Formal enforcement actions are appropriate and expected for serious violations that have resulted in significant environmental and human health consequences and for minor violations when the violator has exhibited a pattern of willful violations.  The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is responsible for completing all the legal work necessary for MDE to issue a formal action. MDE works closely with the OAG to appropriately allocate time and resources in an effective manner to issue timely enforcement actions. The most common formal enforcement actions are Settlement Agreements and Administrative or Civil Consent Orders.  The agreement or order explains the nature of the problem, details the action necessary to correct the problem and may or may not include a fine/penalty. MDE’s decision regarding the appropriate enforcement action is based on an analysis of all of the facts and relevant legal provisions involved in a particular case. To preserve the public’s trust in the enforcement process, MDE  provides transparency on informal and formal judicial enforcement actions issued within agency program areas.