About the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations (OCIR)

What We Do

The Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations (OCIR) serves as EPA's principal point of contact with Congress, states and local governments. The Office serves as the liaison with these constituencies on the agency's major programs as well as on intergovernmental issues.

• the Office of Congressional Affairs, which facilitates all legislative activity and interfaces with Congress at EPA; 
• the Office of Intergovernmental Relations, which facilitates interactions with states and local governments, and around the nation, manages the local Governments Advisory Committee and the Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee, Environmental Council of  States;
• the Office of Regional Operations and Partnerships, which coordinates those activities with our regional offices, manages the National Environmental Performance Partnership Program, and Lead Region System; and
• the Internal Operations Division, which provides administrative management services and manages the resources of the office.

• Assists, develops and implements the legislative agenda for the agency, including legislative initiatives and proposals;
• Leads EPA in the review of legislation; coordinates EPA's formal positions and technical assistance to Congress; and monitors all relevant legislative actions (e.g., bills, reports, regulations) related to EPA programs;
• Facilitates communication of the agency's priorities and policies to Congress;
• Coordinates agency appearances at Congressional hearings and manages associated testimony;
• Leads the development and implementation of the National Environmental Performance Partnership System between EPA and the states;
• Manages and monitors environmental issues with both national associations and individual state and local governments;
• Manages the agency’s congressional and gubernatorial correspondence process;
• Coordinates and maintains the Lead Region Process, which enhances Regional participation in agency decision-making; and
• Coordinates logistics, agendas, and subject matter for routine, special, and "hot issue" meetings and conference calls of EPA and Regional senior leaders.

Programs and Projects Managed by OCIR

• National Environmental Performance Partnership System
• Local Government Advisory Committee
• Small Community Advisory Subcommittee
• Lead Region Process
• Municipal Ombudsman

Mail code: 1301A | EPA mailing addresses
Location: EPA Headquarters at Washington, D.C. Federal Triangle campus

OCIR Organization