NATIONAL PROGRAM MANAGER (NPM)

GUIDANCE

FISCAL YEARS 2018-2019

Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance

September 29, 2017

Publication Number: 300R17002 
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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Contents

NATIONAL PROGRAM MANAGER (NPM) GUIDANCE ................................................................................... 1

FISCAL YEARS 2018-2019 .............................................................................................................................. 1

Contents.................................................................................................................................................... 1

I. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 2

II. KEY PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES................................................................................................. 3

A. Strengthening EPA/State Collaboration and State Performance ................................................. 3

B. Addressing the Most Serious Non-Compliance Concerns in Communities.................................. 5

C. Implementing the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 

(CERCLA) ....................................................................................................................................... 6

D. Implementing National Enforcement Priorities............................................................................ 7

E. Implementing NPDES E-Reporting................................................................................................ 8

APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................................. 1

Appendix A: FY 2018-2019 NPM GUIDANCE MEASURES...................................................................... 1

Appendix B: Grants Guidance ............................................................................................................... 1

Appendix C: Point of Contact for More Information ............................................................................ 1
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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I. INTRODUCTION

For almost fifty years, the protections mandated by our federal environmental laws have been 

essential to the growth of American prosperity. Non-compliance with those laws diminishes our 

shared prosperity and unfairly tilts the field of economic competition in favor of those that skirt 

the law. EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA)—in cooperation with 

its tribal, state, and local partners—is present to ensure consistent and fair enforcement of federal 

environmental laws and regulations. 

OECA discharges this responsibility using a full set of compliance assurance tools, including 

compliance monitoring and assistance, informal enforcement actions (e.g., “find and fix”), 

preferential treatment of entities that self-disclose non-compliance, and better-designed rules that 

are clearer and easier to implement, all the way to traditional civil and criminal enforcement 

actions. And OECA will continue to work with its tribal, state, and local partners in this 

important work, particularly in using diverse and innovative approaches to advance compliance.1

As has long been the case, the overwhelming majority of EPA’s enforcement actions are taken in 

programs that are not delegable to the states or in states that have not sought authorization to 

implement a delegable program. In authorized states, EPA and states share enforcement 

responsibility with primary enforcement responsibility residing with the states,

2

 which often join 

with EPA in bringing cases. EPA generally takes the enforcement lead in authorized states only: 

1) at the request of the state; 2) when the state is not well positioned to bring an action (e.g., 

federal and state facilities or in actions involving facilities in multiple states); 3) when the state 

“do[es] not provide the resources necessary to meet national regulatory minimum standards or 

ha[s] a documented history of failure to make progress toward meeting national standards;”3 or 

4) when EPA has a unique role, including emergency situations and national enforcement 

priority areas, and actions addressing violations across multiple state jurisdictions.

EPA’s compliance assurance and enforcement programs continue to work with tribes on a 

government-to-government basis to protect human health and the environment. The Agency’s 

work in Indian country involves both oversight of tribes implementing federal programs and 

direct implementation of federal programs, including compliance and enforcement, where tribes 

have not received or are not able to receive program approval. EPA compliance assurance and 

enforcement work in Indian country is undertaken consistent with the EPA Policy on 

Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes, the OECA Guidance on the Enforcement 

Principles of the 1984 Indian Policy, and applicable EPA non-tribal specific policies and 

guidance.

 

1 For example, see April 2017 Resolution 17-2: On the Value of Diverse and Innovative Approaches to Advance 

Compliance with Environmental Requirements | The Environmental Council of States. 2 See e.g., ECOS Resolution 98-9, U.S. EPA Enforcement in Delegated States (revised September 28, 2016), 

describing the EPA and state roles in enforcement in authorized states: “WHEREAS, U.S. EPA and the States have 

bilaterally developed policy agreements which reflect those roles and which recognize the primary responsibility for 

enforcement action resides with the States, with U.S. EPA taking enforcement action principally where the State 

requests assistance, is unwilling or unable to take timely and appropriate enforcement actions, or in actions of 

national interest, or in actions involving multiple state jurisdictions.”

3 https://www.ecos.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ECOS-Cooperative-Federalism-2.0-June-17-FINAL.pdf
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This FY 2018-2019 National Program Manager (NPM) Guidance for the Office of Enforcement 

and Compliance Assurance (OECA) is a preliminary planning document and reflects the most 

current information available regarding specific programmatic commitments and activities4

. It 

identifies the national compliance and enforcement activities that the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) and state, local and tribal government agencies will 

perform in FY 2018-2019 consistent with the budget and the Administrator’s priorities. This 

NPM Guidance describes how the EPA plans to work with tribes, states, and local government 

agencies to ensure compliance with environmental laws. The EPA Overview to the National 

Program Manager (NPM) Guidance communicates important agency-wide information and 

should be reviewed in conjunction with this (FY) 2018-2019 NPM Guidance as well as other 

applicable requirements. Read the overview at: http://www2.epa.gov/planandbudget/nationalprogram-manager-guidances. OECA may update this draft NPM Guidance throughout the 

development process as more specific policy direction is provided by the new Agency leadership 

team, more information is available about our appropriations, as public comments are received 

during the external review process, and additional information is available through our ongoing 

planning discussions with our state, local, and tribal partners. 

II. KEY PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES 

A. Strengthening EPA/State Collaboration and State Performance 

EPA, states, tribes, and territories share responsibility for protecting human health and the 

environment. Most major federal environmental laws require the EPA to establish minimum, 

nationwide program standards, and then authorize states and tribes to implement these programs. 

Under the principle of cooperative federalism, EPA and the states have bilaterally developed 

policy agreements which reflect their respective roles, including the June 1984 “Policy 

Framework for State/EPA Enforcement Agreements” (revised 1986 and 1993).

On a national level, EPA is working closely with states and tribes (with individual states, and 

through associations representing state environmental officials) to develop new compliance tools 

and approaches to make our programs more effective and efficient in promoting compliance and 

remedying violations. Some of our ongoing collaborative efforts with ECOS include5: producing 

webinars to help us identify new compliance approaches that we could then pilot and evaluate; 

developing smart mobile tools to make our inspectors more efficient and effective; increasing 

availability of training; preparing for advances in pollution monitoring technology6

; expanding 

electronic reporting in the NPDES program to reduce burdens and improve outcomes. In FY 

 

4 For FY 2019, EPA will develop FY 2019 Addenda to the FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance that will reflect the future

FY 2019 Congressional Justification (CJ) and EPA’s FY 2018-2022 Strategic Plan (due to Congress in February 

2018). This NPM Guidance applies to OECA, all EPA regional enforcement programs, and states, tribes, and local 

agencies authorized or delegated to implement EPA inspection and enforcement programs. 5 For more information on OECA’s collaboration with ECOS via E-Enterprise, see Article: Advanced Monitoring 

Technology: Opportunities and Challenges. A Path Forward for EPA, States, and Tribes. 

6 For more information on a broader range of collaborations between OECA and ECOS, see Compendia of Next 

Generation Compliance Examples in Water, Air, Waste, and Cleanup Programs.
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2017, EPA and ECOS are launching a workgroup of senior state and EPA officials expressly to 

strengthen the state-EPA compliance assurance partnership.

EPA and states with authorized programs collaborate to share information, develop 

implementation tools, and innovate new approaches. Regions and authorized states work 

together to ensure minimum program standards are met, and to support program improvements 

where necessary, through a range of tools, including joint planning, work-sharing, and training.

EPA and states have developed the State Review Framework (SRF) to periodically evaluate 

each authorized state compliance and enforcement program “to provide a fair and consistent 

level of core enforcement across the country” (ECOS Resolution 98-9). The SRF provides a 

nationally consistent tool to periodically evaluate authorized state CAA, CWA and RCRA 

enforcement and compliance performance. This nationally consistent approach assures that: (1) 

states are evaluated consistently; (2) a level playing field exists for regulated businesses; (3) the 

public has similar protection from impacts of illegal pollution; and (4) timely compliance with 

national laws is widely achieved (where regions directly implement the federal program, OECA 

reviews regional programs using the same process and procedures as for all SRF reviews).

Throughout the history of the SRF, EPA has continuously worked with states to identify and 

implement updates and improvements to the SRF program. During FY 2017, EPA and states 

worked together to update the metrics that will be used in the fourth round of SRF reviews, 

which begin in FY 2018.

Activities: EPA regions, coordinating with their states and tribes where appropriate: 

• Continue to support these national EPA-state collaborations by facilitating 

communication with their states, providing feedback and comments, or participating in 

pilot with states. 

• Conduct all Round 4 SRF reviews of state CAA, CWA, and RCRA enforcement 

programs scheduled for 2018 and 2019 following SRF Round 4 guidance to be issued at 

end of FY 2017 (available on the ECHO SRF page), and enter completed draft and final 

SRF reports into the SRF Tracker. 

• Focus oversight resources on state programs that are unable to meet minimum national 

performance standards. In addressing state core program performance issues, regions 

should respond according to the approaches articulated in the 1986 Revised Policy 

Framework for State/EPA Enforcement Agreements, as updated, and the National 

Strategy for Improving Oversight of State Enforcement Performance.

Activities: states, tribes and local government agencies: 

• Work cooperatively with the EPA regions to conduct SRF reviews as scheduled and 

implement recommendations within the agreed upon time frames included in the final 

SRF reports provided to the state or local agency. 

Measures (see Appendix A): For SRF see ACS measure SRF01. 
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B. Addressing the Most Serious Non-Compliance Concerns in Communities 

The EPA’s Compliance Monitoring program provides the critical infrastructure to detect 

noncompliance with federal regulatory laws and to promote compliance with the nation’s 

environmental laws and protect human health and the environment. Compliance monitoring 

employs a variety of compliance assurance tools and activities that co-regulators and the EPA 

use to identify whether regulated entities are in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, 

and permit conditions. These compliance assurance tools include compliance monitoring and 

assistance, informal enforcement actions (e.g., “find and fix”), preferential treatment of entities 

that self-disclose non-compliance, and better-designed rules that are clearer and easier to 

implement, all the way to traditional civil and criminal enforcement actions. In addition, 

compliance monitoring activities such as inspections and investigations are conducted to 

determine whether conditions exist that may present imminent and substantial endangerment to 

human health and the environment. 

In FY 2018-2019, in partnership with states and tribes, the EPA’s compliance monitoring 

activities such as field inspections, electronic reporting, and data analysis tools, will be 

prioritized and focus on addressing the most serious noncompliance concerns in communities. 

EPA will also provide compliance monitoring and capacity building in authorized programs to 

support and complement authorized state, tribal, and local government programs. The Agency 

will prioritize work with co-regulators to develop methods that successfully leverage advances in 

both monitoring and information technology. 

In FY 2018-2019, the EPA’s compliance monitoring activities will continue to be both 

environmental media-based and sector-based. The EPA’s media-based inspections complement 

those performed by co-regulators, and are a key part of the joint EPA-state strategy for meeting 

the long-term and annual inspection goals established for the air, water, pesticides, toxic 

substances and hazardous waste programs. These inspections ensure compliance with important 

programs under major environmental statutes such as the Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air 

Act (CAA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act 

(TSCA), and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Emergency 

planning and Community Right-To Know Act (EPCRA). Sector-based inspections may include, 

but are not limited to, those conducted at federal facilities and inspections targeted to address 

facilities with potential environmental justice concerns.

Activities: EPA regions, states and tribes where appropriate: 

• Adhere to the Compliance Monitoring Strategy (CMS) or approved Alternative 

Compliance Monitoring Strategy (ACMS) as appropriate, for the CWA, RCRA, CAA, 

FIFRA and TSCA programs, including for inspections in the federal facilities sector, as 

resources allow. The CMSs/ACMSs provide compliance monitoring goals for these 

programs and include flexibility to ensure that the most important pollution problems 

within each media program are addressed and accommodate for expanding universes of 

regulated entities and resource limitations. 
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• Ensure that any state and tribal inspectors who inspect on behalf of EPA are trained and 

credentialed consistent with Agency guidance. States that are authorized by EPA to 

implement a program have their own training guidelines. 

• Ensure timely and accurate entry of federal inspection and enforcement data into the 

appropriate national database (e.g., ICIS, RCRAInfo, etc.). 

For more information about these programs, please contact a subject matter expert listed in 

Appendix C. 

Measures (see Appendix A): For Federal Facilities see ACS measure FED-FAC 05. For CAA 

see ACS measures CAA04 and CAA06. For RCRA see ACS measures RCRA01-03, RCRA01.s, 

and RCRA02.s. For TSCA see ACS measure TSCA01OC and TSCA02OC. For FIFRA see ACS 

measure FIFRA-FED1. For EPCRA see ACS measures EPCRA01-02. For CWA see ACS 

measure CWA07. For SDWA see ACS measure SWDA02.

C. Implementing the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 

and Liability Act (CERCLA) 

The EPA’s CERCLA enforcement program ensures prompt site cleanup and uses an 

“enforcement first” approach that maximizes the participation of liable and viable parties in 

performing and paying for cleanups. The program protects communities by ensuring that 

potentially responsible parties (PRPs) conduct cleanups at National Priorities List (NPL) sites, 

preserving federal dollars for sites where there are no viable contributing parties. By addressing 

the risks posed by Superfund sites, the CERCLA enforcement program strengthens the economy 

and spurs economic growth by returning Superfund sites to productive use. Superfund 

construction projects can have a direct impact on enhancing our national infrastructure while 

addressing harmful exposure. 

In FY 2018-2019, EPA will focus its resources on the highest priority sites, particularly those 

that may present an immediate risk to human health or the environment. In accordance with the 

Superfund Task Force Report, the Agency will improve and revitalize the Superfund program to 

ensure that contaminated sites across the country are remediated to protect human health and the 

environment and returned to beneficial reuse as expeditiously as possible. At federally-owned 

sites, EPA will also focus on resolving formal disputes under the Federal Facility Agreements.

For further information regarding the Agency, state, local and community activities and 

measures recommended by the Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), you may 

review the OLEM FY 2018-2019 National Program Manager Guidance. 

Activities: EPA regions, coordinating with their states and tribes where appropriate: 

• Leverage resources to maximize cleanup: specifically, maintain focused enforcement 

efforts to compel PRP participation earlier in the response process; hold parties 

accountable to timeframes and commitments; identify responsible parties earlier in the 

process.
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• Focus Superfund enforcement on the highest-priority sites and those enforcement 

activities that achieve the biggest return on our investment based on environmental risk. 

• Address liability concerns that can be a barrier to getting sites cleaned up and returned to 

productive use. 

• Continue the strong partnerships with states and tribes on PRP searches, long-term 

stewardship, community engagement and revitalization. 

D. Implementing National Enforcement Priorities 

For more than 20 years, OECA has employed the National Enforcement Initiatives (NEIs) as a 

mechanism for strategically focusing EPA’s enforcement and compliance resources to address 

widespread noncompliance associated with serious environmental or human health problems and 

where federal enforcement can make a significant difference. Each NEI includes goals, measures 

and tools for addressing these problems. These initiatives are reevaluated every three years in 

order to assure that federal enforcement and compliance resources efficiently address such 

widespread noncompliance problems. 

The NEIs for the current cycle (FY 2017-FY 2019) were selected using input from states, tribes, 

and other external stakeholders. States provide input throughout the NEI selection process and 

EPA regional offices partner with their states and tribes to coordinate implementation. As part of 

an NEI, EPA may provide our co-regulators with focused technical and legal support, and 

training and capacity building in areas such as inspector training, advanced monitoring, data 

analysis and financial modeling. While enforcement cases are the most visible tool used to 

address the serious violations that are the focus of the NEIs, the NEIs also employ other tools, 

such as compliance assistance. Several of the current NEIs include an expanded emphasis on 

other compliance tools, such as working with states to develop easier-to-understand permit 

conditions, issuing compliance advisories, encouraging self- and third party audits, and working 

with trade associations. In FY18-19, a broader range of tools to promote compliance will be 

further incorporated into the NEIs. 

The NEIs for FY 2017-FY 2019 are: Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources; Cutting 

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs); Reducing Air Emissions of Hazardous Wastes from RCRA 

Regulated Facilities; Ensuring Energy Extraction Activities Comply with Environmental Laws; 

Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities; Keeping Raw 

Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters; Preventing Animal Waste 

from Contaminating Surface and Ground Water; and Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the 

Nation’s Waters. 

Activities: EPA regions, coordinating with their states and tribes where appropriate: 

• Implement the strategies for the National Enforcement Initiatives, including in 

communities that may be disproportionately exposed to risks and harm from pollutants in 

their environment. 
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Measures (see Appendix A): For Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources, see ACS 

measures PBS-NSR07 and NSR08. For Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants, see ACS measures 

PBS-ATX03 and ATX04. For Reducing Air Emissions of Hazardous Wastes from RCRA 

Regulated Facilities, see ACS measure PBS-RCRAAIR01. For Ensuring Energy Extraction 

Activities Comply with Environmental Laws, see ACS measures PBS-EE01 and EE03. For 

Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters, see ACS 

measures PBS M105-M108. For Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating Surface and 

Ground Water, see ACS measures PBS-CAF002, CAF007 and CAF008. For Keeping Industrial 

Pollutants Out of the Nation’s, see ACS measures PBS-ID01 and 02. 

For Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities, the Office of 

Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) oversees the ACS process for inspection activity 

under this program. Please refer to the ACS measure, CH2 (Number of risk management plan 

inspections completed), located in OLEM’s NPM Guidance ACS Appendix. 

E. Implementing NPDES E-Reporting

OECA, together with the EPA regions, the Office of Water, and authorized states, continues to 

implement work to improve compliance with Clean Water Act requirements. Improvements in 

the water compliance and enforcement program include switching from existing paper reporting 

to electronic reporting, resulting in increased efficiency and improved transparency of the 

NPDES program; create a new paradigm in which regulations and permits improve compliance 

via public accountability, self-monitoring, self-certification, electronic reporting and/or other 

innovative methods; and conducting comprehensive and coordinated permitting, compliance, and 

enforcement programs to improve state and EPA performance in protecting and improving water 

quality. 

In FY 2018-2019, the EPA will continue to maintain ICIS access to the Agency, states, tribes 

and the public, and implement the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule covering e-reporting 

permitting requirements for the EPA, states and tribes. The EPA will work with states and tribes 

to evaluate and prioritize the development of additional electronic reporting tools that support 

states. The EPA’s electronic reporting tools save the states a significant amount of resources in 

development and operations and maintenance costs. 

For further information regarding the Agency, state, local and community activities and 

measures recommended by the Office of Water, you may review the FY 2018-2019 National 

Water Program Manager Guidance. 

Activities: EPA regions, coordinating with their states and tribes where appropriate: 

• Implement the final NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule (40 CFR §127), ensure states are 

implementing the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule by adopting the use of EPA ereporting tools (NetDMR, NeT) or developing their own state e-reporting tools, and 

review state and regional general permit paper forms to evaluate consistency with 

Appendix A in the final rule. 
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• Coordinate closely with the Office of Compliance to individually evaluate their states’ 

implementation of the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule, including: resolving any 

outstanding issues with the implementation of EPA’s Cross-Media Electronic Reporting 

Regulation (CROMERR – 40 CFR part 3), complying with data sharing requirements 

(40 CFR 127.23), and evaluating the electronic reporting participation rate (e.g., 90-

percent of DMR filers should be electronically submitting their DMRs). 
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APPENDICES 

Appendix A: FY 2018-2019 NPM GUIDANCE MEASURES

This appendix includes a list of measures and revisions (underlined) to be continued from the FY 2016-2017 NPM Guidance, new 

measures to be implemented in FY 2018, revisions from the and a list of measures from the FY 2017 NPM Guidance Addendum to be 

discontinued in FY 2018. 

 

Note: For the new Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities National Enforcement Initiative, the 

Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) oversees the ACS process for inspection activity under this program. Please 

refer to the ACS measure, CH2 (Number of risk management plan inspections completed), located in OLEM’s NPM Guidance ACS 

Appendix. 

Measures Continued in FY 2018-2019 

ACS Code Measure Text

PBS-ATX03 NEI: Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants

Number of facilities, as described in the Air Toxics NEI strategy, evaluated for compliance.

PBS-ATX04 NEI: Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants

Number of addressing actions at facilities as described in the Air Toxics NEI strategy.

PBS-NSR07 NEI: Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources

Number of NSR/PSD investigations of coal-fired electric utilities.

PBS-NSR08 NEI: Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources

Number of completion reports or referrals to DOJ for coal-fired electric utilities.

PBS-M105 NEI: Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters

Number of Phase 1 municipal separate storm sewer system permit assessments conducted.

PBS-M106

NEI: Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters

Number of civil judicial referrals and/or addressing actions for sanitary sewer systems (SSS) with total treatment capacity 

≥10 mgd.

Optional - Number of civil judicial referrals and/or addressing actions for SSSs < 10 MGD. 
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ACS Code Measure Text

PBS-M107

NEI: Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters

Number of civil judicial referrals and /or addressing actions for CSS communities serving populations ≥50,000.

 

Optional - Number of civil judicial referrals and/or addressing actions for CSS communities serving populations <50,000. 

PBS-M108

NEI: Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters

Number of civil judicial referrals and/or addressing actions for Phase I and II MS4s.

Optional - Number civil judicial referrals and/or addressing actions for Phase II MS4s.

PBS-CAF002 NEI: Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating Surface and Ground Waters

Number of federal AFO/CAFO inspections.

PBS-EE01

NEI: Assuring Energy Extraction Sector Compliance with Environmental Laws

Number of compliance evaluations/inspections conducted in the air and water programs at land-based natural gas 

extraction and production facilities (e.g., wells, compressor stations, gas plants), and at disposal sites (e.g., injection wells, 

lagoons, ponds, land application). Land impacts and inspections conducted under other media programs may be included 

per discussion and agreement with the EEPI Strategy Implementation Team.

PBS-EE03 NEI: Assuring Energy Extraction Sector Compliance with Environmental Laws

Number of land-based natural gas extraction and production addressing actions.

SDWA02

During FY 2018, the primacy agency must address with a formal enforcement action or return to compliance the number 

of priority systems equal to the number of its PWSs that have a score of 11 or higher on the July 2017 ETT report. State, 

territory and tribal breakouts shall be indicated in the comment field of the Annual Commitment System.

Please note: A primacy agency’s success at addressing violations will be tracked by means of the quarterly ETT reports. 

Numerical targets may be adjusted at mid-year. While it remains the ERP’s goal that all of a priority system’s violations 

will be returned to compliance, a primacy agency has met its commitment under the FY 2018 SDWA ACS measures with 

respect to a priority system if the score for that system has been brought below, and remains below, 11.
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ACS Code Measure Text

CWA07

By December 31, provide to OECA a specific NPDES Compliance Monitoring Strategy (CMS) plan for the current year 

for each authorized state in the region and a regional plan wherever EPA direct implementation occurs (e.g., nonauthorized states, territories, Indian country, pretreatment, etc.). Each CMS plan should be developed in accordance with 

the guidelines in Part 1 of the 2014 revised NPDES CMS. Any proposed alternative CMS plan should be provided to 

OECA for consultation and review by August 15, unless the region and OECA agree upon a later date. 

By December 31, provide for each state and EPA direct implementation area, a numerical end of year report on EPA and 

state CMS plan outputs from the prior year, by category and subcategory, corresponding to each of the planned CMS 

activities. 

The ACS commitment for each region should reflect the total number of state and regional CMS plans and end of year 

reports to be submitted to OECA for the year (e.g., an annual ACS commitment of 12 for a region that will submit six state 

and regional CMS plans and six state and regional CMS end-of-year reports).

CAA04

The number of compliance evaluations to be conducted by the regions at major sources, 80% synthetic minors, and other 

sources (as appropriate). [Note: Region should break out evaluation projections by source classification and by 

compliance monitoring category (FCE, PCE, and Investigations). For the total number of evaluations to be conducted, the 

region should also identify how many of these evaluations are conducted at sources in Indian country for which the 

Region has Direct Implementation responsibilities.] Projected evaluations under this commitment are those evaluations 

initiated by the regions for the air enforcement program outside of the National Enforcement Initiatives, and identified by 

the air program (e.g., MACT, NSPS).

CAA06

Ensure that delegated state, tribal and local government agencies implement their compliance and enforcement programs in 

accordance with the CAA CMS and have negotiated facility-specific CMS plans in place. The regions are to provide the 

number of FCEs at majors and 80% synthetic minors to be conducted by individual state/tribal local government agencies 

to demonstrate program implementation consistent with CMS. However, if a delegated agency negotiates with a Region an 

alternative CMS plan or alternative activities (pursuant to the CAA CMS national dialogue), this commitment should reflect 

the alternative plan. [Note: Break out evaluation and activity projections (e.g., FCEs; PCEs included in alternative plan) by 

source classification. Please indicate when a commitment is pursuant to an approved alternative plan.] Prior to approving 

an alternative plan, regions should consult with the Office of Compliance (OC) and provide OC with information on how 

the state, tribal or local government agency compliance monitoring air resources will be redirected and the rationale for 

making the change. 
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ACS Code Measure Text

RCRA01

Project by state, and Indian Country where applicable, the number of operating non-governmental TSDFs to be inspected 

by the region during the year. 

Note: Regions must commit to inspect at least two (2) TSDFs in each state or Indian country assuming the universe 

supports it or unless OECA approves a deviation from this requirement. In order to ensure the annual federal facility 

inspection requirement of the statute is met, the region should coordinate with the states to identify who will inspect which 

federal facility. The onsite inspections for RCRA01 should generally be comprehensive evaluation inspections (CEIs) or 

one of the alternatives described in OECA’s compliance monitoring strategy. Financial responsibility is an important 

component of the RCRA core program and evaluating compliance with 40 CFR Parts 264/265 Subpart H and corrective 

action financial responsibility should be included in the RCRA core program inspections. The Region or state must 

conduct at least as many financial record reviews compared to the annual commitment of CEIs. For example, the same 

number of financial record reviews as CEIs within a fiscal year. Once a region exceeds the ACS CEI annual commitment, 

additional financial record reviews are optional.

RCRA01.s

Project by state the number of operating TSDFs to be inspected by the state during the federal fiscal year. 

Note: Only one inspection per facility counts towards this coverage measure. The RCRA CMS establishes minimum annual 

inspection expectations for TSDFs. In order to ensure the inspection requirement of the statute is met, at least 50 percent of 

the operating non-governmental TSDFs in the state must be inspected annually. The region should work with the states to 

identify which federal facilities will be inspected by the region versus the state. The onsite inspections for RCRA01.s should 

generally be comprehensive evaluation inspections (CEIs) or one of the alternatives described in OECA’s compliance 

monitoring strategy. Financial responsibility is an important component of the RCRA core program and evaluating 

compliance with 40 CFR Parts 264/265 Subpart H and corrective action financial responsibility should be included in the 

RCRA core program inspections. The Region or state must conduct at least as many financial record reviews compared to 

the annual commitment of CEIs. For example, the same number of financial record reviews as CEIs within a fiscal year. 

Once a region exceeds the ACS CEI annual commitment, additional financial record reviews are optional.

RCRA02

Project by state and Indian country, the number of LQGs, including those at federal facilities, to be inspected by the region 

during the fiscal year. 

Note: Each region must commit to inspect at least six (6) LQGs in each state, and 20% of the region’s LQG universe in 

Indian country, unless OECA approves a deviation from this requirement. As part of the annual commitment system process

provide the number of federal facility LQG inspections.

RCRA02.s

Project by state the number of LQGs to be inspected by the state during the federal fiscal year. At least 20% of the LQG 

universe should be covered by combined federal and state inspections unless an alternative plan is approved under the RCRA 

CMS. As part of the annual commitment system process Regions need to provide a breakout by state for the number of 

LQG inspections.

RCRA03 In order to ensure the annual inspection requirement of the statute is met, Regions should inspect each operating TSDF 

operated by states, tribal, or local governments. 
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ACS Code Measure Text

TSCA 01OC

Project the total number of FY 2018 TSCA inspections. 

Note: In the comment field of the Annual Commitment System (ACS), the region should provide a breakout of the number 

of projected inspections by program area (LBP, PCBs, Asbestos, New and Existing Chemicals). 

FIFRA-FED1 Project regional (federal) FIFRA inspections. Each region should conduct a minimum of ten (10) FIFRA inspections. 

EJ01

Percentage of non-exempt cases brought by the EPA in areas determined by the EPA to have potential EJ concerns.

[Note: While we are tracking this measure, there is no specific target number or trend we expect to achieve. EJ is one of 

many factors the Agency considers in bringing an enforcement action.]

New/Revised Measures 

ACS Code Measure Text

PBSRCRAAIR01

NEI: Reducing Air Emissions of Hazardous Wastes from RCRA Regulated Facilities

Number of RCRA hazardous waste inspections of facilities on the RCRA-Air NEI target list.

Note: The expectation for regions is that 20% of their total annual ACS commitments from RCRA01 and RCRA02 will 

support the RCRA-Air NEI.

PBS-ID01

NEI: Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the Nation’s Waters

Number of NPDES inspections at high priority facilities identified for compliance assessments under the Industrial 

Dischargers NEI.

PBS-ID02 NEI: Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the Nation’s Waters

Number of NPDES addressing actions at high priority facilities identified under the Industrial Dischargers NEI.

PBS-CAF007

NEI: Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating Surface and Ground Waters

Submit 1 report at mid-year. This report will describe efforts to advance technologies that address excess nutrients at 

CAFOs.

PBS-CAF008

NEI: Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating Surface and Ground Waters

Submit 1 progress report per federal fiscal year. This report will include a section that provides an EOY update on any 

work reported under CAF007. 
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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ACS Code Measure Text

SRF01

By FY 2018 (September 30, 2018), complete draft reports for all Round 4 SRF reviews scheduled for calendar year 

2018. (Final reports are to be completed by December 31, 2018 (first quarter of FY 2019).)

Note: Regions in FY 2017 developed a plan to complete all Round 4 state reviews within five years, that is, by the end 

of calendar year 2022. OC will hold annual discussions with regions to establish whether any modifications to the 

schedules are necessary. For Round 3, Regions are to finalize all Round 3 SRF reports for state CAA, CWA and RCRA 

enforcement programs scheduled for calendar year 2017 no later than December 31, 2017 (first quarter of FY 2018).

FED-FAC05

Conduct single or multimedia federal facility inspections in order to ensure a national enforcement and compliance 

presence in the federal facilities sector. 

Note: As provided in the National Federal Facilities Compliance & Enforcement FY 2018 Program Agenda, regions 

will conduct 10 federal facility inspections and will be afforded flexibility in meeting some of the commitments by 

undertaking other compliance assurance activities, including compliance assistance. As available, resources (regional 

inspector travel funds, contract inspector access, and case support) will be provided.

TSCA 02OC

Report other compliance monitoring activities at the end of the year; and break-out the description of other such 

activities by TSCA program area. Such activities may include: 

On-site activities may include compliance activities that will help assess compliance of the facility as a whole. The onsite evaluation may include any of the following activities:

• Review regulated activities.

• Review required reports, records or other relevant documents.

Off-site activities may include compliance evaluations designed to assess compliance of the facility. The off-site 

evaluation activities may include any of the following activities:

• Review or audit reports, records or other relevant documents.

• Evaluate responses to formal information requests, i.e., IRLs.

• Assess or triage tips and complaints that enable a closeout of a complaint.

EPCRA 01 Conduct at least four (4) EPCRA 313 data quality inspections (and/or off-site record reviews).

EPCRA 02 Conduct at least twenty (20) EPCRA 313 non-reporter inspections (and/or off-site record reviews).
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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Discontinued Measures 

ACS Code Measure Text

FIFRA-FED 2 For EPA regions with direct implementation responsibilities in Indian country and states without primacy, project the 

number of regional (federal) FIFRA inspections focused on the Worker Protection Standard (WPS). 

OSRE-01 Reach a settlement or take an enforcement action by the start of remedial action at 99% of non-federal Superfund sites 

that have viable, liable parties.

OSRE-02 Address all unaddressed costs in Statute of Limitations cases for sites with total past Superfund costs equal to or greater 

than $500,000 in value via settlement, referral to DOJ, filing a claim in bankruptcy, or where appropriate write-off. 

HQ-VOL

Volume of Contaminated Media Addressed (VCMA). As part of the Goal 5 sub-objective, Support Cleaning up Our 

Communities, the following is the GPRA target: 

In 2018, obtain commitments to clean up 140 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and groundwater media as a 

result of concluded CERCLA and RCRA corrective action enforcement actions.

OECA has reported VCMA for contaminated soil and groundwater media as separate measures in its annual results 

since 2004. The GPRA target is a national target and regions are not required to post commitments in ACS.
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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Appendix B: Grants Guidance 

Fiscal Year 2018-2021 FIFRA Cooperative Agreement Guidance 

The purpose of this guidance is to identify pesticide program and compliance and enforcement program areas that must be addressed 

in state and tribal cooperative agreements and to provide information on work plan generation, reporting and other requirements. 

• FY 2018-2021 FIFRA Cooperative Agreement Guidance (PDF)

TSCA Substances Compliance Monitoring Grant Guidance for Fiscal Year 2018 

EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), Office of Compliance (OC) developed this Guidance for use by 

EPA regional offices in negotiating and managing state and tribal grants under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to conduct 

compliance assurance and enforcement activities. 

• TSCA Substances Compliance Monitoring Grant Guidance for Fiscal Year 2018 (PDF)
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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Appendix C: Point of Contact for More Information 

 

Contact Name Subject Area Phone Email 

Phil Brooks NEI: Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants 202-564-0652 brooks.phillip@epa.gov

Sara Ayers NEI: Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants 312-353-6266 ayres.sara@epa.gov

Edward Messina NEI: Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants 202-564-1191 messina.edward@epa.gov

Ed Messina NEI: Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest 

Sources

202-564-1191 messina.edward@epa.gov

Phil Brooks NEI: Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest 

Sources

202-564-0652 brooks.phillip@epa.gov

Apple Chapman NEI: Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest 

Sources

202-564-5666 chapman.apple@epa.gov

Rick Duffy NEI: Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated 

Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters

202-564-5014 duffy.rick@epa.gov

Loren Denton NEI: Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated 

Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters

202-564-1148 denton.loren@epa.gov

Seth Heminway NEI: Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated 

Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters

202-564-7017 heminway.seth@epa.gov

Mark Pollins NEI: Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating 

Surface and Ground Waters

202-564-4001 pollins.mark@epa.gov

Carol Galloway NEI: Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating 

Surface and Ground Waters

202-564-0723 galloway.carol@epa.gov

Kathy Greenwald NEI: Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating 

Surface and Ground Waters

913-551-5092 greenwald.kathryn@epa.gov

Apple Chapman NEI: Assuring Energy Extraction Sector Compliance 

with Environmental Laws

202-564-5666 chapman.apple@epa.gov

Rob Lischinsky NEI: Assuring Energy Extraction Sector Compliance 

with Environmental Laws

202-564-2628 lischinsky.robert@epa.gov

Rick Duffy NEI: Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the 

Nation’s Waters

202-564-5014 duffy.rick@epa.gov
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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Contact Name Subject Area Phone Email 

Ben Bahk NEI: Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the 

Nation’s Waters

202 564-4293 bahk.benjamin@epa.gov

Seth Heminway NEI: Keeping Industrial Pollutants Out of the 

Nation’s Waters

202-564-7017 heminway.seth@epa.gov

Rob Lischinsky NEI: Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at 

Industrial and Chemical Facilities 

202-564-2628 lischinsky.robert@epa.gov

Greg Sullivan NEI: Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at 

Industrial and Chemical Facilities

202-564-1298 sullivan.greg@epa.gov

Craig Haas NEI: Reducing Risks of Accidental Releases at 

Industrial and Chemical Facilities

202-564-6447 haas.craig@epa.gov

Elizabeth Vizard NEI: Reducing Toxic Air Emissions from Hazardous 

Waste Facilities

202-564-5940 vizard.elizabeth@epa.gov

Diana Saenz NEI: Reducing Toxic Air Emissions from Hazardous 

Waste Facilities

202-564-4209 saenz.diana@epa.gov

Andy Crossland NEI: Reducing Toxic Air Emissions from Hazardous 

Waste Facilities

202-564-0574 crossland.andy@epa.gov

Mike Bellot NEI: Reducing Toxic Air Emissions from Hazardous 

Waste Facilities

202-564-3083 bellot.michael@epa.gov

Kenneth Harmon Assuring Safe Drinking Water 202-564-0723 harmon.kenneth@epa.gov

Hannah Branning Assuring Safe Drinking Water 202-564-3317 branning.hannah@epa.gov

Carol King Assuring Safe Drinking Water 202-564-2412 king.carol@epa.gov

Seth Heminway Implementing the Clean Water Act (CWA) Action 

Plan & NPDES E-Reporting

202-564-7017 heminway.seth@epa.gov

Joe Theis Implementing the Clean Water Act (CWA) Action 

Plan & NPDES E-Reporting

202-564-4053 theis.joseph@epa.gov

Carey Johnston Implementing the Clean Water Act (CWA) Action 

Plan & NPDES E-Reporting

202-566-1014 johnston.carey@epa.gov

Catherine Tunis Advancing Next Generation Compliance 202-564-0476 tunis.catherine@epa.gov

Chris Knopes Strengthening State Performance and Oversight 202-564-2337 knopes.christopher@epa.gov

Mike Mason Strengthening State Performance and Oversight 202-564-0572 mason.michael@epa.gov
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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Contact Name Subject Area Phone Email 

Rick Duffy Field Operations Guidance (FOG) Guidelines 202-564-5014 duffy.rick@epa.gov

Tracy Back Field Operations Guidance (FOG) Guidelines 202-564-7076 back.tracy@epa.gov

Loan Nguyen Environmental Justice 202-564-4041 nguyen.loan@epa.gov

Lance Elson Federal Facilities 202-564-2577 elson.lance@epa.gov

Marie Muller Federal Facilities 202-564-0217 muller.marie@epa.gov

Dominique Freyre Federal Facilities 202-564-0433 freyre.dominique@epa.gov

Seth Heminway CWA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 

System (NPDES) Program for Compliance Assurance 

and Enforcement

202-564-7017 heminway.seth@epa.gov

 

Joe Theis CWA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 

System (NPDES) Program for Compliance Assurance 

and Enforcement

202-564-4053 theis.joseph@epa.gov

Joe Theis CWA Section 404 – Discharge of Dredge and Fill 

Material

202-564-4053 theis.joseph@epa.gov

Joe Theis CWA Section 311 – Oil Pollution Act 202-564-4053 theis.joseph@epa.gov

Dan Chadwick CWA Section 311 – Oil Pollution Act 202-564-7054 chadwick.dan@epa.gov

Loren Denton SDWA Underground Injection Control (UIC) 

Program

202-564-1148 denton.loren@epa.gov

Dan Chadwick SDWA Underground Injection Control (UIC) 

Program

202-564-7054 chadwick.dan@epa.gov

Rob Lischinsky CAA Program for Compliance Assurance and 

Enforcement

202-564-2628 lischinsky.robert@epa.gov

Craig Haas CAA Section 112(r) 202-564-6447 haas.craig@epa.gov

James Miles CAA Section 112(r) 202-564-5161 miles.james@epa.gov

Greg Sullivan CAA Section 112(r) 202-564-1298 sullivan.greg@epa.gov

Rob Lischinsky CAA Section 112(r) 202-564-0957 lischinsky.robert@epa.gov

John Cox CAA Section 112 Asbestos/NESHAP 202-564-4209 cox.john@epa.gov

Diana Saenz RCRA Subtitle C Hazardous Waste Program 202-564-4209 saenz.diana@epa.gov

Elizabeth Vizard RCRA Subtitle C Hazardous Waste Program 202-564-5940 vizard.elizabeth@epa.gov

Emily Chow RCRA Subtitle C Hazardous Waste Program 202-564-7071 chow.emily@epa.gov
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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Contact Name Subject Area Phone Email 

Yolaanda Walker RCRA Underground Storage Tank UST Subtitle I 

Program

202-564-4281 walker.yolaanda@epa.gov

Peter Neves RCRA Corrective Action 202-564-6072 neves.peter@epa.gov

Paul Borst RCRA Corrective Action 202-564-7066 borst.paul@epa.gov

James Miles TSCA

• New and Existing Chemicals; Lead Risk 

Reduction; PCBs; AHERA

202-564-5161 miles.james@epa.gov

Edward Messina TSCA

• New and Existing Chemicals; Lead Risk 

Reduction; PCBs; AHERA

202-564-1191 messina.edward@epa.gov

Greg Sullivan TSCA

• New and Existing Chemicals; Lead Risk 

Reduction; PCBs; AHERA

202-564-1298 sullivan.greg@epa.gov

Elizabeth Vizard TSCA

• New and Existing Chemicals; Lead Risk 

Reduction; PCBs; AHERA

202-564-5940 vizard.elizabeth@epa.gov

Kelly Engle TSCA

• New and Existing Chemicals; Lead Risk 

Reduction; PCBs; AHERA

202-564-2059 engle.kelly@epa.gov

Don Lott FIFRA 202-564-2652 lott.don@epa.gov

Adrienne Trivedi FIFRA 202-564-7862 trivedi.adrienne@epa.gov

Elizabeth Vizard FIFRA 202-566-5940 vizard.elizabeth@epa.gov

Helene Ambrosino FIFRA 202-564-2627 ambrosino.helene@epa.gov

Paul Borst CERCLA 202-564-7066 borst.paul@epa.gov

Kathy Clark EPCRA 313 Toxics Release Inventory 202-564-4164 clark.kathy@epa.gov

Greg Sullivan EPCRA 313 Toxics Release Inventory 202-564-1298 sullivan.greg@epa.gov

James Miles EPCRA 313 Toxics Release Inventory 202-564-5161 miles.james@epa.gov

Elizabeth Vizard EPCRA 313 Toxics Release Inventory 202-564-5940 vizard.elizabeth@epa.gov

Craig Haas EPCRA 304, 311/312 and CERCLA 103 202-564-6447 haas.craig@epa.gov

Greg Sullivan EPCRA 304, 311/312 and CERCLA 103 202-564-1298 sullivan.greg@epa.gov
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance FY 2018-2019 NPM Guidance

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Contact Name Subject Area Phone Email 

James Miles EPCRA 304, 311/312 and CERCLA 103 202-564-5161 miles.james@epa.gov

Kelly Knight Federal Activities 

• NEPA compliance and Environmental Impact 

Statement reviews 

202-564-2141 knight.kelly@epa.gov

Jeff McAtee Criminal Enforcement Program 202-564-0976 mcatee.jeff@epa.gov

Jonathan Binder OECA Indian Country and Tribal Government Issues 202-564-2516 binder.jonathan@epa.gov

Fran Jonesi OECA Indian Country and Tribal Government Issues 202-564-7043 jonesi.fran@epa.gov

Michele McKeever OECA National Program Manager (NPM) Guidance 

Coordination

202-564-3688 mckeever.michele@epa.gov

Kim Chavez OECA National Program Manager (NPM) Guidance 

Coordination

202-564-4298 chavez.kimberly@epa.gov