https://cdn-co.milespartnership.com/sites/default/master/files/coloradonationalmonument_talks_walks.jpg
By: Ivy Kha, Rajmie Mendis, and Anh Nguyen
What is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
The mission of the environmental protection agency is to ensure that human health and the environment is protected. The following bullet points are taken from the governmental EPA website [1] to list the purposes of this agency:
- all Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn and work;
- national efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information;
- federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively;
- environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy;
- all parts of society -- communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments -- have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks;
- environmental protection contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable and economically productive; and
- the United States plays a leadership role in working with other nations to protect the global environment.
The mission of the environmental protection agency is to ensure that human health and the environment is protected. The following bullet points are taken from the governmental EPA website [1] to list the purposes of this agency:
- all Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn and work;
- national efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information;
- federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively;
- environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy;
- all parts of society -- communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments -- have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks;
- environmental protection contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable and economically productive; and
- the United States plays a leadership role in working with other nations to protect the global environment.
Estimated Environmental Conditions in Colorado
The following charts and statistical data was found on the EPA local environmental search page [2] : https://www3.epa.gov/myenv/myenview2.html?minx=-105.22602&miny=39.94396&maxx=-105.03548&maxy=40.01105&ve=12,39.97729,-105.13212&pSearch=Louisville,%20CO
The pie chart on the left displays the most recently provided information on air quality in Colorado. There are only two pollutants affecting the air quality in Colorado: Ozone and PM2.5
Ozone is increased by reactions between emissions that come from "industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents." [3]
PM2.5 is defined as "fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller." [4] Particulate matter (PM) comes from direct emission sources "such as construction sites, unpaved roads, smokestacks, or fires." However, most PM comes from forming "in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles." [4] These particles are harmful to inhale because due to their small size, they may be trapped in a person's lungs or stuck in one's bloodstream. These particles are also the main reasoning behind reduced visibility in the United States. Over the years, the amount of PM2.5 pollutant has slightly increased.
Ozone is increased by reactions between emissions that come from "industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents." [3]
PM2.5 is defined as "fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller." [4] Particulate matter (PM) comes from direct emission sources "such as construction sites, unpaved roads, smokestacks, or fires." However, most PM comes from forming "in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles." [4] These particles are harmful to inhale because due to their small size, they may be trapped in a person's lungs or stuck in one's bloodstream. These particles are also the main reasoning behind reduced visibility in the United States. Over the years, the amount of PM2.5 pollutant has slightly increased.
The figure on the right displays some of the most recent water quality data in Colorado. As you can see, many of the water sources are listed as "impaired". This means that there are harmful pollutants such as " chemical contaminants (such as PCBs, metals, and oxygen-depleting substances), physical conditions (such as elevated temperature, excessive siltation, or alterations of habitat), and biological contaminants (such as bacteria and noxious aquatic weeds)" contaminating the water sources. Some sources that cause impairment include "municipal sewage treatment plants, factories, storm sewers, modification of hydrology, agricultural runoff, and runoff from city streets." [5]
The image on the left portrays a few known or suspected pollutants that causes cancer or other serious health problems. The biggest concern from this breakdown is the risk that is associated with the "secondary" source. Factors that contribute to the secondary source include
"ambient concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein." [2] The next biggest contributor is the pollutants that come from on-road sources such as transportation vehicles, construction vehicles, and other man-made products.
"ambient concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein." [2] The next biggest contributor is the pollutants that come from on-road sources such as transportation vehicles, construction vehicles, and other man-made products.
By providing statistical data such as those listed above, the EPA allows each local area to pinpoint areas of concern which are contributing to the pollution in their environment. By being funding this agency, it makes this data collection possible and can allow communities to better combat their living conditions in order to improve their life style and live longer, healthier lives.
Trump budget impacting Environmental workers in Colorado.
According to the latest budget proposal in Trump administration, it is suggested that non-defense budgets- mostly federal agencies relating to environment or climate change will be cut by $54 billion. Many federal agent employees and Environmental advocates fear that this could have devastating effects on the employment rate and the public health in Colorado.
"The effects will be enormous, not just in terms of people's jobs, but in terms of the loss of the important work they're doing," stated John O'Grady, president of the American Federation of Government Employees council.
One of the main environmental agencies that could be largely affected by this budget cut is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). President Trump's budget blueprint anticipates that the cut will reduce 3,200 positions at the EPA. In Colorado, the organization employs around 610 workers, most employed at Region 8 headquarters in downtown Denver. Considering the various programs this agency implements, health advocates fear about the future protection of the human health and the environment in Colorado.
One of the many focuses of Region 8 is the redevelopment of "brownfields". This program is a voluntary Cleanup Program that rehabilitates properties that sit untouched due to their real or suspected contamination. The program has been able to renovate previously destroyed areas, which has been facing high housing demands. A senior scientist at the agency predicts that budget will force major work reductions, specifically to the brownfields program.
Among the other major EPA programs is the cleanup of the region's 52 Superfund sites, which is known to be the most toxic areas of the country, holding 25 sites just in Colorado. These lands are contaminated with radioactive substances and other toxins that are in need of regular maintenance in order to prevent public health hazards in the neighboring communities.
Many advocacy groups and retired EPA members fear that the proposed budget will drastically decrease funding in every environmental program run by the agency. These also include programs that promote justice for economically disadvantaged communities that suffers from health related problems developed through lead, pesticides and other industrial pollutants.
O' Grady sums up the impact of the budget cut stating, "This new proposal is going to have a extreme impact on the EPA's ability to protect human health and the environment".
"The effects will be enormous, not just in terms of people's jobs, but in terms of the loss of the important work they're doing," stated John O'Grady, president of the American Federation of Government Employees council.
One of the main environmental agencies that could be largely affected by this budget cut is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). President Trump's budget blueprint anticipates that the cut will reduce 3,200 positions at the EPA. In Colorado, the organization employs around 610 workers, most employed at Region 8 headquarters in downtown Denver. Considering the various programs this agency implements, health advocates fear about the future protection of the human health and the environment in Colorado.
One of the many focuses of Region 8 is the redevelopment of "brownfields". This program is a voluntary Cleanup Program that rehabilitates properties that sit untouched due to their real or suspected contamination. The program has been able to renovate previously destroyed areas, which has been facing high housing demands. A senior scientist at the agency predicts that budget will force major work reductions, specifically to the brownfields program.
Among the other major EPA programs is the cleanup of the region's 52 Superfund sites, which is known to be the most toxic areas of the country, holding 25 sites just in Colorado. These lands are contaminated with radioactive substances and other toxins that are in need of regular maintenance in order to prevent public health hazards in the neighboring communities.
Many advocacy groups and retired EPA members fear that the proposed budget will drastically decrease funding in every environmental program run by the agency. These also include programs that promote justice for economically disadvantaged communities that suffers from health related problems developed through lead, pesticides and other industrial pollutants.
O' Grady sums up the impact of the budget cut stating, "This new proposal is going to have a extreme impact on the EPA's ability to protect human health and the environment".
The Reasoning Behind EPA Budget Cuts:
With Donald Trump's initiative to slash EPA funding, there are many questions that may arise regarding the reasoning that spiked Trump's decision to cut EPA spending. As Trump makes his first crucial moves as a president, the tone of the the presidency has been shifted towards dramatically different focuses: increasing military spending, tightening immigration enforcement, and significantly reduce the non-defense general work force.
The outline of Trump's budget plan was released on March 16, 2017, as a "skinny budget:" the blueprint of his propositions for federal spending for the fiscal year. Among some of the major cuts include a significant reduction of State Department Food for Peace program, which sends food aide to third world countries that are struck by natural disasters or war. [7] Included in the skinny budget is also the elimination of the Department of Transportation's Essential Air Service Program, which subsidizes flights to rural airports. Amongst many of Trump's aims is to cut spending on public education, public transportation programs such as Amtrak and Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the complete eradication of the Community Development Block Grant, which funds programs such as Meals on Wheels, housing assistance, and other efforts that attempt to help out underserved communities. [7]
President Trump has stated that his goal in reducing EPA spending is to essentially "increase defense spending while reducing the federal deficit." The United States has suffered from tremendous federal debt that has spawned over decades. On January 26, 2016, the US debt accumulated to $13.62 trillion - 75% of the previous 12 months of GDP. [8] One of Trump's biggest areas of focuses is mitigating the US's debt because the level of State Department spending is simply not sustainable.
The outline of Trump's budget plan was released on March 16, 2017, as a "skinny budget:" the blueprint of his propositions for federal spending for the fiscal year. Among some of the major cuts include a significant reduction of State Department Food for Peace program, which sends food aide to third world countries that are struck by natural disasters or war. [7] Included in the skinny budget is also the elimination of the Department of Transportation's Essential Air Service Program, which subsidizes flights to rural airports. Amongst many of Trump's aims is to cut spending on public education, public transportation programs such as Amtrak and Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the complete eradication of the Community Development Block Grant, which funds programs such as Meals on Wheels, housing assistance, and other efforts that attempt to help out underserved communities. [7]
President Trump has stated that his goal in reducing EPA spending is to essentially "increase defense spending while reducing the federal deficit." The United States has suffered from tremendous federal debt that has spawned over decades. On January 26, 2016, the US debt accumulated to $13.62 trillion - 75% of the previous 12 months of GDP. [8] One of Trump's biggest areas of focuses is mitigating the US's debt because the level of State Department spending is simply not sustainable.
Resources
[1] https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/our-mission-and-what-we-do
[2] https://www3.epa.gov/myenv/myenview2.html?minx=-105.22602&miny=39.94396&maxx=-105.03548&maxy=40.01105&ve=12,39.97729,-105.13212&pSearch=Louisville,%20CO
[3] https://www.epa.gov/ozone-pollution
[4] https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics#PM
[5] https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/assessing-and-reporting-water-quality-questions-and-answers
[6] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/15/us/politics/budget-epa-state-department-cuts.html
[7] http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/16/politics/donald-trump-budget-blueprint/
[2] https://www3.epa.gov/myenv/myenview2.html?minx=-105.22602&miny=39.94396&maxx=-105.03548&maxy=40.01105&ve=12,39.97729,-105.13212&pSearch=Louisville,%20CO
[3] https://www.epa.gov/ozone-pollution
[4] https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics#PM
[5] https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/assessing-and-reporting-water-quality-questions-and-answers
[6] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/15/us/politics/budget-epa-state-department-cuts.html
[7] http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/16/politics/donald-trump-budget-blueprint/