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Education v. advocacy
Q: In EPA there is a sense that under the Reilly-Habicht administration the agency has turned a corner; has tried to assume more of an educational, and less of an advocacy role. Do you think 1989 marks a watershed in EPA history, or are we merely seeing adjustments in old patterns?
MR. RUCKELSHAUS: I think Bill Reilly is a good leader who believes it is necessary for the agency to begin to set some priorities, to measure available resources against the biggest environmental problems. He has begun to stimulate public discussion about what the priorities ought to be, becoming an educator in the process. I think it's a very responsible and effective approach to the job and represents present realities far more than the advocate role.
The environmentalists and the Congress, however, all want you to be an advocate. The Congress stages fights with the administration so they can have wonderful hearings. The environmentalists think that because the Secretary of Agriculture is an advocate for the farmer, the EPA Administrator should be an advocate for the environment. Occasionally, you do have to perform this function; obviously, you have to stand up for what you think is right. But I think this country is just full of advocates for the environment. I think 80 percent of the people are advocates for the environment.
You really need someone who will perform the role of a trusted educator, and there is no one more suited to it than the administrator of EPA. Reilly has taken it on and that's good. But there are an awful lot of people who do not agree. Say the words and Congress--and particularly the environmental organizations--get angry. About two weeks ago, I pointed that out in Colorado, at a meeting of environmental journalists. My speech made about half of them mad; environmental reporters are often as close to the environmental movement as the members of the movement itself. They don't like to hear such things. Some guy I had known for years told me afterward that it sounded like a Chamber of Commerce speech!