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THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2001

A report by the General Accounting Office issued on Wednesday warns against the Bush administration's plan to shift enforcement of environmental laws to states.

The report says the EPA has no way of knowing if that the shift to states will be effective. Providing $25 million in grants -- as the Bush administration wants -- may actually reduce enforcement, according to the report.

A report of the Inspector General of the EPA also released yesterday says states are doing a poor job of overseeing and punishing violators of the Clean Water Act.

In addition to the grants, the Bush administration wants to reduce federal enforcement staff by 8 percent.

Get the inspector general report:
Water Enforcement: State Enforcement of Clean Water Act Dischargers Can Be More Effective (2001-P-00013 8/22)

Get the Story:
GAO Issues Warning On EPA Enforcement (The Washington Post 8/23)