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

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 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.