Environmental Protection Agency, U.S.

Established in 1970, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes itself as the U.S. environmental steward. With a mission to protect human health and the environment, the agency engages in six major areas of activity: (1) to develop regulations to implement environmental laws passed by Congress; (2) to enforce environmental laws, regulation, and standards; (3) to provide grants to states, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions; (4) to study environmental issues; (5) to support pollution prevention and energy conservation measures; and (6) to promote environmental education so that Americans realize the benefits of clean land, air, and water.

In the 1960s, environment issues were surfacing as a political and social concern. With the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in 1962 and the first Earth Day celebration in 1969, the stage was set for official federal action concerning the environment. President Richard Nixon established the Environmental Quality Council 4 months after his inauguration. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law January 1, 1970, establishing national environmental policy and outlining goals for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of the environment. Fueled by the effort of Roy Ash, founder of Litton Industries, the EPA, an autonomous regulatory body designed to oversee enforcement of environmental policy, cleared regulatory hurdles and was established December 2, 1970. Today, the EPA employs more than 17,000 individuals and has an annual budget in excess of 7 billion dollars.

The EPA manages its mission under five strategic goals addressing land, air, water, human exposure and health, and ecological conditions and compliance. Structured over 14 headquarter offices and 10 regions, agency divisions are responsible for the execution of the agency's programs. A key priority is that EPA decisions be based on sound scientific data, analysis, and interpretation. As such, Congress established the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) in 1978 with the charge of advising EPA on matters of relevant science. Largely composed of independent scientists and experts, the SAB acts as a federal advisory committee and must announce its meetings in the Federal Register and provide opportunities for public comment.

EPA efforts to facilitate effective communication between the agency and the public include distribution of information, solicitation of public involvement in decision making, and enforcing laws requiring information disclosure on the part of entities that may pose potential threats to environment and health. As a distributor of information, the EPA has made available a large family of publications on various topics and maintains an extensive Web site for lay audiences. Information is made available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean. Special efforts to target publics include the EPA's Environmental Kids Club designed for 5- to 12-year-olds. The EPA also maintains a teaching center with educational resources to promote environmental education in both formal and informal settings. Annually, the agency also produces a performance and accountability report for citizens. The EPA's Office for Public Affairs is the primary center responsible for public outreach and communications. The Office for Public Affairs maintains divisions for public outreach, media relations, and Web communications.

As well as basing environmental decisions on sound science, the EPA solicits involvement from the public, acknowledging that doing so enhances the quality of decision making and the deliberative process. After 2 years in development, the agency produced an official Public Involvement Policy in 2003. The policy encourages EPA officials to promote early and meaningful public involvement; to [Page 268]identify, communicate, and listen to affected populations; to involve the public in the development of alternatives and conflict resolution; and to foster partnerships that facilitate public involvement.

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