Hazardous Waste Enforcement Branch

The mission of the Branch is to use enforcement tools in a fair and equitable manner to stimulate compliance in partnership with our States and Tribes.

Our vision is to foster a passion for environmental compliance through innovative solutions to complex enforcement issues and to work collaboratively with our EPA colleagues, State and local agencies, and the citizens of our Region.

Branch Values are Responsiveness, Efficiency, State Relations, Professionalism, Enforcement flexibility, Communication, and Teambuilding.

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The Branch is responsible for the development and implementation of the regional compliance and enforcement programs for the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990 requirements for Chlorofluorocarbon's (CFCs) and Acid Disposition--also known as Acid Rain. In addition, the Branch manages Federal Facility compliance activities in the Region.

RCRA was created to conserve and recover our land resources. Through RCRA, EPA has the authority to control hazardous waste from "cradle-to-grave" (including generation, transport, treatment, storage and disposal). RCRA also covers the management of non-hazardous wastes. RCRA derives its basis from the fact that ground water is a semi-nonrenewable resource which is in relatively high demand (up to 50% of drinking water), limited supply, and is vulnerable to pollution from both legal and illicit disposal of hazardous chemicals.

TSCA was created to protect human health and the environment by requiring testing and use restrictions on certain chemical substances. TSCA gives EPA broad authority to regulate the manufacture, use, distribution in commerce, and disposal of chemical substances. Among the substances EPA regulates under TSCA are asbestos, PCBs, and Lead-based paint.

CAA Amendments of 1990 provide for refrigerant recovery and recycling requirements to limit the release of ozone depleting substances, and for the control of acid deposition.

Branch duties involve providing guidance on all aspects of managing hazardous wastes and chemical substances including identification, transportation, storage, disposal, and treatment; we offer compliance assistance to citizens, facilities, States, and Tribes. The Branch conducts inspections, investigates citizen complaints, and responds to Freedom of Information Act and Congressional inquiries. Responsibilities include assuring compliance with the aforementioned regulations and overseeing clean-up activities; enforcement which includes civil administrative actions, that may have penalties, against those facilities which are not in compliance. The Branch is capable of pursing these actions through litigation or by referral to the Department of Justice. In addition, we enforce permit conditions; develop action levels and clean-up standards for corrective action; conduct comprehensive ground water monitoring evaluations of facilities' ground water monitoring programs; review and assist State enforcement activities undertaken pursuant to Federal programs; and administer the CERCLA Off-Site Rule.