Collaboration and Partnerships
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Compliance Assistance Centers
EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Geographic location or area of activity: The web-based Compliance Assistance Centers (Centers) provide environmental compliance assistance to business and government sectors located throughout the U.S.
Description of activity: The web-based Compliance Assistance Centers (Centers) have been created through unique partnerships between EPA and third party, non-profit organizations to provide user-friendly "first-stop shops" where businesses, local governments, and federal facilities can find comprehensive, easy-to-understand compliance information pre-packaged to fit their special needs. EPA recognized that regulated entities are often more accepting of compliance assistance delivered by their peers. The Centers, funded primarily through grants, were established to directly communicate compliance assistance information to the regulated entities.
The Center program was expanded in FY 2007 with the launching of the Tribal Compliance Assistance Center, a resource to help tribal environmental professionals easily find environmental compliance information. Additionally, funds were competed in FY 2007 to support the development and maintenance of a new Center for the food processing industry.
The Centers continually develop new features to better serve their customers. Among other tools and resources, the Centers developed several on-line directories in 2007 to help businesses locate local environmental resources. For example, the new nationwide directory of hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities enables users to easily locate these facilities. Additionally, a directory was created to help users locate companies with expertise in preparing erosion control and stormwater plans, best management practice design for stormwater, construction site inspections, stormwater training, and wetlands delineation consulting services.
Key resources supported by the Centers include the State Resource Locators (SRL), developed to help users find important state-specific environmental compliance information for a wide range of topics. The Centers launched a new SRL in FY 2007 that helps users learn which state-specific Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements apply to them; obtain forms; determine where to send completed reports; and find other state guidance material.
Interagency partners: Three of the 15 Centers (National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center, FedCenter and Tribal Compliance Assistance Center) are managed by EPA and have developed strong interagency partners. For instance, in FY07, FedCenter received $382,000 from the U.S. Postal Service, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Veterans Health Administration, National Institutes of Health, Department of Treasury and Department of Homeland Security to support FedCenter services.
The National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center works the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Land Grant Universities to enhance both Agencies efforts to the agricultural community and increases compliance with environmental regulations affecting agriculture. One example of the type of projects developed through the EPA / USDA partnership is the development of Fact Sheets for Minority and Limited Resource Farmers about Small-Scale Animal Production. The fact sheets were developed by the Small Farms Team--a nationwide collaboration of agricultural engineers, agronomists, and other experts from 12 land-grant universities, the EPA Ag Center, MWPS and USDA. In order to serve a variety of audience, including minority and limited resource farmers, the fact sheets were developed following the “easy-read” guidelines.
Local partners: Thirteen Centers are EPA funded through cooperative agreements. Under these agreements, EPA has established partnerships with the below not-for-profit organizations:
Activity URL: www.assistancecenters.net
Sector |
Center |
Grant Recipient |
automotive recycling |
Environmental Compliance for Automotive Recyclers (ECAR) |
Automotive Recyclers Association |
automotive service and repair |
CCAR-GreenLink |
No longer receives EPA funding -Self Sufficient |
chemical manufacturers |
Chemalliance |
Battelle |
construction |
Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center (CICA) |
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences |
Education |
Campus Environmental Resources Center |
National Association of College and University Business Officers |
food processing |
Food Processing |
TBD |
health care |
Healthcare Environmental Resource Center (HERC) |
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences |
local government |
Local Government Environmental Resource Network (LGEAN) |
International City/ County Management Association |
metal finishing |
National Metal Finishing Resource Center |
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences |
paints and coatings |
Paints and Coatings Resource Center |
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences |
printed wiring board |
Printed Wiring Board Resource Center |
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences |
Printing |
Printers National Environmental Assistance Center (PNEAC) |
University of Illinois |
transportation |
Transource |
American Association of Airport Executives |
US/Mexico/Canada border issues |
Border center |
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences |