Eighty-four percent of the environmental research is conducted intramurally, 16 percent extramurally. Of the 16 percent conducted extramurally, 15 percent is conducted at universities, one percent by independent research organizations, none by industry.

QUESTION 7. What mechanism, if any, do you have for identifying and addressing large-scale environmental questions by interdisciplinary teams? What mechanism do you have for coordinating your activities with the Environmetal Protection Agency? Please include copies of any memoranda or letters of agreement which detail your coordination mechanism.

For the Department as a whole, a Coordinator for Environmental Quality. acting chiefly through the Executive Committee on Environmental Quality, provides a mechanism for identifying and addressing large-scale environmental questions by interdisciplinary teams. (See attachment I, Secretary's Memorandum No. 1695, Supplement 1.)

The Coordinator for Environmental Quality is the designated office for Departmental coordination of preparation of Environmental Impact Statements and their transmission for review of draft impact statements by other agencies. (See attachment II. Council on Environmetal Quality Guidelines Federal Register.) The Coordinator for Environmental Quality is responsible generally for coordination with EPA of environmental matters of mutual concern. He serves as the USDA member of the interagency Pesticides Working Group. (See attachment III. Charter of the Working Group.)

The Department has a Pesticide Coordinator in the Office of the Secretary who is responsible for day to day coordination with EPA of pesticide matters of mutual concern.

Departmental agencies maintain procedures for identifying and addressing large scale enivronmental problems in their respective areas of responsibility and for coordinating their environmental activities with those of EPA.

ARGICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE

ARS has 30 or more disciplines engaged in research projects. Coordination of these takes place through the Associate Administrator for Research. In addition periodic meetings on an informal basis are held with Environmental Protection Agency personnel. For example: ARS personnel are involved in joint informal arangements on sediment, of water, of air, and of solid wastes.

Within ARS there are several specific projects which include interdisciplinary efforts of entomologists, agricultural engineers, plant scienitsts, and regulatory idividuals. For example: a project which is being given top consideration is one devoted to a question of the potential for eradication of the boll weevil in the Southern States. The project, will, geographically, cover a very large area and every discipline with an interest will be involved.

Local level

COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH SERVICE

State task forces, work groups, on other interdisciplinary groups are assembled as needed to address the problems of identifying environmental questions and planning research relative to such questions. Groups include both State and USDA employees.

Regional level

Similar groups are called together on a regional basis (two or more States) for identifying environmental questions and for planning research programs. Special multi-state research projects are planned and carried out. Cooperation exists among State, USDA, EPA and other agency personnel.

National level

A study was sponsored jointly by the Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges and U.S. Department of Agriculture entitled "A National Program of Research for Agriculture." A ten year projection of research needs was made part of which dealt with environmental research.

Other planning and coordinating groups include ARPAC and ASCUFRO. Agricultural Research Planning and Advisory Committee (ARPAC) Association of State College and University Forestry Research Organization (ASCUFRO).

ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE

1. ERS staff consists of economists, sociologists, and lawyers who work together on studies of broad national scope. Cooperative relationships are maintained with physical scientists in ARS.

2. Informal liaison is maintained with EPA. No formal agreements of cooperation have been established.

USDA FOREST SERVICE

Mechanism for Identifying and Addressing Large-Scale Environmental Questions for Interdisciplinary Teams

1. Forest Service program formulation process.-Integrated programs are developed at regional Forest and Range Experiment Stations for groups of "research work units," each unit usually consisting of from three to five scientists. Systematic identification, evaluation, and selection of problems is followed by problem analyses which define a specific 5-year research program for each unit. Skills and disciplines needed to solve designated problems are identified. Each step of the program formulation process is documented. (See attachment IV.) 2. Forest Service multifunctional program.-A mechanism for use within the regular program formulation process to expedite and insure employment of the interdisciplinary approach to problems. (See attachment V.)

3. Advisory groups.-Through its decentralized research organization, the Forest Service seeks and utilizes counsel from a wide variety of professional, scientific, and citizen groups. Continuing contacts, both formal and informal, provide valuable guidance in identifying problems and evaluating priorities for multifunctional research.

4. Interdisciplinary in-service work conferences.-The Forest Service utilizes this mechanism frequently to bring teams of scientists in related disciplines to bear upon problems of major environmental concern.

5. Program review process.-The Forest Service system of periodic inspections and work visits, designed to evaluate research program direction and effectiveness, has as one of its primary objectives the encouragement and strengthening of interdisciplinary research teams at the regional stations.

6. Cooperative programs.-The Forest Service has historically maintained a strong cooperative program with universities and State experiment stations. Currently more than two-thirds of the scientists engaged in environmental research are located on or near university campuses. Both formal and informal involvement of university scientists of many disciplines is strongly encouraged. Joint participation of Forest Service and university scientists as interdisciplinary teams to attack complex environmental problems is common.

7. Research laboratory design.—All research laboratories constructed by the Forest Service are designed to accommodate the variety of disciplines needed to adequately solve assigned problems.

8. Program reviews.—The Forest Service frequently appoints committees and task forces to analyze major regional or national problems, and to define comprehensive multidisciplinary research programs for their solution. Recent examples are in the Silviculture Practices Review Committee, and the Forest Range Environment Study.

9. Special training courses.-The Forest Service, often in cooperation with a university, maintains a program of special interdisciplinary training courses in subject matter areas relating to environmental problems. Examples are a three-week course on ecosystem concepts and systems ecology scheduled this month in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin, and a two-week course scheduled for this winter in cooperation with Colorado State University on the use of optimization techniques, simulation models and systems procedures for studying ecosystem structure and functioning. Each of these courses will be attended by about 30 Forest Service scientists.

Mechanism for Coordinating with the Environmental Protection Agency

Forest Service mechanisms for coordinating activities with EPA include: Research under contract from EPA; advice from EPA on the direction and priorities for Forest Service research; joint meetings to review the status of information and to develop guidelines and standards.

The following are specific subject matter areas involving such coordination.

1. Pesticides.-(a) To determine the status of registration of specific pesticides intended for use in forest pest control; (b) to provide, for purposes of registration, data related to efficacy of candidate materials against forest pests and the safety of such materials in forest environments; and (c) to provide information and guidelines for EPA to establish standards of assessing efficacy and safety of pesticides in forest environments.

2. Air pollution.-(a) To conduct research under contract on the effects of air-borne pollutants on forest environments, on the efficiency of forest trees to remove pollutants from the atmosphere, and on remote sensing techniques to detect damage to forests; (b) to seek evaluation of research being conducted by the Forest Service on the above problem; and (c) to participate in meetings of administrators to coordinate research and monitoring programs in various ecosystems.

3. Sewage recycling.—Informal scientist-to-scientist contacts have been established with EPA to exchange information on the possibilities of using forest lands for disposal of treated sewage effluent and sludge. Formal contacts are now being established to develop a fully coordinated research program.

4. Weather modification.-The Forest Service for more than a decade has been conducting research on the modification of lightning storms to reduce the Occurrence of forest fires. The Forest Service coordinates this work with EPA through the Interdepartmental Committee on Atmospheric Science.

SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE

Disciplines used to identify and address large-scale environmental questions include Soil Conservation Service agronomists, biologists, range specialists, foresters, engineers, hydrologists, geologists, and resource planning specialists. The National Cooperative Soil Survey is cooperative between the Soil Conservation Service and the land grant universities and various State agencies, the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Public Roads, and State Highway Departments. In addition, disciplines of the Agricultural Research Service, Extension Service, and other USDA agencies are used as needed.

SECRETARY'S MEMORANDUM No. 1695, SUPPLEMENT 1

COORDINATOR OF ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ACTIVITIES

This memorandum designates Theodore C. Byerly, Assistant Director, Science and Education, Office of the Secretary, as Coordinator of Environmental Quality Activities of the Department of Agriculture. David J. Ward, Science and Education Staff, is Assistant Coordinator.

This action is pursuant to the Department's policy of concern for and action to conserve and improve the quality of the environment and to cooperate with other Federal, State, and local agencies in environmental quality matters of mutual concern.

The Coordinator shall assist the Secretary as needed with regard to activities of the Council on Environmental Quality. He shall assist in monitoring, evaluating, and controlling USDA activities-including implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, P.L. 91-190, and associated Executive Orders 11507 and 11514-so as to protect and enhance the quality of the environment. As a principal means of accomplishing coordination, the Coordinator shall, as Chairman of the Environmental Quality Executive Committee established by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1695, Supplement 2, develop interagency advice for the Secretary and where appropriate arrange and accomplish multiagency and Department-level studies, reports, and recommendations regarding: Department policy, multiagency planning, environmental cooperative programs with other Federal agencies and with other State and local agencies and private organizations, environmental statements, responses to directives, inquires and proposed legislation and USDA proposals as needed.

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The Coordinator of Environmental Quality Activities shall participate as a member or alternate for the Department in interdepartmental and international environmental quality committees and task forces including, but not limited to, such committees and task forces as may be established by the Council on Environmental Quality and the Federal Council for Science and Technology, and shall represent the Office of the Secretary on interdepartmental working groups on pesticides.

He shall establish and maintain relations with appropriate national, scientific, conservation, industry, and farm organizations, and other groups and individuals on matters involving environmental quality activities of the Department.

Environmental quality includes those activities concerned with the inadvertent and planned effects of man on the environment and those qualities of the environment affecting man, farms, crops, forests, and associated waters, wetlands, wildlands, livestock, dwelling places, communities, fish, birds, insects, and other wildlife. Environmental quality includes quality of air, water, soil, and the living things in or on them.

The Department is especially concerned with prevention or amelioration of damage to air, soil, water, man, and other life forms resulting from agricultural, forestry, and other rural activities; with the effects of pesticide and other chemical residues; and with smoke, dust, sediment, manure, and other wastes. It is concerned with industrial and other nonagricultural activities which degrade or pollute the rural environment.

This memorandum replaces Secretary's Memorandum No. 1670, of November 19, 1969. CLIFFORD M. HARDIN. Secretary of Agriculture.

ATTACHMENT II

[Extract from Federal Register, Volume 36, Number 79, Friday, Apr. 23, 1971]

PART II-COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY STATEMENTS ON PROPOSED FEDERAL ACTIONS AFFECTING THE ENVIRONMENT Guidelines

1. Purpose. This memorandum provides guidelines to Federal departments, agencies, and establishments for preparing detailed environmental statements on proposals for legislation and other major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as required by section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (Public Law 91-190) (hereafter "the Act"). Underlying the preparation of such environmental statements is the mandate of both the Act and Executive Order 11514 (35 F.R. 4247) of March 4, 1970, that all Federal agencies, to the fullest extent possible, direct their policies, plans and programs so as to meet national environmental goals. The objective of section 102 (2) (C) of the Act and of these guidelines is to build into the agency decision making process an appropriate and careful consideration of the environmental aspects of proposed action and to assist agencies in implementing not only the letter, but the spirit, of the Act. This memorandum also provides guidance on implementation of section 309 of the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1857 et seq.).

2. Policy. As early as possible and in all cases prior to agency decision concerning major action or recommendation or a favorable report on legislation that significantly affects the environment, Federal agencies will, in consultation with other appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, assess in detail the potential environmental impact in order that adverse effects are avoided, and environmental quality is restored or enhanced, to the fullest extent practicable. In particular. alternative actions that will minimize adverse impact should be explored and both the long- and short-range implications to man, his physical and social surroundings, and to nature, should be evaluated in order to avoid to the fullest extent practicable undesirable consequences for the environment.

3. Agency and OMB procedures. (a) Pursuant to section 2(f) of Executive Order 11514, the heads of Federal agencies have been directed to proceed with measures required by section 102(2) (C) of the Act. Consequently, each agency will establish, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality, not later than June 1, 1970 (and, by July 1, 1971, with respect to requirements im

posed by revisions in these guidelines, which will apply to draft environmental statements circulated after June 30, 1971), its own formal procedures for (1) identifying those agency actions requiring environmental statements, the appropriate time prior to decision for the consultations required by section 102 (2) (C), and the agency review process for which environmental statements are to be available, (2) obtaining information required in their preparation, (3) designating the officials who are to be responsible for the statements, (4) consulting with and taking account of the comments of appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, including obtaining the comment of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, whether or not an environmental statement is prepared, when required under section 309 of the Clean Air Act, as amended, and section 8 of these guidelines, and (5) meeting the requirements of section 2(b) of Executive Order 11514 for providing timely public information on Federal plans and programs with environmental impact including procedures responsive to section 10 of these guidelines. These procedures should be consonant with the guidelines contained herein. Each agency should file seven (7) copies of all such procedures with the Council on Environmental Quality, which will provide advice to agencies in the preparation of their procedures and guidance on the application and interpretation of the Council's guidelines. The Environmental Protection Agency will assist in resolving any question relating to section 309 of the Clean Air Act, as amended.

(b) Each Federal agency should consult, with the assistance of the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget if desired, with other appropriate Federal agencies in the development of the above procedures so as to achieve consistency in dealing with similar activities and to assure effective coordination among agencies in their review of proposed activities.

(c) State and local review of agency procedures, regulations, and policies for the administration of Federal programs of assistance to State and local governments will be conducted pursuant to procedures established by the Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-85. For agency procedures subject to OMB Circualr No. A-85 a 30-day extension in the July 1, 1971, deadline set in section 3 (a) is granted.

(d) It is imperative that existing mechanisms for obtaining the views of Federal, State, and local agencies on proposed Federal actions be utilized to the extent practicable in dealing with environmental matters. The Office of Management and Budget will issue instructions, as necessary, to take full advantage of existing mechanisms (relating to procedures for handling legislation, preparation of budgetary materials, new procedures, water resource and other projects, etc.).

4. Federal agencies included. Section 102(2)(C) applies to all agencies of the Federal Government with respect to recommendations or favorable reports on proposals for (i) legislation and (ii) other major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The phrase "to the fullest extent possible" in section 102(2) (C) is meant to make clear that each agency of the Federal Government shall comply with the requirement unless existing law applicable to the agency's operations expressly prohibits or makes compliance impossible. (Section 105 of the Act provides that "The policies and goals set forth in this Act are supplementary to those set forth in existing authorizations of Federal agencies.")

5. Actions included. The following criteria will be employed by agencies in deciding whether a proposed action requires the preparation of an environmental statement:

(a) "Actions" include but are not limited to:

(i) Recommendations or favorable reports relating to legislation including that for appropriations. The requirement for following the section 102(2) (C) procedure as elaborated in these guidelines applies to both (1) agency recommendations on their own proposals for legislation and (ii) agency reports on legislation initiated elsewhere. (In the latter case only the agency which has primary responsibility for the subject matter involved will prepare an environmental statement.) The Office of Management and Budget will supplement these general guidelines with specific instructions relating to the way in which the section 102 (2) (C) procedure fits into its legislative clearance process;

(ii) Projects and continuing activities: directly undertaken by Federal agencies; supported in whole or in part through Federal contracts, grants, subsidies, loans, or other forms of funding assistance; involving a Federal lease, permit, license, certificate or other entitlement for use;