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FOREWORD 



Environmental protection is an issue that cuts across the missions of more 

 than a dozen major federal departments and agencies. Consequently, en- 

 vironmental research and development programs are highly decentralized, 

 and directing and coordinating these diverse efforts is a particular challenge 

 for policymakers. 



Few would disagree that environmental protcaion and sustainable 

 development will be among the highest priorities on the national agenda 

 in the decades ahead. Since research and development programs will gen- 

 crate much of the intellectual basis for the environmental policies and ac- 

 tions of the future, it is essential that these programs be well organized, 

 adequately funded, and closely linked with the policymaking process. 



The earth may be viewed as an interacting set of complex biological 

 and physical systems, and a host of human actions can adversely affect them. 

 Consequently, federal environmental R&D encompasses a broad range of 

 programs housed in numerous departments and agencies. 



