![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090508194714im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Region 5 Priorities
The priorities for the Midwest and Great Lakes derive from the Administrator's action plan; the Agency's emerging work in Eco-Regions; joint priorities negotiated with states and tribes and finally, the measures used to track the Region's annual performance. In addressing these priorities, Region 5 will ensure that decisions and actions are consistent with the Administrator's principles of Results and Accountability; Innovation and Collaboration and Best Available Science. In keeping with the principles, the Region, through partnerships with state, tribal and local environmental regulators, will work to protect human health and the environment by fostering stewardship and furthering voluntary efforts while ensuring compliance with environmental laws through assistance and vigorous enforcement.
Printable version of the Region 5 priorities (PDF) (1 pg, 86K, About PDF )
Air | Water | Land | Multi-Media | Human Capital
Air
- Expand the use of biofuels and reduce diesel emissions through retrofit and other technologies
- Use assistance agreements and partnerships to promote reductions in diesel emissions
- Address NAAQS non-attainment for ozone and PM 2.5
- Help states meet Clean Air Act requirements and develop approvable attainment plans
- Redesignate eligible areas to attainment
- Ensure timely and streamlined permitting for domestic energy projects
- Work with states to expedite energy permit review and issuance
- Protect communities from hazardous air pollutants
- Develop regional / state capacity to address impacts
- Reduce risk through collaborative and regulatory approaches
Water
- Protect and restore watersheds, using voluntary and regulatory approaches, especially through partnerships with agriculture
- Reduce nutrient loadings
- Enhance water quality monitoring programs to:
- Better assess conditions and trends
- Evaluate effectiveness of surface water programs
- Protect public health and restore lakes and rivers for recreation;
- Control / eliminate Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)
- Correct Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs)
Land
- Reduce the incidence of childhood lead poisoning;
- Target enforcement of lead rules
- Develop viable partnerships with stakeholders to craft and implement lead reduction strategies
- Promote stewardship through increased re-source conservation and voluntary conservation programs
- Clean up spills, facilitate the restoration of contaminated properties and accelerate their return to productive use
Multi-Media
- Meet Agency commitments to the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration
- Restore, protect and enhance Great Lakes wetlands and beaches
- Clean up Areas of Concern with an emphasis on contaminated sediments
- Improve regional disaster and homeland security planning, preparedness and response capabilities
- Implement programs in Indian country while continuing to build Tribal capacity
Human Capital
- The Region's systems and organizational structures support its employees in accomplishing the Agency's strategic goals
- Attract and retain a diverse and talented workforce
- Help the Region's highly capable employees perform to their highest potential
- Ensure that employees at all levels are results-focused, act with integrity and help to improve environmental programs through innovation, creativity and reasonable risk-taking
- Teamwork and collaboration are routinely practiced with internal and external customers