Under the Agency Primacy Rules, who is responsible for enforcing state regulations?

• A. Federal EPA
• B. Local health departments
• C. State agencies
• D. Private companies

Answer: (C)

Agency Primacy means the state agency has the primary responsibility to enforce the regulations that govern the state’s environmental programs. The EPA delegates authority to these state agencies to implement and enforce federal standards at the state level, so they handle inspections, permitting, and enforcement actions. The EPA keeps oversight and can intervene if a state isn’t enforcing or if primacy is withdrawn. Local health departments may support or handle local aspects, but the formal enforcement role for state regulations rests with the state agency. Private companies do not enforce regulations.