Greenbytes: May 7, 2004 Edition

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Feature: EPA-NE Continues Enforcement/Compliance Assistance Effort on Lead Paint Disclosure Rule

EPA New England recently announced eight enforcement actions, seeking up to $730,000 in civil penalties, against three large Rhode Island property owners for violations of federal lead-paint disclosure rules involving dozens of houses and apartments in Providence and a half-dozen other Rhode Island communities.

The complaints were filed last month against a Woonsocket-based landlord Roy S. Topik whose companies are accused of renting numerous apartments without informing tenants of potential lead paint hazards and real estate investors Patrick Conley and Norman Reisch who are accused of selling numerous Rhode Island homes without required warnings of potential lead paint hazards in the buildings.

Nearly all of the violations took place in low-income and minority neighborhoods and many involved buildings occupied by families with young children.

"Property owners and real estate agents have an important role in preventing childhood lead poisoning and need to follow all federal lead-paint disclosure requirements," said EPA New England's Regional Administrator Robert W. Varney, in announcing the cases. "EPA's enforcement staff will continue to be on a close lookout to make sure landlords and other property owners across New England are meeting their disclosure obligations."

The cases are among dozens of lead-related civil and criminal cases EPA NE has taken since launching a region-wide initiative to make sure landlords and property owners and managers are complying with federal lead disclosure laws. The initiative has included more than 175 inspections around New England, as well as numerous compliance assistance workshops. Two such workshops were held this spring in Rhode Island. The workshops, which attracted more than 100 attendees, were sponsored by the Rhode Island Association of Realtors.

Rules established under the1992 Federal Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act require property owners to inform renters and prospective purchasers that a residence built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. Additionally, any specific information pertaining to lead paint in the residence must be provided to the prospective home buyer or tenant. The law makes clear that property managers, agents, lessors and sellers are all responsible for complying with this rule. They also must keep documentation of the disclosure actions for at least three years.

For more information on the federal lead-based paint disclosure rule, visit the agency's web site at www.epa.gov/ne/enforcement/leadpaint/index.html

Press Releases

EPA Proposes Long-Term Dredging Disposal Site in Rhode Island Sound

EPA Recognizes Groundwork Providence for Presidential Environmental Youth Award

EPA Files Complaints Against Three Major RI Property Owners for Failing to Warn Buyers and Tenants About Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing

EPA, NH DES and Congressional Delegation Tour Troy Mills Landfill Superfund Site

Superfund Cleanup in Corinna, ME Wins Build America Award

EPA to Hold Informational Meeting to Discuss Sutton Brook Disposal Area Site

EPA To Remove Hazardous Waste From Former Aerovox Facility in New Bedford

EPA Recognizes Environmental Merit Award Winners

• CT
• ME
• MA
• NH
• RI
• VT

Events and conferences are not archived. Please refer to the Regional Calendar for upcoming events and conferences.

Brayton Point - new document added

Centredale Manor Superfund Site - maps added

Clean Marinas - new content

GE Superfund Site -

• new 1.5 monthly report
• 2002 stack bar maps

Healthcare Compliance Assistance - updated info

Quality Assurance - new training info

No Discharge Areas - five-year review added

Nyanza Superfund Site - calendar updated

Rhode Island Sound Dredging - new site

Saco Tannery Superfund Site - five-year review posted

Sullivan's Ledge Superfund Site - esd and five-year review posted

"In The News" is a free daily service that provides links to today's top newspaper stories about the New England environment and links to related EPA New England information.

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