WASHINGTON — Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, criticized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday for what he considered mishandling of the nomination of Donald Schregardus as assistant administrator.

        The senator and former Ohio governor questioned why he should work to save the nomination when, he maintains, the EPA has done little to help Mr. Schregardus overcome opposition from environmentalists and several Senate Democrats.

        Mr. Voinovich, who as governor selected Mr. Schregardus to lead the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, has been frustrated by the EPA's political strategy. An aide to the senator said the EPA “led Schregardus down the path and then backed away when things got tough.”

        The EPA released a draft report on Tuesday that warned Ohio could lose control over its clean-air program if the state did not take greater steps to improve staff, training, inspections and oversight.

        The EPA said the state has done a better job overseeing its hazardous waste and clean-water programs and recognized its criminal enforcement against polluters as among the best in the nation.

        Environmentalists claim the report validates some of their concerns about the Ohio EPA and Mr. Schregardus, who led the agency from 1991 to 1999.

        The Ohio EPA, however, contends the report demonstrates that the agency is effective in most environmental areas. Ohio environmental groups had petitioned the EPA to take control over the programs.

        The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted last month to confirm Mr. Schregardus. Senate Democrats have stalled the nomination.

        EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman recently praised Mr. Schregardus for his work in Ohio and his qualifications to handle enforcement and compliance issues at the EPA.

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