Inspector General investigation called for re: EPA enforcement

[baby_bear]

http://epw.senate.gov/Releases/release_07-24b-03.htm

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Jim Jeffords, I – Vt., Barbara Boxer, D – Cal., U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D - Mich., and others today called on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Inspector General to investigate management, funding and staffing needs of the EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Recently released data from the EPA indicates funding shortfalls and staff reductions in its enforcement office.
...
We are writing to request that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Inspector General investigate management, funding and staffing needs of the EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). We are extremely troubled by recent news accounts asserting that the EPA inflated and misrepresented its enforcement staffing and record. We are equally concerned that the enforcement office has insufficient personnel and resources to enforce our nation’s environmental laws.

Because enforcement of these laws is a basic component of EPA's mission, necessary to ensure public health and safety, we request your assistance in assessing: 1) whether OECA has sufficient agents and resources to achieve its criminal and civil enforcement objectives; 2) EPA's additional duties due to increased homeland security; 3) whether enforcement resources are being utilized appropriately and effectively; 4) the effectiveness of OECA's management approach and structure; and 5) the accuracy of EPA’s representations of its enforcement efforts.

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It goes on to delineate specific items to be investigated.
Should be interesting.

s_m