ENFORCEMENT
The enforcement of air quality regulations must concentrate first on obtaining compliance and second providing an effective deterrence for non-compliance.
The largest single function for the Compliance team involves processes to assure compliance with all applicable local District Regulations, and State and Federal laws. Field inspectors perform unannounced inspections on permitted sources. During these inspections, they determine whether the sources are operating in compliance with permit conditions. When they find violations of requirements they initiate appropriate enforcement actions and take steps to assure the violations are remedied and that the operator understands the problem and how it can be avoided. Enforcement actions for violations include: Notices to Comply for specified minor violations and Notices of Violation with imposition of civil penalties.
The enforcement function also includes an element of compliance assistance by which inspectors educate operators to increase their understanding of requirements in order to avoid the occurrence of violations.