Q9.

A9.

For each program recommended for termination in the Administration's FY 1998 budget request for EPA R&D, please provide the expected cost savings for each of FY 1998, FY 1999, FY 2000, FY 2001, FY 2002.

EPA's FY 98 President's budget request reflects a number of difficult decisions regarding program priorities and resource levels. This included programs whose resources were reduced or redirected to other higher priority agency programs. The attached table identifies ORD research programs that were reduced in FY 1998. As the table indicates there were a number of significant reductions and realignments including the indoor air research program, the ecosystems protection research program, the ground water program, and others. One must keep in mind that programs that were reduced or realigned as a result of decisions in FY 98 could be increased in future years as a result of the considerations at that time.

The FY 98 President's Budget Request does include out year resource information -- FY 1999- FY 2002. This information is provided at an aggregated level generally at the account level for EPA. Information on projected cost saving estimates for programs at a more specific level of detail are not available.

EPA RR&D/Contractor Personnel

Q10. By location (city and state), please identify every EPA R&D office/laboratory/center located in the United States. For each such office/laboratory/center for FY 1996, FY 1997, and FY 1998, please provide a table showing: (1) the number of employees, the funding to maintain the office/laboratory/center staff and office/laboratory/center space, and the program element funding administered by each office/laboratory/center; (2) FY 1996 year-end and FY 1997 and FY 1998 planned year-end personnel strengths for each EPA R&D organization, including all /laboratory/center; and (3) the number of EPA R&D-contractor employees detailed to EPA headquarters and to each EPA Лlaboratory/center outside of Washington for each of FY 1996, FY 1997 and FY 1998.

(Please update the following table which contains information provided in response to a similar question submitted by the Subcommittee to EPA in 1996 with respect to the EPA ORD's FY 1997 budget request.)

A10. The attached table provides the resource information requested for the years this information is available. Please note that FY 1998 resources at the specific organization level are formally developed as part of the Agency operating plan process and not available at this time.

EPA RR&D/Contractor Personnel

Q10. By location (city and state), please identify every EPA R&D office/laboratory/center located in the United States. For each such office/laboratory/center for FY 1996, FY 1997, and FY 1998, please provide a table showing: (1) the number of employees, the funding to maintain the office/laboratory/center staff and office/laboratory/center space, and the program element funding administered by each office/laboratory/center, (2) FY 1996 year-end and FY 1997 and FY 1998 planned year-end personnel strengths for each EPA R&D organization, including all slaboratory/center; and (3) the number of EPA R&D-contractor employees detailed to EPA headquarters and to each EPA Лlaboratory/center outside of Washington for each of FY 1996, FY 1997 and FY 1998.

(Please update the following table which contains information provided in response to a similar question submitted by the Subcommittee to EPA in 1996 with respect to the EPA ORD's FY 1997 budget request.)

A10. The attached table provides the resource information requested for the years this information is available. Please note that FY 1998 resources at the specific organization level are formally developed as part of the Agency operating plan process and not available at this time.

Reprogrammings: Policy

Q11. Please define EPA's reprogramming policies and process, including statutory authorities, threshold amounts, and an explanation of why the Committee on Science has not been kept informed of EPA's reprogrammings of R&D funds.

All. For FY 1997, the Agency's reprogramming requirements are directed in House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation Report 104-628. On page 47, the Report

states:

"Of the amounts approved in the following appropriations, the Agency must limit
transfers of funds between programs and activities to not more than $500,000,
except as specifically noted, without prior approval of the Committee. No changes
may be made to any account or program element, except as approved by the
Committee, if it is construed to be policy or a change in policy. Any activity or
program cited in the report shall be construed as the position of the Committee and
should not be subject to reductions or reprogramming without the prior approval
of the Committee. It is the intent of the Committee that all carryover funds in the
various appropriations accounts are subject to the normal reprogramming
requirements outlined above. The Agency is expected to comply with all normal
rules and regulations in carrying out these directives.”

In addition, the Committee Report states on page 51, under the Environmental
Programs and Management Appropriation account section:

“Bill language is included which makes this appropriation available for two years
and, for this account only, the Agency may transfer funds of not more than
$500,000 between programs and activities without prior notice to the Committee,
and of not more than $1,000,000 without prior approval of the Committee. But
for this difference, all other reprogramming procedures as outlined earlier shall
apply."

As the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, the committee of jurisdiction, establishes reprogramming requirements, release of reprogrammings is at the Committee's prerogative.