Region 5's Air Enforcement and Compliance Assistance Program

EPA Office of Inspector General

Region 5's Air Enforcement and Compliance Assistance Program

#6100284

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTERS

INTRODUCTION

Purpose
Background
Scope and Methodology
Prior Audit Coverage

COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES NEEDED PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE

Background
ARD Compliance Assistance Activities
Region 5's Program Needed Further Development
Conclusion
Recommendations and Agency Actions
OIG Evaluation

DETERRING VIOLATORS: SOME STATES NEEDED TO ASSESS THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT COMPONENT

Deterring Violators by Assessing the Economic Benefit
ARD and Michigan Assessed the Economic Benefit, While Some States Did Not
Conclusion
Recommendations and Agency Actions
OIG Evaluation

DETERRING VIOLATORS: MORE PUBLICITY NEEDED

Deterring Violators Through Publicity
Press Releases Seldom Issued for Enforcement Actions
Conclusion
Recommendations and Agency Actions
OIG Evaluation

ARD NEEDED TO WORK WITH STATES TO OVERCOME BARRIERS

More Communication on Federal Cases Needed
Enforcement Processes Were Time Consuming
Limited Use of Injunctive Relief and Stipulated Penalties
States May Need to Give More Oversight to Local Agencies
Conclusion
Recommendations and Agency Actions
OIG Evaluation

ARD ENFORCEMENT DATA WERE NOT COMPLETE OR CONSISTENT

Background
Data Were Not Complete
Data Definitions Varied
Potential Existed for Duplicate Records
Reasons ARD and States Did Not Use AFS
Conclusion
Recommendations and Agency Actions
OIG Evaluation

EXHIBITS