for solving problems become available. This will require application of a risk-based approach for setting research priorities to assure that resources are directed to activities with the greatest potential benefits to public health and the environment. As part of this risk-based approach, priorities for research and the evaluation of research results must involve input from cooperating agencies and peer review of planning strategies and research results.

Although relevant activities in the hazardous materials science and technology program are dispersed throughout the WRD, this study revealed no cause for significant reorganization. Nevertheless, the importance of both internal and external coordination and cooperation will likely increase in the future in response to strong pressure from Congress to increase productivity through interagency cooperation. In many cases this cooperation and proactive outreach will mean maintaining a keen sensitivity to the needs of those entities who are effectively consumers of research and information generated by USGS scientists.

The characterization of processes relevant to the transport and fate of hazardous materials in soils and waters is a significant strength of the USGS. Long-term, field-based studies, for example, have been one of the agency's greatest strengths. This type of research should continue and be expanded to integrate methods to evaluate the effectiveness of remediation efforts. Such an approach will require continued dedication to research, together with the development and implementation of new modeling capabilities and decision-support tools. The USGS should lead the effort to perform the long-term assessments that are essential to both technology refinement and informed policy decisions.