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Guest Commentary: August 28, 2001
Serious Questions Raised about Bush EPA Appointment
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
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Reports that I have placed a hold on the nomination of Donald Schregardus to head Environmental Enforcement at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are correct. The reasons why I have slowed this nomination are as follows:
Mr. Schregardus headed the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency from 1991 to 1999. In 1997, the U.S. EPA began an investigation of the Ohio EPA for failure to enforce numerous laws. It has been reported that under Mr. Schregardus, between 1991 and 1997 enforcement actions brought by the state dropped 66 percent, and enforcement of clean air and hazardous waste laws in 1998 was one-quarter of the national average.
In addition, it has come to my attention that Mr. Schregardus was involved in the retaliation against an Ohio EPA employee who was attempting to vigorously investigate an unusually high incidence of leukemia at a school in Ohio. The Administrative Law Judge who heard the case arising from this matter found Mr. Schregardus's testimony about lack of direct involvement "implausible." The judge found that Mr. Schregardus was involved in the decision to reassign the employee and was directly responsible for suspending him in retaliation for his efforts to conduct a full investigation of the causes of the leukemia. A substantial settlement was paid to the employee, who was a Green Beret reserve officer.
These matters alone cry out for more investigation by the Senate of the suitability of this nominee to serve in this particular post.
A dozen major environmental groups who are greatly respected have raised other serious concerns.
Mr. Schregardus' nomination was placed on the schedule of the Environment and Public Works Committee, on which I serve, the morning after his brief and incomplete answers to questions were received by the committee.
I believe we need more time to explore the serious issues mentioned above and to receive more complete answers from the nominee regarding his record before proceeding to a floor vote.
Note: The above commentary has been adpated from a statement released by Senator Boxer, August 24, 2001.
 How to contact Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California)
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