FACTS ON
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION FIVE
1 N. Wacker Dr. Chicago, Illinois 60606 312-353-5800
Regional Counsel
The Office of Regional Counsel was established in 1973- as an exten-
sion of the Office of General Counsel at EPA Headquarters in Washington.
The purpose of this move was to provide the Regional Administrator and all
Regional and District Office Directors with legal advice and assistance
without having to contact Washington.
The Regional Counsel, who is appointed by and takes direction irom
the General Counsel in Washington, provides legal support for all programs
within the Region except for those services directly connected with enforce-
ment.
He and his staff meet regularly with the Regional Administrator and
staff Directors in order to provide assistance in the day-to-day interpre-
tations of statutes and regulations and to provide legal guidance in the
administration of all EPA programs.
The Regional Counsel meets frequently with the attorney general and
the environmental legal officers of each State within the Region. They
discuss the relationships and interdependence of State and Federal statutes
and regulations and recommend legislative or administrative changes where
it is deemed advisable.
The Regional Counsel makes a legal review of all EPA grants in excess
of $100,000 and grant modifications in excess of $10,000. He counsels with
the grant administrators and the grantees concerning legal and technical
requirements of the grant programs.
The Regional Counsel and his staff issue legal opinions and memoranda
concerning allowable rapid tax amortization schedules for the addition of
air or water pollution control facilities by private industry under section
169 of the Internal Revenue Code.
They confer with the officials of State pollution control agencies
and affected industries where an application is in dispute.
The Regional Counsel maintains day-to-day liaison with the Office of
General Counsel in Washington, coordinating those regional matters of legal
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concern with national EPA policies.
The Office of Regional Counsel assists local counsel in interpreting
the Federal statutes and regulations for State and local government pol-
lution control officials, professional associations, and concerned citizens
groups.
The Regional Counsel, in collaboration with EPA Headquarters in
Washington and the Department of Justice, directs all matters of EPA liti-
gation within the Region except for enforcement suits. This litigation
includes such matters as contract and tort claims, patent interference
suits, legal challenges to Agency programs, and appellate procedures.
In addition, the Regional Counsel and his staff provide necessary
legal services to Agency officials in connection with the Administrative
Procedures Act and hearings before regulatory boards or commissions.
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