Partners in Cleanup

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO) has partnerships with many groups to coordinate cleanup and restoration efforts at federal facilities. Partners include other EPA offices; other federal agencies; state, tribal and local governments; community groups; environmental justice communities; and advocacy organizations. FFRRO encourages early and meaningful community involvement at all federal facilities.

In an effort to most effectively protect human health and the environment throughout the nation, FFRRO works very closely with other EPA Headquarters offices, including the Federal Facilities Enforcement Office (FFEO) , which oversees compliance with environmental laws and guidance and the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI), which manages the National Priorities List (NPL), or Superfund, program.

For issues requiring specialized expertise, FFRRO also collaborates with related EPA Headquarters offices on a project-specific basis.

EPA's Regional offices are also key partners in accomplishing EPA's federal facilities mission. Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) and Community Involvement Coordinators (CICs), as well as toxicologists, attorneys, and reuse, tribal and environmental justice coordinators based in each Regional office work closely with Headquarters staff to coordinate site-specific cleanup activities.

Federal Partners

• Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Environmental Network and Information Exchange (DENIX) is a worldwide clearinghouse that provides timely and comprehensive environmental information.
• Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Environmental Management, provides comprehensive information on DOE's cleanup activities.
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
• Department of the Interior's (DOI's) Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance provides national and regional leadership and direction in the coordination and development of environmental policy, guidance and program evaluation.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture's Energy and Environment Office develops policy, guidance and information, and coordinates environmental reporting.

State Partnerships

• Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO) enables state representatives to conduct research and exchange information through its Federal Facilities Research Center.
• Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) is a national association of state and territorial environmental commissioners.
• National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) coordinates between federal and state agencies at closing bases and provides technical and legal assistance to state attorneys general.
• Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) is a state-led coalition working together with industry and stakeholders to achieve regulatory acceptance of environmental technologies.
• National Governors Association (NGA) serves as the collective voice of the nation's governors.
• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of U.S. states, commonwealths and territories.
• Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is the organization of local governments adjacent to or impacted by DOE activities.
• State and Tribal Government Working Group (STGWG) helps ensure that DOE facilities are operated and cleaned up in compliance with all laws, regulations and tribal rights.

Tribal Government Partnerships

• National Tribal Environmental Council (NTEC) is a national tribal organization that provides outreach and conducts research on a variety of hazardous substance contamination issues that impact tribes.
• Technical Outreach Services for Native American Communities (TOSNAC) provides free, independent technical assistance to Native Americans dealing with hazardous substance issues.

Local Government Partnership

• International City/County Management Association (ICMA) brings together local governments faced with base closures to share information and experiences.

Public Interest and Technical Assistance Partnerships

• Center for Public and Environmental Oversight (CPEO) promotes and facilitates public participation and educates public stakeholders in environmental cleanup activities at federal facilities.
• Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) helps citizens better understand issues in or near their communities by providing free, independent, non-advocate, technical assistance about contaminated sites.