![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Legislative Authorization for Research
Research is focused by client needs and the requirement to address the greatest uncertainties in understanding the effects of man's activities on important natural marine and estuarine resources, as discussed earlier, and by the appropriations through which resources are allocated to the Division. Appropriations made available to the Gulf Ecology Division are provided by the following environmental laws:1. The Toxic Substances Research Program is authorized by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1986, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986, and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990. Research is aimed primarily at the development, validation, and refinement of test methods to be incorporated into protocols and guidelines for use by industry in submitting data to EPA. Research provides an understanding of basic mechanisms and processes that are useful to regulatory program analysts in the interpretation of data submitted by industry. The products of these research efforts are intended to support environmental risk assessments, which are the basis for the implementation of these laws. Toxic substances research is being carried out in the following areas: ecosystems protection (toxic chemicals, lead and other heavy metals) and environmental releases of biotechnology products. The goal of the Toxic Substances Research Program is to improve the Agency's understanding of how toxic substances interact with human activities and the environment, and to minimize their environmental impact while maximizing the protection of human health.See http://www.epa.gov/epahome/laws.htm for a description of these and other environmental laws.2. The Interdisciplinary Research Program is authorized by the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1981. Research activities cross programs and media research boundaries and include: (a) the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) designed to determine the condition of our nation's ecological resources, provide information to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental policies, and help identify emerging environmental problems before they become widespread; and (b) the Ecological Risk Assessment Methods Program designed to develop the biological basis and methods for improving ecological risk assessment. The goals of this program are to provide the information and tools to understand, assess and address the diverse threats to the environment.
3. The Pesticide Research Program is authorized by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) of 1988 and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) of 1988. Research provides scientific support to the pesticides program for implementing environmental protection legislation regarding pesticides. Research efforts are aimed at providing scientifically valid, cost-effective methods for evaluating risks to the environment associated with pesticide use. The goal of this research program is to improve the Agency's understanding of how pesticides interact with human activities and the environment, and to minimize their environmental impact while maximizing the protection of human health.
4. The Water Quality Research Program is authorized under the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA). This program provides data, technologies, and technical assistance to EPA regulatory programs, states, and municipalities to minimize the environmental and human health risks associated with pollutant discharges and other environmental stressors and disturbances to fresh, estuarine, and marine waters. The program conducts research on coastal and marine waters, large lakes and rivers, wetlands, contaminated sediments, aquatic ecocriteria, nonpoint sources, habitat/biodiversity, wastewater and sludge, and on improving analytical methods for quantifying pollutants. The objectives of this research program are to: (1) provide the scientific base to help states develop water quality standards, conduct use-attainability analysis and implement the Agency's water quality based pollution control program; (2) evaluate the impact of pollutants and other environmental stressors and disturbances on large ecosystems, such as the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as on other large lakes, rivers, wetlands, and estuarine and coastal waters, including the impact of ocean disposal practices; and (3) develop technology for environmental mitigation and restoration such as constructed wetlands.
5. The Global Change Research Program is authorized by the Global Change Act of 1990, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (provides phase-out deadlines for ozone depleting compounds, recycling and disposal standards, and procedures to evaluate safety of alternatives), and the Montreal Protocol and its amendments (require a 50% reduction in CFCs, a freeze on halons, and periodic assessments for possible accelerated phase-out schedules). Research provides the scientific basis to assess, evaluate, and predict the ecological, environmental, and human-health consequences of global change. The central research goals are to develop a predictive understanding of how global climate change impacts the terrestrial biosphere, and to provide the information needed to address the uncertainties concerning global change and the resulting potential risks to human health, welfare and the environment.
[ ORD Home | NHEERL Home ]