Why does DEP want to encourage compliance audits and other self-assessments?
Environmental protection programs should be structured to provide a variety of incentives for regulated groups to comply. Routine monitoring of environmental performance is one of the best ways to help assure compliance. Water monitoring results are now, for example, self-reported to DEP. While DEP inspections provide some level of monitoring, in the end a good compliance record comes from voluntary efforts which provide a level of scrutiny which government inspections cannot. Providing incentives for such efforts will enhance compliance and benefit the environment. A carefully written policy to encourage voluntary environmental “checkups” will take what is now a routine compliance tool for some and turn it into tool used by everyone. All DEP gives up is money under this program–not compliance or environmental improvement–since that would occur in any event whether the person voluntarily reported a compliance problem under the policy or DEP found it. Can companies keep violations sec
