James Strock

 

When my fellow United States representatives and I arrived in the Nether­lands this week, we hoped to gain the benefit of new information and diverse experien­ces from our counterparts from around the world. Now we see that our expecta­tions were too measu­red, given the combination of the caliber of the group gathered here, and the timeliness of the issues at hand. The value of what--and who--we have seen and heard in recent days is inestimable in the cause of envi­ron­mental improvement. We are making progress combining two of the central con­cerns of President Bush and Administrator Reilly: vigorous environ­mental enforce­ment, and movement toward a global vision of the environ­mental challen­ge.

 

We came to Utrecht to share our thoughts and experiences, and to explore ways in which we may work together in the mission of environmental enforce­ment. In this we share a common commitment to protect the public health and environ­ment of our peoples and to do so through vigorous adherence to environ­mental laws. Without enforcement, environ­mental laws would be little more than wish lists; with enforcement they become action plans for environmental im­provement.

 

Let us again acknowledge the contribution of the speakers who took the time to record for our benefit their insights and experiences. Our thanks also to the experts from other nations and international organizations who have participated in these discussions. Besides our Dutch colleagues -- from whom we have learned so much -- we have had the pleasure this week of working with colleagues from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Indonesi­a, Mexico, Poland, Senegal, and Swe­den. In addition, significant contributions were made by representatives of the European Community, OECD, and UNEP.

 

This Workshop represents a coming of age for enforcement in the interna­tional realm. We have learned much from one another. For example, I was particularly interested in the presentation of Mr. Kante of Senegal, a leader of the Group of 77. We greatly respect Mr. Kante's commitment to environmental protection. Through his work, and that of others, the environmental issues facing the deve­loping nations in Africa is becoming better recognized and understood each day.

 

Among his contributions to the Workshop, Mr. Kante has suggested a goal which we may all wish to reflect upon: the establishment of an international association of environmen­tal enforcement officials. It is well worth considering whether such an association, educational in nature, could serve as an appropriate vehicle from which to continue and expand upon the useful exchanges of the past week.

Another idea, from a Dutch collea­gue­ -- which could be considered either on its own or as part of Mr. Kante's concept -- is to initiate a series of subsequent Workshops, to be held periodically on a regional or conti­nental basis. Such regional or continental Workshops could in turn culminate in a major internatio­nal conference on enforce­ment.

 

In the end, when considering the needs of our nations, working singly and toge­ther toward improved environmental enforcement, these specific ideas may or may not be found to have utility. The key for today is that we depart with ener­gy, initiative and a vigorous, active commitment to continued, coordinated ef­fort. I can assure you that those of us from EPA have that commitment. Our work together can -- and must -- continue.

 

I would like to close, joining all of you, thanking our Dutch co-hosts for their hard work and unstinting hospitality. And thanks to all of you, from elsewhere across the world. Your tireless and enthusiastic participation produced signi­ficant contribu­tions. We are lawyers, and we are engineers. We represent a diversity of nations marked by a multitude of laws and customs. And we all agree on the ur­gent need to protect our shared environment, and in the centrality of effective environment law enforcement to achieve that goal. The U.S. Environ­mental Pro­tec­tion Agency looks forward to working with you in the future to achieve envi­ronmental improve­ment through effective enforcement.