[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 139 (Friday, July 19, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34887-34888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-15309]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OECA-2019-0204; FRL-9996-86-OECA]


Enhancing Effective Partnerships Between the EPA and the States 
in Civil Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Work

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of 
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) is issuing a final policy 
on Enhancing Effective Partnerships Between the EPA and the States in 
Civil Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Work. The final policy is 
available for review at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-07/documents/memoenhancingeffectivepartnerships.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen H. Johnson, Senior Policy 
Advisor, Mail Code: 2261A, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 
564-5401; fax number: (202) 501-3842; email address: 
johnson.kathleen@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In January 2018, OECA issued an Interim 
Guidance document to help move the Agency toward a more collaborative 
partnership between the EPA and states. After more than a year of 
implementing the Interim Guidance, states and EPA regions gained 
valuable experience in enhancing planning and communication on 
compliance work in Federal environmental programs that states are 
authorized, delegated, or approved to implement. OECA incorporated this 
experience in drafting a revised policy. On May 13, 2019, OECA 
solicited public

[[Page 34888]]

input on the revised policy through a Federal Register notice (84 FR 
20882, May 13, 2019) for a thirty-day comment period.
    This final policy incorporates additional feedback collected 
through the public notice and sets out expectations and procedures for 
enhancing effective partnerships in civil enforcement and compliance 
assurance work between the EPA and authorized states. Although this 
policy is focused on the EPA's work with states that are approved to 
implement Federal programs, the EPA will also strive to follow these 
planning and communication practices when working with federally-
recognized Indian tribes, territories, and local governments that have 
received approval to implement Federal programs. This is an Agency 
planning document and would not impose any legally binding requirements 
on the EPA or any outside parties.

    Dated: July 11, 2019.
Susan Parker Bodine,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Enforcement and Compliance 
Assurance.
[FR Doc. 2019-15309 Filed 7-18-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


