P. M. BRIEFING : Bush Vows Environmental Activism

WASHINGTON — President Bush today called for “throwing the book” at ocean dumpers and vowed to support more aggressive criminal prosecution against them and other despoilers of the environment.

Promising to chart a course of environmental activism, Bush told a group of state attorneys general that “on many issues, the time for study has passed.”

The President said his Administration would soon submit legislation to Congress to reauthorize the Clean Air Act and to set new standards to reduce industrial emissions that cause acid rain. He also said he favors stepping up the Superfund cleanup program and assuring compliance with hazardous waste laws.

And, Bush said at the White House session, “I think working with you all we can do a lot of throwing the book at those engaged in illegal ocean dumping.”