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EPA Issues Enforcement Review Report

Release Date: 7/31/1998
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a report of the Agency’s recent review of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) enforcement program.

     "This review will help LDEQ build a more effective and efficient enforcement program. Louisiana environmental officials acted quickly to develop an action plan to correct problem areas EPA found. They have been most responsive and we look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the state as we work together to protect the public health and environment in Louisiana," EPA Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

     EPA’s report highlighted several strengths in LDEQ’s enforcement program, including the state’s Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program. This program protects waterways by restricting storm water runoff. The state also responds quickly to hazardous waste violations and effectively manages its asbestos control program.

     Problems were found with LDEQ’s penalty collection, violation identification and follow-up, case management and proper records entry into the national database used in targeting future inspections.

     EPA periodically reviews state programs as part of the Agency’s responsibility to oversee environmental programs which have been delegated to state agencies.