Enforcement and Assistance in New England
2005 Office of Environmental Stewardship (OES) Year in Review
Environmental Benefits – In Fiscal Year (FY) 2005, EPA projects that more than 1.1 million pounds of pollution will be reduced, treated or properly managed in New England’s six states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont) as a result of its enforcement actions.
Injunctive Relief (work required to bring facilities
into compliance) – The estimated dollar value
of cleanup or corrective action required by EPA New England
in FY2005 will total more than $342 million. A major portion
of this work will include significant reductions of combined
sewer overflow (CSO) discharges to the beaches in South Boston.
Supplemental Environmental Projects – In FY2005, 17% of enforcement cases settled included supplemental environmental projects valued at more than $780,000. As part of a settlement, a violator may voluntarily agree to undertake an environmentally beneficial project, also known as a supplemental environmental project, related to the violation in exchange for mitigation of the penalty to be paid. For example, Wheaton College will spend more than $141,000 to install a new storm water treatment system that will significantly reduce the amount of pollutants from entering Peacock Pond in Norton, MA.
Audit Disclosures – As a result of facility self-audits, the Region received more than 100 disclosures of violations last year with most of them coming from small businesses, municipalities and health care facilities.
Inspections – The Region completed 605 on-site inspections. Storm water inspections at construction sites, compliance with oil pollution prevention regulations and compliance with the Federal Lead Paint Disclosure Rule were the leading categories for inspections.
Compliance Assistance Activities – Over the past year, the Region held 149 workshops and/or training sessions, and along with one-on-one assistance, we were able to reach more than 71,000 individuals within the regulated community. The two top sectors that received assistance from the Region included K-12 schools and heath care facilities.
FY2005 Enforcement and Compliance Assistance Highlights
- Health Care Industry
- Chemical Management and Accident Prevention
- Lead Paint Hazards
- Wet Weather
- Financial Assurance
- Diesel Idling
- Environmental Crimes
- Superfund