A Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) is an environmentally beneficial project that is included as part of a settlement for environmental violations. Violators can voluntarily agree to undertake such projects in lieu of part of the penalty that they are required to pay for the violations.

To be a SEP, the project must meet certain requirements under the law, as well as any additional requirements established by the individual CalEPA board or department that brought the enforcement action.

Among the requirements, a SEP must be a project that the violator would not otherwise be legally mandated to perform under a federal, state, or local law. A SEP must also improve, protect, or reduce risks to public health or the environment.

CalEPA compiles a list of SEPs that have been approved by its boards and departments and are available for inclusion in settlements.  CalEPA updates the list annually. 

Projects do not have to be on CalEPA’s list of SEPs to be included in a settlement. Projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be included in a settlement as long as they comply with enforcing board or department’s SEP policy.  

If you have a project that you would like to have considered for listing as a SEP, please submit your SEP proposal using the CalEPA SEP form. CalEPA will route your SEP proposal to the appropriate board or department for consideration.

Projects that are approved by CalEPA’s boards and departments may be considered for inclusion in settlement agreements with violators. However, whether a project will be funded depends on many factors and is not guaranteed.

• California Air Resources Board
• CalRecycle
• Department of Pesticide Regulation
• Department of Toxic Substances Control
• State Water Resources Control Boards

CalEPA has provided its boards and departments with guidance on SEPs: