The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) turns 50 this year! The EPA was established in December of 1970 to conduct federal research, perform environmental monitoring, establish standards, and enforce regulations all under one agency. In the last 50 years, the EPA has been working for a cleaner and healthier environment.

Disaster Recovery and Mitigation

One major focus of the EPA over the last 50 years has been man-made disaster recovery and mitigation, e.g., oil spills and hazardous substance spills. The EPA provides state and local support under its National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP) authority and responsibilities.  EPA and FEMA have framework that guides the help they provide before and after a disaster. This framework focuses on rebuilding affected communities and providing funding to support essential infrastructure projects.

EPA focuses on connecting environmental health and human health within disaster mitigation and recovery by:

  • Assisting partners to develop better plans before disasters,
  • Assessing and responding to waste management and cleanup sites,
  • Informing communities about rebuilding,
  • Collaborating with other agencies to streamline federal oversight related to permitting, review, and/or enforcement requirements,
  • Partnering with environmental justice communities to ensure meaningful engagement in recovery operations and planning,
  • Providing analytical support, technical and scientific expertise, and tools,
  • Providing funding for issues such as wastewater and drinking water infrastructure; debris management and planning; and brownfields assessment and project implementation,
  • And more!

Read the full press release from EPA here.

National Environmental Performance Partnership System

The EPA is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the National Environmental Performance Partnership System (NEPPS). NEPPS was established in 1995 to improve efficiency and effectiveness of EPA partnerships in environmental program grants. NEPPS offers states and tribes the opportunity to set joint priorities, strategically leverage resources, and assess environmental conditions. Some of the benefits of the NEPPS program include:

  • Facilitate collaborative planning across partnerships to achieve results,
  • Encouraging results driven environmental programs,
  • Minimizing the administrative burden of managing multiple grants,
  • Prioritizing grant funds for environmental programs,
  • And more!

Financial assistance from the EPA has helped states and tribes implement environmental programs.

Read the full press release from EPA here.

Click here to view historical photos from the EPA and The National Archive over the last 50 years.

Our team of experts has over 40 years of experience interpreting and implementing EPA regulations. If you need assistance with environmental compliance, understanding EPA regulations, or training, contact us to schedule a consultation!

Photo Source

Pictured: Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge – Hargrove Shoals Water Lilies