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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY UJ O WASHINGTON DC 20460 June 16,2017 THE ADMINISTRATOR Dear Thank you for your recent correspondence. It is an honor and privilege to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Promoting and protecting a strong and healthy environment is one of government's lifeblood priorities, and the EPA is vital to that mission. 1 look forward to working with the agency's dedicated employees, stakeholders and our state partners on a shared vision to protect our environment for future generations. The EPA is responsible for protecting human health and the environment, and the President's budget for the EPA reflects the success of environmental protection efforts, a focus on core legal requirements and the important role of the states in implementing the nation's environmental laws, such as providing robust funding for critical drinking and wastewater infrastructure. These funding levels further the President's ongoing commitment to infrastructure repair and replacement and would allow states, municipalities and private entities to continue to finance high-priority infrastructure investments that protect human health. The President's budget also reflects the EPA's priority to ease the burden of unnecessary federal regulations that impose significant costs for workers and consumers without justifiable env ironmental benefits. The budget process involves each federal agency, the Congress which approves funding levels and stakeholders from all across the country. As this long process continues. 1 will keep your views in mind. We as an agency will always strive to strike a balance between protecting our water, air and natural resources and building our economy. We do not have to choose between them. Our nation has a stellar history of protecting our natural resources and our environment while also respecting economic growth and jobs, and we w ill continue to do that. Among my top priorities are improving .America's water infrastructure and focusing on the EPA's core mission of protecting our nation's air. water and land. We need to shape the work of the EPA by setting national standards and finding neighborhood solutions. We will also strive for regulatory certainty so regulated industries w ill know exactly what is expected of them. 1 am a firm believer in the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment and look forward to the opportunity to help provide future generations with a better and healthier Internet Address (URLl http.r/www epa gov Recycled/Recyclable Ported With Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100- Postconsumer Process Chlorine Free Recycled Pape' environment. I hope you will follow our efforts by visiting www.epa.gov to learn more about the EPA's work and what you can do to help us achieve solid results. On behalf of everyone at the KPA. I thank you for your interest in our work and your support for protecting the environment. E. Scott Pruitt