Environmental Protection in Environmental Protection in the United Statesthe United States

Christopher GreenChristopher Green

U.S. EmbassyU.S. Embassy

July 13, 2006July 13, 2006

Environmental Protection Environmental Protection AgencyAgency(EPA)(EPA)

Mission StatementMission Statement Protect human health and to safeguard the Protect human health and to safeguard the

natural environment – air, water, and land- natural environment – air, water, and land- upon which life dependsupon which life depends

History of EPAHistory of EPA Before EPA was formed, local or city governments were Before EPA was formed, local or city governments were

already taking actions to improve the quality of the already taking actions to improve the quality of the environmentenvironment

But by the 1960s, increased population and But by the 1960s, increased population and industrialization degraded the environment so much that industrialization degraded the environment so much that the issue became a national priority. The public demanded the issue became a national priority. The public demanded the government take action to protect the environment and the government take action to protect the environment and the people’s healththe people’s health

In April 1970, the first Earth Day was organized in the In April 1970, the first Earth Day was organized in the United States and 20 million people participatedUnited States and 20 million people participated

EPA was established that same year by an Executive EPA was established that same year by an Executive Order by then President NixonOrder by then President Nixon

Currently, EPA has approximately 18,000 employees, Currently, EPA has approximately 18,000 employees, covering Washington D.C., 10 Regions and 13 Research covering Washington D.C., 10 Regions and 13 Research LaboratoriesLaboratories

Major Environmental StatuesMajor Environmental Statues

1969 1969 Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendmends (1990)Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendmends (1990)1970 Clean Water Act (CWA) Water Quality Act (1987)1970 Clean Water Act (CWA) Water Quality Act (1987)1972 Clean Water Act (CWA)1972 Clean Water Act (CWA)1972 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)1972 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)1974 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)1974 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and

Liability Act (CERCLA), or “Superfund”Liability Act (CERCLA), or “Superfund”1990 Pollution Prevention Act1990 Pollution Prevention Act1990 Oil Pollution Act1990 Oil Pollution Act1996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)1996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)1999 Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory 1999 Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory

Relief ActRelief Act2002 Public Health Security and Bio Terrorism Preparedness and 2002 Public Health Security and Bio Terrorism Preparedness and

Response Act Response Act

Program OfficesProgram Offices Office of Air and RadiationOffice of Air and Radiation

Air and radiation program policyAir and radiation program policyEnvironmental and pollution sources standardsEnvironmental and pollution sources standardstoxic air pollution health and ecological effects analysistoxic air pollution health and ecological effects analysis

Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic SubstancesOffice of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic SubstancesPollution prevention, control, assessment, and inventory of Pollution prevention, control, assessment, and inventory of

pesticides and toxic substancespesticides and toxic substances

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency ResponseOffice of Solid Waste and Emergency ResponseHazardous waste standards and regulationsHazardous waste standards and regulationsLand disposal and wasteLand disposal and wasteSuperfund Program (remediation of toxic sites)Superfund Program (remediation of toxic sites)Emergency planning and responseEmergency planning and response

Office of WaterOffice of WaterWater policy and pollution preventionWater policy and pollution preventionDrinking water, groundwater, wetlands, and marine protectionDrinking water, groundwater, wetlands, and marine protection

Functional OfficesFunctional Offices Office of Enforcement and Compliance AssuranceOffice of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance

National enforcement policyNational enforcement policyInvestigations programInvestigations programNational Environmental Policy Act complianceNational Environmental Policy Act compliance

Office of International AffairsOffice of International AffairsCooperative programs with other nations and international Cooperative programs with other nations and international

organizationsorganizationsInternational technology diffusionInternational technology diffusionInternational travel and visitors programInternational travel and visitors programLiaison with U.S. international agenciesLiaison with U.S. international agencies

Office of Research and DevelopmentOffice of Research and DevelopmentEcological and health effects researchEcological and health effects researchDissemination of scientific and technical knowledgeDissemination of scientific and technical knowledgeEnvironmental risk assessmentsEnvironmental risk assessmentsStandardization of analytical measurement and monitoring techniquesStandardization of analytical measurement and monitoring techniques

Staff OfficesStaff Offices Office of Administration and Resources ManagementOffice of Administration and Resources Management

Administrative, human resources, health and safety, and facilities Administrative, human resources, health and safety, and facilities services, contracts and grants managementservices, contracts and grants management

Office of the Chief Financial OfficerOffice of the Chief Financial OfficerStrategic planning and accountabilityStrategic planning and accountabilityBudget, payroll, resources management, and financial managementBudget, payroll, resources management, and financial management

Office of Environmental InformationOffice of Environmental InformationInformation strategies and policiesInformation strategies and policies

Information infrastructure, security, integration, and qualityInformation infrastructure, security, integration, and quality

Office of General CounselOffice of General CounselLegal counsel and guidance, litigation supportLegal counsel and guidance, litigation support

Office of Inspector GeneralOffice of Inspector GeneralPromote economy and efficiencyPromote economy and efficiencyFraud and abuse prevention and detectionFraud and abuse prevention and detection

EPA Regional OfficesEPA Regional Offices

EPA Organization ChartEPA Organization Chart