Regional Office of EPA's Region 6 Based in Dallas
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 6, covering Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 66 Tribal Nations, is a hub of activity dedicated to safeguarding public health and the environment. The region is divided into nine key divisions, each with a unique role in implementing environmental laws and ensuring compliance.
At the helm of EPA Region 6 is Scott Mason, the Regional Administrator. His office includes the Office of Civil Rights & Equal Employment Opportunity, the Office of External Affairs, the Tribal and Border Affairs Division, and more. Wynn Radford serves as the Chief of Staff, providing strategic guidance to the region.
The Air and Radiation Division, led by James McDonald, plays a crucial role in implementing parts of the Clean Air Act within Region 6. Its focus is on reducing emissions to protect public health, safety, and the environment. The division also sets and implements primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and manages notifications and reports related to air enforcement.
The Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, under the leadership of a yet-to-be-named director, ensures compliance with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other regulations. It works closely with states and Tribes, enforcing violations of several acts, and promotes environmental compliance in partnership with these entities.
The Environmental Communities Engagement and Review Division, directed by Darrin Larson, engages with affected communities and stakeholders to ensure their environmental concerns are addressed. It coordinates reviews of environmental justice impacts, ensuring equitable enforcement and community involvement in decision-making.
The Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division, under the direction of a yet-to-be-named director, provides scientific and technical laboratory support for environmental monitoring, analysis, and research. It applies scientific expertise to support regulatory decisions and enforcement actions.
The Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division, led by a yet-to-be-named director, implements portions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, managing hazardous waste, solid waste, underground storage tanks, and more.
The Mission Support Division, with a director yet to be named, provides administrative, logistical, human resources, budget, and information technology support to the Region 6 offices and programs.
The Office of Regional Counsel, directed by a yet-to-be-named individual, offers legal advice and representation for EPA Region 6. It supports enforcement actions, permits, and regulatory compliance from a legal standpoint.
The Superfund and Emergency Management Division, led by a yet-to-be-named director, oversees cleanup of the nation’s most hazardous waste sites under the Superfund program. It also coordinates emergency response to environmental incidents and disasters, ensuring quick action to protect public health and the environment.
Lastly, the Water Division, under the direction of Randy Gee, implements and enforces water quality programs under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. It regulates wastewater discharges, drinking water safety, wetland protection, and watershed restoration initiatives. Additionally, the division works closely with the Tribal communities and communities along the U.S.-Mexico border to facilitate equal environmental protection.
Sheila Veasley serves as the EEO Officer and Area Director for the Office of Civil Rights & Equal Employment Opportunity, acting as the principal advisor to the Regional Administrator, Deputy Regional Administrator, and the operating divisions for all federal civil rights programs.
The Office of External Affairs, directed by a yet-to-be-named individual, maintains effective relationships with federal, state, and local elected and appointed officials, community groups, and media. It also serves as the coordinator for the Regional Administrator's speaking events and directs the public to appropriate sources of information through the Public Information Center.
Together, these divisions enable EPA Region 6 to comprehensively address air, water, land, chemical safety, justice, and emergency management issues in a coordinated manner tailored to the region’s needs. The collaboration between technical, enforcement, legal, and community engagement teams strengthens the EPA’s ability to meet its environmental protection mandates effectively.
In EPA Region 6, Scott Mason, the Regional Administrator, oversees divisions like the Air and Radiation Division, led by James McDonald, which works to protect public health and the environment by implementing the Clean Air Act and setting standards for air quality. The Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, led by an yet-unannounced director, ensures compliance with multiple environmental acts, working closely with states and Tribes.
The Environmental Communities Engagement and Review Division, directed by Darrin Larson, engages with communities and stakeholders to address their environmental concerns and ensure equitable enforcement. The Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division, led by another unannounced director, manages hazardous waste and implements portions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
The Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division provides scientific support for environmental monitoring, analysis, and research. The Superfund and Emergency Management Division oversees cleanup of hazardous waste sites and coordinates emergency response to environmental incidents. Lastly, the Water Division, under the direction of Randy Gee, implements water quality programs under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.
The Office of Civil Rights & Equal Employment Opportunity has Sheila Veasley as the EEO Officer and Area Director, acting as the principal advisor for civil rights programs. The Office of External Affairs maintains relationships with officials, community groups, and media to serve as the coordinator for the Regional Administrator's speaking events and directs the public to appropriate sources of information.
These divisions work together to comprehensively address air, water, land, chemical safety, justice, and emergency management issues in a coordinated manner tailored to the region’s needs, strengthening the EPA’s ability to meet its environmental protection mandates effectively within the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and the 66 Tribal Nations covered by EPA Region 6.
