Author(s): Anonymous
Source: Occupational Hazards
Date of Publication: January 01, 2005

Originally Published:20041201.

EPA enforcement actions in FY 2004 will reduce a projected 1 billion pounds of pollution and require cleanups estimated to total a record$4.8 billion-significant increases from 2003.

Other annual measures of the agency's enforcement and compliance activities - such as the number of inspections (up 11 percent from FY 2003) and investigations (up 32 percent from FY 2003)-surpassed or kept pace with previous years, indicating continued progress in deterring violations of the nation's environmental laws and reflecting an emphasis on environmental benefits and compliance.

"We are getting significant, real-world pollution reductions through mechanisms like injunctive reliefpushing companies to install more effective pollution controls - and supplemental environmental projects, which improve the environment and public health both nationwide and close to home," said Tom Skinner, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

EPA estimates 3.4 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediment and 9.5 million cubic yards of groundwaterwill be cleaned up, 1,300 acres of wetlands will be protected, and the drinking water of an additional 4 million Americans will comply with EPA standards. Of the 4,257 EPA cases in 2004,83 percent resulted in actions to bring facilities into compliance with environmental laws.

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