Region
6,
of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquartered
in Dallas, Texas, (maps) (org
charts) is structured to serve our customers and partners--the
public, state, tribal
and local governments, industry and the communities of the five-state
region.
The Region's vision is "To Meet the Environmental Needs of a Changing
World." We are public servants dedicated to improving and preserving
the quality of the environment and protecting human health.
Region 6 encompasses an ecologically, demographically, and economically
diverse five-state region of Arkansas,
Louisiana, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas,
as well as 66 Indian Tribes.
The Strategic Plan
The Region's strategic plan addresses our priorities in the context
of the EPA's seven guiding principles--ecosystem protection, environmental
justice, pollution prevention, strong science and data, partnership
building, environmental accountability, and reinventing EPA Management.
These principles form the basis of how we implement the initiatives.
In addition, Region 6 uses "Community Outreach" as an overarching
approach to achieve our objectives.
State/Tribal Capacity Building--to establish a framework
for State/Tribal/Regional relations emphasizing flexibility, a mutually
supportive working relationship, and a recognition of shared and
unique EPA, State, and Tribal environmental priorities.
MultiMedia Enforcement--to implement a more holistic, multimedia
approach to solving environmental problems. Develop and implement
an inspection program which targets facilities to be inspected on
a multimedia basis. Refine and focus enforcement actions.
U.S./Mexico Border--to provide for the long term protection
of human health and natural ecosystems in the Border area through
pollution prevention, monitoring, investigations, and mitigation
of the effects of pollution. Integrate environmental justice into
all decision making in partnership with EPA Region 9 (San Francisco),
other Federal Agencies, State and Local Agencies in Texas, and New
Mexico, as well as affected public/private entities.
Southern Louisiana/Lower Mississippi River--to minimize
loss of natural ecosystems, reduce impact of air toxics, reduce
pesticides exposure, identify and address Superfund sites and potential
Superfund sites in this highly populated and ecologically sensitive
area. Develop and implement strategies with local, State, Federal,
and public/private partnerships to aid in protecting human health
and restoring, protecting, and creating natural ecosystems.
Gulf of Mexico--to develop and implement a comprehensive
strategy for managing and protecting resources of the Gulf in partnership
with EPA Region 4 (Atlanta), other Federal Agencies, State and Local
Agencies in Texas and Louisiana, as well as affected public/private
entities. Protect, restore and reduce the loss of coastal wetlands
through implementation of Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection
and Restoration Act, the Clean Water Act, and other remedies involving
Federal/State partnerships.
Petrochemical Industrial Sector--to identify specific sites
of this industrial sector which are causing environmental problems
and move toward an integrated, multimedia approach to pollution
prevention, permitting, and compliance activities. In partnership
with the States, establish coordinated programs to reduce environmental
risk associated with the petrochemical industry, through promoting
chemical release prevention, regulatory compliance, and public interaction.
Watershed/Geographic Approach--to work closely with State
and Tribal officials to develop a cooperative effort of pollution
control and prevention in carrying out the watershed protection
program with full participation of all stakeholders.
Federal Facilities--to achieve multimedia compliance at
all facilities, initiate remediation in a timely and efficient manner,
expedite property clean up and transfer at closing bases, achieve
compliance at existing federal facilities, and involve affected
communities in these actions.
Office Functions in
the Region
The Office of the Regional Administrator is responsible
for overseeing the implementation of EPA programs within Region 6.
The Management
Division is responsible for laboratory analysis, strategic
planning, budget and financial resources, human resources, information
planning and management, computer services, telecommunications,
and administrative support.
The Superfund
Division implements and enforces the federal Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act, and the Oil Pollution Act.
The Multimedia
Planning and Permitting Division is responsible for the
federal Clean Air Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Toxic
Substances Control Act; and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act. The division has enforcement responsibilities
for the Underground Storage Tank program and the pesticides program.
The Water
Quality Protection Division is responsible for regional
water programs including wetlands protection; water quality planning,
evaluation and management; water quality monitoring and data assessment;
public water supply; groundwater protection; state revolving funds/construction
grants; and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit
issuance.
The Compliance
Assurance and Enforcement Division is responsible for multimedia
inspections, investigations, quality assurance, and where appropriate,
enforcement actions for the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe
Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and
the Toxic Substances Control Act. This division serves as the Regional
Administrator's focal point for Pollution Prevention, National Environmental
Policy Act review, Federal Facilities, Comparative Risk Assessment,
Technology Transfer coordination, and Geographic Information Systems.
The Office of External Affairs
is responsible for maintaining effective relationships with federal,
state, and local elected and appointed officials; community groups;
and media. The office serves as the Regional Administrator's focal
point for Native American Programs and Environmental Education.
The Office
of Regional Counsel is responsible for advising on the legal
sufficiency of permits, program delegation to the States, grants,
Freedom of Information Act, general law, personnel and ethics issues,
as well as providing official legal interpretation of Agency regulations.
The Border
Liaison Office, located in El Paso, Texas, provides local
access to information related to EPA bi-national programs, EPA activities
related to the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, and coordination
of the Border 2000 Plan.
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