For Release: October 20, 1999

Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management is hosting a meeting of the Northeast Environmental Enforcement Project at the Hotel Viking in Newport, October 26 and 27. The Northeast Project, composed of 16 states, the District of Columbia, and the Province of Quebec, provides a forum for interstate cooperation among environmental enforcement officials in the Northeast.

DEM Director Jan Reitsma and Rhode Island Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse are among the welcoming speakers at the two-day event. Other speakers will include representatives of the United States Justice Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, several state environmental agencies, private attorneys and businesses.

The Northeast Project meets twice annually to discuss a wide range of environmental enforcement issues applicable to the region, and to develop and share innovative enforcement strategies. Topics to be discussed at the Newport conference include enforcement of environmental laws unique to the maritime industry, enforcement of nonpoint source pollution such as stormwater runoff, and measuring compliance. Special sessions geared toward investigators, regulators and attorneys are also planned.

Formed in 1980, the Northeast Project has served as a model for the development of three other regional environmental enforcement associations. Resources available to member states through the regional associations include training courses for regulators, prosecutors and criminal investigators, and an information service on ongoing investigations.