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Significant issues at EPA in 1970s
Q: In your mind, what were the most significant issues the agency faced during your time as an AA?
MR. ALM: First of all, EPA implemented the Clean Water Act. I think the agency did a great job getting out most of the NPDES permits in a relatively short period of time. It made a real contribution to the water-pollution-abatement problem.
A second significant issue the agency faced was developing and implementing a waste-treatment-grant program, over $20 billion worth of expenditures, without scandal. Our success at that was really remarkable. We worked very hard to assure the fiscal integrity of that program.
Finally, I think the Clean Air Act, what became the Clean Air Act amendments, was a significant contribution the agency made during my tenure there.