In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies host numerous telephone “hotlines.” To facilitate access, these hotlines accept information at all times and pay the telephone charges. These hotlines provide both a means for members of the public to report environmental problems and to receive information in answer to their questions about environmental requirements and good practices. EPA also encourages the use of the Internet by the public to access information and to report an environmental violation or emergency. For the on-line reporting form, see http://www.epa.gov/
compliance/complaints/index.html
EPA hotlines include (but are not limited to) those for: Air and Radiation, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Solid Waste, Pollution Prevention, Water (including Wetlands Protection), Environmental Justice, and Endangered Species. The EPA’s Inspector General Hotline receives and responds to complaints alleging fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement within the EPA. A vast amount of pollution-control compliance and enforcement information is available by Internet at http://www.epa.gov/compliance
Experience in the United States suggests that telephone hotlines are used most frequently by those who expect a high “quality of life.” For this portion of the population, hotlines can create a direct line of communication between the affected public and the Government agency responsible for enforcement. However, research suggests that persons who experience the most frequent or severe environmental burdens or violations often are disinclined to use hotlines and unable to use the Internet. Such persons may have low expectations of environmental quality, may face language barriers, distrust government, and often feel disempowered or disenfranchised. Accordingly, while hotlines can be useful, other sources of information and other approaches are necessary to assist the most disadvantaged and environmentally impacted communities, where help is most needed.
For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hotline.htm