xvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office Of
Chief Financial Officer
(2732)
EPA 20S-S-98-002
February 1998
FY 1999 Annual Plan Summary
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Note: As described more fully in the following pages, EPA is engaged in an effort to fully
integrate planning, budgeting and accountability consistent with the requirements of the
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). As part of this effort, EPA's FY 1999
budget request to Congress has been fully integrated with our FY 1999 Annual Plan under the
GPRA. The Justification of Appropriation Estimates For the Committees on Appropriations.
submitted to Congress on February 2, 1998, contains both: 1) the Annual Performance Goals,
specific performance measures, and other Annual Plan requirements of GPRA, and 2) other
budget-related information needed to support and explain the Agency's request for
appropriations.
This document is an extract of the information specifically applicable to Annual Planning
requirements under GPRA. It has been prepared to facilitate review and understanding of the
specific performance commitments being made by the Agency pursuant to GPRA.
U S. EPA Headquarters Library
Mail code 3201
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20460
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Flan
Table of Contents
Introduction and Overview i
Mission.Statement and Agency Purpose i-1
EPA Goals .J i-2
Guiding Principles i-4
New Approaches to Planning and Budgeting. " i-5
Organization for the Annual Plan . . . .i-6
Overview of the Plan i-9
Goal Is Clean Air .1-1
Annual Performance Goals 1-5
Key Performance Measures 1-5
Key Performance Measures Verification 1-7
Statutory Authority ' 1-9
Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water II-l
Annual Performance Goals ... II-5
Key Performance Measures II-6
Key Performance Measures Verification .... II-8
Statutory Authority " 11-11
Goal 3s Safe Food III-l
Annual Performance Goals III-3
Key Performance Measures •...-.-.., III-4
Key Performance Measures Verification ........ .111-4
Statutory Authority . . . ' ' .111-5
Goal 4: Preventing Pollution and Reducing Risk in Communities, Homes,
Workplaces and Ecosystems IV-1
Annual Performance Goals .... IV-6
Key Performance Measures IV- 7
Key Performance Measures Verification IV-8
Statutory Authority IV-12
Goal 5: Better Haste Management and Restoration of Contaminated
Haste Sites . . v-1
Annual Performance Goals V-5
Key Performance Measures V-6
Key Performance Measures Verification . . . . ; V-7
Statutory Authority V-ll
Goal 6: Reduction of Global and Cross-Border Environmental Risks .... VI-l
Annual Performance Goals •. VI-5
Key Performance Measures VI-e
Key Performance Measures Verification VI-7
Statutory Authority VI-9
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Right to Know About Their Environment
Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 7: Expansion of Americans
Annual Performance Goals
Key Performance Measures
Key Performance Measures Verification
Statutory Authority
Goal 8: Sound Science, Improved Understanding of Environmental Risks,
and Greater Innovation to Address Environmental Problems
Annual Performance Goals
Key Performance Measures
Key Performance Measures Verification
Statutory Authority
VII-1
VII-5
VII-5
VII-6
VII-9
VIII-l
VIII-6
VIII-7
VIII-8
VIII-9
Goal 9: A Credible Deterrent to Pollution and Greater Compliance
with the Law ; IX-1
Annual Performance Goals . IX-3
Key Performance Measures '. . IX-3
Key Performance Measures Verification ' IX-7
Statutory Authority IX-8
Goal 10: Effective Management X-l
Annual Performance Goals . . , X-5
Key Performance Measures , . . . X-5
Key Performance Measures Verification X-7
Statutory Authority X-9
Special Analysis .• SA-1
The Customer Service Program and its Goals SA-i
Costs and Benefits for Economically Significant Rule in 1998
Or 1999 SA-4
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Introduction and Overview
Mission Statement and Agency Purpose . i-l
EPA Goals i-2
Guiding Principles i-4
New Approaches to Planning and Budgeting ..i-5
Organization for the Annual Plan. .... i-6
Overview of the Plan . i-9
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EPA's Mission and Purpose
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human
health and to safeguard the natural environment--air, water, and land--upon which
life depends. EPA's purpose is to ensure that:
• All Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the
environment where they live, learn, and work.
• National efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best
available scientific information.
Federal laws protecting
fairly and effectively.
human health and the"environment are enforced
Environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies
concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy,
transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these
factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy.
All parts of society--communities, individuals, business, state and local
governments, and tribal governments--have access to accurate information
sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and
environmental risks.
Environmental protection contributes to making our communities and
ecosystems diverse/sustainable, and economically productive.
The United States plays a leadership role in working with other nations to
protect the global environment.
U.S. EPA Headquarters Library
Mai! code 3201
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20460
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EPA's Goals
EPA has developed a series of ten strategic, long-term Goals in its
Strategic Plan. These goals, together with the underlying principles that will.
be used to achieve them, define the Agency's planning, budgeting, analysis, and
accountability process.
• Clean Air: The air in every American community will be safe and healthy
to breathe. In particular, children, the elderly, and people with
respiratory ailments will be protected from health risks of breathing
polluted air. Reducing air pollution will also protect the environment,
resulting in many benefits, such as restoring life in damaged ecosystems
and reducing health risks to those whose subsistence depends directly on
those ecosystems.
• Clean and Safe Hater: All Americans will have drinking water that is
clean and safe to- drink. Effective protection of America's rivers, lakes,
wetlands, aquifers, and coastal and ocean waters will sustain fish,
plants, and wildlife, as well as recreational, subsistence, and economic
activities. Watersheds and their aquatic ecosystems will be restored and
protected to improve public health, enhance water quality, reduce
flooding, and provide habitat for wildlife.
• Safe Food: The foods Americans eat will be free from unsafe pesticide
residues. Children especially will be protected from the health threats
posed by pesticide residues, because they are among the most vulnerable
groups in our society.
• Preventing Pollution and Reducing Risk in Communities, Hones, Workplaces
and Ecosystems: Pollution prevention and risk management strategies aimed
at cost-effectively eliminating, reducing, or minimizing emissions and
contamination will result in cleaner and safer environments in which all
Americans can reside, work, and enjoy life. EPA will safeguard ecosystems
and promote the health of natural communities that are integral to the
quality of life in this nation.
• Better Waste Management, Restoration of Contaminated Waste Sites, and
Emergency Response: America's wastes will be stored, treated, and
disposed of in ways that prevent harm to people and to the natural
environment. EPA will work to clean up previously polluted sites,
restoring them to uses appropriate for surrounding communities, and
respond to and prevent waste-related or industrial accidents.
• Reduction of Global and Cross-Border Environmental Risks: The United
States will lead other nations in successful, multilateral efforts to
reduce significant risks to human health and ecosystems from climate
; change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and other hazards of international
concern.
• Expansion of Americans' Right to Know About Their Environment: Easy
access to a wealth of information about the state of their local
environment will, expand citizen involvement and give people tools to
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protect their families and their communities as they see fit. Increased
information exchange between scientists, public health officials,
businesses, citizens; and all levels of government will foster greater
knowledge about the environment and what can be done to protect it.
Sound Science, Improved Understanding of Environmental Risk, and Greater
Innovation to Address Environmental Problems: EPA will develop and apply
the best available science for addressing current and future environmental
hazards, as well as new approaches toward improving environmental
protection..
A Credible Deterrent to Pollution and Greater Compliance with the Law:
EPA will ensure full compliance with laws intended to protect human health
and the environment.
Effective Management: EPA will establish a management infrastructure that
will set and implement the highest quality standards for effective
internal management and fiscal responsibility.
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Guiding Principles
Reduce Health and Environmental Risks: We will protect human health and
the environment by employing cost-effective risk reduction strategies,
based on sound, peer-reviewed science, in our implementation of programs.
In making decisions about Agency priorities, we will balance our efforts
to reduce ecological risks with our efforts to reduce risks to human
health.
Emphasize Pollution Prevention: We will structure our approaches to
create incentives for preventing pollution and the transfer of pollution
among air, water, and land. To accomplish this, the Agency will use a mix
of tools--including .performance standards and economic incentives in
setting national pollution controls, as well as voluntary pollution
reductions and other innovative alternatives--in furtherance of EPA's
goals and objectives.
Emphasize Children's Health: We will ensure that all standards EPA sets
address children's unique vulnerability to health and environmental
threats, and we will place emphasis on identifying and assessing
environmental health risks that may affect children disproportionately.
Strengthen Partnerships: We will enhance EPA's partnerships with federal,
tribal, state, and local agencies, Congress, private industry, public
interest groups, and citizens in order to identify environmental goals and
work together to achieve them. Our internal partnership with EPA employee
labor organizations will also be critical to our success.
Maximize Public Participation and Community Right to Know: We will
increase the flow of information to the public, enhancing every American's
right to know about local environmental hazards and general conditions,
and thereby enable people to make informed environmental decisions and
participate in setting local and national priorities.
Emphasize Comprehensive Regional and Community-Based Solutions: We will
structure our approaches to address all forms of pollution simultaneously-
-in the air, land and water--and do so in a way that confronts
environmental problems on a community-wide or regional basis.
Place Emphasis on Indian Country: We will work with Indian tribes on a
government-to-government basis to ensure the protection of the environment
and human health in Indian Country, consistent with our trust relationship
with tribes and our interest in conservation of cultural uses of natural
resources.
Choose Common Sense, Cost-Effective Solutions: Because a safer, healthier
environment goes hand-in-hand with a robust economy, we will fulfill EPA's
goals using common sense approaches that consider benefits and costs and
seek the most cost-effective ways to integrate our efforts with those
aimed at economic growth. We will work to increase environmental
stewardship and accountability and get better
environmental protection at reasonable cost by incorporating successful
innovations into the daily operation of environmental programs.
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New Approaches to Planning and Budgeting
In 1995, EPA embarked on a far-reaching effort to fundamentally change past
approaches to planning, budgeting, performance measurement, and accountability.
This entails core changes to budget structures and the implementation of
processes to link budgeting and accountability. In March of 1996, Administrator
Carol Browner announced the creation of a new Planning, Budgeting, Analysis and
Accountability (PBAA) process that is intended to meet the requirements of the
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and dramatically improve EPA's
ability to achieve results -- improvements in human health and the environment.
The new PBAA process has four specific purposes: (1) to develop goals and
objectives for accomplishing the Agency's mission; (2) to make better use of
scientific information related to human health and environmental risks in setting
priorities; (3) to improve the link between long-term planning and annual
resource allocation; and (4) to develop a new management system to assess our
accomplishments and provide feedback for making future decisions. While this
effort will take several years to fully implement, the Agency is making real
progress in the short term while we build for the future. The new PBAA process
comprises several steps, including:
• A Strategic Plan, which describes EPA's strategic mission, long-term
goals, and specific shorter-term (i.e., 5 years or more) objectives that
the Agency will meet in achieving the goals.
• • Annual Performance Plans and Budget Requests, which will be derived from
the Strategic Plan arid a multi-year planning process, will serve as the
basis for budget decisions. They will describe annual performance goals,
measures of outputs and outcomes, and activities aimed at achieving the
annual performance goals and making progress toward longer-term goals and
objectives.
*
* Program Performance Reports, required by GPRA six months after the end of
the fiscal year, which will assess the progress EPA has made toward
achieving its goals and report on the Agency' s'-success in accomplishing
its annual performance goals.
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Organization of the Annual Plan
The organization of EPA's 1999 Annual Plan reflects the Agency's new
approach, which links planning and budgeting. The Annual Plan presents the
Agency's Goals and Objectives, and identifies the 1999 actions and resources
needed to achieve them, consistent with the Strategic Plan. This new approach
promotes fiscal accountability through a direct connection with the strategic
plan, and between resources and outcomes. This Annual Plan also constitutes the
Agency's request to Congress for the 1999 budget. The Annual Plan is the
linchpin to each of the Agency's. objectives contained in the strategic plan,
because the Annual Plan sets forth in measurable and quantifiable form the
intermediate levels of performance for each objective in the budget year.
Resource Tables
The resource tables provide a broad overview of the resources that the
Agency is requesting for 1999. Those resources are identified by Goal,
Objective, and Appropriation. The dollar amounts in these and other tables may
not add due to independent rounding.
. Goal and Objective Sections
The Goal and Objective sections contain detailed narrative and resource
information on the Agency's 10 Goals and 45 Objectives. Each Objective is linked
to a specific Goal, and detailed information on the Objectives directly follows
the Goals they support.
• .Goal Overview. The Goal Overviews describe each of EPA's long-term
strategic Goals, which support the Agency's overall mission. The
narratives in the Goal Overviews describe the Goals and their most
significant programmatic components. This section also contains a set of
annual performance goals that represent the key commitments that the
Agency will report on to Congress for the purpose of evaluating our
performance under GPRA. In selecting these goals, the Agency has
attempted to address the legislative concern expressed in GPRA that
"annual plans not be voluminous presentations describing performance. . .for
every activity. The annual plan and reports are to inform, not overwhelm
the reader." The Goal Overview section also includes the total dollar and
FTE resources devoted that Goal.
• Annual Performance Goals: Annual Performance Goals are central to
measuring progress toward achieving Objectives. They are quantifiable
standards, values, or rates against which actual achievement can be
compared. They establish the connection between longer-term objectives
and the day-to-day activities in the Agency's programs and will be used by
managers to determine how well a program or activity is doing in
accomplishing its intended results. This Annual Plan lists Annual
Performance Goals for both 1998 and 1999, as well as a description of how
achieving the Annual Performance Goals advance accomplishment of the
Objectives.
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Key Performance Measures-. Key Performance Measures provide the means for
determining the extent to which annual goals and multi-year objectives are
being achieved. As such, they are essential to.program evaluations that
help to guide the Agency's strategic planning. This Annual Plan indicates
Key Performance Measures for 1998 and 1999.
Key Performance Measure. Verification: The Key Performance Measures
Verification section describes how the values used in Performance Measures
are verified and validated. This section fulfills a GPRA requirement that
Performance Measure Verification be included in the Annual Plan. This
section includes a description of the source of the performance measure
data and a general description of current procedures for quality
assurance. This section may also include information such as plans to
subject the methodology of the data collection or analysis to independent
review.
Statutory Authority: This section cites the public law that gives the
Agency legal authority to carry out the Objective.
External Costs and Benefits: This section identifies regulatory actions
that are likely to result in a rule that may have an annual effect on the
economy of $100 million or more. This analysis is required by executive
order and is reported in the Agency's annual "Regulatory Plan."
Customer Service. Standards: This section describes the Agency's plan to
improve its mission of protecting public health and the environment by
more efficiently and effectively serving the public, industry, state and
local agencies, and other customers.
Use of Non-Federal Parties in Preparing this Annual Plan
The Annual Plan was prepared in conformance with section 220.7 of OMB
Circular A-11, concerning the role of non-Federal parties in preparing the Annual
Plan. ...
.Relationship between the Annual Plan and the Strategic Plan •
As described above, the Annual Plan is closely aligned with the Agency's
Strategic Plan which was submitted to Congress in September 1997. Minor changes
include:
* One objective included in the Annual Plan was not included in the
Strategic Plan. This objective, within the Goal, "Sound Science, Improved
Understanding of Environmental Risk, and Greater Innovation to Address
Environmental Problems," addresses new Reinvention activities. The
Objective statement is as follows: "Incorporate innovative approaches to
environmental management into EPA programs, so that EPA and external
partners achieve greater and more cost-effective public health and
environmental protection."
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Also within the "Sound Science" Goal, the following Objective in the
Annual Plan was not specifically addressed in the Strategic Plan: "Enable
Research on Innovative Approaches to Current and Future Environmental
Problems." This Objective was not addressed because no programmatic goals
are associate with this objective. Its purpose is to describe resources
related to operating expenses in the Agency's research programs. The
Agency intends to remove the Objective from the Annual Plan once necessary
cost-accounting mechanisms have been
established to properly attribute those costs across our research-related
objectives.
• Within the "Effective Management" Goal, one objective in the Strategic
Plan is addressed as two Objectives in the Annual Plan, in the Strategic
Plan the Objective was as follows: "EPA will provide the management
services, administrative support and facility operations necessary to
achieve its environmental mission and to meet its fiduciary and workforce
responsibilities." In the Annual Plan two Objectives delineate
headquarters and regional resources. The two Objectives are as follows:
"The Regions will continue to provide the management services,
infrastructure support and facility operations necessary for the Agency to
achieve its environmental mission, and meet its fiduciary and workforce
responsibilities;" and "The Agency will provide the management services,
administrative support and operations to enable the Agency to achieve its
environmental mission and to meet its fiduciary and workforce
responsibilities."
Relationship between Budgeted Resources and Annual Performance Goals and Measures
Annual Performance Goals are related to the resource levels contained in
each objective. Annual Performance Goals in this Annual Performance Plan are
based upon the resource levels requested in FY 1999. However,- resources may
contribute not only to the budget year's Annual Performance Goals but also to the
accomplishment of goals in future years. For example, a performance goal to
complete a number of Superfund site cleanups, or develop research methods and
models, generally requires a period longer than one year. Thus, resources
requested in FY 1999 will contribute to completion of work in FY 1999 and beyond.
Likewise, some FY 1999 Annual Performance Goals are achievable only with
appropriations provided in prior years.
Given this multi-year characteristic of some of the resources requested,.
it is not possible to establish direct linkages between the budget requested for
a particular year and the achievement of all performance goals for that year.
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Annual Plan Overview
For 25 years, the Environmental Protection Agency and its partners have
made significant strides in controlling pollution and other environmental risks
to human health and the environment. The air, land, and water are now safer for
all Americans due to our Nation's investment in environmental protection.
The EPA's plan for 1999 builds on that success and invests in programs that
deliver consistently better environmental protection at less cost. The EPA's 1999
Annual Plan provides $7.8 billion and 18,375 FTE for the Agency's programs.
This Annual Plan represents the EPA's new approach to' planning and
budgeting, which links goals and objectives to the human, capital, and
technological resources required to achieve them. The EPA's 1999 Annual Plan
represents the Agency's full participation in the Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA), which is designed to increase the effectiveness and
accountability of Federal Agencies.
Key Initiatives in the Annual Plan
•The EPA is committed to providing the greatest degree of environmental
protection at the lowest possible cost and regulatory burden to' citizens and
businesses. The Agency has several key initiatives which are designed to address
environmental risks effectively while maintaining the Administration's commitment
to a strong economy and a streamlined Federal government.
Many of these initiatives are supported across the Agency and involve a
number of strategic goals and objectives. They all work to support the Agency's
mission to reduce risk to human health and safeguard the environment for future
generations.
* Ensuring Clean and Safe Water: The President has made the protection of
America's water supply and waterways a national priority. To meet this
commitment, the 1999 budget includes a Clean Water Initiative as well as
strong support for the Nation's water infrastructure through State
Revolving Funds:
» Restoring and Protecting America's Waterways through the President's
"Clean Water and Watershed Restoration Initiative": This year the
President is launching a Clean Water and Watershed Restoration
Initiative .to implement the Administration's Clean Water Action
Plan, a far reaching new effort to clean America's rivers, lakes and
coastal waters. The EPA will play a key role in this initiative,
focusing on three challenges to restore and protect the Nation's
waterways: preventing polluted runoff; protecting public health; and
ensuring community-based watershed management. This initiative is
funded in the Agency's Annual Plan at $645 million, as part of the
President's Environmental Resources Fund for America. It builds on
the Agency's.on-going efforts in water quality, with increases to
selected water programs of $145 million over 1998. This initiative
increases grants to States to implement water quality improvement
projects as well as other Agency activities such as the restoration
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and protection of our Nation's wetlands.
» Upgrading the Nation's Water Quality Infrastructure: The budget
proposes $775 million in capitalization grants for Drinking Water
State Revolving Funds (SRFs), which make low-interest loans to help
municipalities meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act
Amendments. The funds will help ensure that Americans have a safe,
clean drinking water supply -- our first line of defense in
protecting public health. The budget also proposes $1.075 billion in
capitalization grants to Clean Water SRFs to help municipalities
comply with the Clean Water Act, thus helping to reduce beach
closures and keep our waterways safe and clean. The combined SRF
proposal, with continued outyear capitalization, will meet the
Administration's long-term goal to provide about $2.5 billion a year
in loans to needy communities. Both the Clean Water SRF and the
Drinking Water SRF are part of the President's Environmental
Resources Fund for America.
Meeting the Global Warming Challenge: In his 1998 State of the Union
Address, the President stated that "our overriding environmental challenge
... is a worldwide problem requiring worldwide action: the gathering
crisis of global wanning." At the recent conference on Global Climate
Change in Kyoto, Japan, the United States led the world to reach an
historic agreement committing nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
through market forces, new technology and energy efficiency. The Climate
Change Technology Initiative (CCTI), funded in the EPA's budget at $205
million in 1999, will help America continue to meet its global
responsibility to lead the world in emissions reductions. CCTI, which is
part of the President's .Research Fund for America, is an inter-agency
initiative led by EPA and DOE to support research and technology
advancements in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon-reduction
technologies. The President has stated that "Americans have always found
a way to grow the economy and clean the environment at the same time. And
when it comes to global warming, we'll do it again." CCTI will help
America meet that challenge.
Implementing Stronger Clean Air Standards: This budget request supports
an investment of $65 million for a national network of Particulate Matter
Monitors to help the Nation meet the health based air quality standard for
fine particles. This investment level honors the President's commitment
to States to fund the costs of deploying a new fine particulate monitoring
network and to provide them the tools necessary to carry out their
monitoring efforts. The EPA will also be conducting analyses to determine
the chemical constituents of PM 2.5 and better identify and understand the
sources and characteristics of the pollution. This effort will lead to
cleaner, safer air for all Americans.
Protecting Human Health: One of the President's foremost policy concerns
is the protection of human health through the reduction of environmental
threats. As the President said in his State of the Union Address: "Our
communities are only as healthy as the air our children breathe, the water
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they drink, the Earth they will inherit." To reduce environmental threats
and protect future generations, the Agency .focuses on areas where it can
provide the greatest amount of protection, such as the cleanup of toxic
waste sites and the protection of children from toxins in the environment.
Cleaning up Toxic Waste Sites: The budget strengthens the
President's commitment to clean up toxic waste sites with $2.1
billion for Superfund, a 40 percent increase over the 1998 level.
These funds are part of the President's Environmental Resources Fund
for America. Combined with continuing administrative reforms, these
funds will help meet the President's pledge to double the pace of
Superfund cleanups. The Administration proposes to clean up another
400 sites, resulting in the cleanup of two-thirds of the Nation's
worst toxic waste dumps by the end of the year 2001.
Focusing on Health Risks to Children: The Agency has made the
protection of children's health a fundamental goal of public health
and environmental protection in the U.S. This annual plan builds on
that commitment with a $33 million investment (an $8 million
increase over 1998) for the Assessing Health Risks to Children
Agenda. This is a high-priority for the Agency since children face
significant and unique health threats because they are often more
heavily exposed and more vulnerable than adults to toxins in the
environment. When we protect the health of children, we protect the
health of all Americans. Major activities include establishing,
with HHS, six Children's Environmental Research Centers, ensuring
that EPA' s public health regulations consider children's health,, and
providing information to parents to better protect their children
from environmental hazards.
Reducing Risks Posed by' Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic
Pollutants: The Agency is strengthening its efforts to address the
health threat presented by persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic
(PBT) pollutants. This initiative is funded at $13 million in the
1999 Annual Plan (a $10 million increase over 1998) . The Agency
will conduct and coordinate research and work to reduce the risks
posed by PBTs through a combination of strategies utilizing the full
range of regulatory, voluntary, programmatic, enforcement,
compliance and research tools. PBT risk mitigation activities will
include analysis of economic impact, pollution prevention
strategies, exploration of safe substitute chemical alternatives and
dissemination of public information. This multi-year initiative
will reduce PBTs in the environment and reduce the risks that these
toxins pose to human health.
Investing in Science for Sound Decision-making: Environmental research is
critical for developing the scientific understanding and "technological
tools to allow the Nation to enhance environmental quality for current and
future generations. Within the President's Research Fund for America, the
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EPA's 1999 budget includes $487 million for EPA's Office of Research and
Development (ORD). This investment will provide a scientific basis for
developing cost-effective environmental policies, create the knowledge
base for citizens to make wise environmental decisions, and enable new and
better approaches to environmental protection.
Revitalizing Communities through the Bromfields initiative; The budget
proposes to extend the President's Brownfields initiative, which promotes
local cleanup and redevelopment of industrial sites, bringing jobs to
blighted areas. This budget proposes $91 million for technical assistance
and grants to communities for site assessment and redevelopment planning
as well as revolving loan funds to finance clean-up efforts at the local
level.
Strengthening Partnerships with Indian Tribes: This Annual Plan continues
the Agency's commitment to carrying out its trust responsibilities to
Federally-recognized tribes with a budget request of $159 million {a $20
.million increase over 1998). The Indian Program includes .cross-Agency
activities designed to ensure the protection of public health and the
tribal homeland environment in a manner consistent with a government-to-
government relationship. The Indian Program is a priority for the Agency
because the sub-standard environmental conditions of many tribal homelands
pose threats to human health, Tribal economies, and ecosystems. The
program will enhance environmental protection by increasing the number of
partnerships with tribal governments,.providing infrastructure assistance,
and helping to resolve trans-boundary environmental issues.
Improving Public Access to Information: The President has made a
commitment to providing all Americans with access to sound environmental
information and involving the public in environmental decision-making.
This commitment is based on the premise that all U.S. citizens have a
right to know about the pollutants in their environment -- including the
condition of the air they breathe and the water they drink, as well as the
health effects of the chemicals used in the food and products they buy.
Access to environmental information also helps make American citizens
involved and informed environmental decision makers, and promotes creative
• and lasting solutions to environmental problems. EPA's participation in
the President's Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community
Tracking (EMPACT) initiative, funded at $35 million in this Annual Plan,
helps to carry out this commitment to provide the public with crucial
information on environmental conditions.
Summary
The EPA's 1999 Annual Plan helps to fulfill the Administration's commitment
to protect human health and safeguard the environment, while continuing on the
nation's path of unprecedented economic growth. As the Agency strengthens its
relationships with the public, the regulated community, and its governmental
partners, it will provide a more effective and efficient system of environmental
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protection. These partnerships, along with a commitment to identify and solve
the Nation's most pressing environmental problems, will lay the groundwork for
a new era of environmental protection and serve the Agency's ultimate customer --
the American people.
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 1: Clean Air 1-1
Annual Performance Goals 1-5
Key Performance Measures 1-5
Key Performance Measures Verification . . 1-7
Statutory Authority ....... ...... .1-9
US EPA Headquarters Library
' Mail code 3201 _
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington DC ziw
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Flan: Request to Congress
Clean Air
Strategic Goal: The air in every American community will be safe and healthy to
breathe. In particular, children, the elderly, and people with respiratory
ailments will be protected from health risks of breathing polluted air. Reducing
air pollution will also protect the environment, resulting in many benefits, such
as restoring life in damaged ecosystems and reducing health risks to those whose
subsistence depends directly on those ecosystems.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
1998 Pres Bud 1998 Enacted 1999 Pres Bud
Clean Air
Obj. 01 Attain NAAQS for Ozone
and PM
Obj. 02 Reduce Emissions of Air
Toxics
Obj.'03 Attain NAAQS for CO,
SO2, N02, Lead
Obj. 04 Acid Rain
Goal" Total FTE
Strategic Objectives:
$450,680.0 $490,448.2 $506,953.3
5292,379.9 $337,060.9 $348,584.7
$89,008.8
$47,497.2
$85,837.4
$46,749.6
$91,92416
$44,878.2
$21,794.1 $20,800.3 $21,565.8
l,-752.2 . 1,801.8 1,762.4
Objective #1:Attain National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone and
Particulate Matter. By 2010, improve air quality for Americans living in areas
that exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQSs) for ozone and
particulate matter.
Objective #2: Reduce Emissions of Air Toxics. By 2010, reduce air toxic
emissions by 75 percent from 1993 levels to significantly reduce the -risk to
Americans of cancer and other serious adverse health effects caused by "airborne
toxics.
Objective #3: Attain NAAQS for CO, SO2, NO2, and Lead. By 2005, improve air
quality for Americans living in areas that do not meet the current National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQSs) for carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide
(S0:), lead, and nitrogen 'dioxide (NO;) .
Objective #4:Acid Rain. By. 2010, reduce ambient sulfates and. £otal sulfur
deposition by 20-40 percent from. 1980 levels due to reduced sulfur dioxide
emissions from utilities and industrial sources. By 2000, ambient nitrates- and
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total nitrogen deposition will be reduced by 5-10 percent from 1980 levels due
t.p.-reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides from utilities and mobile sources.
Programs and Activities:
Air pollution continues to be a widespread public health and environmental
problem in the United States, contributing to illnesses such as cancer and
respiratory and reproductive problems. Air pollution reduces visibility, damages
crops and buildings, and is deposited on the soil and in water bodies where it
affects the chemistry of the water and resident life forms.
Since 1970, air pollutant emissions have been reduced and significant
improvements in air quality have been achieved. However, millions of tons of
toxic air pollutants are still released into the air. Also, approximately 46
million people live in areas that do not meet EPA's health-based air standards
for at least one of six major pollutants.
The problem is nationwide in scope. Air pollution crosses local and state
lines and, in some cases, even crosses our borders with Canada and Mexico.
Federal assistance and leadership are essential for developing cooperative state,
local, regional, and international programs to prevent and control air pollution
and for ensuring that national standards are met. Efforts of many other Federal
agencies, such as the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy,
are critical-to the achievement of the Clean Air goal.
i
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $506,953,300 and 1,762 workyears for the
Clean Air goal, an increase of 517,000,000 and a decrease of 40 workyears over
1998. In support of this goal, the Agency will work with and support states and
tribes in developing and implementing plans to address air quality problems. As
part of this effort,- EPA will support state and tribal development of a 1,500-
site monitoring network for fine particulates {PMr.5), a pollutant for which the
Agency issued its first specific standards in 1997. The Agency also will develop
and issue other standards,' including national technology-based standards to
reduce the quantity of toxic air pollutants that are emitted from industrial or
manufacturing processes.
HIGHLIGHTS:
ir £*2r
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $348,584,700 and 1090 workyears to attain
national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone and particulate matter.
Ozone and particulate matter are high risk pollutants, with high potential
for risk reduction. Ozone can impair normal functioning of the lungs. More
people are exposed to unhealthy levels of ozone than of any other air pollutant.
It is projected that over 114 million people live in areas that will not meet the
new health standard for ozone, which is 40 million more than under the previous
standard.
The health risks estimated from current fine PM exposures represent tens
of thousands of premature deaths each year, placing fine PM near the top of
environmental health threats. It is estimated that approximately 68 million
people live in areas that may not meet the new PM:-5 standard. EPA estimates
that, once attained, the new standard will prevent up to 15,000 premature deaths
per year.
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Under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, EPA must set NAAQS for
pollutants that endanger public health and the environment. States and tribes
then must develop and carry out strategies and measures to attain the NAAQS. EPA
reviewed NAAQS set for ozone and particulate matter, as required by the Clean Air
Act, and promulgated • new standards in July 1997. Following a directive the
President issued with the standards, the Agency worked with states, tribes and
local governments, other Federal agencies and regulated sources to develop an
implementation strategy for.the standards. The .implementation strategy allows
for implementing the standards in the most flexible, reasonable and least
burdensome manner. In addition, the Agency.is participating in an interagency
research program, including a full scientific and technical review of the new
fine particulate (PM;.5) standard by 2002, and implementation of a PM monitoring
network.
In support of the Agency's implementation strategy for attaining the new
air quality standards, EPA will invest $65,700,000 to develop a national PM
monitoring network. This monitoring network will provide the data needed for the
identification of PM sources and potential PM "hotspots," as well as allow the
Agency to designate areas in attainment with the new PM standard and develop
control strategies to address PM on a regional basis. Attainment designations
will not occur until 2002 when monitoring data will be complete for these
decisions. EPA has committed to provide 100 percent of the costs of setting up
the PM2.5 monitoring network-through state and tribal grants under'the.authority
of Section 103 of the Clean Air Act. EPA will be conducting chemical speciation
analyses to provide the basis for states and tribes to determine-the chemical
constituents of the PM-_5 and better identify and understand the sources and
characteristics of the pollution and its potential effects. States and tribes
will use this information to develop control strategies to come into attainment
with the new particulate matter standard by 2012 to 2017. This is consistent
with the President's commitment to review the new standard before state and
tribal'plans take effect.
Under the research authorities of the Clean Air Act, EPA carries out ozone
and particulate matter research to maintain a strong scientific basis for
changing or reaffirming NAAQS, and implementing NAAQS. In the long term, the
information gained through research helps protect public 'health, including the
health of children and other sensitive .populations, and provides the scientific
and technical information required for NAAQS review, as well as the NAAQS
implementation by regional, state, tribal and local government air quality
managers. EPA research contributes to developing scientifically sound risk
assessment procedures, cost-effective risk prevention/management approaches,
credible methods, models and guidance, .and environmental leadership through
partnerships.
Reducing Emissions of Air Toxics
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $91,924,600 and 390.4 workyears to reduce
air toxic emissions by 12% in 1999, resulting in a cumulative reduction of -25
percent from 1993 levels. This would significantly reduce the risk to Americans
of cancer and other serious adverse health effects caused by airborne toxics.
Toxic air pollutants pose a significant health risk because they may cause cancer
and other health problems such as reproductive disorders, birth defects, and
damage to the nervous system.
EPA's air toxics objective focuses primarily on the statutory requirements
of the toxics program in the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions levels through the
promulgation and implementation of Maximum Achievable Control Technology {MACT)
standards. The program will invest in improved and innovative monitoring and.
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modeling, inventories, development and refinement of environmental indicators,
and risk assessment tools to better characterize the risk from air toxics and
establish a baseline for measuring risk in carrying out the Government
Performance and Results Act (GPRA). EPA will build on state efforts to create
a 'national toxics monitoring and inventory program in order to better
characterize exposures to hazardous air pollution.
In 1999, health effects researchers will quantitatively evaluate cancer and
non-cancer health effects from air toxics exposures. Exposure researchers will
develop methods to identify contributing sources from ambient air measurements,
and improved models to characterize actual human exposure. Researchers also will
develop and demonstrate new methods to assess risks from.urban toxics.
Attaining NAAQS for CO. SO,. NO,, and Lead
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $44,878,200 and 189.9 workyears to improve
air quality for Americans living in areas that do not meet the current NAAQS for
carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (S02) , nitrogen dioxide (N0:), and lead,
which are all high risk pollutants.
EPA and its partners have been relatively successful in reducing these air
pollutants in many urban areas through mobile source measures. Controls included
in.state SIPs also reduce stationary source emissions. The Agency will continue
existing carbon monoxide work, concentrating primarily on mobile source programs
(such as oxygenated fuel and reformulated gasoline), and on assisting states to
implement attainment and maintenance programs. EPA will continue to provide
information to the scientific community and stakeholders on the environmental
aspects of the use of oxygenated fuels and recommendations to improve .the
program.
In 1998, EPA will promulgate the new source review (NSR) reform rules which
simplify the new source permitting process. In 1999, EPA will undertake training
and technical support activities to ensure smooth implementation of this major
regulatory reinvention effort.
Acid Rain
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $21,565,800 and 92.0 workyears for
reducing ambient sulfates and total sulfur deposition by 20 to 40 percent from
1980 levels due to reduced S02 emissions from utilities and industrial sources.
The Acid Rain program is authorized under Title IV of the Clean Air Act and
has numerous statutory deadlines. The U.S. is also committed to reductions in'
SO; and NOx under the 1991 U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement. In addition to
administering the S0: and Nox provisions of Title IV, the Acid Rain program will
be developing and operating the emissions and NOx allowance tracking systems for
the 12 states of the Ozone Transport Region. The first year of compliance for
this program is 1999. Achieving this will assist the 12 Northeastern states to
attain and maintain the ozone standard. Approximately 400 additional facilities
will require certification of emissions monitors and will report quarterly
emissions beginning in 1998.
The program is responsible for operating the Clean Air Status and Trends
Network (CASTNet) dry deposition network and providing critical support for
operations of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) wet deposition
network and for a number of visibility monitoring sites. These monitoring
efforts will play a crucial role in the program's ongoing assessment activities,
including reporting program results for the Government Performance and Results
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Act and fulfilling assessment responsibilities under Title IX of the Clean Air
Act and the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement. ' • • .
FY 1999 Annual Performance Goals:
The resources requested in this goal will enable the Agency, in conjunction
with its state, local, and tribal partners, to meet a number of performance goals
in 1999. The most 'significant of these include:
• Deploy PM;_5 ambient monitors at 776 sites.
• Certify that 8 of the 38 estimated remaining nonattainment areas have
achieved the current NAAQS for ozone.
• . Certify that 13 of the 58 estimated remaining nonattainment areas have
achieved the NAAQS for carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, or lead.
• Reduce air toxic emissions by 12% in 1999, resulting in a cumulative
reduction of 25% from 1993 levels.
• .In 1999, maintain 4 million tons of SO, emissions reductions from utility
sources, and maintain 300,000 tons of NOx reductions from coal-fired
utility sources.
* By 1999, identify and evaluate at least two biological mechanisms by which
PM causes death and disease in humans.
• In 1999, complete health assessments for five high priority air toxics.
Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Operating Permits
30 Applications 30 Applications
Tribal Rule
1 Rule
Publish Notice Revoking 1-Hour
Standard
21 Areas
8 Areas
Consumer Product Rules
National Guidance on Ozone SIP
Support Publication of the Notice
Revoking the 1 Hour Ozone Standard
3 Rules
1 Proposed
21 Areas
4 Rules
1 Issued
8 Areas
States Submit Attainment Designations
under the Revised Ozone Standard
50 States
National Guidance on PM-2.5 SIP and 1 Proposed
Attainment Demonstration Requirements
1 Issued
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Issue No-backsliding Rule for Areas
Not Meeting PM-10 Standard
1 Rule
Provide Draft Documents to CASAC for
PM NAAQS Review
Sept 30 99
Assure Ambient Monitoring Sites Comply 187 Sites
with Siting Requirements
247 Sites
PM-2.5 Ambient Monitoring Sites
Deployed
724 Sites
776 Sites
Report on PM mechanisms of toxicity
Identify hypotheses to explain PM
toxicity
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
Air Toxics Emissions Reduced from 1993 13 Percent
25 Percent
States Assume Implementation of MACT 851 Standards 851 Standards
for 'Major Sources
Air toxics assessments on IRIS
5 Assessment
Submit Requests for Redesignation to 7 Requests 5 Requests
Attainment for CO
Submit Requests for Redesignation to 5 Requests
Attainment for S02 . •.
, 5 Requests
Submit Requests for Redesignation to 2 Requests
Attainment for Pb
1 Requests
Areas Redesignated to Attainment for
Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide,
Lead, and Nitrogen Dioxide
22 Areas
14 Areas
S02 Emissions
4,000,000 Tons
Reduced
4,000,000 Tons
Reduced
NOx Reductions
300,000 Tons
Reduced
300,000 Tons
Reduced
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Key Performance Measures Verification
Data sources:
• EPA National Emission Trends Database;
• EPA AIRS Air Quality Subsystem;
• EPA Findings and Required Elements Data System (FREDS);
• Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE)
database.
• EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI);
• National Toxic Inventory (NTI);
• AIRS
MACTRAX
• Area .redesignations in the Federal Register.
Databases
Data from the National Emission Trends Database and the AIRS Air Quality
Subsystem is used to determine if nonattainment areas have their requisite three
years of clean air data needed for redesignation. The FREDS system tracks the
progress of states and Regions in reviewing and approving the required elements
of the SlPs also needed for redesignation to attainment. The IMPROVE database
provides data on visibility improvement from various sites nationally. •
Quality Assurance/Quality Control
• To assure that the ambient air quality data provides a sound basis for
monitoring the progress in air quality, the following quality assurance steps are
taken. ' There are quality control methods specified for the collection of data
such as filter handling to ensure the technical quality of the data at each site.
There are also methods in place such as co-location of monitors to ensure uniform
readings across the monitoring network. Finally, there are systems audits which
regularly review the overall air quality data collection activity for any needed
changes or corrections.
Research
In the area of environmental science and research, EPA has several
strategies to validate and verify performance measures in the area of
environmental science and research. The Agency has implemented a risk-based
research planning process to use risk assessment and risk management as principal
priority-setting criteria. EPA conducts annual research program reviews to both
evaluate the status and accomplishments of its research and determine planning
priorities. To better draw upon the expertise of the environmental academic
community, EPA created the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program of
peer-reviewed, mission-driven extramural grants. The Agency is also working with
various professional societies on research issues.
EPA's external research program undergoes extensive peer review. Proposals
from the external scientific community are peer-reviewed and projects are then
selected for funding through grants or cooperative agreements. In addition,
Requests for Applications (RFAs) under the STAR program are often developed
jointly.with outside partners such as the National Science Foundation. In this
way, EPA has developed a mechanism by which to check the quality and relevance
of its research program.
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ORD Management Information System (OMIS)
The Office of Research and Development Management Information System (OMIS)
will be another accountability tool used to verify and validate performance
measures. The recently developed GPRA structure will be incorporated into OMIS
•to ensure consistent maintenance and reporting, resulting in greater accuracy and
consistency of information to users.
Peer Review
Chief among the Agency's validation and verification mechanisms is a
rigorous peer review process. In a July 1997 memorandum, EPA's Deputy
Administrator states that peer review will be expanded, "to include both the
major work products provided in the past and...all scientific and technical
products supporting Agency decisions..." This expanded and strengthened focus
on peer review will help ensure that the performance measures listed here are
verified and validated by external organizations. The Agency utilizes peer
review throughout the research planning and implementation process, both to
ensure that planned research addresses critical knowledge issues within EPA's
mission, and to assess the quality of scientific research plans, products, and
proposals. This is accomplished through the use of independent entities such as
the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and the Board of Scientific Councilors (BOSC).
The BOSC, established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will even examine
the way the Agency uses peer review, as well as the management of its research
and development laboratories.
NTI
The NTI contains emission estimates for major, area, and mobile source
categories, to date, we have collected emission inventory data to update the NTI
from the externally and internally peer-reviewed Clean Air Act section 112 (c) (6)
inventory; MACT emissions data gathered for 2-, 4-, and 7-year standards; state
and local inventories (five states); and the TRI. We have also developed
emissions data using emission factors and activity level data to update source
categories for which we do not have MACT, state or local, or TRI inventory data.
We have identified an additional 12 states that have available HAP inventory
data. By the end of the year, we will complete the update of NTI Version 3.0 for
base year 1993, provide peer-reviewed inventories for 40 hazardous air pollutants
to support Clean Air Act section 112(k), and complete compilation of MACT
baseline emissions data for 2-, 4-, and half of the 7-year source categories.
A 1993 baseline emissions inventory will allow us to track emission reductions
of HAPs as control programs are implemented. We will.be able to store and
retrieve all these data from the AIRS .system.
MACTRAX
MACTRAX provides a mechanism to track the air implementation activities by
each state to insure that the emission reductions expected from the development
of MACT standards can be realized through full implementation of the standards.
Procedures for quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of emission and
ambient air toxics data are not as institutionalized as those used for the
criteria pollutant program. Air toxics data are not required of states, but are
voluntary. EPA does review the data to assure data quality and consistency,
but no formal procedures are in place for QA. Regional offices do review all
data before it is placed in MACTRAX. Procedures are now being finalized to
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ensure the quality of emissions data collected from industry that are used for
the development of technology-based' emission standards.
Plans to Improve Data
The emissions data are much harder to quality assure because of the varying
methods of-determining the total emissions in a given area. In the future all
state emissions data will be posted in a compiled data base so that states and
other interested parties can provide a much more complete review of the
inventory. One other method for developing better state emissions data will
result from the Emissions Inventory Improvement. Project which will provide
consistent methods of estimating emissions data.
Acid RainData
The' Acid Rain program performance data is some of the most accurate data
collected by the EPA because the data consists of actual monitored, instead of
estimated/ 'emissions. The emissions data is collected through continuous
emissions monitors (GEMS) and electronically transferred directly into EPA's
Emissions Tracking System (ETS). Actual emissions of SO- and NOx are measured
for each unit/boiler within a utility plant. The ETS allows EPA to track actual
reductions for each utility/ as well as aggregate emissions by all power plants.
A principal output of the ETS is the publication of quarterly and annual utility
emission reports based on emissions monitoring data. The ETS quarterly and
annual reports include summary statistics for SO, and NOx emissions.
The Acid Rain program also tracks indicators which validate the quality of
the emissions data, such as the accuracy of the monitors achieved during
certification testing. There are four validation measures that help to
demonstrate the high quality of the data collected: the number of CEMS certified;
the percentage of CEMS that meet the 10% relative accuracy standard; the
percentage of CEMS that exceed the 7.5% relative accuracy target; and, the number
of quarterly reports processed.
Finally, the program also tracks trends in wet acidic deposition data from
the National Acid Deposition Program (NADP) and dry acid deposition from the
Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNet).
Statutory Authority
Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 USC 7401-7671q)
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (15 USC 2601-2692)
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan .
Table of .Contents
Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water XI-1
Annual Performance Goals XI-5
Key Performance Measures II-6
Key Performance Measures Verification II-8
Statutory Authority •. 11-11
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan: Request to Congress
Clean and Safe Water
Strategic Goal: All Americans will have drinking water that is clean and safe
to drink. Effective protection of America's 'rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers,
and coastal and'ocean waters will sustain fish, plants, and wildlife, as well as
recreational, subsistence, and economic activities. Watersheds and their aquatic
.ecosystems will be restored and protected to improve human health, enhance water
quality, reduce flooding and provide habitat for wildlife.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
1998 Pres Bud 1998 Enacted 1999 Pres Bud
Clean and Safe Water
Obj. 01 • Safe•Drinking Water,
Fish and'Recreational Waters
Obj. 02 Conserve and Enhance
Nation's Waters
$2,706,342.7 $3,170,864.6 $2,801,869.3
$966,204.5 $979,216.6 $1,018,705.9
$270,281.6 $298,573.9 $296,643.9
Obj. 03 Reduce Loadings and Air $1,469,856.6 $1,893,074.1 $1,486,519.5
Deposition
Goal Total FTE
2,381.6
2,440.3
2,449.5
Strategic Objectives:
Objective #1: Enhance Human Health through Safe Drinking Water. By 2005,
protect'human health so.that 95 percent of the population served by community
water systems will receive water that .meets drinking water standards, consumption
of contaminated fish and shellfish will be reduced, and exposure to microbial and
other forms of contamination in waters used for recreation will be reduced.
Objective #2: Conserve and Enhance Nation's Waters. By 2005, conserve and
enhance the ecological health of the nation's {state, interstate, and tribal)
waters and aquatic ecosystems — rivers and streams, lakes, wetlands, estuaries,
coastal areas, oceans, and groundwater — so that 75 percent of waters will
support healthy aquatic communities.
Objective #3: Reduce Loadings and Air Deposition. By 2005, pollutant discharges
from key point sources and nonpoint source runoff will be reduced by at least 20
percent from 1992 levels. Air deposition of key pollutants impacting water
bodies will be reduced.
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Programs and Activities:
Safe and clean water is needed for drinking, recreation, fishing,
maintaining ecosystem integrity, and commercial uses such as agricultural and
industrial production. Our health, economy, and quality of life depend on
reliable sources of clean water.
, Safe drinking water is the first line of defense in protecting human
health. While most drinking water is very safe, occasional violations of
pollutant standards are of concern because of the large number of people that can
be exposed to microbiological contaminants or toxic .chemicals. The greatest
risks posed by such contaminants are to sensitive populations, such as children
and adults with compromised immune systems.
The passage of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 has led to
tremendous success in reducing pollution entering surface waters. In 25 years,
EPA has worked with its State, local, and Tribal partners to stop billions of
pounds of pollution from flowing into our rivers, lakes, and streams, and doubled
the-number of waterways that are safe for fishing and swimming. Polluted rivers
and lakes devoid of life are now restored centerpieces of healthy communities
because of combined governmental and private sector efforts.
The goal of protecting our Nation'si waters, however, remains unrealized.
Approximately 40% of surveyed waters still'do not meet Clean Water Act standards.
The health of Americans continues to be threatened by exposure to harmful
organisms in our waters; consumption of fish from many of our waters presents a
threat to the most vulnerable among us; polluted runoff has. had a degenerative
effect on the country's watersheds and wetlands. All living things need clean
water. Waterfowl, fish, and other aquatic life that live in and on the water,
as well as plants, animals, and other life forms in terrestrial ecosystems are
dependent on clean water. The challenge of maintaining clean water focuses on
ensuring that the entire aquatic ecosystem remains healthy.
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on a total of $2,801,869,300 and 2,450
workyears to support its efforts to ensure clean and safe water. To achieve this
goal, EPA will focus its efforts on carrying out the Safe Drinking Water Act
Amendments of 1996 and will build on the Clean Water Act's success of maintaining
water quality by implementing the Clean Water Action Plan — a plan to restore
and sustain the nation's watersheds and further address polluted runoff.
Protecting watersheds involves participation fay a wide variety of stakeholders,
a comprehensive assessment of the condition of watersheds, and implementation of
solutions based on the assessment of conditions and stakeholder input. The
watershed approach enhances the abilities of EPA, its Federal partners, States,
tribes, local governments, and other stakeholders to implement tailored solutions
and maximize the benefits gained from the use of increasingly scarce resources.
As part of the Agency' s commitment to using sound science to achieve clean
and safe water, EPA's research activities will provide a better understanding of
the risks to human health. Research activities in'this goal will focus on
increasing our understanding of health effects, exposure assessment, and risk
management issues associated with contaminants in drinking water. EPA's research
activities also will support watershed protection.
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HIGHLIGHTS: -
Protecting the Public Health andthe Nation's Watersheds - Clean WaterAcrtion
Plan
The current pace of implementation of Clean Water programs will not achieve
the goal of providing safe and clean water to all Americans. In recognition of
this, the Administration has called for a renewed effort to restore and protect
our nation's waters - the Clean Water and Watershed Restoration Initiative. In
1999, EPA is requesting an additional $145,000,000 in support of this commitment.
To achieve the key elements of the initiative, the . Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation
with other affected agencies, would implement a Clean Water Action Plan. This
plan-addresses three major goals:
— strengthening and enhancing core programs, including protecting
public health, preventing polluted runoff and addressing source
water protection for safe drinking water, enhancing natural
resources, and improving information and citizens' right-to-know;
promoting a state-led watershed approach, including restoring and
sustaining watershed health through coordination of Federal programs
across departments and agencies; and
assisting states with reducing nonpoint. source pollution. by
expanding state grant assistance-.
The Action Plan builds on the solid foundation of the existing clean water
program and proposes important new steps to strengthen the program. A key new
element of the program will be a cooperative effort by State, Federal, and local
governments and citizens to restore the health of aquatic systems in watersheds
not meeting clean water goals arid to sustain healthy conditions in other
watersheds. Other new elements of the program will reduce, the public health
threats of water pollution, enhance natural resources (e.g. wetlands, coastal
areas, and stream corridors), prevent polluted runoff, and make water quality
information more accessible to citizens. The 1999 Budget Request reflects this
Plan to revitalize our efforts to ensure clean and safe water.
Enhancino Hunan Health through Safe Drinkiner Water
In 1999, EPA is requesting $1,018,705,900 and 855 workyears for efforts
addressing the threats of unsafe drinking water. (These resources include
$775,000,000 as part of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund discussed in the
Water Infrastructure section, and $3,200,000 as part of the Clean Water Action
Plan investment.) Safe drinking water is essential to human health.
Contaminated drinking water can cause illness and even death, and exposure to
contaminated drinking water poses a special risk to such populations as children,
the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems (susceptible
populations). EPA's Science Advisory Board, in its 1990 report Reducing Risk:
Setting Priorities and Strategies for Environmental Protection, • concluded that
drinking water contamination is one of the highest environmental risks to human
health. In 1994, 19 percent of those served by community water systems, or
approximately 46 million people, drank water that violated health standards at
least once during the year.
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The drinking water program's highest priority is protecting human health
from microbiological contaminants and disinfectant/disinfection byproducts, as
well as critical chemical contaminants (e.g., arsenic and radon). Health
assessments, risk characterizations, and regulatory support documents are
integral components of the standard setting/rule development process and will be
conducted for all these contaminants. In addition, the Agency-issued Contaminant
Candidate List, which identifies known or anticipated priority contaminants that
may require regulation, the unregulated contaminant monitoring rule, and the
national drinking water contaminant occurrence data base are crucial tools in
ensuring safe drinking water.
EPA's research efforts will continue to strengthen the scientific basis for
drinking water standards, through the use of improved methods and new data to
better evaluate the risks associated with exposure to chemical and microbial
contaminants in drinking water.
Reducing Point and Nonpoint Source Loadings
EPA is requesting $1,486,519,500 and 886 workyears to address the
fundamental problems concerning the nation's waters: point and nonpoint source
pollution. (The resources requested include $1,075,000,000 for the Clean Water
State Revolving Fund, and $78,000,000 as part of the water infrastructure
financing resources for needy cities discussed in the Water Infrastructure
section. These resources also include $110,768,600 as part of the Clean Water
Action Plan investment.) A key element of the Agency's effort to achieve its
overarching goal of clean and safe water is the reduction of pollutant discharges
from point and nonpoint sources. To reduce pollutant loadings from sources, the
Clean Water Act established requirements for national technology-based effluent
limitations and water quality based limitations.
EPA and its partners have made much progress in reducing pollutant
discharges from point sources. A key goal for the National Water Program in 1999
is to have local watersheds in more than 220 communities improved by controls on
combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and storm water. CSOs contribute to shellfish
bed closures, beach closures, aesthetic problems, and impairment of designated
uses. Controlling CSOs will reduce pathogens, biological oxygen demand (BOD),
total suspended solids (TSS), and will contribute to the overall reduction in
pollutant loadings.
EPA's nonpoint source program provides program, technical, and financial
.assistance to help states implement programs to control various forms of runoff.
While agricultural sources are the most significant category of nonpoint source
runoff, state NFS programs address all categories of NPS runoff with a mix of
voluntary and regulatory approaches. These state programs are the primary means
for implementing nonpoint source TMDL allocations and for achieving water quality
standards. EPA's nonpoint source program works closely with a number of other
Federal agencies to help reduce runoff and encourage private sector partnerships
to spur voluntary adoption of NPS controls. As the program moves forward, new
tools, best management practices, and NPS and contaminated sediment control
strategies will need to be developed in cooperation with States, tribes, other
Federal agencies and the private sector. State implementation plans for nonpoint
sources will be required to provide reasonable assurances that load allocations
within an approved TMDL are met for waters impaired solely or primarily from
nonpoint sources.
EPA's research program will also focus on aiding effective watershed
management strategies for controlling Wet Weather Flows.
II-4
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Reduce 'the Consumption of Contaminated Fish and Exposure to Contamination From
Recreational Waters
EPA is requesting, a total of $7,151,600 and 8 workyears to address the
health threats from consumption of fish with elevated levels of contamination and
exposures to pathogens and. other pollution in recreational waters. (These
resources include $1,250,000 as part of the Clean Water Action Plan investment,
and are included in Objectives 1 and 3 of this Goal.) Protecting Americans from
these threats is high priority. Exposure to contaminated water can cause serious
illness. These types of exposures pose a special risk to children, women of
childbearing age, subpopulations who fish for food or sport, and people with
compromised immune systems. Through enhanced fish tissue monitoring, risk
assessment, and beach assessment, EPA will work to improve the understanding of
the effects exposure to contaminated waters and consumption of contaminated fish
has on sensitive populations and human health as a whole.
Financing Water Infrastructure
The Annual Plan is based on a total of $1,928,000,000 for water
infrastructure financing through the State and Tribal Grants (STAG) Appropriation
under the Clean and Safe Water Goal. EPA's Water Infrastructure Program provides
financial assistance to States, municipalities and Tribal governments to fund a
variety of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. These funds
are essential to fulfill the Federal1 government's commitment to help our State,
Tribal and local partners obtain adequate funding to construct the facilities
required to comply with Federal environmental requirements. States and
localities rely on a variety of revenue sources to finance their environmental
programs and to pay for the facilities needed to keep the water clean and safe
from harmful contaminants.
The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (CW and DW SRFs)
demonstrate a true partnership between States, localities, and the Federal
government. In 1999, the President is requesting $1,850,000,000 for these funds.
The Administration's 1999 request, combined with the outyear capitalization of
these funds, enables the Administration to meet its long term goals for both
funds to provide'a total of $2,500,000,000 in annual financial assistance to
needy communities. In addition, states will have more funding flexibility
starting in 1998. The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 allow states
to move funds between the two SRFs, based on a percentage of the state's annual
allocation to the DW SRF.
The Annual Plan is based on $63,000,000 for the construction of wastewater
treatment facilities for Boston Harbor and Bristol County, Massachusetts, and New
Orleans, Louisiana. Funds are targeted to these areas because of special
circumstances including financial hardship and unique sewer system problems. In
addition, $15,000,000 is requested for Alaskan Native villages for the
construction of wastewater and drinking water facilities, to address serious
sanitation problems.
FY 1999 Annual Performance Goals:
The resources requested in this budget will enable, the Agency, in
conjunction with EPA's State, local, and Tribal partners, to achieve several
important goals for 1999. The most significant of these goals include:
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851 (an increase -of 2% over 1998) of the population served by community
water systems will receive drinking water meeting all health-based
standards, up from 81% in 1994;
6,000 community water systems (serving 24 million people) will be
implementing programs to protect their source water (an increase of 3,250
systems over 1998);
EPA will issue and begin implementing two protective drinking water
standards for high-risk contaminants, including disease-causing micro-
organisms (Stage I Disinfection/Disinfection Byproducts and Interim
Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rules);
EPA will develop critical dose-response data for disinfectant by-products
(DBFs), waterborne pathogens, and arsenic for addressing key uncertainties
in the risk assessment of municipal water supplies;
As part of the Clean Water Action Plan, all states will -be conducting or
have .completed unified watershed assessments, with support from EPA, to
identify aquatic resources in greatest need of restoration or prevention
activities;
SPA will provide funding support to community-based projects for watershed
restoration including restoration of wetlands and river corridors in 160
watersheds (an increase of 110 watersheds from 1998);
EPA will provide data and information for use by states and regions in
assessing and managing aquatic stressors in the watershed, to reduce toxic
loadings and improve ecological risk assessment;
Another 3.4 million people will receive the benefits of secondary
treatment of wastewater, for a total of 183 million;
More than 220 communities will have local watersheds improved by controls
on combined sewer overflows and storm water;
In support of the Clean Water Action Plan, 10 additional states will
upgrade their nonpoint source programs, to ensure that they are
implementing dynamic and effective nonpoint source programs that are
designed to achieve and maintain beneficial uses of water; and
By 2003, EPA will deliver support tools, such as watershed models,
enabling resource planners to select consistent, appropriate watershed
management solutions and alternatives, and less costly wet weather flow
technologies.
Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Population served by CWSs that will
receive drinking water meeting all
health-based standards
83 % Population 85 % Population
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Regulations promulgated that establish
protective levels for high-risk
contaminants
2 Rules
CWSs with ground or surface water
protection programs in place
2750 CWSs
6,000 CWSs
Pathogens-Microbial enteric disease
DBFs- hazard id/screen studies etc.
Determination of infectious dose for
Norwalk virus.
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
States that are conducting or have
completed unified watershed
assessments
50 States
Watersheds that received funding
support for CBEP wetlands/river
corridors
50 Watersheds 160 Watersheds
Impacts for Managing Watershed Prot
Big Darby Watershed reports
Additional people who will receive the
benefits of secondary or better
treatment of wastewater
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
3.4. M People
Communities that will have local
watersheds improved by controls on
CSOs and stormwater
220 Communities
States that have upgraded their NPS
.programs
5 States
10 States
By: 2000 Model Linking Urban
Stormwater Management Models and
Geographic Information System (CIS)
30-SEP-OO
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Complete needs assessment and research
plan for beach contamination from .
pathogens. Conduct peer re
30-SEP-99
Key Performance Measures Verification
Safe Drinking Water Information.System _fSDWIS)
The Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) is the primary data
source for verifying and validating the performance measures related to the
objective of enhancing public health through safe drinking water in the Agency's
annual plan. There are two components to SDWIS. SDWIS/FED is a national data
base (housed on a mainframe computer) that includes the core information needed
by EPA to assure that public water systems are in compliance with all of the
statutory requirements, in SDWA. SDWIS/ STATE Ls a PC^based system at the state
level that has been designed to address the specific drinking water information
needs of the state. It includes not only the data that the state must report to
SDWIS/FED but also data the state determines to be critical to carry out its
primary enforcement authority. Formal QA/QC procedures have been implemented for
both data entry and data retrieval. In addition, the SDWIS Executive Board
reviews QA/QC approaches regularly and a peer review process is in place to test
any new modules or revisions to existing modules of SDWIS.
Data will also be compiled on efforts to implement the underground
injection control program, including performance data on mechanical integrity
testing of UIC wells and permitting and closure efforts targeted at Class IV and
V wells. EPA will collect this data from the UIC Federal Reporting System (7520
forms), which includes information submitted annually by EPA and State UIC
Program directors to Headquarters.
Research
EPA has several strategies to validate and verify performance measures in
the area of environmental science and research. The Agency has implemented a
risk-based research planning process to use risk assessment and risk management
as principal priority-setting criteria. EPA conducts annual research program
reviews to- both evaluate the status and accomplishments of its research and
determine planning priorities. To better draw upon the expertise of. the
environmental academic community, EPA created the Science to Achieve Results
(STAR) program of peer-reviewed, mission-driven extramural grants.
Peer Review
Chief among the Agency's validation and verification mechanisms is a
rigorous peer review process. In a July 1997 memorandum, EPA's Deputy
Administrator states that peer review will be expanded "to include both the ma lor
work products provided in the past and...all scientific and technical products
supporting Agency decisions..." This expanded and strengthened focus on peer
review will help ensure that the performance measures listed here are verified
and validated by external organizations. The Agency utilizes peer review
throughout the research planning and implementation process, both to ensure that
planned research addresses critical knowledge issues within EPA's mission, and
to assess the quality of scientific research plans, products, and proposals.
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This is accomplished through the use of independent entities such as the Science
Advisory Board (SAB)and the Board of Scientific'Councilors (BOSC). The BOSC,
established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will even examine the way
the Agency uses peer review, as well as the management of its research and
development laboratories.
EPA's external research program undergoes extensive peer review. Proposals
from the external scientific community are peer-reviewed and projects are then
selected for funding through grants or cooperative agreements. In addition,
Requests for Applications (RFAs) under the STAR program are often developed
jointly with outside partners such as the National Science Foundation. In this
way, EPA has developed a mechanism by which to check the quality and relevance
of its research program.
ORD Management Information System (OMIS)
The Office of Research and Development Management Information System (OMIS)
will be another accountability tool used to verify and validate performance
measures. The recently developed GPRA structure will be incorporated into OMIS
to ensure consistent maintenance and reporting, resulting in greater accuracy and
consistency of information to users.
Fish and Wildlife Advisories Database
The National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories database is the
primary data source for verifying and validating the performance measures related
to safe consumption of fish and wildlife. Each year, states and tribes submit
information that the Agency enters into the database and validates. The database
contains information on the waterbodies under advisory, the types of advisories
and bans in place, the special category and size ranges of fish and/or wildlife
involved, chemical contaminants identified in the advisories, lake acreage of
river miles under advisory, the data advisories were issued, and the proportion
of assessed waters that are under advisory in a given year.
Beach Monitoring and Closures • •
EPA data is not currently.available on'beach monitoring and closures.
However, the Agency issued an Information Collection Request (ICR) to solicit
data on beach monitoring and actions ' taken to protect the public from
contamination in these recreational waters. The state/local government survey
that will be developed as a result of the ICR will be the key piece of
information used to report progress. The EPA survey will be phased in to obtain
data on all beaches. The survey will be designed to report all information
necessary to measure progress against the annual performance measure.
Water Quality Monitoring
Each State, Territory, Interstate Water Commission, the District of
Columbia and participating Tribe must, per Clean Water Act Section 305(b),
develop a program to monitor water quality of its surface and ground waters and
prepare a report describing the status of its water quality. This 305(b) process
is the principal means by which EPA, Congress, and the public evaluate whether
U.S. waters meet water quality standards, the progress made in maintaining and
restoring water quality, and the extent of the remaining problems.
EPA with the assistance of the States, other jurisdictions and
participating Tribes prepares guidance to delineate the water quality elements
needed as well as guidance to ensure consistency and comparability of the water
II-B
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quality monitoring and assessments. The Water body System (WBS) defines and
tracks the data -elements at the water body level and summarizes at various
•scales. -The WBS provides coding guides with technical instructions for data
users. The numbers of total State waters are obtained using EPA's Reach File
Version 3.0. The guidance describes annual electronic protocols for submission
of the water quality data.
In addition to our Section 305(b) reporting, several of our 1999
performance measures for this objective are based largely on programmatic outputs
and activities that can, in the near-term, serve as adequate surrogates for
determining the extent to which bur programs are moving the Agency toward its
environmental goals. As such, verification of the quality of •data will be
conducted through normal communications among EPA offices and1 Regions and with
states and other partners. For example, the review of the ocean dumping testing
requirements will provide numerous opportunities for stakeholders nation-wide to
help identify the issues and priorities involved in the review. In addition,. the
review process and outcome will be guided by a Federal Advisory Committee,
assuring high quality, independent advice on the most appropriate revisions to
the testing requirements. These measures, in contrast to certain environmental
outcome measures planned for the future, typically include annual or other
routine reports from state agencies, but also include milestones in established
processes where verification can be established through EPA staff involvement.
Wetlands Trends Data ' . - .
EPA is a member of an interagency working group that will reconcile
wetlands trends data from the Department of Interior's National Wetlands
Inventory and the "Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation
Service's Natural Resource. In addition, EPA has requested that the Wetlands
Subcommittee (Chaired by the Fish.and Wildlife Service) of the Federal Geographic
Data Committee reconcile differences among agencies in the reporting of wetland
acres created or restored 'that are appropriate for tabulating as increases in the
inventory of the nation's wetlands.
The Gulf of Mexico Program's performance evaluation process is supported
through the distributed Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan of the Office and
those of the participating federal departments and agencies. Additionally, the
Gulf Program has organized a Scientific Review Committee of regional experts
(both public and private) that assist in the review and verification of the
environmental analyses and performance evaluations administered by the Program.
Permit Compliance System (PCS) Database
Performance data related to NPDES permits will be tracked largely through
the Agency's Permit Compliance System (PCS) database which is managed by the
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). Data entered into this-
system by the Regions and states is subjected to data entry QA procedures to
verify that the information is consistent with facility-provided information. The
system includes additional QA features related to discharge data. Performance
.data on CWSRF management will be compiled by EPA's Regional offices through
interaction with the states.
Nonooint Source (NPS) Pollutants
The Agency's progress toward the goal of clean and safe water can be
measured in part by the extent to which point source and nonpoint source (NPS)
pollutants are discharged into the Nation's waters. Our longer-term measurement
of NPS discharges will involve analyses of current versus baseline loading
11-10
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estimates conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of
Agriculture. Since states' are the primary implementers of NFS programs and
policies, the extent to which states have upgraded their nonpoint-source programs
to reflect recent guidance will serve as an effective surrogate for measuring
progress toward our NFS reduction targets. State program upgrades will be
measured by evaluating each state's explicit short- and. long-term goals and
objectives and their associated indicators that demonstrate progress.
Data on the promulgation of effluent guidelines and support for existing
technology based standards is collected through internal tracking processes in
the Agency organizations where the work is performed (no outside reporting is
involved for these measures).
Statutory Authority
Clean Water Act
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 3: Safe Food III-l
Annual Performance Goals
.111-3
Key Performance Measures .....;.....' III-4
Key Performance Measures Verification III-4
Statutory Authority III-5
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan Request to Congress
Safe Food
Strategic Goal: The foods Americans eat will be free from unsafe pesticide
residues. Children especially will be protected from the health threats posed
by pesticide residues, because they are among the most vulnerable groups in our
society.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
1998 Pres Bud 1998 Enacted 1999 Pros Bud
Safe Food
Obj. 01 Reduce Agricultural
Pesticides Risk
Obj. 02 Reduce Use on Food of
Pesticides Not Meeting
Standards
Goal Total FTE: Safe Food
$59,764.9 $56,459.3 $63,552.4
$22,952.3 $19,651.3 $24,926.2
$36,812.6 $36,808.0 $38,626.2
687.2
681.0
682.3
Strategic Objectives:
Objective #1: Reduce Agricultural Pesticides Risk. By 2005, the risk from
agricultural -use of pesticides will be reduced by SO percent from 1995 levels.
Objective #2: Reduce Use on Pood of Pesticides Not Meeting Standards. By 2005,
use on food of current pesticides that do not meet the new statutory standard of
"reasonable certainty-of no harm'' will be substantially eliminated.
Programs and Activities: ' >
The abundance, affordability, and wholesomeness of America's food supply
depend, in part upon the safe use of pesticides during food production,
processing, storage, and transportation. Before any pesticide can be used
legally, the law requires EPA to conclude that its use will not lead to
unreasonable adverse effects, and that any food residues resulting from its use
are reasonably certain to cause no harm. EPA recognizes that older pesticides
with approved food uses may sometimes lead to residues which could result in
adverse health effects. EPA's priority is to minimize dietary exposure to these
potentially toxic pesticides, especially to children, by screening the pesticides
through the regulatory processes of registration and reregistration/special
III-l
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review, thereby eliminating those pesticides that present a danger to human
health and the environment. The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996
mandated a more stringent health standard for EPA's pesticide reviews. Through
these processes, pesticides found to be harmful will be removed from the market
or restricted in their use to ensure the continued safety of our food supply.
The 1999 Annual .Plan provides $63,552,400 and 682.3 workyears for the Safe
Pood goal, ain increase of $7,093,100 and 1.3 workyears over 1998. EPA will
continue to focus its efforts on implementing FQPA, which amends both of EPA's
principal pesticide regulatory authorities, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act (F1FRA) and the Federal Food,. Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) .
In 1999, the implementation of FQPA will continue to be a priority for the
Agency, with significant efforts going toward tolerance reassessments, periodic
reconsideration of food-use registrations, effective management of minor use
pesticides, and expedited registration of reduced-risk pesticides. EPA will
ensure that newly registered agricultural pesticides meet the current, more
stringent standards mandated in FQPA to ensure reasonable certainty of no harm
to human health and the environment. Implementation of FQPA is essential to
reducing dietary exposure to potentially toxic pesticides by subjecting them to
the new, more stringent health standard.
Highlights:
Reduce Agricultural Pesticides Risk
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $24,926,200 and 282.7 workyears to ensure
that the risk from agricultural use of pesticides will be reduced. FIFRA and
FFDCA authorize EPA to set terms and conditions of pesticide registration,
marketing and use. EPA will use these authorities to reduce the use of
pesticides with the highest potential to cause adverse effects, including those
which pose particular risks to children. Under EPA's Registration program, new
food/feed-use pesticides are registered after extensive review and evaluation of
human health and ecosystem data. The Registration program includes special
registration activities, tolerance setting, and permits for use of pesticides for
emergency situations, and experimental use. In 1999, EPA will continue to
emphasize addressing children's special sensitivities through registration
review.
In 1999, the Agency will decrease the adverse risk from agricultural
pesticides from 1995 levels through the regulatory review and approval of safer
pesticides (including new biopesticides). The registration of safer pesticides
will increase the availability of safer alternatives to the consumer, resulting
in a reduction in the use of high risk pesticides. Under the Reduced Risk
Initiative, which began in 1993, EPA will continue to provide expedited review
of pesticides which meet the criteria of reduced'risk i.e., reduce the level of
acute toxicity, reduce exposure to humans or non target organisms, and reduce the
environmental burden. These expedited pesticide review actions provide the
incentive to industry to develop, register, and use lower risk pesticide products
that result in reduced risk to human health and the environment when compared to
existing alternatives.
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Reduce Use of Pesticides on Food Not Meeting Current Standards
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $38,626,200 and 399.6 workyears to ensure
that use on food of current pesticides that' do not meet the new statutory
standard of "reasonable certainty of no harm" will be substantially eliminated.
Implementation of FQPA is essential to reducing dietary exposure to potential
toxic pesticides by subjecting them to the new, more stringent health standard.
This new standard requires the Agency to revise its risk-assessment practices to.
ensure adequate protection of the health of children and other vulnerable
subpopulations and to reconsider some 9,700 tolerances for specific pesticide
residues approved before the passage of PQPA. To meet this requirement, the
Agency will complete approximately 1,850 tolerance reassessments in 1999.
In 1999, EPA will continue to work on the following additional requirements
mandated by FQPA: (1) develop a new program to reconsider registered pesticides
on a 15-year cycle, bringing them into compliance with contemporary standards;
(2) provide a special emphasis on management of minor use pesticides; and (3)
expedite registration of reduced risk pesticides.
In 1999, through the Reregistration program, the Agency will continue to
regulate pesticides approved for food use, with particular emphasis on those that
have been classified as potential human carcinogens or neurotoxins. The
reregistration process for pesticides registered prior to November 1984 is in its
final phase which is the issuance of Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) .
The issuance of a RED summarizes the findings of the reregistration review of
the chemical after examining its health and environmental effects. In 1999, EPA
will complete approximately 1,000 product reregistrations, and 42 REDs for active
ingredients subject to reregistration.
Pesticide User Fees
EPA is proposing appropriations language to reinstate pesticide registration fees
to collect $16,.000,000 in 1999. The fee applies to pesticide manufacturers to
recover the costs of EPA's review of registration applications. The Agency
continues to collect Tolerance and Maintenance Fees at $18,000,000 a year. In
1999, EPA will promulgate the needed rules to increase tolerance fees to ensure
that the tolerance setting process will be as self-supporting as possible. EPA
expects these rules to take effect in 2000.
FY 1999 Annual Performance Goals:
The resources requested for the Safe Food goal will enable the Agency to
meet a number of important performance goals. The most significant of these
include:
Decrease adverse/risk from agricultural pesticides from 1995 levels and
assure that new pesticides that enter the market are safe for humans and
the environment through such actions as registering 17 safer pesticide
chemicals and biopesticides, issuing 95 new tolerances and approving 95 new
pesticide uses.
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». Under pesticide reregistration, EPA will reassess'19% of the existing 9,700
tolerances (cumulative 33%} for pesticide food uses to meet the new
statutory standard of "reasonable certainty of no harm."
Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Safer Chemicals/Biologicals
16
Registrations
17
Registrations
New Chemicals
17
Registrations
17
Registrations
Amendments
2056 Actions
2000 Actions
Me-toos
639 Actions
600 Actions
New Uses
99 Actions
95 Actions
Inerts
41 Actions
45 Actions
Special Registrations
366 Actions
370 Actions
Tolerance Petitions
91 Actions
95 Actions
Tolerance Reassessment
1450 Actions 1850 Actions
REDs
40 Decisions 42 Decisions
Product Reregistration
750 Actions 1000 Actions
Key Performance Measures Verification
Indices of progress will include the number of safer chemicals registered,
and the number of REDs issued. Another reference or indirect measure may include
the number of environmental partnerships in place or the number of IPM programs
in effect. As output measures, these will be readily counted or recorded upon
completion.
Through the Reregistration Program, EPA. will ensure that pesticides and
products failing to meet current standards will not remain on the market.
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Reassessment of current tolerances will ensure that pesticide residues in food
do not constitute a health risk.
Primary indices of progress are completions of new REDs for food-use Active
Ingredients, completions of product reregistrations for food-use products, and
completions- of tolerance reassessments. As output measures, these will be
readily counted or recorded upon completion.
The registration of safer alternatives, which will encourage reduced use of
the potentially more hazardous older conventional chemicals, will be used be an
indirect measure.
Statutory Authority
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act {FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136-
I36y)
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (21 U. S. C. 346a) Section 408
(21 U.S.C. 346a)
World Trade Organization Agreements
U.S. EPA Headquarters Library
Mail code 3201
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20460
III-S
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 4: Preventing Pollution and Reducing Risk in Communities, Homes,
Workplaces and Ecosystems IV-1
Annual Performance Goals IV-S
Key Performance Measures IV- 7
Key Performance Measures Verification IV-8
Statutory Authority . '. . .IV-12
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan Request to Congress
Preventing Pollution and Reducing Risk in Communities, Homes, Workplaces and
Ecosystems
Strategic Goal: Pollution prevention and risk management strategies aimed at
cost-effectively eliminating, reducing, or minimizing emissions and contamination
will result in cleaner and safer environments in which all Americans can reside,
work and enjoy life. EPA will safeguard ecosystems and promote the health of
natural communities that are integral to the quality of life in this nation.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
1998 Pres Bud 1998 Enacted 1999 Pres Bud
Preventing Pollution and Reducing
Risk in Communities, Homes,
' Workplaces and Ecosystems
Obj. 01 Reduce Public.and •
Ecosystem Exposure to
Pesticides
Obj. 02 Reduce Lead Poisoning
Obj.03 Safe Handling and Use
of Commercial Chemicals and
Microorganisms
Obj. 04 Healthier Indoor Air
Obj. 05 Improve Pollution
Prevention Strategies, Tools,
Approaches
Obj. 06 Decrease Quantity and
Toxicity of Waste
Obj. 07 Assess Conditions in
Indian Country
Goal Total FTE
$239,993.1 $240,466.0 $258,845.0
$50,789.4 -$47,108.9 $50,626.1
$31,078.6 $30,453.7 $30,957.6
$31,646.7 $41,024.6 $41,272.5
$33,235.0 $30,292.2 $33,219.4
$27,074.1 $25,245.9 $26,865.5
$22,327.2 $21,783.3 ' $25,053.2
$43,842.1 $44,557.4 $50,850.7
1,045.8
1,143.6
1,125.5
IV-1
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Strategic Objectives:
Objective #1: Reduce Public and Ecosystem Exposure to Pesticides. By 2005,
public and ecosystem risk from pesticides will be -reduced through migration to
lower risk pesticides and pest management practices, improving education of the
public and at-risk workers, and forming "pesticide environmental stewardship"
partnerships with pesticide user groups.
Objective #2: Reduce Lead Poisoning. By 2005, the number of young children with
high levels of lead in their blood will be significantly reduced from the early
1990's.
Objective #3: Safe Handling .and Use of Commercial Chemicals and Microorganisms
By 2005, of the approximately 2,000 chemicals and 40 genetically engineered
microorganisms expected to enter commerce each year, we will significantly
increase the introduction by industry of safer or "greener" chemicals which will
decrease the need for regulatory management by EPA.
Objective #4: Healthier Indoor Air. By 2005, fifteen million more Americans will
live or work in homes, schools, or office buildings with healthier indoor air
than in 1994.
Objective #5: Improve Pollution Prevention Strategies, Tools, Approaches. By
2005, reduce by 25% (from 1992 level) the quantity of .toxic pollutants released,
disposed of, treated, or combusted for energy recovery. Half of this reduction
will be achieved through pollution prevention practices.
Objective #6: Decrease Quantity and Toxicity of Haste. By 2005, EPA and its
partners will increase recycling and decrease the quantity and toxicity of waste
generated.
Objective #7: Assess Conditions in Indian Country. By 2003, 60% of Indian
Country will be assessed for its environmental condition and Tribes and EPA will
be implementing plans to address priority issues.
Programs and Activities:
EPA seeks to manage environmental risks to communities, homes, and
workplaces, and to protect the environmental integrity of ecosystems, by a mix
of regulatory programs with alternative approaches to achieve results at less
cost and in more innovative, sustainable ways. Rather than "end of pipe"
controls, preventing pollution at the source is our strategy of first choice.
Where pollution prevention at the source is not a viable alternative, the Agency
will employ risk management and remediation strategies in a cost effective
manner. These efforts will be directed towards the greatest threats, such as
those in our communities, homes, schools, and workplaces that have significant
impact on our most sensitive populations: children, the elderly, and individuals
with chronic diseases.
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $258.8 million and 1,125.5 workyears for
this goal, an increase of $18,3 million and decrease of 18.1 workyears over 1998.
' IV-2
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EPA will focus on pollution prevention and reducing risks by minimizing the
exposure from pesticide misuse, lead poisoning, and by targeting persistent,
bioaccumulative, and toxic pollutants. The Agency will also enhance hazardous
waste minimization projects to reduce wastes at their source.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Reduce Public and Scosvstem Exposure to Pesticides
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $50.6 million and 241 workyears to ensure
that public and ecosystem risk from pesticides will be reduced through migration
to lower risk pesticides and. pest-management practices, improving education of
the public and at-risk workers, and forming "pesticide environmental stewardship"
partnerships with pesticide user groups.
The objective to reduce exposure to pesticides will be achieved through
continued application of the Worker Protection Standards (WPS) and certification
and training programs. The WPS for agricultural pesticides represents a major
strengthening of national efforts to safeguard agricultural workers from
occupational exposure to pesticides on farms, in forests, greenhouses and
nurseries. Additionally, EPA will continue to protect the nation's ecosystems
through the groundwater program. Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program
(PESP), integrated pest management (IPM) , and endangered species programs.
One of EPA's concerns in 1999 will' be the prevention of accidental or
deliberate pesticide misuse in urban and rural environments, particularly in poor
communities where significant public health risks to residents, especially
children and other sensitive populations, are likely to occur. In 1999, EPA will
support a new initiative to prevent misuse and reduce exposure. Pesticide misuse
prevention activities will focus on the reduction of risk in residential
settings. EPA will work with other. Federal, state, and local agencies; the
private sector; and communities to identify the critical deficiencies and to
carry out effective solutions. Also in 1999; EPA will continue to carry out the
Pesticide Groundwater Strategy. This strategy is based on cooperative efforts
with the states/tribes and the Regions to develop State Management Plans (SMPs)
to prevent groundwater pollution from pesticides.
Reduce Lead Poisoning -
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $31.0 million and 121 workyears to ensure
that the number of young children with high levels of lead in their blood will
be significantly reduced from the early 1990s.
Beginning in 1999, ,EPA will start implementing a training, certification,
and accreditation program for lead-based paint professionals in approximately 15
states that do not administer their own programs. Other regulations and public
outreach, such as publication of a lead information pamphlets, will ensure that
parents have access to information to make an informed decision about lead-based
paint in their homes, with a special emphasis on children in low-income, urban
areas. Another important effort in 1999 will be a collaborative project with the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to assist states and local communities in
targeting resources by examining 50-75 metropolitan areas to identify the most
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vulnerable communities where lead poisoning prevention efforts should be
targeted. The identification of communities will be followed with a
multi-pronged outreach program to ensure awareness of the risk to children and
to ensure that steps are taken to provide assistance to the communities at risk.
Also in 1999, EPA plans to issue final rules on disposal of lead-based paint
debris and standards for lead-based paint hazards in paint, dust and soil. In
addition, EPA plans to issue proposed rules on training, accreditation and
certification requirements for renovation and remodeling activities and for
lead-based paint activities in-buildings and superstructures.
Safe Handling and Use of Commercial Chp^icala and Microorganisms
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $41.3 million and 344 workyears to ensure
that, of the approximately 2,000 chemicals and 40 genetically engineered micro-
organisms expected to enter commerce each year, EPA will significantly increase
the introduction of safer or "greener" chemicals that will decrease the need for
regulatory management.
In 1999, EPA will focus on efforts to implement the Toxics Agenda. An
important part of the implementation effort will center on persistent,
bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals as part of a coordinated Agency
effort. One of the key health issues facing our nation's children today is the
threat posed by exposure to PBTs. These chemicals also imperil the health of
ecosystems as they accumulate and biomagnify in the food chain for years and
decades. To facilitate development of the Agenda, EPA will complete the Chemical
Use Inventory (CUI) amendment to the Inventory Update Rule. Promulgation of the
CUI rule, by identifying chemical uses of industrial, commercial, and consumer
products, will -facilitate risk screening, including identifying risks to
children. In 1999, the completion of. testing actions on new and existing
chemicals will result in the development of test data needed to support adequate
assessments of chemical risks by government, industry, and the public. Also,
EPA's Green Chemistry Program will continue to recognize and promote chemical
methods that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of toxic substances during
the design, manufacture and use of chemical products and processes and that have
broad application in industry.
A crucial element of EPA's approach is chemical information gathering and
testing to provide EPA and others, including the public, sufficient data for
screening, assessing, and managing the risks. EPA's research program will
support this effort by generating scientific information used in improving the
. test methods used to generate the data. Research seeks to improve our
understanding of both the risks to human health and adverse ecological effects.
To the extent that this research supports testing guidelines, that relate to both
toxic substances in general and to pesticides, research under this objective
additionally supports EPA's goal to reduce the risks to the nation's food supply
and the non-dietary pesticide risks posed to human health and the environment.
Achieving Healthier Indoor Air
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $33.2 million and 152 workyears to
accomplish its healthy indoor air performance goals.
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Indoor air pollution poses high risks to human health, especially in
sensitive populations, and has ranked among the top four environmental risks.
Radon, for example, is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is responsible
for about 14,000 deaths per year.
To help achieve healthier indoor air, EPA's priorities in 1999 include radon
testing, radon mitigation, and radon-resistant construction; implementing "Tools
for Schools"; increasing awareness of the harmful effects of children's exposure
to secondhand smoke; completing the analysis of data from the Building Assessment
Survey and Evaluation (BASE); privatizing the radon proficiency program; and
focusing on community-based risk reduction. These programs support the 1999 goal
of having 850,000 additional people living in healthier residential indoor
environments, including 530,000 people living in homes built with radon-resistant
features.
EPA's research program will produce the scientific information needed to
understand indoor air effects. Research will identify, characterize, and compare
the health risks associated with indoor exposures to air pollutants so that risk
managers can make informed decisions to protect public health.
Improve Pollution Prevention Strategies. Tools. Approaches
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $26.9 million and 80 workyears to ensure
that the quantity of toxic pollutants released, disposed of, treated, or
combusted for energy recovery will be reduced 10% from 1992 levels. Half of this
reduction will be achieved through pollution prevention practices.
Beginning in 1999,. EPA will develop innovative, multi-media strategies and
tools (through inter-office and regional coordination) to target 12-14 priority
persistent, bioaccumulative.and toxic pollutants for pollution prevention (P2)
at domestic levels. The targeting will be done as a collaborative effort between
multiple offices and their regional components. Also, obtaining 2% reductions
in reported Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemical wastes in 1999 and beyond
will be the result of the cumulative efforts of EPA's pollution protection, clean
technologies, and green chemicals programs which encourage the use of source
reduction and integrated environmental management systems by American industry
and businesses.
Decrease the Quantity and Toxicitv of Waste
. The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $25.1 million and 133 workyears to support
the objective of decreasing pollution in communities, workplaces, and ecosystems
by decreasing the quantity and toxicity of wastes.
In 1999, the Agency will emphasize helping generators prioritize and focus
their efforts to reduce the volume and toxicity of hazardous wastes. EPA's
objective is to reduce the amount of waste generated annually, therefore
decreasing pollution or the risk of pollution in communities, workplaces, and
ecosystems. EPA will work together with state, tribal, and local governments,
business and industries, and non-governmental organizations to: encourage
reduced generation'of industrial (hazardous and non-hazardous) waste through
material substitution and manufacturing process changes? encourage recycling of
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wastes that must be generated; and assure the safe recycling of any wastes. EPA
will also focus on reducing the toxicity of wastes as states and regions begin
measuring and reporting reductions of PBTs. To accomplish this, the Agency's
waste minimization program will provide tools and assistance to identify
hazardous wastes containing the most PBTs among 900 chemicals in the waste
stream.
Assess Conditions in Indian Country
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $50.9 million and 55 workyears to continue
its efforts to improve environmental conditions in Indian Country in this Goal.
EPA places particular priority on working with Federally recognized Indian
tribes on a government-to-government basis to improve environmental conditions
in Indian country. This is pursuant to our trust relationship with tribes and
the nation's interest in conservation of cultural uses of natural resources. In
1999, the Agency will continue to work with the tribes to establish an
environmental presence in Indian country and produce substantial progress towards
developing Tribal capacity to implement their own environmental programs. EPA
will complete its design and begin initiation of a framework for the baseline
assessment of environmental conditions on tribal lands.
EPA will also improve health and environmental conditions in Alaska Native
villages through training and education on sampling and assessing environmental
quality conditions. This investment will advance these villages capabilities to
correct health and environmental problems through the development of
Environmental Action Plans.
FY 1999 Annual Performance Goals
The resources requested in this budget will enable the Agency to meet a
number of important performance goals in 1999. The most significant of these
include:
• 850,000 additional people will live in healthier residential indoor
environments.
• ' Reduce by 2% in 1999 (for a cumulative total of 10%) the quantity of TRI
pollutants released, treated or combusted for energy recovery, with
emphasis on the use of Pollution Prevention practices.
• Divert an additional 1% (for a cumulative 29% or 64 million tons) of RCRA
municipal solid waste (MSW) from landfilling and combustion, an increase
from the 1990 baseline of 17%.
• Ensure that-of the approximately 2,500 new chemicals and micro-organisms
submitted by industry each year, those that are introduced in commerce are
safe to humans and the environment for their intended uses.
• Complete the building of a lead-based paint abatement certification and
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training program in 50 states to ensure significant decreases in children's
blood lead levels by 2005 through reduced exposure to lead-based paint.
15% of Tribal environmental baseline information will be collected and 30
additional tribes (cumulative total of 90) will 'have tribal/EPA
environmental agreements or identified environmental priorities.
Protect homes, communities, and workplaces from harmful exposures to
pesticides and related pollutants through improved cultural practices and
enhanced public education, resulting in a reduction of 10% (1995 reporting
base) in the incidences of pesticide poisonings reported nationwide.
Key Performance Measures
Environmental Stewardship Strategies
Reduce Workers Suffering from Adverse
Health Effects
1998
21 Complete
10% Health
Effects
1999
42 Complete
15% Health
Effects
Labor Population will be adequately
trained
30% Trained
40% Trained
Pesticides w/ high probability to
leach/persist in GW
5%
contamination
10%
contamination
Federal training/accred./certif.
program for States
15 Programs.
TSCA PMN Reviews
2500 Notices
2500 Notices
People Living in Healthier Indoor Air 850,000 People 850,000 People
People Living in Radon Resistant Homes 530,000 People 530,000 People
People Living in Radon Mitigated Homes 130,000 People 130,000 People
Children Under 6 Not Exposed to ETS
195,000
Children
195,000
Children
Cummulative reduction of TRI
pollutants released
8% Reduced
emissions
10% Reduced
emissions
Tons of MSW Recycled
60 million tons .64 million tons
MSW MSW
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Tribal environmental baseline
information collected
1 Framework
15 I Baseline
TEAs/Tribes with identified priorities 32 TEAs/tribes 30 TEAs/tribes
Key Performance Measures Verification
National Pesticides Telecommunications Network (NPTN)
EPA will measure incidents of adverse effects reported by workers and
handlers, early identification of pesticide misuse, completion and implementation
of SMPs, lower numbers of poisonings reported through National Pesticides
Telecommunications Network (NPTN) and poison control centers, number of improved
labels completed, and increased number of endangered species protected.
Lead-based Paint Program l
The accomplishment of EPA's lead-based paint program will be verified by
realizing a significant reduction of children's blood lead levels in high risk
groups compared with average levels. For the past two decades, the NCHS has
collected data on the general health of the Nation's population through the
NHNES. The collection and laboratory analysis of children's blood for lead has
been part of this program since its inception and has become the standard for the
estimation of national blood lead averages. It is also the only national survey
of children's blood lead levels. NCHS is preparing to begin another survey. The
results, scheduled for release in 2002, will be used to measure the success of
EPA's lead program. The verification and validation of data from NHKES will be
conducted by NCHS through a rigorous quality assurance program to ensure that the
sample selected for examination is truly representative of the U.S. population
and that laboratory analyses of collected blood samples are of known accuracy and
precision (NCHS has more than 20 years experience in conducting this survey and
these analyses).
In addition, EPA will evaluate the effectiveness of regulations promulgated
over the next two years. Through mechanisms including focus groups and surveys,
the • Agency will measure the awareness of and any changes in behavior of the
regulated community due to these regulations. For example, at the end of 1999,
EPA will have established a training, certification, and accreditation program
for lead-based paint professionals in states that do not seek approval from the
Agency to administer their own program (about fifteen states are not expected to
seek authorization) . In 2000, following an outreach effort to increase awareness
of state residents on EPA's certification program, the Agency will measure the
success of this regulation in certifying professionals. The success will be
determined by the degree of awareness of the program among professionals who are
likely to become certified. Similar evaluations will be developed for other
regulations.
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Pre-Manufacture Notice Submissions (PMN's) •
Performance will be measured by counting the number of new chemicals
Pre-Manufacture Notice submissions (PMN's) that are determined by EPA to be safe
and not to require EPA management controls. PMN's submissions and determinations
are tracked under formal EPA document management and decision-making systems to
ensure compliance with statutory deadlines for Agency action. The "greener" the
new chemical EPA .receives for review, the more success achieved in protecting
human health and the environment. Performance will also be measured by how much
knowledge we gain in understanding the risks of toxic chemicals to human health
and the environment. EPA will gain this knowledge through required and voluntary
chemical testing by industry. When EPA identifies specific risks posed by toxic
chemicals, performance will be judged by its success to mitigate through actions
such as labeling, banning of the chemical or its use in certain products. These
counts will be drawn from formal regulatory action tracking systems maintained
by EPA that have thorough QA/QC procedures to ensure the integrity of the data
maintained therein. Last, success, will be judged by lowering risk through
preventing pollution and achieving this through voluntary compliance over
regulated controls.
ORD Management Information System (OMIS)
The Office of Research and Development Management Information System (OMIS)
will be another accountability tool used to verify and validate performance
measures. The recently developed GPRA structure will be incorporated into OMIS
to ensure consistent maintenance and reporting, resulting in greater accuracy and
consistency of information to users.
In order to determine progress on the number of homes tested for radon,
homes fixed if levels are elevated, and the number of children aged 6 and under
exposed to ETS in their homes, the program utilizes the biennial survey conducted
by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors. The National
Association of Home Builders {NAHB) conducts an annual survey of home builders
which includes questions concerning the extent to which they are employing radon-
resistant construction techniques. This information is made available to EPA
through an agreement with NAHB. We also determine progress by tracking the
number of kits distributed and kits analyzed, by conducting follow up inquiries
with partners, and using lab files for evaluations and tracking.
IAO Tools for Schools
The number of schools that implement the IAQ Tools for Schools kit are
tracked through a centralized database where data are provided by program office
staff, the Government Printing Office, national cooperative partners, contractor
staff, and the EPA regional offices. In addition, we access the National
Association of Energy Service Companies database which tracks companies which
have performed ventilation work in schools as well as public school student
enrollment numbers.
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Large Buildings Measure
The first measure for large buildings, which involves completing the
measurement and characterization of 100 randomly selected large buildings, is
performed by the program which is responsible for conducting the BASE study. The
second measure is reported on by the International Union of Operating Engineers
as a condition of its continuing cooperative agreement with EPA under which it
trains building engineers and then assesses the implementation of good IAQ
management practices. The Las Vegas laboratory also collects and tracks the
number of samples and analyses from buildings where measures are collected.
Research
EPA has several strategies to validate and verify performance measures in
the area of environmental science and research. The 'Agency has implemented a
risk-based research planning process to use risk assessment and risk management
as principal priority-setting criteria. EPA conducts annual research program.
reviews to both evaluate the status and accomplishments of its research and
determine planning priorities. To better draw upon the expertise of the
environmental academic community, EPA created the Science to Achieve Results
(STAR) program of peer-reviewed, mission-driven extramural grants; the Agency is
also working with the National, Research Council to identify emerging
environmental issues for which we must begin planning the necessary research.
The Agency utilizes peer review throughout the research planning and
implementation process, both to ensure that planned research addresses critical
knowledge issues within EPA's mission, and to assess the quality of scientific
research plans, products, and proposals. This is accomplished through the use•
of independent entities such as the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and the Board
of Scientific Councilors (BOSC). The BOSC, established under the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, will examine the way the Agency uses peer review, as well
as the management- of its research and development laboratories.
EPA's external research program undergoes extensive peer review. Proposals
from the external scientific community are peer-reviewed and projects are then
selected for funding through grants or cooperative agreements. In addition,
Requests for Applications (RFAs) under the STAR program are often developed
•jointly with outside partners such as the National Science Foundation. In this
way, EPA has developed a mechanism by which to check the quality and relevance '
of its research program.
Toxic Release Inventory
A measurement matrix will be established to quantify the changes in TRI
releases which are due to source reduction activities. Also, the Agency will
publish a guidance document providing technical advice on using the measurement
matrix.
Biennial Reporting System (BRSJ
The Biennial Reporting. System (BRS) is a national database which supports
EPA's RCRA program. BRS is a biennial compilation of information supplied by
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entities which provides data on types and amounts of waste handled. Data is
supplied or entered into the data bases by states and EPA regional offices.
The BRS data system has validation/verification controls in place to help
ensure that data is complete and accurate. The BRS data entry software includes
a series of basic and advanced edits which check for completeness and accuracy.
Additionally, while states and regions submit essentially complete BRS databases.
Headquarters runs BRS data quality verification reports and then coordinates with
states and regions to discuss potential data errors. Analysis also is conducted
on significant changes which have occurred since the last biennial report. Prior
to issuing the final BRS report, a second set of BRS data quality verification
reports are run and follow-on discussions are conducted for those states with
significant changes to verify/validate data.
BRS has a suite of user and system documentation which describes the
overall administration of the data collection and management activities. The
documentation identifies which information, for example, is mandatory versus
optional and describes how to enter the data into the system. All information
is provided to the appropriate state and regional user of the system. Training
on use of the systems is provided on a regular basis, usually annually depending
on the nature of system changes and user needs.
PST Measurement
The data used for measuring the reduction of PBTs will come from existing
data sources or modifications to them, if possible. These include the Toxics
Release Inventory, the Biennial Reporting System, the 1986 RCRA Generator Survey,
the National Hazardous Waste Constituent Survey (1996) , and information submitted
through current internal Agency reports. Any additional reporting required by the
regions, states or tribes will be developed after discussion with all partners.
Data for the reduction of PBTs is available by using the Biennial Reporting
System and a "Chemical-Waste Code Crosswalk" developed by the RCRA program, which
identifies those waste codes most likely to contain persistent, bioaccumulative,
and toxic chemicals.
Hazardous Waste Recycling
The Agency will rely primarily on the Biennial Reporting System to track,
monitor, and evaluate its efforts to increase safe recycling of hazardous waste
by 25% between 1993 and 2005. The Agency has identified several measures that
will enable the Agency to track, monitor, and evaluate its effectiveness in
achieving a 25% increase in the amount of hazardous waste safely recycled in
2005, relative to 1993. These measures focus on who is recycling .{numbers of
facilities, by industrial sector and size of firm), what hazardous wastes are
being recycled (metals, solvents, acids, etc), how these wastes are being
recycled (reclamation, burning for energy recovery, etc.), how much waste is
being recycled as a percentage of waste generated, and where they are being
recycled (on-site v. off-site). Most importantly, these measures also focus on
changes occurring over time in these areas, as well as changes in waste
management behavior; i.e., shifts from treatment and disposal to safe recycling,
or vice-versa.
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Municipal solid waste is waste from residences, commercial establishments,
institutions, and industrial cafeterias and administrative offices. It excludes
sewage sludge, construction and demolition waste, incinerator ash, auto bodies,
and industrial waste from manufacturing. Recycling percentage is calculated as
amount (weight) recycled over amount generated. Per capita generation of
municipal solid waste is calculated as amount (weight) generated over number of
people generating the waste. The EPA report "Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States" is the source of the recycling percentage as well as
the amount of municipal solid waste generated per capita. The report is produced
by EPA and .is based on a materials flow methodology; thus, no reporting from
outside sources will be required.
Tribes
Twice each year, EPA updates an internal database on the number of Tribes
with delegated/approved environmental programs, the number of tribal
environmental programs that EPA has delegated/approved, and the number of
Tribal/EPA Environmental Agreements and the number of Tribes that have developed
similar plans for environmental protection.
As part of the Agency effort to develop a strategy for conducting a
comprehensive environmental assessment of Indian Country, EPA will develop
mechanisms for measuring the amount of baseline environmental information
collected.
Statutory Authority
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (21 U. S. C. 346a)
Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544)
Toxic Substances Control. Act (TSCA) section 6 and TSCA Titles II and III {15
U.S.C. 2605 and 2641-2671)
TSCA Title IV (15 U.S.C. 2605 and 2681-2692)
TSCA section 4 (15 U.S.C. 2603)
TSCA section 5 (IS U.S.C. 2604)
TSCA section 6 (15 U.S.C. 2605)
TSCA section 8 (15 U.S.C. 2607)
TSCA section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611)
TSCA section 13 (15 U.S.C. 2612)
Safe Drinking Water Act sections 1412 and 1417 (42 U.S.C. 300g-l, 300g-6)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCIA)(42U.S.C. 9601-9675)
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Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) sections 3, 4, 5, 6,
11, 18, 24, and 25 (7 U.S.C. 136a, I36a-l, 136c, 136d, 136i, 136p, 136v,
136y and 136w)
"Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Research Act" of Title IV of the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13101-13109)
Clean Air Act (CAA) section 309 (42 U.S.C. 7609)
Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387)]
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) (42 U.S.C. 11001-
11050)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 U.S.C. 6901-6992k)
Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) Act as amended (42 U.S.C.
4368b)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 SC 4321-4370d)
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 5: Better Waste Management and Restoration of Contaminated
Waste Sites ' v-1
Annual Performance Goals V-5
Key Performance Measures V-6
Key Performance Measures Verification ..... . . v-7
Statutory Authority V-ll
r
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan Request to Congress
Better Waste Management, Restoration of Contaminated Waste Sites,
and Emergency Response
Strategic Goal:' America's wastes will be stored, treated, and disposed in ways
that prevent harm to people and to the natural environment. EPA will work to
clean up previously polluted sites, restoring them to uses appropriate for
surrounding communities, and respond to and prevent waste-related or industrial
accidents.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands) ' 7
1998 Pres Bud 1998 Enacted 1999 Pres Bud
Better Waste Management, $2,254,977.3 $1,636,785.3 $2,251,327.7
Restoration of Contaminated
Waste Sites, and Emergency
Response
Obj. 01 Reduce or Control Risks $2,096,061.5 $1,491,429.1.' $2,091,457.3
to Human Health
Obj. 02 Prevent Releases by
Proper Facility Management
Obj. 03 Respond to Known
Emergencies
Goal Total FTE
$138,141.5 $126,471.5 $139,531.0
$20,774.3 $18,884.7 $20,339.4
4,348.1 4,373.6 4,304.1
Strategic Objectives:
Objective #1: Reduce or Control Risks to Human Health. By 2005, EPA and its
partners will reduce or control the risks to human health and the environment at
over 375,000 contaminated Superfund, RCRA, UST, and brownfield sites. (Total
comprises 1,200 NPL and 480 npn-NPL sites; 2,475 RCRA facilities; 370,000 LUST
cleanups initiated or completed; and 1,500 brownfield properties.)
Objective #2: Prevent Releases by Proper Facility Management. By 2005, over
282,000 facilities defined by RCRA Subtitles C, D, and I, the Oil Pollution Act
(OPA), and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), and
the Clean Air Act, section H2(r), will be managed according to practices that
prevent dangerous releases to the environment.
Objective #3: Respond to All Known Emergencies. By 2005, EPA and its partners
will have the capability to successfully respond' to 100 percent of known
emergency actions at facilities defined under the Oil Pollution Act {OPA) and the
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Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), to reduce the risk
to -human health and the environment.
Programs and Activities:
Improper management of wastes can lead to fires, explosions, and
contamination of air, soil, arid water. A frequent result of improper hazardous
waste disposal is the contamination of groundwater -- the source of drinking
water for nearly half of all Americans. At some waste sites, toxic vapors from.
evaporating liquid wastes or chemical reactions contaminate the air. Pollutants,
such as metals, organic solvents, and oil, can damage vegetation, endanger
wildlife, and harm the health of people who live in nearby communities. In some
cases, toxic and hazardous substances (including radioactive waste) are carried
far from their source by air, ground water, and surface water runoff into
streams, lakes, and rivers.
EPA's efforts to control and restore releases of waste center on protecting
human health and the environment by applying the fastest, most effective waste
management and cleanup methods available, while involving affected communities,
states, tribal governments, and municipalities in the decision-making process.
Different types of waste require different means of treatment and disposal--what
is suitable for one contaminant may be inappropriate for another. Cleaning up
abandoned or under-used industrial land demonstrates that economic, environmental
and social goals can be integrated so that economic growth can improve, rather
than diminish, environmental quality.
EPA will use its statutory authority under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA),
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA),
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean
Air Act (CAA) , and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) to
promptly monitor and respond to releases, accidents, or spills. EPA will help
ensure that places in America currently contaminated by hazardous waste no longer
endanger public health or the environment and are restored to uses desired by
surrounding communities. State, local, and other Federal agency efforts will be
integrated with EPA activities to reduce cleanup costs and revitalize
contaminated and abandoned private property for economic reuse.
In addition, EPA will focus on controlling human exposures and groundwater
releases at RCRA facilities designated as high priority for corrective actions.
Support for radioactively contaminated Superfund sites will be continued. EPA
research provides a technical foundation for decisions made in the environmental
cleanup programs.. The full spectrum of EPA's cleanup programs will respond to
priority sites and releases in a fast and effective manner, while maximizing the
participation of potentially responsible parties (PRPs) and other stakeholders
in the cleanup efforts.
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $2,251,327,700 and 4,304 workyears for this
strategic goal, an increase of $614,542,400 and decrease of 70 workyears from
1998. To meet this goal, EPA will continue to regulate existing waste management
practices at facilities defined under CERCLA, RCRA, OPA, CAA, CWA, and EPCRA.
V-2
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HIGHLIGHTS:
Reduce or Control Risks to Human Health
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $ 2,091,457,300 and 3,494 workyears to
reach the Agency's objective of waste management, cleanup, and control of
releases. This objective includes the following resources: Superfund,
$1,926,599,800; Environmental Program & Management, $56,139,200; Leaking
Underground Storage Tanks, $69,122,200; State and Tribal Assistance Grants,
$32,700,600; Science and Technology, $5,935,600; and Oil Spills, $959,900.
In 1996, President Clinton announced a national commitment to protect
communities from toxic pollution by accelerating toxic waste cleanup. In 1999,
the Superfund program will support this initiative by doubling the pace of
Superfund cleanups. This effort will achieve 900 construction completions,
approximately two-thirds of the National Priorities List (NPL), by the end of
calendar year 2001. This initiative not only puts contaminated sites back into
productive use but protects our children and our communities from exposure to
uncontrolled toxic waste releases. EPA seeks to partner with other Federal
agencies, state, local, tribal governments, and the communities to more
effectively address and leverage on-going cleanup efforts. Through this
investment, the Agency restates its emphasis on risk reduction by addressing the
growing backlog of site cleanups and accelerating the pace of Superfund
construction completions. The Agency requests a total of $1,630,679,800 for
Superfund response.
EPA will pursue violators and responsible parties to maximize PRP
participation in site cleanup. Maintaining a PRP participation rate of 70%
preserves fund dollars for sites where there is no viable PRP. At the same time,
EPA will promote enforcement fairness, especially for small contributors to
sites, will reduce third party transaction costs, and will recover the
government's cost for site cleanup. A total of $164,725,500 is requested for
Superfund enforcement.
The brownf ield pilot program has demonstrated that cleaning up abandoned or
under-used contaminated land and supporting new business growth can have
significant payoffs. Building on the pilot program, EPA will continue to combine
Federal, state, local and private sector efforts to restore contaminated property
to economic reuse and reduce cleanup costs. In 1999, EPA will fund brownfield
site assessments in 100 additional communities in order to reach the Agency's
commitment of 300 communities by the year 2000, support 10 brownfield showcase
communities, and sign agreements with 100 communities to capitalize revolving
loan funds. In some cases, parties interested in developing such properties are
concerned about the presence of contamination and the attendant potential
liabilities (including Federal Superfund liability). EPA will address liability
barriers in the brownfield program by issuing comfort/status letters or
prospective purchaser agreements in appropriate instances which will facilitate
sustainable redevelopment of these properties. The Agency is requesting
$91,366,200 to fund brownfield activities.
The Agency will assist in the cleanup of 22,000 Leaking Underground Storage
Tanks (LUST) in 1999. States have reported that leaking underground storage
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tanks are the leading source of groundwater pollution, and petroleum is the most
prevalent contaminant. Resources provided by EPA support oversight and cleanup
of petroleum releases from underground storage tanks when the owner/operator is
unknown, unwilling, or unable to perform the cleanup. EPA's goal is to ensure
rapid and effective responses to releases from underground storage tanks
containing petroleum and to restore contaminated sites to beneficial use. The
Agency requests a total of $69,122,200 for the LUST program.
The RCRA Corrective Action Program will take remedial action at operating
hazardous waste facilities in the event of an uncontrolled release. The most
serious contamination problems occur when releases migrate off-site,
contaminating public and private drinking water supplies, wetlands, and other
sensitive ecosystems. These sites are the program's highest priority. Efforts
to help tribal governments develop hazardous waste management and municipal solid
waste programs will expand in 1999. The Agency requests $6,433,600 for RCRA
tribal activities. Intergovernmental information and resource sharing will be
facilitated through a range of mechanisms including forums, university-level
courses, professional training. Internet sites, and circuit riders in partnership
with other Federal agencies, states, local communities and of course the tribes
themselves.
Preventing Releases by Proper- Facility Management
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $139,531,000 and 686 workyears to reach
its objective for preventing releases by proper facility management.
Dangerous releases to the environment are responsible for causing illnesses
to the public, especially to sensitive populations such as children, the elderly
and individuals with chronic diseases. Dangerous releases to the environment are
also responsible for polluting soil, air, and groundwater which may lead to
costly cleanups and environmental mitigation. In 1999, the RCRA program will
focus on reducing -risks of exposures to hazardous wastes using a combination of
regulations, permits and voluntary standards and programs. EPA will continue to
concentrate on minimizing the quantity and toxicity of waste, reducing
administrative burdens on states and industry, and preventing accidental releases
of hazardous substances.
The Underground Storage Tanks program will continue to focus on promoting
and enforcing compliance with regulatory requirements aimed at preventing and
detecting UST releases. EPA will also approve additional states to operate
their own programs in lieu of the Federal program. Currently 24 states and-the
District of Columbia have state program approval.
As the Oil Prevention Program implements a comprehensive approach to
integrate prevention, preparedness, and response, efforts will be made to reduce
the risk of oil spills from facilities which pose human health, ecological/ and
economic risks. In 1999, the number of facilities brought into compliance with
the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) provisions of the oil
prevention regulation will be doubled. Also in 1999, the Agency will increase
assistance to Indian Tribes by identifying problems and developing and improving
response plans in the event of oil spills.
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The Agency will also, using information from facility Risk Management Plans
(RMPs) , develop a chemical risk information system in coordination"with industry
to prevent chemical releases into the environment. EPA will also concentrate on
implementing the RMP program at the state level. The Agency assists Local
Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) by facilitating access and use of the RMP
information database and provide technical assistance grants to develop accident
preparedness and prevention programs.
Responding to Emergencies
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $20,339,400 and 124 workyears for
promoting effective response to chemical and radiological accidents, terrorist
events and oil spills.
Hazardous chemical releases have caused billions of dollars in property
damage, serious damage to the environment and hundreds of deaths and injuries
during the past 30 years. In 1999, EPA will support efforts to prevent, prepare
for and respond to chemical accidents and terrorist events involving chemical
releases by providing guidance and assistance to state and local governments and
industry; assisting in removing immediate health threats; and providing
information on chemical hazards and risks to state and communities. The Agency
is currently performing many of its investigative functions concerning chemical
accidents. The continuation of these activities is uncertain with the recent
establishment of a Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
Each year over 12,000 oil spills occur, with'well over half of them being
in inland waters (EPA's area of responsibility). Working with state and local
governments and industry, EPA is ensuring the effective and immediate removal of
discharges (or substantial threat of a discharge) of oil. The Agency will also
continue to work with state and local governments on oil spill prevention,
preparedness, and enforcement activities. Of particular concern in 1999 is
improving the area contingency plans, especially .those for environmentally and
economically important areas. These plans integrate prevention, preparedness,
and response by coordinating regional resources with logistics. The Agency
requests $3,820,900 for contingency planning and improving the quantity and
quality of data used, resulting in a more effective and efficient response to oil
spills.
FY 1999 Annual Performance Goals
The resources requested in this budget will enable the Agency to meet a
number of important goals, the most significant of which include:
• Accelerate the pace of Superfund cleanups by completing 136 cleanups in
1999 and achieving 900 construction completions by the end of calendar
year 2001.
• Address cost recovery at all NPL and non-NPL sites with a statute of
limitations on total past costs equal to or greater than $200,000.
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Obtain PRP commitments for 70% of the work conducted at new construction
starts at non-Federal facility sites on the NPL and emphasize fairness in
the settlement process.
Fund brownfield site assessments in 100 additional communities, implement
10 brownfield showcase communities and sign agreements with 100
communities to capitalize revolving loan-funds.
Complete 22,000 Leaking Underground Storage Tank .(LUST) cleanups.
Approve 2,080 hazardous waste management facilities' (62 percent of
existing in the nation) controls in place to prevent dangerous releases to
air, soil, and groundwater.
Approve 153 hazardous waste management facilities (to approve a cumulative
62 percent of such existing facilities in the nation) to prevent dangerous
releases to air, soil, and groundwater.
Control human exposure to toxins at 127 RCRA sites (to address a
cumulative of 277 RCRA sites), and control groundwater releases at 69 high
priority RCRA sites (to address a cumulative of 144 such sites).
Bring 400 new facilities into compliance with the Spill Prevention,
Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) provisions of the oil pollution
regulations.
Demonstrate and verify the performance of 18 innovative technologies by
2001, emphasizing remediation and characterization of groundwater and
soils.
Complete prototype model for assessing cumulative exposure-risk assessment
integrating the environmental impact of multiple chemicals through
multiple media and pathways.
Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Section 106 Civil Actions
40 Agreements 38 Agreements
Orphan Share Offers
30 Settlements 36 Settlements
De Minimis Settlements
23 Settlements 23 Settlements
Address Cost Recovery at all NPL &
Non-NPL sites w/tot. past costs = or
> 3200K
100% Cases
100% Cases
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Remedial Admin. Orders
20 Orders
19 Orders
Human Exposures to Toxins Controlled 150 facilities 127 facilities
at High-Priority RCRA Sites
Toxic Releases to Groundwater
Controlled at High-Priority RCRA
Sites
75 facilities 69 facilities
LUST Cleanups Completed
20000 USTs
22000 USTs
Construction Completions
87 completions 136 completions
Coop. Agreements'for Site Assessment 100 agreements 100 agreements
Showcase Communities
10 communities . 10 'communities
Coop. Agrrants-Capitalize Rev. Loans 100 Coop. Agrs. 100 coop. agrs.
Complete needs assessment and research
plan for beach contamination from
pathogens. Conduct peer re
30-SEP-99
Facilities in SPCC Compliance
200 facilities ' 400 facilities
Final RCRA Permits or Other Controls
1927 permits • 153
determinations
HWIR screening model Systems Design
for Comprehsive Modeling Franework
30-SEP-99
Beta Version for Comprehensive
Modeling .System
30-SEP-99
Key Performance Measure Verification
CERLA Information System
EPA is taking steps to ensure that all accountability data are rigorously
validated. CERCLIS is the official database used by Superfund and Oil Spill
programs to help track and store national site information. CERCLIS was
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developed in accordance with Agency Life Cycle Guidance which establishes
criteria for software development, and it adheres to Agency platform, software
and hardware standards .
.1
The Superfund program has defined the various roles and responsibilities
of key individuals who are responsible for development, operation and maintenance
of CERCLIS. The headquarters sponsor of the data is responsible for (l)
identifying the data elements needed, (2) defining the data elements, and 13)
informing the appropriate people that the information needs to be collected and
loaded into CERCLIS. The regional person who owns the data (e.g., Superfund
remedial project manager) is responsible for reviewing, verifying, and validating
site data in CERCLIS. The Information Management /Program Measurement Center,
under the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR, responsibility is to
ensure: (1) there is a data element with an accurate definition for all data; (2)
the data element is accessible to searches and can be retrieved for reports,- (3)
the source for the data is referenced in the system,- (4) the data is accurately
entered or converted into the system; (5) data from other sources is considered
draft until it has been checked against its source data, and is found acceptable;
and (6) data integrity is maintained in all system applications and reports.
To assure data accuracy and control, the following administrative controls
are in place: (a) Superfund/Oil Implementation Manual {SPIN) -- This is the
program management manual which details what data must be reported,- (2) Report
Specifications --Report specifications are published for each report detailing
how reported data are calculated; (3) Coding Guide --It contains technical
instructions to data users such as regional IMCs, program personnel, report
owners and data input personnel; (4) Quality Assurance (QA) Unit Testing --Unit
testing is an extensive QA check made by the report programmer to assure that its
product is producing accurate data that conforms to the current specification;
(5) QA Third Party Testing --Third party testing is an extensive test made by an
independent QA tester to assure that the report produces data in conformance with
the report specifications; (6) Regional CERCLIS Data Entry Internal Control Plan
-- The data entry internal control plan includes: {a) regional policies and
procedures for entering data into CERCLIS; (to) a review process to ensure that
all Superfund accomplishments are supported by source documentation,- (c)
delegation of authorities for approval of data input into CERCLIS; and (d)
procedures to ensure that reported accomplishments meet accomplishment
definitions .
For enforcement measures, EPA will use the end-of-year frozen CERCLIS
database to obtain the data to support these measures, and will conduct a quality
assurance audit oh a representative sample of the data against actual settlement
documents to ensure the accuracy of the data. In addition, EPA will track
certain information manually until incorporation into CERCLIS. This data will
also be subject to the same quality assurance requirements as the information
tracked through the CERCLIS database.
Research
EPA has several strategies -to validate and verify performance measures in
the area of environmental science and research. The Agency has implemented a
risk-based research planning process to use risk assessment and risk management
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as principal priority-setting criteria. EPA conducts annual research, program
reviews to both evaluate the status and accomplishments of its research and
determine planning priorities. To better draw upon the expertise of the
environmental academic community, EPA created the Science to Achieve Results
(STAR) program of peer-re viewed, mission-driven extramural grants; the Agency is
also working with various professional societies to identify research issues.
Chief among the Agency's validation and verification mechanisms is a
rigorous peer review process. In a July 1997 memorandum, EPA's Deputy
Administrator states that peer review will be expanded "to include both the maior
work products provided in the past and...all scientific and technical products
supporting Agency decisions..." This expanded and strengthened focus on peer
review will help ensure that the performance measures listed here are verified
and validated by external organizations. The Agency utilizes peer review
throughout the research planning and implementation process, both to ensure that
planned research addresses critical knowledge issues within EPA's mission, and
to assess the quality of scientific research plans, products, and proposals.
This is accomplished through the use of independent entities such as the Science
Advisory Board (SAB)and the Board of Scientific Councilors (BOSC). The BOSC,
established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will even examine the way
the Agency uses peer review, as well as the management of its research and
development laboratories.
EPA's external research program undergoes extensive peer review. Proposals
from the external scientific community are peer-reviewed and projects are then
selected for funding through grants or cooperative agreements. In addition,
Requests for Applications (RFAs) under the STAR program are often developed
jointly with outside partners such as the National Science Foundation, In this
way, EPA has developed a mechanism by which to check the quality and relevance
of its research program.
The Office of Research and Development Management Information System (OMIS)
will be another accountability tool used to verify and validate performance
measures. The recently developed GPRA structure will be incorporated into OMIS
to ensure consistent maintenance and reporting, resulting in greater accuracy and
consistency of information to users.
This research program is consistent with ORD's mission and the enumerated
goals to (1) Develop Scientifically Sound Risk Assessment Approaches; (2)
Integrate Human and Ecological Assessment Methods;. (3) Provide Cost-Effective
Risk Prevention/Management Approaches; (4) Provide Credible Methods, Models and
Guidance; and (6) Provide Environmental Leadership & Develop Partnerships. The
science conducted in this area and will support all programs conducting
multimedia, multi pathway exposure and risk assessments and will provide data to
assist state and local regulatory officials to make informed decisions on the
most effective way to reduce releases from waste generating facilities.
Resource Conservation Recovery Information System (RCRIS)
The Resource Conservation Recovery Information System (RCRIS) is the
national database which supports EPA's RCRA program. RCRIS contains information
on entities (generically referred to as "handlers") engaged in hazardous waste
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generation and management activities regulated under the portion of RCRA that
provides for regulation of hazardous waste. RCRIS has several different modules,
including a Corrective Action Module which tracks the status of facilities for
which potential needs for corrective actions have been identified.
For validation and verification within RCRIS, controls include maintaining
a high degree of consistency in data elements over time as well as data screen
edits to help ensure that key data is entered for all facilities. States and
Regions, who create the databases, manage data quality control. RCRIS has a
suite of user and system documentation which describes the overall administration
of the data collection and management activities. Training on use of the systems
is provided on a regular basis, usually annually depending on the nature of
system changes and user needs.
RCRA data verification procedures ensure that the valid data collected at
the field or facility level are not corrupted or confused before they are
presented, aggregated, and analyzed at the Federal level. Environmental
monitoring data (such as measures of combustion facility emissions) will meet
standard Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures for the RCRA
program, as documented in the Office of Solid Waste Quality Assurance Management
Plan and the Guidebook for QA/QC Procedure for Submission of Data for the LDR
Program. These procedures, in part, define requirements for sampling and
analysis to assure data quality. Another common method of verification involves
examination of data collected and evaluating the relationship of those data to
other data collected under similar circumstances.
Data verification procedures must ensure that the valid data collected at
the field or facility, level are not corrupted or confused before they are
presented, aggregated, and analyzed at the Federal level. To the extent
possible, the Agency conducts data verification through comparing results of data
collection with similar collections or repetition. Correlation of results is a
strong mechanism for data verification.
Because the RCRA statute provides for delegation of program implementation
to the states, the majority of data for the RCRA information system (RCRIS) and
the Biennial Reporting System (BRS), originates with and is received from the
states. In addition the system architectures provide states with the ability to
use software other than the national software managed by EPA for their data
management activities provided that they supply the mandatory data to EPA in the
required quality and format. The Agency consolidate data from the states which
is then used to construct the national databases used for program oversight and
public information.
The national RCRA software provides a range of functions to ensure data
quality. Both systems employ on-line data validation checks (e.g., range limits,
mandatory data entry for required elements before saving of a record) to assure
data type integrity as well as batch edits (performed when data is extracted and
consolidated) to enforce program rules requiring associated consistency across
data components for which on-line edits are impracticable or inappropriate.
Beyond the system enforced data quality controls, states and regions who
implement the program perform data validation reviews to ensure that the data
properly inventories the essential program activities and is programmatically
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correct. During periodic program reviews, EPA headquarters also confirms the
timeliness and accuracy of key data elements which support national program
status reporting. Training on use of the systems is provided on a regular basis,
usually annually, depending on the nature of system changes and user needs.
Non-hazardous waste management is delegated to the states. Federal
guidance is provided, but no actual federal program implementation exists. For
this reason/ individual states collect and verify data on waste management
practices for Industrial D and municipal wastes in accordance with local needs.
The Agency receives aggregate data more indirectly than in the case of hazardous
waste, through reports, studies, or statistical sampling rather than a national
data system.
Risk Management Plans
Facilities will be required to submit information on the chemical risks in
their facilities and how they manage those risks (Risk Management Plans) in 1999.
This information will be placed into a database accessible to Federal, state, and
local officials as well as the public. The information will be verified through
regional and state facility audits and reports. LEPCs will be contacted
periodically to verify risk reduced in their community. ERNS database will be
used to confirm releases reported in RMPs.
• States and LEPCs will be surveyed to determine the extension and current
status of their chemical emergency preparedness and prevention program. A
database will be kept on the status of States which have taken the RMP program.
Regions and headquarters will routinely enter information on the status of each
states effort to manage the RMP program. Regions will ensure quality of the data
through quarterly reviews of the states and random checks of LEPCs.
Statutory Authority
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
(42 U.S.C. 9601-9675)
Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13101-13109)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 U.S.C. 6901-6992k)
Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387)Section 311
Oil Pollution Act (OPA) (33 U.S.C. 2701-2761)
Energy Policy Act of 1992
Waste Isolation Pilot Project
Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. 7601-7671q)
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) (42 U.S.C. 11001-
11050)
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 6: Reduction of Global and Cross-Border Environmental Risks
Annual Performance Goals
VI-1
VI-5
Key Performance Measures VI-6
Key Performance Measures Verification VI-7
Statutory Authority VI-9
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan Request to Congress
Reduction of Global and Cross-Border Environmental Risks
Strategic Goal: The United S-tates will lead other nations in successful,
multilateral efforts to reduce significant risks to human health and ecosystems
from climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and other hazards of
international concern.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
1998 Pres Bud 199B Enacted 1999 Pres Bud
Reduction of Global and
Cross-border Environmental
Risks
Obj. 01 Reduce Transboundary
Threats: Shared North
American Ecosystems
Obj. 02 Climate Change
Obj. 03 Stratospheric Ozone
Depletion
Obj. 04 Protect Public .Health
and Ecosystems From
Persistent Toxics
Obj. 05 . Prevent Degradation of
the Marine and Polar
Environments
Obj. 06 Achieve Cleaner and
More Cost-Effective Practices
$335,952.1 $236,144.4 $395,960.5
$122,113.7 $99,730.2 $122,172.8
$175,299.7
$27,381.4
$4,155.0
$1,318.2
$109,218.1
$17,321.8
$4,250.8
$1,307.7
$5,684.1
443.3
$4,315.8
448.7
$230,644.0
$26,914.3
$6,873.7
$1,397.5
$7,958.2
527.4
Goal Total FTE
Strategic Objectives: .
Objective #1: Reduce Transboundary Threats, Shared North American Ecosystems
By 2005, reduce transboundary threats to human health and shared ecosystems
in North America consistent with our bilateral and multilateral treaty
obligations in these areas, as well as our trust responsibility to tribes.
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Objective #2: Climate change. By 2000 and beyond, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions
will be reduced to levels consistent with international commitments agreed upon
under the Framework Convention on Climate Change, building on initial efforts
under the Climate Change Action Plan.
Objective #3: Stratospheric Ozone Depletion. By 2005, ozone concentrations in the
stratosphere will have stopped declining and slowly begun the process of
recovery.
Objective #4: Protect Public Health and Ecosystems From Persistent Toxics. By
2005, reduce the risks to U.S. human health and ecosystems from selected toxics
that circulate in the environment at global and regional scales, consistent with
international obligations.
Objective #5: Prevent Degradation of the Marine and Polar Environments. By 2005,
the United States will prevent significant degradation of the marine and polar
environments, consistent with U.S. obligations under relevant international
agreements.
Objective #6: Achieve Cleaner and More Cost-Effective Practices. By 2005,
increase the application of cleaner and more cost-effective environmental
practices and technologies in the U.S. and abroad through international
cooperation.
Programs and Activities:
Ecosystems and transboundary pollutants do not respect international
boundaries. As a result, unilateral domestic actions of the U.S. are inadequate
to achieve some of EPA's most important environmental goals. Reduction of global
and cross-border environmental risk is important because of the significant
problems that originate in other countries and may significantly impact U.S.
investments in environmental protection. Achieving our environmental goals
requires us to work with other countries to address external sources of pollution
impacting human health and the environment of our nation. Conversely, the U.S.
also holds itself responsible for preventing or minimizing the impacts of
transboundary pollution originating here.
Efforts under this goal demonstrate EPA's continued leadership to build
international cooperation and technical capacity that are essential to prevent
harm to the global environment and ecosystems that we share with other nations.
A coordinated international response is needed to confront the climate change
threat, depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, transboundary circulation of
toxics, and other environmental issues significant to the interests of the United
States. Continued leadership by the U.S. and EPA is necessary to successfully
address these issues in a manner that provides efficient and sustainable long-
term solutions.
The Annual Plan is based on $ 395,960,500 and 527.4 total work-years for the
Reduction of Global and Cross-Border Environmental Risks goal, an increase of $
159,816,100 and 78.7 workyears over 1998. In order to maintain U.S. leadership
role in this area, EPA will increase its activities to address Climate Change by
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focusing on efforts to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in
the atmosphere, as well as focusing on minimizing the global impacts- of
greenhouse gas emissions originating in the U.S. In addition, EPA's activities
will include programs that reduce persistent organic pollutants and selected
metals that circulate in the environment at global and regional scales.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Reduce Transboundarv Threats; U.S.-Mexico Border
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $108,010,400 and 23.1 total workyears, of
which $100 million will be direct federal grants, to reduce transboundary threats
to human health and shared ecosystems along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Along the 2,000 mile U.S.-Mexico border, communities live side-by-side,
sharing the benefits of rapid economic growth and the subsequent environmental
problems. Today, there are over 11 million border residents, a population that
has doubled in the last 15 years. The effects of urban and industrial growth
have contributed to the problems of inadequate environmental infrastructure. In
the Mexico. border area, programs are designed to 1) improve air quality, 2)
provide wastewater and drinking water services to underserved communities, 3)
manage chemical accidents, 4) support pollution prevention programs that will
over the long term reduce the adverse health and environmental effects of toxic
pollution, and 5) reduce and effectively manage hazardous and solid wastes.
The Agency will also continue to cooperate with its Mexican counterpart
agencies to implement the provisions of the LaPaz agreement and the Border XXI
Framework Document which provides a long term strategy to improve public health
and the environmental and essential natural resources in the border.
Climate Change
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $230,644,000 and 331.1 total workyears for
Climate Change, of which $205,407,600 and 251.6 total workyears are for the
'Climate Change Technology Initiative.
There is scientific consensus that global change threatens human health and
the environment; EPA must address this problem to reduce adverse environmental
impacts. In 1997, the framework developed under the Kyoto Protocol established
significant targets for greenhouse gas reductions. The agreements reached in
Kyoto provide an important opportunity to achieve meaningful reductions in
greenhouse gases with an environmentally sound and economically strong strategy.
EPA will play an integral role in the President's Plan under the Climate Change
Technology Initiative (CCTI). For several years, EPA has been building
successful partnerships to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with businesses and
other organizations in all sectors of the economy. Many of these programs focus
on the deployment of existing, proven technologies that reduce emissions but are
underutilized. These partnerships will continue to be the foundation for
achieving greenhouse gas reductions beyond 2000.
Under CCTI, EPA will expand its effort in each sector of the economy in
order to meet the targeted emissions reductions that protect the environment
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while promoting economic growth. In 1999, there are key areas where EPA is
expanding its effort. These include: 1} Industry Initiatives - EPA will consult
with key industries to develop.greenhouse gas reduction strategies, promote the
deployment of clean technologies, and build a program that credits industry for
early action; 2) Transportation Initiatives - EPA will accelerate its efforts
under the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) . PNGV will develop
technology for delivery and long-haul trucks that achieve significant increases
in fuel economy, as well as, meeting stringent emission targets; 3) Buildings
Initiatives - promote GHG reduction and improve energy performance of facilities
by increasing awareness of energy efficient technology that is applicable for
both residential and commercial buildings; and 4) Domestic and International
Outreach to State and local entities to integrate Climate Change into programs
and policies and engage developing countries in the implementation of Climate
Change protocols.
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $26,914,300 and 34.4 total workyears to
work towards recovery of ozone concentrations in the stratosphere.
The United States has signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone Layer. Through this international treaty, EPA will implement
and enforce rules controlling the production and emission of ozone depleting
compounds, and identify safer alternatives and promote their use to curtail ozone
depletion. In addition, EPA will continue to provide financial support to the
Montreal Protocol Multilateral .Fund.
EPA will focus on domestic and international production phaseout of five
ozone-depleting chemicals and chemical classes, promote more intensive recycling
programs in the U.S. and abroad, enhance environmental data development and
public outreach aimed at informing the public of risks of overexposure to UV
radiation, and encourage earlier voluntary phaseout of CFCs and HCFCs in
developing countries.
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $6,873,700 and 39.3 total workyears to
reduce the risks to U.S. human health and ecosystems from selected toxics that
circulate in the environment at global and regional scales, consistent with
international obligations.
Selected toxics which can persist, bioaccuraulate and move long distances
pose serious risks to human health and the ecosystem in the U.S., not to mention
in remote regions where the substances may not be produced or used. The actions
of individual nations to control the adverse effects of these persistent
bioaccumulative toxics (PBTs) often are insufficient because of the long-range
transport of such substances. Thus, it takes coordinated international action
to reduce the risks posed by PBTs globally, let alone in the U.S.
As part of the Agency-wide, multi-media collaborative effort to reduce
risks associated with priority PBTs, the Agency will work to reduce the risks
VI-4
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associated with priority PBTs through the Binational Strategy, the Commission for
Environmental Cooperation, the Persistent Organic Pollutants international
negotiations, and further national prioritization of chemicals for coordinated
reduction strategies.
Achieve Cleaner and More Cost-Effective Practices
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $ 7,958,200 and 37.6 total workyears to
increase the application of cleaner and more cost-effective environmental
practices and technologies in the U.'S. and abroad through international
cooperation.
As part of the Agency's international technology and technical assistance
programs, EPA will provide access to microbiologically safe drinking water and
the protection of drinking water sources in developing nations. This priority
is consistent with the Administrator's interest in improving the environmental
health of children, who are most vulnerable to water-borne diseases. In 1999,
EPA proposes the "Ensuring Children's Health through Microbiologically Safe
Drinking Water and Adequate Sanitation" initiative. The specific focus area in
this initiative will be the improvement of children's health in less developed
countries through provision of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. The
initiative will include environmental technology transfer and environmental
management capacity building components.
FT 1999 Annual Performance Goals:
The resources requested in this budget will enable the Agency to meet a
number of important performance goals in 1999. The most significant of these
include:
• Sixteen additional water/wastewater projects along the Mexican border will
be certified for design-construction.
• As part of the President's Climate Change Technology Initiative, reduce
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in total by 40 million metric ton carbon
equivalent through partnerships with businesses, schools, state and local
governments and other organizations.
• Reduce U.S. energy consumption by 45 billion kilowatts.
• Conduct preliminary assessment of consequences of climate change at three
geographic locations (mid-Atlantic, Gulf Coast, and Upper Great Lakes).
• Ensure that domestic consumption of class II hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs) will be restricted to below 208,400 metric tons and domestic
exempted production and import of newly produced class I CFCs and halons
will be restricted to below 130,000 metric tons.
• Obtain international agreement on criteria for selecting Persistent
Organic Pollutants (POPs) to be covered in a new global POPs treaty, and
VI-5
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on capacity building activities to support the convention's
implementation.
Deliver 30 international training modules,- implement 6 technical
assistance or technology dissemination projects; implement 5 cooperative
policy development projects; and disseminate information products on U.S.
environmental technologies and techniques to 2,500 foreign customers.
Key Performance Measures
Projects certified for
design-construction along the Mexican
Border
1996
16 Projects
1999
16 Projects
Green Programs - GHG Reductions
Methane Programs - GHG Reductions
Methane Programs - Methane Savings
HFC/PFC Programs - GHG'Reductions
Reg. scale wkshps at Baton Rouge, LA
and Ann Arbor, MI. Problem
formulation wkshps in the Mid-Atlan
Preliminary assessment of regional
scale consequences of climate change
at three geographic location
Domestic Consumption of Class II
HCFCs
6 . 1 MMTCE .
5 MMTCE
1 Teragram
8 MMTCE
9.3 MMTCE
14 MMTCE
2.5 Teragram
15 MMTCE
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
<208,400 MTs <208,400
MTs
Domestic Exempted Production and <130,000 MTs <130,000 MTs
Import of Newly Produced Class I CFC
s and Halons
Number of commitments to Pb phaseout
Agreement on USG selection criteria
proposal
5 countries 4 countries
1 negotiations
VI-6
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Number of training modules delivered
<
Number of tech assistance or tech
dissemination projects carried-out
25 modules
5 projects
5 modules
6 projects
Number of info products disseminated 2000 products 2500 products
to foreign customers
Key Performance Measures Verification
Many annual performance goals and measures in the Objectives within this
Goal are the completion of explicit tasks (e.g. air monitoring stations fully
functioning, Number of water projects certified for design/construction, number
of border states using Haztrak system.) These measures will be verified as
completed or, if incomplete, what percentage of the task remains outstanding.
Verification of these measures does not involve any pollutant database analysis,
but is a straight-forward determination of tasks completed and outstanding.
Great Lakes Program
Performance measures for the Great Lakes program are derived from open lake
measurements taken by GLNPO and from annual programmatic analysis of activities
pursuant to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), the Binational
Toxics 'Strategy, and the GLNPO programs for information management, sediments,
and habitat. Individual projects which generate data are required to comply with
the Agency's standards for quality assurance and control (QA/QC.) A QA/QC
tracking system is in place to ensure that QA/QC requirements are part of all
applicable GLNPO projects. GLNPO uses its annual planning process as a check on
performance from indirect performance measures. Under the GLNPO structure, each
of the GLNPO programs conducts an end of year review of its progress regarding
identified measures and activities, draws conclusions, and makes recommendations
to management regarding the subsequent year's activities and measures.
Energy Efficiency Measurement
EPA has several strategies to validate and verify performance measures in
the area of environmental science and research. These programs monitor and
evaluate accomplishments based on extensive information from partnership
programs. For example, the Green Lights partners provide detailed information
on investments and energy savings from over fourteen thousand completed energy-
efficiency projects (e.g., the annual kilowatt-hour savings from completed
lighting upgrades) . These standardized reports.on energy efficiency projects can
be easily translated into annual emission reductions by applying the appropriate
emission factor (Ibs/kWh) for each pollutant of concern. The voluntary programs
continually use the information collected to improve the program's performance
and more accurately assess its future potential.
VI-7
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Energy Information Agency
Another measure of progress for the voluntary programs is obtained by using
the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program developed by the Energy
Information Agency under the 1992 Energy Policy which reports the results and
achievements of individual companies. Through this program, companies submit
reports directly to the Energy Information Agency which reviews them for accuracy
and to ensure plausibility.
Federal Test Procedure. FTP
For measures related to miles per gallon, actual measurements are made using
set test procedures, the FTP (Federal Test Procedure), which has been the
standard test for these types of measurements since the mid-1970s.
Research .
The Agency has implemented a risk-based research planning process to use
risk assessment and risk management as principal priority-setting criteria. EPA
conducts annual research program reviews to. both evaluate the status and
accomplishments of its research and determine planning priorities. To better
draw upon the expertise of the environmental academic community, EPA created the
Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program of peer-reviewed, mission-driven
extramural grants; the Agency is also working with various professional societies
on research issues.
Chief among the Agency's validation and verification mechanisms for research
and development is a rigorous peer review process. In a July 1997 memorandum,
EPA's Deputy Administrator states that peer review will be expanded "to include
both the major work products provided in the past and.. .all scientific and
technical products supporting Agency decisions..." This expanded and
strengthened focus on peer review will help ensure that the performance measures
listed here are verified and validated by external organizations. The Agency
utilizes peer review throughout the research planning and implementation process,
both to ensure that planned research addresses critical knowledge issues within
EPA's mission, and to assess the quality of scientific research plans, products,
.and proposals. This is_accomplished through the use of independent entities such
as the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and the Board of Scientific Councilors
(BOSC). The BOSC, established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will
even examine the way the Agency uses peer review, as well as the management of
its research and development laboratories.
EPA's external research program undergoes extensive peer review. Proposals
from the external scientific community are peer-reviewed and projects are then
selected for funding through grants or cooperative agreements. In addition,
Requests for Applications (RFAs) under the STAR program are often developed
jointly with outside partners such as the National Science Foundation. In this
way, EPA has developed a mechanism by which to check the quality and relevance
of its research program.
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The Office of Research and Development Management Information System (OMIS)
will be another accountability tool used to verify and .validate performance
measures. The recently developed GPRA structure will be incorporated into OMIS
to ensure consistent maintenance and reporting, resulting in greater accuracy and
consistency of information to users.
i
Atmospheric Data
The restriction of domestic exempted production and importation of newly.
produced class I CFCs, halons, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and HBFCs
will be measured using atmospheric models and data provided by NASA, NOAA, the
world Meteorological Organization, and the UNEP where available. Actual
measurements of stratospheric ozone will be made by NASA's Upper Atmospheric
Research Satellite and the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer, and also by the
Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Spectrometer(SBUV)-2 and Operational Vertical
Sounder instruments on the NOAA Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite and
subsequent National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite. Progress
on the restriction of domestic consumption of methyl bromide and class II HCFCs
will be tracked by monitoring industry reports of compliance with EPA's phaseout
regulations. The Allowance Tracking System results are compiled and published
in annual UNEP reports.
The progress of international implementation goals will be measured by
(tracking the number of countries receiving assistance, dollars allocated to each,
and the expected reduction in ozone-depleting substances in assisted countries.
Statutory Authority
Clean Air Act Title VI (42 U.S.C. 7671-7671q) . .
CAA Title I, Parts A and D (42 U.S.C. 7401-7431, 7501-7515)
Clean Water Act (CWA) sections 112, 118 and 308 (33 U.S.C. 1318)
CWA (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387)]
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) sections 4, 5, 6, 12, and 13 (15 U.S.C. 2603,
2604, 2605, 2611, 2612-)
North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
Treaties:
• The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909
• 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
• 1997 Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy
Framework Convention on Climate Change
Global Climate Protection Act of 1987
Climate Change Research and Development Act of 1990
VI-9
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Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sections 3001-3006 and 3017 (42
0..S.C. 6921-6926, 6938)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sections 3002-3005 (42 U.S.C. 6922-
6925)
1987 Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances
Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13101-13109)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) sections
3,4,5,6,10,11,18,20,23,24,25,30 and 31 (7 U.S.C. 136a, 126a-l, 126c, 136d,
136h, 136i, 136p, 136r, 136u, 136v, 136w, 136w-5 and 136w-6)
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) section 313 (42
'U.S.C. 11023)
U.S./Canada Agreements on Arctic Cooperation
1989 US/USSR Agreement on Pollution
1991 U.S./Canada Air Quality Agreement
1978 U.S./Canada Great Lakes Hater Quality Agreement
World Trade Organization Agreements
North American Free Trade Agreement
North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC)
U.S./ Mexico Agreement Establishing a Border Environmental Cooperation
Commission and a.North American Development Bank
1996 Habitat Agenda, paragraph 43bb
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 as amended
V.A., H.U.D., and Independent Agencies Appropriations Acts
„•
Water Quality Act of 1987 section 510
1983 La Paz Agreement on U.S./ Mexico Border Region, Annex 2, Article 3
1989 U.S./ Mexico Agreement on Mexico Border
Treaties with Indian tribes
Border XXI
Ocean Dumping Act (33USC 1401-1445)
Vl-io
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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
1972 London Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Waste
and Other Matters
[other possible authorities, directives, obligations--Clean Water Act (33
U.S.C. 1251-1387)]
VI-11
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 7: Expansion of Americans' Right to Know About Their Environment . VII-1
Annual Performance Goals.
VII-5
Key Performance Measures VII-5
Key Performance Measures Verification VII-6
Statutory Authority .« VII-9
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan Request to Congress
Expansion of Americans' Right to Know About Their Environment
Strategic Goal/ Easy access to a wealth of information about the state of their
local environment •will expand citizen involvement ' and give people tools to
protect their families and their communities as they see fit. Increased
information exchange between scientists, public health officials, businesses,
citizens, and all levels of government will foster greater knowledge about the
environment and what can be done to protect it.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
1998 Pres Bud 1998 Enacted 1999 Pres Bud
Expansion of Americans' Right to
Know About their Environment
Obj. 01 Increase
Quality/Quantity of
Education, Outreach, Data
Availability
Obj. 02 Improve Public's
Ability to Reduce Exposure
Obj. 03 Enhance Ability to
Protect Public Health
Goal- Total FTE
5156,730.7 $140,371.4 $159,087.8
$76,246.5 $72,202.0 $75,343.7
$51,493.5 $47,120.6 $51,875.5
$28,990.7 $21/048:8 $31,868.6
774.4
771.7
757.0
Strategic Objectives:
Objective 1: Increase Quality /Quantity of Education, Outreach, Data Availability.
By 2005, EPA will improve the ability of the American public to participate in
the protection of human health and. the environment by increasing the quality -and
quantity of general environmental education, outreach and data availability
programs, especially in disproportionally impacted and disadvantaged
communities.
Objective #2:Improve Public's Ability to Reduce Exposure. By 2005, EPA will
improve the ability of the public to reduce exposure to specific environmental
and human health risks by making current, accurate substance-specific
information widely and easily accessible.
Objective #3: Enhance Ability to Protect Public Health. By 2005, EPA will meet
or exceed the Agency's customer service standards in providing sound
environmental information to federal, state, local, and tribal-'partners to
enhance their ability to protect human health and the environment.
VII-1
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Programs and Act:!vities:
Providing all Americans with access to sound environmental information and
informing and involving the public in our work are essential parts of a
comprehensive approach to protecting the environment. All U.S.' citizens have
a "right to know" about the pollutants in their environment - including the
condition of the air .they breathe and the water they drink, as well as the
health effects of the chemicals used in the food and products they buy.
Increased information is especially valuable for minority, low-income, and
Native American communities 'that suffer a disproportionate burden of health
consequences from poor environmental conditions. As U.S. citizens, they need
to receive adequate knowledge of and representation in public policy and
environmental decision-making.
Access to environmental information enables American citizens to be
involved and informed environmental decision makers. Through the dissemination'
of information, citizens are given the ability to create and promote lasting
solutions to environmental problems. The relative 'severity of environmental
risks, the opportunities for preventing pollution, and the uncertainties and
complex trade-offs that underlie many environmental decisions need to be
understood and addressed. Public awareness is critical to developing
sustainable solutions that all stakeholders — industry, agriculture,
government, and the public will support and carry out.
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $159,087,800 and 757.0 total workyears
for this goal, an increase of $18,716,400 and a decrease of 14.7 workyears over
1998 Enacted. The Agency will use a variety of strategies to accomplish this
goal. Critical to the success of these strategies will be cooperation and
collaboration with all potential partners, including Federal, state, tribal and
local governments, education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and
businesses. In 1999, the Agency will expand Americans' "right to know" by
improving the quality and increasing the quantity of general environmental
education outreach and data availability programs, and improving electronic
access to information.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Les' Right-to-Know
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $51,875,500 and 255.1 total workyears,
an increase of 54,754,900 over 1998 Enacted, to improve the public's .ability to
reduce exposure. Under the Emergency-Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
(EPCRA), EPA is required to provide the public with valuable chemical release
data through the Toxic Release Inventory (TR1). EPA has recently expanded the
TRI by adding seven new industry sectors and by nearly doubling the number of
reportable chemicals. The goal of these actions is to provide a broader picture
of industrial releases and transfers so the public will have more information
about potential risks.
In 1999, EPA will perform quality analyses of at least two additional
industries reporting to TRI and process 110,000 TRI Form R's as part of the
operation. EPA will finalize the persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxics (PBT)
rule to add more chemicals to the TRI. To ensure that the public has
information on chemicals that may be highly toxic but are manufactured,
processed, or used in lower volumes, the Agency will lower the thresholds for
reporting PBTs. The Agency has expanded the TRI effort and will propose a
VII-2
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chemical use reporting rule. Finally, to ensure the efficacy of this
information, five focus groups will be conducted to determine how to better
serve those who would use TRI information.
The Agency aggressively seeks to integrate all relevant sources of data
and information to support comprehensive approaches to environmental protection
that ' include community-based environmental protection (CBEP) and ecosystem
protection. This information is to be coordinated and integrated across the
Agency to provide comprehensive views of environmental data based on increased
availability and accuracy of locational and spatial data, the establishment of
the central structure required to support data standards, and a registry of
environmental data. ;
Increasing Public Access
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $67,487,300 and 302.9 total workyears,
a $3,150,200 increase over 1998 Enacted, to enhance American's access to
environmental information. In 1999, the Agency will provide environmental
information through a variety of initiatives.
The Agency's One Stop Reporting Initiative will provide one-stop access
to and reporting of environmental information. This initiative focuses on
streamlining reporting by regulators and improving the availability of
environmental performance data for the public and the educational community.
Information such as databases, press releases, phone numbers, fact sheets, and
regulations will be made available on the World-Wide Web.
In 1999, the Agency's Public Access Strategic Initiatives will provide the
necessary infrastructure to integrate EPA data electronically so that the public
has access to information on environmental requirements and regulations, and is
provided an opportunity to comment. Under the Enforcement and Compliance
Information (ECI) initiative, the Agency will provide the public access to user-
friendly information on enforcement and compliance data policies, guidance and
interpretations. This initiative will improve citizens' and small businesses'
access to, and their understanding of, compliance and -enforcement information.
Lessons learned from the Regulatory Information Inventory and Team
Evaluation Project (RIITE) will be made available nationally, providing a
toolbox of successful approaches, establishing a web site of forms, and testing
the use of web sites for submission of compliance data. Collection, analysis,
and use of data are at the heart of effective environmental management.
Electronic reporting for many of the Agency's core compliance reports will be
available; e.g., municipal water system laboratory reports, some transactions
involving the hazardous waste manifest, and reporting of annual emissions
inventories in some delegated states. Additionally, EPA is now developing a
"second generation" approach on Internet/Web-based forms," which will be much
more appropriate for small companies and for individuals.
The Agency will ensure that small business and other small entities are
full participants in Agency regulatory activities, especially regulatory
development and compliance assistance. Under the requirements of the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, the Agency provides small
entities the opportunity to participate in the development of proposed rules
subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act. One of the Agency keys for
successful small business participation in the environmental decision making
process is a well informed and educated small business community. A focal point
of the Agency's small business information activities is EPA's Office of Small
Business Ombudsman (SBO). This office coordinates over 12,000 small'business
VII-3
U S EPA Headquarters Library
Mail code 3201
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20460
-------
inquiries each year, supports an Internet Web page for small .business, and
•coordinates agency regional small business activities. In addition, the SBO
provides oversight for and reports to Congress on small business compliance
activities under §507 of the Clean Air Act. Through this process the Agency and
the small business community stay abreast of each other's needs and concerns.
The creation of the Center for Environmental Information and Statistics
{CEIS) will play a crucial role in our efforts to improve delivery of
environmental information to the public and ensure a .cooperative and
collaborative approach to environmental decision making. The CEIS will provide
a "Master Atlas" that integrates various mapping software and provides
multimedia data on environmental quality, status and trends. CEIS will also
have a web site for visitors to identify and contact Agency representatives so
that they may discuss the environmental data used and the Agency's
interpretation. The CEIS will also serve as the Agency's source of internal
information on environmental quality, status and trends - informing individuals,
communities, businesses and the public of environmental information which will
be easily accessible, objective, and reliable.
Ensuring Environmental Justice
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $7,856,400 and 45.7 total workyears to
support environmental justice. In 1999, the Agency will work to ensure that
minority, low-income, and Native American communities will be able to
meaningfully participate in environmental decision-making and protect themselves
from undue risks. The Agency will, hold National Environmental Justice Advisory
Council meetings to advise the Administrator on Environmental Justice concerns.
The Agency will continue to develop the Environmental Justice program to
ensure that all people, regardless of race, national origin, or income, are
protected from a disproportionate impact of environmental hazards.
Environmental programs do not always equally benefit all communities or all
populations. To remedy this problem, the Agency will raise the awareness and
understanding of environmental issues affecting high risk communities by holding
at least one Enforcement Roundtable in an affected community. To facilitate
community involvement, EPA will provide grants to minority and low income
communities to address Environmental Justice issues.
Through the Interagency Workgroup meetings and joint projects, EPA will
work to .ensure that all Federal agencies comply with the Executive Order on
Environmental Justice and incorporate environmental justice concerns into
program planning and implementation. EPA will also integrate Environmental
Justice into its own program operations, Regional Memoranda of Agreement, and
state Performance Partnership Agreements.
Tools for Enhancing the Ability to Protect Human Health
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $31,868,600 and 153.3 total workyears,
an increase of $10,819,800 over 1998 Enacted, to enhance American's ability to
protect human health. In pursuing this objective, the Agency ensures that all
Americans have easy access to sound environmental information. Providing this
information will allow citizens to expand their involvement in protecting the
environment..
The President's Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community
Tracking (EMPACT) initiative is a cross-agency program established to provide
the public with-information regarding local environmental conditions (e.g. toxic
pollutants, water and air quality). This program will continue to report and
VII-4
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provide access to selected communities throughout the nation.- EMPACT will
provide at least 75 of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas with access to
information regarding the quality of their local environments, and relevant
scientific and technical tools to interpret and evaluate potential impacts and
risks to these environments. The Agency will expand EMPACT's effectiveness by
improving technological approaches to data management and communications and by
improving its discourse with the public regarding environmental risks.
Citizen involvement in protecting the environment 'will also be expanded
through the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). IRIS is an EPA database
of Agency consensus health information on environmental contaminants which is
used extensively by EPA Program Offices and Regions where consistent, reliable
toxicity information is needed for credible risk assessments. Each of the 535
IRIS "files" contains chemical-specific information .on cancer and noncancer
health effects. Each IRIS file summarizes a more detailed health assessment or
support document. IRIS is heavily used for risk assessments and other health
evaluations across the Agency. The most frequent users are Regional and State
risk assessors, but use has grown to include all levels of government, as well
as the public and private sectors, both nationally and internationally.
FY 1999 Annual Performance Goals:
The resources requested in this budget will enable the Agency to meet a
number of important performance goals in 1999. The most significant of these
include:
• Add 10 state participants to the One-Stop Reporting Program (Total=30).
• Provide over 100 grants to assist communities with understanding and
addressing Environmental Justice issues.
• Increase compliance with right to know reporting requirements by
conducting 1300 inspections and undertaking 200 enforcement actions.
• 3,300 large-and very large community water systems (serving approximately
185 million Americans) will issue annual consumer confidence reports
containing information about the systems' source water and the level of.
contaminants in the drinking water.
• Process 110,000 facility chemical release reports, publish the TRI Data
Release Report and provide improved information to the public about TRI
chemicals, enhancing community right to know and efficiently processing
information from industry.
• By 1999, EPA will complete 5-7 monitoring pilot projects in EMPACT cities,
and implement timely and high quality environmental monitoring technology
in 5-7 EMPACT cities.
Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
EJ Community Grants
100 Grants
100 Grants
Specialized Asst. & Tng
100 Courses
100 Courses
VII-5
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Section 313 Inspections
600
Inspections
600
Inspections
EPCRA APO Complaints
200 APO
Complaints
200 APO
Complaints
Other EPCRA Inspections
700
Inspections
700
Inspections
TRI Public Data Release
1996 Rept.
Published
1997 Rept.
Published
Form R's Processed
110,000 Forms 110,000 Forms
Community water systems that will
comply with the regulation to publish
consumer confidence reports
3,300 Lg CWSs
Award grants to establish research
for EMPACT
5 - 7 grants 12 - 16 grants
* of States With One-Stop Reporting
23
30
Key Performance Measures Verification
NACEPT and,NAFTA Reports
Staff within the Office of Cooperative Environmental Management are
responsible for publishing the NACEPT and NAFTA reports. At the end of the
year, they will identify the number of reports issued by the NACEPT and NAFTA
FACA committees.
Customer Service Survey
The Agency has attempted to develop measures which adequately reflect
program goals and objectives. These measures emphasize quantifiable aspects of
program processes, incorporating realistic program outputs and outcomes. The
Agency recognizes the importance. of verifying the validity of performance
measures and indicators. Consequently, efforts are planned and currently
underway to ensure that measures accurately reflect arid support our
assumptions. An important first step in this process has been the undertaking
of a Customer Service survey to measure customer satisfaction. The results of
this survey will provide us with a framework by which to validate and revise
many of our assumptions. As the process evolves, the program output and outcome
data provided will allow us to refine both-our measures and our supporting
information management system.
VII-6
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Index of Watershed Indicators
While the planned performance measure for this objective is output-
oriented, the availability o'f refinements to the Index of Watershed Indicators
will provide the Agency and the public significant opportunities to better
understand the extent of the health of the nation's ecosystems. Working with
a broad array of inter-governmental partners, we can assure the validity of the
data presented in our comprehensive assessments by continually refining data
layers that undergo frequent change and by ensuring that the entire system is
updated and refreshed on a periodic basis. This will enable the establishment
of a firm analytical footing for measuring progress in the future.
Outreach to Small Business
The success in improving the regulatory development process will be
visible through the number of stakeholders participating in the development of
Agency rulemaking through a variety of consensus-based forums (i.e., negotiated
rulemakings and public• advisory committees). Success in outreach to small
business will be 'measured by identifying the number of these entities
participating in regulatory development, using compliance guides, and'requesting
information and clarification of Agency rules, through the Small Business
Ombudsman Homepage. Verification of CEIS performance will be determined by the
integration of multi-media information and the quality of products available.
Surveys will measure the user satisfaction with these activities.
Right-to-Know
Verification and validation continue to be important parts of the right-
to-know program. Verification procedures are built into the data entry process
both at the facility -level and when the data are entered into the national
database. Procedures internal to the reporting form check whether data entered
are internally consistent. If this is not the case, an error message' is
generated. Once data are entered into the national database, data, are compared
to those previously submitted by a facility to determine whether large increases
or decreases at the largest TRI facilities have occurred. In cases where there
are large changes relative to previous reports submitted, facilities are called
by staff engineers to verify the information.
Verification of progress for the right-to-know programs will include the
development of pesticide information, dissemination of such information, the
appearance on the Internet of pesticide-specific risk information, and
development of maintenance tools and quality standards for all Internet-resident
pesticide data.
TRI, the right-to-know program, 'generates data so that individuals will
be informed about what' occurs in their communities. Data collected and
disseminated as part of TRI has been assembled and used by a wide variety of
parties, including other Federal agencies, state and local governments',
environmental, labor and community groups, and academics. In order to
facilitate appropriate usage of the data, EPA publishes various analyses as part
of the annual data release.
VII-7
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Envirofacts Warehouse Database
The Agency is enhancing the quality.and presentation of enforcement and
compliance assurance data on the Agency's Envirofacts Warehouse Database which
is located on the World Wide Web. EPA is providing core enforcement program
data - along with enhanced report capabilities - to assure greater access by the
public.
Quality Management Plans
EPA will be developing and implementing detailed system specific Quality
Management Plans for all systems we directly manage. These plans will include
development of Data Quality Objectives (establishing measurable criteria for
data quality); Quality Assurance Project Plans (determine how QA activities will
be implemented through the system life cycle), and Standard Operating Procedures
(to provide a consistent and routine process for assessing data quality
measurements).
Enforcement and Compliance Information Initiative
Central to the ECI project is the development and adoption of data
standards for compliance and enforcement information. The ECI plan includes
developing and formalizing these data definitions through the EDR and making
these standards available to encourage widespread adoption.
EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Information Initiative will re-engineer
the Agency's multimedia compliance and enforcement data to increase public
access and understanding and enhanced data quality to support EPA's mission.'
EPA will ensure that data is consistent across the Agency and give the public
comprehensive compliance and enforcement data linked to demographic and risk
information. EPA will construct a warehouse of key enforcement and compliance
data with consistent, user-friendly interfaces.
Consumer Confidence Reports
Performance data regarding preparation of consumer confidence reports will
be provided to EPA by the states through existing national databases or other
means. States will collect the data from public water systems and will have
chief responsibility for validating the information.
Comparative Risk Prelects
Performance will be judged by the number of comparative risk projects
completed and the number of environmental actions taken by state, local and
tribal governments as a result of EPA's assistance.
Research
EPA has several strategies to validate and verify performance measures in
the area of environmental science and research. The Agency has implemented a
risk-based research planning process to use risk assessment and risk management
as principal priority-setting criteria. EPA conducts annual research program
reviews to both evaluate the status and accomplishments of its research and
determine planning priorities. To better draw upon the expertise of the
environmental academic community, EPA created the Science to Achieve Results
(STAR) program of peer-reviewed, mission-driven extramural grants; the Agency
VI1-8
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is also working with the National Research Council to identify emerging
environmental issues for which we must begin planning the necessary research.
Chief among the Agency's validation and verification mechanisms is a
rigorous peer review ' process. In a July 1997 memorandum, EPA's Deputy
Administrator stated that peer review will be expanded "to include both the
maior work products provided in the past and...all scientific and technical
products supporting Agency decisions" This expanded and strengthened focus on
peer review will help ensure that the 'performance measures listed here are
verified and validated .by external organizations. The Agency utilizes peer
review throughout the research planning and implementation process, both to
ensure that planned research addresses critical knowledge issues within EPA's
mission, and to assess the quality of scientific research plans, products, and
proposals. This is accomplished through the use of independent entities such
as the Science Advisory Board (SAB)and the Board of Scientific Councilors
(BOSC). The BOSC, established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will
even examine the way the Agency uses peer review, as well as the management of
its research and development laboratories.
EPA's external research program undergoes extensive peer review.
Proposals from the external scientific community are peer-reviewed and projects
are then selected for funding through grants or cooperative agreements. In
addition, Requests for Applications (RFAs) under the STAR program are often
developed jointly with outside partners such as the National Science Foundation.
In this way, EPA has developed a mechanism by which to check the quality and
relevance of its research program.
ORD Management Information System (OMISJ
The Office of Research and Development Management Information System
(OMIS) will be another accountability tool used to verify and validate
performance measures. The recently' developed GPRA structure will be
incorporated into OMIS to ensure consistent maintenance and reporting, resulting
in greater accuracy and consistency of information to users.
Statutory Authority
Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. 7601-7671q)
Clean Water Act section 308{CWA){33 U.S.C. 1251- 1387}
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
(42 U.S.C. 9601-9675) sections 104 and 106 (42 U.S.C. 6904 and 6906)
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) section 313 (42
U.S.C. 110001-11050) sections 325, and 326 (42 U.S.C. 11023, 11045, 11046)
Environmental Education Act
Federal Advisory Committee Act-(FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.).
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide.Act (FIFRA) (7 'U.S.C. 136-136y)
sections 3 and.10 (7 U.S.C. 136a and 136h)
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552)
Paperwork Reduction Act Amendment of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520)
VII-9
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Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13101-13109)
. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sections 3007, 3013, and 7003 (42
U.S.C. 6927, 6934, 6973)
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) section 1445 (42 U.S.C. 300f-300j-26) section
1445 (42 U.S.C. -300J-4)
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 14 (15 U.S.C. 2601-2692)
section 14 (915 U.S.C. 2613)
North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
VII-10
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 8: Sound Science, Improved Understanding of Environmental Risks,
and Greater Innovation to Address Environmental Problems . VIII-1
Annual Performance Goals . VIII-6
Key Performance Measures . . - VIII-7
Key Performance Measures Verification .... VIII-8
Statutory Authority VIII-9
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan Request to Congress
Sound Science, Improved Understanding of Environmental Risk, and Greater
Innovation to Address Environmental Problems
Strategic Goal: An important aspect of the Agency's mission is to ensure a
strong scientific foundation for the process of identifying public health and
environmental issues and the approaches taken to address them. EPA's 1999
request continues to support this commitment. The programs proposed will allow
EPA to develop and apply the best available science for addressing current and
future environmental hazards, as well as new approaches toward improving
environmental protection. : •.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
1998 Pres Bud 1998 Enacted 1999 Pres Bud
Sound Science, Improved
Understanding of Env. Risk
and Greater Innovation to
Address Env. Problems
$403,644.3 $404,721.2 $366,867.6
Obj
Obj
Obj
Obj
Obj
Obj,
Obj,
Obj,
Obj,
01 Research for Ecosystem
Assessment and Restoration
02 Research for Human
Health Risk Assessment
03
Emerging Risk Issues
04 Pollution Prevention
and New Technology
05 Enable Research on
Innovative Approaches to
Current and Future
Environmental Problems-
06 Increase Use of
Integrated, Holistic,
Partnership Approaches
07 Increase Opportunities
for Sector Based* Approaches
08 Regional Enhancement of
Ability .to Quantify
Environmental Outcomes
09 Science Advisory Board
Peer Review
$85,172.3 $100,712.5
$52,631.1
$6,306.5
$2,418.3
$49,006.9
$120,875.0 $86,927.7
$5,969.0
$2,415.8
$85,505.6
$47,618.5
$56,414.1 $47,744.4 $55,387.0
$51,435.0 $69,919.2 $46,387.8
$88,745.5
$18,049.3 -$19,386.3 $16,810.5
$10,342.7 $16,478.4 $11,496.8
$7,995.1
$2,586.7
VIII-1
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Obj. 10 Incorporate Innovative
Approaches to Environmental
Management
Goal Total FTE
SO..O
1,384.3
56,161.0
1,165.0
54,334.1
1,256.3
Strategic Objectives:
Objective #1: Research for Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration. By 2008, provide
the scientific understanding to measure, model, maintain and/or restore, at
multiple scales, the integrity and sustainability of highly-valued ecosystems,
now, and in the future.
Objective #2: Research for Human Health Risk Assessment. By 2008, improve the.
scientific basis to identify, characterize, assess, and manage environmental
exposures that pose the greatest health risks to the American public by
developing models and methodologies to integrate information about exposures and
effects from multiple pathways.
Objective #3:Research to Detect Emerging Risk Issues. By 2008, establish
capability and mechanisms within EPA to anticipate and identify environmental or
other changes that may portend future risk, integrate futures planning into
ongoing programs, and promote coordinated preparation for and response to change.
Objective #4:Pollution Prevention and New Technology for Environmental
Protection. By 2006, develop and verify improved tools, methodologies, and
technologies for modeling, measuring, characterizing, preventing, controlling,
and cleaning up contaminants associated with high priority human health and
environmental problems.
Objective #5: Enable Research on Innovative Approaches to Current and Future
Environmental-Problems. Provide services and capabilities, including appropriate
equipment, expertise, and intramural support necessary to enable ORD to research
innovative approaches to current and future environmental problems and improve
understanding of environmental, risks.
.Objective #6:Increase Use of Integrated, Holistic, Partnership Approaches. By
2005, EPA will increase the number of places using integrated, holistic
partnership approaches, such as community-based environmental protection (CBEP) ,
and quantify their tangible and sustainable environmental results in places where
EPA is directly involved.
Objective #7: Increase Opportunities for Sector Based Approaches. By 2005, EPA
will increase the number of opportunities for and applications of sectors-based
approaches to environmental management by 150 percent over 1996 levels.
Objective #8: Regional Enhancement of Ability to Quantify Environment.
By 2005, Regions will have demonstrated capability to monitor and measure
environmental conditions in their Regions, compare the relative risk of health
VIII-2
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and ecological problems, and assess the environmental effectiveness of management
actions in priority geographic areas.
Objective #9: Science Advisory Board Peer Review. Conduct peer reviews and
provide guidance on the science underlying Agency decisions.
Objective #10: Improve the Agency's Core Business Practices. Incorporate
innovative approaches to environmental management into EPA programs, so that EPA
and external partners achieve greater and more cost-effective public health and
environmental protection. • , .
Programs and Activities:
Among EPA's highest research priorities is our Assessing Health Risks to
Children research program to expand information on exposure, effects and risk
assessment to address children's risk. This program will provide the data to
strengthen Agency risk assessments for children, both in the near and long term.
Two important efforts will produce much of this data, the Children's Health Risk
Centers, and EPA's participation in studies in the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey (NHANES) being conducted by the National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS).
We will increase our efforts in the Advanced Measurement Initiative (AMI) .
The focus of this program is to facilitate the application of technologies to
enhance individual monitoring and measurement technologies, as well as to improve
coordination of existing monitoring research and programs such as the mapping of
waste sites, the development of ground water and surface water transport models
and the characterization of soils and surface water vegetation quality and land
use. AMI will develop working partnerships between technology developers,
environmental policy makers, and environmental managers to ensure that advanced
measurement technologies will meet the needs of EPA, the regulated community, and
the public.
Additionally, we will strengthen our intramural research program through
the allocation of additional workyears to recruit post-doctoral students to work
at EPA laboratories. •
The Agency has requested resources to support research within Goal 8, Sound
Science, as well as Goals 1,2,4,5,6 and 7. The research program areas requested
and described under Goal 8 represent research support that cuts across multiple
goals.
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $366,867,600 and 1,256.3 workyears for
this goal, a change of -$37,853,600 and +91.3 FTE from 1998.
VIII-3.
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HIGHLIGHTS:
Ecosystem Protection Research
The Annual Plan is based on $85,505,600 and 378 workyears to support
Ecosystems Protection research. The Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program (EMAP) is one of the areas of investment in this objective.
The EMAP Program monitors the condition of the nation's ecological
resources to evaluate the cumulative success of current policies and programs and
to identify emerging problems before they become widespread or irreversible.
Policies and programs that promote the sustainable use of resources and the
preservation of ecosystem integrity must be based upon our scientific knowledge
of the environment. EMAP seeks to improve the quality of that knowledge and to
fill in any gaps in that knowledge through research in two primary areas:
developing a better understanding of the mechanisms that control ecosystem
structure and function and assessing the role of human actions in altering them;
and, monitoring ecosystem characteristics and the human influences that change
them over time.
Research to Improve Human Health Risk Assessment
The Annual Plan is based on $47,618,500 and 224 workyears to support Human
Health Risk Assessment research. One key focus under this objective is in the
area of Susceptible Subpopulations research.
Research activities are designed and implemented to provide insights into
subpopulations that experience higher than normal exposures or have underlying
biological factors that place them at greater risk. Research on susceptible
populations assumes that certain segments of the population may not be afforded
adequate consideration in current risk assessment practices and/or sufficient
protection under ensuing risk management decisions. Efforts associated with this
research activity will evaluate the adequacy of current approaches to identify,
characterize and explain the increased susceptibility of various subpopulations.
This evaluation will subsequently direct the evolution of improved tools .and
approaches to assess risk to these populations. A unique dimension of these
efforts will be the incorporation of risk management research as these key
parameters and populations are defined (exposure or biologic) so that appropriate
intervention strategies can be developed and applied in parallel.
Emerging Risk Issues
The Annual Plan is based on $55,387,000 and 185 workyears to support
Emerging Risk Issues research. The Endocrine Disrupters (ED) research program
and the One Atmospheric research program are two key areas of investment within
this objective.
The ED research program was established in response to growing scientific
concern and public awareness regarding potential effects of environmental
exposure to chemicals that interact with the endocrine system, causing adverse
reproductive and other health and ecological effects. Research on endocrine
VIII-4
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disrupters is being conducted according to priorities described in the Endocrine
Disrupters Research .Strategy, which is targeted at addressing the major
uncertainties in this important area. In 1999, the ED research program will
include integrated toxicology and exposure studies in ecological systems or human
populations with suspected contamination or exposure to ED chemicals .
In 1999, the One Atmospheric research program is intended to assess and
prevent risks from air pollution present in mixtures, the way people and
ecosystems commonly experience it. EPA's focus will be on understanding the •
health and ecological effects associated with exposures to air pollutants in
combination, without emphasis on a particular constituent, as well as the
interplay of source emissions transformation, transport and fate, and the impacts
of multi -pollutant controls to achieve balance in pollution control and avoid
unnecessary costs. EPA will look at multiple scales and at all environments,
thereby, focusing on the fact that all air pollution merges in one atmosphere.
Pollution Prevention and New Technologies
The Annual Plan is based on $46,387,800 and 188 workyears for pollution
prevention and new technologies. Research on Advanced Measurement Initiative
(AMI) and Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) are among the focus areas
for this objective.
The purpose of AMI is to identify, evaluate, adapt, and apply new and
emerging measurement and monitoring technologies to facilitate effective
environmental risk management . Through AMI , EPA seeks to meet current
environmental measurement requirements more effectively, to permit the collection
of important environmental data that is not available using conventional
monitoring methods, and to create opportunities for entirely new and innovative
approaches to environmental measurement needs .
ETV was created to substantially accelerate the introduction of new
environmental technologies into the domestic and international marketplace. This
•will be done by verifying the environmental performance characteristics of
commercial - ready technology through the evaluation of objective and quality
assured data, so that potential purchasers and permitters are provided with an
independent and credible assessment of what they are buying and permitting . EPA' s
ETV research program began with a three to five year pilot, phase to test a wide
range of partner and procedural alternatives in various pilot areas, as well as
the true market demand for the response to such a program. In 1999, the ETV
program will transition from a pilot phase to establishment of the particular
verification areas.
The Annual Plan is based on $88,745,500 and 97 workyears to Enable Research
on Innovative Approaches to Current and Future Environmental Problems.
Resources requested in this objective provide the support required to
accomplish the science and technology program at EPA. The effectiveness of the
VIII-5
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support provided in this objective is integral to the achievement of numerous
Agency goals, including Goals 1,2,4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. The implementation of a strong
science and engineering program requires necessary infrastructure support,
operating expenses and other operational resources. The staff support activities
include program review, health and safety, resource planning and execution,
administrative and financial contract and grant management, equipment and
facilities maintenance, and automated data processing.
FT 1999 Annual Performance Goals
The resources requested in this goal will enable the Agency to meet a
number of performance goals in 1999. The most significant of these include:
In 2001, complete and evaluate a multi-tiered ecological monitoring system
for the Mid-Atlantic region and provide select land cover and aquatic
indicators for measuring status and trends.
In 1999, analyze existing monitoring data for acid deposition and UVB and
implement a multiple site UVB monitoring system for measuring status and
trends.
In 1999, provide ecological risk assessment case studies for two
watersheds, final guidelines for reporting ecological risk assessment and
ecological risk assessment guidance and support.
By 2008, develop and verify innovative methods and models for assessing
the susceptibilities of populations to environmental agents, aimed at
enhancing risk assessment and management strategies and guidance.
By 1999, a total of 50 Project XL projects will be in development or
implementation, an increase of 15 over 1998.
In 1999, produce first generation exposure models describing residential
exposure to pesticides.
In 1999, initiate Field Exposure Study of children to two endocrine
disruptor chemicals.
In 1999, complete and submit external review draft of the Air Quality
Criteria Document for carbon monoxide.
By 1999, improve computational efficiency of fine particulate model by
25%.
VIII-6
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Landscape Characterization
Landscape Indicator for Mid-Atlantic
Condition of Estuaries Indicators
Mid-Atlantic Region Stressor Profiles
Bioacc Model for Aquatic Ecosystems
Landscape Characterization
Measurement Methods & Technologies
UV radiation monitor installations
Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance
Ecological Risk Assessment Tools
Development and use of ecological
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
- 30-SEP-99
. 30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99'
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
information management system
First Generation Residential Exposure
Models '
30-SEP-99
In 1999 award up to 10 peer reviewed
STAR research grants that support
studies to quantify the expos
30-SEP-99
Carbon Monoxide AQCD/ERD
Protocol for field exposure study of
children to 2 EDC's
30-SEP-99
30-SEP-99
High Performance Parallel Algorithms
Complete XL project agreements
35 projeects
30-SEP-99
50 agreements
VIII-7
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Performance Measure Verification and Validation
Research
EPA has several strategies to validate and verify performance measures in
the area of environmental science and research. The Agency has implemented a
risk-based research planning process to use risk assessment and risk management
as principal priority-setting criteria. EPA conducts annual research program
reviews to both evaluate the status and accomplishments of its research and
determine planning priorities. To better draw upon .the expertise of the
environmental academic community, EPA created the Science to Achieve Results
(STAR) program of peer-reviewed, mission-driven extramural grants; the Agency is
also working with a number of professional societies and scientific organizations
to identify emerging environmental issues for which we must begin planning the
necessary research.
Chief among the Agency's validation and verification mechanisms is a
rigorous peer review process. In a July 1997 memorandum, EPA's Deputy
Administrator states that peer review will be expanded "to include both the ma lor
work products provided in the past and...all scientific and technical products
supporting Agency decisions..." This expanded and strengthened focus on peer-
review will help ensure that the performance measures listed here are verified
and validated by external organizations. The Agency utilizes peer review
throughout the research planning and implementation process, both to ensure that
planned research addresses critical knowledge issues within EPA's mission, and
to assess the quality of scientific research plans, products, and proposals.
This is accomplished through the use of independent entities such as the Science
Advisory Board (SAB)and the Board of Scientific Councilors (BOSC). The BOSC,
established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, will even examine the way
the Agency uses peer review, as well as the management of its research and
development laboratories.
EPA's external research program undergoes extensive peer review. Proposals
from the external scientific community are peer-reviewed and projects are then
selected for funding through grants or cooperative agreements. In addition.
Requests for Applications (RPAs). under the STAR program are often developed
jointly with outside partners such as the National Science Foundation. In this
way, EPA has developed a mechanism by which to check the quality and relevance
of its research program.
ORD Management Information System (OMIS)
The Office of Research and Development Management Information System (OMIS)
will be another accountability tool used to verify and validate performance
measures. The recently developed GPRA structure will be incorporated into OMIS
to ensure consistent maintenance and reporting, resulting in greater accuracy and
consistency of information to users.
VIII-8
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Usage of Economic Information Resources
Performance will also be verified by identifying customer usage of economic
resources within OPPE, and by surveying customers to determine their satisfaction
with and the adequacy of economic information available and provided; the number
of economic issue papers produced; economic analysis assisting the regulatory
development process; improved economic models, analytic methods, and databases;
completion of paper outlining 5-year social science research agenda; and
development of new methods to assess demographic distribution of exposures.
Community Based Environmental Protection (CBEP)
Regions will identify priority places for implementation of CBEP
approaches, delivery of tools and technical assistance. In 1999, the CBEP
strategy will be implemented in 10 priority places nationally.
Common Sense Initiative (CSI)
Performance targets for CSI will be verified by actual completion of each
phase of CSI, development of national performance goals, and plans for
implementation of lessons learned from the Metal Finishing Sector. Selection of
additional sectors will validate expansion of sustainable industries program'.
Scientific Equipment Inventory
Regional scientific equipment inventory will be maintained. Annual
assessment will be made to determine Regional needs to further upgrades and new
technologies.
Report Time to Completion
The SAB will maintain records on report time to completion and will
summarize its findings at the end of each fiscal year.
Reinvention Activities
Records will be maintained on reinvention initiatives including Project XL,
and changes to the Agency's core business practices. The results will be
reported at the end of the fiscal year.
Statutory Authority
Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 USC 7601-767Iq)
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 4, Sand 6 (15 U.S.C. 2603, 2604 and
2605)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42
USC 9601-9675}
VIII-9
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Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 USC 136-136y)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 USC 6901-6992k)
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) (42 USC 11001-11050)
Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13101-13109)
Clean Water Act (CWA) Title 1 (33 U.S.C. 1251-1271}
CWA sections 304 and 308 (33 U.S.C. 1314, 1318)
CWA Title I (33 U.S.C. 1251-1271)
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) section 1412 (42 U.S.C. 300g-l)
Federal Technology Transfer Act (15 USC 37lOa et.seq)
Patent Statute
The Economy Act of 1932
The National Environmental Policy Act
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)
V1II-10
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 9: A Credible Deterrent to Pollution and Greater Compliance
with the Law IX-1
Annual Performance Goals IX-3
Key Performance Measures IX-3
Key Performance Measures Verification IX-7
Statutory Authority . . : IX-8
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan Request to Congress
A Credible Deterrent to Pollution and Greater Compliance with the Law
Strategic Goal: EPA will ensure full compliance with laws intended to protect
public health and the environment.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
1998 Pres Bud 1998 Enacted 1999 Pres Bud
A Credible Deterrent to Pollution
and Greater Compliance with
the Law
Obj. 01 Enforcement Tools to
Reduce Non-Compliance
Obj. 02 Increase Use of
Goal
Auditing
Policies
Total
Self-Policing
FTE:
$320,827.7
$275,311.8
$45,515.9
2,538.3
$315,828.2 $330,951.3
$268,534.7
547,293.5
2,537.8
$281,743.1
$49,208.2
2,535.9
Strategic Objectives:
Objective #ls Enforcement Tools to Reduce Non-Compliance. Identify and reduce
significant non-compliance in high priority program areas, while maintaining a
strong enforcement presence in all regulatory program areas.
Objective #2: Promote Voluntary Compliance. Promote the regulated community's
voluntary compliance with environmental requirements through compliance
incentives and assistance programs.
Programs and Activities:
Protecting the public and the environment from risks posed by violations
of environmental requirements is, and always has been, basic to EPA's mission.
Many of America's environmental improvements over the" last 25 years are
attributable to a strong" set of environmental laws and an expectation of
compliance with those laws. EPA's strong and aggressive enforcement program has
been the centerpiece of efforts to ensure compliance, and has achieved real and
significant improvements in public health and the environment. The Agency will
continue to aggressively punish violators and deter future violations, level the
economic playing field for law-abiding companies, and ensure that the price of
goods and services reflects true costs.
IX-1
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However, to meet the challenges presented by the continuing, serious, and
complex environmental problems and the changes in the types and scope of
activities and entities regulated, EPA must seek a broader range of solutions.
To this end, EPA is developing additional tools and capabilities for ensuring
compliance through assistance and incentives to the regulated community. By
ensuring compliance through an array of traditional and innovative approaches,
EPA is working to mitigate and avoid risks to human health and the environment.
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $330,951,300 and 2535.9 workyears for
deterrence and compliance in this goal, an increase of $15,123,100 and a. decrease
of 1.9 workyears from 1998. These resources will support the use of enforcement
and compliance tools to ensure deterrence and compliance including inspections
to target violators, assistance to help the regulated community understand its
responsibilities, and incentives to make it economically beneficial to comply
with the law. EPA will also continue to provide technical assistance and grants
to states and Tribes to help them build effective and well targeted compliance
and enforcement programs. EPA will support international environmental
commitments, especially along U.S. borders, and work with other Federal agencies
to promote environmental protection abroad and encourage a level economic playing
field in an increasingly global trading system.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Target High Priority Areas forBnforc«
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $281,743,100 and 2,055.6 workyears to
address the most significant environmental problems through improved targeting
of high-risk portions of the regulated community, and increased monitoring. The
foundation of this effort will be the completion by EPA's enforcement and
compliance assurance program of baseline data improvements that began in 1998,
the selection of the most appropriate compliance indicators and types of
facilities to be addressed, and the setting of challenging but realistic targets
for compliance.
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $49,208,200 and 480.3 workyears to provide
more sophisticated and targeted compliance assistance to the regulated community
using compliance baseline data developed for selected sectors, and the Agency's
analysis of the root causes of compliance problems. EPA will also increase the
regulated community's use of compliance incentives and programs by 10% over 1998
levels, by encouraging communities to voluntarily discover, disclose, and correct
violations.
Assist States and Tribes with Their Comoliance Assurance and Incentive Proctrams
Included in the 1999 President's Budget is $2,000,000 for Pesticides
Enforcement grants to help prevent future misuses of pesticides in communities
and workplaces. EPA also requests $500,000 to help states protect vulnerable
IX-2
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children from lead poisoning by increasing enforcement of the lead-based paint
provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). A requested increase of
$100,000 will provide compliance assistance to Tribes.
FY 1999 Annual Performance Goals:
The resources requested in this budget will enable the Agency to meet a
number of important performance goals. The most-significant of these are:
• Target high priority areas for enforcement and compliance assistance and
complete baseline data needed to measure changes in key indicators of
compliance. The Agency will identify five high priority areas and "improve
3 of their data systems.
j - •
• Deter non-compliance by maintaining levels of field presence and
enforcement actions, particularly in high risk areas and/or where
populations are disproportionately exposed. In 1999, EPA will conduct
15,000 inspections and undertake 2,600 enforcement actions.
• Increase the regulated community's use of compliance incentives and their
understanding of, and ability to comply with, regulatory requirements.
EPA will offer 20 small entities relief under the Small Business Policy,
an increase of 100% over the 1998 levels, and obtain 400 self disclosures.
The Agency will also continue to operate 8 Compliance Assistance Centers,.
and provide compliance assistance tools such as 7 sector notebooks and 4
sector guides.
• Assist states and Tribes with their enforcement and compliance assurance
and incentive programs. EPA will provide specialized assistance and
training, including 100 courses, to state and tribal officials to enhance
the effectiveness of their programs.
• Review 100% of significant proposed Federal actions subject to the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which require EPA follow-up to
determine their likely environmental effects and remedy 70% of EPA's
concerns with these proposed actions.
Key Performance Measures
1996
1999
Lab Integrity"Inspections
.86 Inspection 86 Inspections
Lab Integrity Audits
230 Audits
230 Audits
Multimedia Inspections - HQ
15 Inspections 15 Inspections
Multimedia Inspections - RT
120 Inspections 115 Inspections
IX-3
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Federal Facility Inspections
28 Inspections 28 Inspections
Mobile Sources Inspections
2250
Inspections
2250
Inspections
NPDES Inspections
2400
Inspections
2325
Inspections
UIC / PWSS Inspections
5700
Inspections
5500
Inspections
Stationary Source Inspections
2100
Inspections
2040
Inspections
FIFRA Inspections
125 Inspections. 125 Inspections
TSCA Inspections
1100
Inspections'
1060
Inspections
Single Media Inspections - FD
14 Inspections 14 Inspections
Multimedia Inspections - FD
15 Inspections 15 Inspections
Administrative Orders Issued
90 Admin.
Orders
100 Admin.
Orders
Administrative Cases Concluded
80 Admin. Cases 80 Admin. Cases
Civil Judicial Cases Concluded
2 Civil Cases 3 Civil Cases
RCRA Inspections
1100
Inspections
1090 •
Inspections
NPDES Civil Referrals
50 Case
Referrals
50 Case
Referrals
UIC / PWSS Civil Referrals
20 Case
Referrals
20 Case
Referrals
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Stat. Source Civil Referrals
70 Case
Referrals
70 Case
Referrals
FIFRA Civil Referrals
3 Case
Referrals
3 Case
Referrals
Toxics Civil Referrals
2 Case
Referrals
2 Case
Referrals
RCRA Civil Referrals
12 Case
Referrals
13 Case-
Referrals
NPDES APO Complaints
150 APO
Complaints
150 APO
Complaints
U1C / PWSS APO Complaints
60 APO
Complaints
60 APO
Complaints
Stat. Sources APO Complaints
90 APO
Complaints
90 APO
Complaints
FIFRA APO Complaints
80 APO
Complaints
80 APO
Complaints
Toxics APO-Complaints
185 APO
Complaints
185 APO
Complaints
RCRA-APO Complaints
64 APO
Complaints
72 APO
Complaints
NPDES Compliance Orders
505 Compl.
Orders
505.. Compl.
Orders
UIC / PWSS Compliance Orders
300•Compl.
Orders
300 Compl.
Orders
Stat. Sources Compl. Orders
155 Compl,
Orders
155 Compl.
Orders
FIFRA Compliance Orders
10 Compl.
Orders
10 Compl.
Orders
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
RCRA Compl. Orders
20 Compl.
Orders
22 Compl.
Orders
Wetlands Gomel. Orders
4 0 Compl.
Orders
40 Compl.
Orders
Criminal Cases Initiated
700 Cases
700 Cases
Criminal Cases Referred
310 Cases
310 Cases
Specialized Asst. & Tng
100 Courses
100 Courses
High priority areas identified
Data system improve, to capture chgs
to 98 base
5- Areas
3 Data System
Sector Inspections
390 Inspections
Number of small entities receiving
relief under Sm. Business Policy
10 Entities
20 Entities
Compl. Assistance Centers in Oper.
8 Centers
8 Centers
Compliance Tools Development
7 Sector
Notebks
7 Sector
Notebks
Compliance Tools Development
4 Sector Guides 4 Sector Guides
NEPA Compliance Actions
30 Actions
30 Actions
EIS Filing and Data Reporting
650 Fed.
Register
650 Fed.
Register
Fed Fac Mgt Reviews
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
Number of disclosures resulting from 75 Disclosures 75 Disclosures
targeted Agency action
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Key Performance Measures
1996
1999
Major Federal actions requiring
followup
300 Actions
300 Actions
Concerns resolved on major Federal
Actions
294 Concerns - 294 Concerns
Number- of self-disclosures
330 disclosure 400 Disclosures
Kev Performance Measures Verification
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Data
EPA's enforcement and compliance assurance data are contained in 14
database systems across the Agency. While specific data entry/quality control
practices may vary by individual system, each current system has been developed
in accordance with the Office Information Resources Management (OIRM) Life Cycle
Management Guidance which establishes the Agency's processes for development,
implementation and maintenance of the Agency's data systems throughout their life
cycle. The systems incorporate data validation processes and include internal
screen audit checks and verifications; development of detailed system and user
documentation (include training guides, data element dictionary, security plans) ;
data quality audit reports (available to Regional and Headquarters staff) ; third
party testing protocols for system enhancements; and detailed report
specifications for showing how data are calculated.
Strategic and Tactical Automation Management Plan
EPA has prepared a Strategic and Tactical Automation Management Plan which
will significantly impact the -quality and reliability of nine of the Agency's
systems. This plan will integrate the Agency's enforcement and compliance
mission, priorities and goals into a comprehensive strategy for improving
information management for the National Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Program.
Quality Management Plans
EPA is also developing and implementing detailed system specific Quality
Management Plans for all systems it manages directly. These plans will include:
' development of Data Quality Objectives (establishing measurable criteria for data
quality) ,- Quality Assurance Project Plans (to determine how QA activities will
be implemented through the system life cycle) ; and Standard Operating Procedures
(to provide a consistent and routine process for assessing data quality
measurements).
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National Performance Measures Strategy
Through the Agency's Enforcement and Compliance Assurance's National
Performance Measures Strategy and other efforts, EPA is improving its ability
to identify measures to assess the effectiveness of compliance assistance and
compliance incentives efforts. Compliance assistance data are or will be
collected through a number of sources, including the end-of-year reporting oh
accomplishments under the Regional Memorandum of Agreement process, the Docket
(a national database for tracking EPA civil, judicial, and administrative
enforcement actions) , manual reporting by the regions and the states, and through
OMB-approved surveys on the effectiveness of compliance assistance. Information
on the regulated communities' use of voluntary approaches, such as the
Environmental Leadership Program and Project XL, will be collected at the
Headquarters level, although as these programs mature over the next few years,
EPA regional offices will collect information on participation in these programs.
Regions and Headquarters' offices enter audit policy case data on self-
disclosures into the DOCKET database.
Environmental Review Tracking System (ERTS)
The Environmental Review Tracking System (ERTS) is the national database
that serves as the official filing system for environmental impact statements and
other actions, as required under regulations of the Council on Environmental
Quality implementing the National Environmental Policy Act. ERTS also tracks
EPA's review responsibilities under Section 309 of the Clean Air Act.
Statutory Authority
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act sections 3007, 3008, 3013, and 7003 (42
U.S.C. 6927, 6928, 6934, 6973}
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act sections
106, 107, 109, and 122 (42 U.S.C. 9606, 9607, 9609, 9622)
Clean Water Act (CWA) sections 308, 309, and 311 (33 U.S.C. 1318, 1319, 1321)
Safe Drinking Water Act sections 1413, 1414, 1417, 1422, 1423, 1425, 1431, 1432,
1445 (42 U.S.C. 300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-6, 300h-l, 300h-2, 300h-4, 300i, 300i-l,
300J-4)
Clean Air Act sections 113, 114, and 303 (42 U.S.C. 7413, 7414, 7603)
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) sections 11, 16, and 17 and TSCA Titles .II
and IV (15 U.S.C. 2610, 2615, 2616, 2641-2656, 2681-2692)
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act sections 325 and 326 (42
U.S.C. 11045, 11046)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act sections 8, 9, 12, 13, and
14 (7 U.S.C. 136f, 136g, 136j, 136k, 1361)
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Ocean Dumping Act sections 101, 104B, 105, and 107 (33 U.S.C. 1411, 1414B, 1415,
1.417) .
North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
1983 la Paz Agreement on US/Mexico Border Region
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
Federal Facility Compliance Act
Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) (42USC 13101-13109)
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 USC 601 note)
Executive Order 12088 "Federal Compliance with Pollution Control Standards"
IX- 9
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Goal 10: Effective Management
Annual Performance Goals .......
Key Performance Measures
Key Performance Measures Verification
Statutory Authority
X-l
X-5
X-B
X-7
X-9
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Flan Request to Congress
Effective Management
Strategic Goal: EPA will establish a management infrastructure that will set
and implement the highest quality standards for effective internal management and
fiscal responsibility.
Goal Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
1998 Pres Bud 1998 Enacted 1999 Pres Bud
Effective Management
Obj. 01 Executive Leadership
Obj. 02 Management Services,
Administrative, and
Stewardship.
Obj. 03 Building Operations,
Utilities and New
Construction
Obj. 04 Regional Management
Services and Support
Obj. 05 Provide Audit and
Investigative Products and
Services
Goal Total FTE
$716,580.2 $668,857.3 $659,860.5
$26,003.4 $27,897.8 $30,895.9
$175,284.8 . $165,331.7 $180,937.4
$367,905.0 $331,959.5 $299,921.3
$110,769.2 $107,103.7 $108,189.1
$36,617.8 $36,564.6 $39,916.8
2,927.9
2,919.6
2,974.7
Strategic Objectives:
Objective #1: Executive Leadership. EPA ' will establish a management
infrastructure that will set and implement the highest quality standards for
effective internal management and fiscal responsibility.
Objective #2: Management Services, Administrative, and Stewardship. The Agency
will provide the management services, administrative support and operations to
enable the Agency to achieve its environmental mission and to meet its fiduciary
and workforce responsibilities.
Objective #3: Building Operations, Utilities and New construction. OARM will
provide the Agency with a quality work environment that considers employee safety
and security, building. operations, utilities, facilities, new construction,
repairs and pollution prevention within Headquarters as well as nationwide.
X-l
US EPA Headquarters Libra.;/
Mail code 3201
! 200 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington DC 20460
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Objective #4: Regional Management Services and Support. The Regions will continue
to provide the management services, infrastructure support and facility
operations necessary for the Agency to achieve its environmental mission, and
meet its fiduciary and workforce responsibilities.
Objective #5: Provide Audit and Investigative Products and Services. Provide
audit and investigative products and services all of which can help EPA
accomplish its mission.
Programs and Activities:
Efforts under this goal support the full range of Agency activities for a
healthy and sustainable environment. Agency management provides vision and
leadership within the Agency, and conducts policy oversight for all Agency
programs. The effectiveness of EPA's management will determine, in large
measure, how successful we will be in pursuit of the other goals identified in
the Agency's annual plan. Sound management principles, practices, results-based
planning and budgeting, fiscal accountability, quality customer service, rational
policy guidance and careful stewardship of our resources are the foundation for
everything EPA does to advance the protection of human health and the
environment. Agency management systems and processes will be supported by
independent evaluations that promote efficient and effective programs, so that
we can obtain the greatest return on taxpayer investment.
. The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $659.9 million and 2,975 workyears for the
Effective Management goal, a. decrease of $9.0 million and increase of 55
workyears over 1998. Managerial accomplishments will include implementation of
automated and streamlined human resources and financial management processes,
construction of new facilities, and establishment of state-of-the-art
laboratories. The Agency will also honor its obligations to protect children
from environmental hazards by working to make the protection of children's health
a fundamental goal of environmental protection in the United States.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Protecting Children's Health •
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $30.9 million and 265 workyears to provide
vision and leadership, as well as executive direction and policy oversight, for
all Agency programs, including Children's Health.
The Agency will honor its obligation to protect children from environmental
hazards by targeting resources toward the Agency's many diverse children's
activities. Children today face significant and unique health threats from a
range of environmental hazards. They are often more heavily exposed and more
vulnerable than adults to toxins in the environment, from asthma-exacerbating air
pollution and lead-based paint in older homes, to treatment-resistant microbes
in drinking water, to persistent chemicals that may cause cancer or induce
reproductive or developmental changes, children's developing immune and nervous
, .'..- X-2
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systems can be highly vulnerable to disruption by toxins in the environment, and
the consequences may be lifelong.
In 1999, major activities include establishing, with the Department of
Health and Human Services, six Children's Environmental Research Centers,
ensuring that EPA's public health regulations consider children's health, and
providing information to parents to better protect their children from
environmental hazards.
Improving Management Services. Administrative Support, and Stewardship
The 1999 Annual Plan is based on $289.1 million and 2,154 workyears for
management services, administrative support, and stewardship. EPA will provide
the management services and administrative support to achieve its environmental
mission and to meet its fiduciary and workforce responsibilities.
The Agency wants to ensure that -its workforce is of the highest caliber and
is fully prepared to deliver national leadership and expertise in environmental
protection. To do so, the Agency will invest in its employees through training
and education. The Agency is also striving toward increasing efficiencies in
hiring and placement of staff with the necessary scientific and technical skills
to sustain effective environmental protection programs. By implementing an
automated and streamlined human resources process, the Agency will take major
steps toward achieving these goals.
Previously, the Agency has relied on cost-plus, level-of-effort
contracting. In an effort to enhance the timeliness and quality of contract
products and service, the Agency will be transitioning from this more costly and
less efficient method of contracting to the more programmatic and cost effective
method of performance-based service contracting. Furthermore, by improving the
Agency's contract management information systems, the Agency will improve the
quality and availability of information on the status and use of resources,
thereby assuring that the Agency acquires the best quality goods and services in
support of Agency objectives.
The Agency is also taking steps toward reducing reporting burdens by the
Agency's highest volume submitters by encouraging and supporting electronic
reporting. These efforts will facilitate EPA's acquisition of key information
about environmental conditions across the country.
In 1999, upon correction.of grants management vulnerabilities, emphasis
will be placed on all aspects of post award grants' management to ensure fiscal
integrity. This will be accomplished by supporting and maintaining an Agency-
wide Integrated Grants Management System that will provide for significant and
immediate customer service and communication, as well as substantial time and
resource savings, increased integrity of data quality, and post award
management/closeout support.
Improving the Agency's ability to focus on environmental results and
ensuring effective stewardship of Agency resources is a high priority for the
Agency. To strengthen the Agency's accountability through a performance-based
management system, EPA will continue development of its integrated planning,
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budgeting, and accountability process, and will further its achievement of the
substantive statutory requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act
(GPRA) , .Chief Financial Officers Act (CFO..Act) , and related legislation. The
Agency will also focus on development of effective financial management systems,
and greater efficiency through streamlining, customer service, and automated
systems development.
Maintaining and Improving Agency Infrastructure
The Agency is requesting a total of $299.9 million and 155 workyears to
provide a quality work environment that considers employee safety and security,
building operations, utilities, facilities repairs, new construction, and
pollution prevention throughout the Agency's ten Regional offices, research and
development laboratory complexes, field stations, and Headquarters locations.
In support of effective management, the Agency will provide for
construction and establishment of state-of-the-art laboratories, providing the
tools essential to researching innovative solutions to current and future
environmental problems and'enhancing our understanding of environmental risks.
The consolidated laboratory office complex at Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina is an excellent example. For 1999, the Agency is requesting $32.0
million for the continued construction of this complex. This facility will
consolidate several locations that EPA currently leases, saving taxpayers over
$100 million over the facility's life. Also, EPA is -requesting and advance
appropriation .of $40.7 million in fiscal year 2000 to complete the project.
The Agency's goal of consolidating its Headquarters personnel into one
central location is closer to being realized. In 1999, EPA is requesting $16.0
million for relocation to and continued construction of the new Headquarters
buildings. The single largest component of this request is for the
telecommunication costs to conform to EPA's Integrated Services Digital Network
(ISDN) and local area network standards. Significant accomplishments for 1999
include completion of the buildout in the Ariel Rios North building, and 50%
completion of the Interstate Commerce Commission building. Furthermore, lab
construction at Ft. Meade, Maryland will be completed.
EPA's employees are a major asset and the Agency will continue to take
steps to provide a wide range of facilities management and safety, health and
environmental management policies, procedures and services. Facilities
operations include rent; preventive maintenance of existing space; security and
property management; printing services; postage and mail management services;
transportation services; Agency recycling; and health, safety and environmental
compliance activities, including medical monitoring and training.
Assisting EPA in Reaching Its Mission bv Providing Audit and Investigative
Products and Services
The Agency is requesting $39.9 million and 401 workyears to provide audits
and investigations of EPA's program, administrative, and financial activities by
the Office of Inspector General. This will ensure that the Agency's programs are
delivered in an effective, efficient, and economical manner and in compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations. Audits and investigations assist the
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Agency in identifying areas of potential risk and necessary improvements that can
significantly contribute to EPA's fulfillment of its mission. Services also
include working in partnership with Agency management to find more effective and
efficient solutions to environmental problems.
FY 1999 Annual Performance Goals:
The resources requested in this budget will enable the Agency to meet a
number of important performance goals. The most significant of these include:
• By the end of 1999, continue renovation of the new Headquarters complex by
completing 100% buildout of the Ariel Rios north building and 50% of the
Interstate Commerce Commission/Customs building, and moving 47% of EPA
personnel from vacated spaces to the hew consolidated complex.
• By the end of 1999, complete at least 50% of construction of the
consolidated research lab at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.
• By the end of 1999, implement performance-based contracting for 10% of
EPA contracts awarded to improve quality and timeliness.
• By the end of 1999, implement Phase I of the Integrated Grants Management
System (IGMS) award module in all regions.
• By the end of 1999, evaluate 5 EPA standards to ensure they are protective
of children's health.
• By March, 1999, 100% of EPA category 1 & 2 systems tested will calculate
the Year 2000 correctly.
• By the end of 1999, the Agency, can plan and track performance against
annual goals and capture 100% of costs through the new PBAA structure,
based on modified budget and financial accounting systems, a new
accountability process and new cost accounting mechanisms.
• In 1999, the OIG will provide objective, timely, and independent auditing,
consulting, and investigative services through such actions as completing
15 construction grant closeout audits..
Key Performance Measures.
1998
1999
Select standards for evaluation to
ensure they consider children's
special health needs
5 standards
<5 standards
Re-evaluate standards to ensure they
consider children's special health
needs
5 standards
<5 standards
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Key Performance Measures
1998
1999
Calculate yr 2000 in category 1&2 Sys
100 Percent
Performance base contracts awarded
5 Percent
10 Percent
Implement the IGMS awards module in
all regions
10 regions
Accountability system captures 1001 of
key EPA performance measures.
09-30-99
Cost acctg. capability achieved thru
revised acct structure to capture
costs at subobj level
100 %
100 %
Buildout in the Ariel Rios North Bldg 130,000 Sq ft
Construction of new RTP building
50 Percent
Complete
Complete buildout of Ariel Rios north
building
260,000 sq ft
Begin buildout of ICC/Customs building
50 percent
SVALUE/RECOMMENDATION,QUESTION
COST,SAVING -
138.5 Ss in
millions
118.5 5s in
MILLIONS
$svalue/Fines,Recoveries,Judgement, Res 4.06 $s IN 4.16 $s IN
'titutions - MILLIONS MILLIONS
IG RECOMMENDATION & ACTIONS
57 RECOM/ACTION 57 RECOM/ACTIO
Judicial, Administration and other
Actions taken to enforce law, reduce
or avoid risk.
51 ACTIONS
52 ACTIONS
Construction Grants Closeout Audits
15 Audits
15 Audits
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Key Performance Measures Verification . '
SEOComplaints Closed
The Office of Civil Rights will' maintain records on the number of
complaints closed during the year.
Title VI Complaints Closed
The Office of Civil Rights will maintain records on the number of
complaints closed during the year.
Office of Children's Health Protection
The Office of Children's Health Protection will select and evaluate up to
five standards to ensure they consider the special needs of children's health.
Records will be maintained.
Customer Service Survey
The Agency has attempted to develop measures which adequately reflect
program goals and objectives. These measures emphasize quantifiable aspects of
program processes, incorporating realistic program outputs and outcomes. The
Agency recognizes the importance of verifying the validity of performance
measures and indicators. Consequently, efforts are planned and currently
underway to ensure that measures accurately reflect and support our assumptions.
An important first step in this process has been the undertaking of a Customer
Service survey to measure customer satisfaction. The results of this survey will
provide us with a framework by which to validate and revise many of our
assumptions. As the process evolves, the program output and outcome data
provided will allow us to refine both our measures and our supporting information
management system-. Many of the key measures are verifiable through quantitative
means. The measures are output oriented and actual outputs or products will be
counted or verified.
'OCFO Accountability System
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer has developed validation methods
for key performance measures for 1998 and 1999. One 1998 key performance measure
is that the "Accountability System is developed and ready to implement." To
verify whether this performance measure has been met, we will evaluate and
document whether all components of the Accountability System have been fully
developed and tested; whether all policies, procedures and guidance related to
use of the Accountability System have been developed, approved, and promulgated;
and whether all appropriate Agency personnel have been trained in policy,
procedures and processes related to use and application of the Accountability
System. To validate the results of this performance measure, we will evaluate and
document whether the Accountability System achieves all development standards
established in the planning phase. The other OCFO Fiscal Year 1998 key measure
relates to Year 2000 compliance. To validate the performance measure "Agency
financial management system is Year 2000 compliant in time to achieve invisible
processing of financial transactions," we will conduct independent testing and
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evaluation to demonstrate results of systems programming changes on the
processing of financial transactions.
In 1999, the key Accountability System measure is that the "Accountability
System captures 100% of key EPA performance measures." To verify and validate
this measure, we will evaluate and document whether the Accountability system
contains a complete and accurate set of key EPA performance measures articulated
in the Agency's Annual Plan. There is also a key 1999 performance relating to
Year 2000 compliance: "Agency payroll and all related systems are Year 2000
compliant in time to achieve invisible processing of payroll transactions." To
validate this performance measure, we will conduct independent testing evaluation
to demonstrate results of systems programming changes on the processing of
payroll transactions.
Prime Audit Tracking System (PATS)
The primary source of key performance measure data for the Office of Audit
(OA) is the Prime Audit Tracking System (PATS). The reports generated by PATS
are used by OA management to monitor progress, workload assignments, and the
general productivity of the office. Specifically, PATS provides detailed
listings of audits and reports, personnel time data, summary financial
information, and quantifiable results. Headquarters and divisional OA personnel
are the users of PATS and are responsible for entering data in accordance with
the PATS Handbook. Each user must verify that the data has been accurately
reported in the system. System security is maintained by limiting access through
the use of passwords. The accuracy of data in PATS is subject to daily internal
management review and independent reviews by the Management Assessment Review
team (within the Program Support Staff) and a peer review team from another
Federal Office of Inspector General.
Office of Investigations (OI? Management Information System
The primary source of key performance measure data for the Office of
Investigations (OI) is the OI Management Information System. The reports
generated by this system are used by management to evaluate productivity by
tracking the number of cases open and closed, personnel time charges, judicial
and administrative actions (such as indictments, convictions, suspensions and
debarments, sentencing or personnel actions), and financial information to
include fines, recoveries, judgments, settlements, restitutions, and savings.
Divisional personnel are responsible for entering data on personnel time charges
and verifying that these charges are accurately reflected in the system. An
investigative information specialist in Headquarters monitors data entered by
divisional personnel and enters information on case openings and closings,
judicial and administrative actions, and financial information. Management
accountability reports are prepared and sent to Headquarters desk officers and
divisional personnel for review and verification. System security is maintained
by limiting access through the use of passwords. The accuracy of data in the OI
system is also subject to independent review by the Management Assessment Review
team (within the Program Support Staff). ....
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Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS)
The primary•sources of key performance measure data within the Program
Support Staff are the EPA Integrated Financial Management System {IFMS)and the
EPA Budget Planning System. The IFMS generates the information necessary to
prepare annual operating plans and monthly status of funds reports which are used
by management to effectively and efficiently use available resources. This
system provides detailed information on operating plan projections as well as
expenditures and remaining balances by account and budget object class. The BPS
contains budget development information which is used by management to estimate
future budget needs and to implement the requirements of the Government
Performance and Results Act. Data is entered in IFMS and BPS by both DIG and
Agency personnel who are responsible for verifying that the information is
accurately reflected. System security is maintained through the use of
passwords. The accuracy of data in the IFMS and BPS are subject to audit by the
EPA Office of Inspector General and the General Accounting Office.
Inspector General Operations and Reporting System (IGOR)
The Office of Inspector General is currently developing an integrated
management information system called the Inspector General Operations and
Reporting System (IGOR) in conjunction with correcting the Year 2000 problem to
recognize four-digit dates. IGOR will consolidate and upgrade the functions of
several existing systems and integrate management and performance data, including
project cost accounting.
Statutory Authority
42 USC 2000e-16
Administrative Procedures Act (5 USC Chapter 5)
Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI, Title VII
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
Civil Service Reform Act of 1978
Clinger-Cohen Act
Chief Financial Officers Act
Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996
Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act of 1982
Competition in Contracting Act
Contract Disputes Act
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Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act
Federal Records Act
Federal Claims Collection Act
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993
Public Buildings Act
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act
V.A., H.U.D., and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act
Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments of 1995
Federal Records Act
Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended
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Environmental Protection Agency
1999 Annual Plan
Table of Contents
Special Analysis SA-1
The Customer Service Program and its Goals SA-1
Costs and Benefits for Economically Significant Rule in 1998
Or 1999 SA-4
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THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM AND ITS GOALS
EPA has been seeking ways to provide better customer service for several
years, and developed a formal centralized activity after Presideat Clinton signed
Executive Order 12862, "Setting Customer Service Standards," in 1993. The^Office
of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation provides staff support and chairs EPA's
Customer Service Steering Committee (CSSC), the management group that provides
policy guidance and leadership for the Customer Service Program (CSP). The goal
of the CSP is to improve the Agency's ability to achieve its mission of
protecting public health and the environment by more efficiently and effectively
serving the public, industry, state and local agencies, and other customers.
To guide the Agency in achieving this goal, EPA developed a Customer
Service Plan in September 1995, and adopted Six Rules of Customer Service that
apply to all' the work of the Agency as well as eight sets of process-specific
customer service standards to cover the activities that provide the majority of
services to EPA customers. The different services are permitting, rulemaking,
enforcement & compliance assistance, partnership programs, public access,
research grants, state/tribal and local grants, and pesticides registration. The
Six Rules address professionalism (courtesy, flexibility, honesty, and active
listening leading to improved services), telephone service {respond by close of
business the next day, and/or give an accurate referrals), correspondence
response (within 10 work days or provide an interim response), public involvement
{seek ideas from customers on our policies, rules and programs), information
access and clarity (provide information that is clear, easy to access and
understand, in formats that meet customers needs), and dealing with partners in
service delivery (relationships of cooperation, helpfulness. and flexibility) .
By 2003, if the CSP is fully successful, all EPA staff should be meeting the
customer service standards that apply to their work and have received any
training necessary to assist them to achieve the standards.
The Import
Droving Customer Service
Achieving improved customer service is central to reinventing government.
Customer focused agencies will better meet the needs of those they serve. EPA's
Customer Service work will establish stronger connections between our employees
and their customers, encourage and gather customer" input on what our customers
need and value, and how to do our work better. Listening to customers articulate
their needs and opinions will help us shift our focus to products and services,
their outcomes and values to the.public, away from the number of transactions and
activities to the quality and value produced by them. Over time, shifting to a
customer focus will help us reduce dissatisfaction with government., and reduce
rework as we learn more about and then meet the needs of customers. With our'
focus on customers, we will be able to better define what we can do best and what
others can do better to satisfy customers. In essence, good customer service is-
important because it promotes activities that build efficiency in meeting
environmental goals and build public trust in government.
What Improved Customer Service Will Achieve
When EPA becomes a more customer focused agency, staff will seek ways to
'improve their personal skills such as pro-active listening, problem solving and
negotiation, we will have better personal and program evaluation and measurement
tools, and will recognize opportunities to learn .from our partners and customers.
With customers as our focus, we can better plan- for and execute improvements in
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communication and information access systems, and"appropriately train EPA staff
tp.be fully responsive to customer needs. As we improve relationships with our
regulatory partners, the public, industry, states, recipients o'f permits and
registrations,' and others, we can expect to reduce complaints, increase trust in
the Agency, and improve EPA staff moral. The CSP requires minimal resources to
produce measurable benefits.
gies^for Aecoaplisftina the Objective
The Customer Service strategy is centered upon the five objectives:
o helping all 'EPA employees understand the importance and substantial
benefits of improving service to the public;
o providing employees with goals and guides for that improvement (the Six
Rules and eight sets of process standards) and involving them in
identifying and attempting to eliminate barriers to achieving standards
{core process improvement groups);
o providing training to build staff capacity to achieve the standards and
effectively apply customer service skills;
o developing measurement and tracking systems to document improvements in
service; and
o learning what we need to do to increase satisfaction with our services and
improve our treatment of customers.
To achieve these five objectives, the CSP is working with many individuals
across the Agency and several contractors. Customer Service Coordinators in all
Regions and Offices are disseminating information about the.standards, their
potential impact and the importance of their implementation and achievement'., Many
Offices and Regions have established working groups to assist the Coordinators
to increase awareness of the standards, the potential for improvement, training
opportunities, and methods to measure improvement.
A customer service skills training program was launched in January 1998,
after EPA employees were trained to teach the course work. There is an overview
course called "Forging the Links" which provides the framework and philosophy of
customer service excellence at EPA, and clearly connects providing excellent
service to achieving_the Agency's mission of protecting public health and
safeguarding the natural environment, . as it underscores the ties between EPA
employees and their customers — both external and internal. In addition, six
other customer service skills units are available through EPA trainers across the
Agency. These courses will provide helpful, hands-on tools for improving
customer service. Further, customer service video programs are available on loan
from the CSP, and several organizations are holding brown bag lunch sessions to
share the videos with interested staff.
Surveys will continue to be used to obtain customer feedback, and their
results will be widely shared with employees so they can better meet customer
needs. Offices and Regions plan to conduct over three hundred surveys of
external customers annually during the next three years. The responses should
be very useful to managers in their reinvention work. In addition, internal
surveys will continue to gather staff opinions and suggestions on how best to
improve service to employees. Survey software will assist more organizations to
do surveys and analyze and report results to managers so positive, customer
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driven changes can be made. A work group was formed late in 1997 and charged
with the development of Customer Satisfaction Feedback and Measurement Guidelines
for Agency wide use once approved by the CSSC.
Valuable, feedback is also provided in customer complaints. Complaints
handling procedures across the Agency will be documented during FY T998. Best
practices will be shared and recommendations for improvements will be provided
to the CSSC and managers across the Agency.
In addition, through a network of other Federal agencies and outstanding
customer service organizations in the private sector, the CSP will -use
benchmarking to identify, adopt and adapt customer service best practices to.
EPA's processes. Benchmarking has already proven to be useful to EPA in the
areas of training, survey development, telephone service and standards.
, The CSP will periodically report progress in achieving customer service
standards to Agency senior managers. Representatives of all eight processes and
coordinators for each Region and Headquarters Office may provide information for
use in the reports.
Expected Results
Through the CSP, EPA expects to increase customer satisfaction with the
Agency's overall performance, build staff capacity to meet and exceed customer
service standards and customers' expectations, build stronger partnerships, and
better achieve our mission. When they understand the needs of customers, EPA
employees will provide better services to the general public and their specific
customers, including each other. Service delivery improvements will translate
into a higher degree of public trust in EPA.
Performance Measures
The Agency is committed to meeting the Six Customer Service Standards and
the standards for the different core process within the agency. Performance
measures are being established, and Guidelines for Customer Satisfaction Feedback
and Measurement should help those planning surveys to improve their ability to
obtain comparable and actionable results. Over 40 customer service surveys have
been performed throughout the Agency and many more are planned. These surveys
provide those offices involved with the feedback on what is important to
customers and how work processes can be improved. The customer service staff,
with contractual support and cross-Agency groups, will establish a system to
effectively measure progress, as the standards become an integral part of the
daily habits and activities of EPA staff.
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COSTS AND BENEFITS FOR ECONOMICALLY SIGNIFICANT RULES IN 1998 OR 1999
GOAL 1; CLEAN AIR
NSPS: Nitrogen Oxide Emissions From Fossil-Fuel Fired Steam Generating
Units—Revision
Anticipated Costs and Benefits: We have not yet completed a cost/benefit
analysis; we have estimated costs at 581 million with the benefits only
qualitatively addressed. These benefit categories include acute and chronic
morbidity, mortality, ecosystem damage, reductions in agricultural and forestry
yields, visibility degradation, and materials damage.
The current NSPS for electric utility and non-utility steam generating
units were promulgated in 1979 and 1986, respectively. A major feature of the
NSPS is NOx control through the use of low NOx burners or overfired air. Section
407 of the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to revise existing NSPS for NOx
emissions from fossil-fuel fired steam generating units, including both electric
utility and non-utility units. These revised standards are to reflect
improvements in methods for the reduction of NOx emissions.
EPA proposed revisions to the NSPS on July 9, 1997. The revision was based
on the performance of selective catalytic reduction for NOx control. For the
proposed rulemaking, the Agency estimated total annual costs of $81 million (1995
dollars).
Integrated NESHAP and Effluent Guidelines: Pulp and Paper
Anticipated Costs and Benefits: The capital investment costs of.complying with
the integrated rules are estimated to be approximately $1.8 billion, with total
annualized costs of approximately $277 million (including operation and
maintenance and capital costs). While EPA is not able to monetize all the
benefits of the regulations, the categories that are monetized result in benefits
ranging from -$727 million due to an increase in emissions of some pollutants to
+$1,496 million per year. In addition, the non-moneti2ed benefits include
reductions in hazardous air pollutants, total reduced sulfates, carbon monoxide,
and nitrogen oxides.
The Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990 direct the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP) for new and existing sources under section 112 and. to base
these standards on maximum achievable control technology (MACT). The Clean Water
Act (CWA) directs EPA to develop effluent guidelines for certain categories and
classes of point sources. These guidelines are used for setting discharge limits
for specific facilities that discharge to surface waters or municipal sewage
treatment systems. For the pulp and paper industry, EPA is developing an
integrated regulation that includes both effluent guidelines and air emission
standards to control the release of pollutants to both the water and the air. The
regulations are being developed jointly to provide greater protection to human
health and the environment, to promote the concept of pollution prevention, and
to enable the industry to more effectively plan compliance via a multimedia
approach. This Regulatory Plan entry also includes RIN- 2040-AB53, Effluent
Guidelines and Standards for the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Category, reported
in full in Part III of this issue of the Federal Register.
The integrated NESHAP and Effluent Guidelines were approved by OMB in
October 1997 and signed by the EPA Administrator on November 14, 1997.
Promulgation of the integrated rule in the Federal Register is expected to occur
in late February 1998.
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NAAQS: Sulfur Dioxide (Review and Implementation)
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
On November 15, 1994, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed
not to revise the existing 24-hour and annual primary standards. The EPA sought
public comment on the need to adopt additional regulatory measures to address the
health risk to asthmatic individuals posed by short-term peak sulfur dioxide
exposure. On March 7, 1995, EPA proposed implementation strategies for reducing
short-term high concentrations of sulfur dioxide emissions in the ambient air.
On May 22, 1996, EPA published its final decision not to.revise the primary
sulfur dioxide NAAQS. The notice stated that EPA would shortly propose a new
implementation strategy to assist States in addressing short-term peaks of sulfur
dioxide. The new implementation strategy — the Intervention Level Program —
was proposed on January 2, 1997. Final action on the Intervention Level Program
is anticipated in May, 1998.
NESHAP; Integrated Iron and Steel
Anticipated Costs and Benefits: We have not yet done a cost/benefit analysis.
The Clean Air Act, as amended November 1990, requires the EPA to regulate
categories of major and area sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAP). The EPA
has determined that integrated iron and steel mills emit several of the 189 HAP
listed (including compounds of chromium, lead, manganese, toluene, and polycyclic
organic matter) in quantities sufficient to designate them as major sources. As
a consequence, integrated iron and steel facilities are among the HAP-emitting
source categories selected.for regulation.
NESHAP for Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters
Anticipated Costs and Benefits: We have not yet done a cost/benefit analysis.
The Clean Air Act, as amended 1990, requires EPA to develop emission
standards for sources of hazardous a'ir pollutants (HAPs) . Industrial boilers,
institutional/commercial boilers, and process heaters are among the potential
source categories to be regulated under Section 112 of the CAA. Emissions of HAPs
will be addressed by this rulemaking for both new and existing sources. EPA
promulgated an NSPS for these source categories in 1987 and 1990. The standards
for the NESHAP are to be technology-based and are to require the maximum
achievable control technology (MACT) as described in Section 112 of the CAA. This
standard is part of the Industrial Combustion Coordinated Rulemaking.
Industrial Combustion Coordinated Rulemaking — ICCR Project
Anticipated Costs and Benefits: • .
The EPA is developing combustion related regulations for five source
categories. The'source categories are: combustion turbines, internal combustion.
engines, industrial/ commercial/ institutional boilers, process heaters, and
solid waste incinerators burning non-hazardous waste. Some of these projects are
listed separately in this section. These regulations are being developed under
sections 111, 112, and 129 of the CAA. Sections 111 and 129 require maximum
achievable control technology (MACT) floors and MACT levels to be determined.
MACT standards apply to both new and existing facilities. Section 111 requires
the development of new source performance standards (NSPS). These regulations
apply to new, modified and reconstructed sources and do not apply to existing
sources. These source categories are wide spread and one or more of these source
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categories are located at virtually every manufacturing and chemical plant in the
US. Section 112 standards apply to a list of 189 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs);
section 129 standards apply to nine pollutants {dioxin and furans, mercury,
cadmium, lead, particulate matter and opacity, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride,
oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide) which are a combination of HAP's and
criteria pollutants; and section 111 applies to criteria pollutants. There is
likely to be some regulatory interaction between these source categories since
many are located at the same plant site. Therefore EPA considered the option of
a coordinated rulemaking where all regulation development proceeded along the
same time line. EPA also wanted early and continuing stakeholder input. A
coordinated participatory rulemaking offers benefits to all stakeholders
including: the opportunity for stakeholders to shape regulatory development, more
cost effective regulations, avoidance of duplicative or conflicting regulations,
simpler regulations, compliance flexibility, EPA and stakeholder resource savings
in rule development, and an improved scientific basis for regulations.
GOAL 2; CLEAN AND SAFE WATER
NPDES Storm Water Phase II Rule
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
The recently proposed NPDES storm water phase II rule establishes a
permitting program to regulate contaminated storm water discharges from small
municipal separate storm sewer systems in urbanized areas and small construction
sites (between one and five acres). There are some waivers built into the draft
rule, reducing or eliminating application.requirements where there is little or
no environmental impact. For the rulemaking components that have been proposed,
the Agency estimated total annual costs ranging from $131 million to $494 million
(1997 dollars). The Agency has continued to receive a wide range of comments
through various public forums and expects that there will be revisions; however,
the magnitude of those revisions has not been determined. The types of benefits
associated with the proposed rule include both monetized and non-monetized
benefits based on improvements to water quality and reduced human health risks.
Estimated annual monetized benefits for positive financial impacts, recreational,
and health related benefits ranged from $65 million to $495 million (1997
dollars) annually. This estimate of benefits understates the true benefits, as
the Agency is unable to monetize all of the other expected benefits.
Effluent Guidelines - Industrial Laundries
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
The proposed effluent guidelines rule for the industrial laundries industry
would limit the discharges of pollutants into waters of the United States and
into publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) by establishing pretreatment
standards for existing sources (PSES). The proposed rule would benefit the
environment by removing toxic pollutants that have adverse effects on human
health and aquatic life. The standards would also reduce potential interference
with POTW operations. The proposed PSES limitations would reduce the discharge
of pollutants to POTWs by approximately 158 million pounds per year, which would
then result in reduced discharges of 27 million pounds of pollutants per year to
waters of the U.S. EPA estimates that these pollutant reductions would provide
several types of benefits: reduced incidences of cancer, recreational
improvements, and avoided sewage sludge disposal costs for POTWs. EPA estimates
annual benefits in the range of $2.6 million to $9.6 million (1993 dollars).
Other benefits that are expected, but have not been expressed in monetary terms,
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include reduced noncancer health effects, reduced administrative costs to develop
local limits, improved aesthetic quality of water bodies near laundries, tourism
benefits, and biodiversity benefits. The estimated total annual social cost'for
the standards is $126.1 million (1993 dollars), which incorporates capital costs
of $425 million and annual operating and maintenance costs of $78 million.
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Radon
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
In 1991 EPA proposed a maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) and a maximum
contaminant level (MCL) for radon and other radionuclides in drinking water. The
proposed rule included a total annual cost estimate of $272 million per year to
treat radon in drinking water. The regulated industry estimated higher costs
than EPA, e.g., the American Water Works Association estimated a national cost
of $2.5 billion per year. As a result of this major difference in costs as well
as other radon-related issues, Congress, .through appropriations language,
prohibited EPA from issuing a final regulation on radon in drinking water.
The 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act require EPA to withdraw
the Agency's 1991 proposed radon standards (MCLG and MCL) and to issue a proposed
rule by August, 1999. Consequently, the Agency is currently developing standards
for radon in drinking water that will incorporate the best available science,
treatment technologies, occurrence, data, cost/benefit analysis, and stakeholder
input. In -addition, the National Academy of Sciences (HAS) is undertaking a
radon risk assessment that is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 1998.
The NAS study will provide significant data for the anticipated costs and
benefits of the proposed rule.
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Ground Water Disinfection (GWD)
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
The protection of human health from microbial illness attributed to
drinking water involves both surface water and ground water sources of drinking
water. This proposed regulation focuses exclusively on ground water sources not
under the direct influence of surface water. The GWD rule's focus is to reduce
microbial contamination risk -from public water systems relying on ground water.
To determine if treatment is necessary, the rule will establish a framework to
identify public water supplies vulnerable to microbial contamination and to
develop and implement risk control strategies, including, but not limited to,
disinfection. The structure of the proposed rule is a series of barriers to
microbial contamination. The proposed barriers are source water protection and
vulnerability assessment; assessment and maintenance of the well, treatment
facility and distribution system; disinfection where necessary, and monitoring.
From a public health perspective, the GWD rule will reduce both endemic levels
and outbreaks of illness. The economic impact analysis for this rule is taking
all these components, as well as the public health consequences, into account.
These analyses are still under development and information will not be released
until appropriate stakeholder involvement and consensus has been reached.
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Stage 1 Disinfectant/Disinfection
Byproducts Rule
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
The proposed regulation for Stage 1 Disinfectant/Disinfection Byproducts
is intended to expand existing public health protections and address concerns
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regarding risk trade-offs between pathogens and disinfection byproducts. This
rule and the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule were proposed in 1994
as a result of formal regulatory negotiations. The Agency estimated total
annualized costs of approximately $1.1 billion each year (1992 dollars).
Estimates of benefits range from $400,000 to $8.0 billion per year related to the
estimated-1-10,000 cancer cases avoided per year.
The Agency has received extensive public comments on the cost estimates as
well as other major aspects of the rule. As a result of these comments and the
deadlines mandated in the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA
established a committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to assist in
revising the'proposal. The Microbial/ Disinfection Byproducts Committee met from
March through July 1997 to discuss, evaluate and provide advice on data,
analysis, and approaches to the Notice of Data Availability (NODA), which the
Agency plans to issue in the fall of 1997. Revised cost-benefit data are under
development and will be included in the NODA.
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Interim Enhanced Surface Water
Treatment Rule
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
The proposed regulation for Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment is
intended to expand existing public health protections and address concerns
regarding risk trade-offs between pathogens and disinfection byproducts. This
rule and the Stage 1 Disinfectant/Disinfection Byproducts Rule were proposed in
1994 as a result of formal regulatory negotiations. The Agency estimated total"
annualized costs of approximately $393 million each year (1992 dollars).
Estimates of benefits range from $1.2-51.5 billion per year related to the
estimated 400,000-500,000 cases of infections from micro-organisms (e.g.,
giardia) avoided per year.
The Agency has received extensive public comments on the cost estimates as
well as other major aspects of the rule. As a result of these comments and the
deadlines mandated in the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking water Act, EPA
established a committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to assist in
revising the proposal. The Microbial/ Disinfection Byproducts Committee met from
March through July 1997 to discuss, evaluate and provide advice on data,
analysis, and approaches to the-Notice of Data Availability (NODA), which the
Agency plans to issue in the fall of 1997. Revised cost-benefit data are under
development and will be included in the NODA.
LOTION IN COMMUNITY
Selected Rulemakings for Abating Lead Hazards
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
For rules promulgated under the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard
Reduction Act of 1992 (Title X) section 406, cost estimates have been provided
with the proposed rule, and will be available with the final rule. For sections
402, 404 and 1018 of Title X, the costs have been provided in the final economic
impact analysis that was prepared in conjunction with the final rules. For
section 403 of Title X, costs will be estimated in a draft economic impact
analysis that will be prepared for the proposed rule. Since benefits depend on
private sector implementation of certain lead hazard abatement activities which
are not mandated -by any of these rules, benefits will be difficult to quantify.
The Agency plans to conduct analyses to help quantify the benefits.
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Pesticides and Ground Water State Management Plan (SMP) Regulation
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
.EPA anticipates four categories of costs entailed in requiring SMPs.
Federal program costs are those of administering ground-water protection
activities, such as the review of state proposals. State program costs entail
both capital and annual costs. Registrant and Pesticide-user Impacts are the
economic losses ascribed to the reduced use of the classified pesticides, as well
as the costs {to the registrants) of complying with Federal and state provisions.
Benefits accrue from the reduced levels of pesticide residues in ground water,
and a corresponding reduction in: 1) human and ecological risk; and 2) threats
to the economic and intrinsic values of the ground-water resource. Enormous
uncertainties accompany the quantification of these benefits, however.
GOAL 5; BETTER WASTE MANAGEMENT. RESTORATION OF CONTAMINATED WASTE SITES AND
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Revised Standards for Hazardous Waste Combustion Facilities
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) strategy for hazardous waste
minimization and combustion and a judicial settlement agreement commit EPA to
upgrade its standards for burning hazardous waste in incinerators, boilers, and
industrial furnaces. These standards would be applicable during the construction
and operation of these combustion facilities. Estimates presented below are based
on data, methodology, and findings related to the 1996 Proposed Phase I rule.
Estimates may change significantly for the Final Phase I rule as well as for the
Final Phase II rule.
EPA's analysis of the April 1996 Proposed Rule indicates that some
combustion facilities may experience a substantial change in the cost of burning
waste, but that this change is likely to have a limited impact on combustion
markets. In terms of effects on waste-burning cost structure, cement kilns and
lightweight aggregate kilns (LWAKs) are most affected by the regulation. This is
primarily a product of their relatively low-baseline costs of burning, meaning
that•incremental compliance costs represent a large increase in their overall
cost of burning waste. For incinerators, compliance costs are lower, represent
smaller additions to baseline costs, and change little across regulatory options.
The analysis concludes that cement kilns have, the lowest average waste burning
costs even after regulation, and so will continue to have the greatest
flexibility in marketing their services for those wastes that, can be burned in
kilns.
To the extent that compliance costs cannot be passed through to generators
and fuel blenders, the profitability of waste burning in kilns will fall.
Nonetheless, waste burning kilns are expected to have healthy operating profit
margins after the rule. Market exit in all sectors is concentrated among
facilities that burn small quantities of hazardous waste. While as many as 98
combustion facilities may stop burning hazardous wastes as a result of the
proposed MACT options, the small quantities these facilities burn suggest that
market dislocations will be minor.
Overall, EPA believes the social costs of the rule are balanced by a set
of potentially substantial benefits. Given the severity of the potential adverse
health effects from dioxin and mercury (cancer, adverse developmental effects in
children-, and bioaccumulation in ecosystems), EPA believes the substantial
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reductions of these pollutants from hazardous waste burning sources under the
MACT standard justifies moving ahead with the proposed rule beyond the floor
(BTF) option. An alternative way of valuing benefits is the potential increase
in property values around closed or moire stringently regulated combustion
facilities. The fact that this approach also suggests potentially substantial
benefits strengthens EPA's belief that the costs of moving forward with the
proposed BTF option for certain pollutants and/or source categories are
justified. . .
HW1R Contaminated Media Rule
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
The Hazardous Waste Identification Rule for contaminated media (HWIR
Media), as proposed in April 1996, would give EPA and authorized States the
authority to remove certain lower-risk contaminated media from regulation as
"hazardous waste" under RCRA. Additionally, the rule would establish modified
treatment requirements and modified permitting procedures for higher-risk
contaminated media that remain subject to hazardous waste regulations. A final
HWIR Media rule, with an accompanying assessment of the anticipated costs and
benefits, is scheduled for promulgation in June 1998.
The HWIR Media rule would provide relief from current standards. The
proposed rule would affect between 8.1 million tons per year of contaminated
media (soil and sediment; ground water is included in the rule but not in this
volume estimate) and 10.3 million .tons per year (adding old waste and debris),
and will provide a cost savings to generators of between $1.2 billion per year
and $1.5 billion per year over the next five years. These figures are based on
the assumptions that all States quickly adopt the rule, that all eligible waste
receives relief under the rule, and that sludges are not included in the scope
of the rule. Potential cost savings for generators translate into possible
revenue losses for the environmental services industry,, as a decrease in
commercial hazardous waste management is anticipated to result from the rule.
Overall, no small entities are anticipated to incur net costs .as a result of the
rule.
The rule is anticipated to result in a number of benefits such as faster
cleanups, incentives for 'a greater number of cleanups, and lower administrative
costs and avoided delays in cleanup; these benefits were not quantified for the
proposed rule.
Corrective Action for Solid Waste Management Units
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
The Corrective Action Rule for Solid Waste Management Units would provide
a broad procedural and protectiveness framework for remediation at RCRA
treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. As the majority of States are
authorized for corrective action, the program is predominantly implemented at the
State level; this rule would provide a Federal baseline with which State programs
must comply. The corrective action rule was proposed in 1990, and is scheduled
for promulgation in late 1998.
In a 1993 regulatory impact analysis performed on the proposed rule
requirements, the agency estimated the costs and benefits of the standards for
corrective action. EPA estimated that there are 5,800 active hazardous waste
management facilities potentially subject to RCRA corrective action requirements.
The total cost for those facilities requiring corrective action is estimated at
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$16.7 billion. . The costs for three additional regulatory options (two options
which are less stringent .than the proposed rule requirements, and one which is
more stringent) were analyzed in 1995. These regulatory options were designed
to cover a range of alternatives including increased containment in place of
source control, cleanup of groundwater plumes to the facility boundary instead
of the unit boundary, varying future land use assumptions for a site, .and
alternative media cleanup standards. These options yielded total costs ranging
from $9.1 billion and $12.6 billion, for the two options less stringent than the
proposal, to $57.3 billion for the more stringent option.
The.benefits of the corrective action requirements for the proposed rule
were examined in the 1993 regulatory'impact analysis. Six benefit categories
were addressed in the regulatory impact analysis, including human health risk
reduction, averted water use costs, nonuse benefits,.effects of facilities on
residential property values, and increases in facility values. Ecological
threats existing under baseline conditions were also examined. While a host of
issues surround these benefit measures and how they compare with the compliance
costs, the agency believes that there are strong reasons to move forward with a
final rule. Further analyses of the social impacts of a final rule, including
analyses that will help the Agency monetize benefits, are planned. •
GOAL 7; EXPANSION OF AMERICANS' RIGHT TO KKOW ABOUT THEIR ENVIRONMENT
Data Expansion Amendments, Toxic Chemical Release Reporting, and Community Right-
s-Know Rules
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
The anticipated costs related to these actions are unknown at present, but
the FY 1998 cost of compliance to industry from the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
program is estimated at $384 million. EPA is unable to estimate costs since we
are unsure about what data elements need to be added to the TRI and whether this
data will even need to be collected or is already available. To the extent that
additional sources must provide data, there will be reporting costs for those
pa-rties. Benefits in general will result from the information reported in TRI
increasing our knowledge of the pollutants released to the environment and their
exposure pathways, improving the scientific understanding of health and
environmental risks from toxic chemicals. This allows the public to make
informed decisions on where to work and live, enhances the ability of corporate
lenders and purchasers to accurately gauge a facility's potential liability, and
assists Federal, state, and local authorities in making better decisions on
acceptable levels of toxics in communities.
Reporting Threshold Amendment, Toxic Chemicals Release Reporting, and Community
Right-to-Know Rules
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
' The anticipated costs related to these .actions are unknown at present. EPA
is still unsure how low to set reporting thresholds or for what specific list of
chemicals the lower reporting thresholds should apply. To the extent that
additional sources must provide data, there will be reporting costs for those
parties. Benefits in general will result from the information reported in TRI
increasing our knowledge of the pollutants released to the environment and their
exposure pathways, improving the scientific understanding of health and
environmental risks from toxic chemicals. This allows the public to make
informed decisions on where to work and live, enhances the ability of corporate
lenders and purchasers to accurately gauge a facility's potential liability, and
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assists Federal, state, and local authorities in_making better decisions on
acceptable levels- of toxics in communities.
Addition of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production to the Toxic Release Inventory
Rule
Anticipated Costs and Benefits:
Based on the current status of the project, anticipated costs are unknown.
Until further evaluations are performed, estimated benefits cannot be accurately
calculated. Generally, anticipated benefits include making available more
complete information regarding the release and disposition of toxic chemicals in
the environment.
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