Principles and Best Practices for Oversight of Federal Environmental Programs Implemented by States and Tribes
The first version of this guidance was issued in 1984 by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator William Ruckelshaus and laid out the responsibilities of EPA and states, along with oversight goals. The guidance was based on three principles: follow the science, follow the law, and be transparent. In 2018, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler updated the guidance with a focus on deference to states and tribes implementing federally delegated programs.
The latest guidance rescinds Wheeler’s guidance and adds a fourth foundational principle: advance justice and equity. It also asserts EPA’s responsibility for oversight and enforcement of civil rights compliance, directing administrators to conduct “vigorous oversight of compliance with civil rights laws” to address environmental injustice. The EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance issued subsequent guidance directing regional EPA staff on how to work with states on civil rights compliance and enforcement.
July 11, 2019