RICHARD E. SANDERSON

Highlights

• Director of the Office of Federal Activities, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Deputy Assistant Administrator and Acting Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of External Affairs
  

Biography

Few people have Dick Sanderson’s breadth of experience in federal environmental regulation.  His more than 40 years of federal service include experience in the White House, the U.S. Senate, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

During this time, Dick was intimately involved with drafting and implementing regulations involving multiple environmental issues including flood plain management, endangered species, and historic preservation.

Dick’s service in the EPA spans more than 40 years, from 1959 to 2000.  As Director of the EPA’s Office of Federal Activities from 1986 to 2000, he oversaw the filing and rating of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation for the entire Federal Government.  He was also responsible for EPA’s compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the Historic Preservation Act, and flood plain management.

Prior to this, he spent three years as the Deputy Assistant Administrator and the Acting Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of External Affairs where he oversaw EPA’s Congressional and Legislative Affairs offices.  He was also Acting Director of EPA’s Press and Intergovernmental offices.

Prior to the EPA, Dick served for one year on the staff of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and with FEMA, where he was Director of its Individual Assistance Program and Director of the Natural Hazards Division .

Dick is a graduate of Harvard College and a frequent lecturer at the Brookings Institute and other policy organizations.

Other Achievements

• EPA’s Distinguished Career Service Award (2000)

• President’s Meritorious Executive Award (1993)

• Member, President’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (1993-2000)

• Chair, “Presidents task force for the drought relief in the Midwest” 

• Member, Advisory Board of the Minerals Management Service and the NAFTA environmental study task force for USTR