EPA Dedicates New Research and Administrative Support Center in Gulf Breeze, Florida

Business Wire,  Dec 5, 2002  

Tags: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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Business Editors/Environment Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2002

EPA officials today participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the dedication of a new Research and Administrative Support Center at EPA's research laboratory on Sabine Island in Gulf Breeze, FL.

The ceremony marked the completion of the $1.6 million, 10,000 square-foot facility, used in support of research to protect the nation's coastal wetlands and estuaries.

Dr. Paul Gilman, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Research and Development, joined by Congressman Jeff Miller, R-Florida, 1st District, Mr. James Palmer, Regional Administrator for Region 4 in Atlanta, GA, who is responsible for Agency programs in eight southeastern states, including Florida; Mr. Gregg A. Cooke, Regional Administrator for Region 6 in Dallas, TX, who is responsible for Agency programs in five south central states; Mr. James B. Gulliford, Regional Administrator for Region 7 in Kansas City, KS, who is responsible for Agency programs in four mid-central states; and Mr. David O'Connor, Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Administration and Resource Management in Washington, DC participated in the ceremony.

The new building replaces several temporary structures, and offers many "green" features, including sky lights, energy-saving lights, solar water heaters and recycled material for decking and siding. The building includes offices, several conference rooms and a computer learning center.

Dr. Gilman, who also serves as EPA's Science Advisor, said, "EPA researchers continue to be on the leading edge of scientific inquiry, producing the best science possible in support of our mission. EPA is committed to providing our scientists with state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities like the new support center that we are dedicating here today."

"Working together as partners, EPA, the states and local groups can advance our understanding of environmental impacts in the Gulf of Mexico," said EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke. "I am proud of this facility and of the partnership and commitment to science it represents."

Gulf Ecology Division scientists work closely with EPA's regional offices, states and other organizations to assess the ecological condition of the coastal wetlands, bays, estuaries and coral reefs of the Gulf of Mexico and to evaluate the causes of observed changes.

The Gulf Ecology Division, a part of EPA's National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, is leading an initiative to partner with all 24 U.S. coastal states to assess the condition of the nation's coasts through the National Coastal Assessment program. The laboratory is also leading collaborative efforts to assess coral diseases and coral bleaching and is participating in research with numerous state and federal partners to provide the science needed to make decisions concerning the hypoxia zone in the Gulf of Mexico, a low-oxygen area that threatens the ecological integrity of the Gulf.

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