Congress and the public are both asking how the EPA is managing the animal waste management situation. The EPA does have several enforcement options including authorities of the Clean Water Act, Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and to a limited extent, the Clean Air Act. Implementation of those authorities is being considered. In fact, Region 4 is in the midst of an Office of Inspector General audit at the current time. A national strategy is being prepared that will determine compliance status, bring violators back in compliance, and develop compliance assurance actions to be taken.
Enforcement is a key part of that strategy.
The focus will be on actions that will provide the most environmental and human health benefits. Animal waste management has become a very important issue in Region 4. The Region is developing a regional strategy that will more adequately address the issue. The regional strategy, when completed, will consider both enforcement and non-enforcement options. The regional strategy will be completed during 1997.