| Abstract |
EPA's national enforcement and compliance assurance program is characterized by its multi-media scope and breadth. The national program is responsible for maximizing compliance with 10 distinct federal environmental statutes dealing with prevention and control of air pollution, water pollution, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides. Most of these statutes have multiple program elements, and OECA carries out compliance and enforcement activities in a total of 28 separate program areas. The statutory and regulatory requirements of these programs apply to approximately 41 million regulated entities, an enormous and diverse universe which needs to achieve and maintain compliance. The OECA National Program Manager's (NPM) guidance sets forth national program priorities and activities for the enforcement and compliance regulatory programs for a three year cycle. The performance expectations and activities outlined in the guidance are the starting point from which headquarters and the regional offices engage to discuss the management of program activities and the distribution of resources. These discussions result in the regions committing to a specific number of, or a specific universe percentage of, program activities. These commitments nationally constitute the agreed upon approach between the regions and the national program managers for achieving performance expectations in both the core program and the national priorities for the fiscal year. |
