August 13, 1999

NOTE TO REID WILSON ---- IMPORTANT

FROM: Norine Noonan

SUBJECT: Report from Resources for the Future (RFF) on Science At EPA

I was very surprised to learn today that apparently RFF was commissioned several years ago to produce a report on science at EPA and that the report is now printed and will be distributed next week. The report bases its conclusions and recommendations on eight case studies most of which are historical (date of regulation in parenthesis):

  1. Lead-copper in drinking water (1991)
  2. Arsenic in drinking water (1995)
  3. Particulate matter (1987)
  4. Ozone (1993)
  5. Ethylene Dibromide (1983-84)
  6. Asbestos (1989)
  7. Dioxin
  8. Lead in soil at Superfund sites


The report makes no mention of our strategic or annual research planning processes, our greatly strengthened internal and external peer review processes (including the Peer Review Handbook), the creation of the Science To Achieve Results (STAR) grants program, or the strengthening of our internal science capability in our research labs. It is critical of our lack of focus on future regulatory decisions and on our inability to successfully link research and regulatory agendas. It advocates a bigger EPA science budget "earmarked" to looking to the future and says that we should acknowledge the multitude of factors that influence regulatory decisions. It will certainly be used by our critics to hammer us on the quality of our science once again, although in reality it does not reflect the current reality of science in EPA.

I had no idea this report was even in the works, much less ready to be released - but I'll take responsibility for dropping the ball and not giving CMB a heads-up sooner. ORD apparently funded this with a cooperative agreement between EPA and RFF - I intend to find out where the "cooperative" part disappeared to. I don't like surprises any more than CMB does. The only good news is that it is scheduled to be released on the same day as the NRC report on the PM research program - in which the NRC Committee applauds our progress and responsiveness and gives us kudos for moving in the right direction.

I have attached a possible desk statement and a copy of the RFF press release and I have sent these to the press office as well. I apologize to the Administrator and to you for ORD's not being on top of this. Friday the 13th strikes again. 1