Regional Administrator's 2015 Plan
Accomplishments ¦ Region 6

Administrator's Priorities

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1.	Acting on Climate Change

2.	Improving Air Quality

3.	Making Visible Difference in Communities

4.	Taking Action on Toxics and Chemical Safety

5.	Protecting Water: A Precious, Limited Resource

6.	Working Toward a Sustainable Future, EJ and Environmentalism

7.	Launching a New Era of State, Tribal and Local Partnerships

8.	Embracing EPA as a High Performing Organization



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Looking back

PROltC

"It is with great pride that I look back on these
accomplishments as we recap our efforts in 2015. It goes
without saying that we are making a difference in all of our
states as well as our communities for the benefit of citizens. Your
commitment to all of our priorities is noteworthy and I hope you
share the same pride as I do when reflecting on 2015."

- Ron Curry

Acting on Climate Change

Promote innovative energy projects to meet the nation's energy needs:
Conduct educational outreach on the final CAA 111 (d) rule for
existing power plants after finalized regulations

V	Completed

Promote the Federal Green Challenge; provide technical assistance
to current participants

V	Completed

Recruit and retain 40 partners in Sustainable Materials Challenges

V	Exceeded. Recruited and retained 108 partners.

Conduct 2 energy management webinars and 2 workshops to share
energy reduction practices among water and wastewater utilities

V	On-going. Conducted 3 energy assessment/workshops/webinars
Provide outreach and assistance to 100 local schools in C3

V	On-going efforts to encourage schools to participate in C3
Recruit 15 new WaterSense Partners to further water efficiency and
conservation efforts

V	On-going recruitment

Broadcast UStream Webcast to students nationwide using NASA's
Digital Learning Network

V	Completed

Implement a regional IT Green Meeting Tool Kit to conserve
resources during large conferences/meetings

V	Completed

Improving Air Quality

Ensure clean air for communities:

Issue grants for emission control technologies that reduce diesel
engine related emissions

V	Completed

Train health care professional on indoor environmental risks

V	Completed

Issue Regional Haze Plan in Texas

V	Completed

Complete review of stack test results of 8 incinerators, boilers and
halogen acid furnaces; issue Finding of Compliance

V	Exceeded. Completed and reviewed 12 test results and issued
12 Notices of Compliance

Conduct 10 CAA compliance evaluations for facilities in
nonattainment areas

V	Exceeded. 41 compliance evaluations were conducted
Initiate 5 CAA enforcement actions at facilities in noncompliance or
affecting nonattainment areas

V	Exceeded. 16 actions were issued

Conduct 20 compliance evaluations at oil and gas facilities

V	Exceeded. 55 compliance evaluations were conducted

Making a Visible Difference in Communities Across
the Country

Make land available for Reuse:

Continue support for H2S air monitoring

V	Completed

Complete 1 leaking underground storage tank cleanup in Indian
Country

V	Completed

Work with Alexandria Pineville Community to address human health
concerns

V	Completed

Work with TCEQ and City of Frisco to ensure effective Exide facility
cleanup

V	Completed

Assist with annual Waste Isolation Pilot Project Inspection Report
and Biennial Environmental Compliance Report response

V	Completed

Oversee NMEDs actions with WIPP, LANL

V	Completed

Oversee TCEQs actions with Waste Control Specialists

V	Completed

Issue 2 Ready for Reuse determinations with State partners

V	Completed

Work with Anthony NM on EPAs Building Blocks Workshop

V	On-going

Ensure completion of Plains Terminals site wide cleanup of former
Encycle property with community involvement

V	Completed

Collaborate on 3 priority RCRA correction sites to ensure cleanup
progress

V	Exceeded. Collaborated on 4 facilities

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February 22,2016


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Regional Administrator's 2015 Plan
Accomplishments ¦ Region 6

This past year; we focused our energy,; talents and resources
to accomplish these priorities:

Propose final remedy for public comment on Camp Stanley

V	Completed

Focus on land reuse Superfund sites in Alexandria and Pineville

V	On-going

Conduce 47 Superfund site assessments

V	Completed

Conduct 100 Brownfield property assessments

V	Exceeded. 113 Brownfields property assessments
Cleanup 7 Brownfield properties

V	Completed

Hold 20 community meetings at Superfund sites

V	Exceeded. 25 community meetings were held at Superfund sites
Obtain 12 Brownfield Grants for communities

V	Completed

Complete 28 Superfund-lead and PRP lead removal action/responses

V	Exceeded. 32 removal actions were completed
Achieve Human Exposure Under Control at 1 Superfund site

V	Completed

Make 1 Superfund site ready for use site-wide

V	Completed

Complete 9 Superfund Remedial Action projects

V	Exceeded. 14 Remedial Action projects were completed
Reach settlement or take enforcement action before the start of remedial
action at 95% of Superfund sites with viable PRPs

V	Exceeded. 100% were completed

Work to TX Water Development Board to provide funding for Cyndie
Park II colonia residents

V	Completed

Participate in federal partnership team activities for the White House
Council for Strong City Strong Communities activities

V	On-going

Participate in Urban Waters project work plans and partnerships in
designated project areas

V	On-going

Secure funding to bring drinking water connections to regional colonias

V	Completed

Host 2 events supporting North Texas' Ten on Tuesday campaign

V	Exceeded. Hosted 3 events

Taking Action on Toxics and Chemical Safety

Prioritize decisions to maximize environmental benefits:

Provide Toxic Release Inventory workshops and webinars to regulated
community

V	Completed

Hold regional P2 Roundtable in AR promoting expansion of pollution
prevention approaches

V	Completed

Reissue 20 state permits ensuring proper management of hazardous
waste

V	Exceeded. 22 hazardous waste state permits were reissued
Control human exposure to toxins in 13 priority RCRA facilities

V	Exceeded. 14 facilities have been controlled for human exposure
Complete 6 PCB evaluations

V	Exceeded. 9 PCB evaluations were completed

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orkforce Diwraty, E i Tvironmental Stewardship

Issue 10 CAFOs requiring worker training and contingency plans at
hazardous waste generators

V	Exceeded. 30 CAFOs were completed
Conduct 45 risk management plan inspections

V	Exceeded. 90 inspections were conducted

Conduct 32 Local Emergency Planning Committee workshops in
partnership with DHS and DOL

V	Completed 31 workshops; on-going workshops scheduled for 2016
Protecting children where they live, learn and play:

Promote IPM program to decrease exposure of children in schools to
pests and pesticides

V	Completed

Promote lead safe work practices using RRP trained professional

V	Completed

Implement a Children's Environmental Health border initiative to
include healthy Homes training and Children's Environmental Health
symposium

V	Completed

Conduct Eco-healthy childcare training in Texas

V	Completed

Conduct compliance inspections at 5 child occupied facilities for RRP

V	Exceeded. 11 inspections were completed.

Conduct 8 exercises to improve emergency preparedness at federal,
state and local levels

V	Completed

Conduct Soil kitchen testing event in Austin, TX

V	Completed

Protecting Water: A Precious, Limited Resource

Ensure safe drinking water for communities:

Collaborate with state agencies and the Air Force on groundwater
model to ensure protection of City of Albuquerque drinking water supply
aquifer

V	Completed

Support NMED with review of Kirtland AFB fuel spill remediation work
plans and technical documents

Address priority tribal Public Water Systems using Enforcement
Targeting Tool

V	Completed

Work with State partners to address/resolve 450 noncompliant public
water systems

V	Exceeded. 733 were accomplished

Work with state and Federal funding agencies on drinking water
requirements at public water supplies

V	Completed

Achieve groundwater migration under control at 2 Superfund sites

V	Completed

Ensure drinking water meets standards for at least 95% of population

V	Completed 93%. Houston incurred a total coliform rule violation
which prevented 95% achievement

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February 22, 2016


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Regional Administrator's 2015 Plan
Accomplishments ¦ Region 6

This past year, we focused our energy,; talents and resources
to accomplish these priorities:

Provide assistance to 5 tribal drinking water systems to improve
compliance with SDWA standards

V	Completed

Issue permits with protective controls for 95% of applications
received to protect underground sources from injection wells and
unconventional oil and gas exploration

V	Exceeded. 100% of injection permits issued safeguarded sources
Provide state agencies with tools to track and take action on injection
wells inducing seismic events

V	Completed

Provide environmental hazard education and public health issues to
30 senior citizens and providers in health care facilities

V	Exceeded. Provided environmental hazard education to 50 seniors
Promote WaterSense program conservation at 6 community events

V	Completed

Partner with 10 WaterSense Partners promoting Fix a Leak activities

V	Exceeded. Collaborated with 15 WaterSense Partners

Provide leadership to restore and protect watersheds and coastal waters:
Conduct 80% CAFO inspections in impaired watersheds, water
bodies, or in response to citizen complaints

V	Completed

Conduct 60% NPDES inspections in impaired watersheds or sensitive
water bodies

V	Completed

Conduct 140 SPCC and 50 FRP inspections and response exercises
at Oil Pollution Act regulated facilities

V	Exceeded. 167 SPCC and 52 FRP were conducted
Respond to oil spills impacting water of the US to meet regional
response criteria

V	Completed

Work with states to develop 5 new watershed plans

V	Exceeded. Accepted 6 new watershed-based plans

Partner with states to host 1 Regional Technical Assistance Group on
nutrient targets; 1 water quality standards meeting to discuss priority
issues; assist 1 state develop nutrient criteria, targets and translators

V	Exceeded. Assisted 4 states in developing nutrient criteria, targets
and translators and Completed 1 RTAG, 1 WQS

Work with coastal consortiums to restore 3,000 acres of habitat;
submit 5 marsh restoration projects or voting in the CWPPRA; attend
1 meeting supporting RESTORE Council efforts in the Gulf Coast

V	Exceeded. Submitted 6 marsh restoration projects, completed
6,984 acres and attended/supported RESTORE council efforts
Concur on 4 civil works projects for navigational dredging sediment
disposal; establish a coordination process with USACE on dredger
permits; conduct Ocean Disposal Sites monitoring survey

V	Exceeded. Concurred on 6 civil works projects, established a
coordination process with USACE, concurred on 2 third party dredgers
and completed a monitoring survey

Work with federal and state partners to review, develop impact
statements, water supply project permits, and mitigation plans on 2 TX
reservoir projects

V	Completed

Lead 2 Earth Day and school activities providing outreach to 3,500

V	Completed

Participate in 3 Green Infrastructure Low Impact Development events

V	Exceeded. Participated in 14 events

Hold 1 MS4 conference for state and municipalities

V	Completed

Maintain 94% NPDES permit currency rate

V	Exceeded. NPDES permit currency rate of 97.7% maintained
Work with states to document 3 nonpoint source impaired waters full or
partial restorations

V	Exceeded. Achieved 8 success stories

Establish a sustainable infrastructure financing team for ways to finance
green infrastructure and low impact development practices

V	Completed

Working Toward A Sustainable Future, Environmental
Justice and Environmentalism

Partner with vulnerable communities to address concerns related to
environmental justice priorities:

Reach 1,000 people at events to educate and work on sustainable
materials management

V	Exceeded. 2,300 people were reached

Provide training and panel discussions on various environmental issues
at the Arkansas EJ Workshop

V	Completed

Award 4 EJ Small Grants for community climate resilience component
in their work plans

V	Completed

Conduct monthly conference calls by state with vulnerable community
leaders addressing EJ priorities

V	Completed

Conduct quarterly conference calls with regional community leaders
addressing EJ priorities of a broader regional nature

V	Completed

Award GAP grants to tribal governments for capacity building activities

V	Completed

Issue 5 CAA enforcement actions at facilities impacting communities

V	Exceeded. 16 actions were issued

Review draft NEPA documents for impacts to EJ and tribal communities

V	Completed

Conduct Targeted Brownfield Assessments at Cochiti Pueblo and
Choctaw Nation

V	Completed

Use EJ Screen in Public Water Supply Supervision and UIC Permitting

V	Completed

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February 22,2016


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Regional Administrator's 2015 Plan
Accomplishments ¦ Region 6

This past year,; we focused our energy,; talents and resources
to accomplish these priorities:

Build 3 new partners and continue existing partnerships promoting
environmental eduction and outreach

V	Completed

Improving the environment along the US/Mexico Border

Participate in the biannual Border planning workshop in Tijuana, Mexico

V	Completed

Transition and integrate US/Mexico program into the OEJTA structure;
increase EJ work activities along the border

V	Completed

Provide 600 additional homes with safe drinking water

V	Exceeded. 878 additional homes were provided safe drinking water
Provide 40,000 additional homes with adequate wastewater sanitation

V	Exceeded. 44,011 additional homes were provided wastewater
sanitation

Host the 2015 Border 2020 National Coordinator's Meeting

V	Completed

Train 150-200 Promotoras on Environmental Health

V	Exceeded. Conducted 7 trainings for 240 promotoras and health care
workers

Launching a New Era of State, Tribal and Local
Partnerships

Addressing State Priorities:

Negotiate reductions of SIP Backlog with states. Address 45 SIP
revisions consistent with reductional plans

V	Exceeded. Reductions were negotiated with each state and 70 SIP
revisions were addressed

Meet with regional UST/LUST program managers; increase compliance,
prevention cleanup, address new releases, ensure financial assurance

V	Completed

Meet with regional Sustainable Materials Management managers

V	Completed

Hold Lead Paint meeting with state and tribal partners

V	Completed

Utilize EJSCREEN and EJ2020 Framework tool with State partners

V	Completed

Conduct a State Review Framework with ODEQ and ADEQ

V	Completed

Initiate a State Review Framework with LDEQ

V	Completed

Complete the Illinois River Watershed Model

V	Completed

Conduct onsite Permit Quality Review of AR NPDES Program

V	Completed

Host 1 NPDES Permit Writers Course

V	Completed

Host 1 NPDES Permit State Managers Meeting

V	Completed

Work with grantees to award available CWA & SDWA funds

V	Completed

Participate in a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation review and
prioritize awardees

V	Completed

Approve 1 tribal TAS application for CWA 106 grants

V	On-going. Approval for Caddo Nation estimate is 2016
• Host 1 EPA 2015 SRF Workshop

V	Completed

Participate in 1 regional Pretreatment workshop for states and
municipalities

V	Completed

Hold Superfund Regional Decision Team meeting with State and
Tribal Partners

V	Completed

Conduct Superfund Risk Assessment Training with State and Tribal
Partners V Completed

V	Completed

Safeguarding our Trust responsibilities:

Conduct UST inspections and compliance assistance in Indian
Country

V	Completed

Hold Radon Stakeholders meeting

V	Completed

Support through RCRA grants household hazardous waste
collections for the Eight Northern Tribes Nation and Choctaw Nation

V	Completed

Conduct a RCRA All-States Meeting

V	Completed

Participate in an indoor air quality workshop with Region 7

V	Completed

Complete 10 EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans

V	Completed

Facilitate 2 RTOC meetings

V	Exceeded. Facilitated 3 RTOC meetings

Assist 1 tribal partner to expand their capacity to measure quality
of their water, establish authorities and set protective water quality
standards

V	Completed

Offer Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation for tribes
affected by NPDES Permitting Actions

V	Completed

Embracing EPA as a High Performing Organization

Developing our People:

Conduct LEAN projects to improve efficiency

V	Completed

Provide 10 Employee Assistance Program trainings

V	Completed

Provide 24 GS14 -15 Supervisors Leadership Development Training

V	Exceeded. Training was provided for 26 supervisors

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February 22, 2016


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Regional Administrator's 2015 Plan
Accomplishments ¦ Region 6

This past year; we focused our energy, talents and resources
to accomplish these priorities:

Complete Manager's 360 Survey Analysis

V	Completed

Provide 3 Job Swap Brown Bags

V	Exceeded. 7 brown bags were conducted
Conduct Mentoring survey; update mentoring roster

V	Completed

Provide contractor support for development of SharePoint sites

V	Completed

Assist OEI with implementation of Office 365 Government G3 upgrade

V	Completed

Provide 1 tribal consultation training to the region

V	Completed

Conduct Annual Civil/Criminal Enforcement Training

V	Completed

Conduct joint training with the Peruvian Agency for Environmental
Evaluation and Enforcement strengthening internal partnerships

V	Completed

Conduct CAFO training for regions and states

V	Completed

Provide UIC training/assistance to Region 8

V	Completed

Provide training to HQ and all regions for conducting RCRA data mining
for targeting

V	Completed

Provide eRouting training to other regions

V	Completed

Support participation by 5 Water Division Supervisors in LDP

V	Completed

Promote cross-program leadership through developmental assignments
and reassignments

V	Completed

Promote Lean initiative by completing an analysis of region's direct
Implementation UIC permitting process

V	Completed

Ensure integrity of our financial management:

Award and manage grants and cooperative agreements

V	Completed

Ensure financial activities comply with FMFIA and all internal controls

V	Completed

Review 100% of recorded ULOs; de-obligate unneeded funds

V	Completed

Work with tribal partners to enhance financial and administrative grant
management

V	Completed

Provide financial training on various financial systems

V	Completed

Conduct 5 programmatic advanced monitoring reviews on OEJTA
grants

V	Exceeded. 6 programmatic advanced monitoring reviews were
conducted

Conduct 25 advanced reviews of federal financial assistance
agreements

V	Completed

Develop standard operation procedures for CWPPRA funding

V	Completed

Advancing the role of science, research, and technological innovation:
Complete development of an e-records management system in
Houston Lab semi-volatile and metals data packages; complete
50% of volatiles, pesticides, and aquatic toxicology e-records data
packages

V	Completed

Present development of EPA Test Methods for Evaluating Solid
Waste workgroup to an international forum; solicit feedback to
proposed changes and improvements

V	Completed

Partner with federal agencies in using satellite and remote
techniques to study harmful algal blooms in our waters

V	Completed

Questions?

Please talk with your supervisor about
our goals



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Our 2015 Accomplishments Report is
available at
www.epa.gov/region6

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February 22, 2016


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