United States. Three Environmental Protection Agency (Epa) Medals

Includes: Gold Grade Medal for Exceptional Service, Individual and Group (in bronze gilt, measuring 38.5 mm in diameter); Silver Grade Medal for Superior Service, Individual and Group (in silvered bronze, measuring 38.5 mm in diameter); and Bronze Grade Medal for Commendable Service, Individual and Group (in bronze, measuring 38.3 mm in diameter). Each medal with its original ribbon with brooch pinback, scattered silvering wear on the obverse of the Silver Grade Medal, light wear on the reverse of the Bronze Grade Medal, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government for environmental protection. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970 and it began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon signed an executive order. The order establishing the EPA was ratified by committee hearings in the House and Senate. The agency is led by its Administrator, who is appointed by the President and approved by Congress. The EPA is not a Cabinet department, but the Administrator is normally given cabinet rank. The EPA has its headquarters in Washington, D.C., regional offices for each of the agency's ten regions, and 27 laboratories. The agency conducts environmental assessment, research, and education. It has the responsibility of maintaining and enforcing national standards under a variety of environmental laws, in consultation with state, tribal, and local governments. It delegates some permitting, monitoring, and enforcement responsibility to U.S. states and the federally recognized tribes. EPA enforcement powers include fines, sanctions, and other measures. The agency also works with industries and all levels of government in a wide variety of voluntary pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts.