Draft FY 2011–2015 EPA Strategic Plan

June 18, 2010

For Public Review June 18 - July 30, 2010

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Washington, DC 20460
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

i

Table of Contents

Table of Contents........................................................................................................................... i

Administrator’s Message.............................................................................................................. 1

Introduction................................................................................................................................... 4

Strategic Goals ............................................................................................................................. .7

Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality..................................... 7

Goal 2: Protecting America’s Waters....................................................................................... 11

Goal 3: Cleaning Up Our Communities.................................................................................... 15

Goal 4: Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution ....................................... 19

Goal 5: Enforcing Environmental Laws................................................................................... 22

External Factors and Emerging Issues...................................................................................... 24

Summary of Program Evaluation.............................................................................................. 26

Cross-Cutting Fundamental Strategies..................................................................................... 27

Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism ................................................................. 28

Working for Environmental Justice and Children’s Health...................................................... 29

Advancing Science, Research, and Technological Innovation................................................. 31

Strengthening State, Tribal, and International Partnerships ..................................................... 32

Strengthening EPA's Workforce and Capabilities.................................................................... 34

Strategic Measurement Framework ......................................................................................... 35

Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality.................................. 39

Goal 2: Protecting America’s Waters...................................................................................... 42

Goal 3: Cleaning Up Our Communities................................................................................... 46

Goal 4: Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution. ..................................... 50

Goal 5: Enforcing Environmental Laws. ................................................................................. 53
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

1

Administrator’s Message

In the time since I began my tenure as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency I have been both challenged and inspired by the difficult issues we face and the talent 

and dedication of our extraordinary work force. There is no doubt the EPA is back on the job. 

We have made exceptional progress in protecting the environment of American communities and 

restoring the trust of the American people. And we have made a number of historic 

environmental advances along the way. The year 2010 marks the EPA’s 40th anniversary. It is 

a moment of celebration but also a moment when we face some of the most complex and farreaching environmental challenges in the history of our agency, our nation and our planet. It is 

critical that we work harder and smarter and look further ahead.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s FY 2011-2015 Strategic Plan provides a blueprint 

for accomplishing our priorities for the next five years. This plan presents five strategic goals for 

advancing our environmental and human-health mission outcomes, accompanied by five crosscutting fundamental strategies that seek to adapt the EPA’s work inside and outside of the

agency and meet the growing environmental protection needs of the day. To follow the 

Administration’s focus on strengthening programs and achieving results, EPA is implementing 

High Priority Performance Goals to advance progress towards our five strategic goals. We will 

continue to affirm the core values of science, transparency and the rule of law in addressing these 

priorities, many of which we have served in the last two years and will continue to work toward 

in the future. These are the most urgent issues we must confront between 2010 and 2015. 

As we prepare this plan, we are in the midst of one of the worst environmental disasters this 

country has experienced, the Deepwater BP oil spill. This spill has devastated the ecological and 

economic health of the Gulf Coast communities. Following the emergency response with a 

sustained, effective recovery and rebuilding effort will require significant commitments of 

resources, scientific and technical expertise, and coordination with a range of partners in the 

months and years ahead. This Strategic Plan offers a solid foundation for EPA’s long-term 

response to the impacts of the Deepwater BP oil spill. As President Obama has said, the 

government is “going to do everything in our power to protect our natural resources, compensate 

those who have been harmed, rebuild what has been damaged, and help this region persevere like 

it has done so many times before.” The EPA will work tirelessly to address the environmental 

and human-health effects and set the Gulf Coast back on the path to recovery. 

The EPA’s Strategic Goals

Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality: American communities face 

serious health and environmental challenges from air pollution and the growing effects of 

climate change. During my first year as Administrator, the EPA finalized an endangerment 

finding on greenhouse gases, issued the first national rules to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 

under the Clean Air Act and initiated a national reporting system for greenhouse-gas emissions. 

All of these advances signaled historic progress in the fight against climate change. Climate 

change must be considered and integrated into all aspects of our work. While the EPA stands 

ready to help Congress craft strong, science-based climate legislation that addresses the spectrum 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

2

of issues, we will deploy such regulatory tools as they are available and warranted, including 

using the authority of the Clean Air Act. 

We have strengthened the ambient air-quality standards for nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide 

and proposed stronger standards for ozone, which will help millions of Americans breathe easier 

and live healthier. We also are developing a comprehensive strategy for a cleaner and more 

efficient power sector, with strong and achievable emission-reduction goals for sulfur dioxide, 

nitrogen oxide, mercury and other air toxics. Strengthening the ambient air-quality standards 

consistent with the latest scientific information and gaining additional reductions in air toxics 

from a range of industrial facilities will significantly improve air quality and reduce risks to 

communities across the country. Improved monitoring, timely and thorough permitting and 

vigorous enforcement are our key tools for air-quality improvement. 

Protecting America’s Waters: While much progress has been made, America’s waters remain 

imperiled. From nutrient loadings and stormwater runoff to invasive species and drinking water 

contaminants, water quality and enforcement programs face complex challenges that demand 

both traditional and innovative strategies. We will work hand-in-hand with states and tribes to 

develop nutrient limits and intensify our work to restore and protect the quality of the nation’s 

streams, rivers, lakes, bays, oceans and aquifers. The EPA also will use our authority robustly to 

protect and restore threatened natural treasures such as the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay and 

the Gulf of Mexico; to address our neglected urban rivers; to ensure safe drinking water; and to 

reduce pollution from nonpoint and industrial dischargers. We will initiate measures to address 

post-construction runoff, water-quality impairments from surface mining, and drinking-water 

contamination. 

Cleaning Up Our Communities: Using all the tools at our disposal, including targeted 

enforcement and compliance efforts, the EPA will continue to make our communities safer and 

healthier than ever before. We are accelerating our actions through our Superfund program, 

confronting significant local environmental challenges such as the asbestos public-health 

emergency in Libby, Mont., and the collapse of the coal-ash dam in Kingston, Tenn. The 

Kingston dam collapse led the EPA to propose the nation’s first rules to ensure the safe disposal 

and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants. By maximizing the potential of our 

brownfields program to spur environmental cleanups and by fostering stronger partnerships with 

stakeholders affected by our cleanups, we are moving toward our goal of building sustainable, 

healthy, economically vibrant communities. And by strengthening our work with tribal 

communities, we are advancing our efforts to build environmental-management capacity and 

program implementation in Indian country.

Ensuring the Safe Management of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution: One of our highest 

priorities is to make long-overdue progress in ensuring the safety of the chemicals that make up 

the building blocks of our modern society. Increasingly the chemicals used to make our 

products, build our homes and support our way of life end up in the environment and even in our 

bodies. Last year, the EPA announced principles for modernizing the law under which we 

regulate chemicals, Toxic Substances Control Act, enacted more than 30 years ago by Congress.

To move forward, we are shifting our focus to address high-concern chemicals and filling in 

critical missing information on the chemicals most widely produced and used in commerce. The 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

3

EPA will aggressively assess and manage the risks of chemicals used in consumer products, the 

workplace and the environment by revising and strengthening the EPA’s chemicals management 

and risk-assessment programs through novel chemicals-management plans. The EPA also is 

taking steps to increase transparency and public access to TSCA-related chemical information. 

By encouraging pollution prevention, we will promote the use of safer chemicals, implement 

conservation techniques, promote efficient reuse of materials and make chemical-production 

processes greener and more sustainable. 

Enforcing Environmental Laws: Effective, consistent enforcement is critical to achieving the 

human-health and environmental benefits expected from our environmental laws. The EPA, 

through the rule of law, will ensure compliance with environmental requirements and, as 

warranted, will employ vigorous and targeted civil and criminal enforcement. We will achieve 

significant environmental results by focusing our efforts on the most serious water, air and 

chemical hazards and by working closely with states and tribes. We will protect the public by

criminally prosecuting willful, intentional and serious violations of federal environmental laws.

The EPA’s Cross-Cutting Fundamental Strategies

As a companion to our strategic goals, which chart the agency’s direction for achieving mission 

results over the next five years, the EPA’s five cross-cutting fundamental strategies set explicit 

expectations for changing the way we approach our work. These five points will inform the 

work of every program office in every region and help us meet the challenges we face today. 

Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism: Every American has a stake in clean air and 

water, chemical safety, restoring contaminated industrial and mining sites, and strong 

enforcement of environmental statutes. And every community, whether wealthy or working 

class, urban or rural, high tech or industrial, needs to be part of the conversation. We will take 

broad steps to expand the conversation on environmentalism to communities across America: 

building capacity, increasing transparency and listening to the public. We will continue to 

engage citizens to hear all the voices that must be part of our nation’s dialogue on environmental 

issues. 

Working for Environmental Justice and Children’s Health: We will work alongside communities 

that bear important responsibilities for the day-to-day mission of environmental protection and 

support these communities through strengthened oversight to ensure programs are consistently

delivered nationwide. We will use a variety of approaches, including regulations, enforcement, 

research, community-based programs and outreach to protect children and low income, minority

and tribal populations disproportionately impacted by environmental and human-health hazards. 

Advancing Science, Research and Technological Innovation: We will seek to be a leader in 

advancing the scientific research and technological innovation that not only enhance our abilities 

to protect the environment, but promote new jobs and the sustainable growth of our economy. 

Strengthening State, Tribal and International Partnerships: We will strengthen partnerships with 

states, tribes and the international community. Hand in hand with these partnership efforts and 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

4

through real and inclusive environmentalism, we will address pollution problems and protect 

public health.

Strengthening the EPA’s Work Force and Capabilities: We will adopt innovative and creative 

management approaches and exemplify stewardship, transparency and accountability in 

addressing the increasingly complex environmental and human-health challenges before us. We 

will create a culture of excellence and provide the infrastructure, technology and tools to support 

a talented, diverse and highly motivated work force. 

Forty years after the beginning of this agency, we at the EPA have a rare opportunity to spark a 

new era of environmental and health protection. The American people and countries around the 

world look to us for leadership. It is up to us to embrace this moment, so our children and 

grandchildren can have a cleaner, healthier future, and we can look back with pride on our 

accomplishments. We will face new challenges, new opportunities and new possibilities for 

achieving our vision of a cleaner, greener and more sustainable environment. I have unlimited 

confidence in the talent and spirit of our work force, and I know we will meet our challenges 

head-on, as One EPA. Fueled by our energy, ideas and our passion, this strategic plan will help 

guide our path toward success.

[Administrator’s Signature]
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

5

Introduction

Recent events in the Gulf Coast region and elsewhere have brought to the forefront how much 

we value our environment. Our homes, our livelihoods, our health and that of our children are 

all dependent on clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, and healthy ecosystems that produce 

our food and the raw materials that support modern life. The Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) and its mission to protect human health and the environment have never been more vital

than they are today. 

The FY 2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan responds to this increasing degree of environmental 

awareness and the challenges that lie ahead. We have created a streamlined, executive-level 

Plan that sets the Agency’s direction, advances the Administrator’s priorities, and will be used 

routinely by the Agency’s senior leadership as a management tool. We have sharpened our 

strategic goals and objectives and offer a more focused set of strategic measures to better inform 

our understanding of progress and challenges alike in managing our programs. Our new crosscutting fundamental strategies are directed at refocusing and tangibly changing the way we carry

out our work. We anticipate that this new approach will foster a renewed commitment to 

accountability, transparency, and inclusion. 

Our five strategic goals represent a simplified and meaningful approach to our work and reflect 

the results we hope to achieve on behalf of the American people:

Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality

Goal 2: Protecting America’s Waters

Goal 3: Cleaning Up Our Communities

Goal 4: Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution

Goal 5: Enforcing Environmental Laws

To achieve the long-term goals and associated objectives and strategic measures set out in this 

Plan, we will track progress through annual performance measures, which are presented in the 

President’s Annual Performance Plans and Budgets. We will report on our performance against 

these annual measures in our Annual Performance Reports, and use this performance 

information as we establish priorities, and develop future budget submissions, and manage 

programs. Additionally, EPA reports on High Priority Performance Goals (HPPGs), a new 

component of this Administration's Performance Management Framework. HPPGs are specific, 

measurable, ambitious, near-term priority commitments that align with our long-term strategic 

measures and annual measures. The HPPGs communicate the performance improvements we 

will accomplish relative to our priorities using existing legislative authority and resources. The 

HPPGs constitute priority 18 to 24 month operational targets the agency will work to 

accomplish, distinguishing the HPPGs from the longer-term measures. This process will come 

full circle as we evaluate these performance data to develop future Strategic Plans.

Our FY 2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan draws upon many of the indicators contained in EPA’s

2008 Report on the Environment (ROE).[1] The indicators help us to monitor trends in 

environmental conditions and environmental influences on human health. Our efforts to develop 

the report and regularly update the indicators have advanced our performance measurement work 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

6

by bringing together existing and new analytical information on the environment and human 

health.

[Discussion of Strategic Plan consultation and coordination activities will be included in the 

final FY 2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan]

During the five-year horizon of this Plan, we know that we will face unanticipated challenges 

and opportunities that will affect our ability to achieve our objectives and the specific measurable 

results that we have described. In particular, we recognize that numerous entities vital to our 

success—federal, state, tribal, and local governments, and cooperating partners and 

stakeholders—are operating with significantly reduced budgets and other resource constraints 

that could impede our joint progress. A summary of federal agencies with whom we work to 

accomplish our goals can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/xxx. [Reserved for final]

This FY 2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan sets forth our vision and commitment to preserve the 

environment for generations to come and to protect the public health in the places where people 

live, work, learn, and play. It is our hope that you will join us as we undertake the important 

work that lies ahead. 

End Note: 

[1] http://www.epa.gov/roe
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

7

Goal 1:

Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop adaptation strategies to address climate change 

and protect and improve air quality.

Climate change poses risks to public health, the environment, cultural resources, the economy, 

and quality of life. These changes are expected to create further challenges to protecting public 

health and welfare. Many effects of climate change are already evident and will persist into the 

future regardless of future levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Potential climate change 

impacts may include, for example, increased smog levels in many regions of the country, making 

it more difficult to attain or maintain clean air. A rise in sea level or increased precipitation 

intensity may increase flooding, which would affect water quality as large volumes of water can 

transport contaminants and overload storm and wastewater systems. In order to protect public 

health and the environment, EPA must recognize and consider the challenge a changing climate 

poses to the environment. 

Since passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments in 1990, nationwide air quality has improved 

significantly. Despite this progress, about 127 million Americans lived in counties with air 

considered unhealthy in 2008. Long-term exposure to air pollution can cause cancer and damage 

to the immune, neurological, reproductive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Because 

people spend much of their lives indoors, the quality of indoor air is also a major concern. 

Twenty percent of the population spends the day indoors in elementary and secondary schools, 

where problems with leaky roofs and with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems can 

trigger a host of health problems, including asthma and allergies. Exposure to indoor radon is 

responsible for an estimated 20,000 premature lung cancer deaths each year. 

Reducing GHG Emissions and Developing Adaptation Strategies to Address Climate 

Change

EPA’s strategies to address climate change support the President's GHG emissions reduction 

goals. We will work with partners and stakeholders to provide tools and information related to 

GHG emissions and impacts and will reduce GHG emissions domestically and internationally 

through cost-effective, voluntary programs while pursuing additional regulatory actions as 

needed. Our efforts include: 

 Developing and implementing a national system for reporting GHG emissions. 

Implementing the mandatory GHG reporting rule is one of the Agency’s high priority 

performance goals. 

 Issuing new standards to reduce emissions from cars and light-duty trucks for model 

years 2012 through 2016, extending that program to model year 2017 and beyond, and 

creating a similar program to reduce GHGs from medium- and heavy-duty trucks for 

model years 2014-2018. Implementing the light-duty GHG rule is one of the Agency’s 

high priority performance goals. 

 Developing standards to reduce GHG emissions from nonroad sources such as marine 

and aircraft and land-based nonroad equipment and locomotives.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

8

 Establishing permitting requirements for facilities that emit large amounts of GHGs to 

encourage design and construction of more efficient and advanced processes that will 

contribute to a clean energy economy.

 Implementing voluntary programs that reduce GHGs through the greater use of energy

efficient technologies and products.

 Developing a comprehensive report to Congress on black carbon that will provide a 

foundation for evaluating future approaches to black carbon mitigation.

 Pursuing a sustainable, life-cycle approach to managing materials.

 Identifying and assessing substitute chemical and ozone-depleting substances and 

processes for their global warming potential.

 Educating the public about climate change and actions people can take to reduce GHG 

emissions.

Adaptation initiatives aim to increase the resilience of communities and ecosystems to climate 

change by increasing their ability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the 

impacts of climate change. This will require the Agency to work closely with its partners at the 

state and local level and in continued collaboration with the US Global Change Research 

Program and the Interagency Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation.[1] In addition, EPA 

researchers provide critical information and tools to develop capacity to prepare for risks and 

take advantage of opportunities presented by climate change. 

Improving Air Quality

Taking into account the most current health effects research findings, EPA recently completed 

new, more health protective standards for lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). We 

are in the process of revising the ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide standards. 

Over the next five years we will work with states and tribes to develop and implement plans to 

achieve and maintain these standards. Our research provides the tools and information necessary

for the EPA, states, and tribes to implement air quality standards and controls. 

In the spring of 2011, we expect to complete and begin implementing a rule to replace the Clean 

Air Interstate Rule that was remanded to us by the courts in 2008. Strengthening the standards 

and decreasing the emissions that contribute to interstate transport of air pollution will help many

areas of the country attain the standards and achieve significant improvements in public health. 

As we implement the standards, we will do so in a way that protects disproportionately-impacted 

low income and minority communities. We are also working with partners and stakeholders to 

improve the overall air quality management system and address air quality challenges expected 

over the next 10 to 20 years. These efforts include developing effective air quality strategies that 

address multiple pollutants and consider the interplay between air quality and factors such as 

land use, energy, transportation, and climate.

We will address emissions from vehicles, engines, and fuels through an integrated strategy that 

combines regulatory approaches that take advantage of technological advances and cleaner fuels 

with voluntary programs that reduce vehicle, engine, and equipment activity and emissions. We 

are working with refiners, renewable fuel producers, and others to implement regulations to 

increase the amount of renewable fuel blended into gasoline. Through the National Clean Diesel 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

9

Campaign, we support diesel emission reductions that can be achieved through such actions as 

switching to cleaner fuels; engine retrofit, repair, and replacement; and idle reduction.

Based on an assessment completed in June 2009, EPA estimates that, on average, approximately

1 in every 28,000 people could contract cancer as a result of breathing air toxics from outdoor 

sources, if they were exposed to 2002 emission levels over the course of their lifetime.[2] To 

protect the public from these air toxics, we will continue to set and enforce control technologybased air toxics emissions standards and, where needed, amend those standards to address 

residual risk and technology advancements. Our strategy is to prioritize the standards that

provide the greatest opportunity for cost-effective emissions reductions. We are focusing on 

opportunities to reduce emissions from other large sources of air toxics risks, including 

petroleum refineries, chemical manufacturers, oil and natural gas production, and coal-fired 

utilities. Along with these regulatory efforts, EPA has a wide range of voluntary efforts to 

reduce emissions, including programs to reduce multi-media and cumulative risks. Through data 

from our national toxics monitoring network and from national and local assessments, we are 

able to better characterize risks and assess priorities. We will work with state and local agencies, 

tribes, schools, and community groups to identify communities where air toxics pollution is 

occurring at unsafe levels and aggressively take action to reduce air toxics pollution within those 

areas.

Often the people most exposed to indoor air pollutants are those most susceptible to the effects—

the young, the elderly, and the chronically ill. To improve indoor air quality, EPA deploys 

programs that educate the public about indoor air quality concerns, including radon, and 

promotes public action to reduce potential risks in homes, schools, and workplaces. EPA also 

collaborates with state and tribal organizations, environmental and public health officials, 

housing and building organizations, school personnel who manage school environments, and 

health care providers who treat children prone to or suffering disproportionately from asthma. 

The focus of these efforts is to support communities’ efforts to address indoor air quality health 

risks. We also provide policy and technical support and financially assist states and tribes in 

developing and implementing effective radon programs.

Recognizing the potential hazards of radiation, Congress charged EPA with the primary

responsibility for protecting people and the environment from harmful and avoidable exposures. 

In fulfilling this responsibility, we will review and update our radiation protection regulations 

and guidance, operate the national radiation monitoring system, maintain radiological emergency

response capabilities, oversee the disposal of radioactive waste at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, 

inspect waste generator facilities, and evaluate compliance with applicable environmental laws 

and regulations.

EPA will implement programs that reduce and control ozone-depleting substances (ODS), 

enforce rules on their production, import, and emission, and facilitate the transition to substitutes 

that reduce GHG emissions and save energy. We will continue partnership programs that 

minimize the release of ODS and programs that educate the public about the importance of 

protection from ultra-violet radiation.

End Notes:
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

10

[1] The U.S. Global Change Research Program coordinates and integrates federal research on 

changes in the global environment and their implications for society. It was mandated by 

Congress in the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-606). In 2009, the White House 

Council on Environmental Quality, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration initiated the Interagency Climate Change 

Adaptation Task Force. When the President signed the Executive Order on Federal Leadership 

in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance in October 2009, he called on the Task 

Force to develop Federal recommendations for adapting to climate change impacts both 

domestically and internationally.

[2] http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/nata2002/factsheet.html
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

11

Goal 2:

Protecting America’s Waters

Protect and restore our waters to ensure that drinking water is safe, and that aquatic 

ecosystems sustain fish, plants, and wildlife, and economic, recreational, and subsistence 

activities.

The nation’s water resources are the lifeblood of our communities, supporting our economy and 

way of life. Across most of our country we enjoy and depend upon reliable sources of clean and 

safe water. Several decades ago, however, many of our drinking water systems provided water 

to the tap with very limited treatment. Drinking water was often the cause of illnesses linked to 

microbiological and other contaminants. Many of our surface waters would not have met

today’s water quality standards. Some of the nation’s rivers were open sewers posing health 

risks, and many waterbodies were so polluted that safe swimming, fishing, and recreation were 

not possible.

We have made significant progress since enactment of the landmark Clean Water Act and Safe 

Drinking Water Act almost forty years ago. Today, the enhanced quality of our surface waters 

and the greater safety of our drinking water are testaments to decades of environmental 

protection and investment, but serious challenges remain. Small drinking water systems are 

particularly challenged by the need to improve infrastructure and develop the capacity to meet 

new and existing standards. Tens of thousands of homes, primarily in tribal and disadvantaged 

communities and the territories, still lack access to basic sanitation and drinking water. The rate 

at which new waters are listed for water quality impairments exceeds the pace at which restored 

waters are removed from the list. 

Pollution discharged from industrial, municipal, agricultural, and stormwater point sources 

continue to be causes for this decline, but other significant contributors include loss of habitat 

and habitat fragmentation, hydrologic alteration, the spread of invasive species, and climate 

change. For many years, nonpoint source pollution, principally nitrogen, phosphorus, and 

sediments, has been recognized as the largest remaining impediment to improving water quality. 

Recent national surveys have found that our waters are stressed by nutrient pollution, excess 

sedimentation, and degradation of shoreline vegetation, which affect upwards of 50% of our 

lakes and streams.[1] Climate change will compound these problems, highlighting the urgency 

to evaluate with our partners options for protecting infrastructure, conserving water, reducing 

energy use, adopting “green” infrastructure and watershed-based practices, and improving the 

resilience of infrastructural and natural systems, including utilities, watersheds, and estuaries.[2]

Over the next five years, EPA will work with states, territories, and tribes to safeguard public 

health, make America’s water systems sustainable and secure, strengthen the protection of our 

aquatic ecosystems, improve watershed-based approaches, focus efforts in key geographic areas, 

and take action on climate change. EPA has established two high priority performance goals for 

the revision of drinking water standards to strengthen public health protection and the 

development of state watershed implementation plans in support of the Chesapeake Bay total 

maximum daily load called for in the Executive Order.[3] Working with our partners, the 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

12

Agency’s effort to protect our waters is aimed at two objectives—protecting human health and 

protecting and restoring watersheds and aquatic ecosystems.

Protect Human Health

Sustaining the quality and supply of our water resources is essential to safeguarding public 

health. More than 290 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. Over the 

next five years, EPA will help protect human health and make America’s water systems 

sustainable and secure by: 

 Financing public water systems infrastructure to protect and maintain drinking water 

quality; 

 Strengthening compliance with drinking water standards; 

 Continuing to protect sources of drinking water from contamination; 

 Developing new and revising existing drinking water standards; and, 

 Supporting states, tribes, territories, and local water systems in implementing these 

standards. 

While promoting sustainable management of drinking water infrastructure, we will provide 

needed oversight and technical assistance to states, territories, and tribes so that their water 

systems comply with or exceed existing standards and are able to comply with new standards. 

We will also promote the construction of infrastructure that brings safe drinking water into the 

homes of small, rural, and disadvantaged communities and increase efforts to guard the nation's 

critical drinking water infrastructure.

 

In addition, EPA is actively working Agency-wide and with external partners and stakeholders to 

implement a new, multi-faceted drinking water strategy. It is designed to streamline decision

making and expand protection under existing law and to meet the needs of rural, urban, and other 

communities. This shift in approach includes addressing chemicals and contaminants by group, 

as opposed to working solely on a chemical-by-chemical basis; fostering the development of new 

drinking water treatment technologies; using the authority of multiple statutes; and, encouraging 

collaboration with states to share more complete data from monitoring at public water systems. 

Science-based standards are essential to protect our public water systems, groundwater and 

surface waterbodies, and recreational waters. These standards are the foundation for tools to 

safeguard public health such as advisories for beaches, fish consumption, and drinking water. 

Over the next five years, we will expand that science to improve our understanding of emerging 

potential waterborne threats to public health. We will also increase efforts to protect and 

improve beach water quality for our communities, including the development of new criteria and 

testing methods that provide quicker results and enable faster action on beach closures. 

Protect and Restore Watersheds and Aquatic Ecosystems

People and the ecological integrity of aquatic systems rely on healthy watersheds. EPA employs 

a suite of programs to protect and improve water quality in the nation’s watersheds – rivers, 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

13

lakes, wetlands, and streams – as well as in our estuarine, coastal, and ocean waters. In 

partnership with states, territories, local governments, and tribes, EPA’s core water programs 

help: 

 Protect, restore, maintain, and improve water quality by financing wastewater treatment 

infrastructure; 

 Conduct monitoring and assessment; 

 Establish pollution reduction targets; 

 Update water quality standards; 

 Issue and enforce discharge permits; and, 

 Implement programs to prevent or reduce nonpoint source pollution. 

Over the next five years, EPA will continue efforts to restore waterbodies that do not meet water 

quality standards, preserve and protect high quality aquatic resources, and protect, restore, and 

improve wetland acreage and quality. The Agency will improve the way existing tools are used, 

explore how innovative tools can be applied, and enhance efforts and cross-media collaboration 

to protect and prevent water quality impairment in healthy watersheds. 

In partnership with states, tribes, and local communities, EPA is developing a clean water 

strategy that will outline objectives for advancing the vision of the Clean Water Act and actions 

EPA will take to achieve those objectives. The Agency will explore ways to improve the 

condition of the urban waterways that may have been overlooked or under-represented in local 

environmental problem solving. We will also work more aggressively to reduce and control 

pollutants that are discharged from industrial, municipal, agricultural, and stormwater point 

sources, and vessels, as well as to implement programs to prevent and reduce pollution that 

washes off the land during rain events. By promoting “green” infrastructure and sustainable 

landscape management, EPA will help restore natural hydrologic systems and reduce pollution 

from stormwater events. 

EPA will also lead efforts to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems and wetlands, particularly in 

key geographic areas, to address complex and cross-boundary challenges. Further, given the 

recent catastrophe from the Deepwater BP oil spill, EPA will take all necessary actions to 

support efforts to remove oil from and restore the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. EPA will provide 

assistance to other federal, state, and local partners to ensure that the water, wetlands, beaches, 

and surrounding communities will be restored. In other parts of the nation, we will focus on 

nutrient pollution, which threatens the long-term health of important ecosystems such as the 

Chesapeake Bay. We will also begin to identify actions to respond and adapt to the current and 

potential impacts of climate change on aquatic resources, including the current and potential 

impacts associated with warming temperatures, changes in rainfall amount and intensity, and sea 

level rise.[4]

End Notes: 

[1] http://www.epa.gov/owow/streamsurvey/ and

http://www.epa.gov/lakessurvey/pdf/nla_chapter0.pdf

[2] Resilience is the ability of a system to absorb change and disturbance and still retain its 

fundamental function and/or structure. 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

14

[3] The Chesapeake Bay Executive Order was signed on May 12, 2009. 

[4] http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

15

Goal 3:

Cleaning Up Our Communities

Promote sustainable, healthier communities and protect vulnerable populations and 

disproportionately impacted low income, minority, and tribal communities. Prevent releases of 

harmful substances and clean up and restore contaminated areas.

Uncontrolled releases of waste and hazardous chemicals can contaminate our drinking water and 

threaten healthy ecosystems. EPA leads efforts to preserve, restore, and protect these precious 

resources so they are available for both current and future generations. Over the next several 

years, our highest priorities under this goal are to prevent and reduce exposure to contaminants 

and accelerate the pace of cleanups across the country. EPA works collaboratively with 

international, state, and tribal partners to achieve these aims and with communities to ensure that 

they have a say in environmental decisions that affect them. Our efforts are supported by sound 

scientific data, research, and cost-effective tools that alert us to emerging issues and inform our 

decisions on managing materials and addressing contaminated properties. 

Promote Sustainable and Livable Communities

EPA supports urban, suburban, and rural community goals of improving environmental, human 

health, and quality-of-life outcomes through partnerships that also promote economic 

opportunities, energy efficiency, and revitalized neighborhoods. EPA’s smart growth program 

accomplishes these outcomes by working with communities, other federal agencies, states, and 

national experts to develop and encourage development strategies that have better outcomes for 

air quality, water quality, and land preservation and revitalization. EPA recently joined with the 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of 

Transportation (DOT) to help improve access to affordable housing, more transportation options, 

and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide. 

Through a set of guiding “livability” principles and a partnership agreement that will guide the 

agencies' efforts, this partnership is coordinating federal housing, transportation, water, and other 

infrastructure investments to protect the environment, promote equitable development, and help 

to address the challenges of climate change.

EPA is committed to ensuring environmental justice regardless of race, color, national origin, or 

income. Recognizing that minority and/or low-income communities frequently may be exposed 

disproportionately to environmental harm and risks, we work to protect these communities from 

adverse health and environmental effects and to ensure they are given the opportunity to 

participate meaningfully in environmental cleanup decisions. 

EPA’s brownfields program emphasizes environmental and health protection that also achieves 

economic development and job creation by awarding competitive grants to assess and clean up 

brownfield properties and providing job training opportunities, particularly in underserved 

communities.[1] We also provide outreach and technical assistance to communities, including 

area-wide planning approaches, to identify: viable end uses of a single large property or groups 

of brownfields properties; associated air and water infrastructure investments; and, 

environmental improvements in the surrounding area to revitalize the community. Under EPA’s 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

16

brownfields high priority performance goal, area-wide planning will be conducted with the 

particpation of other federal agencies, states, tribes, and local governments and communities to 

identify resources and approvals necessary to carry out actions identified in area-wide plans.

Preserve Land 

EPA is commited to fulfill its statutory obligations under the Resource Conservation and 

Recovery Act (RCRA) concerning the management of wastes, but recognizes the additional 

environmental benefits of sustainable materials management approaches, which take a life-cycle 

approach to managing materials. This approach emphasizes optimizing management of

materials across the entire life-cycle, including reducing or eliminating waste from the extraction 

of raw materials through reuse or recycle at end-of-life, resulting in fewer toxic inputs and 

outputs, conservation of energy, and reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 

manufacturing. 

EPA and authorized states issue and enforce permits for the treatment, storage, or disposal of 

hazardous wastes to ensure that facilities subject to RCRA regulations operate safely. To 

prevent future environmental contamination and to protect the health of the estimated three 

million people living within a mile of hazardous waste management facilities, EPA and its state 

partners continue their vigorous efforts to issue, update, or maintain RCRA permits for 

approximately 10,000 hazardous waste units (such as incinerators and landfills) at these 

facilities. 

To reduce the risk posed by underground storage tanks (USTs) located at nearly a quarter of a 

million facilities throughout the country, EPA and states are working to ensure that every UST 

system is inspected at least once every three years. As fuel types change, UST systems must be 

equipped to safely store the new fuels. EPA is working to ensure biofuels are stored in 

compatible UST systems.

Restore Land

Challenging and complex environmental problems, such as contaminated soil, sediment, and 

groundwater that can cause human health concerns, persist at many contaminated properties. 

EPA's Superfund, RCRA corrective action, leaking underground storage tank, and brownfields 

cleanup programs and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) cleanups of polychlorinated 

biphenyls (PCBs) reduce risks to human health and the environment by assessing and cleaning 

these sites and putting them back into productive use. 

In an effort to improve the accountability, transparency, and effectiveness of EPA’s cleanup 

programs, EPA has initiated its Integrated Cleanup Initiative (ICI), a multi-year effort to better 

use the most appropriate assessment and cleanup authorities to address a greater number of sites, 

accelerate cleanups, and put those sites back into productive use while protecting human health 

and the environment. By bringing to bear the relevant tools available in each of the cleanup 

programs, including enforcement, EPA will better leverage the resources available to address 

needs at individual sites. EPA will examine all aspects of the cleanup programs, identifying key

process improvements and enhanced efficiencies. As part of the ICI, EPA will be developing a 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

17

new suite of performance measures that will support comprehensive management of the cleanup 

life cycle by addressing three critical points in the cleanup process—starting, advancing, and 

completing site cleanup. 

EPA is continuing to improve its readiness to respond to accidental and intentional releases of 

harmful substances, including oil spills, by developing clear authorities, training personnel, and 

providing proper equipment. As the Deepwater BP oil spill looms over our country as one of the 

largest environmental disasters and given the urgency to respond to cleanup and restoration of 

the Gulf of Mexico, EPA will review its current rules, guidelines and procedures on oil spills. 

EPA will ensure that it has the appropriate tools to prepare, respond and recover from such 

incidents, acting within its jurisdiction, as defined by appropriate authorities.[3] Further, 

national preparedness is essential to ensure that emergency responders are able to deal with 

multiple, large-scale emergencies, including those that may involve chemicals, oil, biological 

agents, radiation, or weapons of mass destruction. Consistent with the government-wide 

National Response Framework, EPA prepares for the possibility of multiple, simultaneous, 

nationally significant incidents across several regions. 

EPA is also implementing its Community Engagement Initiative designed to enhance our 

involvement with local communities and stakeholders so that they may meaningfully participate 

in decisions on land cleanup, emergency response, and management of hazardous substances and 

waste. The goals of this initiative are to ensure transparent and accessible decision-making 

processes, deliver information that communities can use to participate meaningfully, and help 

EPA produce outcomes that are more responsive to community perspectives and that ensure 

timely cleanup decisions. 

Strengthen Human Health and Environmental Protection in Indian Country

Under federal environmental statutes, EPA is responsible for protecting human health and the 

environment in Indian country. EPA’s commitment to tribal environmental and human health 

protection, through the recognition of tribal sovereignty and self-determination, has been 

steadfast for over 25 years, as formally established in the Agency’s 1984 Indian Policy.[4] EPA 

works with over 500 federally-recognized tribeslocated across the United States to improve 

environmental and human health outcomes. Indian country totals more than 70 million acres 

with reservations ranging from less than 10 acres to more than 14 million acres. Difficult 

environmental and health challenges remain in many of these areas, including lack of access to 

safe drinking water, sanitation, adequate waste facilities, and other environmental safeguards 

taken for granted elsewhere.

In collaboration with our tribal partners and fulfilling our government-to-government 

responsibilities, EPA will engage in a two-part strategy for strengthening public health and 

environmental protection in Indian country. First, EPA will provide the opportunity for 

federally-recognized tribes to create an effective and results-oriented environmental capacitybuilding presence. Second, EPA will ensure that its programs are implemented in Indian country

either by EPA or through opportunities for implementation of environmental programs by tribes 

themselves.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

18

End Notes:

[1] For more information about EPA’s brownfields program, see 

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/

[2] http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/nrs/nrp.htm

[3] Several Federal agencies have jurisdiction and authority for oil spill preparedness, response, 

and recovery in the US in addition to EPA, including the Department of Transportation and the 

US Coast Guard. EPA's efforts will focus on those aspects of the national oil spill program for 

which they have authority and responsibility, primarily the inland area and fixed facilities. 

[4] 1984 EPA Indian Policy for the Administration of Environmental Programs on Indian 

Reservations, see http://www.epa.gov/tribal/pdf/indian-policy-84.pdf
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

19

Goal 4:

Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution

Reduce the risk and increase the safety of chemicals and prevent pollution at the source.

Chemicals are involved in the production of everything from our homes and cars to the cell 

phones we carry and the food we eat. The technological revolution has made thousands of 

chemicals ubiquitous in our everyday lives and everyday products – as well as in our 

environment and our bodies. Chemicals are released into the environment as a result of their 

manufacture, processing, use, and disposal. Research shows that our children are getting steady 

infusions of industrial chemicals before they even are given solid food.[1] Other vulnerable 

groups, including low-income, minority, and indigenous/tribal populations, are also 

disproportionately impacted by and thus particularly at risk from chemicals.

In 2009, EPA announced principles for modernizing the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 

to help inform efforts underway in Congress to reauthorize and significantly strengthen the 

effectiveness of the Act.[2] TSCA is outdated and should be revised to provide stronger and 

clearer authority for EPA to collect and act upon critical data regarding chemical risks. While 

TSCA does provide some authority to EPA to mandate industry to conduct testing, there remain

large, troubling gaps in the available data and state of knowledge on many widely used 

chemicals in commerce. EPA’s authority to require development and submission of information 

and testing data is limited by legal hurdles and procedural requirements. As we look to the 

future, it is important to work together to modernize and strengthen the tools available under 

TSCA to prevent harmful chemicals from entering the marketplace and to increase confidence 

that those chemicals that remain are safe and do not endanger the environment or human health, 

especially for consumers, workers, and sensitive subpopulations like children. 

Preventing pollution before it is generated has been established as national environmental policy

since 1990. EPA is enhancing cross-cutting efforts to advance sustainable practices, safer 

chemicals, greener processes and practices, and safer products.

Ensuring Chemical Safety

Chemical safety is one of EPA’s highest priorities. EPA’s approach to chemical risk 

management leverages expertise, information, and resources by collaborating with other 

countries, federal agencies, states, tribes, and the public to improve chemical safety.[3] Children 

and other disproportionately exposed and affected groups, including low-income, minority, and 

indigenous/tribal populations, require more explicit consideration in EPA’s chemical risk 

assessments and management actions. 

EPA employs a variety of strategies under several statutes to ensure the safety of chemicals. 

These include: 

 Controlling the risks of new chemicals before they are introduced or reintroduced into 

commerce; 

 Evaluating chemicals already in use; 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

20

 Developing and implementing regulatory and other actions to eliminate or reduce 

identified chemical risks; and, 

 Making public the data necessary to assess chemical safety to the extent allowed by

law.[4, 5] 

EPA has enhanced its work to ensure the safety of existing chemicals by taking action to restrict 

the production and use of chemicals of concern, quickening the Agency’s pace in characterizing 

the hazards posed by the highest volume chemicals, maximizing use of existing authorities to 

increase the availability of chemical information, and accelerating work to identify safer 

alternatives. 

Over the next five years, the Agency will implement risk management actions for chemicals of 

concern, carefully considering how the most vulnerable populations are potentially affected. 

EPA is strengthening rules to keep track of chemicals in commerce and adding chemicals and 

data requirements to better inform both EPA and the public about releases of toxic chemicals 

into the environment. EPA is increasing its evaluation of claims of confidentiality in order to 

make all health and safety data for chemicals in commerce more publicly available to the extent 

allowed by law. EPA is also applying increasingly sophisticated scientific tools in reviewing 

hundreds of new chemical submissions each year under TSCA and increasing the efficiency and 

effectiveness of these reviews through the implementation of electronic submission and 

management systems.[6] 

EPA will make major strides in guarding against exposure to chemicals that continue to pose 

potential risks to human health and the environment even after their hazards have been identified 

and certain uses have been phased out. For example, to continue to reduce childhood blood lead 

levels, EPA is working in partnership with states and tribes to certify hundreds of thousands of 

lead-paint professionals and expand public awareness of lead risks by implementing 

requirements for the use of lead-safe practices in renovation, remodeling, and painting activities 

in millions of older homes.[7][8] 

Over the next five years, EPA will manage a comprehensive pesticide risk reduction program 

through science-based registration and reevaluation processes, a worker safety program, 

certification and training activities, and support for the use of alternative methods of pest control. 

EPA’s current pesticide review processes focus on ensuring that pesticides are in compliance 

with the Endangered Species Act and achieve broader Agency objectives for water quality 

protection. The review processes will continue to place emphasis on the protection of potentially

sensitive groups, such as children, by reducing exposures from pesticides used in and around 

homes, schools, and other public areas. EPA is reviewing critically its worker safety and 

certification and training regulations to ensure that they are fully protective. EPA’s review 

processes ensure that pesticides can be used safely and are available for use to maintain a safe 

and affordable food supply, to address public health outbreaks, and to minimize property damage 

that can occur from insects and pests.[9]

EPA scientists are also working to address the risks of nano-scale materials during new chemical 

review, helping in the development of significant new use rules for nano-scale materials not 

subject to new chemical review, and improving data collection efforts.[10] In addition, EPA is 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

21

undertaking a comprehensive testing program to identify whether chemicals have the potential to 

interact with the endocrine system.[11] More broadly, EPA is looking more comprehensively 

across statutes to determine the best tools to apply to specific problems. For example, under a 

new drinking water strategy, the Agency is exploring how to use the Federal Insecticide, 

Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and TSCA to ensure that drinking water is protected 

from pesticides and industrial chemicals and that chemicals found in drinking water are being 

screened for endocrine disrupting properties using the authorities of the Safe Drinking Water Act 

(SDWA), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), and FIFRA.

Preventing Pollution at the Source

The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 established national pollution prevention policy. Time and 

experience have added to our understanding and appreciation of the value of preventing pollution 

before it occurs. Pollution prevention, a long-standing priority for EPA, encourages companies, 

communities, governmental organizations, and individuals to prevent pollution and waste before 

generation by implementing conservation techniques, promoting efficient re-use of materials, 

making production processes more sustainable, and promoting the use of safer substances. 

Together with new technology development, these pollution prevention practices result in 

significant co-benefits, such as the conservation of raw materials, water, and energy; reduction in 

the use of hazardous and high global-warming-potential materials; promotion of safer chemical 

substitutes; reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and, the elimination of pollutant transfers 

across air, water, and land. Grants to states support vital state pollution prevention 

infrastructures and fund technical assistance for local businesses. 

EPA promotes “green” chemistry through the development and use of innovative chemical 

technologies. The Agency allows manufacturers to apply EPA labels to products that meet 

stringent criteria for human and environmental health, thus giving consumers assurance about the 

environmental integrity of the products they use. The Agency also promotes the 

environmentally-conscious design, commercialization, and use of “green” engineering processes, 

sets standards, and harnesses the purchasing power of the federal government to stimulate 

demand for “greener” products and services.[12] 

End Notes:

[1] http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/execsumm.php

[2] http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/principles.html

[3]http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/631cf22eb5

40c4db852576b2004eca47!OpenDocument

[4] http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/collectinfo.html

[5] http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/managechemrisk.html

[6] http://www.epa.gov/oppt/newchems/

[7] http://www.leadfreekids.org

[8] http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/toolkits.htm

[9] http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/

[10] http://www.epa.gov/oppt/nano/

[11] http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo/index.htm

[12] http://www.epa.gov/p2/
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

22

Goal 5: 

Enforcing Environmental Laws

Protect human health and the environment through vigorous and targeted civil and criminal 

enforcement. Assure compliance with environmental laws.

Vigorous enforcement supports EPA’s ambitious goals to protect human health and the 

environment. Achieving these goals for clean drinking water, lakes and streams that are fishable 

and swimmable, clean air to breathe, and communities and neighborhoods that are free from 

chemical contamination requires both new strategies and compliance with the rules we already

have. By addressing noncompliance swiftly and effectively, EPA’s civil and criminal 

enforcement cases directly reduce pollution and risk, and deter others from violating the law.

EPA enforcement takes aggressive action against pollution problems that make a difference in 

communities. Through vigorous civil and criminal enforcement, EPA targets the most serious 

water, air, and chemical hazards, and advances environmental justice by protecting low income, 

minority, and tribal communities that are disproportionately impacted by such hazards. 

Vigorous civil and criminal enforcement plays a central role in achieving the bold goals below 

that the Administrator has set for EPA:

Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality: EPA will take effective

actions to reduce air pollution from the largest sources, including coal-fired power plants and 

the cement, acid, and glass sectors, to improve air quality. Enforcement to cut toxic air 

pollution in communities improves the health of communities, particularly low income, 

minority, and tribal communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution. 

Enforcement supports reductions in greenhouse gases (GHG) through enforcement 

settlements that encourage GHG emission reductions. EPA will also work to ensure 

compliance with new standards and reporting requirements for GHG emissions as they are 

developed.

Protecting America’s Waters: EPA is revamping enforcement and working with 

permitting authorities to make progress on the most important water pollution problems. 

This work includes, as a high priority goal – increasing enforcement actions in waters that do 

not meet water quality standards, getting raw sewage out of water, cutting pollution from 

animal waste, and reducing pollution from stormwater runoff. Enforcement will help to 

clean up great waters like the Chesapeake Bay and will focus on revitalizing urban 

communities by protecting urban waters. Enforcement will also support the goal of assuring 

clean drinking water for all communities, including in Indian country. 

Cleaning Up Our Communities: EPA protects communities by requiring responsible 

parties to conduct cleanups, saving federal dollars for sites where there are no other 

alternatives. Aggressively pursuing these parties to clean up sites ultimately reduces direct 

human exposures to hazardous pollutants and contaminants, provides for long-term human 

health protection, and makes contaminated properties available for reuse.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

23

Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution: Reforming chemical 

management enforcement and reducing exposure to pesticides will improve the health of 

Americans. Enforcement reduces direct human exposures to toxic chemicals and pesticides 

and supports long-term human health protection.

Criminal enforcement underlines our commitment to pursuing the most serious pollution 

violations. EPA’s criminal enforcement program will focus on cases across all media that 

involve serious harm or injury; hazardous or toxic releases; ongoing, repetitive, or multiple 

releases; serious documented exposure to pollutants; and, violators with significant repeat or 

chronic noncompliance or prior criminal conviction.

EPA shares accountability for environmental and human health protection with states and tribes. 

We work together to target the most important pollution violations and ensure that companies 

that do the right thing and are responsible neighbors are not put at a competitive disadvantage. 

EPA also has a responsibility to oversee state and tribal implementation of federal laws to ensure 

that the same level of protection for the environment and the public applies across the country.

Enforcement can help to promote environmental justice by targeting pollution problems that 

disproportionately impact low income, minority, and tribal communities. Ensuring compliance 

with environmental laws is particularly important in communities that are exposed to greater 

environmental health risks. EPA fosters community involvement by making information about 

compliance and government action available to the public.

Increased transparency is an effective tool for improving compliance. By making information on 

violations both available and understandable, EPA empowers citizens to demand better 

compliance.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

24

External Factors and Emerging Issues

EPA sets goals and objectives in carrying out its mission to protect human health and the 

environment, but there are always factors outside of EPA’s control that affect our ability to do 

our work. For example, the changing legal and regulatory landscape often affects the Agency’s 

resources, anticipated activities, and direction. As part of a dynamic global community

addressing technological changes, EPA is confronted with challenges, emerging issues, and 

opportunities every day. An oil spill, a flood, a hurricane, or other tragedy or disaster can divert 

the Agency’s anticipated focus in the short term. Other issues, such as climate change and 

population growth, can create long-term challenges that run deep and across many EPA 

programs. Additionally, EPA accomplishes much of its work through partnerships, particularly 

with states and tribes. EPA is directly affected as states and tribes face tough budget times with 

furloughs and staff reductions.

External factors and emerging issues present both opportunities and challenges to EPA. 

Specifically, over the next five years EPA will be actively engaged in a variety of areas:

Climate Change: Energy and transportation policies continue to evolve and influence the 

Agency’s ability to improve air quality and address climate change issues. Impacts of 

climate change, such as changes in rainfall amount and intensity, shifting weather and 

seasonal patterns, and sea level rise, will also affect progress towards many of the goals. Yet 

other developments may have positive environmental impacts. The growth of alternative 

energy sources, the potential for renewed investments in nuclear energy, and increased 

investments in energy efficiency can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air 

quality. 

American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA): We expect the long-term impact of 

ARRA[1] funding will advance assessment and cleanup activities at former industrial sites 

and spur technological innovation, promoting energy efficiency, alternative energy supplies, 

and new technologies and innovation in water infrastructure.

Water Quality: Water quality programs face challenges such as new drinking water 

contaminants, increases in nutrient loadings and stormwater runoff, aging infrastructure, and 

population growth (which can increase water consumption and place additional stress on 

aging water infrastructures). The Agency needs to examine carefully the potential impacts of 

solutions to these issues, including effects on water quality and quantity that could result in 

the long term from climate change.

Waste Management: Our necessary reliance on private parties, state and tribal partners, the 

use of new or untried control technologies, and the involvement of other federal agencies in 

remediation efforts can all affect our efforts to remediate contaminated sites and prevent 

waste. New waste streams are continually emerging, such as those from mining of rare earth 

elements which are used in clean-energy technologies. These new uses could create the 

potential for new associated waste streams and both increased opportunities for recycling of 

these valuable materials and challenges of safe disposal. 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

25

Protective Site Cleanup: Hazardous waste programs are intended to provide permanent 

solutions to contaminated media at sites or facilities to the extent practicable. Complications 

can arise when new scientific information concerning contaminants at a site suggests that a 

risk assessment that was protective when a remedy was selected is no longer protective given 

the contaminant levels remaining at a site and its potential exposure pathways and uses. As 

appropriate, EPA must incorporate emerging science into decision making to maintain its 

commitment to provide permanent solutions. 

Chemical Safety: Anticipated reforms to the Toxic Substances Control Act would provide 

EPA with the ability to obtain and publicly disclose critical information on the risks posed by

chemicals, strengthening our chemical risk assessment and management programs and 

significantly improving federal and states’ ability to manage and prevent harm from 

industrial chemicals. 

Communities: Citizen science—individual citizens and community groups that monitor and 

document environmental trends—can expand the reach of EPA's own field presence. 

Integrated computer models allow communities to consider ecological, economic, and 

societal implications of their management decisions; development of these and other 

emerging tools may lead to increasingly effective stewardship. While citizen science 

requires expert support to ensure the quality of environmental data and facilitate knowledgebuilding, with the right tools, communities can spur local industry and others to do a better 

job of complying with environmental laws and regulations. 

The world in which EPA works continues to change rapidly. The recent oil spill in the Gulf of 

Mexico is a catastrophic environmental problem that will have significant consequences and 

require innovative technological and other solutions. A wide range of new technologies are on 

the horizon in areas as diverse as nano-technology catalysts and nano-solar cells, nano-materials 

for rehabilitation of water pipes, advanced battery technologies, accurate and inexpensive 

portable and real-time sensors, and the application of synthetic biology to algal biofuel 

production. Emerging technologies may present new environmental problems that need to be 

understood and addressed, and at the same time will create opportunities for building an 

advanced technological infrastructure. What this means is that EPA needs to continue to do its 

best to anticipate change and be prepared to address the inevitable challenges and opportunities 

that we will face in the future.

End Note: 

[1] http://www.recovery.gov
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

26

Summary of Program Evaluation

The Administration has emphasized the importance of using program evaluation to provide the 

evidence needed to demonstrate that our programs are meeting their intended outcomes. By

assessing how well a program is working and why, program evaluation can help EPA identify

where our activities have the greatest impact on protecting human health and the environment, 

provide the road map needed to replicate successes, and conversely, identify areas needing 

improvement. This is particularly important as EPA meets its obligations for transparency and 

accountability.

For the Strategic Plan, we look to the results of past program evaluations to inform our program 

strategies for the next five years. The most important program evaluations reveal gaps in 

environmental protection and lead to strategic changes in policy, resource decisions, and even 

the start of new programs and innovations. The Government Accountability Office’s 2007 

evaluation of the Toxic Substances Control Act helped frame Administrator Jackson’s 

September 2009 announcement of an integrated approach to chemical management and a set of 

principles for reform.

EPA commissioned the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) to conduct an 

independent evaluation of the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) 

Demonstration Program, a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for a 

community to organize and take action to reduce toxic pollution in its local environment.[1] 

Recommendations and feedback from this evaluation have informed EPA’s strategic changes 

and continued investments in the program. 

Our plans for future program evaluations include our cyclical reviews of our research and 

development programs. These are geared to ensure that our research priorities meet our future 

challenges. Examples of other future evaluations include assessing the impact of our “green” 

chemical labeling program on consumer purchasing habits and measuring the success of less 

resource-intensive remediation strategies to clean up toxic waste sites across the country.

Recent and future planned program evaluations are described in more detail at [insert website]. 

[Reserved for final] While EPA conducts a variety of design, process, and outcome 

evaluations, under the Administration’s government-wide evaluation initiative, EPA is working 

to expand our portfolio to conduct more rigorous impact evaluations that will enhance program 

effectiveness. 

End note: 

[1] http://www.napawash.org/pc_management_studies/CARE/5-21-

09_Final_Evaluation_Report.pdf
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

27

Cross-Cutting Fundamental Strategies

Introduction 

Since EPA's inception over 40 years ago, we have focused not only on our mission goals to 

achieve environmental and public health results but also on how we work to accomplish those 

results. Through this Plan, EPA is placing an increased focus on how we work to accomplish 

those results. We have developed a set of cross-cutting strategies that stem from the 

Administrator’s priorities and are designed to fundamentally change how we work, both 

internally and externally, to achieve the mission outcomes articulated under our five strategic 

goals. These cross-cutting fundamental strategies are: 

 Expanding the conversation on environmentalism;

 Working for environmental justice and children’s health;

 Advancing science, research, and technological innovation;

 Strengthening state, tribal, and international partnerships; and,

 Strengthening EPA’s workforce and capabilities. 

With this Plan, we are embarking on a deliberate, focused effort to take tangible actions and hold 

ourselves accountable for changing the way we deliver environmental and human health 

protection. This Plan describes the vision and operating principles for each of the cross-cutting 

strategies. The Agency will develop multi-year action plans with annual commitments that we 

will use to hold ourselves accountable in carrying out these strategies. 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

28

Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism

Engage and empower communities and partners, including those who have been historically 

under-represented, in order to support and advance environmental protection and human 

health nationwide.

We have begun a new era of outreach at EPA and seek to include a broader range of people and 

communities in our work and expand our engagement with communities historically underrepresented in our decision-making processes. We will build stronger working relationships all 

across America, particularly with tribes, communities of color, economically-distressed cities 

and towns, young people, and others. 

We will seek to increase public trust in the Agency by ensuring that our regulations and decision

making are based on science and the rule of law. 

To accomplish these goals, we will:

 Call for innovation and bold thinking and ask all employees to bring their creativity and 

talents to their everyday work to enhance outreach and transparency in all our programs.

 Ensure that our science is explained clearly and accessible to all communities, 

communicating in plain language the complexities of environmental, health, policy, and 

regulatory issues. 

 Make environmental information and the work of the Agency more accessible and 

enhance public access to information by harnessing new tools to foster community

engagement. 

 Enable all Americans to have access to, and use of, environmental data and information 

in order to engage and empower communities and Agency partners in decision making. 

Enhance tools to help people find, understand, and use environmental information and 

data.

 Ensure that the Agency’s regulations, policies, decision-making processes, and budget 

are transparent and accessible through increased access to environmental data sources, 

community right-to-know tools, and direct stakeholder engagement.

 Address barriers to improve engagement with historically under-represented sectors of 

the nation. 

 Use traditional and new media to inform the public about the wide range of Agency

activities and provide opportunities for community feedback.

 Encourage citizens to take a broader view of environmental issues and provide avenues 

and tools that enhance their ability to be advocates for themselves.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

29

Working for Environmental Justice and Children’s Health 

Work to reduce and prevent harmful exposures and health risks to children and underserved, 

disproportionately impacted low income, minority, and tribal communities, and support 

community efforts to build healthy, sustainable green neighborhoods.

Advancing environmental justice and protecting children’s health must be driving forces in our 

decisions across all EPA programs. The underlying principles for this commitment are reducing 

exposures for those at greatest risk and ensuring that environmental justice and children’s health 

protection are integral to all Agency activities. This work is urgently needed—millions of 

minority, low-income, and tribal/indigenous persons are at risk of having poor health outcomes 

because they live in communities that are disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards

and are overburdened by their limited capacities to address them. Children are often most 

acutely affected by environmental stressors. Research has demonstrated that prenatal and early

life exposures to environmental hazards can cause lifelong diseases, medical conditions, and 

disabilities.

Environmental justice and children’s health protection will be achieved when all Americans, 

regardless of age, race, economic status, or ethnicity, have access to clean water, clean air, and 

healthy communities. To accomplish this, EPA will use a variety of approaches, including 

regulation, enforcement, research, outreach, community-based programs, and partnerships to 

protect children and disproportionately impacted, overburdened populations from environmental 

and human health hazards. Our success in advancing environmental justice and children’s health 

protection will result from fully incorporating these priorities into all of our activities across each 

of the strategic goals of the Agency. We anticipate that our leadership in advancing 

environmental justice and children’s health protection will inspire and engage a broad spectrum 

of partners in the public and private sector to do the same.

Specifically, EPA will:

 In our regulatory capacity, implement the nation’s environmental laws using the best 

science and environmental monitoring data to address the potential for adverse health 

effects from environmental factors in disproportionately impacted, overburdened 

populations and vulnerable age groups. EPA programs will address environmental 

justice and children’s health considerations at each stage of the Agency’s regulation 

development process.

 Fully engage communities in our work to protect human health and the environment. 

EPA will align multiple community-based programs to provide funding and technical 

assistance to communities to build capacity to address critical issues affecting children’s 

health and disproportionately impacted, overburdened populations. 

 Work with other federal agencies [1] to engage communities and offer funding and 

technical support for efforts to build healthy, sustainable, and green neighborhoods, and 

to provide opportunities for residents to participate in the economic benefits to be derived 

from reduced environmental risks in their communities. 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

30

 In our work on safe management of pesticides and industrial chemicals, take into account 

disproportionately impacted, overburdened populations and vulnerable age groups and

encourage the use of “green chemistry” to spur the development of safer chemicals and 

production processes. 

 Partner with other research organizations to bring the best science to address 

environmental justice and children’s health through programs like the Children’s 

Environmental Health Centers, the Superfund Basic Research Program, and the National 

Children’s Study.

 

 Use the latest science to develop and apply integrated and targeted assessment methods 

that consider the impact of multiple environmental hazards experienced by vulnerable 

age groups and disproportionately impacted, overburdened populations.

 Develop and use environmental and public health indicators to measure improvements in 

environmental conditions and health in disproportionately impacted communities and 

among vulnerable age groups. 

 Apply consistent methods to assess the potential for disproportionate exposures and 

health impacts on pregnant women, infants, children, and adolescents and develop a 

consistent approach to identifying areas of environmental justice concern.

End Note:

[1] Including the Departments of Housing Urban Development, Health and Human Services, 

Energy, Agriculture, Transportation, Interior, and Education
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

31

Advancing Science, Research, and Technological Innovation

Advance a rigorous basic and applied science research agenda that informs, enables, and 

empowers innovative and sustainable solutions to environmental problems. Provide relevant 

and robust scientific data and findings to support the Agency’s policy and decision-making 

needs.

Environmental sustainability is a guidepost for science, research, and technological innovation at 

EPA. The major challenges we face to human health and the environment are not incremental 

problems, and they do not lend themselves to incremental solutions. Addressing climate change, 

water quality and quantity issues, ubiquitous toxic chemicals, and ecosystem degradation, among 

other problems, not only requires high-quality research and sound science, but also innovation. 

EPA’s science and research efforts must help drive this innovation by informing, enabling, and 

stimulating the development of sustainable solutions to current and future challenges posed to 

human health and the environment. 

EPA science and research must always inform the decisions that are essential to the protection of 

human health and the environment and empower the broader community that supports our 

mission. To solve challenging environmental problems in this manner, EPA research will:

 Provide timely, responsive, and relevant solutions: EPA’s science and research 

depends on partnerships and a continuing dialogue with internal and external 

stakeholders to ensure that research focuses on the highest priority problems faced by the 

Agency and the nation. 

 Transcend traditional scientific disciplines: In all aspects of our work, from problem 

identification, to research design and conduct, to implementation of solutions, we must 

involve the widest diversity of disciplines. Developing sustainable solutions to

environmental problems often raises complex scientific and technological issues that 

require non-traditional approaches. If EPA is to solve these challenging problems, we 

must rely on integrated, trans-disciplinary research that complements traditional singlediscipline approaches. 

 Communicate widely and openly: Great work, done invisibly, cannot have an impact. 

To maximize the impact and utility of our research, EPA will communicate the design, 

definition, conduct, transfer, and implementation of the work we do. We will translate 

our science so that it can be understood readily and used by stakeholders. EPA must 

document our successes to maximize the value of our scientific work.

 Catalyze sustainable innovation: EPA’s efforts alone will not be enough to address the 

environmental challenges our nation faces. Successful implementation of sustainable 

solutions depends on moving promising technologies from the conceptual and proof-ofconcept stage, through research and development, to commercialization and deployment. 

As we develop and promote these technology innovations, EPA must account for lifecycle perspectives and support technologies that fully consider environmental and social 

impacts.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

32

Strengthening State, Tribal, and International Partnerships

Deliver on our commitment to a clean and healthy environment through consultation and 

shared accountability with states, tribes, and the global community for addressing the highest 

priority problems.

EPA will strengthen its state, tribal, and international partnerships to achieve our mutual 

environmental and human health goals. As we work together, our relationships must continue to 

be based on integrity, trust, and shared accountability to make the most effective use of our 

respective bodies of knowledge, our existing authorities, our resources, and our talents. 

Successful partnerships will be based on four working principles: consultation, collaboration, 

cooperation, and accountability. By consulting, we will engage our partners in a timely fashion 

as we consider approaches to our environmental work so that each partner can make an early and 

meaningful contribution toward the final result. By collaborating, we will not only share 

information, but we will actively work together with our partners to use all available resources to 

reach our environmental and human health goals. As our work progresses, we will cooperate, 

viewing each other with respect as allies who must work successfully together if our goals are to 

be achieved. Through shared accountability, we will ensure that environmental benefits are 

consistently delivered nationwide. In carrying out these responsibilities, EPA will ensure 

through oversight that state and tribal implementation of federal laws achieves a consistent level 

of protection for the environment and human health.

With States

Under our federal environmental laws, EPA and the states share responsibility for protecting 

human health and the environment. With this relationship as the cornerstone of the nation's 

environmental protection system, EPA will: 

 Improve implementation and consistent delivery of national environmental programs

through closer consultation and transparency.

 Follow the principles as outlined in Executive Order 13132 (Federalism), recognizing the 

division of governmental responsibilities between the federal government and the states.

 Work with states to implement solutions to state problems through tools such as 

worksharing.

 Consult with state and local governments on a routine basis to determine the optimum 

ways for implementing rules.

With Tribes

The relationship between the United States Government and federally-recognized tribes is 

unique and has developed throughout the course of the nation's history. In strengthening this 

relationship, EPA will:
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

33

 Focus on increasing tribal capacity to establish and implement environmental programs 

while ensuring that our national programs are as effective in Indian country as they are 

throughout the rest of the nation.

 Enhance our effort as we work with tribes on a government-to-government basis, based 

upon the Constitution, treaties, laws, executive orders, and a long history of Supreme 

Court rulings.

 Strengthen our cross-cultural sensitivity with tribes, recognizing that tribes have cultural, 

jurisdictional, and legal features that must be considered when coordinating and 

implementing environmental programs in Indian country.

With Other Countries

To achieve our domestic environmental and human health goals, international partnerships are 

essential. Pollution is often carried by winds and water across national boundaries, posing risks 

many hundreds and thousands of miles away. Many concerns, like climate change, are universal. 

In the international arena, EPA will:

 Expand our partnership efforts in multilateral forums and in key bilateral relationships. 

 Enhance existing and nurture new international partnerships to promote a new era of 

global environmental stewardship based on common interests, shared values, and mutual 

respect.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

34

Strengthening EPA's Workforce and Capabilities

Continuously improve EPA’s internal management, encourage innovation and creativity in all 

aspects of our work, and ensure that EPA is an excellent workplace that attracts and retains a 

topnotch, diverse workforce, positioned to meet and address the environmental challenges of 

the 21st century. 

Achieving positive environmental and human health outcomes through cleaner and safer air, 

water, and land, and through protection of our natural resources is the focal point of all our work 

at EPA. EPA is a complex organization which is both an asset and a challenge. Through 

innovative and creative management and a talented, diverse, and highly motivated workforce, 

EPA is positioned to meet head-on the complex environmental challenges of the present and 

future. 

Specifically, EPA will:

 Recruit, develop, and retain a bright, diverse, and resourceful workforce that reflects our 

nation and create a culture that values and builds upon the strengths that each individual 

brings to the Agency.

 Ensure that the workforce of the future has the skills and knowledge it needs to meet the 

challenges that lie ahead.

 Create a workplace that values a high quality work life and provides the infrastructure 

and tools essential to support our employees.

 Invest in the information infrastructure, technology, and security needed to support a 

mobile workforce.

 Practice outstanding resource stewardship to ensure that all Agency programs operate 

with fiscal responsibility and management integrity, are efficiently and consistently

delivered nationwide, and demonstrate results.

 Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Agency’s acquisition system by

strengthening contract management and internal review practices, maximizing the use of 

competition in contracting, improving how contracts are structured, building the skills of 

the acquisition workforce, and clarifying the role of outsourcing.

 Invest in innovation and creativity to develop new and better approaches to what we do. 

 Take advantage of existing and emerging tools to improve and enhance communication, 

transparency, and accountability.

 Integrate energy efficiency and environmental impact considerations into all our work 

practices as core components of Agency business models and commit to “going green.”
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

35

Strategic Measurement Framework

Introduction 

The Strategic Plan provides the foundation for EPA’s performance management system—

planning, budgeting, performance measurement, and accountability. The Plan contains EPA’s 

strategic measurement framework of long-term goals, objectives, and strategic measures, which 

describe the measurable human health and environmental results the Agency is working to 

achieve over the next five years. 

To achieve the long-term goals, objectives, and strategic measures set out in this Plan, EPA 

designs annual performance goals and measures which are presented in the President’s Annual 

Performance Plans and Budgets. The Agency reports on our performance against these annual 

goals and measures in the Annual Performance Reports, and uses this performance information 

to establish priorities and develop future budget submissions. The Agency also uses these

performance data to evaluate our progress and develop future Strategic Plans. 

The High Priority Performance Goals are a new component of EPA’s measurement framework 

and are specific, measurable, ambitious, near-term priority targets that advance our strategic 

goals and align with our long-term strategic measures and annual measures. EPA has selected 

six goals for its first set of High Priority Performance Goals:

 By June 15, 2011, EPA will make publically available 100 percent of facility-level GHG 

emissions data submitted to EPA in accordance with the GHG Reporting Rule, compliant 

with policies protecting Confidential Business Information (CBI).

 In 2011, EPA, working with DOT, will begin implementation of regulations designed to 

reduce the GHG emissions from light duty vehicles sold in the US starting with model 

year 2012.

 All Chesapeake Bay watershed States (including the District of Columbia) will develop 

and submit approvable Phase I watershed implementation plans by the end of CY 2010 

and Phase II plans by the end of CY 2011 in support of EPA’s final Chesapeake Bay

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).

 Increase pollutant reducing enforcement actions in waters that don’t meet water quality 

standards, and post results and analysis on the web.

 EPA will initiate over the next two years, at least four drinking water standard reviews to 

strengthen public health protection.

 By 2012 EPA will have initiated 20 enhanced brownfields community level projects that 

will include a new area-wide planning effort to benefit under-served and economically

disadvantaged communities. This will allow those communities to assess and address a 

single large or multiple brownfields sites within their boundaries, thereby advancing areawide planning to enable redevelopment of brownfields properties on a broader scale. 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

36

EPA will provide technical assistance, coordinate its enforcement, water and air quality

programs, and work with other Federal agencies, states, tribes and local governments to 

implement associated targeted environmental improvements identified in each 

community’s area-wide plan.

EPA will report progress on these measures through the Office of Management and Budget with 

the results regularly available to the public at www.USAPerformance.gov. 

EPA’s strategic planning and decision making benefits from other sources of information as 

well, including program evaluations and new environmental indicators. Approximately one-third 

of the strategic measures in this Strategic Plan are based on indicators contained in EPA’s 2008

Report on the Environment (ROE). The ROE lays out a set of peer-reviewed human health and 

environmental indicators that allows EPA to track trends in environmental conditions and 

environmental influences on human health. This information also helps us better articulate and 

improve the strategic measurement framework in EPA’s Strategic Plan. 

The Agency continues to look for new data and information sources to better characterize the 

environmental conditions targeted by our programs and improve our understanding of the 

integrated and complex relationships involved in maintaining human health and environmental 

well-being. 

Significant Changes in the Strategic Measurement Framework

We have made significant changes to our measurement framework in this Plan. We revised our 

five strategic goals to sharpen and align them with the Administrator’s priorities, including a 

heightened focus on cross-program activities addressing climate change adaptation and 

mitigation, sustainable communities, and chemical safety. We revised our suite of strategic 

measures—the measurable environmental and human health outcomes we are working to 

achieve—in several significant ways. First, we significantly reduced the number of strategic 

measures by focusing on the key outcomes most important to advance the Administrator’s 

priorities and the Agency’s mission. The goal was to create a smaller, more strategic, and more 

meaningful set that Agency leadership uses to manage. Second, we achieved consistency by

using only the strategic measures to describe our measurable results. Third, we updated the 

strategic measures to reflect targets and baselines appropriate for the FY 2011-2015 time 

horizon. Lastly, we removed the separate objectives and strategic measures for the Agency’s 

research and development program from the Plan and integrated this work into the programmatic 

objectives; this critical work supports many of our strategic measures and will continue to be 

tracked through annual performance measures.

Some of the new strategic directions in our measures are reflected in this Plan, but efforts will 

continue over the next several years to make further revisions in key areas, as illustrated below:

 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: While we are still assessing the unprecedented environmental 

damage from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and the Agency actions necessary to address 

the damage and prevent similar disasters in the future, we have added two new measures 

as a preliminary step to reflect the urgent challenge ahead. These measures address 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

37

efforts to clean up the environmental damage and to update and modernize our oil spill 

program and regulations. The magnitude of the impacts have yet to be fully understood 

and assessed, so further adjustments may be needed in the future, particularly if 

significant resource redirections become necessary. In addition, EPA has two programspecific water measures, one that relates to Gulf of Mexico hypoxia and the other to 

regional coastal aquatic ecosystem health that will be reassessed for impact from the oil 

spill.

 Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: The ability of communities to respond to 

changes in climate over the next decade is critical to achieving many of the 

environmental outcomes in this Strategic Plan. We have incorporated this across all five 

goals of the Strategic Plan and will continue to collaborate with stakeholders, the US 

Global Change Research Program, the Interagency Taskforce on Climate Change 

Adaptation, and others. As a start, we have proposed three “developmental” strategic 

measures for climate change adaptation under Goal 1. In addition, we have included a 

“developmental” measure for mitigation of greenhouse gases to capture reductions 

Agency-wide, expanding past measures.

 Land Cleanup: EPA has begun an Integrated Cleanup Initiative, a multi-year effort to 

better use assessment and cleanup authorities to address a greater number of sites, 

accelerate cleanups, and put those sites back into productive use while protecting human 

health and the environment. The Agency is working to develop a suite of measures that 

will allow for comprehensive management across cleanup programs and across the 

cleanup life cycle, with a focus on three critical points in the cleanup process—starting, 

advancing, and completing site cleanups. As a first step in this process, we are shifting 

our definition of success at a Superfund site from where the construction of a remedy is 

complete, to when the site is actually “ready for anticipated use” in a community. In 

addition, a new site assessment measure has been developed that fully captures the entire 

assessment workload at the beginning of the Superfund process, a measure which also 

may be expanded to include progress of other cleanup programs in the future. 

 Chemical Safety: One of EPA’s highest priorities over the next five years is to ensure 

the safety of chemicals and pesticides used in this country. As part of this effort, EPA is 

taking a more integrated approach to managing chemical and pesticide risk reduction and 

is focusing on consumers, workers, and sensitive subpopulations like children. EPA is 

enhancing its ability to measure the effects of chemicals and pesticides on human health 

and the environment by introducing new measures to reduce the concentration of targeted 

chemicals and pesticides in the general population, children, and low-income 

communities. 

 Enforcement and Compliance: The Agency’s civil enforcement and compliance 

assurance program is moving to an environmental problem-based (i.e., air, water) rather 

than a tool-based (i.e., assistance, incentives, monitoring, and enforcement) measurement 

system. This shift will enable EPA to better quantify and communicate to the public the 

environmental and human health improvements in the nation’s air, water, and land 

resulting from enforcement and compliance efforts. As part of this shift, the program is 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

38

using three types of measures—those that: (1) track media-specific trends over time; (2) 

measure enforcement and compliance program activities common across all 

environmental media; and (3) directly support strategic outcome measures under each of 

the media-specific goals. EPA’s enforcement program ensures that the protection of 

human health and the environment intended by environmental laws and EPA’s 

regulations are not diminished by non-compliance. EPA is now developing measures 

that align its enforcement program work with other program goals in EPA, specifically 

Goals 1-4 of this Plan. The areas in which EPA proposes to develop measures are shown 

as Measures Under Development in the Goal 5 section below. In addition, the Agency is 

including measures for its criminal enforcement program for the first time in this Plan. 

End Note: 

[1] EPA will continue to report site construction completions as a program measure in its 

congressional justification as the Agency explores a revised set of program performance 

measures.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

39

Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality. Reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions and develop adaptation strategies to address climate change, and 

protect and improve air quality.

Objective 1.1: Address Climate Change. Reduce the threats posed by climate change by 

reducing GHG emissions and taking actions that help communities and ecosystems become 

more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, environmental protection programs from across EPA aimed at reducing 

greenhouse gas emissions will achieve X MMTCO2Eq. reductions, from the baseline of 

X MMTCO2Eq. reduced in 2008. (Baseline FY 2008: ENERGY STAR 165 

MMTCO2Eq., Executive Order 13415 0 MMTCO2Eq., Light Duty Vehicle Standards 0 

MMTCO2Eq., Pollution Prevention 6.6 MMTCO2Eq., Resource Conservation Challenge 

34.6 MMTCO2Eq., and SmartWay XX MMTCO2Eq.)

Measures Under Development

 By 2015, EPA programs implemented to achieve environmental goals other than 

GHG reductions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a co-benefit, from the 

baseline of 128.7 MMTCO2Eq. reduced in 2008. (Baseline FY 2008: Significant New 

Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program 128 MMTCO2Eq., WaterSense .7 

MMTCO2Eq.)

 By 2015, EPA will integrate climate change science trend and scenario information 

into five major scientific models and/or decision support tools used in implementing 

Agency environmental management programs to further EPA’s mission, consistent 

with existing authorities. (Minimum of one related to air quality, water quality, 

cleanup programs, and chemical safety)[1] (Baseline: 0)

 By 2015, EPA will build resilience to climate change by integrating climate change 

science trend and scenario information into five rule-making processes to further 

EPA’s mission, consistent with existing authorities. (Minimum of one related to air 

quality, water quality, cleanup programs, and chemical safety.)[1] (Baseline: 0)

 By 2015, EPA will build resilience to climate change by integrating considerations of 

climate change impacts and adaptive measures into five major grant, loan, or 

technical assistance programs (>$10 million annually) to further EPA’s mission, 

consistent with existing authorities. (Minimum of one related to air quality, water 

quality, cleanup programs, and scientific research)[1] (Baseline: 0)
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

40

Objective 1.2: Improve Air Quality. Achieve and maintain health-based air pollution 

standards and reduce risk from toxic air pollutants and indoor air contaminants.

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, the population-weighted average concentrations of ozone (smog) in all 

monitored counties will decrease to .073 ppm compared to the average of 0.078 ppm in 

2009.

 By 2015, the population-weighted average concentrations of inhalable fine particles in all 

monitored counties will decrease to 10.5 μg/m3 compared to the average of 11.7 μg/m3 

2009.

 By 2015, reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) to 14.7 million tons per year 

compared to the 2009 level of 19.4 million tons emitted.

 By 2015, reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to 7.4 million tons per year compared 

to the 2009 level of 13.8 million tons emitted.

 By 2015, reduce emissions of direct particulate matter (PM) to 3.9 tons per year 

compared to the 2009 level 4.2 million tons emitted.

 By 2018, visibility in scenic parks and wilderness areas will improve by 15 percent in the 

East and 5 percent in the West, on the 20 percent worst visibility days, as compared to 

visibility on the 20 percent worst days during the 2000-2004 baseline.

 By 2015, with EPA support for developing capability including training, policy, 

administrative and technical support, 15 additional tribes will possess the expertise and 

capability to implement the Clean Air Act in Indian country (as demonstrated by

successful completion of an eligibility determination under the Tribal Authority Rule), 

for a cumulative total of 62, from the 2009 baseline of 47 tribes.

 By 2015, reduce toxicity-weighted (for cancer) emissions of air toxics to 4.21 million 

tons from the 2010 toxicity-weighted baseline of 4.36 million tons.

 By 2015, air pollution emissions reductions will reduce the number of chronically acidic 

water bodies and improve associated ecosystem health in acid-sensitive regions of the 

northern and eastern United States by approximately 10 percent below the 2001 baseline 

of approximately 500 lakes and 5,000 kilometers of stream-length.

 By 2015, the number of future premature lung cancer deaths prevented annually through 

lowered radon exposure will increase to 1,460 from the 2008 baseline of 756 future 

premature lung cancer deaths prevented.

 By 2015, the number of people taking all essential actions to reduce exposure to indoor 

environmental asthma triggers will increase to 7.6 million from the 2003 baseline of 3 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

41

million. EPA will place special emphasis on children at home and in schools, and on 

other disproportionately impacted populations.

Objective 1.3: Restore the Ozone Layer. Restore the earth's stratospheric ozone layer and 

protect the public from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Strategic Measure:

 By 2015, U.S. consumption of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chemicals that 

deplete the Earth’s protective ozone layer, will be less than 1,520 tons per year of ozone 

depletion potential from the 2009 baseline of 9,900 tons per year. By this time, as a result 

of worldwide reduction in ozone-depletion substances, the level of “equivalent effective 

stratospheric chlorine” (EESC) in the atmosphere will have peaked at 3.185 parts per 

billion (ppb) of air by volume and begun its gradual decline to less than 1.8 ppb (1980 

level).

Objective 1.4: Reduce Unnecessary Exposure to Radiation. Minimize unnecessary

releases of radiation and be prepared to minimize impacts should unwanted releases occur.

Strategic Measure:

 Through 2015, EPA will maintain a 90 percent level of readiness of radiation program 

personnel and assets to support federal radiological emergency response and recovery

operations, maintaining the 2010 baseline of 90 percent.

End Note:

[1] The climate is changing and this can impact EPA’s ability to achieve its mission and 

strategic goals. EPA is currently participating in an Interagency Climate Change Adaptation 

Task Force which will develop recommendations towards a national climate change adaptation 

strategy in the fall of 2010. EPA’s draft adaptation measures provide a snapshot of EPA’s 

overall effort to integrate climate change adaptation into mainstream decision making within 

EPA. As the work of the Task Force continues, future measures may be developed that measure 

the effectiveness of adaptation actions or that reflect a more refined set of climate change 

adaptation priorities.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

42

Goal 2: Protecting America’s Waters. Protect and restore our waters to ensure that 

drinking water is safe, and that aquatic ecosystems sustain fish, plants and wildlife, and 

economic, recreational, and subsistence activities. 

Objective 2.1: Protect Human Health. Reduce human exposure to contaminants in drinking 

water, fish and shellfish, and recreational waters, including protecting source waters.

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, 90 percent of community water systems will provide drinking water that meets 

all applicable health-based drinking water standards through approaches including 

effective treatment and source water protection. (2005 baseline: 89 percent. Status as of 

FY 2009: 89.1 percent.) 

 By 2015, 88 percent of the population in Indian country served by community water 

systems will receive drinking water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water 

standards. (2005 baseline: 86 percent. Status as of FY 2009: 81.2 percent.)

 By 2015 in coordination with other federal agencies, provide access to Safe Drinking 

Water for 136,100 American Indian and Alaska Native homes. (FY 2009 baseline: 

80,900 homes. Universe: 360,000 homes.)

 By 2015, reduce the percentage of women of childbearing age having mercury levels in 

blood above the level of concern to 4.6 percent. (2002 baseline: 5.7 percent of women of 

childbearing age have mercury blood levels above levels of concern identified by the 

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).)

 By 2015, maintain the percentage of days of the beach season that coastal and Great 

Lakes beaches monitored by state beach safety programs are open and safe for swimming 

at 95 percent. (2007 baseline: beaches open 95 percent of the 679,589 days of the beach 

season (beach season days are equal to 3,647 beaches multiplied by variable number of 

days of beach season at each beach). Status as of FY 2009: 95 percent.)

Objective 2.2: Protect and Restore Watersheds and Aquatic Ecosystems. Protect the 

quality of rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands on a watershed basis, and protect urban, 

coastal, and ocean waters. 

Measure Under Development

 Through 2015, in response to the Deepwater BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, EPA 

will continue supporting efforts to remove oil from the water, wetlands, beaches, and 

surrounding communities to restore the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and monitor water 

and air quality to ensure the public has reliable and timely information.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

43

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, attain water quality standards for all pollutants and impairments in more than 

3,360 water bodies identified in 2002 as not attaining standards (cumulative). (2002 

universe: 39,798 water bodies identified by states and tribes as not meeting water quality 

standards. Water bodies where mercury is among multiple pollutants causing impairment 

may be counted toward this target when all pollutants but mercury attain standards, but 

must be identified as still needing restoration for mercury; 1,703 impaired water bodies 

are impaired by multiple pollutants including mercury, and 6,501 are impaired by 

mercury alone. Status as of FY 2009: 2,505 water bodies attained standards.)

 By 2015, improve water quality conditions in 330 impaired watersheds nationwide using 

the watershed approach (cumulative). (2002 baseline: zero watersheds improved of an 

estimated 4,800 impaired watersheds of focus having one or more water bodies impaired. 

The watershed boundaries for this measure are those established at the "12-digit" scale by 

the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Watersheds at this scale average 22 square miles in 

size. "Improved" means that one or more of the impairment causes identified in 2002 are 

removed for at least 40 percent of the impaired water bodies or impaired miles/acres, or 

there is significant watershed-wide improvement, as demonstrated by valid scientific 

information, in one or more water quality parameters associated with the impairments. 

Status as of FY 2009: 104 improved watersheds.)

 Through 2015, ensure that the condition of the Nation’s streams and lakes does not 

degrade (i.e., there is no statistically significant increase in the percent rated “poor” and 

no statistically significant decrease rated “good”). (2006 baseline for streams: 28 percent 

in good condition; 25 percent in fair condition; 42 percent in poor condition. 2010 

baseline for lakes: 56 percent in good condition; 21 percent in fair condition; 22 percent 

in poor condition.)

 By 2015, improve water quality in Indian country at 50 or more baseline monitoring 

stations in tribal waters (cumulative) (i.e., show improvement in one or more of seven 

key parameters: dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature, total nitrogen, total 

phosphorus, pathogen indicators, and turbidity). (2006 baseline: 185 monitoring stations 

on tribal waters located where water quality has been depressed and activities are 

underway or planned to improve water quality, out of an estimated 1,661 stations 

operated by tribes.)

 By 2015, in coordination with other federal agencies, provide access to basic sanitation 

for 67,900 American Indian and Alaska Native homes. (FY 2009 baseline: 43,600 homes. 

Universe: 360,000 homes.)

 By 2015, improve regional coastal aquatic ecosystem health, as measured on the 

"good/fair/poor" scale of the National Coastal Condition Report. (2009 baseline: 

National rating of "fair" or 2.8 where the rating is based on a 4-point system ranging from 

1.0 to 5.0 in which 1 is poor and 5 is good using the National Coastal Condition Report 

indicators for water and sediment, coastal habitat, benthic index, and fish contamination.)
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

44

 By 2015, 95 percent of active dredged material ocean dumping sites will have achieved 

environmentally acceptable conditions (as reflected in each site's management plan and 

measured through onsite monitoring programs). (2009 baseline: 99 percent. FY 2009 

universe is 65.) Due to variability in the universe of sites, results vary from year to year 

(between 84.8percent and 99percent). While this much variability is not expected every

year, the results are expected to have some change each year.

 By 2015, working with partners, achieve a net annual increase of wetlands nationwide, 

including a reversal of coastal wetland losses, with additional focus on biological and 

functional measures and assessment of wetland condition. (2004 baseline: 32,000 acres 

annual net national wetland gain; 59,000 acres of annual coastal wetland losses.)

 By 2015, working with partners, protect or restore an additional (i.e., measuring from 

2009 forward) 600,000 acres of habitat within the study areas for the 28 estuaries that are 

part of the National Estuary Program. (2009 baseline: 900,956 acres of habitat protected 

or restored, cumulative from 2002-2009. In FY 2009, 125,437 acres were protected or 

restored.)

 By 2015, prevent water pollution and protect aquatic systems so that the overall 

ecosystem health of the Great Lakes is at least 24.7 points on a 40-point scale. (2009 

baseline: Great Lakes rating of 22.5 (expected) on the 40-point scale where the rating 

uses select Great Lakes State of the Lakes Ecosystem indicators based on a 1 to 5 rating 

system for each indicator, where 1 is poor and 5 is good.)

 By 2015, remediate a cumulative total of 10.2 million cubic yards of contaminated 

sediment in the Great Lakes. (2009 baseline: Of the 46.5 million cubic yards once 

estimated to need remediation in the Great Lakes, 6 million cubic yards of contaminated 

sediments have been remediated from 1997 through 2008.)

 By 2015, achieve 46 percent (85,100 acres) of the 185,000 acres of submerged aquatic 

vegetation necessary to achieve Chesapeake Bay water quality standards. (2008 baseline: 

35 percent, 64,912 acres.)

 By 2015, reduce releases of nutrients throughout the Mississippi River Basin to reduce 

the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico to less than 5,000 km2, as measured 

by the 5-year running average of the size of the zone. (Baseline: 2005-2009 running 

average size = 15,670 km2.)

 By 2015, reduce the maximum area and duration of hypoxia in Long Island Sound (i.e., 

defined as the area in which the maximum June-September dissolved oxygen level is 

<3mg/l in bottom waters <1m). (Baseline: Pre-TMDL average conditions based on 1987-

1999 data are 208 square miles with a duration average of 57 days. Post-TMDL average 

conditions based on 2000-2009 data are 187 square miles with a duration average of 58.6 

days.) Universe: The total surface area of Long Island Sound is approximately 1,268

square miles. The number of days in which hypoxic conditions may exist varies annually, 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

45

but is monitored from June – September, or 122 days. Therefore, the potential for the 

maximum area and duration of hypoxia would be 1,268 square miles and 122 days.

 By 2015, improve water quality and enable the lifting of harvest restrictions in 2,500 

acres of shellfish bed growing areas impacted by degraded or declining water quality in 

the Puget Sound. (2009 baseline: 1,730 acres of shellfish beds with harvest restrictions 

in 2006 had their restrictions lifted. Universe: 30,000 acres of commercial shellfish beds 

with harvest restrictions in 2006.)

 By 2015, provide safe drinking water or adequate wastewater sanitation to 75 percent of 

the homes in the U.S.-Mexico Border area that lacked access to either service in 2003. 

(2003 Universe: 98,515 homes lacked drinking water and 690,723 homes lacked 

adequate wastewater sanitation based on a 2003 assessment of homes in the U.S.-Mexico 

Border area. 2015 target: 73,886 homes provided with safe drinking water and 518,042 

homes with adequate wastewater sanitation.)
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

46

Goal 3: Cleaning Up Our Communities. Promote sustainable, healthier communities and 

protect vulnerable populations and disproportionately impacted low income, minority, and 

tribal communities. Prevent releases of harmful substances and clean up and restore 

contaminated areas.

Objective 3.1: Promote Sustainable and Livable Communities. Support sustainable, 

resilient, and livable communities by working with local, state, tribal, and federal partners to 

promote smart growth, emergency preparedness and recovery planning, brownfield 

redevelopment, and the equitable distribution of environmental benefits. 

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, reduce the air, water, and land impacts of new growth and development through 

the use of smart growth strategies in XX communities, which includes local 

municipalities, regional entities, and state governments. (Baseline: In FY 2010, an 

estimated YY communities will be assisted.)

 By 2015, conduct environmental assessments at 20,600 (cumulative) brownfield 

properties. (Baseline: As of the end of FY 2009, EPA assessed 14,600 properties.)

 By 2015, make an additional 17,800 acres of brownfield properties ready for reuse from 

the 2009 baseline. (Baseline: As of the end of FY 2009, EPA made 11,800 acres ready

for reuse.)

 By 2015, continue to maintain the Risk Management Plan (RMP) prevention program 

and further reduce by 10 percent the number of accidents at RMP facilities. (Baseline: 

There was an annual average of 190 accidents based on RMP program data between 

2005-2009).

Objective 3.2: Preserve Land. Conserve resources and prevent land contamination by

reducing waste generation, increasing recycling, and ensuring proper management of waste 

and petroleum products. 

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, increase the amount of municipal solid waste reduced, reused, or recycled by

XXX billion pounds. (Estimated 200X Baseline: XX billion pounds.)[1]

 By 2015, increase beneficial use of coal combustion ash to XX percent from 40 percent 

in 2008.

 By 2015, increase by 78 the number of tribes covered by an integrated waste 

management plan compared to FY 2009. (At the end of FY 2009, 94 of 572 federally

recognized tribes were covered by an integrated waste management plan.)
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

47

 By 2015, close, clean up, or upgrade 281 open dumps in Indian country and on other 

tribal lands compared to FY 2009. (At the end of FY 2009, 412 open dumps were closed, 

cleaned up, or upgraded. As of April 1, 2010, 3,464 open dumps were listed in the Indian 

Health Service Operation and Maintenance System Database, which is dynamic because 

of the ongoing assessment of open dumps.)

 By 2015, prevent releases at 500 hazardous waste management facilities with initial 

approved controls or updated controls resulting in the protection of an estimated 3 million 

people living within a mile of all facilities with controls. (Baseline: At the end of FY 

2009, it was estimated that 789 facilities will require these controls out of the universe of

2,468 facilities with about 10,000 process units. The goal of 500 represents 63 percent of 

the facilities needing controls.)

 Each year through 2015, increase the percentage of UST facilities that are in significant 

operational compliance (SOC) with both release detection and release prevention 

requirements by 0.5 percent over the previous year's target. (Baseline: This means an 

increase of facilities in SOC from 65.5 percent in 2010 to 68 percent in 2015.)

 Each year through 2015, minimize the number of confirmed releases at UST facilities to 

X,XXX or fewer. (Baseline: Between FY 1999 and FY 2009, confirmed UST releases 

averaged 8,113).

Objective 3.3: Restore Land. Prepare for and respond to accidental or intentional releases 

of contaminants and clean up and restore polluted sites.

Measure Under Development

 By 2015, in response to the Deepwater BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, EPA will 

update and modernize its rules, guidelines, and procedures relating to all relevant 

aspects of EPA's oil spill program, including preparedness, response, and recovery to 

ensure that the Agency has the appropriate tools to respond to environmental 

disasters of this scale.

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, achieve and maintain at least 80 percent of the maximum score on the Core 

National Approach to Response (NAR) evaluation criteria. (Baseline: In FY 2009, the 

average Core NAR Score was 84.3 percent for EPA headquarters, regions, and special 

teams prepared for responding to emergencies).[2]

 By 2015, complete an additional 1,700 Superfund removals through agency-financed 

actions and through oversight of removals conducted by potentially responsible parties 

(PRPs). (Baseline: In FY 2009, there were 434 Superfund removal actions completed 

including 214 funded by the agency and 220 overseen by the agency that were conducted 

by PRPs under a voluntary agreement, an administrative order on consent or a unilateral 

administrative order).
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

48

 By 2015, no more than 1.5 million gallons will be spilled annually at Facility Response 

Plan (FRP) facilities, a 15 percent reduction from the annual average of 1.73 million 

gallons spilled from 2005-2009.

 By 2015, complete 93,400 assessments at potential hazardous waste sites to determine if 

they warrant CERCLA remedial response or other cleanup activities. (Baseline: As of 

2010, the cumulative total number of assessments completed was 88,000.)

 By 2015, increase to 83.5 percent the number of Superfund final and deleted NPL sites 

and RCRA facilities where human exposures to toxins from contaminated sites are under 

control. (Baseline: As of October 2009, 70 percent Superfund final and deleted NPL sites 

and RCRA facilities have human exposures under control out of a universe of 5,330).[3] 

 By 2015, increase to 78 percent the number of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 

(RCRA) facilities with migration of contaminated groundwater under control. (Baseline: 

At the end of FY 2009, the migration of contaminated groundwater was controlled at 58 

percent of all 3,746 facilities needing corrective action.)

 By 2015, increase to 56 percent the number of RCRA facilities with final remedies 

constructed. (Baseline: At the end of FY 2009, all cleanup remedies had been 

constructed at 32 percent of all 3,746 facilities needing corrective action.)

 Each year through 2015, reduce the backlog of LUST cleanups (confirmed releases that 

have yet to be cleaned up) that do not meet state risk-based standards for human exposure 

and groundwater migration by 1 percent. This means a decrease from 21 percent in 2009 

to 15 percent in 2015.

 Each year through 2015, reduce the backlog of LUST cleanups (confirmed releases that 

have yet to be cleaned up) in Indian country that do not meet applicable risk-based 

standards for human exposure and groundwater migration by 1 percent. This means a 

decrease from 28 percent in 2009 to 22 percent in 2015.

 By 2015, ensure that 799 Superfund NPL sites are "sitewide ready for anticipated use." 

(Baseline: As of October 2009, 409 final and deleted NPL sites had achieved "sitewide 

ready for anticipated use.")[4]

Objective 3.4: Strengthen Public Health and Environmental Protection in Indian 

Country. Support federally-recognized tribes to build environmental management capacity, 

assess environmental conditions and measure results, and implement environmental 

programs in Indian country. 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

49

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, increase the percent of tribes implementing federal regulatory environmental 

programs in Indian country to 18 percent. (FY 2009 baseline: 12.59 percent of 572 

tribes).

 By 2015, increase the percent of tribes conducting EPA-approved environmental 

monitoring and assessment activities in Indian country to 50 percent. (FY 2009 baseline: 

39.69 percent of 572 tribes).

End notes:

[1] EPA is considering revisiting its MSW strategic measure and will consult with its partners in 

the process.

[2] Consistent with the government-wide National Response Framework (NRF), EPA will work 

to fully implement the priorities under its internal NAR so that the Agency is prepared to respond 

to multiple nationally significant incidents. By 2015, EPA will achieve and maintain at least 75 

percent of the maximum score on readiness evaluation criteria. Core NAR builds upon the 

CORE ER concept while integrating the priority elements of EPA’s NAR Preparedness Plan, and 

the Homeland Security Priority Workplan, to reflect an Agency-wide assessment of progress. 

[3] EPA is currently revising its dioxin risk assessment which may affect the targets and 

baselines for the human exposures under control and sitewide ready for anticipated use measures.

[4] As part of the Integrated Cleanup Initiative, OSWER is evaluating sitewide ready for 

anticipated use across all our cleanup programs and may modify the above Superfund measure to 

include corresponding brownfields, RCRA corrective action, and Leaking Underground Storage 

Tank program goals.
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

50

Goal 4: Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution. Reduce the risk and 

increase the safety of chemicals and prevent pollution at the source.

Objective 4.1: Ensure Chemical Safety. Reduce the risk of chemicals that enter our products, 

our environment, and our bodies. 

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, reduce by XX percent the number of moderate to severe incidents affecting 

workers exposed to acutely toxic pesticides. (Based on 326 moderate and severe 

incidents reported to the Poison Control Center (PCC) National Poison Data System 

(NPDS) 1999-2003, the six pesticides of concern are: chlorpyrifos; diazinon, malathion; 

pyrethrins; 2,4-D and carbofuran.)

 By 2015, reduce the percentage of children with blood lead levels above 5ug/dl to 2.5 

percent or less. (Baseline: 2003-2006 sampling period of 4.1 percent. NHANES data are 

collected in two year samples and released incrementally with the data typically

becoming available two to three years after the sample period ends.)

 By 2015, reduce concentration of targeted chemicals by XX percent in the general 

population. (Baseline is xx average concentration for general population on the most 

recent urinary metabolites reported in the 1999-2004 Centers for Disease Control’s 

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. Chemicals used as 

indicators under this measure will include pesticides and industrial/commercial 

chemicals. NHANES concentrations will be the focus. Pesticides include 

Dimethylphosphate < 0.58 ug/L; Dimethylthiophosphate = 1.06 ug/L; 

Dimethyldithiophosphate < 0.10 ug/L; Diethylphosphate = 0.78 ug/L; 

Diethylthiophosphate = 0.5 ug/L; Diethyldithiophosphate < 0.10 ug/L; and 3, 5, 6-

Trichloro-2-pyridinol = 1.9 ug/L. Baselines will be set for industrial/commercial 

chemicals once the targeted chemicals have been identified.)

 By 2015, reduce the disparity of concentration of chemicals in low income populations as 

compared to non-low income populations by XX percent. (Baseline is based on percent 

difference in blood levels for a broader set of chemicals, included in 2003-2004 CDC 

report, between low income populations and non-low-income populations for the same 

set of chemicals used in general population measure above.) 

 By 2015, reduce concentration of targeted chemicals by XX percent in children. 

(Baseline is xx average concentration for children based on 1999-2004 Centers for 

Disease Control’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. 

Baselines will be set once the targeted chemicals have been identified).

 By 2015, complete Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) decisions for 

100percent of chemicals for which complete EDSP information is expected to be 

available by the end of 2014. (Baseline: EDSP decisions for a chemical can range from 

determining potential to interact with the Estrogen, Androgen, or Thyroid hormone 
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

51

systems to otherwise determining whether further endocrine related testing is necessary. 

Through 2009, no decisions have been completed for any of the chemicals for which 

complete EDSP information is anticipated to be available by the end of 2014.)

 By 2015, no watersheds will exceed aquatic life benchmarks for XX pesticides and YY 

industrial/commercial chemicals of concern. (Baseline: Data for 1992 – 2001 provides 

the most recent percent of agricultural watersheds sampled by the USGS National Water 

Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program that exceeds the National Pesticide Program 

aquatic life benchmarks for azinphos-methyl(18 percent) and chlorpyrifos (21 percent). 

Urban watersheds sampled by NAWQA program that exceeds the National Pesticide 

Program aquatic life benchmarks for diazinon (73 percent), chlorpyrifos (37 percent), 

carbaryl (13 percent), and malathion (30 percent). Industrial chemicals of concern that 

exceeded aquatic life benchmarks are to be defined once chemicals are identified and for 

pesticides the specific chemicals of concern will be reevaluated.)

 Through 2015, make all health and safety information available to the public for 

chemicals in commerce, to the extent allowed by law. (Baseline: Between the enactment 

of TSCA and January 21, 2010, thousands of CBI cases of TSCA health and safety 

information were submitted for chemicals potentially in commerce. In recent years 

hundreds of such cases have been submitted annually. To achieve this measure, EPA 

must complete the following actions for new and historical submissions by the end of 

2015: 1) determine if a challenge to the CBI claim is warranted; 2) execute the challenge; 

and 3) where legally defensible, declassify the information claimed as CBI.). For 

pesticides, EPA will continue to make risk assessments and supporting information 

available through is long standing Public Participation Process.

Objective 4.2: Promote Pollution Prevention. Conserve and protect natural resources by 

promoting pollution prevention and the adoption of other stewardship practices by

companies, communities, governmental organizations, and individuals. 

Strategic Measures:

 By 2015, reduce 15 billion pounds of hazardous materials cumulatively through pollution 

prevention. (Baseline is 4.8 billion pounds reduced through 2008.)

 By 2015, reduce 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02e) 

through pollution prevention. (Baseline is 6.5 MMTC02e reduced in 2008.) 

 By 2014, reduce water use by 225 billion gallons through pollution prevention. (Baseline 

is 51.3 billion gallons reduced in 2008.) 

 By 2015, save $10 billion through pollution prevention improvements in business, 

institutional, and government costs cumulatively. (Baseline is 3.1 billion dollars saved in 

2008.)
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

52

 Through 2015, increase the use of safer chemicals by XX percent. (Baseline is xx pounds 

of safer chemicals used in XXXX)
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

53

Goal 5: Enforcing Environmental Laws. Protect human health and the environment 

through vigorous and targeted civil and criminal enforcement. Assure compliance with 

environmental laws.

Objective 5.1: Enforce Environmental Laws. Pursue vigorous civil and criminal 

enforcement that targets the most serious water, air, and chemical hazards in communities. 

Assure strong, consistent, and effective enforcement of federal environmental laws 

nationwide. 

Strategic Measures:

Maintain Enforcement Presence and Deterrence

 By 2015, conduct 105,000 federal inspections and evaluations. (FY 2005-2009 baseline: 

21,000 annually)

 By 2015, initiate XXX civil judicial and administrative enforcement cases. (FY 2005 –

2009 baseline: XXX annually)

 By 2015, conclude 21,000 civil judicial and administrative enforcement cases. (FY 

2005-2009 baseline: 4,200 annually)

 By 2015, review the overall compliance status of XX percent of the open consent 

decrees. (Baseline 2006-2009: TBD)

 By 2015, increase the percentage of criminal cases opened annually having the most 

significant health, environmental, and deterrence impacts (as measured by the case 

“tiering” methodology. (Baseline: TBD)

 By 2015, increase the number of closed cases with criminal enforcement consequence 

(i.e., indictment, conviction, fine or incarceration) to 37percent. (FY 2006-2008 

baseline: 33percent)

 By 2015, increase criminal cases with individuals charged to 82 percent. (FY 2006-2008 

Baseline: 78 percent)

Support Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality

 By 2015, reduce, treat, or eliminate 2,400 million estimated cumulative pounds of air 

pollutants. (FY 2005-2008 baseline: 480 million pounds, annual average over the 

period.) 

 By 2015, achieve an investment of $11 billion in air pollution control equipment or 

practices as a result of concluded enforcement actions. (FY 2006-2008 baseline: $2.2B, 

annual average of the period)
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

54

Measures Under Development[1]

 By 2015, take enforcement action that supports the program measure of reducing 

toxicity weighted emissions of air toxics.

 By 2015, take enforcement action that supports the program measure of reducing 

emissions of NOx, SO2, and PM.

Support Protecting America’s Waters

 By 2015, reduce, treat, or eliminate 1,600 million estimated cumulative pounds of water 

pollutants. (FY 2005-2008 baseline: 320 million pounds, annual average over the 

period.)

 By 2015, achieve an investment of $17 billion in water pollution control equipment or 

practices as a result of concluded enforcement actions. (FY 2006-2008 baseline: $3.3B, 

annual average over the period.)

Measures Under Development[1]

 By 2015, take enforcement action that supports the program measure of community 

water systems providing drinking water that meets all applicable health-based

drinking water standards. 

 By 2015, take enforcement action that supports the program measure of attaining 

water quality standards for all pollutants and impairments in more than 3,360 water 

bodies identified in 2002 as not attaining standards (cumulative). 

Support Cleaning Up Our Communities

 By 2015, reduce, treat, or eliminate 32,000 million estimated cumulative pounds of 

hazardous waste, as a result of concluded enforcement actions. (FY 2008 baseline: 

6,500 million pounds, annual average over the period.)

 By 2015, achieve an investment of $6.5 billion in hazardous chemical pollution control 

equipment or practices, cleanups, cost recovery and oversight as a result of concluded 

enforcement actions. (FY 2006-2008 baseline: $1.3 billion, annual average over the 

period.)

 Each year through 2015, support clean ups and save federal dollars for sites where there 

are no alternatives by 1) reaching a settlement or taking an enforcement action before the 

start of a remedial action at 95percent of Superfund sites having viable responsible 

parties other than the federal government, and 2) addressing all cost recovery statute of 

limitation cases with total past costs greater to or equal to $200,000. (Baseline: 

95percent of sites reaching a settlement or EPA taking and enforcement action; 

100percent cost recovery statute of limitation cases addressed.)
Draft for Public Review June 18, 2010

55

 By 2015, clean up XX cubic yards of hazardous waste-contaminated soil and water as a 

result of concluded enforcement actions. (Baseline and target TBD)

Measures Under Development[1]

 By 2015, take enforcement action to support the program measure of increasing the 

number of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facilities with migration 

of contaminated groundwater under control. 

 By 2015, take enforcement action to support the program measure of completing an 

additional 1,700 Superfund removals through agency-financed actions and through 

oversight of removals conducted by potentially responsible parties (PRPs).

Support Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution

 By 2015, reduce, treat, or eliminate 19 million estimated cumulative pounds of toxic and 

pesticide pollutants. (FY 2005-2008 baseline: 3.8 million pounds, annual average over 

the period.) 

 By 2015, achieve an investment of $40.0 million in control of pesticides and toxics as a 

result of concluded enforcement actions. (FY 2006-2008 baseline: $8.0M, annual 

average over the period.)

Measures Under Development[1]

 By 2015, take enforcement action to support the program measure to reduce the 

number of moderate to severe incidents affecting workers exposed to acutely toxic 

pesticides. 

 By 2015, take enforcement action to support the program measure to reduce the 

percentage of children with blood lead levels above 5ug/dl to 2.5 percent or less. 

End note: 

[1] The Measures Under Development are areas where EPA is now working to develop 

measures that complement and support goals 1 through 4 of this Plan. The specific language for 

these measures is under development. EPA is interested in comment on how these measures 

could be constructed.