NCJ Number
110358
Date Published
1988
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This statement presents the views of the Reagan administration on five environmental bills proposing amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and reports on actions brought by the Land and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Abstract
The Land and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has responsibility for ensuring that Federal facilities comply with environmental laws and regulations. The testimony cites the Division's record in enforcing the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Additionally, the testimony reports on a special environmental crimes unit established within the division to pursue willful violators of environmental statutes. Several major Federal facility cleanup agreements are summarized in the testimony. The statement also analyzes five bills proposing amendments to the RCRA and opposes several proposals contained in bills. In addition, the testimony relates the Reagan administration's concerns regarding the constitutionality of some of the proposals. The speaker concludes that certain proposed amendments to the RCRA are contrary to the separation of powers doctrine and the constitutional concept of the unitary executive. The Reagan administration argues that the legislation interferes with the President's constitutional duty and responsibility to resolve disputes among executive branch agencies and to control the executive branch officers' use of administrative discretion. 7 footnotes.