While FOSTTA has gone far to improve communication and understanding between the Agency and the States and Tribes on chemical and prevention issues, more can be done. The office has begun discussions with Agency management, EPA Regional programs, ECOS, and State and Tribal representatives on additional improvements.

So far, the States and Tribes appear supportive of a new direction which can better blend EPA's chemical and prevention capabilities, increase the program's effectiveness and efficiency, and build upon their program capabilities. OPPT's ideas for a new strategic vision will be the immediate focus of upcoming FOSTTA meetings.

The current plan to increase State and Tribal involvement through FOSTTA has several components:

1. Restructure and Reinvigorate the FOSTTA Projects

OPPT restructured its existing FOSTTA State projects into a new Chemical Information and Management Project (CIMP) and the existing Pollution Prevention (P2) Project. While EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program is now run out of the Office of Environmental Information, the TRI Project will continue in FOSTTA. However, OPPT envisions considerable interaction between the three State projects. A third Tribal Affairs Project (TAP) is being strengthened through additional members and special projects. CIMP, P2, and TAP will likely meet concurrently for two-day meetings twice a year in the Washington area. The TRI Project will meet with FOSTTA during the fall meeting.

The new Chemical Information and Management Project is composed of new members as well as some representatives from the three earlier projects dealing with related issues: EPA's Toxics Release Inventory, lead, and chemical management. It will focus on EPA's chemical program and will work to develop a more coordinated effort involving federal, State, and Tribal agencies.

The scope of the CIMP's discussions will include chemical testing and evaluation programs, as well as data use, data integration, and chemical risk screening issues associated with these programs. CIMP will also consider, on an as needed basis, chemical issues which had been previously addressed with FOSTTA, such as community-based environmental protection, biotechnology, asbestos, and other durable fibers.

The Pollution Prevention Project has a broad scope of interest – promoting the prevention ethic across society, helping companies incorporate P2 approaches and techniques, integrating P2 into mainstream environmental activities at both the federal level and among the States, advancing new prevention-oriented approaches and technologies, and establishing better prevention information and assistance delivery mechanisms. There are obvious and natural connections between many chemical and prevention interests.

The Tribal Affairs Project focuses on chemical and prevention issues that are most relevant to the Tribes, including lead control and abatement, subsistence food and hazard communications, and outreach. Tribal representatives could meet annually in conjunction with the FOSTTA State projects to discuss joint issues; again in an EPA Regional office to facilitate regional Tribal discussions and perhaps field visits; and perhaps again in association with various national Tribal conferences.

The Toxics Release Inventory Project concentrates on the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. EPA and the States and the Tribes share responsibility for collecting toxic chemical release information and making it available to the public through the Toxics Release Inventory. Through the TRI Project, EPA and the State TRI and Tribal program staff have an opportunity to discuss what works and what does not in their respective programs to share ideas for the future evolution of the program. The TRI Project is a sounding board for the States, Tribes, and EPA's ideas for future program initiatives, including enforcement activities.

2. Greater Focus on Major Policy-Level Issues

FOSTTA uses a more policy-oriented framework for addressing chemical concerns and prevention opportunities. The agenda items focus on broader policy issues with the intention of shaping new policy and program directions, rather than merely communicating earlier determinations. The most critical issues get top billing at "plenary" or joint sessions of the projects. The plan is to have fewer agenda items but longer discussions about them. Workgroups can be formed within or among the projects so that issues, discussions, and action items receive appropriate attention.

3. Recruit More Senior State and Tribal Officials

FOSTTA is adding new senior State and Tribal members to ensure that a wide range of informed, diverse, and experienced views are represented. Each project is expected to have about 15 members. Current and past FOSTTA State members include officials at the commissioner/secretary, deputy and assistant commissioner levels, as well as many State office and division directors. Other members lead university-based research and assistance programs. All environmental media are represented by their responsibilities. The Tribal Affairs Project makes member selections most reflective of the priority needs of the Tribal chemical and prevention programs.

4. Ensure Senior EPA Management and Other Official Involvement

OPPT senior management plays a greater role in FOSTTA. Allan Abramson, Director, Pollution Prevention Division, is advocate for the P2 Project. Phil Oshida, Acting Director, Chemical Control Division, will lead the Agency's involvement with the CIMP until further notice. Barbara Cunningham, Director of the Environmental Assistance Division, is the champion for Tribal activities. Charles Auer, Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, will also be directly involved, as well as senior political and career managers in EPA's parent Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances and EPA Regional officials.

These individuals work with other office personnel and the project members to develop agendas, facilitate the meetings, and pursue activities associated with FOSTTA's deliberations. In addition, OPPT will pursue, as FOSTTA issues and interests dictate, the participation of other senior Agency officials and federal managers, as well as other State and private sector issue experts. The office hopes to make FOSTTA a chemical and prevention policy resource to all EPA offices and to interested State programs.