The EPA is claiming this authority through the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, which apparently gives all federal agencies the power to conduct administrative wage garnishment, provided that the agency allows for hearings at which debtors can challenge the amount or the terms of a repayment schedule.
It was not intended to allow a federal agency to create a crushing and punishing fine or penalty, and then use the Debt Collection Improvement Act to seize the cash directly?
-PJ