The EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), all ten EPA Regions, the Environmental Council of States (ECOS) Compliance Committee and state representatives have jointly developed a new method to assess state performance in the enforcement and compliance assurance program. In Region III the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) graciously agreed to pilot the State Program Review Framework. The Region would like to thank MDE for volunteering to participate in this review as well as acknowledge their cooperation in making this a success. The purpose of the assessment is to provide a consistent mechanism for EPA Regions, together with their states, to ensure agreed upon minimum performance levels and provide a consistent level of environmental and public health protection across our Nation.