Recent Additions

This page provides access to a listing of some of the recent additions and new materials available on the EPA Web site.

July 22, 2008

Village of Wellsville, Ohio – Ineligible Costs Claimed Under EPA Grant XP97582801 (PDF) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General conducted reviews of earmarked grants known as Special Appropriation Act Projects issued to local and tribal governments. We selected the Village of Wellsville, Ohio, for one of these reviews. An 11 pp, 168K Adobe Acrobat PDF document from the Office of Inspector General.
Student Career Experience Program - (updated for 2009) The Student Career Experience Program at EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) provides students with paid part-time, semester-length, seasonal, or summer trainee employment leading to non-competitive appointment to the target position upon successful completion of at least 640 hours of on-the-job training and receipt of their degree (Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance).
2008 Amendment to Guidelines for Section 106 Monitoring Initiative Funds released - EPA has amended the guidelines that govern the allocation of new funds directed to water quality monitoring that Congress appropriated, beginning in FY 2005, under the section 106 Water Pollution Control grant program (Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds).

July 17, 2008

Publication: Analyses and Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems (SAP 4.6) - EPA, working with the CCSP, have released the final report, Analyses and Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems. This Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6 (SAP 4.6) examines potential impacts of climate change on human society, opportunities for adaptation, and associated recommendations for addressing data gaps and near- and long-term research goals (National Center for Environmental Assessment).

July 16, 2008

EPA Needs to Better Report Chesapeake Bay Challenges (PDF) - This review summarizes several evaluations conducted by the Office of Inspector General in response to a congressional request. We evaluated how well the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working with its Chesapeake Bay partners in cleaning up the Bay. A 40 pp., 3.76MB Adobe Acrobat PDF document from the Office of Inspector General.
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) January 2007 – June 2008 Accomplishments Report Released – This web-based report highlights OPPT's expanded efforts to ensure the safety of existing chemicals through the newly created program "ChAMP," and OPPT’s promotion of pollution prevention and environmental stewardship. Other accomplishments include initiating the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program, issuing a new lead rule to reduce risks of lead poisoning in children, and reaching a milestone in the PFOA Stewardship Program with member companies' first annual progress reports received and made publicly available (Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics).

July 11, 2008

Publication: Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen - Health Criteria (Final Report) - EPA is announcing the release of the final report entitled, The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen - Health Criteria and the Annexes. This ISA document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA’s decision regarding whether the current standard for NO2 sufficiently protects public health (National Center for Environmental Assessment).
Final Registration Review Work Plan for Coco Alkyl Amine, salts (Alkyl Amine Hydrochloride) available - The Final Work Plan for Coco Alkyl Amine, salts (Alkyl Amine Hydrochloride) is available for review (Office of Pesticide Programs).
EPA announces the availability of the 2004-2006 National Estuary Program (NEP) Implementation Report (EPA's 2004-2006)(PDF) - This report summarizes NEP accomplishments documented during EPA’s Implementation Reviews (IRs) of the 28 NEPs during 2004-2006. The EPA conducts IRs of the 28 programs included in the NEP to determine progress implementing their respective Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans (CCMPs), and continued eligibility for funding under §320 of the CWA. EPA has established and maintained an IR for each NEP every three years that carefully assesses the accomplishments and challenges facing each NEP. A 14 pp, 1MB Adobe Acrobat PDF document from the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds.

July 10, 2008

Making Better Use of Stringfellow Superfund Special Accounts (PDF) - In February 2006, the Office of Inspector General recommended that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) timely review Superfund special accounts to ensure funds are used consistent with its guidance. We followed up on EPA’s progress in implementing this recommendation by evaluating EPA’s use of special accounts that had high available balances or were at least 10 years old. The special accounts for the Stringfellow Superfund site have a high available balance of $117.8 million. A 14 pp, 547K Adobe Acrobat PDF document from the Office of Inspector General.
Notice: NCEA releases BMDS 2.0 - EPA annouces that NCEA's BMDS Web site has been updated with BMDS version 2.0. This update employs a new, markedly improved user interface and has enhanced batch processing capabilities. In addition to updates made in version 1.4, this version also includes a Hill model for dichotomous responses, which allows an asymptote at less than 100% response rate, and new versions of the familiar quantal models which implement alternative background terms (background additive to dose) (National Center for Environmental Assessment).
Risk Mitigation Measures to Address Inhalation Exposures from Soil Fumigant Applications - EPA will require a suite of new mitigation measures that will work together to protect human health (Office of Pesticide Programs).

July 9, 2008

Fiscal Year 2007 and 2006 Financial Statements for the Pesticides Reregistration and Expedited Processing Fund (PDF) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for reassessing the safety of older pesticide registrations against modern health and environmental testing standards. To expedite this reregistration process, Congress authorized EPA to collect fees from pesticide manufacturers. The fees are deposited into the FIFRA Fund. Each year, the Agency prepares financial statements that present financial information about the Fund, along with information about EPA’s progress in reregistering pesticides. A 46 pp, 779K Adobe Acrobat PDF document from the Office of Inspector General.
2008 Clean Water Act Section 404 Training Announced - Each year, the Wetlands Division of the Environmental Protection Agency hosts a training course on Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This course provides federal and state governmental staff with valuable information on the permitting process for Clean Water Act Section 404 regulations (Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds).

July 8, 2008

EPA publishes draft report Destruction of Ozone-Depleting Substances in the United States - EPA plans to issue this report in a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) and requests that comments be submitted through the docket when it is published. Notice of publication of the NODA will be posted on this web site (Stratospheric Protection Division).
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) Program Tribal Support Grants - This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals to support training, technical assistance, research and studies that will support the participation of tribal co-regulators in the formulation of federal/tribal environmental policies in Indian country on EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) related tribal programs. The recipient will conduct two separate projects that will promote discussion, collaboration and partnership among tribes and federal agency representatives (Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response).

July 3, 2008

EPA Can Improve the Awarding of Noncompetitive Contracts (PDF) - We performed this review to determine if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) award of noncompetitive contracts was appropriate. Specifically, we determined if these contracts were awarded according to federal regulations and EPA policy. A 21 pp, 539K Adobe Acrobat PDF document from the Office of Inspector General.
EPA is also seeking comment on the Draft Technical Guidance Manual for the Proposed Aircraft Drinking Water Rule - The primary purpose of the proposed Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR) is to ensure that safe and reliable drinking water is provided to aircraft passengers and crew. This entails providing air carriers with a feasible way to comply with National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Water provided onboard aircraft through lavatory and galley faucets must meet standards for human consumption, which includes uses such as washing face or hands; brushing teeth; consuming coffee, tea, or other beverages made with onboard water; and drinking the water from galley or lavatory water taps. Thus, even if passengers and crew are provided bottled water for drinking, water from aircraft lavatory taps must still meet drinking water standards (Office of Ground Water & Drinking Water).
New and Updated IRIS Assessments Available from the Integrated Risk Information System Program:
- A new Summary for 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (85 pp, 443K) have been added to the IRIS Web site.
- A new Summary for 2,2',4,4',5-Pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99) and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (128 pp, 948K) have been added to the IRIS Web site.
- A new Summary for 2,2',4,4',5,5'-Hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-153) and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (66 pp, 300K) have been added to the IRIS Web site.
- An updated Summary for 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (126 pp, 830K) have been added to the IRIS Web site.

June 24, 2008

2008 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Winners Announced - Five leading researchers have received awards for chemical technology innovations that promote cleaner, cheaper, and smarter chemistry. Developing safer, environmentally friendly chemicals and processes results in reduced waste, safer products, and reduced use of energy and resources. Over the past 13 years, collectively, award-winning technologies have eliminated more than 1.1 billion pounds of hazardous chemicals and solvents, saved over 21 billion gallons of water, and eliminated nearly 400 million pounds of carbon dioxide releases to air (Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics).

June 20, 2008

Publication: Preliminary Review of Adaption Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources (SAP 4.4) (Final Report) - EPA, working with the CCSP, have released the final report, Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4: Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources. This Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4 (SAP 4.4) analyzes information on the state of knowledge of adaptation options for key, representative ecosystems and resources that may be sensitive to climate variability and change (National Center for Environmental Assessment).
Final Registration Review Work Plan for the chemical Quinclorac is available - May 2008 - The Registration Review Final Work Plan for quinclorac in available for review (Office of Pesticide Programs).
A Collection of Solid Waste Resources: 2008 Edition - EPA has released its 2008 Edition of "A Collection of Solid Waste Resources" CD ROM. It contains more than 300 publications on hazardous and nonhazardous waste. The documents are searchable, listed alphabetically by topic, and many are available in Spanish (Office of Solid Waste).
The Climate Ready Estuaries Program announces six NEP pilots - To build capacity in the National Estuary Programs (NEPs) for local leadership and expertise to adapt to the effects of climate change through a joint effort with the NEPs and EPA (National Estuary Program).

June 17, 2008

Biofuels Compendium posted - This Web-based compendium provides underground storage tank (UST) stakeholders with information regarding storing ethanol and biodiesel fuels (Office of Underground Storage Tanks).

June 11, 2008

EPA publishes revised Servicing Tail Report for HCFCs in the U.S. A/C and refrigeration sector - This report presents estimates of the projected quantity of HCFC-22 (also recognized by the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) designation, R-22) needed to service airconditioning and refrigeration equipment and the anticipated installed base of such equipment beyond 2010 in the United States. The objective of this analysis is to provide a resource to assist in the allocation of future HCFC consumption allowances (Stratospheric Protection Division).
Frequently Asked Questions on the Container and Containment Labeling Requirements - A Frequent Questions Fact Sheet for Pesticide Container and Containment Rule has been published (Office of Pesticide Programs).
UST And LUST Program Performance Measures - EPA collects data from states and territories regarding UST and LUST program performance measures. This includes information such as the number of active and closed tanks, releases reported, cleanups initiated and completed, inspections, and facilities in compliance with UST requirements. The reports below provide data in table format for all states and territories, by region, and by reporting period indicated (Office of Underground Storage Tanks).

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