Environmental protection agencies in 15 U.S. states manage both pollution control AND natural resource conservation functions.

This study blends qualitative interviews with agency staff and quantitative analysis of enforcement data spanning 2010-2014 to reveal how dual roles shape regulatory behavior.

Contrary to expectations, the research shows that agencies prioritized voluntary or negotiated compliance over punitive measures. Enforcement actions were significantly less frequent AND less severe overall.

These findings demonstrate how agency design influences environmental outcomes during a period of significant policy change. The persistence of these effects even after accounting for political pressures underscores their importance.