Organization of EPA's Region 3 Office in Philadelphia
Serving Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia
Organization Chart
Air and Radiation Division
Chesapeake Bay Program Office
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division
Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division
Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division
Mission Support Division
Office of Regional Counsel
Superfund and Emergency Management Division
Water Division
Leadership and Organizational Responsibilities
Office of the Regional Administrator
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215-814-5000, or 800-438-2474 if calling from the Region 3 states
Diana Esher, Acting Deputy Regional Administrator
The Office of the Regional Administrator (ORA) provides the overall direction and management of the region. ORA is responsible for planning, programming, implementation, control, and direction of technical and administrative aspects of Region 3 programs and activities. ORA provides technical oversight of the Region’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Special Emphasis Programs. Additionally, the Region's Office of Public Affairs and the Office of Communities, Tribes and Environmental Assessment are housed within ORA.
Office of Public Affairs
Director: Chad Nitsch
The Office of Public Affairs manages the Region’s internal and external communication efforts, serves as a liaison with federal, state and local government representatives, and manages the Community Involvement program. OPA helps ensure that key external stakeholders are informed about EPA's programs and decisions. OPA provides information about the agency's programs and activities; advises senior leadership on information presentation and timing; prepares speeches and press releases; and is the focal point for working with the media. Other responsibilities include managing the Region’s Public Information Center, customer service hotline, web content, and social media.
Office of Communities, Tribes and Environmental Assessment
Director: Samantha Beers
The Office of Communities, Tribes and Environmental Assessment directs and coordinates the regional environmental justice, tribal and international affairs, children’s health, and environmental education programs, and manages the National Environmental Policy Act process.
- Air and Radiation Division
- Chesapeake Bay Program Office
- Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division
- Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division
- Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division
- Mission Support Division
- Office of Regional Counsel
- Superfund and Emergency Management Division
- Water Division
Air and Radiation Division
Director: Cristina Fernandez
What We Do: The Air and Radiation Division (ARD) implements the programmatic aspects of Clean Air Act (CAA) within the geographic boundaries of Region 3, except for inspections and enforcement, which are principally managed by the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. Under this statute and in accordance with implementing regulations and agency guidelines, the Division conducts activities to reduce emissions so that air pollution does not constitute a threat to public health, safety, well-being and the environment. To carry out its mission, the Division works with other federal agencies, state and local agencies, tribal governments, the public, and the private sector. The Division coordinates with the Office of Air and Radiation to ensure national consistency and strives to meet legal deadlines imposed by the CAA.
Chesapeake Bay Program Office
Director: Dana Aunkst
- the states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia;
- the District of Columbia;
- the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body;
- the Department of Agriculture, representing the federal government; and
- advisory groups of citizens, scientists and local government officials.
The Bay Program is managed by EPA through CBPO and is staffed by employees from a number of federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations and academic institutions. View more information about CBPO.
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division
Director: Karen Melvin
What We Do: The Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division is responsible for developing and implementing Region 3 enforcement and compliance assurance programs and statutes that EPA administers in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia and Region 3 tribes.
- developing strategic planning for enforcement,
- engaging in compliance monitoring and compliance assistance activities,
- conducting inspections,
- developing enforcement cases,
- preparing and issuing administrative actions,
- assessing penalties,
- developing judicial enforcement actions,
- negotiating settlements, and
- measuring and reporting results of the Region’s enforcement efforts.
Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division
Acting Director: Dave Campbell
What We Do: The Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division (LSASD) is a diverse, multidisciplinary organization that emphasizes high quality science, field sampling, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, geospatial technology, and strategic planning, protection and restoration. LSASD takes a holistic ecosystem approach, in cooperation with the other divisions and offices, to achieving human health and environmental protection.
The Environmental Science Center in Ft Meade, Maryland provides laboratory services, quality assurance, analytical procurement, lab certifications and homeland security support to regional, national and state programs.
LSASD leads environmental indicators-based planning and analyzes environmental data to better understand conditions and trends, and to prioritize and target regional, state and local programs. This work includes using decision-support tools and GIS (geographic information system) mapping.
LSASD is home to the region's quality assurance manager, who is responsible for the regional quality system and program offices' quality assurance programs. Through the regional science liaison, LSASD coordinates with EPA's Office of Research and Development and other regions to focus agency resources and activities on the most important science and policy issues.
Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division
Director: John A. Armstead
- protects the air from asbestos emissions;
- protects water and land from inefficient hazardous waste practices;
- conserves energy and natural resources through recycling and recovery;
- protects the public from pesticide misuse or contaminants;
- protects children from the hazards of lead-based paint and other environmental contaminants;
- supports the redevelopment of Brownfields, and
- regulates underground storage tanks containing petroleum or hazardous substances.
Mission Support Division
Director: Catherine McManus
What We Do: The Mission Support Division provides leadership, support, communications, and direction to ensure efficient operations vital to EPA and regional goals. The Assistant Regional Administrator also holds the role of Senior Resource Official and Senior Information Official. The Division advises the Regional Administrator and Deputy Regional Administrator, senior leadership, and management on regional and national policies involving strategic planning, technical, and resource management issues. The Division includes the Comptroller Branch, Information Technology and Operations Management Branch, and the Human Resources Branch.
Office of Regional Counsel
Regional Counsel: Cecil Rodrigues
What We Do: The Office of Regional Counsel (ORC) represents the region in a wide variety of legal matters, including civil and administrative cases, regulatory and permit actions, government contracts, and employment matters. Often working with the Justice Department, EPA headquarters, and state environmental agency lawyers, this office assists in the enforcement of federal air, water, hazardous waste, toxics and pesticides laws throughout the region. The office also manages the Freedom of Information (FOIA) response process. Criminal enforcement counsel assists U.S. Attorneys' offices in prosecuting environmental crimes.
Superfund and Emergency Management Division
Director: Paul Leonard
- coordinates the discovery, assessment, remediation, and removal of, and assists with enforcement of abandoned hazardous waste sites,
- develops strategies to reuse Superfund sites, and
- responds to emergency–including terrorism–situations that pose an immediate threat to human health and the environment.
Water Division
Director: Catherine A. Libertz
- conducting monitoring,
- relying on water quality standards; pollution load allocations for streams; permits for stream discharges; public health standards; and required testing for drinking water safety, and
- providing financial and technical assistance to states and localities.
WD also encourages citizen involvement in developing and carrying out major estuary, local watershed and drinking-water protection plans.