EPA National News: EPA Press Advisory: (1) Training Activities Dealing with Lead Abatement Addressed in New Rule; (2) 2003 Drinking Water Data Reliability Analysis and Action Plan Released; (3) Earth Day 2004 Community Service Award Presented to D.C.’s Earth Conservation Corps; (4) Shipping Company Pleads Guilty to Dumping Oily Wastewater at Sea; (5) Former Connecticut Economic Development Director Convicted of Asbestos Charges
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EPA Press Advisory: (1) Training Activities Dealing with Lead Abatement Addressed in New Rule; (2) 2003 Drinking Water Data Reliability Analysis and Action Plan Released; (3) Earth Day 2004 Community Service Award Presented to D.C.’s Earth Conservation Corps; (4) Shipping Company Pleads Guilty to Dumping Oily Wastewater at Sea; (5) Former Connecticut Economic Development Director Convicted of Asbestos Charges

Press Advisory - EPA's latest developments

Following are some Agency developments which may interest you. If you need
more information on any of these subjects, call the appropriate contact.


News for release: (Washington, D.C. -- April 14, 2004)
(1) Training Activities Dealing with Lead Abatement Addressed in New Rule

David Deegan 617-918-1017 / deegan.dave@epa.gov


On April 8, a final rule was published in the Federal Register establishing procedures for contractors and trainers to follow when notifying EPA of lead-based paint abatement and training activities. The rule also requires that training programs that are accredited by EPA to address lead-based paint activities notify the Agency prior to and after conducting training courses. This final notification requirement fills gaps in existing regulations. The rule supports EPA's mandate to ensure that professionals conducting lead abatement activities are properly trained and that they follow necessary safety procedures to protect children under the age of six from lead poisoning from lead paint. This rule becomes effective on May 8, and applies only in States and Tribal areas that do not have their own authorized programs. For additional information on the new rule, see: http://www.epa.gov/lead/leadnote.htm . Information on lead is always available from the National Lead Information Center Hotline at: 1-800-424-LEAD or at: http://www.epa.gov/lead .

(2) 2003 Drinking Water Data Reliability Analysis and Action Plan Released

Cathy Milbourn at 202-564-7824 / milbourn.cathy@epa.gov


The EPA made information available this week showing that drinking water data quality has improved considerably in many areas since the first report was released in 2000. The Safe Drinking Water Information System/Federal Version (SDWIS/FED) report contains data about public water system facilities including violations of Federal drinking water standards and enforcement actions taken at those facilities. To date, this report is the most comprehensive data reported by states on the performance of public water systems. EPA recognizes the importance of high quality data and is working to ensure that drinking water violations are properly assessed and reliably entered by states into SDWIS/FED. The report describes efforts that are underway and includes an extensive list of actions that EPA plans to undertake with states to continue to improve drinking water data quality. The report is available at: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/data/reports.html

(3) Earth Day 2004 Community Service Award Presented to D.C.’s Earth Conservation Corps

Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819/ ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov


To celebrate Earth Day 2004, on Apr. 16, Kim Nelson, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Environmental Information, and Benjamin Grumbles, Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, will present an EPA Community Service Award to the Earth Conservation Corps for work in restoring the Anacostia River and planning for the new Anacostia Riverwalk. The 20-mile walking trail will benefit the environment and the people who work and live near the river. The award will be followed by hands-on demonstrations in a computer lab setting of “Window to My Environment,” EPA’s Teen Web site and on-line water resources information. Federal, state and local water quality resources and Internet mapping tools are important in environmental work, such as the Anacostia Riverwalk project. Founded in 1989 as a White House initiative, the Earth Conservation Corps is a community non-profit organization that focuses on reclaiming both the environment and at-risk youth in low-income communities. The Corps provides environmental education, job training for the future “green job market,” and community service projects for disadvantaged, at-risk youth. More information on the Earth Conservation Corps is available at: http://www.ecc1.org . EPA’s Window to My Environment mapping tool is located at: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/wme/ and the Teen Web Site is found on: http://www.epa.gov/highschool/ . To access links for many of the Office of Water’s databases, visit: http://www.epa.gov/water/soft.html .

Weekly Enforcement Wrap Up

Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

(4) Shipping Company Pleads Guilty to Dumping Oily Wastewater at Sea


MMS Co., Ltd, a Japanese company that manages the vessel, Spring Drake, pled guilty on April 5 to four felony charges connected to the dumping of oily wastewater at sea. The case was simultaneously filed in courts in Portland, Ore., San Francisco, Calif., and Los Angeles, Calif.; and the plea was entered in Portland where the ship was boarded. MMS will pay a $2 million fine and must establish an environmental compliance program. In a separate proceeding, Shashank Pendse, the Spring Drake’s Chief Engineer, pled guilty to falsifying the ship’s oil record book. In Aug. 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard inspected the Spring Drake, which was docked in Portland to load grain, and found evidence of failure to comply with environmental regulations. Charges were then filed against MMS stating that the ship dumped oil and oily sludge at sea through a pipe that bypassed the ship’s pollution control equipment. The release of oil at sea can harm fish and wildlife. The case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Office in Portland, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the Washington Department of Ecology. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

(5) Former Connecticut Economic Development Director Convicted of Asbestos Charges


Michael Saad, former Economic Development Director for the town of Plainfield, Conn. was convicted on Apr. 2 for charges that he knowingly directed the demolition of a building without following federal workplace regulations. Saad advised Edward Carroll to demolish portions of the Manufacturing Building at the Inter-Royal Mill in Plainfield, Conn., knowing that these areas contained asbestos that had not been properly remediated. The failure to remediate asbestos before demolition can cause asbestos fibers to become airborne and be inhaled by workers and the public. Inhaling asbestos fibers is a known cause of lung cancer, the lung disease “asbestosis,” and mesothelioma, cancer of the chest and abdominal cavities. When sentenced, Saad faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The case was investigated by the Boston Area Office of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Plainfield Police Department with the assistance of EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Haven.

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