Compliance Assurance and Enforcement in Texas
On this page
- Enforcement in Texas
- Air Enforcement in Texas
- Water Enforcement in Texas
- Hazardous Waste Enforcement in Texas
- Supplemental Environmental Projects for Texas
Enforcement in Texas
Our vision in Texas is to make environmental compliance commonplace to achieve clean air, water, and land. Our mission is to protect and sustain human health and the environment by ensuring compliance with Federal environmental laws in partnership with the states and tribes.
Air, Hazardous Waste and Water Enforcement Programs and issues in the State are the responsibility of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Exit
Air Enforcement in Texas
Objectives and Goals for Texas
The Air Enforcement Branch serves as the principal point of contact among all stakeholders on Texas air pollution enforcement issues. Our staff:
- inspect active Texas facilities,
- review records and data to assess compliance strategies,
- investigate potential noncompliance activities,
- actively participate in negotiations for new enforcement orders,
- manage existing enforcement orders,
- respond to numerous and varied requests for Applicability Determination, Alternative Monitoring, and Compliance Assistance Projects,
- Delegation Documents for State of Texas, and
- Status of Delegations for State of Texas by specific Rule/Subpart
Water Enforcement in Texas
Offshore and Oil & Gas NPDES permits
The Water Enfrocement Branch works closely with the Department of Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement Exit. These inspectors perform most of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System offshore platform compliance inspections for EPA on offshore platforms in Texas. Additionally, the US Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Exitconducts inspections. We also work closely with the Offshore Operators Committee Exit, which is a trade organization representing the offshore operators.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
Storm Water Management Program (SWMP)
The NPDES MS4 permit requires, permittees to develop and implement a comprehensive Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) that must include pollution prevention measures, treatment or removal techniques, monitoring, use of legal authority, and other appropriate measures to control the quality of storm water discharged to the storm drains and thence to waters of the United States. If you are a permitted MS4 that has recently received a letter from EPA to participate in the MS4 Self-Assessment, you should download all the Modules, that apply to the programs you have implemented.
Drinking Water Enforcement in Texas
The Safe Drinking Water Act program performs the enforcement for the Public Water Supply and Underground Injection Control. These enforcement actions are handled in coordination with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Drinking Water Provider Compliance Information
Looking for compliance information about your drinking water system? These useful web pages can help you learn how your drinking water provider is meeting federal and state requirements. Enter your providers name and search for results.
- Texas Drinking Water Watch
- EPA's State Drinking Water Information Systems (SDWIS)
- Texas Inspection Reports and Enforcement Cases
Hazardous Waste Enforcement in Texas
Waste Enforcement in Texas
Texas is authorized to administer the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act hazardous waste program under EPA oversight. The Hazardous Waste Enforcement Branch, with the State, is responsible for enforcing these regulations. The Branch conducts inspections, reviews and data analysis to assess compliance. The Branch takes enforcement actions and assess the nature and extent of contamination and clean up.
Enforcement of Lead-Based Paint Requirements in Texas
The Hazardous Waste Enforcement Branch is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act for lead-based paint. The Branch conducts inspections and takes enforcement actions to address violations and require compliance with these requirements.
Supplemental Environmental Projects for Texas
A Supplemental Environmental Project allows a respondent under enforcement to voluntarily participate in a project that enhances, protects, and improves the Texas environment. If a project is approved, a respondent may offset a portion of the assessed penalty to conduct an environmental-enhancement project or to contribute to an existing environmental project. Under Texas law, the State may consider the respondent’s willingness to contribute to a project in the settlement of enforcement actions. These projects can include a wide range of actions that protect or improve the environment in or near the community where an environmental violation took place. These projects advance the goals of cleaner air, water, and soil throughout Texas and enhance the environment in communities affected by environmental violations.