Inter-governmental and inter-agency coordination: The Oklahoma Environmental Crimes Task Force example

Abstract

Enforcement of environmental statutes and rules in Oklahoma can be exceedingly complex. This complexity is not the result of any one factor, but rather stems from the confluence of many conditions. One such condition is the fractured nature of environmental jurisdiction in the State of Oklahoma. Environmental regulatory jurisdiction is currently divided among at least ten state environmental agencies. Although each agency's jurisdiction is set forth in the Oklahoma Statutes, there are numerous activities with the potential to cause pollution or require permits that fit within more than one state environmental agency's jurisdiction. Thus, although the statutes make it clear that it is illegal to cause water pollution without regard to the source, it is often difficult to determine which agency is responsible for regulating and taking enforcement action against any particular activity.