EPA Region 2

EPA Region 2
Name	Environmental Protection Agency Region 2
Formed	1970
Jurisdiction	New York state, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, eight federally recognized tribes
Headquarters	New York City
Parent agency	United States Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Region 2

EPA Region 2 administers federal environmental statutes and implements regulatory programs in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and affiliated tribal lands. The office in New York City coordinates air quality, water quality, hazardous waste, and Superfund activities in a densely populated and industrially diverse territory that includes major ports, island territories, and metropolitan watersheds. Region 2 interfaces with federal entities, state agencies, territorial governments, municipal authorities, and international partners on transboundary issues.

Overview

Region 2 operates under the authority of the United States Environmental Protection Agency to implement laws such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. The regional office coordinates with state counterparts such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and the United States Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. Major urban and industrial sites within the region include the Port of New York and New Jersey, the Hudson River, and the Newark Bay Complex.

Jurisdiction and Member States/Territories

Region 2’s jurisdiction covers the states of New York (state), New Jersey, the territory of Puerto Rico, and the territory of the United States Virgin Islands, along with federally recognized tribal lands within those areas. The office addresses issues in large metropolitan centers such as New York City, Jersey City, Newark, New Jersey, and territorial capitals like San Juan, Puerto Rico and Charlotte Amalie. The region includes major watersheds and maritime areas such as the Long Island Sound, the Upper Delaware River, and the Caribbean Sea adjacent to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Organization and Leadership

Region 2 is led by a Regional Administrator appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed in coordination with the United States Senate. The regional office contains divisions organized around program areas including the Office of Air and Radiation, the Office of Water, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. The office collaborates with tribal governments such as the Shinnecock Indian Nation and with federal partners including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Programs and Initiatives

Region 2 implements programs such as state implementation plans under the Clean Air Act for metropolitan nonattainment areas, total maximum daily load (TMDL) development under the Clean Water Act for impaired waters including segments of the Hudson River, and Superfund site remediation under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act at sites like Gowanus Canal and Bunker Hill. Initiatives include brownfield redevelopment aligned with the Brownfields Program, coastal resilience projects linked to the National Flood Insurance Program, and climate adaptation planning referencing the National Climate Assessment. The region runs permitting programs under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and supports drinking water protection under the Safe Drinking Water Act for systems such as New York City water supply system and San Juan water systems.

Environmental Issues and Major Issues by State/Territory

New York faces issues including urban air pollution in New York City, legacy contamination in the Hudson River PCB contamination, and wastewater management in the New York Harbor. New Jersey contends with industrial contamination in the Hackensack Meadowlands and contamination corridors such as Passaic River. Puerto Rico addresses challenges from hurricane recovery affecting coastal wetlands near La Parguera and drinking water infrastructure in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The United States Virgin Islands manages coral reef stressors around St. Thomas and brownfield and landfill issues on St. Croix. The region also addresses cross-cutting concerns such as hazardous waste at sites like Ringwood Mines and air emissions linked to ports including the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal.

History and Milestones

Since its establishment after the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, Region 2 has overseen major actions including cleanup orders at Superfund locations such as Gowanus Canal and remediation settlements tied to the Love Canal precedent. The region participated in responses to disasters including Hurricane Maria recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and coordinated oil spill responses like the Deepwater Horizon lessons applied to Atlantic spill preparedness. Significant legal milestones include enforcement resolutions under the Clean Water Act and consent decrees negotiated with corporations such as ExxonMobil and municipal consent orders with authorities in New York City and Newark, New Jersey.

Enforcement Actions and Compliance

Region 2 enforces federal statutes through administrative orders, civil penalties, and compliance assistance, pursuing cases under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. High-profile enforcement matters have involved industrial defendants, municipal consent decrees for combined sewer overflows addressed in courts including the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and settlements requiring remedial actions at sites like Fort Monmouth and Times Beach. The region also implements criminal referrals in coordination with the United States Attorney offices in the Districts of New Jersey and the Southern District of New York.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Region 2 engages communities through programs such as environmental justice outreach modeled on principles from the Environmental Justice movement and partnerships with nonprofits like the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Trust for Public Land. The office convenes stakeholders including state environmental agencies, municipal officials from Newark Public Schools districts, tribal leaders from communities such as the Ramapough Lenape Nation, academic partners like Columbia University and Rutgers University, and civic groups such as Greenpeace and local watershed councils like the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Community advisory groups have been formed at Superfund sites including Gowanus Canal and at brownfield projects in post-industrial cities such as Paterson, New Jersey.

Category:United States Environmental Protection Agency regions