SCI100 Environmental Science: Federal Government Resources

The U.S. EPA, NOAA, NPS, tribal, state, and local agencies developed the AIRNow Web site to provide the public with easy access to national air quality information. The Web site offers daily AQI forecasts as well as real-time AQI conditions for over 300 cities across the US, and provides links to more detailed State and local air quality Web sites.

Regulations.gov is your online source for U.S. government regulations from nearly 300 Federal agencies.

This is a list of laws and EOs that help to protect human health and the environment. The EPA is charged with administering all or a part of each.

Code of Federal Regulations

The Office of Administration and Resources Management (OARM) provides national leadership, policy, and management of many essential support functions for the Agency, including human resources management, acquisition activities (contracts), grants management, and management and protection of EPA’s facilities and other critical assets nationwide.

Develops national programs, policies, and regulations for controlling air pollution and radiation exposure. OAR is concerned with pollution prevention and energy efficiency, indoor and outdoor air quality, industrial air pollution, pollution from vehicles and engines, radon, acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, climate change, and radiation protection. OAR is responsible for administering the Clean Air Act, the Atomic Energy Act, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act.

OSCPP’s mission is to protect you, your family, and the environment from potential risks from pesticides and toxic chemicals. Through innovative partnerships and collaboration, we also work to prevent pollution before it begins. This reduces waste, saves energy and natural resources, and leaves our homes, schools and workplaces cleaner and safer.

OCFO formulates and manages EPA’s annual budget and performance plan, coordinates EPA’s strategic planning efforts, develops EPA’s annual Performance and Accountability Report, and implements the Government Performance and Results Act. OCFO also provides financial services for the Agency and makes payments to EPA grant recipients, contractors, and other vendors.

The Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) aggressively goes after pollution problems that make a difference in communities through vigorous civil and criminal enforcement that targets the most serious water, air and chemical hazards. OECA also advances environmental justice by protecting vulnerable communities.

OEI, headed by the Chief Information Officer, manages the life cycle of information to support EPA's mission of protecting human health and the environment. We identify and implement innovative information technology and information management solutions that strengthen EPA's ability to achieve its goals. We ensure the quality of EPA's information, and the efficiency and reliability of EPA's technology, data collection and exchange efforts, and access services.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the chief legal adviser to EPA, providing legal support for Agency rules and policies, case-by-case decisions (such as permits and response actions), and legislation.

The Office of Inspector General is an independent office within EPA that helps the Agency protect the environment in a more efficient and cost effective manner. We perform audits, evaluations, and investigations of EPA and its contractors, to promote economy and efficiency, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse. We also provide hotline services.

EPA's Office of International and Tribal Affairs (OITA) plays a crucial role in advancing the United States' international environmental priorities. Working with the experts from EPA's other program and regional offices, other government agencies, and other nations and international organizations, OITA identifies international environmental issues and helps implement technical and policy options to address them.

The Office of Research and Development (ORD) is the scientific research arm of EPA, whose leading-edge research helps provide the solid underpinning of science and technology for the Agency. The work at ORD laboratories, research centers, and offices across the country helps improve the quality of air, water, soil, and the way we use resources.

The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response provides policy, guidance and direction for the Agency's emergency response and waste programs. We develop guidelines for the land disposal of hazardous waste and underground storage tanks. We provide technical assistance to all levels of government to establish safe practices in waste management. We administer the Brownfields program which supports state and local governments in redeveloping and reusing potentially contaminated sites.

The Office of Water (OW) ensures drinking water is safe, and restores and maintains oceans, watersheds, and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human health, support economic and recreational activities, and provide healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife.