new procedures to ascertain their adequacy and with a view toward additional 

 refinement that may be indicated by implementation of these provisions. 



5. RELATIOX BETWEEN LOCAL SHORT-TERM USES AND LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY OF 



THE ENVIRONMENT 



Since this proposal is wholly directed toward water quality protection and 

 enhancement both legitimate, local, short-term uses and long-term productivity 

 of the environment will benefit from this proposal. 



6. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 



Since this proposal would strengthen the regulatory authority of the EPA, its 

 effect upon natural resources would be one of enhancement, not exploitation or 

 commitment. 



Proposed Amendment to Section 23 of the Federal Water Pollution Control 

 Act, as Amended, To Include American Samoa and the Trust Territory of 

 THE Pacific Islands Within the Meaning of "State" 



(Prepared in compliance with section 102(2) (c) of the National Environmental 

 Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190), February 8, 1971) 



1. NATURE OF PROPOSED BILL 



The proposed bill will amend the definition of "State" in Section 23 of the 

 Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, to include American Samoa 

 arid the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands within the meaning of this defini- 

 tion. These areas were included in the definition of "State" for purposes of the 

 1970 amendments to that Act. dealing ^ith oil pollution, hazardous polluting sub- 

 stances, vessel sewage, training grants and contracts and scholarships. However, 

 these areas are still unable to benefiit from or participate in many important EPA 

 programs, including: (1) water quality standards program; (2) waste treat- 

 ment construction grant program; (3) research, development, and demonsitra- 

 tion grant program ; (4) performance standards and other requiremerits of Exec- 

 utive Order 11507, dealing with the (prevention, control, abatement of air and 

 water pollution from Federal facilities. In order to 'Obtain consistency with the 

 Adt and to extend the pollution control efforts of the Environmental Protection 

 Agency to all areas of United States responsibility, this proposed legislation is 

 offered. 



2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED BILL 



The Southwes't Regional OflBce of the Water Quality OflBce. Environmental Pro- 

 tection Agency, has received repeated requests from the Governments of American 

 Samoa and the Pacific Trust Territory that they be made eligible for grants arid 

 other programs administered by EPA. Oflicials of these governments are greatly 

 concerned ^'ith the deterioration of the quality of their waters and are anxious 

 to par'ticipate in programs wliich would he'p them protect and enhance water 

 quality in those jurisdictions. This bill would provide such waterway protection 

 and improvement. 



3. ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED 



Since this proposed bill is designed to bring American Samoa and the Pacific 

 Trust Territory entirely within the purview of the Environmental Protection 

 Agency, there would not appear to be any significant unavoidable adverse envi- 

 ronmental effects resulting from such ac-ttion. In par'ticular, the inclusion of these 

 jurisdictions under the water quality standards and other programs would help 

 these areas protect and upgrade the quality of their waterways. 



4. ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED BILL 



The most obvious alternative to the proposed bill is to do nothing. This would 

 perpetuate a situation already identified as unsatisfactory for the effective pro- 

 tection of environmental values in these areas of American responsibility. 



