Self-Disclosure Audit Reporting

The EPA Audit Policy was developed to encourage the regulated community to review their activities' compliance with environmental requirements and to proactively take steps to assure they are in compliance. This policy and the associated guidance documents can be found on the Compliance Incentives and Auditing web page.

One of the primary goals of the audit policy is to encourage voluntary and systematic environmental audits. However, some people become aware of infractions in the normal course of work. This policy allows self reporting facilities to cover such self disclosures under this policy, but with only a 75% reduction in gravity portion of a penalty instead of the 100% that is allowable as a result of an environmental audit. Additionally, this policy does not waive economic benefit derived through non-compliance and such financial benefits will need to be evaluated and paid to the U.S. Treasury.

The regulated community in EPA Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) is now able to participate in Audit Policy self disclosure reports electronically. This is in keeping with the eGov initiatives by the federal government and the goal is to make self reporting easier on the regulated community and more expeditous for EPA to process.

You may utilize the Audit Policy to voluntarily disclose violations in Region 6 either electronically or by mail:

Electronic Submission through EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX):

You will need to register with CDX, select the Disclosure reporting process, download the disclosure form, complete the form, and then log back in to CDX to submit the form to EPA. You must have a valid email to utilize this process. You can begin by going to the CDX web page at:

http://cdx.epa.gov

Specific instructions for submitting a completed eDisclosure form and information on electronic self-disclosure are available at EPA's Electronic Self-Disclosure Web page

http://www.epa.gov/compliance/incentives/auditing/edisclosure.html

Traditional disclosures (paper format) can be made by mailing them to:

U.S. EPA, Region 6
Attn: Ms. Rhonda Ruple (6EN-X)
Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division
Self Disclosure Audit Reporting
1445 Ross Ave., Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733

EPA will evaluate your Self Disclosure to determine if it meets the criteria in this policy. EPA will issue you a Notice of Determination in response to your Self Disclosure informing you of our determination.

If you have legal questions regarding this policy, you may contact Ms. Marcia E. Moncrieffe, with EPA Region 6's Office of Regional Counsel. Her telephone number is 214-665-7343 and her e-mail is moncrieffe.marcia@epa.gov. If you have questions on how the eDisclosure system works, you may contact Ms. Rhonda Ruple at 214-665-2710 or at ruple.rhonda@epa.gov.

For information on EPA's Civil Enforcement program, including specific regulations and statutes, see EPA's Civil Enforcement Web page (http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/index.html).