The EPA Closes Its Libraries, Destroys Documents

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December 1, 2006 The EPA Closes Its Libraries, Destroys Documents

 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun closing itsnationwide network of scientific libraries, effectively preventing EPAscientists and the public from accessing vast amounts of data andinformation on issues from toxicology to pollution. Several libraries have already been dismantled, with their contents either destroyedor shipped to repositories where they are uncataloged and inaccessible.

 

The scientific information contained in the EPA libraries isessential to the agency's ability to make fully informed decisionsthat carry out its mission of protecting human health and theenvironment. Members of Congress have asked the EPA to cease anddesist. Please c all EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson at (202) 564-4700 eithertoday, December 1, or Monday, December 4, and tell him how muchscientists rely on data and literature. Urge him to immediately haltthe dismantling of the library system until Congress approves the EPA budget and all materials are readily available online.

 

Update, 12:40p.m. EST 12/1:

 

A few of hours ago, we told you that the Environmental ProtectionAgency has begun closing its scientific libraries. Several librarieshave already been dismantled, with their contents either destroyed orshipped to repositories where they are uncataloged and inaccessible.

 

Calls are already flooding in and we're having an effect. Pleasekeep those calls coming! Call EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson at(202) 564-4700 either today or Monday and tell him how much scientistsrely on data and literature. Urge him to immediately halt thedismantling of the library system until Congress approves the EPAbudget and all materials are readily available online. Click here totell us the results of your call.

 

Unfortunately, we're receiving reports that the EPA is claiming thatthe Union of Concerned Scientists has false information and that noneof the libraries have been closed. Significant evidence proves otherwise.

 

The Evidence

 

On the EPA's own library website, the five libraries that have beenclosed to date have been removed from the list and had their websitespartially or completely shut down:

 

the Headquarters Library http://www.epa.gov/natlibra/hqirc/

 

Region 5 http://ucsaction.org/ct/ld_rfsY1QmhD/< BR> Region 6 http://ucsaction.org/ct/o1_rfsY1QmhH/

 

Region 7 http://www.epa.gov/region7/citizens/irc/index.htm

 

and the Office of Prevention, Pollution, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) http://ucsaction.org/ct/l1_rfsY1QmhJ/.

 

The EPA libraries website links to a plan of action(http://ucsaction.org/ct/od_rfsY1QmhG/) f or closing many librariesand dispersing or disposing of materials. We also have first-handaccounts from EPA employees that the libraries have been closed.

 

The four EPA employees unions have sent a letter(http://ucsaction.org/ct/lp_rfsY1QmhZ/) asking Congress to stop thedestruction of the library network. A letter from RepresentativesHenry Waxman (D-CA), Bart Gordon (D-TN) and John Dingell (D-MI) hasprompted an investigation of the library system by the General AccountabilityOffice, the investigative arm of Congress. And members of both theHouse and Senate have called upon Administrator Johnson to cease anddesist with the closures until the investigation is complete andCongress has authorized action; the House letter calls for a responsefrom the administrator by Monday, December 4, 2006.

 

Also, several newspapers have reported or editorialized about thelibrary closures, including the Boston Globe(http://ucsaction.org/ct/97_rfsY1QmhY/ ), the Christian ScienceMonitor (http://ucsaction.org/ct/9p_rfsY1QmhT/), and Cox Newspapers(ucsaction.org/ct/9d_rfsY1QmhR/). Additional information is providedby the American Library Association (ucsaction.org/ct/91_rfsY1QmhQ/) and PublicEmployees for Environmental Responsibility(http://ucsaction.org/ct/l7_rfsY1QmhK/).

 

These are large agencies; it is not uncommon for an agency to gointo complete denial when confronted with questions such as the oneswe are asking. However, this only underscores the importance ofputting the administrator's office on notice that we are watching andwill hold them accountable.

 

Please call EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson at (202) 564-4700either today or Monday. Click here(http://ucsaction.org/ct/f1_rfsY1Qmyg/) to tell us the results of yourcall.

 

We will update you on the progress of this effort next week on ourwebsite.

 

Sincerely,

 

Michael Halpern National Field Organizer Scientific Integrity Program