EPA Library Closure Update
In early 2006, the EPA budget revealed a proposed cut of  $2 million in Bush Administration's FY2007 Budget that would directly affect and close the network of 27 libraries and information centers within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  SLA vehemently opposed this decision and took action. In August 2006 the EPA began to implement their budget plan before Congress could approve the budget. SLA continues to voice concern over the EPA decision to start their closures without weighing the impact.

EPA History
Born in the wake of elevated concern about environmental pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opened its doors in downtown Washington, D.C., on December 2, 1970. EPA was established to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection. EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment--air, water, and land--upon which life depends. For more than 30 years, the EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.

SLA Actions
SLA was the first library organization express grave concern with the actions of the EPA when SLA heard the news in February 2006. As the EPA moved to begin closing the network of 27 EPA libraries and information centers across the United States, SLA denounced the proposal to close EPA Libraries.  SLA members have been encouraged to contact their representatives to voice opinions on SLA's Legislative Action Center. On 24 February 2006, SLA, in collaboration with AALL, ALA, & ARL, wrote to the Honorable Charles Tayler, Chairman of the Subcommittees on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies and the Honorable Norman Dicks, Ranking member, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies regarding the EPA proposed budget cuts. Read Letter .   In April, SLA staff met with EPA Staff to discuss proposed closings.  On 16 May, 2006, SLA  wrote Senators Barbara Boxer and James Jeffords regarding proposed budget cuts.  Read letter.  In August 2006, SLA publicly denounced EPA's decision to close libraries before Congressional action. Later on in the year Congress began to take action calling for the Government Accountability Office to look in to the EPA's closures.  Read Article.  

The EPA continued closing its libraries and started to sell some their assets. On Friday, 17 November 2006, Democratic senators and one Independent wrote to appropriators asking that the EPA be directed, through the budget process, to maintain physical access to its libraries while the public is given an opportunity to comment on planned closures.  The letter refers to requests made by SLA and other organizations.  Read Letter.

SLA staff again met with EPA officials on 4 January 2007 and then Staff and SLA members met with EPA officials on 19 January 2007.

SLA has continued to voice opposition the EPA's decision. As of 22 January, 2007 that criticism has paid off--the agency won't close any more libraries without further consultation. Also CEO Janice Lachance sent a letter  to the Chair of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California).  The letter urged the Senator Boxer to pursue agency officials, and to ask if they conducted the necessary research on the effects the reduction of services might have on the public's health and safety. Also she suggested that the legal consequences should be looked into by the U.S. Justice Department about digitizing and impending use of the EPA's official documents. Janice also gives an account of SLA's involvement in EPA library closures hearing in her blog.  You can read Senator Boxer's statement at the full committee hearing on oversight of recent EPA decisions and   View Archive Webcast  of Senate Hearing SLA (is first mentioned at 111.15 min into the Webcast). Also here is testimony from EPA's Administrator from the hearing.

SLA would like to thank all of the members who have written to their representatives and have given their input on this issue. For those who would like to become involved please feel free to view SLA's Legislative Action Center.

SLA's press releases about EPA:
SLA Denounces Proposal to Close EPA Libraries
SLA Denounces EPA Decision to Close Libraries Before Congressional Action

Here are more sources about the EPA closures:

Lawmakers say EPA numbers don't add up.
EPA official tries to allay library fears.
EPA scrubbing library website to make reports unavailable.
Read the EPA 2007 Plan.
GAO agrees to review agency's plans for digitizing. 
Listen to National Public Radio (NPR) discussion.
More Articles about the EPA:  PEER, LA Times, ISTL Viewpoints, EPA Newsroom.
For the lighter side of a serious topic, view a cartoon on the EPA.