Not quantity but quality

The editorial "Keeping EPA on Course," May 27, implies that Congress does not appropriate sufficient funds to the Environmental Protection Agency. Overall size of the appropriation may not be the problem. The same Center for Resource Economics report mentioned in the editorial points to poor spending priorities, determined largely by Congress. Pork-barrel projects focusing on environmental conditions with relatively low risks are consuming EPA resources that could be used better if the agency had more fl exibility. Before appropriating more money, Congress ought to review carefully the effectiveness of the mandates they have handed down. Karen D. Brady, Larkspur, Calif.

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