Environmental Protection in the United States

Environmental Protection in the United States Christopher Green U.S. Embassy July 13, 2006 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mission Statement Protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment – air, water, and landupon which life depends History of EPA  Before EPA was formed, local or city governments were already taking actions to improve the quality of the environment  But by the 1960s, increased population and industrialization degraded the environment so much that the issue became a national priority. The public demanded the government take action to protect the environment and the people’s health  In April 1970, the first Earth Day was organized in the United States and 20 million people participated  EPA was established that same year by an Executive Order by then President Nixon  Currently, EPA has approximately 18,000 employees, covering Washington D.C., 10 Regions and 13 Research Laboratories Major Environmental Statues Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendmends (1990) Clean Water Act (CWA) Water Quality Act (1987) Clean Water Act (CWA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), or “Superfund” 1990 Pollution Prevention Act 1990 Oil Pollution Act 1996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) 1999 Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act 2002 Public Health Security and Bio Terrorism Preparedness and Response Act 1969 1970 1972 1972 1974 1976 1976 1980 Program Offices  Office of Air and Radiation Air and radiation program policy Environmental and pollution sources standards toxic air pollution health and ecological effects analysis Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances Pollution prevention, control, assessment, and inventory of pesticides and toxic substances Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Hazardous waste standards and regulations Land disposal and waste Superfund Program (remediation of toxic sites) Emergency planning and response Office of Water Water policy and pollution prevention Drinking water, groundwater, wetlands, and marine protection    Functional Offices  Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance National enforcement policy Investigations program National Environmental Policy Act compliance Office of International Affairs Cooperative programs with other nations and international organizations International technology diffusion International travel and visitors program Liaison with U.S. international agencies Office of Research and Development Ecological and health effects research Dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge Environmental risk assessments Standardization of analytical measurement and monitoring techniques   Staff Offices  Office of Administration and Resources Management Administrative, human resources, health and safety, and facilities services, contracts and grants management Office of the Chief Financial Officer Strategic planning and accountability Budget, payroll, resources management, and financial management   Office of Environmental Information Information strategies and policies Information infrastructure, security, integration, and quality   Office of General Counsel Legal counsel and guidance, litigation support Office of Inspector General Promote economy and efficiency Fraud and abuse prevention and detection EPA Regional Offices EPA Organization Chart