OCE Mission Statement

The overall objectives of EPA's Enforcement Programs are to:

Deter Violations by Recovering Economic Benefit. The Agency seeks to recover the economic benefit obtained due to noncompliance, for example, assuring that a penalty includes any gain realized by postponing the cost of building or operating a pollution control system. This concept protects the "level playing field" for law-abiding companies, is reflected in federal statutes, has been upheld in federal courts, and is endorsed by the U.S. General Accounting Office;

Encourage Voluntary Self-Disclosure and Correction. In the long-term, the Agency's goal is to promote compliance, not simply to collect penalties. EPA's "Audit Policy " reduces and in some cases, eliminates penalties for companies that take the initiative to self-report and self-correct violations;

Measure Environmental Results. Scarce federal resources should be focused on achieving the greatest environmental results from each enforcement action. EPA has been reporting the concrete reduction in pollution and other benefits from its actions since FY 1996;

Encourage Supplemental Environmental Projects. To obtain the greatest possible environmental benefits, EPA will substantially reduce penalties in exchange for pollution prevention or control projects that go beyond minimum legal requirements. These supplemental environmental projects often return tangible benefits to local communities in the form of wetlands enhancement, reduced levels of lead or other contaminants, and better response to emergencies;

Target high risk violations such as wet weather overflows, air pollution from unpermitted major sources, and the illegal treatment,storage or disposal of hazardous wastes;

Develop and implement fair and consistent enforcement policies that deter noncompliance, and require the timely correction of violations; and
Provide notice to the regulated community and public of the violations and how to avoid them.