In general the MEP it is not engaged in direct oversight or enforcement issues, which are primarily the domain of local environmental protection bureaus (EPBs) which report to MEP but are ultimately controlled by local governments. The main mechanism by which national environmental goals and targets filter down to local authorities responsible for implementation and enforcement is the “Target Responsibility System” which is an agreement between one layer of government and its subordinate units specifying actions to be taken and targets to be achieved. This then forms the basis on which local officials are evaluated on environmental performance. Local EPBs are subordinate to local government directives and their ability to execute enforcement functions have at times been stymied when environmental concerns have been overridden by other imperatives.