Tom Skinner, EPA acting assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, is quoted on the agency's website as saying, "EPA's enforcement strategy is focused on what matters most: achieving real environmental improvements that benefit everyone. We are getting significant, real-world pollution reductions through mechanisms like injunctive relief - pushing companies to install more effective pollution controls - and supplemental environmental projects, which improve the environment and public health both nationwide and close to home."

The agency further estimated that 3.4 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediment and 9.5 million cubic yards of groundwater will be cleaned up, 1,300 acres of wetlands will be protected, and the drinking water of four million Americans will comply with EPA standards. Of the 4,257 cases concluded by the EPA in FY 2004, 83 percent resulted in actions to bring facilities into compliance with environmental laws. More information on the agency's FY 2004 enforcement and compliance program and data is available at: www.epa.gov/compliance/planning/results/press/2004eoy/index.html.