Cal/EPA 1996 Strategic Plan

Message From the Secretary

For those of us who devote our time and attention to environmental protection, the past few years have been a whirlwind of activity. This 1996 California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) Strategic Plan provides an opportunity for all of us -- the employees of Cal/EPA, those we regulate, the elected officials who establish environmental policy, and the broader public whom we serve -- to reflect upon what we have been able to accomplish together -- and what remains to be done.

As documented in the following pages, Californians have reason to be proud of the environmental improvement achieved over the past generation. California has made impressive gains in cleaner air, less solid waste, improved water quality, and significant reductions in the volumes of chemicals released by manufacturers to air, water and land. Recognizing that these improvements have been the result of an enormous investment by the private sector, Cal/EPA continues to reform our permit and regulatory processes -- while maintaining California's high environmental standards. The California Environmental Technology Partnership, the one-stop permit centers, the regulatory reform task forces, and numerous other initiatives are indicators of significant progress.

In preparing for this update, we found that the critical issues identified in the first Cal/EPA Strategic Plan remain valid, and have included them here in slightly modified form. We have added three issues: to provide a sustained focus on enhancing management practices, to capitalize on California's environmental technology leadership, and to support and help our constituent Boards and Departments to fulfill their missions. Taken together, these issues provide an action agenda for continued progress.

As we implement our plans, cutting across all of the issues is our strong commitment to quality management principles and practices throughout our organization. In that spirit, we are always interested in hearing feedback on any aspect of our activities, and we welcome your suggestions for continuous improvement.

James M. Strock

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Created in July 1991 through an executive reorganization of State government by Governor Pete Wilson, the California Environmental Protection Agency unifies the State's environmental authority under a single accountable, Cabinet- level agency. This reorganization brings together the Air Resources Board, the Integrated Waste Management Board, the State Water Resources Control Board, nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the Department of Pesticide Regulation, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

State of California
Pete Wilson, Governor

James M. Strock, Secretary for Environmental Protection
California Environmental Protection Agency

Prepared by:

The California Environmental Protection Agency Office of the Secretary Air Resources Board Department of Pesticide Regulation Department of Toxic Substances Control Integrated Waste Management Board Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment State Water Resources Control Board