ARGUABLY the most important entity

Transcription

1 The Environmental Protection Agency ARGUABLY the most important entity in the United States in terms of environmental health is the Environmental Protection Agency. The work of the EPA ensures a healthy environment for the country s citizens and for wildlife. Objective: Describe the history, organizational structure, and mission of the Environmental Protection Agency. Key Term: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The EPA: An Important Federal Agency The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment. It is involved in the writing and enforcing of regulations based on laws passed by Congress. HISTORY Many people and events led to the formation of the EPA. Early in the twentieth century, President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir pushed for conservation measures. In 1962, Rachel Carson s Silent Spring was published. This book brought greater awareness of envi- FIGURE 1. The official seal of the EPA. (Courtesy, EPA) : The Environmental Protection Agency Page 1

2 ronmental concerns to the mainstream public. On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day took place. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson is credited with creating Earth Day. He claimed that the idea first surfaced in The intent of Earth Day was to bring environmental issues to the forefront of the national agenda. On that day, 20 million Americans demonstrated across the country. Earth Day was an important precursor to the EPA. In response to the growing public demand for cleaner water, air, and land, President Richard Nixon and Congress established the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on December 2, The purpose was to consolidate into one agency a variety of federal FIGURE 2. Earth Day. research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection. The EPA was also given the charge of repairing the damage already done to the environment and of establishing guidelines to make a cleaner and safer environment for the American people. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The EPA is led by an administrator appointed by the President and approved by Congress. Although the EPA is not a cabinet department, the administrator is normally given cabinet rank. The EPA employs more than 17,000 people. The primary facilities are the headquarters in Washington DC, 10 regional offices, and 27 laboratories across the country. The majority of HELP WANTED ON THE JOB CAREER CONNECTION: Environmental Technician Environmental technicians monitor the environment and natural resources to determine contamination and sources of pollution. They may collect samples for testing and perform tests in the field and laboratory. Environmental technicians may be active in reducing, controlling, or remediating sources of environmental pollutants. They may be involved in waste management operations, control and management of hazardous materials inventories, or general activities related to regulatory compliance. Pollution prevention activities are on the rise. Those people interested in becoming environmental technicians should take science and math in high school. A two-year degree at a community college is recommended. Practical hands-on application in a laboratory setting is beneficial. Technicians usually start out as trainees under the direct supervision of a scientist or a more experienced technician. : The Environmental Protection Agency Page 2

3 FIGURE 3. EPA regions. (Courtesy, EPA) the EPA staff consists of engineers, scientists, and environmental protection specialists. Personnel also include legal, public affairs, financial, and computer specialists. Regional Office Locations The locations of the 10 regional offices are based on standard federal regions. Region 1, in Boston, MA, serves Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Region 2, in New York City, serves New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Region 3, in Philadelphia, PA, serves Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Region 4, in Atlanta, GA, serves Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Region 5, in Chicago, IL, serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. : The Environmental Protection Agency Page 3

4 Region 6, in Dallas, TX, serves Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Region 7, in Kansas City, MO, serves Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Region 8, in Denver, CO, serves Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Region 9, in San Francisco, CA, serves Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau. Region 10, in Seattle, WA, serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. EPA Labs and Research Centers EPA labs and research centers are grouped based on the focus of study. Three lab groups are research and development, air and radiation, and chemical safety and pollution protection. There are also regional labs. Office of Research and Development Labs National Center for Computational Toxicology National Center for Environmental Assessment National Center for Environmental Research National Exposure Research Laboratory National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory National Homeland Security Research Center National Risk Management Research Laboratory Office of Air and Radiation Labs National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Labs Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Microbiology Laboratory Microarray Research Laboratory Chesapeake Bay Office Great Lakes National Program Office Gulf of Mexico Program Office What s Your Profile? Interested in the information presented in this? You might make a great Environmental Compliance Officer! Check out: Labs Supporting Regional Offices Region 1 s New England Regional Laboratory Looking for something a little different? Explore your options! Visit: : The Environmental Protection Agency Page 4

5 Region 2 s Laboratory at EPA s Edison (New Jersey) Environmental Center Region 3 s Laboratory and Field Services at EPA s Environmental Center Region 4 s Science and Ecosystem Support Division Region 5 s Chicago Regional Laboratory Region 6 s Environmental Services Branch Laboratory Region 7 s Science and Technology Center Region 8 s Central Regional Laboratory Region 9 s Central Regional Laboratory Region 10 s Manchester Environmental Laboratory State governments and territories also have agencies responsible for environmental protection. MISSION The EPA s overall mission is to protect human health and the environment. The EPA s research mission is to conduct leading-edge research and foster the sound use of science and technology to fulfill the EPA s mission of protecting human health and safeguarding the natural environment. The EPA conducts environmental assessment, research, and education. It also maintains and enforces national standards under a variety of environmental laws, in consultation with state, tribal, and local governments. Some permitting, monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities are delegated to state agencies and Native American tribes. The EPA may fine or sanction offenders of laws. The EPA launched the Energy Star program, oversees pesticides in the United States, reviews environmental impact statements, promotes safer detergents, works with manufacturers on fuel economy, provides protection from oil spills, ensures safe drinking water, encourages water efficiency, and protects the public from nuclear contamination. The EPA works with industries and all levels of government to promote voluntary pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts. Federal laws guide the EPA in protecting the environment and public health. Yet, most laws lack detail. The EPA is called a regulatory agency because Congress authorizes it to write regulations that explain the critical details necessary to implement environmental laws. In addition, a number of presidential Executive Orders (EOs) play a central role in EPA activities. Following are some laws related to air, water, land, endangered species, and hazardous waste for which the EPA has a role in administering. Air 1955 Air Pollution Control Act 1963 Clean Air Act 1965 Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act : The Environmental Protection Agency Page 5

6 1966 Clean Air Act Amendments 1967 Air Quality Act 1969 National Environmental Policy Act 1970 Clean Air Act Extension 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments FIGURE 4. Air and water pollution. Water 1948 Water Pollution Control Act 1965 Water Quality Act 1966 Clean Waters Restoration Act 1969 National Environmental Policy Act 1970 Water Quality Improvement Act 1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of Safe Drinking Water Act 1976 Toxic Substance Control Act 1977 Clean Water Act 1987 Water Quality Act 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 Land 1947 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 1964 Wilderness Act 1968 Scenic Rivers Preservation Act 1969 National Environmental Policy Act 1970 Wilderness Act 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 1978 Wilderness Act 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act 1994 California Desert Protection Act 1996 Food Quality Protection Act 2010 California Desert Protection Act : The Environmental Protection Agency Page 6

7 Endangered Species 1946 Coordination Act 1966 Endangered Species Preservation Act 1969 Endangered Species Preservation Act 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act 1973 Endangered Species Act Hazardous Waste 1965 Solid Waste Disposal Act 1969 National Environmental Policy Act 1970 Resource Recovery Act 1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 1982 Nuclear Waste Repository Act 1984 Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments Act 1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act 2002 Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act Summary: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting human health and the environment. It is involved in the writing and enforcing of regulations based on laws passed by Congress. Many people and events led to the formation of the EPA. President Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, Rachel Carson, and Senator Gaylord Nelson were influential people. Earth Day was an important precursor to the EPA. President Richard Nixon and Congress established the EPA on December 2, The EPA is led by an administrator appointed by the President and approved by Congress. The agency employs more than 17,000 people. The primary facilities are the headquarters in Washington DC, 10 regional offices, and 27 laboratories across the country. The EPA s overall mission is to protect human health and the environment. The EPA s research mission is to conduct leading-edge research and foster the sound use of science and technology to fulfill the EPA s mission of protecting human health and safeguarding the natural environment. : The Environmental Protection Agency Page 7

8 Checking Your Knowledge: 1. What is the Environmental Protection Agency? 2. Who were influential in the environmental protection movement? 3. When was the EPA established? 4. What are the primary facilities of the EPA? 5. What is the overall mission of the EPA? Expanding Your Knowledge: Read the newspaper for a week. During that time, search for an article concerning the environment that mentions the EPA. Once you have found one that interests you, expand your research to the Internet to learn more. How is the EPA involved in the issue? Web Links: EPA The Guardian: Origins of the EPA How the First Earth Day Came About Agricultural Career Profiles : The Environmental Protection Agency Page 8