Enforcement actions improve environment

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 enforcement and compliance activities in fiscal year 2007 resulted in legal commitments by companies, governments and other regulated entities to reduce pollution by more than 28 million pounds. As a result, air is cleaner, water is purer, contaminated land is being cleaned up, discharges of sewage and other water pollutants have been reduced and wetlands are being protected.

EPA Region 8 Administrator Robert E. Roberts, said, “These accomplishments demonstrate that compliance with environmental laws is mandatory and leads to significant human health and environmental benefits.”

In fiscal year 2007, EPA Region 8 issued 95 Administrative Orders, 85 Administrative Penalty Orders and referred 18 cases to the Department of Justice. Concluded enforcement actions secured nearly $20 million in injunctive relief to correct violations and to restore and prevent future harm to human health and the environment. These actions also secured an additional sum of $563,848 in administrative and judicial penalties.

Cumulatively, Region 8 enforcement actions resulted in the cleanup of 441,080 cubic yards of contaminated soil; 473,555 cubic yards of contaminated water cleaned up; 700 stream miles cleaned up; 19 acres of wetlands being protected or restored; and 84,037 people receiving cleaner drinking water.

EPA also prevents pollution by helping the regulated community understand its environmental responsibilities. In 2007, EPA Region 8 secured private party commitments for site study and cleanup of $17,407,534 and private party commitments for cost recovery of $6,536,176.

EPA Region 8 includes the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming and 27 sovereign Tribal Nations.