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New Report Highlights Environmental Issues; Some in Unlikely Places

Release Date: 04/15/2008
Contact Information: Mary Simms, (415) 947-4270, simms.mary@epa.gov

(4/15/2008 -- SAN FRANCISCO) Cutting tons of pollution from power plants, turning food waste into energy, preserving threatened waterways, and reducing exposure to toxics in beauty salons -- just a few of the issues highlighted in the newly released 2008 environmental progress report.

The illustrated report takes an in-depth look at many of the important environmental issues facing Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, 146 tribes, and several Pacific Islands.

“While many of the environmental issues before us will take years to resolve, we have made remarkable improvements,” said Wayne Nastri, Administrator of EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “This real progress is the result of innovative approaches and relentless efforts by dedicated professionals and concerned citizens.”

The 2008 progress report covers a wide range of established challenges and emerging issues, including:

- wastewater treatment at the U.S.- Mexico border
- protecting children from pesticides and toxics in the home
- environmental justice in low-income and minority communities
- contaminated land in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands
- developing cleaner, hybrid-power delivery trucks and buses
- spurring the growing green building movement
- reducing energy impacts and addressing climate change

The report also provides an inside look at the people who make up the Agency, and their commitment to improving environmental conditions throughout the region. Dedicated professionals, like father and son team Harry Allen III and Harry Allen IV, who have been collaborating on bioremedia­tion -- the science of helping bacteria flourish, to break down toxic contaminants in the environment. Dad provides the recipe, and son mixes it up and applies it to site cleanups.

Many of the critical issues highlighted in this year’s progress report are current and dynamically changing. In many cases, there is still much to be done – and lots of new stories to be told. If you’re a member of the media interested in finding out more information about any of the environmental issues highlighted in this year’s report, please contact the media liaison listed above.

If you are a member of the public interested in learning more about any of these environmental issues – or obtaining printed copies of the report – please visit our web site at https://www.epa.gov/region09 or contact us at (866) EPA-WEST (372-9378).

Information in the report covers efforts by federal, state, local and tribal partners to clean our air, water and land, and to restore wetlands, respond to emergencies, and promote sustainable agriculture.

The report is available online at: https://www.epa.gov/region09/annualreport/


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