U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FY 2018-2022 Strategic Plan The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan (the Plan) to: (1) refocus the Agency back to its core mission; (2) restore power to the states through cooperative federalism; and (3) lead the Agency through improved processes and adhere to the rule of law. The FY 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan sharply refocuses EPA on its role of supporting the primary implementers of environmental programs -- states and federally-recognized Indian tribes -- by streamlining programs and processes, reducing duplication of effort, providing greater transparency and listening opportunities, and enabling the Agency to focus on its core mission work. Process, the rule of law, and cooperative federalism are necessary for an efficient and effective Agency to provide tangible and real environmental results to the American people. FY 2018-2019 Agency Priority Goals: * APG-1: Improve air quality by implementing pollution control measures to reduce the number of nonattainment areas. By September 30, 2019, EPA, in close collaboration with states, will reduce the number of nonattainment areas to 138 from a baseline of 166. * APG-2: Empower communities to leverage EPA water infrastructure investments. By September 30, 2019, EPA will increase by $16 billion the non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA water infrastructure finance programs (Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act). * APG-3: Accelerate the pace of cleanups and return sites to beneficial use in their communities. By September 30, 2019, EPA will make an additional 102 Superfund sites and 1,368 brownfields sites ready for anticipated use (RAU). * APG-4: Meet new statutory requirements to improve the safety of chemicals in commerce. By September 30, 2019, EPA will complete in accordance with statutory timelines (excluding statutorilyallowable extensions): 100% of required EPA-initiated Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluations for existing chemicals; 100% of required TSCA risk management actions for existing chemicals; and 80% of TSCA pre-manufacture notice final determinations. * APG-5: Increase environmental law compliance rate. Through September 30, 2019, EPA will increase compliance by reducing the percentage of Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permittees in significant noncompliance with their permit limits to 21% from a baseline of 24%. * APG-6: Accelerate permitting-related decisions. By September 30, 2019, EPA will reduce by 50% the number of permitting-related decisions that exceed six months. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA Organization_c262870c-8f02-4945-a76d-b7986ee88d14 Office of Planning, Analysis, and Accountability Office of the Chief Financial Officer Senior EPA Managers EPA's senior managers will use this Plan routinely as a management tool to guide the Agency's path forward, tracking progress and assessing and addressing risks and challenges that could potentially interfere with EPA's ability to accomplish its goals. The three strategic goals established in the Plan are supported by strategic objectives and strategic measures focused on advancing human health and environmental results over the next five years. These longer-term strategic measures are supported by annual measures included in the annual performance plans and budgets that EPA submits to Congress. The strategies and strategic measures in this Plan highlight key areas in which the Agency will make the most dramatic changes over the next five years and are not intended to address all ongoing programs. The annual performance plans and budgets, and supporting annual and operational measures, address a broader range of the Agency's work. In addition, the Agency will hold quarterly and monthly meetings to assess progress toward annual and long-term strategic measures. E. Scott Pruitt Administrator -- The EPA Administrator established two-year agency priority goals (APGs) for accelerating progress on EPA priorities. APGs reflect agency leadership’s top near-term priorities for implementing performance improvement. EPA's APGs were selected from among the suite of strategic measures. EPA will support these priority goals by developing two-year implementation plans and reporting quarterly progress. Vision_9546be6a-3447-4a07-b7a0-7ff512301b07 To Protect Human Health and the Environment Mission_9546be6a-3447-4a07-b7a0-7ff512301b07 unnamed value Core Mission Deliver real results to provide Americans with clean air, land, and water, and ensure chemical safety. Goal_4dd5ffd5-139e-4046-bea6-1bdaeca1930e 1 Pollution comes in many forms with myriad impacts on human health and the environment. With the goal of clean and safe air, water, and land for all Americans, Congress enacted a range of environmental statutes that spell out EPA's core responsibilities. Our nation has come a long way since EPA was established in 1970. We have made great progress in making rivers and lakes safe for swimming and boating, reducing the smog that clouded city skies, cleaning up lands that were once used as hidden chemical dumps, and providing Americans greater access to information on the safety of the chemicals all around us. Today we can see enormous progress -- yet we still have important work to do. EPA has established priorities for advancing progress over the next five years in each of its core mission areas -- land, air, water -- as well as chemicals. The Agency will focus on speeding the cleanup of Superfund and brownfields sites, and will use a list of top priority sites to advance progress on Superfund sites of particular concern. We will work with states and tribes to more rapidly approve their implementation plans for attaining air quality standards, reducing contaminants that can cause or exacerbate health issues. We will work with our state and tribal partners to provide for clean and safe water by updating aging infrastructure, both for drinking water and wastewater systems. EPA's top priority for ensuring the safety of chemicals in the marketplace is the implementation of the new Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which modernizes the Toxic Substances and Control Act (TSCA) by creating new standards and processes for assessing chemical safety within specific deadlines. These efforts will be supported by strong compliance assurance and enforcement in collaboration with our state and tribal partners, up-to-date training for partners, and use of the best available science and research to address current and future environmental hazards, develop new approaches, and improve the foundation for decision making. Army Corps of Engineers Flint, Michigan Recent challenges in Flint, Michigan and elsewhere highlighted the need to strengthen EPA's implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure we protect and build upon the enormous public health benefits achieved through the provision of safe drinking water throughout the country. Superfund Task Force One of EPA's top priorities is accelerating progress on Superfund sites. EPA recently convened a Superfund Task Force that identified 42 recommendations to streamline and improve the Superfund process. Over the next five years, these recommendations and other innovative ideas will be considered and applied to Superfund sites with priority given to addressing National Priority List (NPL) sites. Tribes Rural Areas States EPA is also collaborating with states and tribes to share more complete data from monitoring at public water systems through the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). This will allow for better targeting of funding and technical assistance resources, and improve data quality while increasing public access to drinking water data. Human health and recreational criteria are the foundation for state, tribal, and territorial tools to safeguard human health. Over the next five years we will improve our understanding of emerging potential waterborne threats to human health; provide technical assistance and resources to help the states, tribes, and territories monitor and prevent harmful exposures; and develop new or revised criteria as needed. unnamed group unnamed group unnamed group unnamed group Tribes States Grantees EPA will award competitive grants to communities, states, and tribes to assess, clean up, and plan reuse of brownfield properties that are contaminated or perceived to be contaminated. To reduce risks from exposure to waste, consistent with RCRA, EPA or authorized states will oversee and manage cleanups by the owners or operators. There are currently 3,779 facilities subject to RCRA corrective action. States Tribes Hazardous Waste Management Facilities Local Air Pollution Control Agencies Tribes Communities State Governments unnamed group Tribes Drinking Water Systems The Agency's highest priorities include reducing exposure to lead in the nation's drinking water systems, ensuring continuous compliance with contaminant limits, responding quickly to emerging concerns, and improving the nation's aging and insufficient drinking water infrastructure to address significant needs. Local Communities Tribes Tribes unnamed group States EPA will support, along with its state and tribal partners, the cleanup of LUST sites and work to revitalize abandoned facilities. These cleanups protect people from exposure to contaminants, and can improve property values and provide redevelopment opportunities. unnamed group unnamed group Tribal Governments Businesses States States and tribes work with farmers, businesses, and public agencies to protect human health and the environment and serve as a critical part of job training and business growth in rural areas. unnamed group States Tribal Air Pollution Control Agencies Industry The Agency will work with industry, states, tribes, and local communities to ensure national safety and security for responses. International Governments Tribes States Vulnerable Populations With our partners, we will pay particular attention to vulnerable populations. Children and the elderly, for example, may be at significantly greater risk from elevated exposure or increased susceptibility to the harmful effects of environmental contaminants. Some low-income and minority communities may face greater risks because of proximity to contaminated sites or because fewer resources are available to avoid exposure to pollutants. Tribal ways of life such as traditional subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering also may increase exposure to contaminants and increase risks. Much work remains and, together with our partners, we will continue making progress in protecting human health and the environment. Territories Neighborhoods EPA collaborates with other federal agencies, industry, states, tribes, and local communities to enhance the livability and economic vitality of neighborhoods. unnamed group Local Governments unnamed group States Federal Agencies unnamed group States States Pesticide Applicators Communities In addition, EPA will work with communities to revitalize their brownfield sites and return them to productive use, advancing environmental and human health protection while stimulating economic development and job creation. EPA Partners The Agency will collaborate more efficiently and effectively with other federal agencies, states, tribes, local governments, communities, and other partners and stakeholders to address existing pollution and prevent future problems. EPA will directly implement federal environmental laws in Indian country where eligible tribes have not taken on program responsibility. Tribes unnamed group Farmers Tribes Territories Territories Local Governments States Emergency Responders EPA develops the tools, methods, and data needed to implement our environmental statutes effectively and support EPA and local emergency responders in characterizing chemical, biological, or radiological (CBR) contamination; assessing exposure and risks to human health; cleaning up impacted areas; and improving community resilience. unnamed group Tribes Chemical Manufacturers unnamed group Tribes Public Agencies Local Communities unnamed group unnamed group unnamed group State Air Pollution Control Agencies Chemical Importers unnamed group ederal agencies Communities The Agency works with international, state, tribal, and local governments, and other federal agencies to achieve goals and help communities understand and address risks posed by releases of hazardous substances into the environment. unnamed stakeholder federal, state, and tribal agencies, trade organizations, industry, and nongovernmental organizations unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder consumers, pesticide users, workers who may be exposed to pesticides, children, and other sensitive populations unnamed stakeholder Air Quality Improve Air Quality Objective_372312b1-f765-46fd-ac33-b3f3ac6bb0b2 1 Work with states and tribes to accurately measure air quality and ensure that more Americans are living and working in areas that meet high air quality standards. Introduction: As part of its mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA is dedicated to improving the quality of the nation’s air. From 1970 to 2016, aggregate national emissions of the six criteria air pollutants3 were reduced over 70 percent, while gross domestic product grew by over 253 percent. Despite this progress, in 2016, more than 120 million people lived in counties with monitored air quality that did not meet standards for at least one criteria pollutant. EPA’s work to control emissions of air pollutants is critical to continued progress in reducing public health risks and improving the quality of the environment. Over the next five years, EPA will conduct a wide range of activities that contribute to improving air quality and protecting human health and the environment. Strategic Measure: * SM-1 By September 30, 2022, reduce the number of nonattainment areas to 101 unnamed stakeholder Standards & Programs Design and implement air quality standards and programs. Objective_bd2c2c2f-c324-485c-9f31-6c22fbcfdc26 2 EPA works in cooperation with states, tribes, and local governments to design and implement air quality standards and programs. EPA relies on other federal agencies, academia, researchers, industry, other organizations, and the public. These partnerships are critical to achieving improvements in air quality and reducing public health risks. unnamed stakeholder NAAQS Support attainment of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and implementation of stationary source regulations. Objective_c93c96b4-0e90-419f-9188-9c800897ad3c 3 EPA will prioritize key activities to support attainment of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and implementation of stationary source regulations. The Agency will address its Clean Air Act (CAA) responsibilities by collaborating with and providing technical assistance to states and tribes to develop plans and implement decisions that administer the NAAQS and visibility programs; taking federal oversight actions such as approving state implementation plan/tribal implementation plan (SIP/TIP) submittals consistent with statutory obligations; developing regulations and guidance to implement standards; and addressing transported air pollution. EPA will focus on ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the SIP/TIP process, including the Agency’s own review process, with a goal of maximizing timely processing of state/tribal-requested implementation plan actions to help move more quickly to attainment. unnamed stakeholder Air Pollutants Operate nationwide and multi-state programs to address global, national, and regional air pollutants. Objective_1ed0ca27-91c5-48a7-bf21-3061d4ec1daa 4 EPA will operate effective nationwide and multi-state programs, such as the acid rain program and the cross-state air pollution rule, which address global, national, and regional air pollutants from the power sector and other large stationary sources. The Agency also will develop and provide data, analysis, and technical tools and assistance to industries, states, tribes, and communities to meet CAA obligations and other statutory requirements. unnamed stakeholder Mobile Emissions Develop, implement, and ensure compliance with national emission standards to reduce mobile source-related air pollution. Objective_56ecab86-41a7-4fdf-b355-0014a51ed95d 5 EPA also develops, implements, and ensures compliance with national emission standards to reduce mobile source-related air pollution from light-duty cars and trucks, heavy-duty trucks and buses, nonroad engines and vehicles, and their fuels -- a priority for the Agency to ensure that industry has the certainty it needs while protecting human health and the environment and to support improvements in air quality and moving areas into attainment. The Agency evaluates new emission control technologies and provides information to state, tribal, and local air quality managers on a variety of transportation programs. EPA will review and approve vehicle and engine emissions certification applications and perform its compliance oversight functions on priority matters where there is evidence to suggest noncompliance. The Agency will also conduct pre-certification confirmatory testing for emissions and fuel economy for passenger cars. unnamed stakeholder Emissions & Air Toxics Develop and implement national emission standards and work with state, tribal, and local air agencies to address air toxics problems. Objective_b0b87e20-3b31-4642-b12a-8449dfd004d6 6 EPA develops and implements national emission standards for stationary and mobile sources and works with state, tribal, and local air agencies to address air toxics problems in communities. For stationary sources, pursuant to the CAA, EPA develops initial air toxics emissions standards for categories of industrial sources and reviews these standards’ risk reduction and technological currency according to timeframes set by the Act. EPA will conduct these reviews to meet CAA requirements and to ensure that the air toxics rules appropriately protect public health. unnamed stakeholder Grants & Technical Assistance Provide grants and technical assistance to state, tribal, and local air pollution control agencies to manage and implement their individual air quality programs. Objective_25c6c6ec-fd66-44ff-847e-12b64dbd340a 7 To support our partners in meeting their CAA obligations, EPA will provide grants and technical assistance to state, tribal, and local air pollution control agencies to manage and implement their individual air quality programs, including funding for air quality monitoring. State and tribal air quality monitoring, which provides critical information for developing clean air plans, for research, and for public awareness, will be a focus of the Administration. State Air Pollution Control Agencies Tribal Air Pollution Control Agencies Local Air Pollution Control Agencies Ozone Reduce the production, import, and use of ozone depleting substances. Objective_e1fd5b54-12d8-458f-a875-84305b34953f 8 EPA will prioritize efforts to reduce the production, import, and use of ozone depleting substances (ODS), including reviewing and listing alternatives that are safer for the stratospheric ozone layer through implementation of Title VI of the CAA and the Montreal Protocol. unnamed stakeholder Radiation & Radioactive Materials Measure and monitor ambient radiation and radioactive materials and assessing radioactive contamination. Objective_e1080ff9-114f-4737-a07e-7238c4f30f23 9 EPA also is responsible for measuring and monitoring ambient radiation and radioactive materials and assessing radioactive contamination in the environment. The Agency supports federal radiological emergency response and recovery operations under the National Response Framework and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and will assist states, tribes, and other partners, as appropriate. EPA will design essential training and conduct exercises to improve our nation's radiation response preparedness. unnamed stakeholder Water Provide for Clean and Safe Water Objective_7559170b-4a9a-440f-9928-60b2ddbf79a7 10 Ensure waters are clean through improved water infrastructure and, in partnership with states and tribes, sustainably manage programs to support drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and recreational, economic, and subsistence activities. Introduction: The nation's water resources are the lifeblood of our communities, supporting our economy and way of life. Across the country we depend upon reliable sources of clean and safe water. Just a few decades ago, many of the nation’s rivers, lakes, and estuaries were grossly polluted, wastewater sources received little or no treatment, and drinking water systems provided very limited treatment to water coming through the tap. Now over 90 percent of the population receives safe drinking water from community water systems regulated by EPA or delegated states and tribes, and many formerly impaired waters have been restored and support recreational and public health uses that contribute to healthy economies. We have made significant progress since enactment of the Clean Water Act (CWA); Safe Drinking Water Act; and Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. However, serious water resource and water infrastructure challenges remain. Many communities need to improve and maintain both drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and develop the capacity to comply with new and existing standards. Tens of thousands of homes, primarily in tribal and disadvantaged communities and the territories, lack access to basic sanitation and drinking water. Over the next five years, EPA will work with states, tribes, territories, and local communities to better safeguard human health; maintain, restore, and improve water quality; and make America's water systems sustainable and secure, supporting new technology and innovation wherever possible. Strategic Measures: * SM-2 By September 30, 2022, reduce the number of community water systems out of compliance with health-based standards to 2,7005 * SM-3 By September 30, 2022, increase by $40 billion the non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA water infrastructure finance programs (CWSRF, DWSRF, and WIFIA) * SM-4 By September 30, 2022, reduce the number of square miles of watershed with surface water not meeting standards by 37,000 square miles. unnamed stakeholder Infrastructure Invest in infrastructure to spur environmental benefits and economic growth Objective_c910a3f9-195b-4dec-82d6-5a452bdecc1e 11 Supporting state, tribal, and local efforts to modernize the outdated drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure on which the American public depends is a top priority for EPA. The Agency will promote construction of infrastructure in tribal and, small, rural, and disadvantaged communities. EPA's state revolving fund (SRF) and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) programs will allow the Agency, states, tribes, municipalities, and private entities to finance high-priority infrastructure investments that protect human health and the environment. The revolving nature of the SRFs and the leveraging capacity of WIFIA greatly multiply the federal investment. For the clean water SRF, EPA estimates that every federal dollar contributed thus far has resulted in close to three dollars of investment in water infrastructure. For the drinking water SRF, for every one dollar the federal government has invested, the states, in total, delivered $1.80 in assistance to drinking water systems. For WIFIA, for every $1 million in credit subsidy appropriations, EPA could potentially provide approximately $100 million in direct credit assistance, resulting in an estimated $200 million in total infrastructure investment. unnamed stakeholder Health Protect Human Health Objective_c35cb23f-5b76-4a87-8592-8402558c3c51 12 Sustaining the quality of our water resources is essential to safeguarding human health. More than 300 million people living in the United States rely on the safety of tap water provided by public water systems that are subject to national drinking water standards. EPA will help protect human health and make America's water systems secure by: Flint, Michigan Recent challenges in Flint, Michigan and elsewhere highlighted the need to strengthen EPA's implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure we protect and build upon the enormous public health benefits achieved through the provision of safe drinking water throughout the country. States EPA is also collaborating with states and tribes to share more complete data from monitoring at public water systems through the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). This will allow for better targeting of funding and technical assistance resources, and improve data quality while increasing public access to drinking water data. Human health and recreational criteria are the foundation for state, tribal, and territorial tools to safeguard human health. Over the next five years we will improve our understanding of emerging potential waterborne threats to human health; provide technical assistance and resources to help the states, tribes, and territories monitor and prevent harmful exposures; and develop new or revised criteria as needed. Drinking Water Systems The Agency's highest priorities include reducing exposure to lead in the nation's drinking water systems, ensuring continuous compliance with contaminant limits, responding quickly to emerging concerns, and improving the nation's aging and insufficient drinking water infrastructure to address significant needs. Tribes Financial Assistance Providing financial assistance to states, tribes, and territories to assist public water systems in protecting and maintaining drinking water quality Objective_4f7844dd-707c-46c8-836b-2b10ae453ee2 13 Territories Tribes States Capabilities Strengthening compliance with drinking water standards to ensure protection of public health by enhancing the technical, managerial, and financial capability of those systems Objective_993d3d65-6ffe-4fdc-8875-4e136b12a9f8 14 unnamed group Water Resources Continuing to protect and restore water resources, including sources of drinking water, from contamination Objective_6e498f96-cb21-4113-ab83-0404009884a6 15 unnamed group Contaminants Taking actions to address known and emerging contaminants that endanger human health Objective_169b9cc9-7a3c-4382-8ce1-eb6d730a2829 16 unnamed group Guidance, Training & Information Supporting states, tribes, territories, and local communities in implementing water programs by providing guidance, training, and information Objective_65ec1bd6-15a4-41f8-9c37-ff62e906ef3d 17 Local Communities Territories States Tribes Security & Preparedness Ensuring the security and preparedness of the nation's drinking water supplies by implementing EPA's national security responsibilities for the water sector Objective_1f9b42ee-14e2-4415-822d-2415994275a3 18 unnamed group Underground Sources Protecting underground sources of drinking water by providing for the safe injection of fluids underground for storage, disposal, enhanced recovery of oil and gas, or minerals recovery. Objective_b5552db0-a477-4e28-b6c2-a9d4d84e0d19 19 unnamed group Water Quality Protect and Restore Water Quality Objective_36c32221-8051-446e-bdc7-469adda6a8e3 20 Protecting the nation's waters relies on cooperation among EPA, states, tribes, territories, and local communities and involves a suite of programs to protect and improve water quality in the country’s rivers, lakes, wetlands, and streams, as well as in estuarine, coastal, and ocean waters. EPA will foster strong partnerships with other federal agencies, states, tribes, local governments, and other organizations that facilitate achieving water quality goals while supporting robust economic growth. In partnership with states, tribes, territories, and local governments, EPA core water programs will: unnamed group Criteria Develop recommended water quality criteria for protecting designated uses of water Objective_32d38f5d-7bcf-4158-882f-831c86c7c993 21 unnamed group Quality Assist states, authorized tribes, and territories in adopting water quality standards that support designated uses Objective_7ab948b0-128c-4b93-b595-836a4ef31b6f 22 Tribes Territories States Impairment Establish pollution reduction targets for impaired waters Objective_958c2377-5f0e-49c3-9217-f9adb39028c0 23 unnamed group Wastewater Treatment Improve water quality by financing traditional and nature-based wastewater treatment infrastructure Objective_94e9d225-40ab-4ff7-8418-2d62485ce788 24 unnamed group Effluents Develop national effluent guidelines that set a technology-based floor Objective_aad5623d-0e13-4596-b3ac-fa2bcb04e971 25 unnamed group Wetlands, Coasts & Oceans Work with partners to protect and restore wetlands and coastal and ocean water resources Objective_93918ac9-b4db-4870-ad5c-680ff0987ddf 26 unnamed group Section 404 Program ork with states and tribes interested in assuming the Clean Water Act Section 404 program Objective_d653c46f-ca87-4766-9b55-94ee2e19837e 27 In cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers, work with states and tribes interested in assuming the Clean Water Act Section 404 program Army Corps of Engineers States Tribes Discharges Prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants Objective_ad00dff9-a6fc-423f-a5db-7035f47629ee 28 unnamed group Analysis Update analytical methods that enable precise analysis Objective_06a39c7d-b78a-4ded-9946-c08fa048e255 29 unnamed group Monitoring & Assessment Conduct monitoring and assessment so we know the status of the nation's waters. Objective_41aca8b5-d84a-4876-8769-eeff5aa65cb3 30 EPA will partner with states and tribes to implement the National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) to provide nationally-consistent and scientifically-defensible assessments of America's waters. These surveys will support EPA and its partners in identifying actions to protect and restore water quality and in assessing whether these efforts are improving water quality over time. States Tribes Land & Contamination Revitalize Land and Prevent Contamination Objective_8813ad8d-f55c-4a5d-95cf-d6e44beb4cfd 31 Provide better leadership and management to properly clean up contaminated sites to revitalize and return the land back to communities. Introduction: EPA works to improve the health and livelihood of all Americans by cleaning up and returning land to productive use, preventing contamination, and responding to emergencies. Challenging and complex environmental problems persist at many contaminated properties, including contaminated soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater that can cause human health concerns... EPA's efforts are guided by scientific data, tools, and research that inform decisions on addressing contaminated properties and preparing for and addressing emerging contaminants. Strategic Measures: * SM-5 By September 30, 2022, make 255 additional Superfund sites ready for anticipated use (RAU) site-wide. * SM-6 By September 30, 2022, make 3,420 additional brownfields sites RAU. * SM-7 By September 30, 2022, make 536 additional Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action facilities RAU. * SM-8 By September 30, 2022, complete 56,000 additional leaking underground storage tank (LUST) cleanups that meet risk-based standards for human exposure and groundwater migration. Local Governments Superfund Task Force One of EPA's top priorities is accelerating progress on Superfund sites. EPA recently convened a Superfund Task Force that identified 42 recommendations to streamline and improve the Superfund process. Over the next five years, these recommendations and other innovative ideas will be considered and applied to Superfund sites with priority given to addressing National Priority List (NPL) sites. State Governments ederal agencies Communities The Agency works with international, state, tribal, and local governments, and other federal agencies to achieve goals and help communities understand and address risks posed by releases of hazardous substances into the environment. International Governments Neighborhoods EPA collaborates with other federal agencies, industry, states, tribes, and local communities to enhance the livability and economic vitality of neighborhoods. Tribal Governments Clean Up Cleaning Up Contaminated Sites Objective_84e11fdb-99c0-4c0f-99af-c66fe884a02b 32 Over the next five years, EPA will focus special attention on the Administrator’s top priority Superfund sites and will implement Superfund Task Force recommendations to accelerate the pace of cleanups and promote reuse, while addressing risks to human health and the environment. Cleanup actions can take from a few months for relatively straight-forward soil excavation or capping remedies to several decades for complex, large, area-wide groundwater, sediment, or mining remedies. NPL sites in the investigation stages will be expedited by developing strategies that apply new technologies and innovative approaches. NPL sites at which remedies already have been selected will be prioritized for faster completion and deletion from the NPL, as will sites that have been on the NPL for five years or longer without significant progress. Finally, the Agency will aim to accelerate cleanup by re-prioritizing some resources to focus on remedial actions, construction completions, ready-for-reuse determinations, and NPL site deletions. States EPA will support, along with its state and tribal partners, the cleanup of LUST sites and work to revitalize abandoned facilities. These cleanups protect people from exposure to contaminants, and can improve property values and provide redevelopment opportunities. Communities In addition, EPA will work with communities to revitalize their brownfield sites and return them to productive use, advancing environmental and human health protection while stimulating economic development and job creation. Tribes Grantees EPA will award competitive grants to communities, states, and tribes to assess, clean up, and plan reuse of brownfield properties that are contaminated or perceived to be contaminated. To reduce risks from exposure to waste, consistent with RCRA, EPA or authorized states will oversee and manage cleanups by the owners or operators. There are currently 3,779 facilities subject to RCRA corrective action. Preparedness & Response Prepare for nationally-significant incidents and provide guidance and technical assistance. Objective_0cff61eb-d95f-4172-95f4-4361fbca0bf7 33 EPA prepares for the possibility of nationally-significant incidents and provides guidance and technical assistance to state, tribal, and local planning and response organizations to strengthen their preparedness. During an incident, EPA works to prevent, mitigate, or contain the release of chemical, oil, radiological, biological, or hazardous materials... EPA homeland security research fills critical scientific and technological gaps, enhancing the Agency's ability to carry out its mandated national preparedness and emergency response and recovery obligations, and informing disaster response and guidance. Emergency Responders EPA develops the tools, methods, and data needed to implement our environmental statutes effectively and support EPA and local emergency responders in characterizing chemical, biological, or radiological (CBR) contamination; assessing exposure and risks to human health; cleaning up impacted areas; and improving community resilience. Local Communities Industry The Agency will work with industry, states, tribes, and local communities to ensure national safety and security for responses. Tribes States Prevention Preventing Contamination Objective_4f5ac485-abfd-497b-aa7b-f8381c682b06 34 unnamed group Hazardous Waste Regulations Update and improve the efficiency of the RCRA hazardous waste regulations. Objective_e27d38b6-9167-4ea0-a9dc-eb350e71d72f 35 EPA will update and improve the efficiency of the RCRA hazardous waste regulations to meet the needs of today's business and industry to ensure protective standards for managing hazardous waste. unnamed group RCRA Permits Support states to issue, update, or maintain RCRA permits. Objective_a95e0f7b-ba4f-406d-bd59-246116449577 36 To prevent future environmental contamination and to protect the health of the estimated 20 million people living within a mile of a hazardous waste management facility, EPA will support states to issue, update, or maintain RCRA permits for the approximately 20,000 hazardous waste units (such as incinerators and landfills) at these facilities. Hazardous Waste Management Facilities PCBs Issue polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) cleanup, storage, and disposal approvals. Objective_5f56ee66-9856-4398-9b70-3477bef5df9d 37 EPA also will issue polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) cleanup, storage, and disposal approvals, since this work cannot be delegated to states or tribes. unnamed group Transportation & Tracking Improve and modernize hazardous waste transportation and tracking. Objective_b8bef3b2-f6f2-4e30-9680-01edc15f7e7f 38 EPA will improve and modernize hazardous waste transportation and tracking by implementing the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act, enacted on October 5, 2012. The fee-based eManifest system will provide better knowledge of waste generation and final disposition, enhanced access to manifest information, and greater transparency for the public about hazardous waste shipments. It will also reduce the burden associated with paper manifests by between 300,000 and 700,000 hours. unnamed group Coal Ash Help states develop plans, work to approve state permit programs for coal ash disposal, coordinate closely with the states on guidance for evaluating state permit programs, and implement a coal ash permit program in Indian country. Objective_a78050cd-2169-4906-8e6f-6f2835b789c3 39 As authorized in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016, EPA will help states develop plans, work to approve state permit programs for coal ash disposal, coordinate closely with the states on guidance for evaluating state permit programs, and implement a coal ash permit program in Indian country. Tribes States Contaminant Releases Prevent releases of contamination. Objective_6ed03052-fe36-43fb-9770-11dcd3d54bef 40 With its state and tribal partners, EPA works to prevent releases of contamination, allowing the productive use of facilities and land and contributing to communities' economic vitality. unnamed group UST Regulations Provides training, compliance assistance, and inspection support to implement the updated underground storage tank (UST) regulations in Indian country. Objective_41b78298-0479-41ee-85fc-0ec421aacbf2 41 In partnership with tribes, the Agency directly provides training, compliance assistance, and inspection support to implement the updated underground storage tank (UST) regulations in Indian country. Tribes Chemical Releases Prevent chemical releases. Objective_ae7112e7-830c-440e-88e9-b16f115ab23e 42 EPA also helps to prevent chemical releases by reviewing approximately 12,500 risk management plans (RMPs) and delivering RMP inspector training for federal and state inspectors. EPA seeks to prevent and prepare for accidental releases from chemical facilities that store hazardous chemicals by requiring chemical facilities that store a certain amount of hazardous chemicals to analyze the potential for accidental releases and possible consequences, develop an accident prevention program, and coordinate with communities to ensure that all are prepared to respond to a release. unnamed group Chemicals Ensure Safety of Chemicals in the Marketplace Objective_349f2d4b-2177-46ee-b517-0cbde230bef5 43 Effectively implement the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, to ensure new and existing chemicals and pesticides are reviewed for their potential risks to human health and the environment and actions are taken when necessary. Introduction: Chemicals and pesticides released into the environment as a result of their manufacture, processing, use, or disposal can threaten human health and the environment. EPA gathers and assesses information about the risks associated with chemicals and pesticides and implements risk management strategies when needed. EPA's research efforts will help advance the Agency's ability to assess chemicals more rapidly and accurately. In 2016, TSCA was amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. The amendments give EPA significant new, as well as continuing, responsibilities for reviewing chemicals in or entering commerce to prevent unreasonable risks to human health and the environment, including unreasonable risks to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations. Proper implementation, as Congress intended, of the TSCA amendments is one of EPA’s top priorities. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is the primary federal law governing oversight of pesticide manufacture, distribution, and use in the United States. FIFRA requires EPA to register pesticides based on a finding that they will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on people and the environment, taking into account the economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits of the use of the pesticide. Each time the law was amended, Congress strengthened FIFRA's safety standards while continuing to require consideration of pesticide benefits. In addition to FIFRA, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) governs the maximum allowable level of pesticides in and on food grown and sold in the United States. The legal level of a pesticide residue on a food or food item is referred to as a tolerance. FFDCA requires that the establishment, modification, or revocation of tolerances be based on a finding of a "reasonable certainty of no harm." When evaluating the establishment, modification, or revocation of a tolerance, EPA tries to harmonize the tolerance with the maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by other countries to enhance the trade of agricultural commodities. Strategic Measures: * SM-9 By September 30, 2022, complete all EPA-initiated TSCA risk evaluations for existing chemicals in accordance with statutory timelines. * SM-10 By September 30, 2022, complete all TSCA risk management actions for existing chemicals in accordance with statutory timelines. * SM-11 By September 30, 2022, complete all TSCA pre-manufacture notice final determinations in accordance with statutory timelines. * SM-12 By September 30, 2022, complete all cases of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)-mandated decisions for the pesticides registration review program. * SM-13 By September 30, 2022, reduce the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) registration decision timeframe by an average of 60 days. unnamed stakeholder Chemicals Meet TSCA requirements and deadlines and ensure reviews are efficient, effective, and transparent to EPA's stakeholders. Objective_95b2f3c3-a9c9-4e54-9d21-f5c23daa41ca 44 Over the next five years, EPA will focus on meeting the statutory requirements and mandatory deadlines of the amended TSCA and ensuring that the reviews are efficient, effective, and transparent to EPA's stakeholders. unnamed stakeholder Decision Making Ensure that decisions are based on science, are transparent, use methods and tools that are based on the weight of scientific evidence, are consistent with the best available scientific information, and are reasonable and consistent with the intended use of the information. Objective_d1cd35d1-2113-40ca-9a76-b60fcc3e7d05 45 EPA will ensure that decisions are based on science, are transparent, use methods and tools that are based on the weight of scientific evidence, are consistent with the best available scientific information, and are reasonable and consistent with the intended use of the information. unnamed stakeholder Exposure Information Collect exposure-related information on the types, quantities, and uses of chemical substances. Objective_672089fc-4b0f-40a8-9770-ea4e05cb8d9b 46 Under the chemical data reporting (CDR) rule, EPA collects basic exposure-related information from manufacturers (including importers) on the types, quantities, and uses of chemical substances produced domestically or imported into the United States. Since the enactment of TSCA in 1976, many new chemicals have entered commerce following review by EPA under the TSCA new chemicals program. Chemical Manufacturers Chemical Importers Risk Management Understand and manage the risks associated with chemicals. Objective_0d82416a-051c-450a-b75d-a007405d55a7 47 Once in commerce, these chemicals are considered existing chemicals in commerce. The amended TSCA provides a framework for making progress in understanding and managing the risks associated with existing chemicals to prevent unreasonable risk posed by their manufacturing, processing, distribution, use or disposal. unnamed stakeholder Priorities & Risks Identify high- and low-priority chemicals and evaluate high-priority chemicals against a new risk-based safety standard. Objective_872946d9-0064-4f6f-a00f-7b6455d26d4b 48 The Act requires EPA to identify high- and low-priority existing chemicals and evaluate high-priority chemicals against a new risk-based safety standard. By December 2019, EPA must complete risk evaluations for the first ten high-priority chemicals, ramp up the risk evaluation process so that 20 high-priority chemicals are under evaluation at all times, and identify 20 low-priority chemicals which will not undergo further evaluation at this time. Chemical risk evaluations of existing chemicals must be completed within three years. Transparency and stakeholder engagement are vital parts of the process, as they help inform EPA's prioritization and risk evaluation of existing chemicals. The Agency has two years to address unreasonable risks identified as warranted for action by the findings of the chemical risk evaluations. Risk management actions may include prohibiting, restricting, or modifying the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce or commercial use, modifying the labeling, recordkeeping, and other restrictions. unnamed stakeholder New Chemicals Review and act on new chemical notices. Objective_10b0df07-9208-44df-8ce2-48bbd2f3e69d 49 For new chemicals, EPA reviews and takes action on approximately 1,000 new chemical notices -- including exemption notices -- submitted by industry annually, including pre-manufacture notices (PMNs), to ensure that the chemicals are not likely to pose unreasonable risk before being allowed to commercialize. To prevent such risk, EPA may establish risk reduction/management requirements through the new chemical review process to protect workers, consumers or the environment. The 2016 TSCA amendments created additional new requirements for positive determinations of chemical safety, which have resulted in changes to EPA's assessment process for new chemicals. In particular, for each new chemical notice, EPA now has 90 days to make an affirmative determination of safety based on whether the chemical substance will present, may present, or is not likely to present an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment, or that the available information is insufficient to enable the Agency to make any of the above determinations. All four of these outcomes constitute final determinations on pre-manufacture notices and thus count toward EPA's strategic target of completing 100% of such determinations within statutory timelines. Under the TSCA amendments, if EPA makes an "insufficient information" determination, the Agency will work with the submitter to conduct testing needed to make a determination or will impose restrictions on the substance that prevent exposure from occurring. unnamed stakeholder Confidentiality Protect legitimate claims of confidentiality of the identity of chemicals. Objective_fe8665e1-18bb-48e0-bd08-116f15851e2e 50 EPA will protect legitimate claims of confidentiality of the identity of chemicals. With limited exceptions provided by statute, the Agency will review within 90 days all chemical identity confidential business information (CBI) claims requiring substantiation under TSCA Section 14(c)(3) and a representative subset, comprising at least 25 percent, of all other CBI claims. Timely review of CBI claims will help to increase transparency of chemical data. Additionally, EPA is developing guidance required by TSCA, as amended, to address how states, tribes, and medical professionals in an emergency situation may gain access to CBI information. unnamed stakeholder Tools & Approaches Assess, prevent, and reduce chemical releases and exposures, and empower stakeholders. Objective_76983096-3609-4d0d-8440-ec53374146fa 51 The Agency uses a variety of tools and approaches to assess, prevent, and reduce chemical releases and exposures, and empowers stakeholders by ensuring access to chemical data and other information and expertise. unnamed stakeholder Toxics Release Inventory Publish the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). Objective_8be52ebe-ea2e-4d8e-b189-2375d26a383f 52 EPA annually publishes the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), a public database that contains release and other waste management information (e.g., recycling) and pollution prevention data on over 650 toxic chemicals from approximately 20,000 industrial and federal facilities. unnamed stakeholder Pesticides License and periodically reevaluating pesticides. Objective_9a07a5ec-3bf5-4b02-98d0-a9c4755550a4 53 EPA is responsible for licensing (registering) and periodically reevaluating (registration review) pesticides to protect consumers, pesticide users, workers who may be exposed to pesticides, children, and other sensitive populations, while considering the benefits associated with the use of the pesticide. EPA seeks public input on all pesticide reevaluations; all new active ingredients; first food uses; and the establishment, modification, or revocation of tolerances. For example, the rules governing the registration review program typically provide for three distinct comment periods at various stages of the review process. In making pesticide decisions, the Agency often seeks input from stakeholders to address specific information, such as real-world use patterns and benefits to the user community. unnamed stakeholder consumers, pesticide users, workers who may be exposed to pesticides, children, and other sensitive populations Pesticides Ensure the effective and safe use of pesticides. Objective_91eaf00a-06c0-41af-9cc4-ef082a4fea00 54 EPA works with other federal, state, and tribal agencies, trade organizations, industry, and nongovernmental organizations to ensure the effective and safe use of pesticides. unnamed stakeholder federal, state, and tribal agencies, trade organizations, industry, and nongovernmental organizations Training, Education & Outreach Provide financial support and expertise to states and tribes for training, education, and outreach. Objective_23feedba-44af-43c9-9c14-5f8f9dc2e7a2 55 EPA also has long provided financial support and expertise to states and tribes so that they can provide training, education, and outreach to pesticide applicators about the safe, proper, and legal use of pesticides. Businesses Pesticide Applicators Rural Areas Tribes Public Agencies Farmers States States and tribes work with farmers, businesses, and public agencies to protect human health and the environment and serve as a critical part of job training and business growth in rural areas. Cooperative Federalism Rebalance the power between Washington and the states to create tangible environmental results for the American people. Goal_fc3778c6-d63c-403f-8007-0b9a6c8da7db 2 The idea that environmental protection is a shared responsibility between the states, tribes, and the federal government is embedded in our environmental laws, which in many cases provide states and tribes the opportunity and responsibility for implementing environmental protection programs. More than 45 years after the creation of EPA and the enactment of a broad set of federal environmental protection laws, most states, and to a lesser extent territories and tribes, are authorized to implement environmental programs within their jurisdictions in lieu of EPA-administered federal programs. Specifically, states have assumed more than 96 percent of the delegable authorities under federal law.27 EPA retains responsibility for directly implementing federal environmental programs in much of Indian country where eligible tribes have not received delegable authorities. There are also programs that by statute may not be delegated to the states or tribes. Recognizing these evolving responsibilities, EPA headquarters and regions will facilitate constructive dialogue with states and tribes to ensure maximum utilization of resources. EPA will adapt its practices to reduce duplication of effort with authorized states and tribes, and tailor its oversight of delegated programs. Cooperative federalism – the relationship between states, tribes and EPA – is not just about who makes decisions, but about how decisions are made and a sense of shared accountability to provide positive environmental results. EPA understands that improvements to protecting human health and the environment cannot be achieved by any actor operating alone, but only when the states, tribes, and EPA, in conjunction with affected communities, work together in a spirit of trust, collaboration, and partnership. Effective environmental protection is best achieved when EPA and its state and tribal partners work from a foundation of transparency, early collaboration – including public participation – and a spirit of shared accountability for the outcomes of this joint work. This foundation involves active platforms for public participation, including building the capacity of the most vulnerable community stakeholders to provide input. With these public participation opportunities, the beneficiaries of environmental protection – the American people – will be able to more meaningfully engage through their communities, their local governments, and their state and tribal governments. Including the public’s voice, particularly the voices of the most vulnerable to environmental and public health challenges among us, in EPA’s policy, regulatory, and assistance work is essential to meeting their needs as the Agency implements its statutory responsibilities. EPA also recognizes that meeting the needs of states, tribes, local governments, and communities, and achieving environmental improvements cannot be done in isolation from economic growth. Opportunities for prosperous economic growth and clean air, water, and land are lost without effective infrastructure investments that align with community needs. This is especially true for infrastructure investments that repair existing systems, support revitalization of existing communities and buildings, take advantage of existing roads, and lead to the cleanup and redevelopment of previously-used sites and buildings. Currently, there is a need for significant infrastructure investments. EPA will play a role in meeting this need by aligning its relevant programs to catalyze other resources, supporting beneficial infrastructure investments, and meeting community needs for thriving economies and improved environmental and human health outcomes. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC) Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) Some of the Agency's ongoing collaborative efforts with the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) include producing webinars to help identify new compliance approaches that EPA could pilot and evaluate, increasing availability of training, and preparing for advances in pollution monitoring technology. LGAC National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Youth The Public States States The Public Tribal Co-Regulators Local Co-Regulators President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children Environmental Agencies Inspectors Communities Vulnerable Populations Local Partners Low-Income Communities unnamed group unnamed group Communities unnamed group unnamed group Local Partners Tribes State Partners States Communities Tribal Partners EPA Compliance Assistance Centers Regulated Entities Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice State Co-Regulators unnamed group Federal Partners Tribal Partners Elderly Tribes The Public EPA Communities Team State Partners Tribes unnamed group Children Communities Community Solutions Taskforce Communities EPA will utilize such partnerships to leverage resources and expertise from across EPA and a range of outside partners to advance economic revitalization through the environmental and health goals of communities. Disadvantaged Communities unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder Accountability Enhance Shared Accountability Objective_c24334da-acc5-4284-9886-d5e8195e2d29 1 Improve environmental protection through shared governance and enhanced collaboration with state, tribal, local, and federal partners using the full range of compliance assurance tools. Introduction In the spirit of cooperative federalism, EPA and its partners have made enormous progress in protecting air, water, and land resources. EPA recognizes that states and tribes vary in the environmental challenges that they face due to variations in geography, population density, and other factors. EPA will maximize the flexibilities provided by law to take each state’s unique situation into account when making regulatory and policy decisions. EPA directly implements the majority of federal environmental programs in Indian country. The Agency actively works with tribes to develop their capacity to administer environmental programs and to enable tribes that choose to implement federal environmental laws and programs for their lands. The unique relationship among EPA and its co-regulators is the foundation of the nation’s environmental protection system; each organization fulfills a critical role based on its expertise, abilities, and responsibilities in protecting and improving human health and the environment. EPA recognizes the advances states and tribes have made in implementing environmental laws and programs. This Administration will undertake a series of initiatives to rethink and assess where we are and where we want to be with respect to shared governance. These initiatives will clarify the Agency’s statutory roles and responsibilities and tailor state and tribal oversight to maximize our return on investment and reduce burden on states and tribes, while ensuring continued progress in meeting environmental laws. In addition, EPA, with its state, tribal, and local partners, ensures consistent and fair enforcement of federal environmental laws and regulations. The Agency works jointly with its co-regulators to protect human health and the environment, using a full set of compliance assurance tools, such as compliance assistance and monitoring; electronic reporting; traditional enforcement; grants to states and tribes; and tribal capacity building. EPA is building on progress made using E-Enterprise for the Environment, a platform for transformative change that operationalizes cooperative federalism principles. EPA's E-Enterprise partnership with states and tribes modernizes the way we do the business of environmental protection. Strategic Measures: * SM-14 By September 30, 2022, increase the number of grant commitments achieved by states, tribes, and local communities. * SM-15 By September 30, 2022, increase the use of alternative shared governance approaches to address state, tribal, and local community reviews. State Partners Tribal Partners Local Partners Federal Partners Shared Governance Shared Governance Objective_829cb470-72ab-4b21-9c6c-261242c72f4d 2 To develop a future model of shared governance that takes into account the progress states and tribes have made in protecting human health and the environment, the Agency will undertake an analysis of EPA’s statutory roles and responsibilities to determine what we have to do and assess what we want to do in light of priorities. The Agency will work with states and tribes to find alternative approaches to shared governance, seeking to provide flexibility and streamline oversight of state and tribal programs. As part of this process, the Agency will seek to understand which approaches currently are working well for state, tribal and local co-regulators. EPA will pilot new approaches to oversight (e.g., permit reviews) where we have the legal flexibility to do so and streamline those processes by which EPA reviews and approves state and tribal actions. EPA will continue to work with states and tribes through E-Enterprise, focused on how we work and plan together, agree on priorities, and allocate roles and responsibilities to update processes and programs. Through shared governance -- engaging early and meaningfully with states and tribes -- the Agency will use E-Enterprise to deliver streamlined processes as well as accessible, reliable information and data that benefit co-regulators and the regulated community. The National Environmental Performance Partnership System (NEPPS) has long served as a model for advancing cooperative federalism by providing the flexibility needed to address the unique needs of individual states and tribes to achieve the best environmental results. NEPPS is a performance-based approach for organizing working relationships with states and many tribes, providing specific benefits, such as greater flexibility to assess environmental conditions, shared priorities, and strategically leveraged resources, thus improving cooperative federalism, shared governance, and shared accountability. EPA will work with states and tribes to strengthen cooperative federalism principles through NEPPS, and intends to make NEPPS training available for state and tribal stakeholders. EPA will work closely with states and tribes on NEPPS, Performance Partnership Grants (PPGs), and related policies. PPGs are a financial tool that allows states and tribes to combine separate “streams” of categorical grant funding, from across 20 eligible categorical grants, into one multi-program grant with a single budget. The goal of the review is to understand PPG utilization and outline a course of action addressing the challenges, leveraging lessons learned and progress achieved over the last 22 years. The intent is to provide states and tribes the flexibility to maximize human health and environmental protection achieved by the funds; further enhance the federal, state, and/or tribal partnership; and promote the goals of NEPPS. EPA will respect the important role governors play in cooperative federalism and will seek their views and perspectives on compliance assistance and other opportunities to improve EPA-state partnerships. In addition, the Agency will work to strengthen intergovernmental consultation methods to engage stakeholders and hear diverse views on the impacts of prospective regulations. Local governments also have a unique relationship with EPA as partners and often as innovative problem solvers. EPA works with local governments to build stronger and more robust partnerships and bring local concerns forward into Agency decision making. As part of these efforts, EPA seeks advice from the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), a chartered policy committee comprising elected and appointed local officials, on the impacts of the Agency’s regulations and policies on local governments Consistent with the 1984 Indian Policy and EPA Policies on consultation and treaty rights30, EPA will work on a government-to-government basis to build tribal capacity to implement federal programs through delegations, authorizations, and primacy designations to enable tribes to meaningfully participate in the Agency’s policy making, standard setting, and direct implementation activities under federal environmental statutes31. EPA will work with individual tribes to develop and implement an EPA-Tribal Environmental Plan (ETEP), a joint planning document for achieving stronger environmental and human health protection in Indian country. ETEPs identify tribal, EPA, and shared priorities, and the roles and responsibilities for addressing those priorities. EPA will focus its direct implementation efforts on areas of high need for human health or environmental protection, including programs identified in the ETEP for which tribes are not eligible, as well as those for which tribes do not currently anticipate seeking delegation, authorization, or primacy. In carrying out its direct implementation activities, EPA will work closely with tribes to develop tribal capacity for programs for which they do not anticipate seeking delegation, authorization, or primacy. EPA will also encourage tribes to participate in policy making and to assume appropriate partial roles in the implementation of programs, including through the use of Direct Implementation Tribal Cooperative Agreements (DITCAs) or other agreements, as available. unnamed stakeholder Compliance Assurance Look for cost-effective ways to enhance the compliance assurance tool box. Objective_91bde580-c678-47c8-9e5f-892354f8ed49 3 Over the next five years, the Agency will look for cost-effective ways to enhance the compliance assurance tool box in collaboration with its state, tribal, local, federal, and industry partners. For example, the E-Enterprise Web Portal offers a platform or gateway for making shared services available to states, tribes, and EPA to transact business (e.g., e-permitting and reporting). It also provides information for the regulated community (e.g., compliance assistance information). Tools and services are designed to enhance efficiency, reduce burden on the regulated community, and improve environmental outcomes. unnamed stakeholder Compliance Assistance Centers Support web-based, sector-specific compliance assistance centers. Objective_4f2c9bdd-04af-4d89-afe0-fbdc7e71ccef 4 EPA will expand its compliance assistance work by continuing to partner with third-party organizations and federal agencies to support the 17 existing web-based, sector-specific compliance assistance centers and developing new centers. In general, an expanded and modernized compliance assurance tool box will enhance EPA's ability to tailor compliance assurance approaches to the differing needs and challenges among states and regulated entities. EPA Compliance Assistance Centers Tools & Approaches Develop new compliance tools and approaches. Objective_54fe2d35-7d93-4dc5-8fa1-d4e17ebcda1b 5 EPA is also working closely with states and tribes to develop new compliance tools and approaches to make programs more effective and efficient in promoting compliance and remedying violations. Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) Some of the Agency's ongoing collaborative efforts with the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) include producing webinars to help identify new compliance approaches that EPA could pilot and evaluate, increasing availability of training, and preparing for advances in pollution monitoring technology. States Tribes Compliance Monitoring Detect noncompliance and promote compliance with the nation's environmental laws. Objective_2710a245-ceb3-4c9d-848d-c5457fa9167f 6 A key component of EPA's overall compliance assurance program is compliance monitoring. Compliance monitoring allows the regulatory agencies to detect noncompliance and promote compliance with the nation's environmental laws. unnamed stakeholder Assistance Provide regulated entities with compliance assistance. Objective_2023c400-40d8-49c3-a25c-04fe24285326 7 Effective targeting of compliance monitoring plays a central role in achieving the goals EPA has set for protecting human health and the environment. EPA, state, and tribal inspectors often provide regulated entities with compliance assistance during the inspection process. Regulated Entities Strategies Develop, modernize, and implement national compliance monitoring strategies. Objective_f3016675-4692-4bcf-ba6d-58b6fd4daea2 8 On a national level, EPA works closely with individual states, tribes, and state and tribal associations to develop, modernize, and implement national compliance monitoring strategies to ensure a level playing field for regulated entities across the country. EPA principally focuses compliance monitoring activities, such as field inspections, electronic reporting, and data analysis tools, for those programs that are not delegated to states and tribes. The Agency provides monitoring, program evaluations, and capacity building to support and complement authorized state, tribal, and local government programs. unnamed stakeholder Tools Enhance compliance monitoring tools and increase the use of Lean practices. Objective_872834aa-29e1-4b12-bc99-29e72ed41056 9 The Agency will work with its state and tribal partners to enhance compliance monitoring tools and increase the use of Lean practices. States Tribes Mobile Tools Develop smart mobile tools to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of inspectors. Objective_8e385323-1299-4997-90f0-c2f36f971818 10 Through E-Enterprise for the Environment, EPA, states, tribes, and territories will collaborate to develop smart mobile tools to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of state, tribal, and EPA inspectors, and support advanced monitoring technology. Inspectors International Partnerships Work with international partners to address international sources of pollution, as well as the impacts of pollution from the United States on other countries and the global environment. Objective_fa479c07-68c3-4ac2-a42b-b28abbc0d148 11 To achieve the Agency's domestic environmental and human health objectives, the EPA will work with international partners to address international sources of pollution, as well as the impacts of pollution from the United States on other countries and the global environment. Pollution impacts air, water, food crops, and food chains, and can accumulate in foods such as fish. unnamed stakeholder Fairness Work with international partners to strengthen environmental laws and governance to more closely align with U.S. standards and practices and to help level the playing field for U.S. industry. Objective_8536e298-7050-4ba7-9388-c4ae2dfb364a 12 EPA efforts will include working with international partners to strengthen environmental laws and governance to more closely align with U.S. standards and practices and to help level the playing field for U.S. industry. unnamed stakeholder Transparency & Participation Increase Transparency and Public Participation Objective_bec4c6c8-2d19-4601-981e-7f69e84210f6 13 Listen to and collaborate with impacted stakeholders and provide effective platforms for public participation and meaningful engagement. Introduction EPA will strengthen its community-driven approach, which emphasizes public participation to better partner with states, tribes, and communities and to maximize the support and resources of the entire Agency to create tangible environmental results. The Agency will deploy its collective resources and expertise to collaborate with states, tribes, and communities and support locally-led, community-driven solutions to improved environmental protection and economic growth. EPA will increase transparency with industry, environmental groups, and other stakeholders, and will facilitate public participation, emphasizing cooperation and collaboration, especially at the early stages of Agency actions. This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of community needs. The Agency also will coordinate better across its programs and with federal partners to ensure mutual efforts are aligned. EPA will include consideration of vulnerable groups and communities in decisions, and will reflect community needs in its actions and investments, recognizing that the needs of rural communities may not be the same as urban areas. Increasing transparency and public participation in EPA’s work with other agencies will enhance the Agency’s ability to partner with states, tribes, and local governments and increase responsiveness to the needs of their most vulnerable communities. EPA will serve as a convener and leverage resources with new and existing partners to deliver services more efficiently and effectively. The Agency also will engage with regulated entities to identify reforms to more efficiently and effectively meet the nation's environmental goals. Strategic Measure: * SM-16 By September 30, 2022, eliminate the backlog and meet statutory deadlines for responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests unnamed stakeholder Participation, Capacity & Engagement Meet community needs through public participation and will build community capacity through grants, technical assistance, partnering, and meaningful engagement. Objective_a3780adf-c544-40fa-a986-e4fe7f64bc3b 14 Strategies for Achieving the Objective Over the next five years, EPA will meet community needs through public participation and will build community capacity through grants, technical assistance, partnering, and meaningful engagement. The Public Federal Advisory Committees Leverage recommendations provided by federal advisory committees. Objective_a8da39a4-bc23-4b27-92c4-ec536272ef94 15 The Agency will leverage recommendations provided by federal advisory committees, such as the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC), LGAC, and Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC), and focus on partnerships representing vulnerable populations, such as youth, the elderly, and low-income communities. Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC) LGAC National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Elderly Low-Income Communities Youth Vulnerable Populations Goals & Priorities Understand each community's goals and identify its environmental priorities and needs. Objective_2c296467-8d4e-464d-bfc0-174139dfeeb6 16 Specifically, the Agency will engage with the focus communities identified by EPA regions to understand each community's goals and identify its environmental priorities and needs, recognizing that rural communities and more urban areas may have different priorities. Communities Infrastructute Provide loans and grants to states and tribes to improve infrastructure. Objective_5271fc10-44b9-462f-9753-1f577dc35e66 17 EPA will continue to provide loans and grants to states and tribes to improve infrastructure. States Tribes Investment Support private and public investment in economic revitalization and improved environmental outcomes across the country. Objective_c5991693-0461-4012-b830-b1ae4a41cd6f 18 Given that investment in infrastructure is necessary for economic growth and environmental protection and that EPA investments are catalytic to both, the Agency's efforts will be used to support private and public investment in economic revitalization and improved environmental outcomes across the country. unnamed group Alignment Strengthen our infrastructure and community assistance programs to better align EPA investments with each other and with other federal investments Objective_43bfd21e-535e-40bd-8b87-ea944e65e185 19 This requires that EPA strengthen its infrastructure and community assistance programs (e.g., the clean water SRF, drinking water SRF, Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, environmental justice, community revitalization, and brownfields area-wide planning grant programs) to better align EPA investments with each other and with other federal investments in pursuit of economic revitalization and improved environmental outcomes. unnamed group Disadvantaged Communities Serve disadvantaged communities. Objective_b5df6ebc-b836-43a8-b3f6-eb9004b38a21 20 At the same time, EPA will ensure that it is serving disadvantaged communities, leveraging private investment to improve the economy, and protecting human health and the environment. Disadvantaged Communities Investments Make infrastructure and public health protection investments in communities. Objective_fa309586-9200-411d-a848-ce5ecf13c44e 21 EPA will work in a focused manner to make infrastructure and public health protection investments in communities with and through partners such as states and tribes. Communities Tools Create tools to facilitate incorporation of community understanding, needs, and concerns across program activities. Objective_ccce7e66-6a74-4b4f-9bb0-378200db45a1 22 To further integrate and implement community environmental considerations within EPA programs, the Agency will create tools to facilitate incorporation of community understanding, needs, and concerns across program activities, and advance more systematic incorporation of existing tools and needs, such as use of the Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool (EJSCREEN) and EnviroAtlas. unnamed group Community-Based Work Develop a cross-Agency communities team to lead regional involvement in and resourcing of community-based environmental work. Objective_09bcf573-6b0e-4e49-8a21-28b982a60309 23 EPA will develop a cross-Agency communities team to lead regional involvement in and resourcing of community-based environmental work through a fully-integrated resource platform. EPA Communities Team Federal Partnerships Coordinate across the federal government to deliver services more efficiently and effectively. Objective_db5f89ff-3083-4362-839d-7e661d6e1b71 24 The Agency will coordinate across the federal government -- EPA regions partnering with federal agencies in focus communities -- to deliver services more efficiently and effectively. Communities EPA will utilize such partnerships to leverage resources and expertise from across EPA and a range of outside partners to advance economic revitalization through the environmental and health goals of communities. Advisory Committees & Forums Engage state, local, and tribal co-regulators through advisory committees and other forums. Objective_70eb5f77-57be-4d38-bdd1-28c304aee265 25 EPA will look for opportunities for early engagement with state, local, and tribal co-regulators through existing advisory committees and other forums. Tribal Co-Regulators State Co-Regulators Local Co-Regulators Community Solutions Access and leverage resources from across federal agencies. Objective_54124216-490c-4b91-8cb0-0fd702166b99 26 The Agency will also continue leadership of and involvement in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Community Solutions Taskforce to better access and leverage resources from across federal agencies, and ... Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Community Solutions Taskforce Environmental Justice Strengthen coordination with the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice. Objective_cf0f40e6-7faa-4df1-afb9-010ff4a980b9 27 will strengthen coordination with the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice to better integrate EPA priorities and support and engage communities. Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Children Support and align our work with the activities and priorities of the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. Objective_153b7ad0-5479-4f52-b972-235006f4fb57 28 In addition, EPA will support and align its work with the activities and priorities of the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. Children President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children E-Enterprise Provide tools and resources for communities to facilitate two-way communication between the public and environmental agencies. Objective_6add0b2a-09da-4c28-b7b9-d1280ba7fcea 29 EPA will work on the E-Enterprise Web Portal's Assistance Gateway, which provides tools and resources for communities to facilitate two-way communication between the public and environmental agencies. Communities Environmental Agencies The Public Technologies Harness and benefit from the recent, rapid development of environmental monitoring technologies. Objective_5188ac4a-5e9f-45ab-a1cf-7a9c9de050c2 30 The Agency will determine how EPA, states, and tribes can most effectively harness and benefit from the recent, rapid development of environmental monitoring technologies that are smaller, more portable, and less expensive than traditional methods. EPA will pursue innovative technologies without compromising the accuracy of the information collected. unnamed group Monitoring Data Make monitoring data publicly available. Objective_dd17d896-da5a-4fcd-bab7-4be9c92d3020 31 In consultation with state, tribal, and local partners, EPA will make monitoring data publicly available, providing context and relevancy. State Partners The Public Local Partners Tribal Partners Collaboration & Communication Enhance collaboration and communication with communities. Objective_7bb6b317-b80d-40a2-b38f-68cf6082e973 32 EPA will support the EEnterprise Assistance Gateway that will enhance collaboration and communication with communities. Communities Public Participation Increase the number and type of public participation platforms. Objective_b0a56a48-4325-4f7b-9807-f41d3ddea351 33 The Agency will seek to increase the number and type of public participation platforms it has to ensure that the public can meaningfully participate in all of EPA’s work -- including policy making, regulatory development, outreach, education, and community engagement. unnamed group FOIA Reduce our FOIA backlog. Objective_22aea814-cc59-4afa-ab70-956d39c47c5d 34 EPA will also focus on reducing the FOIA backlog the Agency has built up over the years, and enhancing the FOIA process. The complexity and volume of electronic documents required to be searched, collected, and reviewed has increased over time. The Agency will ensure that it can support the timely searching and collection of electronically-stored information for purposes of responding to FOIA requests and other information needs in a cost-effective, sustainable manner. This should not only help the Agency provide the public information requested, but also reduce the fees and lawsuits the Agency incurs from missing FOIA response deadlines. unnamed group Rule of Law & Process Administer the law, as Congress intended, to refocus the Agency on its statutory obligations under the law. Goal_d727a4f1-7d6f-4b54-9946-697169f842bb 3 EPA will seek to reinvigorate the rule of law and process as it administers the environmental laws as Congress intended, and to refocus the Agency on its basic statutory obligations. To accomplish this, EPA will work cooperatively with states and tribes to ensure compliance with the law, as well as to create consistency and certainty for the regulated community. Of course, EPA will take civil or criminal enforcement action against violators of environmental laws. A robust enforcement program is critically important for addressing violations and promoting deterrence, and supports the Agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment. Ensuring compliance with the law also ensures consistency and certainty for the regulated community so it has a complete understanding of the impact of proposed actions on human health, the environment, and the economy, and a clear path and timeline to achieve that compliance. EPA’s policies and rules will reflect common sense, consistent with the Agency’s statutory authorities, and provide greater regulatory and economic certainty for the public. EPA will enforce the rule of law in a timely manner and take action against those that violate environmental laws to the detriment of human health or the environment. One of EPA’s highest priorities must be to create consistency and certainty for the regulated community. Consistency in how the laws and regulations are applied across the country is part of that process. EPA will undertake a variety of efforts to ensure that consistency in application of laws and regulations is evaluated and addressed, while respecting the unique circumstances of each state and tribe. EPA recognizes the importance of applying rules and policies consistently as well as creating certainty by meeting the statutory deadlines that are required for EPA’s actions. The rule of law must also be built on the application of robust science that is conducted to help the Agency meet its mission and support the states and tribes in achieving their environmental goals. Research, in conjunction with user-friendly applications needed to apply the science to real-world problems, will help move EPA and the states forward in making timely decisions based on science. Carrying out this goal requires that EPA improve the efficiency of its internal business and administrative operations. First, EPA’s business operations, specifically the vast permitting processes established by the different environmental statutes, are key to ensuring economic growth and human health and environmental protection. Over the next five years, EPA will modernize its permitting practices to increase the timeliness of reviews and decisions, while working more collaboratively, transparently, and cost effectively to achieve the Agency's mission. The second part of improving internal operations includes reducing EPA's overhead and creating more efficient and effective administrative processes (e.g., acquisition) that allow EPA to accomplish its core mission work. U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Department of Justice States unnamed group Tribes EPA Staff Local Officials State Law Enforcement Officials EPA Managers Federal Agencies unnamed group States EPA Litigants Tribes Tribal Law Enforcement Officials Tribes Local Communities Local Agencies Federal Agencies Tribes Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) Tribes Tribes State Governments unnamed group Tribes Tribal Governments EPA Workforce Tribes Tribes unnamed group Tribes State Decision-Makers Communities Tribal Leaders States Tribes Local Decision-Makers Utilities unnamed group Industry Sectors Susceptible Subpopulations Tribes States Local Law Enforcement Officials Local Communities Vulnerable Groups Tribal Decision-Makers Communities Regional Leaders unnamed group Regulated Community State Officials States States States State Leaders Territories unnamed group States States unnamed group States Children States States Susceptible Populations Tribal Officials States States States States Tribes States Local Governments unnamed group Federal Agencies Tribes Tribes State Governments FOIA Requesters Communities unnamed group Environmental Justice Communities States States unnamed group Tribes Tribes Tribal Governments unnamed group Tribes unnamed group Local Leaders unnamed group States Tribes unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder unnamed stakeholder Compliance Comply with the Law Objective_b014a4df-4b81-4cc5-a35f-38664a62d5d6 1 Timely enforce environmental laws to increase compliance rates and promote cleanup of contaminated sites through the use of all of EPA’s compliance assurance tools, especially enforcement actions to address environmental violations. Introduction For decades, the protections mandated by federal environmental laws have been essential to the growth of American prosperity. Noncompliance with those laws diminishes shared prosperity and unfairly tilts the field of economic competition in favor of those that skirt the law. To carry out its mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA, in collaboration with state and tribal partners, relies on a strong national compliance assurance and cleanup enforcement program. An effective enforcement program is key to ensuring that the ambitious goals of the nation’s environmental statutes are realized. EPA’s enforcement priorities remain focused on cleaning up hazardous waste sites and addressing the most significant violations consistent with EPA’s statutory authorities. EPA takes the overwhelming majority of its enforcement actions in programs that are: (1) not delegable to a state or tribe; (2) in states or tribes that have not sought authorization to implement a delegable program; or (3) in states or tribes that do not have the resources or expertise, or that seek assistance from the Agency—and these actions are taken in coordination with the states and tribes. For states and tribes with authorized programs, EPA, states, and tribes share enforcement responsibility, with primary enforcement responsibility residing with the state36 or tribe. Further, EPA is responsible for addressing violations that occur in Indian country in the absence of an approved program. Even in states or tribes authorized to implement a program, EPA serves a critical role in addressing serious national noncompliance problems, such as those affecting multiple states or tribes, and in serving as a backstop for instances when a state or tribe does not timely or appropriately address serious noncompliance. EPA also may assist a state or tribe in remedying noncompliance problems when the state or tribe is unable to address the problem because it lacks the capability or resources, such as in actions against other federal or state agencies. For some serious violations, the Agency and states or tribes may decide that the best approach is a joint enforcement action. Further, EPA will take immediate action when there is an environmental emergency, such as an oil spill or chemical accident. Through the State Review Framework (SRF), EPA periodically reviews authorized state compliance monitoring and enforcement programs, using criteria agreed upon by states, to evaluate performance against national compliance monitoring or enforcement program standards. When states do not achieve standards, the Agency works with them to make progress. However, EPA may also take a lead implementation role when authorized states have a documented history of failure to make progress toward meeting national standards. In all of its work, EPA’s enforcement program strives to address noncompliance in an efficient and timely manner, applying a broad range of enforcement and compliance tools to achieve the goal of reducing noncompliance. Strategic Measures: * SM-17 By September 30, 2022, reduce the average time from violation identification to correction. * SM-18 By September 30, 2022, increase the environmental law compliance rate. unnamed stakeholder Civil Enforcement Maximize compliance with the nation's environmental laws and regulations. Objective_a442dc8e-e643-4b7f-8c04-6a71283fc034 2 The overall goal of EPA's civil enforcement program is to maximize compliance with the nation’s environmental laws and regulations to protect human health and the environment. unnamed stakeholder Consistency & Fairness Ensure consistent and fair enforcement of environmental statutes. Objective_a8498ad0-55b0-4e2d-8807-ab77648c1d44 3 The Agency works closely with the U.S. Department of Justice, states, tribes, territories, and local agencies to ensure consistent and fair enforcement of all major environmental statutes. U.S. Department of Justice States Local Agencies Tribes Territories Partnerships Strengthen environmental partnerships with its state and tribal partners. Objective_59d2d41c-6e68-47d7-b186-2dbf1d8bb0e2 4 EPA will seek to strengthen environmental partnerships with its state and tribal partners, encourage regulated entities to correct violations rapidly, ensure that violators do not realize an economic benefit from noncompliance, and pursue enforcement to deter future violations. States Tribes Noncompliance & Impacts Refocus efforts toward areas with significant noncompliance issues and where enforcement can address the most substantial impacts to human health and the environment. Objective_42da2283-109b-4885-9de8-b3497acd6616 5 EPA recognizes that significant environmental progress has been made over the years, much of it due to enforcement efforts by EPA, states, tribes, and local communities. To maximize compliance over the next five years, the Agency will refocus efforts toward areas with significant noncompliance issues and where enforcement can address the most substantial impacts to human health and the environment. States Tribes Local Communities Direct Responsibilities Focus compliance assurance and enforcement resources on direct implementation responsibilities, addressing the most significant violations, and assisting authorized states and tribes in meeting national standards. Objective_6e47b3de-f3a1-42f0-8fed-a311cb493f69 6 EPA also recognizes the role of states and tribes as the primary implementers, where authorized by EPA to implement the federal statutes, and will focus compliance assurance and enforcement resources on direct implementation responsibilities, addressing the most significant violations, and assisting authorized states and tribes in meeting national standards. For example, the Agency will provide expertise and implement compliance monitoring strategies that will ensure a level playing field. EPA is responsible for direct implementation for programs that are not delegable or where a state or tribe has not sought or obtained the authority to implement a particular program (or program component). Examples of non-delegable programs include the CAA mobile source program, pesticide labeling and registration under FIFRA, virtually all compliance assurance and enforcement in Indian country, enforcement of the federal Superfund cleanup program, and enforcement of non-delegated portions of various other laws, including RCRA, the CWA, and stratospheric ozone under the CAA. States Tribes Federal Facilities Pursue enforcement actions at federal facilities where significant violations are discovered. Objective_e15eb722-1b2f-46b9-8cb0-87a3032746a5 7 EPA also will pursue enforcement actions at federal facilities where significant violations are discovered, will ensure that federal facilities are held to the same standards as the private sector, and will provide technical and scientific support to states and tribes with authorized programs. Federal Agencies Criminal Enforcement Enforce environmental laws through targeted investigation of criminal conduct. Objective_e7ad2b24-3dec-4782-9365-e0cf5835f256 8 EPA's Criminal Enforcement program enforces the nation's environmental laws through targeted investigation of criminal conduct committed by individual and corporate defendants that threaten public health and the environment. The Agency plays a critical role across the country since states and tribes have limited capacity to prosecute environmental crimes. Tribes States Collaboration & Coordination collaborate and coordinate with the U.S. Department of Justice and state, tribal, and local law enforcement counterparts Objective_437c66dc-99c8-46bb-b31c-c951ec7ba766 9 Over the next five years, EPA will collaborate and coordinate with the U.S. Department of Justice and state, tribal, and local law enforcement counterparts to ensure that the Agency responds to violations as quickly and effectively as possible. U.S. Department of Justice State Law Enforcement Officials Local Law Enforcement Officials Tribal Law Enforcement Officials Egregious Cases Focus on the most egregious environmental cases. Objective_ff03085f-2c1a-4c67-ac26-757a692b1aef 10 The Agency will focus resources on the most egregious environmental cases (i.e., those presenting significant human health and environmental impacts). unnamed stakeholder Cleanup Enforcement Facilitate prompt site cleanup and use an "enforcement first" approach that maximizes the participation of liable and viable parties in performing and paying for cleanups. Objective_3355898c-696f-4787-abf9-d82025ae95e7 11 Cleanup Enforcement Through the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund), EPA will facilitate prompt site cleanup and use an "enforcement first" approach that maximizes the participation of liable and viable parties in performing and paying for cleanups. unnamed stakeholder PRPs Protect communities by ensuring that potentially responsible parties (PRPs) conduct cleanups at Superfund sites. Objective_1a03cc96-428f-48b3-998e-aca1ce62839a 12 The Agency will protect communities by ensuring that potentially responsible parties (PRPs) conduct cleanups at Superfund sites, preserving federal taxpayer dollars for sites where there are no viable contributing parties, and by recovering costs if the EPA expends Superfund-appropriated dollars to clean up sites. Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) Communities Liabilities Address liability concerns that can be a barrier to potential reuse. Objective_5912094f-5171-42ae-85c4-542150a37811 13 EPA also will address liability concerns that can be a barrier to potential reuse. Addressing the risks posed by Superfund sites and returning them to productive use strengthens the economy and spurs economic growth. unnamed stakeholder Priority Sites Focus on the highest priority sites. Objective_73fc7877-f611-4f06-aecc-bde2cbdcb511 14 Over the next five years, EPA will focus its resources on the highest priority sites, particularly those that may present an immediate risk to human health or the environment. unnamed stakeholder Remediation Ensure that contaminated sites across the country are remediated. Objective_a5218dda-712c-4464-8912-442b817fb5ad 15 In accordance with the Superfund Task Force Report, the Agency will improve and revitalize the Superfund program to ensure that contaminated sites across the country are remediated to protect human health and the environment, and returned to beneficial reuse as expeditiously as possible. unnamed stakeholder Federal Sites Resolve disputes under the federal facility agreements. Objective_a3539fa5-3f80-42d7-afb6-92026f63962d 16 At federally-owned sites, EPA will also focus on resolving formal disputes under the federal facility agreements. Federal Agencies Consistency & Certainty Create Consistency and Certainty Objective_8137682a-fb04-4fe6-b877-05e06c96e829 17 Outline exactly what is expected of the regulated community to ensure good stewardship and positive environmental outcomes. Introduction The regulatory framework is inherently dynamic. As part of its statutory obligations, EPA is required to publish many regulations within a set timeframe each year that implement environmental programs and assist the Agency in meeting its core mission. These regulations address newly mandated responsibilities as well as updates and revisions to existing regulations. As EPA meets its obligations to protect human health and the environment through regulatory action, it must also meet another key responsibility – minimizing “regulatory uncertainty” that unnecessarily causes businesses and communities to face delays, planning inefficiencies, and compliance complexities that impede environmental protection, economic growth, and development. EPA will employ a set of strategies to reduce regulatory uncertainty while continuing to improve human health and environmental outcomes consistent with the Agency’s authorities as established by Congress and while considering unique state, tribal, and local circumstances. These strategies, which reflect EPA’s commitment to cooperative federalism and commitment to the rule of law, will also help advance Agency goals for streamlining and modernizing permitting and enhancing shared accountability. Strategic Measures: * SM-19 By September 30, 2022, meet 100% of legal deadlines imposed on EPA. * SM-20 By September 30, 2022, eliminate unnecessary or duplicative reporting burdens to the regulated community by 10,000,000 hours. unnamed stakeholder Regulations & Deadlines Reinvigorate our approach to regulatory development and prioritize meeting its statutory deadlines. Objective_96f1cc7f-dac0-4a2b-b3ac-d398e484843d 18 As EPA issues new or revised regulations, businesses and individuals can find it challenging to know which rules apply to them and to adjust their compliance strategies. Over the next five years, EPA will reinvigorate its approach to regulatory development and prioritize meeting its statutory deadlines to ensure that expectations for the regulated community and the public are clear and comprehensive and that Agency actions are defensible and consistent with its authorities. unnamed stakeholder Uncertainty & Communication Minimize regulatory uncertainty and will communicate more comprehensively. Objective_3cbf990f-400d-4cd6-98e6-47f0b624b3aa 19 The Agency will use new approaches and flexible tools to minimize regulatory uncertainty and will communicate more comprehensively to realize more consistent and better environmental outcomes, while centering work on statutory and regulatory obligations. unnamed stakeholder Industry Sectors Strengthen working relationships with industry sectors. Objective_13115433-59dd-4e17-be99-9b1961d14d0f 20 EPA will strengthen working relationships with industry sectors to better understand their needs and challenges in implementing Agency requirements and with communities to understand their concerns. This knowledge will enable the Agency to develop better policies and regulations to protect human health and the environment in line with the authorities given to EPA by Congress. Industry Sectors Legal Challenges Systematically map the processes associated with legal challenges and implement improvements where needed. Objective_be6d86f9-f87c-4bdc-9eab-b8907a0c7c6a 21 On average, the EPA faces approximately 20 legal challenges under the various environmental statutes each year that assert that the Agency missed a statutory or regulatory deadline for taking an action or unreasonably delayed taking an action. In addition, the Agency faces nearly the same number of legal challenges under FOIA for failure to comply with the deadlines in that law. Responding to these challenges often diverts significant EPA resources away from priority activities, and could impact the Agency's ability to fulfill its commitments. In order to facilitate achievement of this goal, EPA will undertake a systematic mapping of the processes associated with these obligations and implement improvements where needed. FOIA Requesters EPA Litigants Base Catalog Develop and engage stakeholders in reviewing a draft base catalog of responsibilities that statutes require EPA to perform in programs delegated to states and tribes. Objective_b5033fab-1133-4ae4-8e7d-3a718506b628 22 In addition, EPA will develop and engage stakeholders in reviewing a draft base catalog of responsibilities that statutes require EPA to perform in programs delegated to states and tribes. The base catalog, to be complete by 2019 and subsequently updated as necessary, will provide EPA a foundation to make decisions that reduce contradictory policy determinations at headquarters and across regions. It will also support EPA cooperative federalism commitments aimed at minimizing duplication and overlap among regions, headquarters, states, and tribes. This effort also leverages the commitment that EPA is making under cooperative federalism to identify, for all environmental media, an inventory and timeline for state-led permits that EPA reviews. States Tribes Consistency Consistently implement policies across regions. Objective_84583971-fa72-44b9-910c-ce49cd7e9cd0 23 The Agency will ensure consistent implementation of policies across all regions. unnamed stakeholder Cooperative Decision Making Work toward more cooperative decision making. Objective_f916d4f7-f136-4532-80da-79a39cf9c1ee 24 EPA will also work towards more cooperative decision making between EPA's regions and headquarters, when necessary. unnamed stakeholder Regulatory Guidance Review regulatory guidance documents. Objective_082762f2-582a-4348-badd-10e80247805a 25 EPA will review regulatory guidance documents to identify key opportunities and will clarify and realign Agency approaches to improve consistency and clarity. unnamed stakeholder Working Relationships Strengthen working relationships with states, tribes, and local communities to transfer knowledge. Objective_0e1d2114-44f0-48e9-bf27-73c08029e946 26 EPA will strengthen working relationships with states, tribes, and local communities to transfer knowledge, leveraging its commitments under cooperative federalism, such as collaboration under E-Enterprise for the Environment. Tribes States Local Communities Tool & Service Sharing Make available to states and tribes tools or services designed by other federal agencies, states, tribes, or local communities. Objective_a7e85b9c-7f33-4072-aeae-1f4c4a173bd1 27 EPA will make available to states and tribes tools or services designed by other federal agencies, states, tribes, or local communities that enhance efficiency and reduce burden on the regulated community while ensuring protection of human health and the environment. unnamed stakeholder Collaboration Collaborate with our partners on systems and services. Objective_84d8369a-6347-486f-b7e2-c0e37e2949b3 28 EPA will work with states and tribes to achieve this objective without overburdening those entities with costly unnecessary reporting systems and technology. Building on efforts to date, such as under EEnterprise, EPA will collaborate with its partners on systems and services, including but not limited to: States Tribes E-Reporting Enables states, tribes, and the regulated community to move from paper-based to electronic reporting. Objective_71f7c17e-093f-49a4-94dd-8f24ccd4c93c 29 E-reporting: A systematic digital approach that enables states, tribes, and the regulated community to move from paper-based to electronic reporting. States Regulated Community Tribes Information Sharing Enable submission and sharing of environmental information. Objective_2f9cb145-94ab-4da8-8833-0b565ee2f2a4 30 The Environmental Information Exchange Network: Managed under the collaborative leadership of EPA, states, territories, and tribes, a communication, data, and services platform for submitting and sharing environmental information among partners to foster informed decision making. unnamed group SPeCS for SIPs Enable Web submission and management of SIPs under the Clean Air Act. Objective_95a08e49-bea2-4107-868a-467a001a6aac 31 SPeCS for SIPs (State Plan Electronic Collection System for State Implementation Plans): A web-based system for authorized state, tribal, and local governments to submit and manage SIPs under the Clean Air Act. Tribal Governments Local Governments State Governments Science Prioritize Robust Science Objective_14331e6f-89a2-4b3a-9b72-8cd6f8fde311 32 Refocus the EPA's robust research and scientific analysis to inform policy making. Introduction EPA will identify, assess, conduct, and apply the best available science to address current and future environmental hazards, develop new approaches, and improve the scientific foundation for environmental protection decisions. EPA conducts problem-driven, interdisciplinary research to address specific environmental risks, and is committed to using science and innovation to reduce risks to human health and the environment, based on needs identified by EPA’s program and regional offices and as well as state and tribal partners. Specifically, over the next five years, the Agency will strengthen alignment of its research to support EPA programs, regions, states, and tribes in accomplishing their top human health and environmental protection priorities for improved air quality, clean and safe water, revitalized land, and chemical safety. Working closely with ECOS and its subsidiary, the Environmental Research Institute of the States (ERIS), the Agency will strive to connect state research needs with Agency priorities, and work to improve communication of research results. Through the public-private coalition Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council, EPA will encourage the adoption of innovative technologies and solutions. The Agency will also emphasize the translation of its work products for end user application and feedback. EPA research will be reviewed by various scientific advisory boards (e.g., Board of Scientific Counselors) that are made up of recognized experts in various scientific, engineering, and social science fields and may be from industry; business; public and private research institutes or organizations; academia; federal, state, tribal, and local governments; nongovernmental organizations; and other relevant interest areas. Strategic Measure: * SM-21 By September 30, 2022, increase the number of research products meeting customer needs. unnamed stakeholder Air Quality Advance the science and provide the information critical to improve air quality and to inform stationary source regulations; vehicle and fuel standards and certification; emission inventories; air quality assessments; and domestic ozone actions. Objective_5682ca4e-a784-4133-91c3-bf76d3b286ce 33 EPA's research will advance the science and provide the information critical to improve air quality and to inform stationary source regulations; vehicle and fuel standards and certification; emission inventories; air quality assessments; and domestic ozone actions. The results of Agency research to support air quality program priorities will inform EPA programs; state, tribal, and local air programs; communities; and individuals about measures and strategies to reduce air pollution. Researchers will publish peer-reviewed scientific journal articles to disseminate research findings as appropriate and consistent with resource and program needs. Over the next five years, the Agency will: unnamed stakeholder Emissions Deliver state-of-the-art tools for states and tribes to use in identifying effective emission reduction strategies to meet national ambient air quality standards and enhance air quality measurement methods used to ascertain compliance with NAAQS. Objective_ea444d1c-a417-4cda-b5a8-bb1fe75647ed 34 Tribes States Pollutants Assess human and ecosystem exposures and effects associated with air pollutants on individual, community, regional, and global scales. Objective_a25259ed-0206-4c53-a3ea-41979e6c8d5b 35 unnamed stakeholder Prevention & Reduction Develop and evaluate approaches to prevent and reduce pollution, particularly sustainable, cost-effective, and innovative multi-pollutant and sector-based approaches. Objective_0689e3c3-ea32-4955-8fd6-f5db42071c6d 36 unnamed stakeholder Decision Making Provide human exposure and environmental modeling, monitoring, metrics, and information needed to inform air quality decision making at the state, tribal, and local level. Objective_b4a8b3e3-67ed-4721-acb1-11852aebf473 37 Local Decision-Makers State Decision-Makers Tribal Decision-Makers Water Resources Develop solutions to water resource challenges for complex chemical and biological contaminants. Objective_a19fdfb1-2749-4897-8050-f99f03cd2009 38 Safe and Sustainable Water Resources -- EPA will develop innovative, cost-effective solutions to current, emerging, and long-term water resource challenges for complex chemical and biological contaminants. Using a systems approach to develop scientific and technological solutions for protecting human health and aquatic ecosystems, EPA researchers partner with program experts; federal and state agencies; tribes; local communities; academia; nongovernmental organizations; and private stakeholders. Over the next five years, the Agency will: unnamed stakeholder Drinking Water Support safe drinking water by focusing research on assessing the distribution, composition, remediation, and health impacts of known and emerging chemical and biological contaminants. Objective_0a4157e3-6fd0-451f-b1eb-2842ce9ef019 39 unnamed stakeholder Waterborne Pathogens Improve methods for fast and efficient waterborne pathogen monitoring in recreational waters. Objective_259ae8b0-c6b4-4b28-b971-120616af30e8 40 unnamed stakeholder Algal / Cyanobacteria Toxins Investigate health impacts from exposure to harmful algal/cyanobacteria toxins, and develop innovative methods to monitor, characterize, and predict blooms for early action. Objective_c23039a8-9dff-4ce6-8875-5550430ef3a8 41 unnamed stakeholder Water Quality & Aquatic Life Support states and tribes in meeting their priorities and setting water quality and aquatic life thresholds. Objective_f96aee21-2b75-4077-88d7-ebc9262e4221 42 States Tribes Stormwater & Wastewater Assist states, tribes, communities, and utilities in addressing stormwater and wastewater infrastructure needs through applied modeling, technical assistance, and capture-and-reuse risk assessments. Objective_fa94aecd-b1f6-4dae-b671-5b285a02c0d5 43 Communities Tribes Utilities States Reuse Provide water reuse research support on potable and non-potable use guidance for states and tribes. Objective_e11f126c-0c18-4dea-af1f-fff67311f90c 44 States Tribes Healthy Communities Conduct research to support regulatory activities and protocol development for the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and provide on-demand technical support at cleanup sites managed by federal, state or tribal governments, as well as assistance during emergencies. Objective_cec32405-4c7c-4f65-9780-503d451d57b3 45 Sustainable and Healthy Communities -- EPA will conduct research to support regulatory activities and protocol development for the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and provide on-demand technical support at cleanup sites managed by federal, state or tribal governments, as well as assistance during emergencies. The Agency conducts health, environmental engineering, and ecological research and prepares planning and analysis tools for localities nationwide to use in facilitating regulatory compliance and improving environmental and health outcomes. Over the next five years, EPA will: State Governments Communities Tribal Governments Technical Support Provide technical support to the states and tribes through technical support centers for remediating CERCLA-designated contaminated sites and returning them to productive use. Objective_b546914c-c2c2-4fbf-967a-6e56123dca3f 46 Tribes States Cleanups Assist regional, state, tribal, and local leaders in reducing costs and setting science-based cleanup levels in areas designated under CERCLA. Objective_fd086b49-3b43-4265-943c-8619732f0df4 47 Tribal Leaders Regional Leaders Local Leaders State Leaders Underground Storage Tanks Characterize sites and contaminants released from leaking underground storage tanks identified under the LUST Trust Fund. Objective_06fb64d1-bab5-4163-aec8-4327b05162d1 48 unnamed group Causal Relationships Work with the ECOS/ERIS to evaluate the causal relationships between ecosystem goods and services and human health, and to document these relationships using EnviroAtlas. Objective_4cdc0e63-944d-4592-a57c-5215ea680c58 49 unnamed group Vulnerable Groups Assess the impact of pollution (e.g., health impact assessments) on such vulnerable groups as children, tribes, environmental justice communities, and other susceptible populations. Objective_ef1ade8d-fd83-467c-b50c-7adf26395b56 50 Children Tribes Environmental Justice Communities Vulnerable Groups Susceptible Populations Chemicals Evaluate and predict impacts from chemical use and disposal. Objective_c536b6cc-4637-433e-a3cc-a28f83ea11aa 51 Chemical Safety -- EPA will evaluate and predict impacts from chemical use and disposal, and provide states and tribes with information, tools, and methods to make better informed, more timely decisions about the thousands of chemicals in the United States. The Agency will produce innovative tools that accelerate the pace of data-driven evaluations, enable knowledge-based decisions that protect human health, and advance the science required to anticipate and solve problems. Over the next five years, EPA will: States Tribes Tools Provide tools to more efficiently and cost-effectively evaluate the biological activity and health risks of chemicals and reduce the use of toxicity tests to animals. Objective_17971edc-bcb9-403b-8042-d3b164cacf62 52 unnamed group ToxCast/Tox21 Use ToxCast/Tox21 data to develop high-throughput risk assessments, particularly for chemicals for which adequate risk assessment information has been historically unavailable. Objective_36ddb2d9-61ac-43f0-bb23-8b4a8dcc94df 53 unnamed group Software Tools Develop online software tools to provide information on thousands of chemicals and integrate health, environmental, and exposure data to support regulatory and prioritization decisions. Objective_7a369365-23e5-40da-ba23-b4a2a8893cdf 54 unnamed group Prediction Explore how high-throughput exposure and hazard information can be combined to predict the potential for exposure and risk to susceptible subpopulations. Objective_e1c36f53-3162-4414-be40-384dd4117a01 55 Susceptible Subpopulations Nanoparticles Conduct nanoparticle research by using life-cycle analyses, evaluating impacts on ecosystem health, and supporting the development of safer nanomaterials in private industry. Objective_ff80bb37-3031-4af0-9b65-ce4cf27873b7 56 unnamed group Health Assess risks to human health. Objective_62d967fb-b578-40a2-9655-4d67dd1e2b09 57 Human Health Risk Assessment -- EPA also will focus on the science of assessments that inform Agency, state, and tribal decisions and policies. These risk assessments provide the research and technical support needed to ensure safety of chemicals in the marketplace, revitalize and return land to communities, provide clean and safe water, and work with states and tribes to improve air quality. Over the next five years, EPA will: States Tribes Chemical Evaluation Develop a portfolio of chemical evaluation products that use the best available science for use by EPA, states, tribes, and other federal agencies. Objective_007dc888-a1b8-45f4-b7a8-06804d32da57 58 Federal Agencies Tribes States TSCA Provide research and scientific support for proper TSCA implementation, as Congress intended. Objective_3abae7ef-dadc-46e8-820c-899d5e6b83c9 59 unnamed group Cleanups Develop assessment products, peer-reviewed toxicity values, and advanced exposure assessment tools to help inform Superfund and hazardous waste cleanups as required by RCRA and CERCLA. Objective_c97a128d-ebd1-43c2-b255-8d31334a5cbe 60 unnamed group Reviews Provide scientific support to the risk and technology reviews conducted under the CAA. Objective_1c8b389e-a876-43c3-b670-b330b3f88811 61 unnamed group ISAs Provide integrated science assessments (ISAs) to support decisions to retain or revise the national ambient air quality standards. Objective_41e30ade-c815-46fd-851f-16f7b64060cb 62 ISAs also inform benefit-cost and other analyses conducted by state, tribal, and local officials to support implementation of air quality management programs. Tribal Officials State Officials Local Officials Drinking Water Provide research and technical support to deliver safe drinking water by evaluating exposures to and health impacts of known and emerging chemical and biological contaminants. Objective_bc812725-622e-458a-890c-1ed5d274cc92 63 unnamed group Assessment Technologies Work with states and tribes on research and development of new assessment technologies. Objective_6718e9fc-759d-49c7-a274-d7309d9fbcd3 64 unnamed group Streamlining & Modernization Streamline and Modernize Objective_a1c75914-b7ae-4738-96c4-9710570f95a3 65 Issue permits more quickly and modernize our permitting and reporting systems. Introduction EPA implements a host of environmental statutes that affect the regulated community. Permitting requirements under these statutes can impose a variety of costs, including direct costs and opportunity costs related to uncertainty, delay, and cancellation. Delays in the approval of permits and modifications by federal, state, or tribal permitting authorities can postpone or prevent manufacturers from building, expanding, or beginning operations, even if the affected operations ultimately may be deemed suitable as proposed. Delays can also impact construction of major infrastructure projects. EPA is committed to speeding up the processing of permits and modifications to create certainty for the business community, leading to more jobs, increased economic prosperity, and streamlined permit renewals, which incorporate up-to-date information and requirements more quickly, thereby improving environmental protection. Further, EPA will continue to convert permit applications and reports that rely on paper submissions to electronic processing in order to reduce burden, shorten the wait for approval decisions, and increase the opportunity for public transparency. Strategic Measure: * SM-22 By September 30, 2022, reach all permitting-related decisions within six months. unnamed stakeholder Data Collect and report permitting data. Objective_d831f3b2-bb1e-4b37-96aa-820910a6d303 66 Over the next five years, EPA will systematically collect and report permitting data for each of its permitting programs. unnamed stakeholder Efficiencies Increase efficiencies in permitting processes. Objective_2d8bf98d-34d9-41df-bee2-08db85778a74 67 The Agency will employ business process improvement strategies, such as Lean, to increase efficiencies in all permitting processes and meet our commitments. unnamed stakeholder State Permits Streamline the review of state-issued permits. Objective_7b7b0ad3-475d-4f9c-8752-993890b0a1e5 68 The Agency will also work with states and use Lean techniques to streamline the review of state-issued permits. Solutions may include conducting earlier triage and communications, conducting Agency reviews in parallel with public reviews, and/or focusing reviews where they add the most value. States Policy Changes Consider where policy changes can improve permitting efficiency without sacrificing environmental results. Objective_60073148-2026-4eb9-9f3f-978ffbd76e1f 69 EPA will consider where policy changes can improve permitting efficiency without sacrificing environmental results. Examples include expanding the scope of minor permit modifications to reduce the number of permit reviews required, reinvigorating the use of plant-wide applicability limits (PALs) to reduce unnecessary permitting transactions, and increasing states' ability to incorporate federal regulations by reference, enabling them to adjust quickly and efficiently to new regulatory provisions. States Permitting & Reporting Modernize permitting and reporting processes. Objective_88538246-a779-42be-b509-83568ffdd93d 70 EPA will modernize permitting and reporting processes through efforts such as E-Enterprise for the Environment, a shared governance model with EPA, states, and tribes. EPA will work with states and tribes to achieve this objective without overburdening those entities with costly unnecessary reporting systems and technology. Building on efforts to date, EPA will collaborate with its partners on the following systematic process improvements: Tribes States E-Enterprise Web Portal E-Enterprise Web Portal Objective_b435e508-0d2f-4113-8583-9199b5491493 71 A web portal that allows the states, tribes, regulated community, and EPA to transact business, such as permitting and reporting, and provides easy access to needed information. unnamed group E-Permitting Enable application, tracking, and receipt of permits electronically. Objective_1361dcd2-a83a-40d5-b694-a32c38d7c354 72 An online system to ensure the ability to apply for, track the status of, and receive a permit electronically. unnamed group Efficiency & Effectiveness Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness Objective_4d7e4807-db90-4211-a3b2-b7ed29d4746c 73 Provide proper leadership and internal operations management to ensure that the Agency is fulfilling its mission. Introduction To support its mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its business processes. Focus areas will include financial, facility, human resource, contract, grant, and information technology/information management. EPA will improve its future workforce, modernize and streamline its business practices, and take advantage of new collaborative and cost-effective tools and technologies. The Agency will build a modern and secure work environment that will protect critical information and support its efforts to address the environmental problems of the 21st century. EPA will work to alleviate challenges associated with outdated or non-existent policies, tension between centralized and decentralized approaches, myriad federal acquisition and grants requirements, complex processes, and fluctuating levels of expertise across Agency programs. Strategic Measures • SM-23 By September 30, 2022, reduce unused office and warehouse space by 850,641 square feet44. • SM-24 By September 30, 2022, reduce procurement processing times by achieving 100% of procurement action lead times (PALT)45. • SM-25 By September 30, 2022, improve 250 operational processes. • SM-26 By September 30, 2022, increase enterprise adoption of shared services by four46. unnamed stakeholder Processes & Operations Modernize and improve business processes and operations. Objective_d35a3c4c-a56f-46b8-a95f-a1b253396fe4 74 EPA will modernize and improve business processes and operations to promote transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness; enhance collaborative, results-driven partnerships with internal and external business partners; recruit, develop, and maintain a highly-skilled, diverse, and engaged workforce; and improve the capabilities and cost-effectiveness of its information technology (IT) and information management (IM) systems. unnamed stakeholder Input & Lean Principles Apply Lean principles and will leverage input from customer-focused councils, advisory groups, surveys, workgroups, acquisition partnership initiatives, technical user groups, portfolio reviews, and federal advisory committees. Objective_92b2df85-fb0b-47c7-b6ad-b7bc6cf6578b 75 EPA will apply Lean principles and will leverage input from customer-focused councils, advisory groups, surveys, workgroups, acquisition partnership initiatives, technical user groups, portfolio reviews, and federal advisory committees to identify business process streamlining opportunities. unnamed stakeholder Acquisition & Grants Systems Standardize and streamline internal business processes in its acquisition and grants processes and systems. Objective_d00ea990-7bbf-4858-b08c-4a06cce51b9e 76 To improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of its operations, EPA will standardize and streamline internal business processes in its acquisition and grants processes and systems, and use additional federal and/or internal shared services when supported by business case analysis. unnamed stakeholder Training & Professional Development Provide training and development opportunities. Objective_d3f996e4-d7e3-46d2-b45c-6f4ae0f6158d 77 EPA will ensure its workforce is positioned to accomplish the Agency’s mission effectively by providing access to quality training and development opportunities that will improve staff's and managers' skills, knowledge, and performance, and prepare them to capitalize on opportunities that advance progress. EPA Staff EPA Managers Workforce planning & Management Improve our workforce planning and management. Objective_4e77e62f-ac79-43e7-a349-46bb7182d3a9 78 EPA will improve its workforce planning and management, strengthen its Senior Executive Service, and focus on developing and maintaining a highly-skilled technical workforce. EPA Workforce Collaboration Transform and modernize our information systems, tools, and processes to improve how the Agency collaborates both internally and with external stakeholders. Objective_f806bb2d-ec6a-4c34-b390-88eaee7162b2 79 EPA also will transform and modernize its information systems, tools, and processes to improve how the Agency collaborates both internally and with external stakeholders. unnamed stakeholder Data Delivery Deliver on-demand data to the right people at the right time. Objective_6011e131-42ad-45cd-941c-9a3096432126 80 EPA will enhance the power of information by delivering on-demand data to the right people at the right time. unnamed stakeholder IT/IM Capabilities & Customer Experiences Improve our IT/IM capabilities and customer experiences. Objective_132a5c36-9798-4eb3-96e6-3b176ef020e8 81 To enable the Agency, its partners, and the public effectively to acquire, generate, manage, use, and share information -- a critical resource in protecting human health and the environment -- EPA will improve its IT/IM capabilities and customer experiences. unnamed stakeholder Risk Management & Data Analytics Employ enterprise risk management and financial data analytics to support data management decision making. Objective_b14579e6-d3e7-45af-b1e2-316c39cb1d10 82 EPA will employ enterprise risk management and financial data analytics to support data management decision making, using the enterprise risk management framework mandated by OMB Circular A-123. unnamed stakeholder Cybersecurity Strengthen our cybersecurity posture. Objective_7db108fb-16a5-44f5-92da-ef70fb361857 83 To ensure that critical environmental and human health information is adequately protected, EPA will strengthen its cybersecurity posture. The Agency will focus on implementing two key cybersecurity priorities -- the mandated federal-government-wide Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) effort, and the complementary EPA-specific Cyber Risk Mitigation Projects (CRMPs). These two priorities introduce or improve upon dozens of cybersecurity capabilities, enhance the Agency's ability to respond to threats, and improve EPA's privacy posture via the Privacy Act of 1974. EPA will work closely with the Department of Homeland Security and other partners in implementing CDM capabilities. unnamed stakeholder Data Management Develop a data management strategy. Objective_8e554e83-3f47-44df-8444-001b14a25afa 84 To better understand complex interactions between pollutants and the environment and address the environmental problems of the 21st century effectively and efficiently, EPA and its partners analyze large volumes of data. EPA will develop a comprehensive data management strategy that addresses the collection, management, and use of data generated both internally and from external partners including states, tribes, grantees, the regulated community, and citizen science. The Agency will deploy new data analysis, data visualization, and geospatial tools in a Cloud-based framework to enable analysis and provide the basis for informed decision making. unnamed stakeholder Shared IT Services Build shared IT services, maximizing the benefits of our investments and ensuring consistency and scalability in tools and services. Objective_b12f5167-1f25-4256-92e1-9529e21f21e9 85 Environmental decision making across media programs requires access to high-quality data and analytics. EPA will build shared IT services, maximizing the benefits of our investments and ensuring consistency and scalability in tools and services. Over the next five years, EPA programs that receive submissions from outside the Agency, whether from the reporting community, states, tribes, or local governments, will rely increasingly on centrally-developed and maintained information services, decreasing the volume of computer code each program must develop and maintain. Shared services will reduce reporting burden for submitting entities and improve data quality for EPA. EPA programs, states, and tribes must establish a common catalog of shared services and agree to a minimum set of common standards and practices. unnamed stakeholder Information Architecture Design an enterprise-wide information architecture that will facilitate the electronic management of data and information, as well as multimodal access, effective searching, and ease of use. Objective_4ea86817-ba8f-4981-be4e-620719beb6c5 86 The Agency will enhance its extensive information resources by designing an enterprise-wide information architecture that will facilitate the electronic management of data and information, as well as multimodal access, effective searching, and ease of use. The Agency's future information management architecture will support official recordkeeping requirements, as well as daily document management, business processes, information access, and legal needs of EPA employees and organizations, while also being flexible, scalable, and cost effective. unnamed stakeholder StrategyPlan_9546be6a-3447-4a07-b7a0-7ff512301b07 2018-02-12 2022-09-30 2025-12-24 https://www.stratnavapp.com/StratML/Part2/9546be6a-3447-4a07-b7a0-7ff512301b07/Styled Submitter_9546be6a-3447-4a07-b7a0-7ff512301b07 Owen Ambur