Cumulative Impacts:?Office of Research and Development (ORD) Research and Next Steps

In January 2021, President Biden signed Executive Orders (EO) 13985 and 14008 to advance racial equity and support for underserved communities and to address the climate crisis. These EOs provide a framework for stimulating action across the federal government to address health inequities in the United States caused by disproportionate exposures to pollution and environmental degradation that is exacerbated by racial, economic, and geographic factors and climate change. In support of these Orders, EPA Administrator Regan issued an Agency-wide directive to take steps to better serve historically marginalized communities using cumulative impact assessment (EPA, 2021a, 2021b). In response to this directive, the Office of Research and Development (ORD) is resolved to strengthen the scientific foundation for assessing cumulative impacts. This white paper provides definitions, research gaps and barriers to implementing cumulative impact research at EPA, and recommendations for advancing cumulative impact research going forward within ORD’s FY23-26 Strategic Research Action Plans.

Impact/Purpose

Integrating cumulative impact assessment research into ORD’s FY23-FY26 Strategic Research Action Plans will require ongoing support, coordination across National Research Programs, and collaboration with partners both inside and outside the Agency. This paper is responsive to reviews by partners from across the Agency and represents only the beginning of collaboration and engagement with them to develop an integrated cumulative impact research portfolio to inform decision-making at all levels.

Citation

Julius, S., N. Tulve, AND S. Mazur. Cumulative Impacts:?Office of Research and Development (ORD) Research and Next Steps. FSTRAC Webinar, Virtual, NC, March 24, 2022.