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EPA enforcement actions in Arkansas cut pollution, restore environment

Release Date: 11/15/2006
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas – November 15, 2006) More than $4.9 billion in environmental improvements were secured and more than 890 million pounds of pollution were reduced as a result of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforcement activities this year.

A total of $1.3 billion in environmental improvements and 181 million pounds in pollution reductions were realized across the region comprising Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

“We could not have achieved this successful level of results without the teamwork of our state environmental departments,” EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said. “Our enforcement professionals work very closely and very effectively with their state counterparts to ensure a cleaner environment and healthier communities.”

EPA’s enforcement numbers were released today by its Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance as part of its end-of-year report for fiscal year 2006, which ended September 30.

Among the Agency’s enforcement achievements for Arkansas is the Fort Chaffee alternative asbestos control project. The project is a joint effort between EPA and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to develop a more protective and cost effective approach to demolishing structures containing asbestos. If successful, the Fort Chafee project will be used as a model to speed up the demolition of many abandoned buildings around the nation.

EPA also helped bring the state closer to reaching its air quality improvement goals for ozone as part of a national agreement with Newly Weds Foods, Inc. The company will reduce the release of ozone-depleting refrigerants from its Springdale location by retrofitting or retiring all its industrial refrigeration equipment systems under the agreement.

In addition to enforcement actions, EPA provided help to more than 7,228 regional businesses and individuals in understanding and complying with environmental responsibilities during the past year.

The EPA enforcement program is a vital tool in ensuring compliance with the nation’s environmental laws and inspiring businesses, governments and others to focus on pollution prevention. More information on the EPA FY2006 enforcement and compliance program is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6en/06-axn-highlights.html#ar.
For more information about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit https://www.epa.gov/region6.