As OMB examiner for environmental programs and deputy director of the environmental component of the President's Reorganization Council, Chuck Elkins had a unique close-up view of the key events and decisions involved in the founding of EPA. Chuck provides a behind-the-scenes look at the process of launching the new agency and the social and political context that shaped the key decisions about how EPA was created and configured.
Audio Track - The Complete Interview - 48 minutes
In 1970 Chuck Elkins worked in the Office of Management and Budget where he was the budget examiner for many of the programs that became part of EPA. Early that year he was detailed to serve as Deputy Director of the effort within the President’s Council that was developing a reorganization to create EPA. In this interview Chuck gives us a behind the scenes view of the public and social context, the process by which EPA was created, , and the early days of the Agency as the doors opened.
The individual "chapters" of the discussion are available for viewing individually as is the complete interview (48 minutes).
Chapter 1: The Public and Social Context for the Creation of EPA (16 minutes)
Chuck Elkins describes events leading to President Nixon's decision to create EPA and details the status of environmental programs at time of EPA's creation.
Chapter 2: How EPA was Created using Reorganization Plan #3 (10 minutes)
Chuck Elkins tells why certain programs were chosen to be moved to the new Agency and why others were left behind.
Chapter 3: Congressional Approval and the Start Up of the New Agency (22 minutes)
Chuck Elkins tells of the Congressional hearings that approved the creation of EPA and describes the heady opening days at EPA in 1970 and 1971.
The Complete Interview | 39m | |
C1: | Joining the Administration: Relationship with the President | 8m |
C2: | My Agenda at EPA | 6m |
C3: | International Issues | 9m |
C4: | Priorities at EPA | 5m |
C5: | EPA Leadership and Staff | 3m |
C6: | EPA's Challenges | 4m |
C7: | Major Accomplishments | 5m |
The Complete Interview | 74m | |
C1: | An Unusual Arrival at EPA | 18m |
C2: | Chernobyl's Radiation Emergency | 8m |
C3: | OSWER & Superfund Reauthorization | 8m |
C4: | Stratospheric Ozone & Climate Change | 19m |
C5: | Management & Core Values | 23m |
The Complete Interview | 55m | |
C1: | Beginning a New Agency | 13m |
C2: | Setting up the New Agency's Structure | 17m |
C3: | DDT & the Clean Air Act of 1970 | 13m |
C4: | Leadership at the New Agency | 12m |