Regional Administrator's 400-Day Plan - 2008

Clean The Air

Ensure clean air for communities

• Kick off an area-wide challenge/campaign maximizing the number of diesel retrofit/replacement projects qualifying for TERP DFW area funding; December 2007 2
• Seek a commitment with DFW Airport Board of Directors to lower emissions; December 2007 2
  
• Propose to approve or disapprove the DFW SIP; May - July 2008 2 3
• Complete DFW SIP strategy, based on comments received, progress of initiatives and ozone air quality improvements; December 2008 2 3
• Propose Houston’s reclassification from moderate to severe 8-hour ozone nonattainment in response to the Texas Governor's request; December 2007 2 3
• Final approval of the Houston reclassification, and schedule for SIP submittal; June 2008 2 3
• Beaumont attainment for the 8-hour ozone standard; February 2008 2
• Early emissions strategy to achieve reductions in the Houston-Galveston area; October 2008
• Approve Ozone Flex agreements for 3 communities, putting in place steps for early attainment of 8-hour ozone standard; October 2008

Restore And Protect The Water 1 2

Ensure safe drinking water

• Drinking water meeting all health standards (person-month basis) for at least 93.5% of the Region’s population served by Community Water Systems; September 2008 2

Provide leadership to restore and protect watersheds and coastal waters

• Enlist 20 additional communities in water conservation/efficiency partnerships to save 3M gallons of water per year; December 2008
  
• Release the Highest Contributing Watershed Report and develop a strategy for targeting nutrient reduction efforts; September 2008 2
• Complete rock placement for Shell Beach portion of Lake Borgne CWPPRA project.
• Initiate construction phase of 3 additional CWPPRA projects if funding is approved by Task Force; December 2008
• Improve water quality conditions in 3 watersheds; September 2008

Recycle And Renew Polluted Land

Make land available for Reuse

• Approve Tar Creek OU4 Superfund Site final remedy; March 2008 2
• Complete 1 major transaction that promotes redevelopment in the Region; September 2008
• Prepare 3 site-wide Superfund sites ready for reuse
• Complete remedies at 4 nationally significant Superfund sites
• Attain human health protection by eliminating potential exposure pathways at 1 Superfund site
• Control groundwater migration at 2 Superfund sites and 2 priority RCRA facilities
• Complete or oversee 25 removal actions or emergency responses within the Superfund program
• Conduct 50 Brownfield assessments; reach 25 final Superfund site assessment decisions
• Control Human Exposure to toxins at 2 priority RCRA facilities
• Bring 10 hazardous waste management facilities in place to prevent releases to air, soil and groundwater
• Select corrective action remedies at 4 priority RCRA facilities; complete corrective action construction at 4 priority RCRA facilities
• Reduce toxic chemicals by 50,000 lbs through the NEPPs Program
• Issue 3 Ready for Reuse Determinations promoting RCRA facilities revitalization

Make Compliance Our Enforcement Objective

Prioritize decisions to maximize environmental benefits

• Conduct 15 inspections/exercises at oil storage facilities with Facility Response Plans 2
• Complete 2 PRP-lead removals with enforceable instruments
• Reach settlement or enforcement action with viable PRPs before remedial action start at 95% of Superfund sites
• Address 100% of Superfund site’s Statute of Limitations cases with unaddressed total costs equal to or greater than $200,000
• Pilot a Self Audit program with Texas Homebuilders Association to improve compliance with stormwater regulations; December 2008
• Initiate an air toxics inspection targeting initiative/pilot with City of Houston; Spring 2008
• Conduct 10 CAA inspections in or affecting nonattainment areas 2 3
• Undertake 5 CAA enforcement actions in or affecting nonattainment areas
• Conduct 75% CAFO inspections in impaired watersheds
• Conduct 50% NPDES inspections in impaired watersheds
• Develop a regional SSO enforcement strategy
• Develop a comprehensive regional safe drinking water enforcement strategy addressing all systems, regardless of size

Promote Innovative Approaches to Environmental Problem-solving

Alternative Asbestos Control Method (AACM) 2

• Complete 3 pilot tests and peer review; September 2008 2
• Provide scientific evaluation to help Agency decision makers decide future course of action on AACM; September 2008

Blue Skyways Collaboration (BSC)

• BSC partners reach the $600M funding mark; announce 25 new members to reach 136; increase greenhouse gases emission reductions from 500K tons to 1M tons; increase diesel engine retrofits achieved from 11,742 to 12,742K; December 2008 2 3

Dallas Sustainable Skylines (DSSI)

• Host event with the City of Dallas recognizing new DSSI partners and update on the progress/successes of the 7 core projects; expected emission reductions are 2.1 tons of NOx; September 2008

Seek positive opportunities for collaboration with regulated parties

• } Cowboys Stadium joins Performance Track program at the national conference; May 2008 2
• Complete final Trinity River Project EIS review; December 2008
• Convene a forum with stakeholders following publication of the revised EPA CAFO regulation; December 2008
  

Help Protect The Security of America 1 2 3

Disaster Response and Preparedness

• Complete 'Pairing' agreement with Region 7 on emergency preparedness and response, and agreement to conduct joint exercises on emergency operations and water security; September 2008
• Complete Region 6 training and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) facility; July 2008
• Increase Response Support Corps by 15%
• Conduct 8-10 table and/or field exercises 3
• Maintain an emergency response readiness score of 80% or better
• Conduct 125 risk management plan audits
• Conduct 3 exercises with Sister City communities along the border 3
• Improve Internal Preparedness by conducting 2 exercises; training of staff on COOP and evacuation plans
• Complete installation of 2 RadNet Monitors; September 2008
  

Assist Recovery Efforts in Louisiana

Address priorities of hurricane response

• Complete associated FEMA assignments, and transition work to Louisiana officials; March 2008 2 3

Develop Collaborative Networks

Address state-specific priorities and objectives 2

• Assist TX, LA, and AR with clean air plans for nonattainment areas
• Assist OK in addressing Northeastern OK water quality pollution
• Assist OK with infrastructure needs driven by public water supply standards
• Provide AR with up-to-date information on oil and gas exploration and development monitoring
• Work with AR to improve management water quality planning activities
• Assist AR with carbon emission guidelines
• Maximize participation in the TX Emissions Reduction Program
• Assist TX in implementation of new federal drinking water standards in TX through training and/or technical assistance as requested
• Work with NM on 319 watershed protection grants and review of water quality standards
• Continue Superfund transition of Molycorp (Conoco) to NMED
• Assist LA with implementation of the LA Clean Waters Program

Address tribal priorities and objectives 2

• Narrow environmental protection gaps in tribal priority area of open dumping 3
• Assist the Pueblo of Sandia with the inspection of 1 facility on Pueblo lands; Spring 2008
• Assist San Felipe Pueblo in developing a plan ensuring all Pueblo members receive safe clean drinking water; Spring 2008
• MOUs with Haskell Indian Nations University and University of North Texas to encourage development of environmental studies programs and tribal environmental professionals; August 2008
• Hold interagency meeting to address improving environmental conditions on tribal lands; May 2008
• Initiate water quality assessment of domestic water wells on tribal lands; March 2008
• Drinking water meeting all health standards (person-month basis) for at least 93.5% of tribal population served by Community Water Systems; September 2008 2
• Host Third Annual “Beyond Translation Forum”; October 2008 2
• Conduct 2 pilot projects to prepare environmental justice communities for emergency situations; August 2008
• Increase pesticides study awareness for 300 workers and their families in the Rio Grande Valley, TX area
• Increase environmental health awareness and related careers for 200 students

Improve The Environment Along The US/Mexico Border

Provide border residents with safe drinking water and adequate sanitation 1 2 3

• Partner with NM and TX to improve environmental conditions along the Border
• Reduce border project unliquidated obligations by $45M; December 2008 2
• Complete 11 BEIF water/wastewater border projects; December 2008 1 2 3
• Clean up in excess of 600,000 additional tires as part of the Border Strategy

Energy Production and Efficiency 1 2

Promote innovative energy projects to meet the nation’s energy needs

• Release a region wide consolidated energy and climate change strategy; March 2008

Manage Resources Wisely 2 3

Annual Commitment System

• Meet all priority measures in the organizational assessment; September 2008 2 3

Implement a strategic human capital program 1

• Revise/update the Regional PeoplePlan
• Provide 45 training courses to Region 6’s EPA staff
• Through monthly meetings of the Labor Management Committee, seek collaborative ways to improve the workplace
• Provide Executive Coaching sessions to at least 40 managers
• Initiate the second class of Leadership Development Program; May 2008

Ensure integrity of our financial management

• Achieve a $250M reduction in ULOs in Region 6; September 2008