FACTS ON
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION FIVE
1 N. Wacker Dr. Chicago, Illinois 60606 312-353-5800
Surveillance Branch
The Surveillance Branch at the present time is composed of two sec-
tions; The Technical Services Section and the Monitoring Section.
The Technical Services Section has a number of areas of concern.
One of the current programs receiving much emphasis involves pro-
viding the necessary documentation, including inspection, to indus-
trial plants as required by Section 704 of the Tax Reform Act of 1969-
This act provides rapid tax amortization for the construction of waste
treatment facilities, both air and water.
One of the larger programs at the present time involves support
to Section 123 of the 1970 River & Habors Act. This Section gives the
Corps of Engineers the authority to build confined disposal areas at
harbors having polluted bottom sediments. Our support to this program
involves coordinating the bottom sediment sampling at approximately 50
harbors each year to maintain the necessary classification schedule
regarding the bottom sediments, coordinating the site inspections for
the confined disposal facilities at approximately 25 locations per year,
preparation of priority listings of harbors needing confined facilities
each year, and the proparation of waivers of the local 25 percent con-
struction costs when eligible. The Section also reviews the plans of
the confined disposal facilities.
Support is also given to the Corps of Engineers three year study
of demonstration projects for determining the feasibility of extending
the navigation season on the Great Lakes. A member of the Technical
Services Section serves as chairman of the Environmental Evaluation
Work Group for this three year study as well as a member of the Working
Committee.
There are a number of other programs involving ground water, vessel
waste, estuarine studies, and agricultural programs that are supported
by the Technical Servies Section.
In support of agricultural programs the section works closely with
the state conservationists and other Department of Agriculture person-
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nel to assist in every way we can to help control pollution in their partic-
ular areas.
The final area of concern for the Technical Services Section is reply-
ing to inquiries and complaints from citizens, congressional sources, and
local entities.
The Monitoring Section has three basic functions; data coordination,
oil and hazardous materials, and data evaluation.
The data coordination unit obtains water quality data from states and
other organizations who monitor water quality, store this data in STORET
and assist states in the use of STORET. They maintain municipal and
industrial wastes inventories and establish channels for flow of data to
and from regional and state programs.
The oil and hazardous materials unit functions include preparation
of the regional contingency plan, and review of industrial, state, or
other contingency plans. They serve as a clearing house for spill infor-
mation in the Region, preparing recommendations and referrals to enforce-
ment, and providing support for major cleanups.
The data evaluation unit evaluates the data from long term monitoring
networks. Assists in evaluating and designing the network itself. They
also publish results of the data evaluation.
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