Civil enforcement is one part of a broader regulatory program that includes both compliance assistance--which helps industry prevent violations before they occur--and criminal enforcement--which prosecutes those intentional or deliberate acts of noncompliance. EPA's enforcement options range from simply notifying a facility that minor violations exist and granting a reasonable time for compliance to criminal sanctions for persons who willfully disregard the law. Other options include filing enforcement actions before an Administrative Law Judge. The EPA may also ask the U.S. Department of Justice to file a civil judicial lawsuit before a United States District Court. The ultimate goal of these enforcement programs is to help the regulated community move beyond minimal compliance to true environmental excellence.
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