May 25, 1966
Page 11531
TRANSFER OF FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, on May 10, 1966, the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration was transferred under Reorganization Plan No. 2 from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to the Department of the Interior. Members of the Congress and others raised serious questions about the transfer when it was proposed. Questions are still being raised about the effectiveness of the Federal water pollution control and abatement program in its new home.
An example of this criticism is an article in the May 12, 1966, issue of Engineering News-Record.
Federal Pollution Agency is Short on Men, Morale and Momentum as -- FWPCA Moves (Lamely) to Interior.
The article is pessimistic about the agency's performance. I hope the predictions in the article are wrong, but I am alert to the possibilities.
Because I think it is well for my colleagues to be aware of these criticisms and because I think it is well for the Department of the Interior and the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration to know we are aware of these criticisms and will be watching the program closely, I ask unanimous consent that the article be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
FEDERAL POLLUTION AGENCY IS SHORT ON MEN, MORALE, AND MOMENTUM AS -- FWPCA MOVES (LAMELY) TO INTERIOR
The Federal Water Pollution Control Administration was a lusty, vigorous intent when it was born in Congress last fall, but it looked like a sickly child when it transferred from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to the Department of the Interior early this week.
FWPCA suffers from a decline in momentum, a loss of experienced technical staff and damaged morale.
Up until last fall, when water pollution control was still in the Public Health Service, pollution control enforcement teams were rocketing around the country, pouncing on municipal and industrial polluters in the manner of Batman and Robin. But caught up in the implementation of new pollution control laws, reorganization and movement to a new department, the old aggressive spirit petered out.
So far, only about a third of the 300 commissioned Public Health Service officers who worked in water pollution control have signed on with FWPCA as it now switches departments. Close to another third have definitely signed off, the rest are undecided.
Defections actually began when pollution control was separated from PHS last fall. Going with FWPCA means the PHS officers must give up military-type benefits such as free health services and retirement after 20 years, and switch to regular civil service status (no health benefits and 30 years to retire).
The move from HEW to Interior completely separates the pollution control staff from PHS, and some have opted out to at least stay with HEW.
The new structure of FWPCA, which puts most of the operations in the shadow of a few men at the top, has set off grumbling among the remaining engineers and scientists that is likely to reduce the aggressive quality of the program even further.
To give itself a chance to get settled at Interior, FWPCA will soon begin a flurry of activity to mask its disarray. Among probable actions:
The almost immediate issuance of federal guidelines to the states for the establishment of water quality standards. The guidelines will be assaulted both for being too tough and for being too lax.
The well publicized announcement of some popular but not too controversial enforcement actions, including one on California's Lake Tahoe.
The resumption of construction grants, which, along with most actions within the Administration, have been in a state of hibernation during the two months the transfer of jurisdiction has been in the works.
The beginning of demonstration projects on the separation of storm and sanitary sewer lines.
The actions will be more storm than substance in the absence of meaningful enforcement. And FWPCA Commissioner James M. Quigley has already said he anticipates a hiatus in enforcement actions, at least while the states are meeting the July, 1967, deadline for the establishment of water quality standards and criteria.
A slower paced program, though it will irritate key congressmen, may, however, be in tune with the times.
President Johnson's determination to create a "partnership" among federal, state, local and industrial forces may blunt the edge of the federal pollution control axe.
And unless Interior Secretary Stewart Udall sees his reputation as a conservationist threatened by a less vigorous pollution abatement program and moves to strengthen it, further congressional action may be needed next year to make Washington more than the bankroll of future pollution abatement efforts.