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We have learned that we must not limit ourselves to clean-up, 

 but must also seek to prevent pollution at the source. We must 

 adopt a comprehensive and understanding approach that avoids 

 unintended consequences of our actions and decisions. We must 

 force ourselves to address long-term and not just short-term conse- 

 quences. 



The 1980's have shown us that environmental action or inaction 

 has economic consequences, in turn affecting our environmental 

 and business choices in a never-ending cycle of cause and effect. 

 Environmental opportunities can be economic opportunities. Money 

 spent by companies to comply with environmental laws and regula- 

 tion translates into revenues and jobs for other American business- 

 es. The Clean Air Act Amendments are the latest example of how 

 Congressional and EPA action can drive major economic growth in 

 the pollution control sector. 



This Administration is committed to identifying the dynamic re- 

 lationship between economic and environmental needs and to en- 

 suring that environmental assets are reflected in our accounting of 

 national well-being. Environmental protection and economic 

 growth are not incompatible. The Green Gauge Poll of 1992 showed 

 that 63 percent of Ainericans believe economic development and 

 environmental protection go hand-in-hand. 



EPA is evolving as an institution grappling with today's chal- 

 lenges. We must position ourselves to function as more than a reg- 

 ulatory agency. This Administration embraces successful new ap- 

 proaches and the essential dynamic of environmental management 

 handled in partnership across department and governmental lines. 



An environment department must work closely with both its 

 Cabinet counterparts and its State, local, tribal and other govern- 

 ment partners while remaining responsive to the individual citizen. 



We must rely carefully on sound science and research to better 

 understand environmental issues such as biodiversity, global cli- 

 mate change, environmental equity, risk, and persistent toxic 

 chemicals, and to better develop policy and solutions. 



An environment department must be a model environmental 

 steward both domestically and internationally. The department 

 must also serve as a model for responsible fiscal practices and re- 

 sponsive, accountable management. Financial integrity and sound 

 contract management are critical to fulfilling our environmental 

 mission and to safeguarding the taxpayer's dollar. 



Environmental protection is not a mere footnote but encom- 

 passes all of the earth's resources and human activity. It is front- 

 page, banner-headlines woven throughout newspapers, scientific 

 and medical journals, business and law publications. It shapes our 

 daily thinking, strategies, and budgets in every conceivable issue 

 area. We are moving beyond thinking of environmental quality as 

 a luxury or as a hindrance to economic growth. The growth of our 

 economy depends on the availability of a clean, safe, environment 

 and the long-term availability of natural resources. 



We can best join the need for balancing growth and the environ- 

 ment by unleashing American ingenuity and creativity to revive 

 our economy and create a new generation of environmental tech- 

 nology, which will make us more competitive in a fast-growing 

 international marketplace. 



