How does IDEM operate under the EPA?

IDEM operates under the EPA by adopting standards as strict as EPA requirements. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is tasked with implementing environmental regulations in the state, which often means aligning with the guidelines and standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This ensures consistency in environmental protection efforts across states and maintains a baseline for water quality, air quality, and other environmental health standards.

By adopting standards that are as stringent as those mandated by the EPA, IDEM ensures that Indiana complies with federal regulations while also addressing specific state needs and conditions. This collaboration helps maintain public health and environmental integrity, as well as allows for a level of local control in enforcing regulations that might be tailored to the state's unique environmental challenges.

The other choices suggest various levels of deviation or non-compliance with EPA standards, which would not align with IDEM’s role as an enforcing agency responsible for ensuring that state regulations meet or match federal guidelines.