Word: ruckelshauses
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...bureaucrats have been greeted with the level of near-euphoria accorded to new EPA Administrator William Ruckelshaus earlier this year, who has been characterized variously as "Mr. Clean," "Mr. Integrity," and "Mr. Fairness." After his appointment, even environmental groups remained silent for a time, appearing almost too scared to combine their shared criticism and hoping against hope for a change in the bureau's policies. For here again one can see an irony of contrast because William Ruckelshaus looked wonderful compared to Anne Burford, his predecessor. So far he has done little to deserve this praise...
...look at his actions thus far tells the story. In the past few months, the EPA has focused on image and cosmetics, which logically follows the large amount of political gloss placed on Mr. Ruckelshaus' appointment. Since taking office, he has spent a great deal of his time visiting regional offices--doubtless a good way to rebuild morale, but not worth the effort if the visits lack substance. And apparently they have, to some extent. So far this year these same regional offices, the backbone of the EPA, have sent 35 percent fewer cases than last year to Washington...
...called "Superfund," a $1.6 billion appropriation to the EPA for locating toxic waste, prosecuting law-breakers, and enforcing clean-up and prevention. Mrs. Burford's mismanagement of this fund--including an unaccounted loss of $53.6 million of it--prompted her investigation by Congress and eventual resignation. Mr. Ruckelshaus should concentrate his efforts in this area; obviously he has not done enough...
...THERE IS some hope. Through no fault of his own, Ruckelshaus seems to have helped break a log jam in Congress on environmental legislation. Last Thursday (significantly just a day before the Labor Department's asbestos action) the House passed on to the Senate a bill closing many of the remaining loopholes in existing toxic waste law. This is the first major antipollution move made by Congress since the Reagan Administration took office. In addition to the absence of Mrs. Burford, analysts believe that the departure of Secretary of Interior James Watt also aided proponents of the legislation to overcome...
...Ruckelshaus is not solely to blame for all of this foot-dragging, however. Not only are there other agencies, Congressional requirements, and legal hurdles to contend with, but there is also the underlying philosophy of the Reagan Administration to consider. Ruckelshaus himself affirmed this in an interview two months ago; in answer to a question concerning why he thought the public initially (and perhaps still) viewed the Administration as anti-environment, he responded...