Office of Civil Enforcement
Offices
- Administration and Policy (OAP)
- Civil Enforcement (OCE)
- Air Enforcement (AED)
- Special Litigation & Projects (SLPD)
- Waste & Chemical Enforcement (WCED)
- Water Enforcement (WED)
- Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training (OCEFT)
- Compliance (OC)
- Environmental Justice (OEJ)
- Federal Activities (OFA)
- Federal Facilities Enforcement (FFEO)
- Site Remediation Enforcement (OSRE)
Director: | Walker
Smith |
---|---|
Deputy Director: |
Randy Hill |
Actg. Associate Deputy Director: |
Vacant |
Phone Number: |
(202) 564-2220 |
FAX | (202) 564-0011 |
The Office of Civil Enforcement (OCE) provides national
leadership for enforcement of seven major federal
environmental statutes. In coordination with EPA's regional
offices, states, tribes, and other federal agencies, OCE
ensures that industry, organizations, and other regulated
entities meet their environmental obligations.
We accomplish our mission by targeting those violations
that present the highest risks to human health and the
environment, and taking legal action to address these
problems. We seek either through settlement or an
administrative or judicial order to achieve correction of
violations and appropriate remedies for the environmental
harm caused. Through our vigorous enforcement program, we
also seek to deter future violations and eliminate
financial incentives to noncompliance.
OCE develops and implements various innovative programs that encourage regulated entities to comply with the law. Penalty reductions and other incentives are available to those who discover their environmental violations, disclose them to EPA, and expeditiously correct the problems.
OCE manages and provides program oversight for EPA's national enforcement and compliance assurance priorities National Enforcement Priorities. These priorities address sectors that display nationwide patterns of significant noncompliance, where enforcement can yield the greatest environmental and compliance benefits. Cases brought under the priorities typically focus on violators or industries that operate in multiple states with serious, long-standing violations that place human health and the environment at risk.
Organizationally, OCE is composed of four enforcement divisions and an administrative office. The divisions develop, implement and direct the national statutory and regulatory enforcement programs, provide policy and guidance, and carry out enforcement actions. The OCE divisions are the Air Enforcement Division (AED), Special Litigation & Projects Division (SLPD), Waste and Chemical Enforcement Division (WCED), and the Water Enforcement Division (WED).