The EPA Closes Its Libraries, Destroys Documents

[Guest guest]

http://ucsaction.org/campaign/12_1_06_EPA_Library_Closures/forward2

 

 

> December 1, 2006

> The EPA Closes Its Libraries, Destroys Documents

>

> The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun closing its

nationwide network of scientific libraries, effectively preventing EPA

scientists and the public from accessing vast amounts of data and

information on issues from toxicology to pollution. Several libraries

> have already been dismantled, with their contents either destroyed

or shipped to repositories where they are uncataloged and inaccessible.

>

> The scientific information contained in the EPA libraries is

essential to the agency's ability to make fully informed decisions

that carry out its mission of protecting human health and the

environment. Members of Congress have asked the EPA to cease and

desist. Please

> c all EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson at (202) 564-4700 either

today, December 1, or Monday, December 4, and tell him how much

scientists rely on data and literature. Urge him to immediately halt

the 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 Protection

Agency has begun closing its scientific libraries. Several libraries

have already been dismantled, with their contents either destroyed or

shipped to repositories where they are uncataloged and

> inaccessible.

>

> Calls are already flooding in and we're having an effect. Please

keep those calls coming! Call EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson at

(202) 564-4700 either today or Monday and tell him how much scientists

rely on data and literature. Urge him to immediately halt the

dismantling of the library system until Congress approves the EPA

budget and all materials are readily available online. Click here to

tell us the results of your call.

>

> Unfortunately, we're receiving reports that the EPA is claiming that

the Union of Concerned Scientists has false information and that none

of the libraries have been closed. Significant evidence proves otherwise.

>

> The Evidence

>

> On the EPA's own library website, the five libraries that have been

closed to date have been removed from the list and had their websites

partially 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 libraries

and dispersing or disposing of materials. We also have first-hand

accounts 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 the

destruction of the library network. A letter from Representatives

Henry Waxman (D-CA), Bart Gordon (D-TN) and John Dingell (D-MI) has

prompted an

> investigation of the library system by the General Accountability

Office, the investigative arm of Congress. And members of both the

House and Senate have called upon Administrator Johnson to cease and

desist with the closures until the investigation is complete and

Congress has authorized action; the House letter calls for a response

from the administrator by Monday, December 4, 2006.

>

> Also, several newspapers have reported or editorialized about the

library closures, including the Boston Globe

(http://ucsaction.org/ct/97_rfsY1QmhY/ ), the Christian Science

Monitor (http://ucsaction.org/ct/9p_rfsY1QmhT/), and Cox Newspapers

(ucsaction.org/ct/9d_rfsY1QmhR/). Additional information is provided

by the American

> Library Association (ucsaction.org/ct/91_rfsY1QmhQ/) and Public

Employees for Environmental Responsibility

(http://ucsaction.org/ct/l7_rfsY1QmhK/).

>

> These are large agencies; it is not uncommon for an agency to go

into complete denial when confronted with questions such as the ones

we are asking. However, this only underscores the importance of

putting the administrator's office on notice that we are watching and

will hold them accountable.

>

> Please call EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson at (202) 564-4700

either today or Monday. Click here

(http://ucsaction.org/ct/f1_rfsY1Qmyg/) to tell us the results of your

call.

>

> We will update you on the progress of this effort next week on our

website.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Michael Halpern

> National Field Organizer

> Scientific Integrity Program