Regional Administrator's 2015 Plan Accomplishments ¦ Region 6 Administrator's Priorities f ^tDSr-% 1 $ 5 33 V 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 T> Z UJ § 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 ^pWorkfor,*- l.TKvrat\; E irviromnental Stewardship C liainctcc, A. (j*>iu>Uil>iliLy, R Ex cellence February 22,2016 ------- 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 ®Wo 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 C luu-aetoi; A.ccoiiiiUil)ililv; R espect, Ex « cUe, February 22, 2016 ------- 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 orkfbroe Diversity, nvironrnetital Stewardsliip C limactra, _^^_ocoimUit>iliLy, R espect, Ex oellen< February 22,2016 ------- 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 orkforoe Diversity j irviromneiital Stewardship Cw^A (xx>imUil>iliLy, R.is[iect, ExciJIcikj- February 22, 2016 ------- 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 *eD sta, $ Vk. * PRO"*^ ui O Our 2015 Accomplishments Report is available at www.epa.gov/region6 orkforoe Diversity j irviromneiital Stewardship Cw^A (xx>imUil>iliLy, R.is[iect, ExciJIcikj- February 22, 2016 ------- |