Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1987

(Measure passed House, amended)

Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1987 - Authorizes appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY 1988 and 1989 for research, development, and demonstration activities authorized under: (1) the Clean Air Act; (2) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; (3) the Safe Drinking Water Act; (4) the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (5) the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); (6) the Public Health Service Act (radiation activities); (7) interdisciplinary activities provisions; (8) the Toxic Substances Control Act; and (9) energy research. Authorizes appropriations to the EPA, Office of Research and Development, for FY 1988 and 1989 for program management and support related to environmental research and development.

Requires the Administrator of the EPA to insure that the results of the radon mitigation and prevention program are applicable in all areas of the Nation where exposure to radon in buildings may be a significant problem.

Requires 30 days' written notice to the appropriate congressional officials and committees before the following actions may be taken: (1) transfers of funds among categories in excess of ten percent; (2) reductions-in-force; (3) and office closings.

Requires the Administrator of EPA to conduct and support basic long-term research which furthers the scientific understanding of environmental pollution and processes and their effects upon human health and the environment. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on such research activities. Directs the Administrator to support a study by the National Academy of Sciences to review Federal funding of environmental research.

Repeals the five year research report requirement under the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976. Requires the Administrator to report within 180 days of enactment to specified congressional committees on improving the capability of the Office of Research and Development to identify emerging environmental problems, assess their potential risks, and respond with appropriate research programs.

Directs the Science Advisory Board to report annually to specified congressional committees their views on the President's budget request for research, development, and demonstration activities at EPA. Requires the Board to evaluate and report annually to specified congressional committees on EPA's research activities.

Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on EPA's key scientific staffing needs.

Directs the Administrator to initiate a research program to assess the contribution of atmospheric deposition of toxic substances to the total toxic loading of the Great Lakes Basin and the sources of such substances.

Directs the Administrator to study and report to specified congressional committees on the environmental effects of pesticide resistance and the potential of pesticide resistance management techniques to control or reduce such effects. Requires the Administrator to establish and report to specified congressional committees on a research program to evaluate existing test protocols, and develop alternative protocols for assessing the efficacy of antimicrobial control agents, including disinfectants.

Requires the Administrator to prepare and report to specified congressional committees on a research strategy for minimizing hazardous wastes, including matching grant programs and the establishment of a clearinghouse. Requires the strategy to set funding levels and implementation timelines. Directs the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees on EPA's research program and other research concerning the effects of rising lake levels in the Great Lakes on nearby sewage treatment facilities and ways to mitigate the problem.

Requires the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees assessing the state-of-the-art in water resource aquatic plant management and the feasibility of updating EPA's existing model.

Requires the Administrator to report to specified congressional committees on the status of research into the use of oxygenated fuels containing ethanol or methanol to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone emissions. Requires the Administrator to develop a technology transfer program to provide this information to States and localities to carry out research and demonstration projects on these and other alternative fuels.