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Region 5 RCRA Enforcement
The goal of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program is to attain and maintain a high rate of compliance within the regulated community.
The Regulated Community consists of individuals or industries that either generate, transport, treat, store or dispose of hazardous wastes. Also, those who recycle secondary materials fall under the provisions of RCRA. Even if a particular solid waste is not specifically listed as a hazardous waste, if it exhibits any hazardous characteristics, such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity, it will be classified as hazardous and therefore should be regulated under RCRA.
Also, Region 5 follows the Operating Principles of the National Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. RCRA Regulations are in the Office of Solid Waste's Laws, Regulations and Policies.
ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES:
Region 5's Enforcement and Compliance Assurance staff perform evaluations/inspections of hazardous waste facilities, and determine if violations exist. If violations are present, Region 5 staff will initiate enforcement actions against a facility/individual beginning with informal actions (usually a letter explaining the violation) and ending with more formal activities such as Compliance Orders and Agreements, Civil Actions, Consent Orders, and Judicial Orders.
Many times, as a method of remediating a violation(s), the formal enforcement action will include what is known as a SEP (Supplemental Environmental Project). This may require the facility to add a process, incorporate recycling, install additional treatment of wastes, or some other remediation project. For more information on SEPs, see OECA's SEP Home Page.