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January 8,1992 Mr. William K. Reilly Administrator US. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20460 Dear Mr. Reilly: Earlier this year, you asked us to help identify how EPA can meet the goal of using sound science as the foundation for the Agency's policy and program decisions. You asked us to recommend ways to: (a) ensure that L1'A has up-to-date, objective scientific information for decisionmaking, (b) ensure that EPA's planning, resources, and leadership produce the knowledge base needed to achieve the Agency's new vision, (c) ensure that the research and scientific information needs of the programs and regions are met, and (d) enhance the stature of science within EPA and among the many constituencies with which EPA interacts. ToiOccomplish this task, we interviewed more than 30 individuals who have experience with these issues. We also held three public meetings that included individuals from various EPA offices and programs, other government agencies, industry, environmental groups, and other organizations. In addition, we requested written comments and received letters fmm more than 25 individuals, primarily from the EPA regional offices. We were impressed that so many people wished to help EPA find better ways to acquire and use sound scientific information. A number of consistent themes emerged from the discussions and comments. Everyone who spoke with the Panel agreed that EPA needs its own strong science base to carry out its mission effectively. At the same time, the Agency needs to make certain structural changes to improve the quality of its science and the way science is used in decisionmaking. In this report, we have developed these themes as a series of findings and recommendations about science at EPA. Included are suggestions for both short- and long-term measures to enhance the use of sound scientific and technical information throughout the Agency. We look forward to your serious consideration of these findings and recommendations and encourage you to take the necessary next steps as soon as possible. We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance. Sincerely, Expert Panel on the Role of Science at EPA Raymond C. Loehr, Chair Bernard D. Goldstein Anil Nerode Paul G. Risser ii GUMM9