[The report]... provides the American people with an important resource from which they can better understand trends in the condition of the air, water, land, and human health of the United States. This report uses scientifically sound measures, called indicators, to address fundamental questions relevant to the EPA's mission to protect the environment and human health. To accomplish its mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA must pay close attention to trends in the condition of the Nation's environment. This kind of information, which is captured in EPA's 2008 ROE, can help EPA to prioritize its work and to focus on human health and ecological activities that can lead to improvements in the conditions of the Nation's environment.

The Baseline Environmental Management Report (Baseline Report) is an analytical tool to help guide the Departmental decisions and provide an accounting of the Department's progress, spending, and plans. In addition to illustrating the assumed path forward, the 1996 Baseline Report presents policy analyses that examine the consequences of modifying key program assumptions.