United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division

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The United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) is one of seven litigating components of the U.S. Department of Justice. ENRD’s mandate is to enforce civil and criminal environmental laws and programs protecting the health and environment of the United States, and to defend suits challenging those laws and programs.

History

The Land and Natural Resources Division was created in 1909.[1] The division became the Environment and Natural Resources Division in 1990.[1]

Jurisdiction

The Division initiates and pursues legal action to enforce federal pollution abatement laws and obtain compliance with environmental protection and conservation statutes. ENRD also represents the United States in all matters concerning protection, use, and development of the nation’s natural resources and public lands. The Division defends suits challenging all of the foregoing laws, and fulfills the federal government’s responsibility to litigate on behalf of Native American tribes and individual Native Americans. The Division is also responsible for the acquisition of real property by eminent domain for the federal government, and brings and defends cases under wildlife protection laws. ENRD’s legal successes have reduced harmful discharges into the air, water, and land, enabled clean-up of contaminated waste sites, and ensured proper disposal of solid and hazardous waste.

Leadership

The head of the Environment and Natural Resources Division is an Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources (AAG-ENRD) appointed by the President of the United States. The current Acting AAG-ENRD is Sam Hirsch.

Organization

The Environment and Natural Resources Division is overseen by Acting Assistant Attorney General Robert G. Dreher. The Assistant Attorney General is assisted by a Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and four Deputy Assistant Attorneys General, who each oversee a different branch of the Division's sections. The Division divides itself into several sections, each of which has its own unique areas of expertise. A Section Chief heads each section, assisted by one or more Deputy or Assistant Section Chiefs.

  • Assistant Attorney General - Environment and Natural Resources Division (Current: Sam Hirsch)
    • Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
      • Natural Resources Section
      • Executive Office
    • Deputy Assistant Attorney General
      • Land Acquisition Section
      • Law and Policy Section
    • Deputy Assistant Attorney General
      • Appellate Section
      • Indian Resources Section
    • Deputy Assistant Attorney General
      • Environmental Defense Section
      • Environmental Enforcement Section
    • Deputy Assistant Attorney General
      • Environmental Crimes Section
      • Wildlife and Marine Resources Section

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Arnold W. Reitze, Air Pollution Control Law: Compliance and Enforcement (Environmental Law Institute, 2001), p. 571.

External links

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