ACTIVITIES RECORD OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE US-USSR JOINT WORKING COMMITTEE ON HARMONIZATION OF AIR AND WATER POLLUTION STANDARDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-00798A001000130002-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 18, 2000
• Sequence Number: 2
• Content Type: REPORT

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Activities Record of the First Meeting of the
US-USSR Joint Working Committee on Harmonization
of Air and Water Pollution Standards
July 29
The joint meeting with the Soviet delegation (list attached)
was formally opened on July 29, 1974 with a luncheon, hosted
by the Scientific Apparatus Manufacturers Association (SANA).
Cordialities were exchanged among Dr. Sidney R. Galler and
Dr. Boris Fedin the two Chairman of the US/USSR delegations,
and Mr. Richard Curry(SAMA). There were preliminary
descriptions of the activities of the various agencies
represented at the luncheon.
The first working session was held at the headquarters of
the Environmental Protection Agency at Waterside Mall and
started at 2:30 p.m. This session consisted of a series
of presentations by EPA officials to provide the Soviet
delegation with an overview of Federal standard setting
activities. The topics discussed included (1) research
aspects of standards setting, (2) development of water
standards, (3) development of air standards, (4) enforce-
ment of standards, and (5) economic aspects of standard
setting. The latter topic discussion was continued the
next day.
Julj 30
This session, held at the Council on Environmental Quality's
offices, opened with the consideration of the US proposed
itinerary for the two week visit of the Soviet group. The
USSR delegation accepted the itinerary (copy attached) with
two modifications, at the Soviet delegation's request, i.e.
the visits to Durham/EPA and Spokane (Expo 74) were dropped.
Following the Soviet acceptance of the proposed itinerary,
the agenda topics proposed by the US side were reviewed (copy
attached). In response the USSR delegation submitted its
draft topics work plan (copy attached), which they indicated
was a product of a six month effort in the USSR. The Soviet
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list of topics in their plans were extensively discussed
and the US delegation proposed to review and respond to
tt? Soviet delegation on J-ily 8 upon the return-of their
delegation to Washington for the final sessions. The US
delegation presented in general terms its own preliminary
views on the possible areas for cooperation within the
frame of reference of Area XI for this Committee. After
general discussion it was agreed that it would be premature
to adopt a joint work plan at this first meeting of the
Joint Working Committee.
I'-- activities and relationships among the U.S. Federal
,agencies were summarized by agency representatives. The
role of the Council of Environmental Quality was described
and followed by a summary of the activities-of the American
Society for Testing Materials. Then a presentation was
made by the USSR delegation on the function and organ.i zation
of Gosstandart within the administrative structure of the
USSR. The basic components of the Soviet environmental
program, and the- conceptual approach to environmental pro-
tect-ion and conservation were described. The international
aspects of pollution were recognized by both sides and the
Scri et delegation expressed the view that US/USSR cooperation
-culd contribute to the development of international standards
for environmental quality. The Soviet delegation were the
grests of the American Society for Testing Materials for a lunch-
eon and the guests of a NBS scientist for an informal cook out.
JuIv31
This session of the first meeting of the Joint Working Com-
mittee was held at the National Bureau of Standards (INBS)
offices at Gaithersburg, Maryland. A general presentation
was made by the Director of the functions, organization,
funding and research activities of NBS. This was followed
by a detailed description of its environmental research
program in the areas of air and water pollution, noise,.
radioactivity and related scientific inquiries. The positions
of standard reference materials and the standardization of
measurement' technology in -pollution control activities-were
described. The discussions on the research activities of
N3S and Gosstandart conn==ed through the luncheon hosted
by NBS and were followed by a tour of the laboratories
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which emphasized research and development related to pol-
lution measurement techniques and instrumentation. The
tour of NBS and associated discussions covered the following
areas: (1) air pollution standard reference materials,
(2) water pollution electrochemical monitoring instrumen-
tation, (3) laser Raman spectroscopy facilities, (4) nuclear
reactor facilities, (5) liquid chromatography studies,
(6) acoustic laboratories, and (7) particle analysis.' The
Soviet delegation was taken on a nighttime motorcar tour
of Washington D.C.
The visits by the Soviet delegation to the National Bureau
of Standards concluded the first part of the meetings in
Washington D.C. of the Joint Working Committee on Harmoni-
zation of Air and Water Pollution Standards. The Soviet
delegation then proceeded to visit Federal and industrial
facilities in the United States during the period August 1-7,
1974.
SYNOPSIS OF SITE VISITS BY THE SOVIET DELEGATION -
August 1--7, 1974
August ?l
Colorado
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCA.R) at Boulder,
An overview briefing of the organization, programs, funding,
and personnel of NCAR was given, followed by a-tour of the
laboratory facilities. The tour and the ensuing discussion
centered around (1) the global atmospheric research program,
(2) the national hail research experiment, (3) the climate
project, (4) the small scale analysis and prediction project,
and (5) atmospheric aerosols and other related programs.
National Bureau of Standards (NBS) at Boulder, Colorado
Ageneral orientation into organization, funding and program
activities of NBS at Boulder was presented. Special emphasis
was given to the standardization activities in areas having
application to environmental pollution monitoring. The
individual laboratory facilities visited included (1) the
standard frequency, and the standard time broadcasting
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laboratory (cesium clock) and, (2) an advanced laser
spectrometer for free radical measurements with demonstration.
The discussion at NBS proved to be of sufficient interest that
the delegation split into two parts so that Messrs. Korobov
and Sorokin could continue the discussion the following day.
A motorcar tour of the Rocky Mountains and a dinner for the
Soviet delegation was given by NBS.
August 2
EPA Field Investigation Center at Denver, Colorado
The morning consisted of a series of briefings which covered
.,the following subject areas: (1) process engineering, (2)
remote sensing, (3) enforcement, (4) biology, (5) chemistry,
and (6) field operations. Unlike the facilities previously
visited, EPA-FIC is not primarily a research facility.
However, some research was being conducted in the area of
the effects of pesticides and herbicides on fish, and on
the use of sewage sludge as the nutrient for algae. The
main strength of the facility was its application of current
technology on routine field investigations in support of
guidelines for effluent quality control 1972 Water Pollution
Control Act Amendment. Extensive discussions concerning the
developments and application of effluent guidelines for the
water pollution program took place. The chemistry and biology
laboratories, the field investigation facilities and the mobile
laboratories were inspected and demonstrations of the sampling
and testing techniques were given. A luncheon for the Soviet
delegation was given by EPA.
August 3and 4
The weekend was free.
August 5
Varian Associates at Palo Alto, California
A number'of briefings were given by Varian specialists in gas
chromotography, liquid chromotographs, atomic adsorption, and
on-line computer processing of environmental data. These
discussions covered the engineering design, applications,
performance characteristics and accuracy, and costs of Varian
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instrumentation. Specific questions related to frequency
of`de'sign changes, R&D budgets, manpower, and the applicability
of instruments for field use. Varian's new development in
its atomic adsorption spectrometer attracted considerable
attention. A tour of the laboratory was given and sample
instruments inspected.
EPA - San Francisco Regional Headquarters
This visit was abbreviated due to transportation difficulties
caused by the strike of Teamsters Union which resulted in
massive traffic congestion. After a very brief general
description of the regional offices jurisdiction (territory
and programs), the activities of the regional office were
illutrated by a serial recital of a case study involving
contingency plan development and implementation during a
recent air pollution alert.
August 6
California State Water Quality Control Board and the Central
Valley Water Quality Control Board at Sacramento, California
The plans for the water quality management for the Central
Valley Basin were discussed. Examples were given for urban,
industrial and recreational studies and how implementation
of state standards was achieved. Monitoring of pollutants
at the outfall and along stream stretches was described.
The State water quality discharge permit program, established
under Federal guidelines, was described. The interrelation-
ships between the State and regional organizations were also
discussed.
Beckman Instruments Corporation at Fullerton, California
A tour was conducted of that portion of the production
facilities which deal with air and water quality measurement.
instruments. Some of these instruments are intended for.
continuous monitoring while others were batch type instru-
ments of the type used for both production and enforcement
activities. A general briefing was given with special
attention to the organization, funding, product line,
reliability, costs, R&D budgets, manpower, and frequency of
product changes. The Soviet delegation were the guests of
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Be hTar for dinner and a visit at Disneyland.
August 8
The first sessions of the meeting were reconvened in the
CEQ headquarters. The USSR draft joint work program was
discussed in greater detail and the US delegation identified
several areas of mutual interest. A US draft Record of the
First Meeting was presented, discussed, and a final Record was
agreed upon (copy attached). This Record sets forth (1)
the objective of the work of the Committee, (2) the forms
of cooperations which may be undertaken, (b) specific areas
of possible joint projects, (4) the return visit of the US
delegation to the USSR, and (5) the financial arrangements
for future visits..
August 9
.The Record of the First Meeting of the US-USSR Joint Working
Committee on Harmonization of Air and Water Pollution
Standards was signed by Dr. Sidney R. Galler and Dr. Bernard
Steigerwald for the US and Dr. Boris Fedin Chairman of the
Soviet delegation for the USSR.
. August 10
There were no scheduled activities and the Soviet delegation
was free to make preparations for their return trip and
sightsee. The Soviet delegation was the Chairman's guest
at an informal crab feast.
August 11
The Soviet delegation visited New York City before returning
to Moscow that evening.
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STATINTL
FORM CD-14 U.S. DEPT. OF COMM.
(5-10-711
DATE
Preser. by
DAO 214-2 TRANSMITTAL SLIP
5 Sept. 74
TO;
Mr. Ray Pardon
REF. NO. OR ROOM, BLDG.
Room 42219
FROM:
REF. NO. OR ROOM, BLDG.
Mr. Robert Grant
Room 3419
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Attached are
copies of the
Activities Report
and Record of
the First Meeting.
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