EPA SCHEDULES MEETINGS TO IMPROVE PERMIT PROGRAMS.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 1995-- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 will host a roundtable meeting in New Jersey on May 31, 1995 to receive stakeholder advice for improving EPA's environmental permitting program. The public is invited to attend.

The all-day session is sponsored by EPA's Permits Improvement Team, comprised of EPA, state, tribal and local regulators. The Team was created in July, 1994 to identify actions to increase the effectiveness of EPA's environmental permitting programs and is co-chaired by Jeanne Fox, Regional Administrator for Region 2 and Elliot Laws, Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The Team initially held five national stakeholder meetings last fall to receive advice on the direction of this project. Six task forces were established and have developed recommendations in the following areas:

- alternatives to individual permits;

- administrative streamlining;

- enhanced public participation;

- pollution prevention incentives;

- training; and

- performance measures.

The roundtable is one of six meetings scheduled for May and early June in cities around the country. The New Jersey meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Jetport Hotel, 1000 Spring Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey. Other cities hosting meetings are Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angles and Washington, D.C.

The meeting will be conducted with a roundtable of approximately 40 participants and additional audience seating. The roundtable membership will consist of representatives from environmental and community groups, regulated entities, and regulators in nearly equal numbers. An RSVP is requested by May 24th for those planning on attending. The RSVP and any questions concerning the meetings should be directed to Lance Miller, the Team's Executive Director, at [phone].

Each task force will present their recommendations with stakeholder discussion following each presentation. There will also be a presentation and discussion of EPA's draft Concept Paper on Environmental Permitting. Copies of these materials are available by contacting Mr. Miller

Members of the public who are not able to attend are encouraged to submit written comments to U.S. EPA Permits Improvement Team, Mail Stop 100, 2890 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08837.

CONTACT: Lance Miller, 908/321-6782