The BEACH Act of 2000: EPA and States Have Made Progress Implementing the Act, but Further Actions Could Increase Public Health Protection

The EPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment by implementing and enforcing the laws intended to improve the quality of the nation's air, water, and lands. EPA's policies and programs affect virtually all segments of the economy, society, and government. Auditors have identified several significant and persistent challenges across a range of EPA programs and activities and has proposed corrective actions to enable the agency to more effectively accomplish its mission. Based on this work, this testimony highlights some of the major management challenges facing EPA today, the agency's efforts to address them, and the work that remains to be done. Includes recommendations. Illustrations. This is a print on demand report.

The EPA¿s mission is to protect human health and the environment by implementing and enforcing environmental laws intended to improve the quality of the nation¿s air and water and to protect its land. EPA's policies and programs affect virtually all segments of the economy, society, and gov¿t. This report identifies challenges at EPA that hinder its ability to implement its programs effectively, including: (1) improving agencywide mgmt.; (2) transforming EPA's processes for assessing and controlling toxic chemicals; (3) improving implementation of the Clean Air Act; (4) reducing pollution in the nation's waters, (5) speeding the pace of cleanup at Superfund and other hazardous waste sites; and (6) addressing emerging climate change issues. Illus.

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

Implementation of the Beach Act of 2000: EPA and States Have Made Progress, but Additional Actions Could Improve Public Health Protection