
found on Long Island Sound, where nitrogen trading among publicly owned treatment
works in Connecticut is expected to save over $200 million in control costs. A March
2003, report by the World Resources Institute, states that market mechanisms such as
nutrient trading provide the greatest overall environmental benefits and a cost-effective
strategy for reducing the Mississippi River Basin's contribution to the Dead Zone in the
Gulf of Mexico. The report highlights the fact that trading provides a real opportunity for
farmers to play a role in reducing nutrient pollution.21
In FY 2005, we plan to redirect $4 million for this effort, to be set-aside within the
Targeted Watershed Grants.
Water Efficiency: At the end of 2002, nearly half the continental U.S. was in drought.22
In addition to reduced rainfall, most of our water systems also face a growing population
and a growing economy. In the future, our waters are going to be even more stretched
across competing demands. The Agency is committed to helping States and local
governments address a multi-billion dollar gap between water and wastewater
infrastructure needs and available capital financing over the next 20 years.
One way to reduce national water and wastewater infrastructure needs is by
reducing water demand and wastewater flows, allowing for deferral or downsizing of
capital projects. In addition to reduced infrastructure needs, less water demand may
result in many environmental benefits including maintaining stream flows, protecting
aquatic habitats, avoiding overdrawn aquifers, conserving sources of supply, and
mitigating drought effects. In anticipation of these benefits, we are proposing to develop
and implement a water efficiency market enhancement program that would promote
and the Effluent Guidelines for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. (EPA-821-R-01-003).
Washington, D.C. [On-line] Available: http://epa.gov/waterscience/guide/
20 U.S. EPA, Office of Water. "Economic Analysis of the Final Phase II Storm Water Rule," EPA 833-R-99-
002, October 1999.
U.S. EPA, Office of Water. "Construction and Development Effluent Guideline Proposed Rule," Federal
Register Notice (June 24, 2002). Accessed December 29, 2003. Available on the internet at:
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction/rule.html
21 Greenhalgh, Suzie and Amanda Sauer. 2003. "Awakening the 'Dead Zone': An Investment for
Agriculture, Water Quality, and Climate Change." World Resources Institute.
22 The Drought Monitor; National Drought Mitigation Center; Website:
www.drought.unl.edu/dm/about.html
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recognition of water-efficient products based on the highly successful Energy Star
Program. The Budget includes nearly $1 million for this new program.
Surface Water Protection & Drinking Water Programs
Sustainable Infrastructure: Closing the infrastructure gap requires actions and
innovations to reduce the demand for infrastructure, including better management,
conservation (or smart water use), and intergovernmental cooperation through the
watershed approach.
The touchstone of a long-term strategy to manage and maintain the Nation's
infrastructure is fiscal sustainability. An important component of this strategy is
promoting sustainable water and wastewater treatment systems. This includes ensuring
the technical, financial, and managerial capacity of water and wastewater systems;
helping service providers avoid future gaps and expanding watershed approaches that
engage stakeholders in broad-based action-oriented partnerships to identify efficient and
effective local infrastructure solutions by adopting sustainable management systems to
improve efficiency and economies of scale; and reducing the average cost of service.
Through a $2.5 million sustainable infrastructure initiative, we will work in partnership
with States, the utility industry, and other stakeholders to enhance the operating
efficiencies of water and wastewater systems. These efficiencies can help systems
make the infrastructure investments needed to meet growing consumer demand, and
help to sustain the human health and environmental gains we have achieved over the
past three decades.
In FY 2005, the Agency will continue to coordinate with States and Tribes
providing guidance and assistance in the development of generic and specific Pesticide
Management Plans in order to protect our ground water resources. EPA will coordinate
pesticide water issues and assist our partners in identifying and implementing effective
ground water protection programs through these plans. The Agency will continue to
support efforts on identifying the adverse effects of pesticides in ground and surface
water at the State, Tribal and Regional levels. Additionally, we will continue to assist
States and Tribes in identifying, developing and implementing measures to prevent or
reduce water contamination. Key to this effort will be tailoring preventive and recovery
measures to localities and specific pesticides.
Research
In FY 2005, EPA's drinking water research program will continue to conduct research to
reduce the uncertainties of risk associated with exposure to microbial contaminants in drinking
water and improve analytical methods to control risks posed by drinking water contamination.
The drinking water research program will continue to focus on chemical and microbial
contaminants on current and future CCLs. Significant data gaps still exist on the occurrence of
harmful microbes in source and distribution system water, linkages between water exposure
and infection, and the effectiveness of candidate treatment technologies to remove and
inactivate these contaminants. Efforts will also continue to support arsenic-specific research
and development of more cost-effective treatment technologies for the removal of arsenic from
small community drinking water systems.
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Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
EPA is working to develop biological and landscape indicators of ecosystem condition,
sources of impairment, stressor response/fate and transport models, and options for managing
stressors and their sources. Through the development of a framework for diagnosing adverse
effects of chemical pollutants in surface waters, EPA will be able to evaluate the risks posed by
chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain, threatening wildlife
and potentially human health. The Agency will also develop and evaluate more cost-effective
technologies and approaches for managing sediments, and evaluate management options for
watershed restoration of TMDLs for other significant stressors (e.g., nutrients, pathogens and
toxic compounds). Finally, research to address uncertainties associated with determining and
reducing the risks to human health of the production and application of treated wastewater
sludge (biosolids) to land for use as fertilizers and soil conditioners is emerging as an area of
renewed importance for the Agency.
Another area of research will focus on growing evidence of the risk of infectious
diseases resulting from exposure to microbes in recreational waters. Exposure to these
diseases is of particular concern after major rainfall events that cause discharges from both
point and non-point sources. These events may pose risks to human and ecological health
through the uncontrolled release of pathogenic bacteria, protozoans, and viruses, as well as a
number of potentially toxic, bioaccumulative contaminants. EPA will develop and validate
effective watershed management strategies and tools for controlling wet weather flows (WWFs),
which will enable EPA to provide states with consistent monitoring methods, standardized
indicators of contamination, and standardized definitions of what constitutes a risk to public
health.
EXTERNAL FACTORS
EPA's strategies for achieving clean and safe water depend on substantial contributions
and investments by many public and private entities.
States are primary partners in implementation of both clean water and safe drinking
water programs. Many states, however, are facing budget problems and even deficits. EPA
recognizes that state budget shortfalls are an external factor that may limit progress toward
clean and safe water goals.
Consistent with the federal government's unique trust responsibility to federally
recognized tribes, EPA implements programs in Indian country, helps build tribal capacity to
administer clean and safe water programs, and works with authorized tribes as co-regulators.
Unlike states, many tribes are still developing programs to administer clean and safe water
programs. .
Local governments play a critical role in implementing clean and safe water programs,
and the continued participation of local government in these programs is critical to cleaner, safer
water. Municipalities and other local entities have proven to be strong partners with states and
the federal government in the financing of wastewater treatment and drinking water systems,
and continued partnership in financing these systems is essential to meeting water goals.
Municipalities are taking on additional responsibilities for addressing storm water and combined
sewer overflows and they are adopting sustainable management practices to extend the useful
lives of their wastewater infrastructure. Approximately 78 percent of wastewater treatment
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Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
plants are operated by small communities, thousands of which have had past operational
difficulties.23 Continued assistance to these small treatment plants, through the Wastewater
Operator Training Program, is important to keeping the nation's waters clean. In the case of the
drinking water program, effective local management of drinking water systems, including
protection of source waters, is essential to maintaining high rates of compliance with drinking
water standards. Ninety-five percent of the 160,000 or more public water systems responsible
for meeting drinking water safety standards are small systems that face challenges in sustaining
their capacity to provide safe drinking water.24 Strong partnerships with local governments are
critical to achieving clean and safe water goals.
Several key components of the national water program, including nonpoint source
control, source water protection, and watershed management, as well as the core water quality
and drinking water standards, monitoring, TMDLs and NPDES permitting programs require
broad partnerships among many federal, state, and local agencies. Over the next several
years, building partnerships, particularly with the agricultural community (such as USDA, state
agricultural agencies, and local conservation districts) is a top priority for meeting clean water
goals. We must continue to provide EPA water quality data and work with USDA to help target
runoff control programs' resources.
States lead the effort in water quality monitoring. However, EPA relies on many other
agencies to provide monitoring data to measure progress toward its goal of clean and safe
water, such as the U.S Geological Survey, which maintains water monitoring stations
throughout the nation, and NOAA, which provides information on coastal waters. EPA relies on
the continued collection of data by these agencies.
Additionally, all of the EPA's coastal and oceans activities are carried out in partnership
with other federal agencies, and, in some cases, international, state, local and private entities as
well. EPA relies on its work with the Department of Defense, Coast Guard, Alaska and other
states, and a number of cruise ship and environmental and non-governmental organizations
regarding regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to managing wastewater discharges from
vessels. Meeting ocean and coastal goals will also depend on the extent to which the growth in
coastal areas is directed in ways that minimize effects on water quality.
West Nile Virus cases increased dramatically in 2002, spreading across 38 states and
the District of Columbia. In areas with new West Nile virus detections, EPA regional offices
have reported heightened concern about the pesticides used for mosquito control and the
adverse affect it might have in contaminating groundwater. Pesticides are applied to areas
where groundwater is prevalent due to the fact that mosquitoes need stagnant or standing water
to lay their eggs. The possibility of the West Nile Virus expanding into new areas of the United
States in the future will require the application of more pesticides onto the new breeding areas
23 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance; Permit
Compliance System; Web-site: www.epa.gov/oeca/planning/data/water/pcssys.html
24 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS/FED),
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/data/getdata.html
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Goal 3: Land Preservation
and Restoration
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
Strategic Goal: Preserve and restore the land by using innovative waste management
practices and cleaning up contaminated properties to reduce risks posed by releases of harmful
substances.
Resource Summary
($ in 000)
v — ^
23.2% of Budget
1 - Preserve Land
2 - Restore Land
3 - Enhance Science and Research
Goal 3 Total
FY 2004 FY2005
President's President's
Budget Budget
$210,990
$1,508,647
$59,837
$1,779,473
$237,150
$1,503,466
$57,556
$1,798,171
Difference
$26,160
($5,181)
($2,281)
$18,697
Workyears
4,745
4,708
(36)
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Left uncontrolled, hazardous and nonhazardous wastes on the land can migrate to the
air, groundwater, and surface water, contaminating drinking water supplies, causing acute
illnesses or chronic diseases, and threatening healthy ecosystems in urban, rural, and suburban
areas. Hazardous substances can kill living organisms in lakes and rivers, destroy vegetation in
contaminated areas, cause major reproductive complications in wildlife, and otherwise limit the
ability of an ecosystem to survive.
MEANS AND STRATEGY
EPA will work to preserve and restore the land using the most effective waste
management and cleanup methods available. EPA will use a hierarchy of approaches to
protect the land: reducing waste at its source, recycling waste, and managing waste effectively
by preventing spills and releases of toxic materials and cleaning up contaminated properties.
The Agency is especially concerned about threats to our most sensitive populations, such as
children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases.
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA, or Superfund) 25 and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 26
provide the legal authority for most of EPA's work toward this goal. The Agency and its partners
use Superfund authority to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites; return
the land to productive use; and maximize the participation of potentially responsible parties
(PRPs) in cleanup efforts. Under RCRA, EPA works in partnership with states and Tribes to
address risks associated with leaking underground storage tanks and with the generation and
management of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes.
EPA also uses authorities provided under the Clean Air Act, 27Clean Water Act, 28 and
Oil Pollution Act of 1990 29 to protect against spills and releases of hazardous materials.
Controlling the many risks posed by accidental and intentional releases of harmful substances
presents a significant challenge to protecting the land. EPA's approach integrates prevention,
preparedness, and response activities to minimize these risks. Spill prevention activities keep
harmful substances from being released to the environment. Improving its readiness to respond
to emergencies, through training, development of clear authorities, and provision of proper
equipment, will ensure that EPA is adequately prepared to minimize contamination and harm to
the environment when spills do occur.
In FY 2005, EPA will maintain its focus on three themes established in FY 2004, and one
additional theme on emergency preparedness, response and homeland security, in achieving its
objectives:
• Recycling. Waste Minimization and Energy Recovery: EPA's strategy for reducing
waste generation and increasing recycling is based on (1) establishing and expanding
partnerships with businesses, industries, states, communities, and consumers; (2)
stimulating infrastructure development, environmentally responsible behavior by product
manufacturers, users, and disposers ("product stewardship"), and new technologies; and
(3) helping businesses, government, institutions, and consumers by education, outreach,
training, and technical assistance.
• One Cleanup Program: Through the "One Cleanup Program" the Agency is looking
across its programs to bring consistency and enhanced effectiveness to site cleanups.
The Agency will work with its partners and stakeholders to enhance coordination,
planning, and communication across the full range of Federal, state, Tribal, and local
cleanup programs. This effort will improve the pace, efficiency, and effectiveness of site
cleanups, as well as more fully integrate land reuse and continued use into cleanup
programs. The Agency will promote information technologies that describe waste site
cleanup and revitalization information in ways that keep the public and stakeholders fully
informed. Finally, the Agency will develop environmental outcome performance
measures that report progress among all cleanup programs, such as the number of
acres able to be reused after site cleanup. A crucial element to this effort is a national
25 42 U.S. Code 9601-9675
26 42 U.S. Code 6901-6992k
27 42 U.S. Code 7401-7671 q
28 33 U.S. Code 1251-1387
29 33 U.S. Code 2701-2761
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
dialogue, currently underway, on the future of Superfund and other EPA waste cleanup
programs.
• Revitalization: The Agency's broad promotion of the successes of the Brownfields and
other waste programs focuses on restoring and revising contaminated lands. The Land
Revitalization Initiative complements the Agency's traditional cleanup programs by
focusing on solutions that improve the quality of life and economy of affected
communities. Front end planning for the final, productive use of contaminated lands
enables the cleanup programs, communities and interested stakeholders to more easily
and quickly make cleanup decisions. This integration of land reuse planning with the
traditional cleanup processes will lead to faster, more efficient cleanups.
• Emergency Preparedness. Response, and Homeland Security: EPA has a major
role in reducing the risk to human health and the environment posed by accidental or
intentional releases of harmful substances and oil. EPA will work to improve its ability to
effectively respond to these incidents, working closely with other Federal agencies within
the National Response System.
Means and Strategies for Preserving Land
Reducing and Recycling Waste: The Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC)
represents a major national effort to find flexible yet protective ways to conserve our
valuable natural resources by reducing waste, recycling, and recovering energy. 30
Through the RCC, EPA challenges all Americans to make purchasing and disposal
decisions that conserve natural resources, save energy, reduce costs, and preserve the
environment for future generations.
Establishing and Expanding Partnerships: EPA will establish and expand its
partnerships with industry, states, and other entities to reduce waste and to develop and
deliver tools that can help businesses, manufacturers, and consumers. Nationally-
recognized programs, such as WasteWise, 31 which uses partnerships to encourage
waste prevention and recycling, will serve as models for new alliances among Federal,
state, and local governments and businesses that capitalize on voluntary efforts to
reduce waste and increase recycling.
EPA will also continue to help its Tribal partners improve practices for managing
solid waste on Indian lands. EPA has direct implementation responsibility for the RCRA
hazardous waste and Underground Storage Tank programs in Indian country.
Recognizing the unique challenges encountered in Indian country, EPA will work with
Tribes on a government-to-government basis that affirms the Federal government's vital
trust responsibility and the importance of conserving natural resources for cultural uses.
30 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste. Resource Conservation Challenge Web
Site: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/index.htm. Washington, D.C. Last updated August 21,
2003.
31 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste. WasteWse Program Web Site, About
Waste Wse Page: http://www.epa.gov/wastewise/wrr/cbuild.htm. Washington, D.C. Last updated
September 27, 2002.
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
EPA will conduct joint projects to upgrade Tribal solid waste management infrastructure,
developing plans, codes and ordinances, recycling programs, and other alternatives to
open dumping. These efforts will help to prevent open dumping in Indian country in the
future and allow clean up of existing dumps, reducing the risks that such dumps pose to
human health and the environment.
Stimulating Infrastructure Development, Product Stewardship, and New Technologies:
Another key strategy for reducing waste is fostering development of infrastructure that
will make it easier for businesses and consumers to reduce the waste they generate;
acquire and use recycled materials; and purchase products containing recovered
materials. For example, EPA has established voluntary product stewardship
partnerships with manufacturers, retailers, governmental, and nongovernmental
organizations to reduce the impacts that electronics and carpets can have on the
environment throughout their lifecycles. EPA continues to promote the development of
new and better recycling technologies and explore ways to obtain energy or products
from waste.
Providing Education, Outreach, Training, and Technical Assistance: EPA works
with major retailers, electronics manufacturers, and the amusement and motion picture
industries to revitalize, create, and display conservation, waste prevention, and recycling
messages. These activities encourage smarter, more environmentally responsible
behavior by consumers, young people, and underserved communities. The Agency and
its partners design activities that encourage students and teachers to start innovative
recycling programs and develop unique tools and projects to promote waste reduction,
recycling, and neighborhood revitalization in Hispanic and African-American
communities and on Indian lands.
Managing Hazardous Wastes and Petroleum Products Properly
Recognizing that some hazardous wastes cannot yet be completely eliminated or
recycled, the RCRA program works to reduce the risks of exposure to hazardous wastes by
maintaining a "cradle-to-grave" approach to waste management.
Preventing Hazardous Releases from RCRA Facilities: EPA's strategy for
addressing hazardous wastes that must be treated or stored is to achieve greater
efficiencies at waste management facilities through more focused permitting processes
and tighter standards where appropriate. EPA works with state, Tribal, and local
government partners to ensure that hazardous waste management facilities have
approved controls in place and continues to strive for safe waste management.
EPA will work with the authorized states—specifically those with a large number
of facilities lacking approved controls in place— to resolve issues and transfer best
practices from other states. EPA also plans to study the universe of unpermitted
facilities and work with states to identify and resolve issues that may be preventing key
categories of facilities from obtaining permits or putting other approved controls in place.
To achieve greater efficiencies at facilities that treat or store hazardous waste, the
Agency will promote innovative technologies that streamline permitting processes and
improve protection of human health and the environment.
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
Reducing Emissions from Hazardous Waste Combustion: EPA continues to
develop and issue regulations on emission standards for hazardous waste combustion
facilities. Implementation of these regulations is key to reducing the emission of dioxins,
furans, particulate matter, and acid gases. Within 2 years from the date when EPA
issues new limits, facilities will conduct emission tests to demonstrate reductions.
Additional periodic tests will ensure continued compliance with the limits established for
emissions.
Preventing Releases from Underground Storage Tank Systems: EPA recognizes
that the size and diversity of the regulated community put state authorities in the best
position to regulate Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) and to set priorities. RCRA
Subtitle I allows state LIST programs approved by EPA to operate in lieu of the Federal
program. 32 Except in Indian country, even states that have not received formal state
program approval from EPA are in most cases the primary implementing agencies and
receive annual grants from EPA.
While the frequency and severity of releases from LIST systems have been
greatly reduced, EPA and its state partners have observed that releases are still
occurring. EPA will continue to work with its state and Tribal partners to prevent and
detect petroleum releases from USTs by ensuring that compliance with detection
prevention requirements (spill, overfill, and corrosion protection) are a national priority.
While the vast majority of the approximately 683,000 active USTs have the regulatory
equipment, significant work remains to ensure that UST owners and operators maintain
and operate their systems properly. 33 In FY2005, the Agency will continue its
performance evaluation of new or upgraded UST systems to better and more quickly
identify releases and their causes. The Agency will also continue to identify
opportunities for improving UST system performance.
To protect our Nation's groundwater and drinking water from petroleum releases,
EPA will continue to support state programs; strengthen partnerships among
stakeholders; and provide technical and compliance assistance, and training to promote
and enforce UST facilities' compliance. In addition, EPA will continue its work to obtain
states' commitments to increase their inspection and enforcement presence if state-
specific goals are not met. The Agency and states will use innovative compliance
approaches, along with outreach and education tools, to bring more tanks into
compliance.
The Agency will also provide guidance to foster the use of new technology to
enhance compliance. For example, the presence of methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE)
in gasoline increases the importance of preventing and rapidly detecting releases, since
MTBE cleanups can cost 100 percent more than cleanups involving other gasoline
32 42 U.S. Code 9601-6992k
33 Memorandum from Cliff Rothenstein, Director, EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks to
Underground Storage Tank Division Directors in EPA Regions 1-10. June 19, 2003. FA 2003 Semi
Annual (Mid-Year) Activity Report
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
contaminants. 34 The Agency will focus its efforts on reducing LIST releases and
increasing early detection of petroleum products, including MTBE, by further evaluating
the performance of compliant LIST systems.
Means and Strategies for Restoring Land
Preparing for and Responding to Emergencies
EPA plays a major role in reducing the risks that accidental and intentional releases of
harmful substances and oil pose to human health and the environment. Under the National
Response System (MRS), EPA evaluates and responds to thousands of releases annually. The
MRS is a multi-agency preparedness and response mechanism that includes the following key
components: the National Response Center, the National Response Team (NRT) which is
composed of 16 Federal agencies, 13 Regional Response Teams, and Federal On-Scene
Coordinators (OSCs). These organizations work with state and local officials to develop and
maintain contingency plans that will enable the Nation to respond effectively to hazardous
substance and oil emergencies. When an incident occurs, these groups coordinate with the
OSC in charge to ensure that all necessary resources, such as personnel and equipment, are
available and that containment, cleanup, and disposal activities proceed quickly, efficiently, and
effectively. EPA's primary role in the NRS is to serve as the Federal OSC for spills and
releases in the inland zone. As a result of NRS efforts, the Nation has successfully contained
many major oil spills and releases of hazardous substances, minimizing the adverse impacts on
human health and the environment.
Preparing for Emergencies: Preparedness on a national level is essential to ensure
that emergency responders are able to deal with multiple, large-scale emergencies,
including those that may involve chemicals, oil, biological agents, or radiological
incidents. Over the next several years, EPA will enhance its core emergency response
program to respond quickly and effectively to chemical, oil, biological, and radiological
releases. EPA also will improve coordination mechanisms to respond to simultaneous,
large-scale national emergencies, including homeland security incidents. The Agency
will focus its efforts on Regional Response Teams and coordination among Regions;
health and safety issues, including provision of clothing that protects and identifies
responders, training, and exercise; establishment of delegation and warrant authorities;
and response readiness, including equipment, transportation, and outreach. The criteria
for excellence in the core emergency response program will ensure a high level of
overall readiness throughout the Agency and improve its ability to support multi-Regional
responses.
In addition to enhancing its readiness capabilities, EPA will work to improve
internal and external coordination and communication mechanisms. For example, as
part of the National Incident Coordination Team, EPA will continue to improve its
policies, plans, procedures, and decision-making processes for coordinating responses
to national emergencies. Under the Continuity of Operations/Continuity of Government
34 New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. 2000. A Survey of Site Experiences with
MTBE Contamination at LUST Sites. Web Site: http:// epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/current.
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
program, EPA will upgrade and test plans, facilities, training, and equipment to ensure
that essential government business can continue during a catastrophic emergency.
NRT capabilities are being expanded to coordinate interagency activities during large-
scale responses. EPA will coordinate its activities with the Department of Homeland
Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), other Federal agencies, and state and local governments. EPA will
also continue to clarify its roles and responsibilities so that Agency security programs are
consistent with the national homeland security strategy.
Responding to Hazardous Substance Releases and Oil Spills: Each year, EPA
personnel assess, respond to, mitigate, and clean up thousands of releases, whether
accidental, deliberate, or naturally occurring. These incidents range from small spills at
chemical or oil facilities to national disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, to
terrorist events like the 2001 World Trade Center and anthrax attacks, to the 2003
Columbia shuttle tragedy.
EPA will work to improve its capability to respond effectively to incidents that may
involve harmful chemical, oil, biological, and radiological substances. The Agency will
explore improvements in field and personal protection equipment and response training
and exercises; review response data provided in the "after-action" reports prepared by
EPA emergency responders following a release; and examine "lessons learned" reports
to identify which activities work and which need to be improved. Application of this
information and other data will advance the Agency's state-of-the-art emergency
response operations.
Preventing Oil Spills: An important component of EPA's land strategy is to prevent oil
spills from reaching the Nation's waters. Under the Oil Pollution Act, 35the Agency
requires certain facilities (defined in 40 CFR 112.2) to develop and implement spill
prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) plans. SPCC plans ensure that
facilities put in place containment and other countermeasures to prevent oil spills from
reaching navigable waters. Facilities that are unable to provide secondary containment,
such as berms around an oil storage tank, must provide a spill contingency plan that
details cleanup measures to be taken if a spill occurs. Compliance with these
requirements reduces the number of oil spills that reach navigable waters and prevents
detrimental effects on human health and the environment should a spill occur.
Controlling Risks to Human Health and the Environment at Contaminated Sites
Leaching contaminants can foul drinking water in underground aquifers used for wells or
surface waters used by public water intakes. Contaminated soil can result in human ingestion
or dermal absorption of harmful substances. Contamination can also affect subsistence
resources, including resources subject to special protections through treaties between Federal
and Tribal governments. Furthermore, because of the risks it poses, contaminated land may
not be available for use.
EPA and its partners work to clean up contaminated land to levels sufficient to control
risks to human health and the environment and to return the land to productive use. The
35 33 U.S. Code,6901-6992k
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
Agency's cleanup activities, some new and some well-established, include removing
contaminated soil, capping or containing contamination in place, pumping and treating
groundwater, and bioremediation.
EPA uses a variety of tools to accomplish cleanups: permits, enforcement actions,
consent agreements, Federal Facility Agreements, and many other mechanisms. As part of
EPA's One Cleanup Program Initiative, all levels of government will work together to ensure that
appropriate cleanup tools are used; that resources, activities, and results are coordinated with
partners and stakeholders and communicated to the public effectively; and that cleanups are
protective and contribute to community revitalization. This approach reflects EPA's efforts to
coordinate across all of its cleanup programs, while maintaining the flexibility needed to
accommodate differences in program authorities and approaches.
EPA fulfills its cleanup and waste management responsibilities on Tribal lands by
acknowledging Tribal sovereignty and recognizing Tribal governments as being the most
appropriate authorities for setting standards, making policy decisions, and managing programs
consistent with Agency standards and regulations.
Through strong policy, leadership, program administration, and a dedicated workforce,
EPA's cleanup programs will merge sound science, cutting-edge technology, quality
environmental information, and stakeholder involvement to protect the Nation from the harmful
effects of contaminated property. To accomplish its cleanup goals, the Agency continues to
forge partnerships and develop outreach and education strategies.
EPA and its partners follow four key steps to accomplish cleanups and control risks to
human health and the environment: assessment, stabilization, selection of appropriate
remedies, and implementation of remedies. The Agency will continue to work with its Federal,
state, Tribal, and local government partners at each step of the process to identify facilities and
sites requiring attention and to monitor changes in priorities. For example, EPA is collecting
Tribal program baseline data for the Superfund program and will modify the Superfund data
system to more accurately track sites of concern to Tribes, along with those situated on Indian
lands. As systems and approaches change, cleanup programs will revise guidance
appropriately.
Usable land is a valuable resource. However, where contamination presents a real or
perceived threat to human health and the environment, options for future land use at that site
may be limited. EPA's cleanup programs have set a national goal of returning formerly
contaminated sites to long-term, sustainable, and productive use. This goal creates greater
impetus for selecting and implementing remedies that, in addition to providing clear
environmental benefits, will support future land use providing greater economic and social
benefits.
Maximizing Potentially Responsible Party Participation at Superfund Sites
Enforcement authorities play a critical role in all Agency cleanup programs. However,
they have an additional and unique role under the Superfund program: they are used to
leverage private-party resources to conduct a majority of the cleanup actions and to reimburse
the federal government for cleanups financed by the Trust Fund. EPA will continue to pursue
the following two strategies for limiting the use of trust funds.
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
Applying Superfund "Enforcement First": Historically, EPA has achieved at least $6
in private-party cleanup commitments for every $1 spent on enforcement. The Agency
will continue to use its enforcement authorities to achieve this end. The Superfund
program's "Enforcement First" strategy will allow EPA to focus limited Trust Fund
resources on sites where viable, potentially responsible parties either do not exist or lack
the funds or capabilities to conduct the cleanup. By taking enforcement actions at sites
where viable, liable parties do exist, EPA will continue to leverage private-party dollars
so that Trust Fund money is used only when absolutely necessary to clean up
hazardous waste sites.
Recovering Costs: Cost recovery is another way to leverage private-party resources
through enforcement. Under Superfund, EPA has the authority to compel private parties
to pay back Trust Fund money spent to conduct cleanup activities. EPA will continue its
efforts to address 100 percent of the Statute of Limitations cases for Superfund sites
with unaddressed total past costs equal to or greater than $200,000 and to report the
value of costs recovered.
Means and Strategies
Research
The FY 2005 land research program supports the Agency's objective of reducing or
controlling potential risks to human health and the environment at contaminated waste sites by
accelerating scientifically-defensible and cost-effective decisions for cleanup at complex sites,
mining sites, marine spills, and Brownfields in accordance with the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liabilities Act (CERCLA).
The Agency will conduct research to: 1) improve the range and scientific foundation for
contaminated sediment remedy selection options through improved site characterization, and
increased understanding of different remedial options; 2) determine the performance and cost
benefit of alternative groundwater remediation technologies and provide tools for characterizing
and assessing groundwater contamination to program offices for use in state and local remedial
decisions; 3) provide tools and methods that will allow the Agency to accurately and efficiently
assess, remediate, and manage soil and land contamination; and 4) provide tools, methods,
and models, and technical support to characterize the extent of multimedia site contamination.
Multimedia decision-making, waste management, and combustion constitute the three
major areas of research under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in FY
2005, as the Agency works toward preventing releases through proper facility management.
Multimedia research will focus on resource conservation (e.g., electronic waste recycling and
waste-derived products), corrective action, and multimedia modeling. Waste management
research will develop more cost-effective ways to manage/recycle non-hazardous wastes and
will examine other remediation technologies, while combustion research will continue to focus
on characterizing and controlling emissions from bioreactors and industrial combustion systems.
Several mechanisms are in place to ensure a high-quality waste research program at
EPA. The Research Strategies Advisory Committee (RSAC) of EPA's Science Advisory Board
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
(SAB), an independent chartered Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) committee, meets
annually to conduct an indepth review and analysis of EPA's Science and Technology account.
The RSAC provides its findings to the House Science Committee and sends a written report on
the findings to EPA's Administrator after every annual review. Moreover, EPA's Board of
Scientific Counselors (BOSC) provides counsel to the Assistant Administrator for the Office of
Research and Development (ORD) on the operation of ORD's research program. Also, under
the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, all research projects are selected for funding
through a rigorous competitive external peer review process designed to ensure that only the
highest quality efforts receive funding support. Our scientific and technical work products must
also undergo either internal or external peer review, with major or significant products requiring
external peer review. The Agency's Peer Review Handbook (2nd Edition) codifies procedures
and guidance for conducting peer review.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND FY2005 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS
• Preserve Land. By 2008, reduce adverse effects to land by reducing waste generation,
increasing recycling, and ensuring proper management of waste and petroleum products
at facilities in ways that prevent releases.
• Restore Land. By 2008, control the risks to human health and the environment by
mitigating the impact of accidental or intentional releases and by cleaning up and
restoring contaminated sites or properties to appropriate levels.
• Enhance Science and Research. Through 2008, provide and apply sound science for
protecting and restoring land by conducting leading-edge research and developing a
better understanding and characterization of environmental outcomes under Goal 3.
HIGHLIGHTS
In FY 2005, EPA and its partners will preserve and restore the land by reducing,
recycling, and managing wastes, preventing and responding to releases of harmful substances,
and cleaning up contaminated land. The following accomplishments are examples of what has
been done by the Agency to achieve these purposes:
• completed 303,120 cleanups of confirmed releases from Federally-regulated LUSTs
since 1987;
• conducted over 7,900 removal response actions from 1982 through January 6, 2004;
• completed clean up construction at 890 Superfund National Priorities List Sites through
January 6, 2004;
• assessed over 45,300 potential Superfund sites through January 6, 2004;
• removed more than 33,400 sites from the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) waste site list;
• responded to or monitored 300 oil spills in a typical year;
• 699 construction projects are ongoing at over 430 sites;
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
• expanded the Waste Wise Partnership to more than 1,300 partners who recycled over 9
million tons of waste, and prevented over 400,000 tons of waste;
• enrolled 50 Coal Combustion Products Partners, who are investigating ways to increase
the use of coal combustion products (CCPs) in construction and to promote other
beneficial uses of CCPs;
• determined that an investment of $1 million in Jobs Through Recycling grants helped
businesses create more than 1,700 jobs and $290 million in capital investment;
• provided over $6.0 million to thirty-one Tribes to clean up open dumps and $3.1 million
to 47 Tribes to develop hazardous waste management programs through the Tribal Solid
Waste Interagency Workgroup;
• developed e-permitting tools to expedite and simplify the permitting process and provide
better public access to permitting information;
• financial assurance regulations reduced the number of sites that must be cleaned up
under either state or Federal authorities (such as Superfund removals) by requiring
facilities to have financial assurance for third party liability, closure, and completion of
corrective action;
• 83 percent of hazardous waste facilities have approved controls (permits) in place,
exceeding the 2005 goal of 80 percent;
• the "worst facilities first" strategy resulted in over 1,200 facilities achieving the Current
Human Exposures Under Control environmental indicator goal and over 1,000 facilities
achieving the Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Under Control environmental
indicator goal;
• secured greater than $20 billion in PRP commitments, through response and cost
recovery settlements, over the life of the Superfund program; and
• resolved potential liability of 24,700 small volume waste contributing parties through
more than 475 de minimis settlements.
Research
In FY 2005, contaminated sites research will: 1) reduce uncertainties associated with
soil/groundwater sampling and analysis; 2) reduce the time and cost associated with site
characterization and site remediation activities; and 3) develop and demonstrate more effective
and less costly remediation technologies involving complex sites and hard-to-treat wastes.
Other proposed work will enhance and accelerate current contaminated sediments research
efforts, providing the data needed to make and support crucial decisions on high impact and
high visibility sites. The Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program fosters
the development and use of lower cost and more effective characterization and monitoring
technologies, as well as risk management remediation technologies for sediments, soils, and
groundwater. In FY 2005, EPA will complete at least four SITE demonstrations, with emphasis
on non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) and sediments.
Waste management research in FY 2005 will work to advance the multimedia modeling
and uncertainty/sensitivity analyses methodologies that support core RCRA program needs as
well as emerging RCRA resource conservation needs. Waste management research will also
be conducted to improve the management of both solid and hazardous wastes.
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Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
EXTERNAL FACTORS
EPA's ability to respond as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for releases of harmful
substances in the inland zone will be affected by several external factors. The National
Response System ensures that EPA will respond when necessary, but relies heavily on the
ability of responsible parties and state, local, and Tribal agencies to respond to most
emergencies. The need for EPA to respond is a function of the quantity and severity of spills
that occur, as well as the capacity of state, local, and Tribal agencies to address spills.
EPA's ability to respond to homeland security incidents may be affected by
circumstances surrounding each event. For instance, if travel or communication is severely
impeded, EPA's response may be delayed and its efficiency compromised. Also, in the case of
a single large-scale incident, removal program resources will most likely be concentrated on that
response, thus reducing EPA's ability to address other emergency releases. In severe cases,
EPA's current emergency response workforce and resources may not be sufficient to address a
large number of simultaneous large-scale incidents.
A number of external factors could also affect the Agency's ability to achieve its
objectives for cleanup and prevention. These factors include Agency reliance on private-party
response and state and Tribal partnerships, development of new environmental technologies,
work by other Federal agencies, and statutory barriers. Achieving the release prevention
objectives and attaining FY 2005 targets will depend heavily on the participation of states that
have been authorized or approved to be the primary implementors of these programs.
Attaining EPA's waste reduction and recycling objectives will depend on the participation
of Federal agencies, states, Tribes, local governments, industries, and the general public in
partnerships aimed at reducing waste generation and increasing recycling rates. EPA provides
national leadership in the areas of waste reduction and recycling to facilitate public and private
partnerships that can provide the impetus for government, businesses, and citizens to join in the
campaign to significantly reduce the amount of waste generated and ultimately sent for
disposal. Further, both domestic and foreign economic stresses can adversely affect markets for
recovered materials.
State programs are primarily responsible for implementing the RCRA Hazardous Waste
and LIST programs. EPA's ability to achieve its goals for these programs depends on the
strength of state programs, including the level of funding contributed by states to these
programs.
The Agency's ability to achieve its goals for Superfund construction completion is
partially dependent upon the performance of cleanup activities by the Department of Defense
(DOD) and the Department of Energy (DOE). In addition to construction completion, the
Agency must rely on the efforts of DOD and DOE to establish and maintain Restoration
Advisory Boards (RABs) and Site Specific Advisory Boards (SSABs). RABs and SSABs provide
a forum for stakeholders to offer advice and recommendations on the restoration of Federal
Facilities. Program success also partly depends on private party response and State
partnerships, development of new environmental technology, work by other federal agencies,
and statutory barriers. Further, EPA also coordinates its activities with other entities, such as
PRP negotiations and agreements with states and Tribes.
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and Ecosystems
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Strategic Godl: Protect, sustain, or restore the health of people, communities, and
ecosystems using integrated and comprehensive approaches and partnerships.
Resource Summary
($ in 000)
^ */
16.7% of Budget
1 - Chemical, Organism, and Pesticide
Risks
2 - Communities
3 - Ecosystems
4 - Enhance Science and Research
Goal 4 Total
FY 2004 FY2005
President's President's
Budget Budget
$364,129
$317,573
$160,698
$420,041
$1,262,441
$383,305
$319,958
$200,845
$394,824
$1,298,932
Difference
$19,176
$2,385
$40,146
($25,217)
$36,491
Workyears
3,824
3,850
26
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
To promote healthy communities and ecosystems, EPA must bring together a variety of
programs, tools, approaches and resources. The support of a multitude of stakeholders, along
with strong partnerships with Federal, State, Tribal and local governments, are necessary to
achieve the Agency's goal of protecting, sustaining or restoring healthy communities and
ecosystems. The Agency's goal of achieving healthy communities and ecosystems will be
accomplished by focusing both on stressors to human health and the environment and the
locations at most risk from environmental problems.
A key component of this goal is protecting human health and the environment by
identifying, assessing, and reducing the potential risks presented by the thousands of chemicals
on which our society and economy have come to depend. These include the pesticides we use
to meet national and global demands for food, and the industrial and commercial chemicals
found throughout our homes, our workplaces, and the products we use.
Some pest-control methods that are used to ensure an abundant and affordable food
supply can cause unwanted environmental or health effects if not used and managed properly.
Apart from its role in agriculture, effective pest control is also essential in homes, gardens,
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
rights-of-ways, hospitals, and drinking water treatment facilities. Pesticides are an important
part of pest management in each of these settings. EPA licenses pesticides to help ensure they
can be used safely and beneficially while avoiding unintended harm to our health or
environment. EPA must also address the emerging challenges posed by a growing array of
biological organisms—naturally occurring and, increasingly, genetically engineered—that are
being used in industrial and agricultural processes.
Agriculture accounts for about 80 percent of all conventional pesticide applications.
Herbicides are the most widely used pesticides and account for the greatest expenditure and
volume, approximately $6.4 billion and 534 million pounds in 1999. Biopesticides and reduced
risk pesticides are assuming an increasingly important role. For example, safer pesticides,
which include biopesticides and reduced risk pesticides, increased in use from 3.6 percent in
1998 to 7.5 percent of total pounds reported for 2002.
Biological agents are potential weapons that could be exploited by terrorists against the
United States. EPA's pesticides antimicrobial program has been very responsive to addressing
this threat. Antimicrobials play an important role in public health and safety. EPA is conducting
comprehensive scientific assessments and developing test protocols to determine product
safety and efficacy of products used against chemical and biological weapons of mass
destruction, and registering products as necessary. EPA is also developing a timeline for
prioritizing and implementing the tests.
EPA programs under this Goal have many indirect effects that significantly augment the
stream of benefits they provide. For example, each year the Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) New Chemicals program reviews and manages the potential risks from approximately
1,800 new chemicals and 40 products of biotechnology that enter the marketplace. Since its
inception, approximately 17,000 new chemicals reviewed by the program have entered United
States commerce. This new chemical review process not only protects the public from the
possible immediate threats of harmful chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from
entering the marketplace, but it has also contributed to changing the behavior of the chemical
industry, making industry more aware and responsible for the impact these chemicals have on
human health and the environment.
Americans come into daily contact with any number of chemicals that entered the market
before the New Chemicals Program was established in 1978, yet relatively little is known about
many of their potential impacts. Getting basic hazard testing information on large volume
chemicals is one focus of EPA's work in the Existing Chemicals program. The voluntary High
Production Volume program challenges industry to develop chemical hazard data critical to
enabling EPA, State, Tribes, and the public to screen chemicals already in commerce for any
risks they may be posing. Risks of other chemicals, such as lead or PCBs are well known, and
EPA's responsibility centers on reducing exposure through proper handling or disposal.
The Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) Program was designed by EPA to
provide scientifically credible data to directly support chemical emergency planning, response,
and prevention programs mandated by Congress. Emergency workers and first responders
need to know how dangerous a chemical contaminant may be to breathe or touch, and how
long it may remain dangerous. The program develops short-term exposure limits applicable to
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
the general population for a wide range of extremely hazardous substances (approximately 400)
for purposes related to chemical terrorism and chemical accidents.
In addition to addressing human health and ecosystems and stressors such as
chemicals and pesticides, this goal also focuses on those geographic areas with human and
ecological communities at most risk. For example the Mexican Border is an area facing unique
environmental challenges. At the Mexican Border, EPA addresses local pollution and
infrastructure needs that are priorities for the Mexican and the U.S. governments under the
Border 2012 agreement.
As the population in coastal regions grows the challenges to preserve and protect these
important ecosystems increase. Through the National Estuary Program, coastal areas have
proved valuable grounds for combining innovative and community-based approaches with
national guidelines and inter-agency coordination to achieve results.
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain
forests and coral reefs. Yet the nation loses an estimated 58,000 acres per year, and existing
wetlands may be degraded by excessive sedimentation, nutrient enrichment, and other
factors.36
In 2001 the Supreme Court determined that some isolated waters and wetlands are not
regulated under the Clean Water Act. Many waters with important aquatic values may no longer
be covered by CWA Section 404 protections.
Large water bodies like the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, and the Chesapeake Bay
are surrounded by industrial and other development and have been exposed to substantial
pollution over many years at levels higher than current environmental standards permit. As a
result, the volume of pollutants in these water bodies has exceeded their natural ability to
restore balance. Working with stakeholders, EPA has established special programs to protect
and restore these unique resources by addressing the vulnerabilities for each.
EPA's continued enforcement efforts will be strengthened through the development of
measures to assess the impact of enforcement activities and assist in targeting areas that pose
the greatest risks to human health and the environment, display patterns of noncompliance, and
include disproportionately exposed populations. In addition, the EPA's enforcement program
supports Environmental Justice effort by focusing enforcement actions and criminal
investigations on industries that have repeatedly violated environmental laws in minority and/or
low-income areas.
Further, EPA's Brownfields Initiative funds pilot programs and other research efforts;
clarifies liability issues; enters into Federal, state and local partnerships; conducts outreach
activities; and creates job training and workforce development programs.
36 Dahl, I.E. 1990. Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Conterminous United States, 1986 to 1997.
Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Available online at:
http://wetlands.fws.gov/bha/SandT/SandTReport.html: Report to Congress on the Status and Trends of
Wetlands in the Conterminous United States, 1986 to 1997.
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
EPA's environmental justice program will continue education, outreach, and data
availability initiatives. The Program provides a central point for the Agency to address
environmental and human health concerns in minority and/or low-income communities-a
segment of the population that has been disproportionately exposed to environmental harms
and risks. The program will continue to manage the Agency's Environmental Justice
Community Small Grants Program that assists community-based organizations working to
develop solutions to local environmental issues.
The Agency will continue to support the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
(NEJAC) which provides the Agency significant input from interested stakeholders such as
community-based organizations, business and industry, academic institutions, state, Tribal and
local governments, non-governmental organizations and environmental groups. The Agency
will also continue to chair an Interagency Working Group (IWG) consisting of eleven
departments and agencies, as well as representatives of various White House offices, to ensure
that environmental justice concerns are incorporated into all Federal programs.
Research
EPA has a responsibility to ensure that efforts to reduce potential environmental risks
are based on the best available scientific information. Strong science allows identification of the
most important sources of risk to human health and the environment as well as the best means
to detect, abate, and avoid possible environmental problems, and thereby guides our priorities,
policies, and deployment of resources. It is critical that research and scientific assessment be
integrated with EPA's policy and regulatory activities. In order to address complex issues in the
future, the Agency will design and test fundamentally new tools and management approaches
that have potential for achieving environmental results. Under Goal 4, EPA will conduct
research in many areas, including emerging areas such as biotechnology and computational
toxicology, to help develop better understandings and characterizations of positive
environmental outcomes related to healthy communities and ecosystems.
EPA uses several noteworthy mechanisms to ensure scientific relevance, quality, and
integration as it seeks to produce sound environmental results. For example, EPA's Science
Advisor is responsible for advising the EPA Administrator on science and technology issues to
support Agency programs, policies, procedures, and decisions. Also, EPA uses its Science
Advisory Board (SAB), an independently chartered Federal Advisory Committee Act committee,
to conduct annual, in-depth reviews and analyses of EPA's Science and Technology account.
The SAB provides its findings to the House Science Committee and reports findings to EPA's
Administrator after every annual review. Under the Science to Achieve Results (STAR)
program, all research projects are selected for funding through a rigorous, competitive, and
external peer review process designed to ensure that only the highest quality efforts receive
funding support. All EPA scientific and technical work products must undergo either internal or
external peer review, with major or significant products requiring external peer review. The
Agency also uses a Peer Review Handbook (2nd Edition) which codifies procedures and
guidance for conducting quality EPA peer reviews. Taken together, these mechanisms serve to
ensure EPA's research and science remains relevant and committed to achieving superior
environmental results.
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
MEANS AND STRATEGY
In coordination with our State and Tribal co-regulators and co-implementers and with the
support of industry, environmental groups, and other stakeholders, EPA will use multiple
approaches to address risks associated with chemicals and pesticides. Improving communities'
ability to address local problems is a critical part of our efforts to reduce risk.
The Agency's strategy for reducing the risks of exposures to pesticides and industrial
chemicals is based on:
• Identifying and assessing potential risks from chemicals, pesticides, and
microorganisms;
• Setting priorities for addressing these risks;
• Developing and implementing strategies aimed at preventing risks and managing those
risks that cannot be prevented;
• Implementing regulatory measures, such as systematic review of pesticides and new
chemicals, and developing and implementing procedures for safe production, use,
storage, and handling of chemicals, pesticides, and microorganisms;
• Employing innovative voluntary measures, such as promoting the use of reduced-risk
pesticides and challenging companies to assess and reduce chemical risks and develop
safer and less polluting new chemicals, processes, and technologies; and
• Conducting outreach and training, and establishing partnerships.
Pesticides Management
EPA has the responsibility under Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA) and the Federal Food and Drug Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to set terms and conditions of
pesticide registration, marketing and use. EPA will use these authorities to reduce risk from
residues of pesticides, particularly those pesticides with the highest potential to cause harm to
human health and the environment, including those which pose particular risks to children and
other susceptible populations. All new pesticides are reviewed for registration through an
extensive review and evaluation of human health and ecosystem studies and data, applying the
most recent scientific advances in risk assessment. The Registration program includes
registration activities, such as setting tolerances, registering new active ingredients and new
uses, and handling experimental use permits and emergency exemptions.
New registration actions result in more pesticides on the market that meet the strict Food
Quality Protection Act (FQPA) pesticide risk-based standards, which brings the Agency closer to
the objective of reducing adverse risks from pesticide use. In 2005, the Agency will continue to
promote accelerated registrations for pesticides that provide improved risk reduction or risk
prevention compared to those currently on the market. Progressively replacing older, higher-
risk pesticides is one of the most effective methods for curtailing adverse impact on health and
the ecosystem while preserving food quality and production rates. EPA measures adoption of
the reduced-risk pesticides by tracking the amount of acres treated — or "acre treatments" —
using reduced risk pesticides. By 2005, an estimated 8.7 percent of total acre-treatments are
expected to use reduced-risk pesticides.
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Another priority is to review older pesticides in applying the FQPA safety standards. We
will complete pesticide reregistration eligibility decisions by 2008 (food use by 2006) and, in
tandem with that work, meet our FQPA statutory goal of reassessing 9,721 existing tolerances
by August 2006. The Strategic Agricultural Partnership Initiative and the Pesticide
Environmental Stewardship Program collaborate with USDA, States, and non-governmental
organizations to demonstrate integrated pest management strategies that reduce pesticide
residues in the environment.
Pesticide and pest control issues extend beyond the farm. Public health officials and
homeowners use pesticides to control a variety of pests, protect human health, and benefit
consumers. Through our regulatory programs, EPA reviews all pesticides with the goal of
minimizing pesticide exposure and risk. For example, as of 2002, children's exposure to
organophosphates - an older, riskier class of pesticide - was reduced by 60 percent through
the elimination of many uses in and around the house. EPA registers antimicrobials used by
public drinking water treatment facilities and by food processing plants and hospitals to disinfect
surfaces. Effective antimicrobials are of growing importance as many serious disease-causing
organisms become resistant to our antibiotic procedures. To provide environmental, public
health, and economic benefits, we will continue addressing risk from older pesticides, making
new pesticides available and addressing emergency health or pest damage issues flexibly and
efficiently.
Biotechnology has presented the Agency with a range of new issues and scientific
challenges as well. Outreach activities on the subject of biotechnology such as public meetings
and scientific peer reviews of our policies and assessments are likely to be expanded to keep
pace with changing science and the public's demand for information in this area. EPA is
working closely with other Federal agencies involved in biotechnology. Adoption of
biotechnology has great potential to reduce reliance on some older, more risky chemical
pesticides, and to lower worker risks. For example, the use of Bt cotton has reduced the use of
other insecticides that present higher risk to wildlife.
Toxic Chemicals
Three primary approaches comprise EPA's strategy to prevent and reduce risks that
may be posed by chemicals and microrganisms:
• Preventing the introduction into U.S. commerce of chemicals and organisms that pose
unreasonable risks;
• Effectively screening the stock of chemicals already in use for potential risk; and
• Developing and implementing action plans to reduce use of and exposure to chemicals
that have been demonstrated to harm humans and the environment.
EPA intends to work with States and Tribes, other Federal agencies, the private sector,
and international entities to implement this strategy and, in particular, to make protecting
children and the aging population a fundamental goal of public health and environmental
protection.
TSCA requires that EPA review all new chemicals and organisms prior to their
production or import and be notified of significant new uses for certain chemicals that have
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
already been reviewed.37 While TSCA gives EPA a 90-day review period, new criteria, such as
preventing the introduction of persistent bioaccumulative toxics (PBTs) or considering the use of
new chemicals as potential weapons of terror, continue to emerge. An expanded set of
screening tools will increase EPA's and industry's efficiency by using the limited data that
companies provide in their Pre-manufacturing Notice (PMN) submissions to predict potential
hazards, exposures, and risks quickly and effectively.
In 2005, EPA will continue to make progress in screening, assessing, and reducing risks
posed by the 66,600 chemicals that were in use prior to the enactment of TSCA. Thousands of
these chemicals are still used today, and nearly 3,000 of them are "high production volume"
(HPV) chemicals, produced or imported in quantities exceeding one million pounds per year.
Approximately 300 companies and 100 consortia are voluntarily providing data covering over
2,200 of the more than 2,800 chemicals included in the HPV Challenge Program.38 EPA will
make the data publicly available and screen for potential hazards and risks. We will then
identify and set priorities for further assessment, and determine the need to take action to
eliminate or effectively manage the risks identified. To support these efforts, we will draw on
data already obtained through the TSCA Inventory Update Rule39, particularly on new exposure-
related data to be provided beginning in 2005.
In certain instances, risk-reduction efforts are targeted at specific chemicals. Foremost
among these is the Federal government's commitment to eliminate the incidence of childhood
lead poisoning. Since 1973, we have reduced environmental lead levels by phasing out leaded
gasoline and addressing other sources of lead exposure. Since the 1990's, EPA has focused
on reducing children's exposure to lead in paint and dust through a regulatory framework and by
educating parents and the medical community about prevention.40 EPA's efforts, combined with
those of other Federal agencies, has led to a 50 percent drop in the number of children in the
U.S. that have elevated blood levels, to approximately 400,000 children.
EPA is employing a multimedia, cross-Agency strategy to focus on other high-risk
chemicals and classes of chemicals. For example, we are working to prevent new PBTs from
entering commerce and to reduce risks associated with PBTs, including mercury, that are
currently in use or that have been used in the past. In addition, recommendations will be
provided to EPA in 2004 from a panel of national experts on asbestos that will assist the Agency
in designing strategies to address remaining asbestos risks. We will expand successful pilots to
encourage companies to retire from service large capacitors and transformers containing PCBs
to meet ambitious new targets for safe disposal by 2008.
37 Toxic Substances Control Act Section 5: Manufacturing and Processing Notices, Public Law 94-469, October 11,
1976
38 U.S. EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, High Production Volume Challenge Program, HPV
Commitment Tracking System. Available at http://www.epa.qov/chemrtk/viewsrch.htm.
39 U.S. EPA website, www.epa.gov/opptintr/iur: Title 40 CFR Part 710, Subpart A
40 See www.epa.gov/lead
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
U.S. /Mexican Border
To reduce environmental and human health risks along the U.S./Mexico Border, EPA
employs both voluntary and regulatory measures. Efforts include a series of workgroups that
focus on priority issues ranging from water infrastructure and hazardous waste to outreach
efforts focusing on communities and businesses in the border area. The programs were initially
conceived in a Federal-to-Federal context. Today, it is clear that in both countries, non-Federal
governments are the appropriate entities for developing and carrying out much of the work of
protecting the border environment. The experience of the last six years has shown U.S. border
states as key participants in workgroup activities with similar experience on the Mexico side.
In the past year, all border states have stressed the need for greater decentralization of
environmental authority, and in FY 1999, states and the Federal governments agreed to a set of
principles that clarify the roles of the governments and advance State and Tribal participation.
Under a new environmental plan developed with SEMARNAP (EPA's Mexican counterpart),
completed in April 2003, the States and Tribes will play a more substantial and meaningful role
in:
• determining how Federal border programs are developed and funded;
• developing regional workgroups that empower border citizens; and
• ensuring that programs devolve from Mexico's Federal government to the Mexican
states, with corresponding funding.
Ecosystems
EPA will work with Federal, state, Tribal, local, and private sector partners to achieve our
ecosystem objectives. Through continuing emphasis on partnerships and innovation, we will
protect and restore coastal water quality through the National Estuary Program and related
coastal watershed support. In coordination with the Corps of Engineers, EPA will improve the
CWA Section 404 program to achieve no net loss of wetlands by avoiding, minimizing and
compensating for losses. With an emphasis on community-based restoration, EPA will
contribute to the goal of no net loss of wetlands.
Great Lakes Strategy 2002, developed by EPA and Federal, state, and Tribal agencies
in consultation with the public, advances U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
implementation. Its long-range vision for a healthy natural environment where all beaches are
open for swimming, all fish are safe to eat, and the Lakes are protected as a safe source of
drinking water, is supported by Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) and Remedial Action
Plans (RAPs) for Areas of Concern (AOCs).
Work in the Chesapeake Bay is based on a unique regional partnership formed to direct
and conduct restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Partners include Maryland, Virginia and
Pennsylvania; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission; EPA; and
participating citizen advisory groups. A comprehensive and far-reaching agreement,
Chesapeake 2000, will guide restoration and protection efforts through 2010. The agreement
focuses on improving water quality as the most critical element in the overall protection and
restoration of the Bay and its tributaries.
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
EPA's efforts in the Gulf of Mexico represent a broad, multi-organizational partnership
based on the participation of business and industry, agriculture, local government, citizens,
environmental and fishery interests, Federal agencies, and five Gulf States. The partners
voluntarily identify key environmental problems and work at the regional, state, and local level to
define and recommend solutions.
Brownfields
Brownfields are defined as real properties, where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse
may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant,
or contaminant. Brownfields include abandoned industrial and commercial properties, drug
labs, mine-scarred land, and sites contaminated with petroleum or petroleum products. The
Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (SBLRBRA), signed into law in
2002, expands Federal grants for assessment, cleanup, and job training. To encourage
revitalization and reuse of brownfield sites, the law limits the legal liability of prospective
purchasers, innocent land holders, and contiguous property owners related to brownfield
properties. In addition, the law provides for establishing and enhancing state and Tribal
response programs, which play a critical role in successfully cleaning up and revitalizing
brownfields.
Brownfields grants will continue to provide communities with vital assessment, cleanup,
revolving-loan fund, and job-training support. Brownfields assessment grants provide funding to
inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement activities
related to brownfields. Brownfields revolving-loan fund grants provide funding for a grantee to
capitalize a revolving loan and make subgrants to carry out cleanup activities. Cleanup grants,
newly authorized by the Brownfields Law, will fund cleanup activities by grant recipients.
Expanded authorities within the new law also address the potential for limited funding for
institutional controls, insurance, and health monitoring. EPA will provide limited funding for
grants that provide technical assistance, training, and research to Brownfields communities.
EPA will also provide funding to create local environmental job training programs, ensuring that
the economic benefits derived from Brownfields revitalization efforts remain in the community.
EPA will continue to work in partnership with state cleanup programs to address
brownfield properties. The Agency will provide states and Tribes with tools, information, and
funding they can use to develop response programs that will address environmental
assessment cleanup, characterization, and redevelopment needs at sites contaminated with
hazardous wastes and petroleum. The Agency will continue to encourage the empowerment of
state, Tribal, and local environmental and economic development officials to oversee brownfield
activities and the implementation of local solutions to local problems.
Research
EPA is continuing to ensure that it is a source of strong scientific and technical
information, and that it is on the leading edge of environmental protection innovations that will
allow achievement of its strategic objectives. The Agency consults a number of expert sources,
both internally and externally, and uses several deliberative steps in planning its research
programs. As a starting point, the Agency draws input from multi-year plans, EPA's Strategic
Plan, available research plans, EPA program offices and Regions, Federal research partners,
and peer advisory bodies such as the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and others. Agency
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
teams prioritize research areas by examining risk and other factors such as National Science
and Technology Council (NSTC) research, client office priorities, court orders, and legislative
mandates. EPA's research program will increase understanding of environmental processes
and capabilities to assess environmental risks to both human health and ecosystems.
To enable the Agency to enhance science and research for healthy people,
communities, and ecosystems through 2008, EPA will engage in high priority, multidisciplinary
research efforts to improve understanding of the risks associated with: 1) human health and
ecosystems; 2) climate change; 3) pesticides and toxics; 4) computational toxicology; 5)
endocrine disrupters; 6) mercury, and 7) homeland security. Following is a summary of the
means and strategies to meet the Agency's long-term objectives in these areas.
EPA's human health research represents the Agency's only comprehensive program to
address the limitations in human health risk assessment. Scientists across the Agency will use
the measurement-derived databases, models, and protocols developed through this research
program to strengthen the scientific foundation for human health risk assessment. In addition,
global change, loss and destruction of habitat due to sprawl and exploitation of natural
resources, invasive species, non-point source pollution, and the accumulation and interaction of
these effects present emerging ecological challenges. EPA will conduct research to strengthen
its ability to assess and compare risks to ecosystems, protect and restore them, and track
progress toward optimal ecological outcomes.
EPA designs its Climate Change research program in collaboration with the other
agencies participating in the Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). This research focuses
on assessing potential direct and indirect effects of climate change on human health, air quality,
water quality, and aquatic ecosystems; identifying and quantifying the uncertainties associated
with those effects; and comparing potential climate change effects with effects caused by other
stressors.
Research under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) builds on earlier research to
reduce scientific uncertainty in risk assessment. This research will provide data needed to
develop refined aggregate and cumulative risk assessments, develop the appropriate safety
factors to protect children and other sensitive populations, refine risk assessments, and provide
risk mitigation technologies. By 2008, EPA will provide scientific tools that can be used to
characterize, assess, and manage risks associated with the implementation of FQPA.
The Agency will conduct additional research on pesticides and toxics that support the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA), designed to enhance the Agency's human health and ecological risk assessment
and risk management capabilities. Efforts will include the development of predictive tools used
in testing requirements, research on probabilistic risk assessment methods, biotechnology, and
other areas of high interest and utility to the Agency.
To enhance the scientific basis and diagnostic/predictive capabilities of existing and
proposed chemical testing programs, EPA's Computational Toxicology (CT) Research Program
will use in vitro or other approaches such as molecular profiling, bioinformatics, and quantitative
structure-activity relationships. These alternative approaches, in conjunction with highly
sophisticated computer-based models and research results, will greatly reduce the use of
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
animal testing to obtain chemical toxicity information. To support our regulatory mandates,
endocrine disrupters research will focus on improving EPA's scientific understanding of
exposures to, effects of, and management of endocrine-disruptor chemicals. Research in direct
support of EPA's screening and testing programs will evaluate current testing protocols and
develop new protocols to evaluate potential endocrine effects of environmental agents. The
Agency will also conduct research to determine impacts that endocrine-disrupting chemicals
may have on humans, wildlife, and the environment.
A 1997 EPA Mercury Study Report to Congress discussed the magnitude of mercury
emissions in the United States and concluded that a plausible link exists between human
activities that release mercury from industrial and combustion sources in the United States and
methylmercury concentrations in humans and wildlife. The Agency will conduct risk
management research for managing emissions from coal-fired utilities (critical information for
rule-making) and non-combustion sources of mercury; on the fate and transport of mercury in
the atmosphere; for assessing methylmercury in human populations; and for developing risk
communication methods and tools.
EPA's Homeland Security research program will expand knowledge of potential threats,
as well as its response capabilities, by assembling and evaluating private sector tools and
capabilities. Preferred response approaches will be identified, promoted, and evaluated for
potential future use by first responders, decision makers, and the public. The Agency will be
working closely with other federal and outside organizations to fill gaps in this critical research
area. EPA's research will focus on preparedness, risk assessment, detection, containment,
decontamination and disposal of chemical and biological attacks water systems.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND FY2005 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS
Chemical, Organism, and Pesticide Risks
* Ensure new pesticide registration actions (including new active ingredients and new
uses) meet new health standards and are environmentally safe.
* Increase percentage of acre treatments that will use reduced-risk pesticides.
• Decrease occurrence of residues of carcinogenic and cholinesterase-inhibiting neuortic
pesticides on foods eaten by children from their 1994 to 1996 average.
• Ensure that through ongoing data reviews, pesticide active ingredients, and products
that contain them, are reviewed to assure adequate protection for human health and the
environment, taking into consideration exposure such as subsistance lifestyles of the
Native Americans.
• Standardize and validate screening assays.
• Reduce from 1995 levels the number of incidents involving mortalities to nontargeted
terrestial and aquatic wildlife caused by pesticides.
• Reduce exposure to and health effects from priority industrial and commercial
chemicals.
• Identify, restrict, and reduce risks associated with industrial and commercial chemicals.
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Ecosystems
• Support wetlands and stream corridor restoration and management and
assessment/monitoring of overall wetland health.
• Support projects with the goal of creating, restoring or protecting 2400 acres of important
coastal and marine habitats per year in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Assist the Gulf States in implementing watershed restoration actions in priority impaired
coastal river and estuary segments.
• Improve Great Lakes ecosystem components, including progress on fish contaminants,
beach closures, air toxics and trophic status.
• Improve the aquatic health of the Chesapeake Bay.
• By 2005, working with partners, achieve no net loss of wetlands.
Community Health
• Empower states, Tribes, local communities and other stakeholders in economic
redevelopment to work together to prevent, assess, safely cleanup, and reuse
Brownfields.
• Through December 2003, the Brownfields program has awarded 552 Brownfields
assessment grants, over 171 Brownfields revolving loan funds and 50 cleanup grants,
and 66 job training grants.
• Assess 1,000 Brownfields properties,
• Clean up 60 properties using Brownfields funding,
• Leverage $1.0 billion in cleanup/redevelopment funding,
• Leverage 5,000 jobs.
• Train 200 participants, placing 65 percent in jobs.
Science and Research
• Establish and maintain Centers of Applied Science to provide technical assistance and
coordination of applied research activities addressing the latest needs of stakeholders.
• Provide high quality exposure, effects and assessment research results that support the
August 2006 reassessment of current-use pesticide tolerances, so that, by 2008, EPA
will be able to characterize key factors influencing children's and other subpopulations'
risks from pesticide exposure.
• By 2005, provide risk assessors and managers with methods and tools for measuring
exposure and effects in children.
• By 2005, provide technical guidance for implementing and evaluating projects to restore
riparian zones, so that, by 2010, watershed manages have state-of-the-science field
evaluation tools, technical guidance and decision-support systems.
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Through 2005, initiate or submit to external review 28 human health assessments and
complete 12 human health assessments through the Integrated Risk Information System
(IRIS).
HIGHLIGHTS
Chemical, Organism and Pesticide Risks
Pesticide Registration: In 2005, the Agency will continue its efforts to decrease the
risk to the public from pesticide use through the regulatory review of new pesticides.
EPA expedites the registration of reduced risk pesticides, which are generally presumed
to pose lower risks to consumers, workers, the ozone layer, groundwater, and wildlife.
These accelerated pesticide reviews provide an incentive for industry to develop,
register, and use lower risk pesticides. Additionally, the availability of these reduced risk
pesticides provides alternatives to older, potentially more harmful products currently on
the market.
Biological agents are potential weapons that could be exploited by terrorists
against the United States. EPA's pesticides antimicrobial program is working to help
address this threat. Antimicrobials play an important role in public health and safety.
EPA is conducting comprehensive scientific assessments and developing test protocols
to determine the safety and efficacy of products used against chemical and biological
weapons of mass destruction, and registering products as necessary. EPA is also
developing a timeline for prioritizing and implementing the tests.
Tolerance Reassessment and Reregistration: The 1996 Food Quality Protection Act
requires the reassessment of existing pesticide tolerances by 2006. A tolerance is the
amount of pesticide residue that may legally remain on a food. Pesticide reregistration is
a statutory requirement under the 1988 amendments to FIFRA. Under the law, all
pesticides registered prior to November 1984 must be reviewed to ensure that they meet
current health and safety standards. Many pesticides must be reviewed under both
statutes. Additional program requirements and priorities within FQPA include:
• Review of inert ingredients;
• Reform of the antimicrobial review process;
• Transparency of our regulatory decisions;
• Incorporation of aggregate and cumulative risk into our reviews;
• Special protection for infants and children;
• Screening of pesticides for endocrine disrupting effects;
* Enhancements to minor use program; and
• Emphasis on registration of reduced risk pesticides
In the Pesticides program, the main focus, our primary goal, and our largest
public commitment is to meet the final statutory goal for completing tolerance
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
reassessment by August 3, 2006. Additional resources of $4,400,000 are requested in
this program to complete food use re registration work necessary for the Agency to
complete tolerance reassessments by 2006 as required by FQPA. These resources will
support completion of conventional pesticides, inerts, biopesticides and antimicrobial
reviews. The reviews can take several years to complete, therefore FY 2005 is the last
opportunity to ensure the Agency has the resources to meet the 2006 FQPA deadline.
In FY 2005, the Agency will continue its review of older pesticides and move
forward toward its ten-year statutory deadline of reassessing all 9,721 tolerances. EPA
met its first two statutory deadlines under FQPA for tolerance reassessment. The
tolerance reassessment process addresses the highest-risk pesticides first. Using data
surveys conducted by USDA, FDA and other sources, EPA has identified a group of "top
20" foods consumed by children and matched those with the tolerance reassessments
required for pesticides used on those foods. The Agency is tracking its progress in
determining appropriate tolerances for these pesticides under the FQPA standards. In
2005, EPA will continue its effort to reduce dietary risks to children by completing
approximately 93 percent (cumulative) of these children's tolerances of special concern.
Through the Reregistration program, EPA reviews pesticides currently on the
market to ensure they meet the latest health standards. Pesticides not in compliance
with the standards will be eliminated or restricted in order to minimize potentially harmful
exposure. FQPA added considerably more complexity to the pesticide reregistration
process, lengthening the "front end" of reregistration. These requirements include
considering aggregate and cumulative risk in our risk assessments, implementing new
processes to increase involvement of pesticide users and other stakeholders, and
ensuring a reasonable opportunity for agriculture to make the transition to new, safer
pest control tools and practices.
In 2005, EPA will work toward completing 40 Reregistration Decisions41, 400
product reregistrations and 1000 tolerance reassessments. The Agency will also
continue to develop tools to screen pesticides for their potential to disrupt the endocrine
system. Over the longer run, these changes will enhance protection of human health
and the environment.
Appropriate transition strategies to reduced risk pesticides are important to the
nation to avoid disruption of the food supply or sudden changes in the market that could
result from abruptly terminating the use of a pesticide before well-targeted reduced risk
equivalents can be identified and made available. In FY 2005, the Agency will continue
efforts to reach more farmers and grower groups, encourage them to adopt safer
pesticides, and use environmental stewardship and integrated pest management
practices. These outreach efforts play pivotal roles in moving the nation to the use of
safe pest control methods, including reduced risk pesticides. These programs promote
risk reduction through collaborative efforts with stakeholders to use safer alternatives to
traditional chemical methods of pest control.
41 Reregistration Decisions include Reregistration Eligibility Decisions [REDs], Tolerance Reregistration
Eligibility Decisions [TREDs] and Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decisions [IREDs]).
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Endangered Species: Also in FY 2005, the Agency is requesting additional resources
of $1,000,000 for the Endangered Species program. The Agency has been working with
the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to improve the
review process on the potential impact of pesticides on endangered species. Efforts
include elevating the level of detail of specificity in risk assessments to more realistically
predict risks to endangered species populations; developing a compendium of species
biology, food and habitat requirements, listing specification and recovery efforts;
ensuring implementation of applicable label provisions; and supporting State and Tribal
entities in protecting endangered species. This funding will be used mainly by the
states for assisting in the implementation of these improvements.
Endocrine Disruptors: EPA's Endocrine Disrupters Screening Program (EDSP) was
established in response to an FQPA requirement, and to growing concerns in the
scientific community about observed adverse effects in wildlife and their potential
relationship to human effects. The program's primary objectives are to establish
validated assays and scientifically-supported tools for testing chemicals for possible
adverse effects to the endocrine system. FQPA requires that Avalidated@ assays be
used in the Screening Program, but at passage in 1996, available endocrine effects test
methods were principally experimental and none had been validated. EPA has spent
the past several years standardizing a defined set of assays and establishing their
relevance and reliability. The long-term outcomes of the EDSP will be a baseline
estimate of the degree of endocrine disruption occurring from environmental chemicals,
and a way to measure the risk.
High Production Volume Challenge Program: EPA's High Production Volume (HPV)
Challenge Program, established in cooperation with industry, environmental groups, and
other interested parties, works to ensure that critical human health and environmental
effects data on approximately 2,800 HPV chemicals are screened and made publicly
available. HPV chemicals are defined as industrial chemicals that are manufactured or
imported into the United States in volumes of one million pounds or more each year.
Through this program, EPA asks industry to voluntarily sponsor HPV chemicals for
screening-level testing. Hazard test information on large volume chemicals is now more
visible through the HPV website42, giving states, regions, and Tribes accessibility and
the ability to share critical data and information. EPA's screening efforts should be well
under way by FY 2005 and are expected to result in follow up actions on five to ten
percent of the chemicals screened.
Lead Poisoning Prevention Activities: EPA is part of the Federal effort to address
lead poisoning and elevated blood levels in children by assisting in, and in some cases
guiding, Federal activities aimed at reducing the exposure of children in homes with
lead-based paint. In 2005, EPA plans to proceed with a proposed rule on the de-leading
of bridges and structures. Also, because much of the remaining incidence of lead
poisoning occurs in low-income, urban areas, new public education initiatives will focus
on these populations. EPA also plans to step up efforts with the private sector to
42 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. "High Production
Volume (HPV) Challenge Program." Available online at: http://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/volchall.htm.
Washington, DC. Accessed September 9, 2003.
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increase knowledge and ability to work in a lead-safe manner as a normal part of doing
business, and plans to ensure that special attention is paid to private sector (non-profit
and for-profit) organizations working in high-impact areas.
Risk Management Plans: Reducing chemical accidents is vital to ensure that
communities are not exposed to hazardous materials. The Agency continues its efforts
to help states and Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) implement the risk
management plan (RMP) program. In FY 2002, 398 RMP audits were conducted and
the Agency continues to make steady progress in this area. In FY 2005, EPA will
provide technical assistance grants, technical support, outreach, and training to state
and LEPCs. Through these activities, states, local communities and individuals will be
better prepared to prevent and prepare for chemical accidents.
Community Health
Brownfields: The Brownfields program is designed to empower states, Tribes, local
communities and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together to
prevent, assess, safely cleanup, and reuse Brownfields. Through December 2003, the
Brownfields program has awarded 552 Brownfields assessment grants, over 171
Brownfields revolving loan funds and 50 cleanup grants, and 66 job training grants. In
FY 2005, working with its state, Tribal, and local partners to meet its objective to sustain,
cleanup, and restore communities and the ecological systems that support them, EPA
intends to assess 1,000 Brownfields properties, clean up 60 properties using Brownfields
funding, leverage $1.0 billion in cleanup/redevelopment funding, leverage 5,000 jobs,
and train 200 participants, placing 65 percent in jobs.
Ecosystems
National Estuary Program: EPA will continue to support protection and restoration
efforts in high-priority ecosystems, including those covered by the National Estuary
Program (NEP). Key NEP activities will include continued support for assessing status
and trends, and implementation activities to restore and protect critical habitat.
State and Tribal Grants: EPA will continue its grants to states and Tribes to help
them protect wetlands made vulnerable by the SWANCC ruling as part of
comprehensive programs that will achieve no net loss of wetlands, while also providing
grant funding for states and Tribes to assume more decision-making authority in waters
that remain subject to the CWA.
Watersheds: Targeted geographic watershed initiatives are an important component of
community-based environmental protection and restoration. In the Great Lakes, EPA
will target additional resources to clean up contaminated sediments and strive to reduce
PCB concentrations in lake trout and walleye. The emphasis in the Chesapeake Bay will
be the restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). To achieve improved water
quality and restore submerged aquatic vegetation, Chesapeake Bay partners have
committed to reducing nutrient and sediment pollution loads sufficiently to remove the
Bay and the tidal portions of its tributaries from the list of impaired waters. Continued
implementation of core water programs and efforts to address the hypoxic zone will help
to restore the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and its tributaries.
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Research for Human Health and Ecosystems
In order to improve the scientific basis for identifying, characterizing, assessing, and
managing environmental exposures that can pose the greatest health risks to the American
public, EPA is committed to developing and verifying innovative methods and models for
assessing the susceptibilities of sub-populations, such as children and the elderly, to
environmental toxins. Since many of the current human health risk assessment methods,
models, and databases are based on environmental risks for adults, this research is primarily
aimed at enhancing current risk assessment and management strategies and guidance to better
consider risk determination needs for children.
In FY 2005, research will identify modes of action by which specific groups of
chemicals/pesticides increase cancer or non-cancer health risks as a function of life stage,
develop the necessary tools and models to characterize and conduct field studies on exposures
to high-priority environmental chemicals in the elderly, and examine effects of pre-existing
respiratory disease (e.g., asthma, bronchitis) on response to air pollutants.
EPA will continue to generate exposure measurement and exposure factor data and
establish methods to support the development, evaluation, and enhancement of models of
aggregate exposures, dose, and effects. This research seeks to understand the key
determinants of exposure and risk, improve exposure measurement techniques, and develop
critical data on exposure and exposure factors. The results will be used to fill data gaps and
reduce reliance on numerous default assumptions that are currently used in the risk assessment
process, which will strengthen the scientific foundation for human health risk assessment.
Additional research will provide regulatory decision-makers with models and guidance
that will be used for conducting assessments for cumulative exposure and risks to pollutants
that pose the greatest health risks to the American public. Activities for FY 2005 and beyond
include: 1) developing and refining physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for
using exposure, biomarker, and PK data in risk assessments; 2) examining promising new
biomarkers of exposure and effects that can be used in future exposure and epidemiological
studies, such as the National Children's Study (NCS); and 3) sponsoring research that will
provide a framework for structuring evaluations of the toxicity of complex chemical mixtures for
use in human and environmental health assessments.
In order to balance the growth of human activity with the need to protect the
environment, it is important to understand the current condition of ecosystems, what stressors
are changing that condition, what the effects may be from those changes, and what can be
done to prevent, mitigate, or adapt to those changes. In FY 2005, the Environmental Monitoring
and Assessment Program (EMAP) will continue to be a major contributor to EPA's
environmental indicators report and will be instrumental in improving state contributions to the
Agency's bi-annual report to Congress on the condition of the Nation's waters. Baseline
ecological condition of Western streams will be determined so that, by 2008, a monitoring
framework is available for streams and small rivers in the Western U.S. that can be used from
the local to the national level for statistical assessments of condition and change to ecological
resources.
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Research will also provide technical guidance for implementing and evaluating projects
to restore riparian zones, which are critical landscape components for the restoration of aquatic
ecosystems and water quality. Research will include: (1) development, demonstration and
technical support for monitoring designs, indicators, and interpretive analysis tools to allow
States and Tribes to monitor and report the condition of water resources; (2) development of
approaches to identify and test the linkages between probability-based and targeted water
quality monitoring programs, landscape characteristics and the probability of water body
impairment; (3) development of monitoring methods and decision support systems to improve
our ability to identify probable causes of ecological impairment in streams; and (4) development
of monitoring approaches to evaluate the effectiveness of programs to manage and restore
aquatic resources in reaching performance objectives at site, regional, state and national
scales.
The Agency will continue research to assess the impacts of invasive species on U.S.
ecosystems, including monitoring for invasive species as part of the Western EMAP program
and the National Coastal Assessment, modeling zebra mussel influence on nutrients in Great
Lakes Ecosystems, and developing a model for predicting where certain species will invade
next.
Research efforts in FY 2005 will continue to build on the Agency's FY 2004 Clear Skies
Research Initiative to identify where emerging control technologies and continuous
measurement of mercury combustion sources can facilitate or optimize mercury emissions
reduction. This research will also give support to the recent Utility Mercury Reductions proposal
signed by Administrator Leavitt on December 15, 2003.
EPA will increase efforts to implement information quality guidelines. While the Agency
has extensive procedures in place to ensure that the information it disseminates meets high
standards, further actions will be taken to ensure that such information is current and fully
complies with the guidelines. In FY 2005, the Agency will establish an extramural mechanism to
assist Regions in identifying external peer reviewers and securing their advice and assistance.
Climate Change Research
EPA's Climate Change Research Program supports one of six Administration FY 2005
Interagency Research and Development Priorities - Climate Change Science and Technology.
All activities to assess potential impacts of global climate change will be developed and
coordinated with the Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). Attention is expected to be
given to assessing the potential consequences of global change - including climate variability
and change, land use changes, and UV radiation - on air quality, water quality, ecosystem
health, and human health. The Agency will also assess potential adaptation strategies for
building resilience to global change, while responding to both potential risks and opportunities.
Research for Pesticides and Toxics
EPA is continuing to build on research launched under the FY 2003 Biotechnology
Initiative focusing on plant-incorporated protectants (PIP) crops. In FY 2005, the Agency will
deliver a final report outlining the state-of-the-art in tools for monitoring resistance development
in the field and the use of target pest ecology to refine Insect Resistance Management
strategies, as they are determined in risk assessment practice. This report will focus on data
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
gaps in pest biology, ecology, and population dynamics related to insect resistance
development. The report will also lend insight into the development of appropriate tools to
identify and measure resistance in field populations of target pests.
Research for Computational Toxicology
EPA's Computational Toxicology research program supports the Molecular-level
Understanding of Life Processes activity, one of the Administration's six FY 2005 Interagency
Research and Development Priorities, by employing the use of genomic information and
modern computational techniques to enable better management of chemicals that may be
present in the environment. In FY 2005, EPA will invest additional resources in computational
toxicology (CT) research - 4.0 FTE and $4,080,093. The FY 2005 CT investment will build
upon the current program by accelerating the use of bioinformatics and other computational
approaches and apply the program to address other high priority regulatory issues, including the
assessment of important classes of environmental agents. In FY 2005, the Agency will begin to
develop computational models that could be used to help prioritize anti-microbial agents and
inerts for screening and testing requirements.
Fellowships
The STAR fellowship program is the only Federal fellowship program designed
exclusively for students pursuing advanced degrees in the environmental sciences and
engineering. In FY 2005, the Agency will invest additional resources to support STAR graduate
fellowships. This additional investment will extend the purpose of developing high quality
scientists across multiple disciplines, including the biological and physical sciences,
mathematics, computer sciences, and engineering that will benefit EPA, the private sector, and
the entire Nation.
In FY 2005, EPA will also invest additional resources to support Association of Schools
of Public Health (ASPH) fellowships. This investment will further extend the important
contribution to public health issues that ASPH fellows provide within EPA, thereby helping EPA
to better design its programs for human health outcomes. Under a cooperative agreement with
the ASPH, eligible fellows are placed in EPA labs, centers, and offices to conduct projects that
contribute to EPA's public health mission.
Research for Homeland Security
EPA's Homeland Security research program will continue to conduct critical cross-cutting
research to provide near-term, appropriate, affordable, reliable, tested, and effective
technologies and guidance. Work will focus on preparedness, risk assessment, detection,
containment, decontamination, and disposal of chemical and biological agents used in attacks
on water systems. New work will be initiated in the decontamination and clean up of biological
agents.
EXTERNAL FACTORS
The ability of the Agency to achieve its strategic goals and objectives depends on
several factors over which the Agency has only partial control or influence. Partnerships,
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
voluntary cooperation, international collaboration, industry, economic influences, industrial
accidents, natural disasters, litigation, and legislation play critical roles, affecting the Agency's
results. Changes in the focus, level of effort, or status of any of these components could affect
the success of the Agency's programs under Goal 4. Consequently, EPA must consider these
factors as it establishes annual performance measures and targets.
EPA assures the safe use of pesticides in coordination with the USDA and FDA, who
have responsibility to monitor and control residues and other environmental exposures. EPA
also works with these agencies to coordinate with other countries and international
organizations with which the United States shares environmental goals. The Agency employs a
number of mechanisms and programs to assure that our partners in environmental protection
will have the capacity to conduct the activities needed to achieve the objectives. However, as
noted, EPA often has limited control over these entities. Much of the success of EPA programs
depends on the voluntary cooperation of the private sector and the public.
Other factors that may delay or prevent the Agency's achievement of the objectives
include lawsuits that delay or stop the planned activities of EPA and/or State partners, new or
amended legislation, and new commitments within the Administration. Economic growth and
changes in producer and consumer behavior could also have an influence on the Agency's
ability to achieve the objectives within the time frame specified.
Large-scale accidental releases, such as pesticide spills, or rare catastrophic natural
events (such as hurricanes or large-scale flooding) could impact EPA's ability to achieve
objectives in the short term. In the longer term, new technology, newly identified environmental
problems and priorities, or unanticipated complexity or magnitude of pesticide-related problems
may affect the time frame for achieving the objectives or long-term goals. For example,
pesticide use is affected by unanticipated outbreaks of pest infestations and/or disease factors,
which require EPA to review emergency uses in order to preclude unreasonable risks to the
environment. While the Agency can provide incentives for the submission of registration actions
such as reduced risk and minor uses, EPA does not control incoming requests for registration
actions. As a result, the Agency's projection of regulatory workload is subject to change.
Progress in reducing risks is often highly dependent on industry's response to EPA
assistance and initiatives. EPA has little direct control over the pace and volume at which
industry develops new chemicals or pesticides; we primarily concentrate on providing industry
with tools, such as the PBT Profiler and Pollution Prevention Framework, or incentives, such as
the priority review of reduced-risk pesticides, to help screen out high-risk chemicals before they
are submitted for EPA review. These tools and incentives have been shown to be effective in
gaining cooperation from industry and meeting our long-term and annual goals. In addition,
voluntary programs, such as the HPV Challenge Program, operate exclusively on the basis of
industry commitments for participation. Industry's response to such initiatives affects the
Agency's ability to achieve effective new chemical screening efficiently.
Research
Strong science is predicated on the desire of the Agency to make human health and
environmental decisions based on high-quality scientific data and information. This challenges
the Agency to perform and apply the best available science and technical analyses when
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Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
addressing health and environmental problems. Such a challenge moves the Agency to a more
integrated, efficient, and effective approach of reducing potential risks. As long as high quality
science is a central tenant for actions taken by the Agency, then external factors will have a
minimal impact on the goal.
EFFICIENCY MEASURES
In addition to the newly established efficiency measures, the Office of Pesticide
Programs is creating a measures workplan to identify and plan for the development of risk-
based outcome measures and indicators for both human health and the environment. The data
and information for meaningful pesticides measures require coordination and cooperation with
other organizations. The workplan will identify these partnerships and lay out the necessary
steps for developing outcome measures and indicators for program goals.
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Goal 5: Compliance and
Environmental
Stewardship
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Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
Strategic Goal: Improve environmental performance through compliance with
environmental requirements, preventing pollution, and promoting environmental stewardship.
Protect human health and the environment by encouraging innovation and providing incentives
for governments, businesses, and the public that promote environmental stewardship.
Resource Summary
($ in 000)
\ ^
9.7% of Budget
1 - Improve Compliance
2 - Improve Environmental
Performance through Pollution
Prevention and Innovation
3 - Build Tribal Capacity
4 - Enhance Science and Research
Goal 5 Total
FY 2004 FY2005
President's President's
Budget Request
$418,998
$137,969
$78,759
$77,182
$712,908
$431 ,695
$169,802
$78,931
$70,129
$750,557
Difference
$12,697
$31,833
$172
($7,053)
$37,649
Workyears
3,489
3,547
58
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The underlying principles of the activities within Goal 5 are to improve environmental
performance through compliance with environmental requirements, preventing pollution, and
promoting environmental stewardship. Working in partnership with State and Tribal
governments, local communities and other Federal agencies, EPA identifies and addresses
significant environmental and public health problems, strategically deploys its resources, and
makes use of integrated approaches to achieve strong environmental outcomes.
Enforcement and Compliance
The Agency is committed to implementing a "smart enforcement" approach to EPA's
mission of identifying, preventing, and reducing potential environmental risks and
noncompliance and promoting greater voluntary environmental stewardship. This approach
uses the most appropriate enforcement or compliance tool to address the most significant
problems to achieve the best outcomes.
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Smart enforcement embodies an integrated, common-sense approach to problem-
solving and decision-making. Simply put, smart enforcement is the use of an appropriate mix of
data collection and analysis; compliance monitoring, assistance and incentives; civil and
criminal enforcement resources; and innovative problem-solving approaches; to address
significant environmental issues and achieve environmentally beneficial outcomes. This
approach requires that the Agency develop and maintain strong and flexible partnerships with
regulated entities and a well-informed public, in order to foster a climate of empowerment, and a
shared responsibility for the quality of our nation's land, resources and communities.
Pollution Prevention and Innovation
While enforcement presents one tool for achieving the Agency's mission, the diversity of
America's environments (communities, homes, workplaces and ecosystems) requires EPA to
adopt a multi-faceted approach to protecting the public from threats that may be posed by
pesticides, toxic chemicals and other pollutants. Throughout its history, EPA has taken the lead
in developing and evaluating tools and technologies to monitor, prevent, control, and cleanup
pollution. The emphasis of the Agency's programs in the 1970's and 1980's was to identify
viable options for controlling or remediating environmental problems. Over the last decade, the
Agency has turned its attention more and more to pollution prevention (P2) when addressing
many important human health and environmental problems. A preventive approach requires that
the Agency develop: (1) innovative design and production techniques that minimize or eliminate
environmental liabilities; (2) holistic approaches to utilizing air, water, and land resources; and
(3) fundamental changes in the creation of goods and services and their delivery to consumers.
EPA remains committed to helping industry further prevent pollution by adopting more efficient,
sustainable, and protective business practices, materials, and technologies.
The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 establishes pollution prevention as a "national
objective" and the pollution prevention hierarchy as national policy. The Act requires that
pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source wherever feasible; that pollution that
cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner; and that, in the
absence of feasible prevention or recycling opportunities, pollution should be treated. Disposal
or other release into the environment should be used as a last resort. Pollution Prevention is
generally more effective than end-of-pipe approaches in reducing potential health and
environmental risks in that it helps identify voluntary programs which:
• Reduce releases to the environment;
• Reduce the need to manage pollutants;
• Avoid shifting pollutants from one medium (air, water, land) to another; and
• Protect and conserve energy sources and natural resources for future generations by
cutting waste and conserving materials.
Increasingly complex environmental problems, such as the continuing accumulation of
greenhouse gases; poor water quality; increasing urban smog; and inequities in building and
maintaining water infrastructure; give rise to the need for EPA to develop and use a broader set
of cross media tools. Shrinking state and Federal budgets also require the development of new
ways to leverage partnerships with states, local communities and businesses to produce better
environmental results at lower costs. EPA will work to ensure that governments, businesses and
the public meet Federal legal environmental requirements, and will encourage and assist them
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to adopt environmental stewardship and to voluntarily exceed current requirements. Through
public recognition, incentives, and sometimes relief from regulatory mandates, EPA will
encourage environmental stewardship, behavior that goes beyond compliance with the laws.
EPA is committed to promoting innovation in
strategies to protect the environment, including new less-
polluting technologies. In FY 2002, EPA launched a
comprehensive Innovations Strategy to drive innovation in all
aspects of the Agency's work. Crafted with input from states
and other stakeholders, the Strategy focuses on
transforming EPA into a more innovative, results-oriented
organization by:
Strengthening environmental
partnerships, targeting priorities,
expanding the current collection
of tools, and creating a more
innovative culture to effectively
address challenging problems is
what EPA's innovation strategy is
all about.
• strengthening partnerships with states and Tribes;
• focusing on a set of priority problems that are in need of innovative solutions;
• developing tools and approaches that expand problem-solving capabilities; and,
• fostering an innovation-friendly culture and set of organizational systems.
The effectiveness of EPA's regulatory decisions depends on the analysis underlying
these regulations, and the clarity with which they are presented. Their quality determines how
well environmental programs actually work, and the extent to which they achieve health and
environmental goals. Sound economic and policy analysis builds the foundation for EPA to meet
its overarching goals, as well as to wisely use societal resources.
EPA's emphasis on economic and policy analysis supports the Agency's continuing effort to
quantify the benefits of its air, land and water regulations, policies and programs. For example,
determining the value of ecological systems and the benefits associated with preserving these
systems will be critical over the coming years as the Agency strives to focus on healthy
communities and ecosystems. Sound economic and policy analysis also supports EPA's
stewardship and improved compliance goals by fostering consideration of alternative
approaches, such as voluntary programs, innovative compliance tools, and flexible, market-
based solutions. Sound economic and policy analysis helps EPA achieve results by
documenting and communicating its decisions, thereby avoiding challenges to our analyses that
might otherwise impede our ability to implement regulations, policies or programs.
Tribal Capacity
Since adoption of the EPA Indian Policy in 1984, EPA has worked with Tribes on a
government-to-government basis that affirms the federal trust responsibility that EPA maintains
with federally recognized Tribe and Tribal government. In terms of strengthening partnerships
with Tribes, under Federal environmental statutes, the Agency has responsibility for assuring
human health and environmental protection in Indian Country. EPA has worked to establish the
internal infrastructure and organize its activities in order to meet this responsibility. The creation
of EPA's American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO) in 1994 took responsibility for such
efforts and was a further step in ensuring environmental protection in Indian Country.
Research
Today's environmental innovations extend beyond scientific and technological advances
to include new policies and management tools that respond to changing conditions and needs.
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Examples include market-based incentives that provide an economic benefit for environmental
improvement; regulatory flexibility that gives companies more discretion related to how specific
goals are met; and disclosure of information about environmental performance. As a result of
these and other innovations, the nation's environmental protection system continues to evolve,
with a focus on increased efficiency and effectiveness, and greater inclusiveness of all elements
of society.
MEANS AND STRATEGY
Improving Compliance
A strong enforcement and compliance program identifies and reduces noncompliance
problems; assists the regulated community in understanding environmental laws and
regulations; responds to complaints from the public; strives to secure a level economic playing
field for law-abiding companies; and deters future violations. The Agency carefully targets its
enforcement and compliance assurance resources, personnel and activities to address the most
significant risks to human health and the environment, and to ensure that certain populations do
not bear a disproportionate environmental burden.
In FY 2005 the Agency will identify national priorities, in consultation with states and
other regulatory partners, to most effectively and efficiently address significant environmental,
public health, or noncompliance problems, and will use the most appropriate tool(s) to achieve
the best outcomes culminating with the development and implementation of performance-based
strategies for FY2005 - FY 2007 national priorities that take into account environmental justice
considerations and a workforce deployment analysis.
The EPA will also promote compliance in core program areas by working within the
agency and with our partners to address major problems in media-specific programs with the
most appropriate tool(s) to achieve the best outcomes. These efforts will be aided by use of a
facility "Watch List" that identifies facilities with chronic noncompliance problems. EPA will use
compliance data to identify problems in need of EPA or state attention, to monitor performance
of Regional and media-specific program elements, and to improve the effectiveness of the
program by incorporating lessons learned into program operations.
The Agency's "smart enforcement' approach uses the most appropriate enforcement or
compliance tools to address the most significant problems to achieve the best outcomes. This
approach includes:
• Compliance Assistance and Incentives: The Agency's Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance Program uses compliance assistance tools to encourage compliance with
regulatory requirements and reduce adverse public health and environmental problems.
To achieve compliance, the regulated community must first understand its regulatory
obligations, and then learn how to best comply with those obligations. EPA supports the
regulated universe by assuring that requirements are clearly understood, and by helping
industry identify cost-effective options to comply through the use of pollution prevention
and innovative technologies. EPA also enables other assistance providers (e.g., states,
universities) to provide compliance information to the regulated community.
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Compliance Monitoring: The Agency reviews and evaluates the activities of the
regulated community to determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permit
conditions and settlement agreements and to determine whether conditions presenting
imminent and substantial endangerment exist. The majority of work- years devoted to
compliance monitoring are provided by the regions to conduct investigations, on-site
inspections and evaluations, and perform monitoring, sampling and emissions testing.
Compliance monitoring activities are both environmental media- and sector-based. The
traditional media-based inspections and evaluations complement those performed by
states and tribes, and are a key part of our strategy for meeting the long-term and
annual goals established for the air, water, pesticides, toxic substances, and hazardous
waste environmental goals included in the EPA Strategic Plan.
Enforcement: The Enforcement Program addresses violations of environmental laws,
to ensure that violators come into compliance with these laws and regulations. The
program achieves the Agency's environmental goals through consistent, fair and
focused enforcement of all environmental statutes. The overarching goal of the
enforcement program is to protect human health and the environment, targeting its
actions according to degree of health and environmental risk. Further, it aims to level the
economic playing field by ensuring that violators do not realize an economic benefit from
non-compliance, and seeks to deter future violations.
Auditing and Evaluation Tools: Maximum compliance requires the active efforts of the
regulated community to police itself. EPA will continue to investigate options for
encouraging self-directed audits and disclosures. It will also continue to measure and
evaluate the effectiveness of Agency programs in improving compliance rates and
provide information and compliance assistance to the regulated community. Further, the
Agency will maintain its focus on developing innovative approaches, through better
communication, fostering partnerships and cooperation, and the application of new
technologies.
Partnering: State, Tribal and local governments bear much of the responsibility for
ensuring compliance, and EPA works in partnership with them and other Federal
agencies to promote environmental protection. EPA also develops and maintains
productive partnerships with other nations, to ensure and enforce compliance with US
environmental standards and regulations.
NEPA Federal Review: EPA fulfills its uniquely federal responsibilities under the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires that federal agencies prepare
and submit Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), to identify potential environmental
consequences of major proposed activities, and develop plans to mitigate or eliminate
negative impacts. The Agency maximizes its use of NEPA review resources by targeting
its efforts toward potentially high-impact projects, and by promoting cooperation,
innovation, and working towards a more streamlined review process.
International: EPA will continue to cooperate with states and the international
community to enforce and ensure compliance with cross-border environmental
regulations, and to help build their capacity to design and implement effective
environmental regulatory, enforcement and environmental impact assessment programs.
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Improving Environmental Performance through Pollution Prevention and
Innovation
Preventing pollution through regulatory, voluntary, and partnership actions, that is,
educating and changing the behavior of the public, is a sensible and effective approach to
sustainable development while protecting our nation's health. Two groups with significant
potential to effect environmental change are industry and academia. The Agency has
successfully implemented a number of pollution prevention (P2) programs with both of these
groups. These programs address the market for products through the purchasing and supply
chain, emphasize certain sectors for additional targeted technical assistance, provide support
for State and Tribal infrastructure, and work to reduce the number and amount of toxic
chemicals in use by finding alternative chemicals and alternative industry processes.
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing: Because of the enormous span of private
and public sector activities which would benefit from a prevention-based approach,
EPA's P2 programs necessarily cover a wide variety of informational and capacity
building activities. For example, the Agency works to improve the market for
environmentally "greener" products though voluntary programs, the Environmentally
Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program, and the Green Suppliers Network. EPP provides
guidance and carries out a variety of initiatives and outreach activities for a wide
constituency, including federal agencies. Under the EPP Program, EPA will help
purchasers identify those products that generate the least pollution, consume fewest
non-renewable natural resources, and constitute the least threat to human health and to
wildlife. The Green Suppliers Network enables large manufacturers to actively engage
all levels of their supply chain in the development of good business approaches to
prevent pollution.
• Pollution Prevention State Grants: The development and support of State
infrastructure is essential for providing small and medium size businesses, government
and schools with the opportunities to change and to test new technologies, processes
and alternatives. A vital component of our strategy is the continuation of the Pollution
Prevention State Grant Program. In FY 2005, EPA will provide $7 million to States and
Tribes to support their efforts to provide industry with technical assistance, information
sharing, and outreach. The grants also support promising, innovative ideas for
preventing pollution.
• Technical Assistance: Sector-based technical assistance is another method to
accomplish our mission. The Resource Conservation Challenge is a major national effort
to find flexible, yet more protective ways to conserve our valuable resources through
pollution prevention, waste reduction and energy recovery activities that will improve
public health and the environment. EPA is working to address environmental problems in
the electronics, buildings, hospitals, paper production, and priority chemicals areas
under this comprehensive approach. Similarly, in an effort to expand voluntary pollution
prevention strategies to the healthcare sector, the Hospitals for a Healthy Environment
(H2E) Program works with hospitals and health care facilities to eliminate mercury use
and reduce hospital wastes.
• Green Chemistry: EPA works to help industry further prevent pollution by adopting
more efficient, sustainable and protective business practices, materials, and
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technologies. EPA's Green Chemistry Program supports research and fosters
development and implementation of innovative chemical technologies to prevent
pollution in a scientifically sound, cost-effective manner. The Green Engineering
Program works to incorporate "green" or environmentally conscious thinking and
approaches in the daily work of engineers, especially of chemical and environmental
engineers. Similarly, EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) Industry Partnership
Program promotes integration of cleaner, cheaper, and smarter pollution prevention
solutions into everyday business practices.
NEPA Federal Review: EPA fulfills its uniquely federal responsibilities under the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires that federal agencies prepare
and submit Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), to identify potential environmental
consequences of major proposed activities, and develop plans to mitigate or eliminate
negative impacts. The Enforcement and Compliance Assistance Program maximizes its
use of NEPA review resources by targeting its efforts toward potentially high-impact
projects, and by promoting cooperation, innovation, and working towards a more
streamlined review process.
Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC): This program focuses on recovering
materials and energy, either by converting wastes into products and energy directly or as
a result of process and product redesigns that produce these benefits. We will closely
coordinate our RCC efforts with the Agency's other pollution prevention activities,
potentially revising our strategies or targets to focus on materials and energy recovery
through recycling when source reduction is not a feasible solution. The Agency is also
working with its partners to identify additional goals that will reflect our expanded effort,
beginning in 2003, to increase recovery of materials and energy and reduce releases of
priority chemicals in waste. We expect these new goals to be in place by 2004, as the
program becomes fully operational.
State Innovation Grant Program: EPA will develop and promote innovative
environmental protection strategies that achieve better environmental results at a lower
cost and also reward environmental stewardship. In collaboration with its state and Tribal
partners, the Agency will continue to focus its efforts on innovations that will help small
businesses and communities improve both their environmental performance and their
bottom lines. A cornerstone of the Agency's Innovation Strategy is reaching out to states
and tribes through the State Innovation Grant Program to promote, support and facilitate
innovation in state and Tribal environmental programs. The Grant Program allows states
and tribes to test innovative ideas, such as using Environmental Management Systems
in the permitting system to improve environmental results while achieving resource
efficiencies.
Regulatory and Economic Management and Analysis: EPA is exploring the potential
for more integrated, holistic, regulatory and non-regulatory approaches at a facility level,
building on experience with federal and State pilot programs for permitting and pollution
prevention. EPA sees facility-wide approaches as holding the possibility of obtaining
better environmental results, while eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens. These
approaches should help stimulate pollution prevention, and help facilities obtain the
maximum benefit from use of environmental management systems. The Agency will
augment programs such as EPA's National Environment Performance Track Program,
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Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
which recognize and reward superior environmental performance and motivate
improvements. Under its Sector Strategies Program, EPA will also tailor environmental
performance improvement efforts to particular industry sectors.
• Small Business: EPA has undertaken an effort to review the current Agency Small
Business Strategy. The new Strategy will guide the Agency in future efforts to
understand the operations and needs of small businesses, consider those needs when
developing and implementing programs and policies that affect them, and work
effectively with the small business community to improve environmental performance.
Building Tribal Capacity
EPA's strategy for Tribes has three major components. First, work with Tribes to create
an environmental presence for each federally recognized Tribe. An environmental presence
allows most Tribes to support at least one or two persons working in their community to build a
strong, sustainable environment for the future. These people perform vital work by assessing
the status of a Tribe's environmental condition and building an environmental program tailored
to that Tribe's needs.
Another key role of this workforce is to alert EPA of serious conditions requiring attention
in the near term so that, in addition to assisting in the building of Tribal environmental capacity,
EPA can work with the Tribe to respond to immediate public health and ecological threats.
Second, provide the information needed by the Tribe to meet EPA and Tribal environmental
priorities. At the same time, ensure EPA has the ability to view and analyze the conditions on
Indian lands and the effects of EPA and Tribal actions and programs on the environmental
conditions. Third, provide the opportunity for implementation of Tribal environmental programs
by Tribes, or directly by EPA, as necessary.
Managing and Improving Environmental Data
Through the Environmental Information Exchange Network (http://www.exchange
network.net), EPA will continue to provide funding to states, tribes, and territories to encourage
and promote their data integration efforts and participation in the Network.1 These grants will
allow states and tribes to create "next generation" environmental data systems that integrate air,
water, and waste data and provide the regulated community with efficient and reliable electronic
means for reporting compliance information consistent with the President's Management
Agenda and the goals of e-Government.
The National Environmental Information Exchange Network grant program encourages state
and other partners' data integration efforts and their participation in the Network. State, Tribal,
and EPA data on the Network will both facilitate understanding of various environmental issues
and serve as a precursor to understanding the data needed to fully comprehend environmental
conditions and trends and, thus, make better-informed environmental and human health
decisions.
This program has four main parts: Network Readiness; Implementation; Collaboration; and
Support Grants. These grants will increase state and Tribal capacity to integrate their
environmental data, reduce reporting burden, enhance electronic reporting, provide public
access to data, and participate in the Exchange Network.
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Enhancing Science and Research
EPA's Compliance and Environmental Stewardship strategic goal is designed to protect
human health and the environment by improving environmental behavior through regulatory and
non-regulatory means. Under this goal, EPA strives to use science and research more
strategically and effectively to inform Agency policy decisions and guide compliance, pollution
prevention, and environmental stewardship efforts. In order to strengthen the scientific evidence
and research supporting environmental policies and decisions, EPA works with its partners and
stakeholders to identify research needs and set priorities. The Agency continues to conduct
research on pollution prevention and new and developing technologies, with an overall aim of
promoting conservation of energy and natural resources, pollution prevention, recycling, and
other aspects of environmental stewardship.
EPA also conducts research to enhance its capacity to evaluate the economic costs and
benefits and other social impacts of environmental policies. These efforts, undertaken in concert
with other agencies, will result in improved methods to assess economic costs and benefits,
such as improved economic assessments of land use policies and improved assessments for
the valuation of children's health, as well as other social impacts of environmental decision-
making.
The Agency will also continue to characterize, prevent, and clean up contaminants
associated with high priority human health and environmental problems through the
development and verification of improved environmental tools and technologies. EPA will
incorporate a holistic approach to pollution prevention by assessing the interaction of multiple
stressors threatening both human and environmental health, and by developing cost-effective
responses to those stressors. Research will also explore the principles governing sustainable
systems and the integration of social, economic, and environmental objectives in environmental
assessment and management. Emphasis will be on developing and assessing preventive
approaches for industries and communities having difficulty meeting pollution standards. In a
broader context, the pollution prevention research program will continue expanding beyond its
traditional focus on the industrial sectors to other sectors (e.g., municipal) and ecosystems. The
P2 research program will also focus on developing outcome goals to measure its performance.
Several mechanisms are in place to ensure a high-quality research program at EPA. The
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB), an independent chartered Federal Advisory Committee
Act (FACA) committee, meets annually to conduct an in-depth review and analysis of EPA's
Science and Technology account. The SAB provides its findings to the House Science
Committee and sends a written report on the finding to EPA's Administrator after every annual
review. In addition, EPA's scientific and technical work products undergo either internal or
external peer review, with major or significant products requiring external peer review. The
Agency's Peer Review Handbook (2nd Edition) codifies procedures and guidance for conducting
peer review.
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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND FY2005 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE GOALS
Improve Compliance
By 2008, maximize compliance to protect human health and the environment
through compliance assistance, compliance incentives, and enforcement by achieving a
5 percent increase in the pounds of pollution reduced, treated, or eliminated,43 and
achieving a 5 percent increase in the number of regulated entities making
improvements in environmental management practices.44 (Baseline to be determined
for 2005.)
Improve Environmental Performance through Pollution Prevention and Innovation
By 2008, improve environmental protection and enhance natural resource conservation
on the part of government, business, and the public through the adoption of pollution prevention
and sustainable practices that include the design of products and manufacturing processes that
generate less pollution, the reduction of regulatory barriers, and the adoption of results-based,
innovative, and multimedia approaches.
Build Tribal Capacity
Through 2008, assist all federally recognized Tribes in assessing the condition of
their environment, help in building their capacity to implement environmental programs
where needed to improve Tribal health and environments, and implement programs in
Indian Country where needed to address environmental issues.
Enhance Science and Research
Through 2008, strengthen the scientific evidence and research supporting
environmental policies and decisions on compliance, pollution prevention, and
environmental stewardship.
43"Pounds of pollutants reduced, treated, or eliminated" is an EPA measure of the quantity of pollutants
that will no longer be released to the environment as a result of a non-complying facility returning to its
allowable limits through the successful completion of an enforcement settlement. (Facilities may further
reduce pollutants by carrying out voluntary Supplemental Environmental Projects.) On-line compliance
information is available to the public via ECHO, at http://www.epa.gov/echo/.
^"Environmental management practices" refers to a specific set of activities EPA tracks to evaluate
changes brought about through assistance, incentives, and concluded enforcement actions.
Implementing or improving environmental management practices—for example, by changing industrial
processes; discharges; or testing, auditing, and reporting—may assist a regulated facility in remaining in
compliance with environmental requirements. Further information on environmental management
practices is available at www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/planning/caseconc.pdf.
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Highlights
Improving Compliance
The Compliance Assistance Program strategically targets areas where regulated entities
demonstrate an incomplete understanding of how they can best comply with regulatory
requirements. The Agency's support of industry and government sector internet-based
Compliance Assistance Centers greatly expands the reach of EPA's compliance assistance
efforts. It provides educational tools and other assistance, such as workshops and on-site visits,
to help increase understanding of regulatory obligations, improve environmental management
practices and reduce pollution.
Other tools that are used include compliance incentives, voluntary programs, and
innovative approaches designed to motivate better environmental compliance and performance
by individuals, communities, businesses and industry sectors. The Agency promotes self-
policing and improvement through incentives, such as EPA's Audit, Small Business and Small
Local Governments policies and the inclusion of environmental management systems in
enforcement actions.
The Agency will continue to work with states and tribes to target areas that pose risks to
human health or the environment, display patterns of noncompliance, or include
disproportionately exposed populations. Media-specific, industry sector and problem-based
priorities will be established for the national program, and will be developed in conjunction with
the Regional offices, with input from states, tribes, environmental justice representatives, and
other stakeholders.
The Agency's Forensics Support Program provides technical support, including field
sampling and measurement; forensic analytical chemistry; and computer forensic imaging,
restoration and analysis. The forensics team consistently provides high-quality data and
analyses, allowing the Agency to successfully investigate and prosecute the nation's most
complex criminal and civil enforcement cases.
Improving Environmental Performance through Pollution Prevention and
Innovation
In the 1990's, through the Pollution Prevention Act, Congress formally established a
national policy to prevent or reduce pollution at its source whenever feasible. The Act defines
P2 as "...the use of materials, processes, or practices that reduce the use of hazardous
materials, energy, water, or other resources and practices that protect natural resources through
conservation or more efficient use."45
Major provisions of the Act include:
• Providing matching funds for State and local P2 programs through the PPIS grant
program to promote P2 techniques by businesses
• Establishing a P2 strategy outlining the Agency's intent to promote source reduction and
collect data on source reduction
Pollution Prevention Act. U.S. Code Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 133, sec. 13101 b. Policy.
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• Operating a source reduction clearinghouse
• Mandating P2 reporting as part of TRI
There are also several Executive Orders that address Pollution Prevention. For
example, Executive Order 13101, titled Greening the Government through Waste Prevention,
Recycling, and Federal Acquisition, strengthens federal mandates to protect the environment
and promote economic growth through the purchase of environmentally preferable products.46
Using the purchasing power of the federal government is one way to help improve the market
for environmentally preferable, recycled content, and bio-based products while protecting our
natural resources and providing an example for private industry.
The Executive Order (EO) defines "environmentally preferable" as "products or services
that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with
competing products and services that serve the same purpose." The EO also states that
products or services should be compared across the entire life cycle - from raw material
acquisition to its final disposal at its end of life. EPA has several responsibilities under the EO,
including developing guidance on environmentally preferable purchasing for federal agencies,
and assisting federal agencies with conducting and documenting pilot projects. EPA has also
developed tools to assist federal purchasers, including a database of environmental standards,
case study of federal pilot projects, model contract language and other resources.
Reducing pollution at its source involves two types of changes in behavior: making the
greener products available, and increasing the demand for them. The Environmentally
Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program works to harness the purchasing power of government to
stimulate demand for "greener" products and services, thereby fostering manufacturing
changes. In FY 2005, the P2 program will shift resources to state grants and other P2 programs,
which have shown significant results. The P2 research program will be evaluated to improve its
performance and contribution to the Agency's P2 efforts.
In FY 2005, the Agency also will continue to identify environmental performance
standards by which products can be evaluated, and invest in the development of tools, such as
life-cycle analysis tools that businesses and purchasers can use to evaluate the environmental
performance of products. In FY 2005, the Agency will continue to focus on providing tools,
resources and models to federal agencies on a number of product categories, including
electronics, janitorial services, and meetings/conferences. EPA will also continue its efforts to
meet its own goals to green its own facilities and operations, including purchasing.
The voluntary Green Suppliers Network (GSN) builds on the premise that cost effective
manufacturing, pollution prevention and environmental protection can be the result of good
business planning and practice. The GSN uses the purchasing power of the private sector to
achieve pollution prevention and manufacturing efficiencies throughout the supply chain. In FY
2005 the GSN will continue to develop and enhance partnerships with the aerospace,
healthcare/pharmaceutical, office/home furniture, farm and construction, and automotive
sectors. The Agency expects to explore GSN with other federal agencies, replication of the
46
Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition - 63 Federal Register
49643. September 16, 1998.
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program internationally, and working with new sectors, such as the truck/bus and appliance
manufacturing sectors.
Through voluntary partnerships with academia, industry, and other government
agencies, Green Chemistry supports fundamental research in environmentally benign chemistry
and provides a variety of educational and international activities, including sponsoring
conferences and meetings and developing tools. The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge
Award Program recognizes superior achievement in the design of chemical products, and
continues to quantitatively demonstrate the scientific, economic, and environmental benefits that
green chemistry technologies offer.47 In FY 2005, the program will explore ways to increase the
number and effectiveness of incentives, and to reduce the barriers to mainstreaming green
chemistry practices.
Traditionally, engineering approaches to pollution prevention have been focused on
waste minimization and have not addressed such risk factors as exposure, fate, and toxicity.
EPA's Green Engineering Program promotes consideration of these factors in the design,
commercialization, and use of chemical products and the development of feasible, economical
processes that minimize generation of pollution at the source. In FY 2005, the program will
focus on the implementation of specific activities that provide quantifiable environmental
benefits, particularly in industrial applications. The program will continue to partner with
research institutions on their green engineering/sustainable research projects and collect data
on the application of Green Engineering approaches and tools, with an emphasis on gathering
information from people and organizations that have already received green engineering
training and have adopted green engineering approaches.
The Design for the Environment Program will continue to work with industry sectors to
reduce risks to human health and the environment, improve performance, and save costs
associated with existing and alternative pollution prevention technologies or processes. In FY
2005, the program expects to initiate one to three new projects. The program will also
implement, as part of any new partnership building activities, evaluation guidelines for
developing and collecting measures, building on program-wide analysis and evaluation that will
be completed in FY 2004.
Pollution Prevention State Grants provide funds to build pollution prevention strategies
into State government environmental protection programs, encourage innovative and non-
regulatory pollution prevention solutions and encourage government/industry partnerships.
Pollution Prevention State Grants are unique within EPA because they address cross-media
and multi-media environmental impacts at the source, rather than end-of-pipe.
The Agency's innovation programs are demonstrating significant results. For example,
in FY 2003, The Performance Track Program added 61 new members, bringing the total
number of members to 320. The Program's first progress report showed that in FY 2001
Performance Track facilities reduced energy use by 1.1 million MMBTUs, reduced hazardous
materials use by 908 tons, and increased their use of recycled and reused materials by 10,823
tons, (www.epa.qov/sectors/)
47
U.S. EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Green Chemistry Challenge. Accessed October 1, 2003.
Available at http://www.epa.qov/qreenchemistrv/index.html.
5-13
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Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
EPA expanded its partnerships with industry sectors in FY 2003. Eight new sectors
(agribusiness, cement manufacturing, colleges and universities, construction, forest products,
iron and steel manufacturing, paint and coatings, and ports) committed to work collaboratively
to improve environmental management while also addressing regulatory and other barriers to
improve performance and increase efficiencies, (www.epa.gov/sectors/)
Past performance demonstrates remarkable progress in delivering results. For example,
in FY 2003, EPA assisted more than ten states in continuing support of twenty-one innovative
projects approved in previous years and in approving eight new innovative projects. These
projects achieved a broad range of efficiency gains by: enhancing the infrastructure to recycle
electronic waste, streamlining permitting, better coordinating non-point and point sources to
meet Total Maximum Daily Loads, supporting streamlined state authorization procedures, and
improving compliance monitoring for small drinking water systems. These projects' also
invested in less energy demanding alternative technology at pulp and paper facilities, alternative
landfill technology to increase landfill capacity, and increased recycling of hazardous wastes.
During the same year, EPA also awarded grants to three states to test innovative
concepts in permitting. First, the funding provided under the State Innovation Grant Program
allowed the State of Arizona to develop a web-based, Aintelligent@ screening and permit
application program for storm water permits that will increase the efficiency of the permitting
process. Second, Delaware will develop an auto body sector Environmental Results Program
(ERP) modeled after other state ERP projects, such as Rhode Island and Florida. The Delaware
ERP project expects to significantly improve environmental compliance in hundreds of small
businesses state-wide. Third, Massachusetts will develop a watershed-based permitting
program to improve water quality on a National Heritage Waterway.
The Environmental Results Program model that originated in Massachusetts has
expanded to seven other states and the District of Columbia with projects being implemented
across seven business sectors: dry cleaners, printers, photoprocessors, auto repair facilities,
auto salvage yards, auto body shops, gasoline stations (underground storage tanks and Stage II
vapor recovery systems).
Research
In FY 2005, the Agency will continue its systems-based approach to pollution
prevention, which will lead to a more thorough assessment of human health and environmental
risks and a more comprehensive management of those risks. EPA will improve FY 2005
performance measures to prevent pollution at its source and continue to evaluate a small set of
environmental technologies through the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program.
ETV is a voluntary, market-based verification program for commercial-ready technologies. In
FY 2005, the ETV program will complete 15 additional verifications and two testing protocols. In
addition, the program will evaluate whether verifications and testing protocols have led to
increased use of environmental technologies.
Additionally, through the National Environmental Technology Competition (NETC),
based on results from field demonstrations of one-year in duration, EPA will recognize
innovative technologies that cost-effectively remove arsenic from drinking water to help small
communities meet the new arsenic drinking water standard. Other work includes research on
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Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
market mechanisms and incentives that will support investigations that explore the conditions
under which financial and other performance incentives will achieve environmental objectives at
a lower cost or more effectively than traditional regulatory approaches.
EXTERNAL FACTORS
The Agency's Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program's ability to meet its
annual performance goals may be affected by a number of factors. Projected performance
could be impacted by natural catastrophes, such as major floods or significant chemical spills,
requiring a redirection of resources to address immediate environmental threats. Many of the
targets are coordinated with and predicated on the assumption that state and Tribal partners will
continue or increase their levels of enforcement and compliance work. In addition, successful
conclusion of EPA's enforcement relies on the Department of Justice to accept and prosecute
cases. The success of EPA's activities hinges on the availability and applicability of technology
and adequate resources to modernize and maintain our information systems. Finally, the
regulated community's willingness to comply with the law will greatly influence EPA's ability to
meet its performance goals.
Other factors, such as the number of projects subject to scoping requirements initiated
by other federal agencies, the number of draft/final documents (Environmental Assessments
and Environmental Impact Statements) submitted to EPA for review, streamlining requirements
of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), and the responsiveness of other
federal agencies to environmental concerns raised by EPA, may also impact the Agency's
ability to meet its performance goals. The NEPA Compliance workload is driven by the number
of project proposals submitted to EPA for funding or NPDES permits that require NEPA
compliance, including the Congressional projects for wastewater, water supply and solid waste
collection facility grants which have increased in recent years.
In the area of pollution prevention, the Agency's work is almost entirely dependent on
voluntary partnerships, collaboration, and persuasion, since there are few environmental
regulations that set specific source-reduction requirements. The Design for the Environment
Program seeks partnerships with industry trade associations to engage jointly in the
development and marketing of products that generate less pollution. The Green Chemistry
Program challenges industry and the academic community to step forward with new chemical
formulations that pose fewer risks to human health and the environment. EPA's strategy of
"greening the supply chain" depends on the willingness of large manufacturers to voluntarily
require their suppliers to provide environmentally preferable products. These efforts all depend
on our partners' continued willingness to cooperate in joint endeavors that may not realize an
immediate payoff. EPA's ability to carry out its voluntary pollution prevention initiatives could be
reduced if partners begin to believe that the initiatives are not worthwhile, are too risky, or are
otherwise contrary to their best interests. Historically however, this has not been the case, and
the Agency and industry have worked well together to reduce pollution.
Finally, our evolving user community will also affect the success of our information
efforts. As more states and Tribes develop the ability to integrate their environmental
information, we must adjust EPA's systems to ensure that we are able to receive and process
reports from states and industry under Agency statutory requirements. Local citizens'
organizations and the public at large are also increasingly involved in environmental decision-
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Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
making, and their need for information and more sophisticated analytical tools is growing.
Further, shrinking state budgets have underscored the critical need for the State Innovations
Grants Program.
EPA's policy has been, and continues to be, that Tribes develop the capability to
implement federal programs themselves. However, in working with Tribes, EPA has realized
that "Treatment as a State" (TAS) may not suit the needs of all Tribes. Some Tribes with acute
pollution sources and other environmental problems may be too small to support fully delegated
or approved environmental programs. Other Tribes are wary of seeking TAS status because it
may lead to costly litigation that may in turn lead to a diminishment of Tribal sovereignty. In the
absence of EPA-approved Tribal programs, EPA generally faces practical challenges in
implementing the federal programs in Indian Country. EPA will continue to encourage and work
with Tribes to develop their capability to implement Federal environmental programs.
Achieving our objectives for Indian Country is based upon a partnership with Indian
Tribal governments, many of which face severe poverty, employment, housing and education
issues. Because Tribal Leader and Environmental Director support will be critical in achieving
this objective, the Agency is working with Tribes to ensure that they understand the importance
of having good information on environmental conditions in Indian Country and sound
environmental capabilities. In addition, EPA also works with other Federal Agencies, the
Department of Interior (US Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of
Reclamation), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Indian Health Service
and the Corps of Engineers to help build programs on Tribal lands. Changing priorities in these
agencies could impact their ability to work with EPA in establishing and implementing strategies,
regulations, guidance, programs and projects that affect Tribes.
Strong science is predicated on the desire of the Agency to make human health and
environmental decisions based on high-quality scientific data and information. This challenges
the Agency to perform and apply the best available science and technical analyses when
addressing health and environmental problems that adversely impact the United States. Such a
challenge moves the Agency to a more integrated, efficient, and effective approach of reducing
risks. As long as high quality science is a central tenant for actions taken by the Agency, then
external factors will have a minimal impact on the goal.
5-16
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Appendixes
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Appendix A: Categorical Grants
CATEGORICAL GRANTS PROGRAM (STAG)
(Dollars in millions)
$1,158
$1,202
$1,252
$1,074
$1,006
$880 $885
$665 $645 J674
$745
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
In FY 2005, the President's Budget requests a total of $1,252 million for 25 "categorical"
program grants for state and Tribal governments. This is an increase of $49.6 million over FY
2004. EPA will continue to pursue its strategy of building and supporting state, local and Tribal
capacity to implement, operate, and enforce the Nation's environmental laws. Most
environmental laws envision establishment of a decentralized nationwide structure to protect
public health and the environment. In this way, environmental goals will ultimately be achieved
through the actions, programs, and commitments of state, Tribal and local governments,
organizations and citizens.
In FY 2005, EPA will continue to offer flexibility to state and Tribal governments to
manage their environmental programs as well as provide technical and financial assistance to
achieve mutual environmental goals. First, EPA and its state and Tribal partners will continue
implementing the National Environmental Performance Partnership System (NEPPS). NEPPS
is designed to allow states more flexibility to operate their programs, while increasing emphasis
on measuring and reporting environmental improvements. Second, Performance Partnership
Grants (PPGs) will continue to allow states and tribes funding flexibility to combine categorical
program grants to address environmental priorities.
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Appendix A: Categorical Grants
HIGHLIGHTS:
State & Local Air Quality Management, Radon, and Tribal Air Quality Management
Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $247.8 million for Air State and Local
Assistance grants to support state, local, and Tribal air programs as well as radon programs.
State and Local Air Quality Management grant funding is requested in the amount of $228.6
million. These funds provide resources to state and local air pollution control agencies for the
development and implementation of programs for the prevention and control of air pollution or
for the implementation of national primary and secondary ambient air standards. They can also
be used to support certain research and development and related activities. Tribal Air Quality
Management grants, requested in the amount of $11.1 million, provide funds to Tribes to
develop and implement air pollution prevention and control programs, or to implement national
primary and secondary ambient air standards. Lastly, the President's Budget includes $8.2
million for Radon grants, to provide funding for state radon programs.
Pesticide Enforcement, Toxics Substance Compliance, and Sector Program
Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $27.3 million to build environmental
partnerships with states and tribes and to strengthen their ability to address environmental and
public health threats. The enforcement state grants request consists of $19.9 million for
Pesticides Enforcement, $5.15 million for Toxic Substances Enforcement Grants, and $2.25
million for Sector Grants. State and Tribal enforcement grants will be awarded to assist in the
implementation of compliance and enforcement provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). These grants
support state and Tribal compliance activities to protect the environment from harmful chemicals
and pesticides.
Under the Pesticides Enforcement Grant program, EPA provides resources to states and
Indian tribes to conduct FIFRA compliance inspections and take appropriate enforcement
actions and implement programs for farm worker protection. Under the Toxic Substances
Compliance Grant program, states receive funding for compliance inspections of asbestos and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and for implementation of the state lead abatement
enforcement program. The funds will complement other Federal program grants for building
state capacity for lead abatement, and enhancing compliance with disclosure, certification and
training requirements.
Pesticides Program Implementation Grants
The President's FY 2005 budget includes $13.1 million for Pesticides Program
Implementation grants. These resources will assist states and tribes in implementing the safer
use of pesticides, including: worker protection; certification and training of pesticide applicators;
protection of endangered species; tribal pesticide programs; integrated pest management and
environmental stewardship; and protection of water from pesticide contamination.
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Appendix A: Categorical Grants
Lead Grants
The President's FY 2005 budget includes $13.7 million for Lead grants. This funding will
support the development of authorized programs in both States and Tribes to prevent lead
poisoning through the training of workers who remove lead-based paint, the accreditation of
training programs, the certification of contractors, and renovation education programs. Another
activity that this funding will support is the collection of lead data to determine the nature and
extent of the lead problem within an area.
Pollution Prevention Grants
The FY 2005 request includes $6.0 million for Pollution Prevention grants. The grant
program provides technical assistance towards the achievement of reduced pollution through
source reduction.
Environmental Information Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $25.0 million to continue a grant program,
started in 2002, which provides states and tribes assistance to develop the Exchange Network.
This grant program will support state and Tribal efforts to complete necessary changes to their
information management systems to facilitate participation, and enhance state information
integration efforts. The Exchange Network will improve environmental decision making,
improve data quality and accuracy, ensure security of sensitive data, and reduce the burden on
those who provide and those who access information
Underground Storage Tanks (LIST) Grants
The President's FY 2005 budget includes $37.9 million for Underground Storage Tank
grants, an increase of $26 million over 2004. The proposed $26 million increase in state and
tribal grants would allow EPA to fund additional inspections of underground storage tanks.
More inspections will ensure proper operation and maintenance of LIST systems to prevent
future releases. This investment more than triples the size of Federal assistance to states and
tribes for the LIST program. States and tribes will use these resources to ensure that LIST
owners and operators routinely and correctly monitor all regulated tanks and piping in
accordance with regulations, and also to develop programs with sufficient authority and
enforcement capabilities to operate in lieu of the Federal program.
Hazardous Waste Financial Assistance Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $106.4 million in funding for Hazardous
Waste Financial Assistance grants. Hazardous Waste Financial Assistance grants are used for
the implementation of both the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous
waste management and minimization programs.
Brownfields Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $60.0 million, to continue the Brownfields
grant program that provides assistance to states and tribes to develop and enhance their state
and Tribal response programs. This funding will help states and tribes develop legislation,
regulations, procedures, and guidance, to establish or enhance the administrative and legal
structure of their response programs.
A-3
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Appendix A: Categorical Grants
Water Pollution Control (Clean Water Act Section 106) Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $222.4 million for Water Pollution Control
grants, an increase of $22.0 million over 2004. Of this increase, $17.0 million will fund grants to
states and tribes under the water quality monitoring initiative to support adoption of new
comprehensive monitoring strategies and the development of statistically valid monitoring
networks to help target activities and determine water quality status and trends. The remaining
$5 million will assist states in the implementation of the Concentrated Animal Feeding
Operations (CAFOs) programs and support issuance of storm sewer permits.
Wetlands Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $20.0 million for Wetlands Program Grants.
These grant resources will be used to assist states and tribes in protecting wetlands and waters
not covered by the Clean Water Act.
Public Water System Supervision Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $105.1 million for Public Water System
Supervision (PWSS) grants. These grants provide assistance to implement and enforce
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations to ensure the safety of the Nation's drinking water
resources and to protect public health.
Indian General Assistance Program Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $62.5 million for the Indian General
Assistance Program (GAP) to help Federally recognized tribes and inter-tribal consortia
develop, implement and assume environmental programs.
Homeland Security Grants
In FY 2005, the President's Budget includes $5.0 million for homeland security grants to
support states' efforts to work with drinking water and wastewater systems to develop and
enhance emergency operations plans; conduct training in the implementation of remedial plans
in small systems; and, develop detection, monitoring and treatment technology to enhance
drinking water and wastewater security.
Water Quality Cooperative Agreements Grants
The FY 2005 President's Budget includes $20.5 million for Water Quality Cooperative
Agreements grants, an increase of $1.5 million over 2004. This increase will fund a new
technical assistance and demonstration grants program to show municipalities innovative ways
of managing infrastructure. Through the Water Quality Cooperative Agreement program, the
Agency continues to support the creation of unique and innovative approaches to address
requirements of the NPDES program, with special emphasis on wet weather activities. In
addition, this grant program has long supported other programmatic activities such as
sustainable management systems for water pollution control and various other program
innovations.
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Appendix A: Categorical Grants
Underground Injection Control (UIC) Grants
The FY 2005 President's Budget includes $11.0 million for the Underground Injection
Control grants program. Ensuring safe underground injection of waste materials is a fundamental
component of a comprehensive source water protection program. Grants are provided to states that
have primary enforcement authority (primacy) to implement and maintain UIC programs.
Targeted Watershed Grants
The President's FY 2005 Budget funds Targeted Watershed grants at $25 million, an
increase of $5 million over to help municipalities meet requirements for nutrient loading
reductions. The program supports competitive grants to watershed stakeholders ready to
undertake immediate action to improve water quality, and to improve watershed protection
measures with tools, training and technical assistance. Special emphasis will be given to
projects that promote water quality trading opportunities to more efficiently achieve water quality
benefits through market-based approaches. Of these funds, $10 million will be set-aside for a
new regional pilot program. For 2005, the pilot will take place in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed, and will focus on helping publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs) reduce nutrient
discharges to the Bay through nonpoint source projects.
Sfafe and Tribal Performance Fund
The President's FY 2005 Budget includes $23 million for a new performance grants
program that will be available to states and tribes on a competitive basis for all activities eligible
for categorical grant assistance. The award process will be performance-focused, with winners
selected on the basis of environmental and/or public health outcomes. This will encourage
development of projects with tangible, performance-based environmental and health outcomes
that can be models for implementation across the nation..
Wastewater Operator Training Grants
The President's FY 2005 Budget includes $1.5 million as a transfer from EPM to STAG
to better align its budget with its performance goals and reflect the environmental partnerships
supported by these funds. States and state universities receive funding to provide technical
assistance for municipally owned wastewater treatment plants.
Elimination of Tribal Cap on Non-Point Sources
In 2005, the President's Budget eliminates the statutory one-third-of-one-percent cap on
Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution grants that may be awarded to tribes.
Tribes applying for and receiving Section 319 grants have steadily increased from two in 1991
to over 70 in 2001. This proposal recognizes the increasing demand for resources to address
Tribal nonpoint source program needs.
A-5
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Appendix A: Categorical Grants
CATEGORIAL PROGRAM GRANTS (STAG)
by National Program and State Grant
(Dollars in Thousands)
FY2004 FY 2005
President's President's
Grant Budget Budget
Air & Radiation
State and Local Assistance
Tribal Assistance
Radon
Water Quality
Pollution Control (Section 106)
Beaches Protection
Nonpoint Source (Section 319)
Wetlands Program Development
Water Quality Cooperative Agrmts
Targeted Watersheds
Wastewater Operator Training Grants
Drinking Water
Public Water System Supervision (PWSS)
Underground Injection Control (DIG)
Homeland Security
Hazardous Waste
H.W. Financial Assistance
Brownfields
Underground Storage Tanks
Pesticides & Toxics
Pesticides Program Implementation
Lead
Toxic Substances Compliance
Pesticides Enforcement
Multimedia
Environmental Information
Pollution Prevention
Sector Program
Indian General Assistance Program
State and Tribal Performance Fund
TOTALS
$228,550
$11,050
$8,150
$247,750
$200,400
$10,000
$238,500
$20,000
$19,000
$20,000
$0
$507,900
$105,100
$11,000
$5,000
$121,100
$106,400
$60,000
$11,950
$178,350
$13,100
$13,700
$5,150
$19,900
$51,850
$25,000
$6,000
$2,250
$62,500
$0
$95,750
$1,202,700
$228,550
$11,050
$8,150
$247,750
$222,400
$10,000
$209,100
$20,000
$20,500
$25,000
$1,500
$508,500
$105,100
$11,000
$5,000
$121,100
$106,400
$60,000
$37,950
$204,350
$13,100
$13,700
$5,150
$19,900
$51,850
$25,000
$6,000
$2,250
$62,500
$23,000
$118,750
$1,252,300
Difference
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$22,000
$0
($29,400)
$0
$1,500
$5,000
$1,500
$600
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$26,000
$26,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$23,000
$23,000
$49,600
A-6
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Appendix B: Infrastructure Finance
Infrastructure /STAG Projects Financing
(Dollars in millions)
Infrastructure Financing
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF)
STAG Projects
Brownfields Environmental Projects
Clean School Bus USA
Mexico Border Projects
Alaska Native Villages
Targeted Projects - Puerto Rico
Total
FY 2004
President's
Budget
$850.0
$850.0
$120.5
$0.0
$50.0
$40.0
$8.0
$1,918.5
FY 2005
President's
Budget
$850.0
$850.0
$120.5
$65.0
$50.0
$40.0
$4.0
$1,979.5
Infrastructure and Special Projects Funds
The President's Budget includes a total of $1,979.5 million in 2005 for EPA's
Infrastructure programs. Of the total infrastructure request, $1,744 million will support
EPA's Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water, $170.5 million will support EPA's Goal 4: Healthy
Communities and Ecosystems.
Infrastructure funding under the State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)
appropriation provides financial assistance to states, municipalities and Tribal
governments to fund a variety of drinking water, wastewater, air and Brownfields
environmental projects. These funds are essential to fulfill the Federal government's
commitment to help our state, Tribal and local partners obtain adequate funding to
construct the facilities required to comply with Federal environmental requirements and
ensure public health and revitalize contaminated properties.
Providing STAG funds to capitalize State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, EPA
works in partnership with the states to provide low-cost loans to municipalities for
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Appendix B: Infrastructure Finance
infrastructure construction. As set-asides of the SRF programs, grants are available to
Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages for drinking water and wastewater
infrastructure needs based on priority lists. The Brownfields Environmental Program
provides states, tribes, political subdivisions (including cities, towns, and counties) the
necessary tools, information, and strategies for promoting a unified approach to
environmental assessment cleanup, characterization, and redevelopment at sites that
are potentially or lightly contaminated with hazardous wastes and petroleum
contaminants.
The resources included in this budget will enable the Agency, in conjunction with
EPA's state, local, and Tribal partners, to achieve several important goals for 2005.
Some of these goals include:
• 94 percent of the population served by community water systems will receive
drinking water meeting all health-based standards with compliance dates of
December 2001 or earlier.
• Award 126 assessment grants under the Brownfields program, bringing the
cumulative total grants awarded to 806 by the end of FY 2005 paving the way for
productive reuse of these properties. This will bring the total number of sites
assessed to 6,800 while leveraging a total of $7.5 billion in cleanup and
redevelopment funds since 1995.
GOAL 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Clean School Bus USA Initiative
The FY 2005 President's Budget expands EPA's Clean School Bus USA
program to $65 million in grant funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions from
school buses through bus retrofit or replacement activities. Clean School Bus USA
helps ensure that school buses - which are the safest way for kids to get to school -
also are the cleanest possible transportation for this generation of school children. EPA
initially launched the program in April 2003 using $5 million in grant funding. The initial
grant offering garnered 120 grant applications from every region of the country totaling
nearly $60 million in requests and offering some $36 million in matching resources.
EPA supported 17 of these projects with the given resources. By expanding this
program, additional resources are available to communities for localized solutions that
address an issue important to children and parents across the nation.
GOAL 2: Clean and Safe Water
Capitalizing Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs
demonstrate a true partnership between states, localities and the Federal government.
These programs provide Federal financial assistance to states, localities, and Tribal
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Appendix B: Infrastructure Finance
governments to protect the nation's water resources by providing funds for the
construction of drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities. The state revolving
funds are two important elements of the nation's substantial investment in sewage
treatment and drinking water systems which provides Americans with significant
benefits in the form of reduced water pollution and safe drinking water.
EPA will continue to capitalize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).
Through this program, the Federal government provides financial assistance for
wastewater and other water projects, including nonpoint source, estuary, stormwater,
and sewer overflow projects. Water infrastructure projects contribute to direct
ecosystem improvements by lowering the amount of nutrients and toxic pollutants in all
types of surface waters.
The President's Budget includes funding the CWSRF at $850 million each year
through 2011. More than $20 billion has already been provided to capitalize the
CWSRF, over twice the original Clean Water Act authorized level of $8.4 billion. Total
CWSRF funding available for loans since 1987, reflecting loan repayments, state match
dollars, and other funding sources, is approximately $47 billion, of which more than
$43.5 billion has been provided to communities as financial assistance.
The dramatic progress made in improving the quality of wastewater treatment
since the 1970s is a national success. In 1972, only 84 million people were served by
secondary or advanced wastewater treatment facilities. Today, 99 percent of
community wastewater treatment plants, serving 181 million people, use secondary
treatment or better.
The DWSRF will be self-sustaining in the long run and will help offset the costs of
ensuring safe drinking water supplies and assisting small communities in meeting their
responsibilities. As noted in the May 2003 Report to Congress, since its inception in
1997, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program has made available
$5.2 billion to finance 1,900 infrastructure improvement projects nationwide, with a
return of $1.60 for every $1 of federal funds invested.
State Flexibility between SRFs: The Agency requests permanent continuation
of authority provided in the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments
which allows states to transfer an amount equal to 33 percent of their DWSRF
grants to their CWSRF programs, or an equivalent amount from their CWSRF
program to their DWSRF program. The transfer provision gives states flexibility
to address the most critical demands in either program at a given time. The
statutory transfer provision expired September 30, 2002.
Set-Asides for Tribes: To improve public health and water quality in Indian
Country, the Agency will continue the 1 1/2% set-aside of the CWSRF for
wastewater grants to tribes as provided in the Agency's 2002 appropriation.
More than 70,000 homes in Indian country have inadequate or nonexistent
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Appendix B: Infrastructure Finance
wastewater treatment. EPA and the Indian Health Service estimate that Tribal
wastewater infrastructure needs exceed $650.0 million.
Alaska Native Villages
The President's Budget includes $40.0 million for Alaska native villages for the
construction of wastewater and drinking water facilities to address serious sanitation
problems. EPA will continue to work with the Department of Health and Human
Services' Indian Health Service, the State of Alaska, and local communities to provide
needed financial and technical assistance.
Puerto Rico
The President's Budget includes $4 million for the design of upgrades to
Metropolitano's Sergio Cuevas treatment plant in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When all
upgrades are complete, EPA estimates that about 1.4 million people will enjoy safer,
cleaner drinking water.
GOAL 4: Healthy Communities And Ecosystems
Brownfields Environmental Projects
The President's Budget includes a total of $120.5 million for brownfields
environmental projects. EPA will award grants for assessment activities, cleanup, and
Brownfields cleanup revolving loan funds (BCRLF). Additionally, this includes cleanup
of sites contaminated by petroleum or petroleum products and environmental job
training grants.
Mexico Border
The President's Budget includes a total of $50.0 million for water infrastructure
projects along the U.S./Mexico Border. The goal of this program is to reduce
environmental and human health risks along the U.S./Mexico Border. The communities
along both sides of the Border are facing unusual human health and environmental
threats because of the lack of adequate wastewater and drinking water facilities. EPA's
U.S./Mexico Border program provides funds to support the planning, design and
construction of high priority water and wastewater treatment projects along the
U.S./Mexico Border. The Agency's FY 2005 goal is to have a cumulative total of 1.5
million people in the Mexico border area protected from health risks because of
adequate water and wastewater sanitation systems funded.
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Appendix C: Trust Funds
Trust Funds
(Dollars in Millions)
Superfund
Response
Enforcement
Management & Support
Other Federal Agencies
Transfers
Inspector General
Research & Development
Superfund Total
Base Realignment and
Closure
LUST
Trust Funds Total:
FY 2004
President's Budget
$
$1,005
$176
$140
$11
$13
$45
$1,390
$0
$73
$1,463
FTE
1,514
1,121
488
0
94
130
3,347
84
80
3,511
FY 2005
President's Budget
$
$999
$174
$149
$11
$13
$36
$1,381
$0
$73
$1,454
FTE
1,520
1,119
490
0
94
130
3,353
78
80
3,511
Superfund
In 2005, the President's Budget requests a total of $1,381 million in discretionary
budget authority and 3,353 workyears for Superfund. Currently, more than 93 percent
of 1,518 sites on the Superfund final National Priorities List (NPL) are either undergoing
cleanup construction (remedial or removal) or are completed.
Of the total funding requested, $999 million and 1,520 workyears are for Superfund
cleanups. The Agency's Superfund cleanup program addresses public health and
environmental threats from uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances. Included in
the FY 2005 budget is a $150 million increase specifically targeted for Superfund
cleanups. This increase in funding will allow construction to begin at high priority sites
and address the growing backlog of construction project resource needs. The Agency
expects to demonstrate significant progress in reducing risk to human health and the
environment and revitalizing the number of construction completions at sites on the NPL
within two to three years. In 2005, EPA and its partners will complete 40 Superfund
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Appendix C: Trust Funds
cleanups at NPL sites to achieve the overall goal of 926 total construction completions
by the end of 2005.
Of the total funding requested, $174 million and 1,119 workyears are for the
Superfund Enforcement program. One of the Superfund program's primary goals is to
have responsible parties pay for and conduct cleanups at abandoned or uncontrolled
hazardous waste sites. The program focuses on maximizing all aspects of Potentially
Responsible Party (PRP) participation, including having PRPs initiate work at 70% of
the new construction starts at non-Federal Facility Superfund sites, and emphasizing
fairness in the settlement process. Where PRP negotiations and previous enforcement
actions fail, EPA uses its appropriation to clean up sites and then seeks to recover
these costs from the PRPs.
The remaining portion of the Superfund FY 2005 President's Budget is comprised of
Management and Support, other Federal agencies, Research and Development and the
Inspector General. The President's Budget requests $149 million and 490 workyears
for management and support activities. These resources support Agency-wide
resource management and control functions including: essential infrastructure, contract
administration, financial accounting and other fiscal operations.
Included in the Superfund request is $11 million for Federal agency partners. The
Agency works with several Federal agencies to perform essential services in areas
where the Agency does not possess the specialized expertise. Contributors include the
United States Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the
Department of the Interior, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The President's Budget also requests $49 million and 224 workyears to be
transferred to Research and Development for innovative cleanup technology testing and
to the Inspector General for program auditing.
Base Realignment and Closure Act
The FY 2005 President's Budget requests 78 reimbursable workyears to conduct the
Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAG) program. Since 1993, EPA has worked
with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the states' environmental programs to make
property environmentally acceptable for transfer, while protecting human health and the
environment at realigning or closing military installations. Between 1988 and 1995, 497
major military installations representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense
Logistics Agency were slated for realignment or closure. Of these, 107 installations
have been designated as Fast-Track sites. The Fast-Track program strives to make
parcels available for reuse as quickly as possible, by either transfer of uncontaminated
or remedial parcels, or lease of contaminated parcels where cleanup is underway or
"early transfer" of contaminated property undergoing cleanup.
C-2
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Appendix C: Trust Funds
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
The FY 2005 President's Budget requests $73 million and 80 workyears for the
Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) program. Approximately 85 percent of this
will be used for state cooperative agreements and support for tribal cleanup. One of the
Agency's highest priorities in the LUST program over the next several years is to
address approximately 136,000 cleanups that have yet to be completed (as of
September 2003), and to address LUST sites that are difficult to remediate because
they are contaminated by methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and other oxygenates. In
2005 the Agency's goal is to complete 21,000 cleanups under the supervision of EPA
and its state, local and tribal partners.
C-3
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Appendix D: Budget Tables
Environmental Protection Agency
Summary of Agency Resources by Appropriation
($ in 000)
Appropriation
FY 2004
President's
Budget
FY 2005
President's
Budget
Environmental Programs & Management
Science & Technology
Buildings and Facilities
Oil Spill Response
Inspector General
Hazardous Substance Superfund
Superfund Program
Research Transfer
IG Transfer
State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
$2,219,659
$731,483
$42,918
$16,209
$36,808
$1,389,716
$1,331,805
$44,697
$13,214
$3,121,200
$72,545
$2,316,958
$689,185
$42,918
$16,425
$37,997
$1,381,416
$1,332,134
$36,144
$13,139
$3,231,800
$72,545
less Offsetting Receipts
-$4,000
-$30,000
Total Budget Authority
$7,626,537 $7,759,244
D-1
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Appendix D: Budget Tables
Environmental Protection Agency
Summary of Agency Resources by Goal
(Dollars in Thousands)
Goal
1 -
2-
3-
4-
5-
Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Clean and Safe Water
Land Preservation and Restoration
Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
less Offsetting Receipts
FY 2004
President's
Budget
$915,983
$2,959,732
$1,779,473
$1,262,441
$712,908
($4,000)
FY 2005
President's
Budget
$1,004,616
$2,936,969
$1,798,171
$1,298,932
$750,557
($30,000)
Difference
$88,632
-$22,763
$18,697
$36,491
$37,649
($26,000)
$7,626,537
$7,759,244
$132,707
D-2
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Appendix D: Budget Tables
Environmental Protection Agency
Summary of Agency Workforce by Goal
(Workyears)
FY 2004 FY 2005
President's President's
Goal Budget Budget Difference
1 -
2-
3-
4-
5-
Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Clean and Safe Water
Land Preservation and Restoration
Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
2,738
3,054
4,745
3,824
3,489
2,757
3,041
4,708
3,850
3,547
19
(12)
(36)
26
58
17,850
17,904
54
Projected utilization for FY's 2004-2005 is 17,635 workyears in each year.
D-3
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Appendix D: Budget Tables
Resources by Program / Project
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program / Project
Acquisition Management
Administrative Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Audits, Evaluations, and Investigations
Beach / Fish Programs
Brownfields
Categorical Grant: Beaches Protection
Categorical Grant: Brownfields
Categorical Grant: Environmental Information
Categorical Grant: Hazardous Waste Financial Assistance
Categorical Grant: Homeland Security
Categorical Grant: Lead
Categorical Grant: Nonpoint Source (Sec. 319)
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Enforcement
Categorical Grant: Pesticides Program Implementation
Categorical Grant: Pollution Control (Sec. 106)
Categorical Grant: Pollution Prevention
Categorical Grant: Public Water System Supervision (PWSS)
Categorical Grant: Radon
Categorical Grant: Targeted Watersheds
Categorical Grant: Toxics Substances Compliance
Categorical Grant: Tribal General Assistance Program
Categorical Grant: Underground Injection Control (UIC)
Categorical Grant: Underground Storage Tanks
Categorical Grant: Wastewater Operator Training
Categorical Grant: Water Quality Cooperative Agreements
Categorical Grant: Wetlands Program Development
Categorical Grant: Sector Program
Categorical Grant: State and Local Air Quality Management
Categorical Grant: State and Tribal Performance Fund
Categorical GrantTribal Air Quality Management
Central Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
Children and other Sensitive Populations
Civil Enforcement
Civil Rights / Title VI Compliance
Clean Air Allowance Trading Programs
FY 2004
President's
Budget
$41,846
$4,705
$1,153
$50,021
$3,690
$27,821
$10,000
$60,000
$25,000
$106,400
$5,000
$13,700
$238,500
$19,900
$13,100
$200,400
$6,000
$105,100
$8,150
$20,000
$5,150
$62,500
$11,000
$11,950
$0
$19,000
$20,000
$2,250
$228,550
$0
$11,050
$86,143
$7,080
$110,482
$12,114
$25,806
FY 2005
President's
Budget
$43,660
$4,929
$1,890
$51,136
$3,238
$28,002
$10,000
$60,000
$25,000
$106,400
$5,000
$13,700
$209,100
$19,900
$13,100
$222,400
$6,000
$105,100
$8,150
$25,000
$5,150
$62,500
$11,000
$37,950
$1,500
$20,500
$20,000
$2,250
$228,550
$23,000
$11,050
$86,655
$7,121
$115,166
$12,414
$26,849
D-4
-------
Appendix D: Budget Tables
Resources by Program / Project
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program / Project
Climate Protection Program
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Compliance Assistance and Centers
Compliance Incentives
Compliance Monitoring
Congressional, Intergovernmental, External Relations
Criminal Enforcement
Drinking Water Programs
Endocrine Disrupters
Enforcement Training
Environment and Trade
Environmental Justice
Exchange Network
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations
Federal Stationary Source Regulations
Federal Support for Air Quality Management
Federal Support for Air Toxics Program
Federal Vehicle and Fuels Standards and Certification
Financial Assistance Grants / IAG Management
Forensics Support
Geographic Program: Chesapeake Bay
Geographic Program: Great Lakes
Geographic Program: Gulf of Mexico
Geographic Program: Lake Champlain
Geographic Program: Long Island Sound
Geographic Program: Other
Great Lakes Legacy Act
Homeland Security: Communication and Information
Homeland Security: Critical Infrastructure Protection
Homeland Security: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
Homeland Security: Protection of EPA Personnel and Infrastructure
Human Health Risk Assessment
Human Resources Management
Indoor Air: Asthma Program
Indoor Air: Environment Tobacco Smoke Program
Indoor Air: Radon Program
Indoor Air: Schools and Workplace Program
FY 2004
President's
Budget
$108,610
$3,938
$28,072
$9,257
$58,155
$47,452
$38,077
$99,086
$9,003
$4,039
$1,703
$5,044
$33,295
$418,841
$23,702
$97,038
$29,058
$60,447
$20,313
$18,258
$20,778
$18,104
$4,432
$955
$477
$4,763
$15,000
$3,820
$32,397
$62,370
$20,488
$36,495
$49,191
$11,097
$3,618
$5,871
$11,176
FY 2005
President's
Budget
$109,420
$3,949
$28,621
$9,371
$62,217
$48,550
$39,256
$100,948
$9,037
$4,058
$1,723
$5,131
$27,762
$439,298
$24,302
$103,332
$27,764
$64,467
$23,262
$16,911
$20,817
$21,195
$4,478
$955
$477
$6,790
$45,000
$4,320
$11,859
$56,399
$20,544
$36,832
$48,553
$11,197
$3,695
$6,066
$11,258
D-5
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Appendix D: Budget Tables
Resources by Program / Project
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program / Project
Information Security
Infrastructure Assistance: Alaska Native Villages
Infrastructure Assistance: Brownfields Projects
Infrastructure Assistance: Clean School Bus Initiative
Infrastructure Assistance: Clean Water SRF
Infrastructure Assistance: Drinking Water SRF
Infrastructure Assistance: Mexico Border
Infrastructure Assistance: Puerto Rico
International Capacity Building
IT / Data Management
Legal Advice: Environmental Program
Legal Advice: Support Program
LUST / UST
LUST Cooperative Agreements
Marine Pollution
National Estuary Program / Coastal Waterways
NEPA Implementation
Not Specified
Oil Spill: Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Pesticides: Field Programs
Pesticides: Registration of New Pesticides
Pesticides: Review/ Reregistration of Existing Pesticides
Pollution Prevention Program
POPs Implementation
Radiation: Protection
Radiation: Response Preparedness
RCRA: Corrective Action
RCRA: Waste Management
RCRA: Waste Minimization & Recycling
Regional Geographic Initiatives
Regional Science and Technology
Regulatory Innovation
Regulatory/Economic-Management and Analysis
Research: Air Toxics
Research: Drinking Water
Research: Endocrine Disrupter
Research: Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)
FY 2004
President's
Budget
$13,337
$40,000
$120,500
$1,500
$850,000
$850,000
$50,000
$8,000
$6,177
$137,766
$34,723
$12,241
$17,725
$58,399
$12,050
$19,094
$12,315
($4,000)
$12,898
$25,758
$35,982
$64,314
$17,099
$2,224
$18,865
$4,081
$40,364
$67,382
$12,772
$8,756
$3,609
$21,932
$18,469
$15,701
$46,053
$12,985
$4,012
FY 2005
President's
Budget
$4,697
$40,000
$120,500
$65,000
$850,000
$850,000
$50,000
$4,000
$6,854
$156,282
$35,523
$12,522
$17,594
$58,450
$12,296
$19,229
$12,654
($30,000)
$13,065
$27,186
$45,310
$60,471
$22,496
$2,235
$16,982
$4,850
$40,976
$67,422
$14,302
$8,800
$3,626
$21,992
$18,552
$17,639
$46,118
$8,044
$2,997
D-6
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Appendix D: Budget Tables
Resources by Program / Project
(Dollars in Thousands)
Program / Project
Research: Human Health and Ecosystems
Research: Land Protection and Restoration
Research: Particulate Matter
Research: Pesticides and Toxics
Research: Pollution Prevention
Research: SITE Program
Research: Troposphere Ozone
Research: Water Quality
Research: Computational Toxicology
Research: Fellowships
Research: Global Change
Science Advisory Board
Science Policy and Biotechnology
Small Business Ombudsman
Small Minority Business Assistance
State and Local Prevention and Preparedness
Stratospheric Ozone: Domestic Programs
Stratospheric Ozone: Multilateral Fund
Superfund: Emergency Response and Removal
Superfund: Enforcement
Superfund: EPA Emergency Preparedness
Superfund: Federal Facilities
Superfund: Federal Facilities lAGs
Superfund: Remedial
Superfund: Support to Other Federal Agencies
Surface Water Protection
Toxic Substances: Chemical Risk Management
Toxic Substances: Chemical Risk Review and Reduction
Toxic Substances: Lead Risk Reduction Program
TRI / Right to Know
Tribal - Capacity Building
US Mexico Border
Wetlands
TOTAL
FY 2004
President's
Budget
$190,731
$36,569
$63,621
$36,785
$38,999
$6,941
$4,942
$47,179
$8,949
$6,403
$21,529
$4,409
$1,604
$3,765
$2,215
$12,508
$5,787
$11,000
$199,804
$155,308
$10,130
$32,744
$10,023
$732,043
$10,676
$190,235
$9,243
$45,536
$14,833
$14,691
$10,494
$6,484
$19,300
$7,626,537
FY 2005
President's
Budget
$177,408
$33,059
$63,691
$29,018
$34,061
$6,928
$4,901
$46,810
$13,029
$8,262
$20,690
$4,757
$1,707
$3,839
$2,282
$12,135
$5,840
$13,500
$201,088
$155,537
$10,091
$32,182
$10,044
$725,484
$10,676
$191,797
$9,514
$45,879
$11,083
$15,941
$10,642
$5,785
$19,753
$7,759,244
D-7
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Appendix E Acronyms
Environmental Protection Agency
List of Acronyms
AA Assistant Administrator
ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution
ARA Assistant Regional Administrator
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
B&F Buildings and Facilities
CAA Clean Air Act
CAFO Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
CARE Community Action for a Renewed Environment
CAP Clean Air Partnership Fund
CBEP Community-Based Environmental Protection
CCAP Climate Change Action Plan
CCTI Climate Change Technology Initiative
CEIS Center for Environmental Information and Statistics
CFO Chief Financial Officer
CSI Common Sense Initiative
CSO Combined Sewer Overflows
CWA Clean Water Act
CWAP Clean Water Action Plan
DBP Disinfectant By Products
DfE Design for the Environment
EDP Environmental Leadership Project
EJ Environmental Justice
EPCRA Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act
EPM Environmental Programs and Management
ERRS Emergency Rapid Response Services
ESC Executive Steering Committee
ETI Environmental Technology Initiative
ETV Environmental Technology Verification
FAN Fixed Account Numbers
FCO Funds Certifying Officer
FASAB Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board
FIFRA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
FMFIA Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act
FQPA Food Quality Protection Act
GAPG General Assistance Program Grants
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GPRA Government Performance and Results Act
HSWA Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984
HWIR Hazardous Waste Identification Media and Process Rules
IAG I nteragency Agreements
ICR Information Collection Rule
IFMS Integrated Financial Management System
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
IRM Information Resource Management
E-1
-------
Appendix E Acronyms
ISTEA Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
ITMRA Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1995-AKA Clinger/Cohen Act
LUST Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
MACT Maximum Achievable Control Technology
MUR Monthly Utilization Report
NAAQs National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement
NAPA National Academy of Public Administration
NAS National Academy of Science
NDPD National Data Processing Division
NEP National Estuary Program
NEPPS National Environmental Performance Partnership System
NESHAP National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
NOA New Obligation Authority
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPL National Priority List
NPM National Program Manager
NPR National Performance Review
NPS Non-Point Source
OAM Office of Acquisition Management
OA Office of the Administrator
OAR Office of Air and Radiation
OARM Office of Administration and Resources Management
OCFO Office of the Chief Financial Officer
OCHP Office of Children's Health Protection
OECA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
OEI Office of Environmental Information
OERR Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
OFA Other Federal Agencies
OFPP Office of Federal Procurement Policy
OGC Office of the General Counsel
OIA Office of International Activities
OIG Office of the Inspector General
OMTR Open market trading rule
OPAA Office of Planning, Analysis and Accountability
OPPE Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation
OPPTS Office of Pesticides, Prevention and Toxic Substances
ORD Office of Research and Development
OSWER Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
OTAG Ozone Transport Advisory Group
OW Office of Water
PBTs Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics
PC&B Personnel, Compensation and Benefits
PM Particulate Matter
PNGV Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles
POTWs Publicly Owned Treatment Works
PPG Performance Partnership Grants
PRC Program Results Code
PWSS Public Water System Supervision
E-2
-------
Appendix E Acronyms
RC Responsibility Center
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
RGI Regional Geographic Initiative
RMP Risk Management Plan
RPIO Responsible Planning Implementation Office
RR Reprogramming Request
RWTA Rural Water Technical Assistance
S&T Science and Technology
SALC Suballocation (level)
SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorizations Act of 1986
SBO Senior Budget Officer
SBREFA Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act
SDWIS Safe Drinking Water Information System
SITE Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation
SLC Senior Leadership Council
SRF State Revolving Fund
SRO Senior Resource Official
STAG State and Tribal Assistance Grants
STORS Sludge-to-Oil-Reactor
SWP Source Water Protection
SWTR Surface Water Treatment Rule
TMDL Total Maximun Daily Load
TRI Toxic Release Inventory
TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act
UIC Underground Injection Control
LIST Underground Storage Tanks
WCF Working Capital Fund
WIF Water Infrastructure Funds
WIPP Waste Isolation Pilot Project
E-3
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