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EPA is developing two major assessment programs: the Environmental Monitoring 

 and Assessment Program (EMAP) and the National Human Exposure Assessment 

 Survey (NHEXAS). These programs are designed as research and monitoring dem- 

 onstrations to develop approaches for assessing impacts of environmental changes 

 on ecosystems and human health. A number of other Federal agencies are major 

 participants in these programs. Extensive discussions are taking place with the Na- 

 tional Biological Survey to ensure that all monitoring efforts complement — rather 

 than duplicate — one another. These programs have been extensively peer- reviewed, 

 and we continue to solicit, listen to, incorporate, and benefit from the recommenda- 

 tions of peer reviewers. 



Authorization of EMAP and NHEXAS in the Senate ERDDA bill is an important 

 next step in fulfilling the promise of these important programs. 



Guiding creation of a national and international environmental research agenda: 

 ERA alone cannot identify emerging issues and generate the knowledge needed to 

 solve domestic and international environmental problems. To be effective, EPA must 

 work collaboratively with other Federal agencies that have responsibilities for pro- 

 tecting and managing the environment. We must, together with these other Federal 

 agencies, develop a coherent national research agenda on the environment, one that 

 will organize activities and set priorities across the Federal government. 



For these reasons, EPA is a very active participant in the Committee for Environ- 

 mental and Natural Resources (CENR), established under the auspices of the Presi- 

 dent's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) to coordinate all Federal en- 

 vironment and natural resources R&D activities and to improve the links between 

 science and policy. EPA's Deputy Administrator, Robert Sussman, has been person- 

 ally leading EPA's effort. 



In the last several months, the Committee has been developing R&D strategies 

 outlining an effective scientific approach and near-term priorities in coordination 

 with representatives from the scientific community, the private sector, Congress, 

 State and local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Com- 

 mittee's research agenda targets ten issues: global climate change, biodiversity and 

 ecosystem dynamics, resource use and management, air quality, toxic substances 

 and hazardous and solid waste, water resources and coastal and marine environ- 

 ments, natural disasters, social sciences and economics, technology and engineering, 

 and risk assessment. EPA is developing its Fiscal Year 1996 research budget in ac- 

 cordance with the goals and priorities developed through the NSTC. 



Expanding partnerships with the scientific community, other agencies, and the 

 public: EPA needs the involvement and commitment of all of our nation's scientific 

 experts to solve our complex environmental problems. EPA's work on drinking water 

 research is an excellent example of this partnership approach. ORD has been work- 

 ing cooperatively with the American Water Works Research Foundation (AWWRF), 

 to conduct joint research in disinfection by-products. A major effort is now underway 

 to significantly augment this collaboration— EPA and the water industry have to- 

 gether prepared a 5-year, $50 million research program, for which we are now nego- 

 tiating funding. Clearly, the water industry will contribute a substantial, if not 

 major, share of this funding. S. 1545 directly supports this research plan. However, 

 we fear that authority specifying which organization to work with may tie our hands 

 in negotiating projects to carry out this ambitious research plan. We would like to 

 have the flexibility to work with other organizations and to leverage our Federal 

 dollars to the maximum extent possible. 



Creating opportunities for scientific and technical achievement at EPA: The 

 strength of EPA's science and data depends on the quality of our scientists. EPA 

 will use several mechanisms to create these opportunities, including: (1) instituting 

 internal research awards to EPA scientists through a competitive, peer-reviewed 

 process; (2) establishing science career tracks throughout the Agency, building on 

 the experience of ORD; and (3) maintaining and enhancing its infrastructure for 

 science, and giving increased emphasis to training and professional development op- 

 portunities for scientific and technical staff. 



An additional critical component of the Agency's science and data goals involves 

 specific changes within EPA's research program, stemming from the EPA Labora- 

 tory Study and ORD's Streamlining Report. 



