UNDS Management Approach

Navy and EPA have established a structure of teams to support the rulemaking by facilitating communication and outreach at all levels of management. The teams include diverse representation from Federal and State players, including the DoD, EPA, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators, Environmental Council of States, Coastal States Organization, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Department of State. These teams are designed to provide agency/organization representatives with opportunities to provide input during the development of the UNDS Program.

The Navy and EPA also seek input from other interested parties through outreach and consultation. The outreach strategy emphasizes the importance of establishing and maintaining open and continuous dialogue with interested parties such as Tribes, States, and Territories. The Navy and EPA consider stakeholder involvement a valuable opportunity to facilitate information exchange.

Discharge Assessment Team

Each Discharge Assessment Team (DAT) is responsible for a single discharge. Its function is to conduct technical analyses and develop the technical documents required to support the UNDS Phase II technical process. The DATs also compile sections of the Phase II Technical Development Document. The DATS are composed primarily of Navy, EPA, and USCG members.

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Integration Team

The Integration Team (IT) oversees, coordinates, and provides guidance and direction for Phase II activities, including the analyses of the DATs. The IT utilizes information from the Technical Working Group (TWG) to provide additional technical expertise, to supplement the expertise provided by the DAT, as necessary. The IT has authority to approve program-wide analyses guidance and resolve discharge specific issues. The IT is composed of working-level representatives from Navy and EPA.

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Technical Working Group

The TWG provides technical expertise on ship systems and operational issues, and reviews technical documentation for accuracy. The TWG supports the DATs and the IT. The UNDS Program Manager, who resides in Naval Sea System Command’s Office of Environmental Protection, Occupational Safety and Health (Code 04R), chairs the TWG. The TWG is composed of working-level representatives of the Navy, EPA, USCG, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

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Program Management Team

The Program Management Team (PMT) oversees the UNDS Program’s schedule and budget, and reviews and approves all preambles and proposed rules prior to submitting them to the Senior Executive Panel (SEP) for review. The PMT is responsible for resolving issues that cannot be resolved at the IT level and raising unresolved issues to the SEP for resolution. The PMT is co-chaired by senior managers from Naval Sea System Command Codes 04R and 05M (Materials and Engineering Group), as well as the Directors at EPA’s Oceans Coastal Protection Division.

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Senior Executive Panel

The SEP reviews all rulemaking documents including proposed and final rules. It is responsible for resolving issues that cannot be resolved at the PMT level and raising unresolved issues to the Secretariat for resolution. The SEP also provides periodic program briefings to the Secretariat level. The SEP is composed of the NAVSEA Executive Director, Logistics, Maintenance, and Industrial Operations; Director, Navy Environmental Readiness Division; and Directors at EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds and the Office of Science and Technology.

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Secretariat Level

The Secretariat Level (SL) is the final approval level for rulemaking documentation and resolving issues that cannot be resolved at the SEP level. The SL is composed of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment) and EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water. The SL coordinates with Congressional staff and co-chairs the UNDS Consultation Committee (UCC).

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UNDS Consultation Committee

The UNDS Consultation Committee (UCC) focuses on stakeholder consultation for the UNDS Program. The UCC provides an avenue for coordinating consultation with Federal agencies, States, Territories, and Tribes. In addition, it facilitates information exchange with other organizations and assists with public outreach. The UCC is co-chaired by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Environment) and EPA’s Assistant Administrator from the Office of Water. The UCC is composed of representatives from Federal organizations including the Departments of Commerce, State, and Transportation, and State organizations, including the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators, Environmental Council of States, and Coastal States Organization.