FY 2011–2015 EPA Strategic Plan: Achieving Our VisionThe EPA’s FY 2011–2015 Strategic Plan provides a blueprint for accomplishing our priorities for the next five years. This plan presents five strategic goals for advancing our environmental and human-health mission outcomes, accompanied by five cross-cutting fundamental strategies that seek to focus the EPA’s work to meet the growing environmental protection needs of the day. To follow the Administration’s focus on strengthening programs and achieving results, the EPA is implementing near-term Priority Goals that serve as key indicators of progress toward our five strategic goals. We will continue to affirm the core values of science, transparency and the rule of law in addressing these priorities. These are the most urgent issues we must confront through 2015.As we prepared this strategic plan, we also were responding to one of the nation’s worst environmental disasters, the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill, which seriously affected the ecological and economic health of the Gulf Coast’s communities. A sustained, effective recovery and restoration effort will require significant commitments of resources, scientific and technical expertise and coordination with a range of partners in the months and years ahead. This strategic plan offers a solid foundation for the EPA’s long-term response to the impacts of the BP oil spill. As President Obama has said, our government will do “everything in our power to protect our natural resources, compensate those who have been harmed, rebuild what has been damaged, and help this region persevere like it has done so many times before.” The EPA will work tirelessly to address the environmental and human-health effects and set the Gulf Coast on the path to recovery.U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyEPA_61746142-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2aLisa P. JacksonAdministratorA cleaner, greener and more sustainable environment._61746e94-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2aTo Protect Human Health and the Environment_61746fca-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2aScienceTransparencyRule of LawTaking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air QualityReduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop adaptation strategies to address climate change, and protect and improve air quality._61747100-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a1America’s communities face serious health and environmental challenges from air pollution and the growing effects of climate change. During my first year as Administrator, the EPA finalized an endangerment finding on greenhouse gases, proposed the first national rules to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions under the Clean Air Act and initiated a national reporting system for greenhouse-gas emissions. All of these advances signaled historic progress in the fight against climate change. Climate change must be considered and integrated into all aspects of our work. While the EPA stands ready to help Congress craft strong, science-based climate legislation that addresses the spectrum of issues, we will assess and develop regulatory tools as warranted under law using the authority of the Clean Air Act. We have strengthened the ambient air-quality standards for nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide and proposed stronger standards for ozone, which will help millions of Americans breathe easier and lead healthier lives. We also are developing a comprehensive strategy for a cleaner and more efficient power sector, with strong and achievable emission-reduction goals for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury and other air toxics. Strengthening the ambient air-quality standards consistent with the latest scientific information and gaining additional reductions in air toxics from a range of industrial facilities will significantly improve air quality and reduce risks to communities across the country. Improved monitoring, timely and thorough permitting and vigorous enforcement are our key tools for air-quality improvement.Address Climate ChangeReduce the threats posed by climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and taking actions that help communities and ecosystems become more resilient to the effects of climate change._6174718c-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a1.1Improve Air QualityAchieve and maintain health-based air pollution standards and reduce risk from toxic air pollutants and indoor air contaminants._61747222-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a1.2Restore the Ozone LayerRestore the earth’s stratospheric ozone layer and protect the public from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation._617472ae-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a1.3Reduce Unnecessary Exposure to RadiationMinimize unnecessary releases of radiation and be prepared to minimize impacts should unwanted releases occur._61747344-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a1.4Protecting America’s WatersProtect and restore our waters to ensure that drinking water is safe, and that aquatic ecosystems sustain fish, plants and wildlife, and economic, recreational, and subsistence activities._617473da-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a2Despite considerable progress, America’s waters remain imperiled. From nutrient loadings and stormwater runoff to invasive species and drinking-water contaminants, water quality and enforcement programs face complex challenges that demand both traditional and innovative strategies. We will work hand-in-hand with states and tribes to develop nutrient limits and intensify our work to restore and protect the quality of the nation’s streams, rivers, lakes, bays, oceans and aquifers. The EPA also will use its authority to protect and restore threatened natural treasures such as the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of Mexico; to address our neglected urban rivers; to ensure safe drinking water; and to reduce pollution from nonpoint and industrial dischargers. We will initiate measures to address post-construction runoff, water-quality impairments from surface mining and drinking-water contamination.Protect Human HealthReduce human exposure to contaminants in drinking water, fish and shellfish, and recreational waters, including protecting source waters._61747470-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a2.1Protect and Restore Watersheds and Aquatic EcosystemsProtect the quality of rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands on a watershed basis, and protect urban, coastal, and ocean waters._61747510-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a2.2Cleaning Up Communities and Advancing Sustainable DevelopmentClean up communities, advance sustainable development, and protect disproportionately impacted low-income, minority, and tribal communities. Prevent releases of harmful substances and clean up and restore contaminated areas._617475b0-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a3Using all the tools at our disposal, including targeted enforcement and compliance efforts, the EPA will continue to make our communities safer and healthier. We are accelerating these efforts through our Superfund program to confront significant local environmental challenges. The collapse of a coal-ash impoundment in Kingston, Tenn., focused the EPA’s attention on how these disposal facilities are managed nationwide. In response, the EPA proposed options for the nation’s first rules to address the risks from the disposal of coal ash generated by coal-fired power plants. By maximizing the potential of our brownfields program to spur environmental cleanups and by fostering stronger partnerships with stakeholders affected by our cleanups, we are moving toward our goal of building sustainable, healthy, economically vibrant communities. And by strengthening our work with tribal communities, we are advancing our efforts to build environmental-management capacity and program implementation in Indian country.Promote Sustainable and Livable CommunitiesSupport sustainable, resilient, and livable communities by working with local, state, tribal, and federal partners to promote smart growth, emergency preparedness and recovery planning, brownfield redevelopment, and the equitable distribution of environmental benefits._61747650-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a3.1Preserve LandConserve resources and prevent land contamination by reducing waste generation, increasing recycling, and ensuring proper management of waste and petroleum products._617476fa-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a3.2Restore LandPrepare for and respond to accidental or intentional releases of contaminants and clean up and restore polluted sites._617477a4-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a3.3Strengthen Human Health and Environmental Protection in Indian CountrySupport federally-recognized tribes to build environmental management capacity, assess environmental conditions and measure results, and implement environmental programs in Indian country._61747858-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a3.4Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing PollutionReduce the risk and increase the safety of chemicals and prevent pollution at the source._6174790c-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a4One of our highest priorities is ensuring the safety of the chemicals that make up the building blocks of modern society. Increasingly, the chemicals used to make our products, build our homes and support our way of life end up in the environment and in our bodies. Last year, the Administration announced principles for modernizing the more than 30-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act, under which we assess and regulate chemicals. To move forward and to make longoverdue progress, we are shifting our focus to filling in critical missing information on the chemicals most widely produced and used in commerce and addressing chemicals that pose unreasonable risk to the environment or human health. Pending legislative action by Congress, the EPA is strengthening its chemical safety program by coordinating with appropriate federal agencies to maximize use of current TSCA authorities, supported by the best available science, to aggressively assess and manage the risks of chemicals used in consumer products, the workplace and the environment. Additionally, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the EPA and the states register or license pesticides for use in the U.S. The EPA also is taking steps to increase transparency and public access to TSCA-related chemical information, committing to review and, where appropriate, to challenge and declassify Confidential Business Information claims for hundreds of annual new submissions and more than 20,000 previous submissions through FY 2015. By encouraging pollution prevention, we will promote the use of safer chemical alternatives, implement conservation techniques, promote efficient reuse of materials and better align the chemical-production processes with the principles of green chemistry.Ensure Chemical SafetyReduce the risk of chemicals that enter our products, our environment, and our bodies._617479c0-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a4.1Promote Pollution PreventionConserve and protect natural resources by promoting pollution prevention and the adoption of other stewardship practices by companies, communities, governmental organizations, and individuals._61747a88-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a4.2Enforcing Environmental LawsProtect human health and the environment through vigorous and targeted civil and criminal enforcement. _61747b46-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a5Assure compliance with environmental laws. Effective, consistent enforcement is critical to achieving the human-health and environmental benefits expected from our environmental laws. The EPA, through the rule of law, will ensure compliance with environmental requirements and, as warranted, will employ vigorous and targeted civil and criminal enforcement. We will achieve significant environmental results by focusing our efforts on the most serious water, air and chemical hazards and by working closely with states and tribes. We will protect the public by criminally prosecuting willful, intentional and serious violations of federal environmental laws.Enforce Environmental LawsPursue vigorous civil and criminal enforcement that targets the most serious water, air, and chemical hazards in communities. _61747c18-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a5.1Assure strong, consistent, and effective enforcement of federal environmental laws nationwide.Cross-Cutting Fundamental StrategiesSet explicit expectations for changing the way we approach our work. _61747cea-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a6As a companion to our strategic goals, which chart the Agency’s direction for achieving mission results during the next five years, the EPA’s five cross-cutting fundamental strategies set explicit expectations for changing the way we approach our work. These five strategies will inform the work of every program and regional office and help us meet the challenges we face today.ConversationExpanding the Conversation on Environmentalism._61747db2-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a6.1Every American has a stake in clean air and water, chemical safety, restoring contaminated industrial and mining sites and strong enforcement of environmental statutes. Every community must be part of the conversation. We will take broad steps to expand the conversation on environmentalism to communities across America, building capacity, increasing transparency and listening to the public. We will engage citizens to hear all the voices that must be part of our nation’s dialogue on environmental issues.Environmental Justice and Children’s HealthWorking for Environmental Justice and Children’s Health_61747e7a-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a6.2We will work alongside entities that bear important responsibilities for the day-to-day mission of environmental protection and strengthen oversight to ensure programs are consistently delivered nationwide. We will use a variety of approaches, including regulations, enforcement, research, community-based programs and outreach to protect children and low-income, minority and tribal populations disproportionately impacted by environmental and human-health hazards.Science, Research and Technological InnovationAdvancing Science, Research and Technological Innovation_61747f74-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a6.3The EPA will advance the scientific research and technological innovation that is essential to enhancing our ability to protect human health and the environment.State, Tribal and International PartnershipsStrengthening State, Tribal and International Partnerships_6174805a-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a6.4We will strengthen partnerships with states, tribes and the international community. Hand-in-hand with these partnership efforts and inclusive environmentalism, we will address pollution problems and protect human health.Work Force and CapabilitiesStrengthening the EPA’s Work Force and Capabilities_6174812c-032e-11e0-9b74-bf207a64ea2a6.5We will adopt improved, innovative and creative management approaches and exemplify stewardship, transparency and accountability in addressing increasingly complex environmental and human-health challenges. We will foster a culture of excellence and provide the infrastructure, technology, training and tools to support a talented, diverse, and highly motivated work force that supports the Administration’s human capital and acquisition priorities.2010-09-302015-10-012010-12-08http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/plan/plan.htmOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net