Compliance and Enforcement Assurance
Program specific compliance and enforcement activities accomplished during the term of this EnPPA are included in the detailed branch level priorities and the State program specific plans. The following tenets serve as the foundation for IDEM-U.S. EPA relationships with respect to Compliance and Enforcement activities:
- Utilize the most effective application of compliance tools to encourage regulated facilities to maintain and, where possible, exceed compliance with environmental laws (e.g., compliance assistance, compliance assurance, administrative/civil enforcement and criminal prosecution).
- Utilize joint preplanning to coordinate priorities, maximize agency resources, avoid duplication of efforts, eliminate "surprises" and institutionalize communication.
- Manage for internal and/or external environmental results.
In addition to providing guidance to IDEM, U.S. EPA has a continuing role in environmental protection in the State of Indiana. U.S. EPA carries out its responsibilities in a variety of ways, including:
- Acting as an environmental steward, ensuring that national standards for the protection of human health and environment are implemented, monitored and enforced consistently in all States.
- Assisting in conducting inspections and enforcement actions.
- Providing compliance and technical assistance to the State and its regulated entities.
- Providing science based information to the State and its regulated entities.
Under this EnPPA agreement, IDEM and U.S. EPA retain their authorities and responsibilities to conduct enforcement and compliance assistance. Enforcement will be accomplished in the spirit of cooperation and trust. Specific Federal enforcement and compliance assistance responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Working on National Priorities and Regional Priorities.
- Ensuring a level playing field and National consistency across State boundaries.
- Addressing Interstate and international pollution (e.g., watersheds and ambient air).
- Addressing criminal violations.
- Conducting enforcement to assure compliance with Federal consent decrees, consent agreements, Federal interagency agreements, judgments and orders.
- Conducting State reviews in accordance with the National State Review Framework.
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