42 



Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act 



EPA's research program provides the vital tools to understand and solve our envi- 

 ronmental problems, and to translate the science into policy. Our research is author- 

 ized through a number of single media statutes — the Clean Air Act, the Clean 

 Water Act, and Superfund are examples. However, EPA's research program has 

 been changing in recent years to emphasize multi-media, cross-disciplinary problems 

 that require a more holistic research approach, with programs like NHEXAS, 

 EMAP, risk assessment, and technology innovation. And within this new generation 

 of environmental protection that I discussed earlier in this testimony, EPA's re- 

 search continues to change, becoming even more complex and cross-disciplinary as 

 we understand more about the depth and complexity of the environmental issues 

 and problems facing us. 



S. 1545 clarifies the role that these cross-media programs play in the environ- 

 mental research arena. It allows us to clearly look at these issues outside of the 

 framework of individual media statutes. The reauthorization of ERDDA would pro- 

 vide EPA with a less fragmented, more cohesive framework within which we can 

 conduct environmental research. 



ORD generally supports the goals of the pesticide research provisions of S. 1545, 

 which require ORD to develop methodologies to determine pesticides exposure levels 

 in various media, assess human health effects associated with exposures to pes- 

 ticides, and assess the impacts of long-term pesticides use on various ecosystems. 

 This research is integral to reducing the uncertainties about human and ecosystem 

 exposure to the millions of pounds of pesticides used annually. 



In the past 3 years, ORD has begun conducting pesticides research efforts similar 

 to those proposed in the Senate bill. However, the Senate provisions mandate more 

 pesticides research than ORD's current program. This provision would require fund- 

 ing above the proposed Fiscal Year 1995 budget. 



EPA is also supportive of the authorization of NHEXAS and EMAP contained in 

 the Senate bill. These are long-term, interagency research programs, designed to 

 guide us in developing future environmental policies and give us crucial information 

 about the effectiveness of our current environmental strategies. Because these pro- 

 grams represent a significant interagency investment, it is important to have a long- 

 term commitment, something ERDDA legislation ensures. 



welcome the opportunity to further discuss these and other provisions in Senate 

 bill S. 1545 in more detail with the Committee. 



Conclusion 



I look forward to working together with you on this bill and in transforming 

 EPA's science and research capabilities, and in exploring new ways to better protect 

 our health and our natural resources. The transition we are attempting will not be 

 easy — we will need your help to achieve our vision of an invigorated environmental 

 research program at EPA. Reauthorization of ERDDA will go a long way toward 

 achieving this vision. 



Thank you. 



Statement of Mark Schaefer, Assistant Director for the Environment, 

 Office of Science and Technology, Executive Office of the President 



Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee: My name is Mark Schaefer. I am 

 the Assistant Director for Environment in the Office of Science and Technology Pol- 

 icy. I appreciate the opportunity to meet with you this morning to discuss the Ad- 

 ministration's efforts to enhance Federal environmental and natural resources re- 

 search and development (R&D) programs. The Administration is fully committed to 

 working with Congress to improve Federal environment and natural resources R&D 

 programs. 



World population and industrial activities have increased dramatically during the 

 last century, and human activities are affecting the environment at all geographical 

 scales from local to regional to global. The range of environmental issues is diverse 

 and encompasses such issues as pesticides and toxic substances, hazardous and 



