Note: This list is compiled from enforcement actions taken recently by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Further information is available at the DEM website: RI Dept. of Environmental Management
New England Ecological Development Inc. of Johnston -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $27,000 fine for emitting objectionable odors beyond the facility's property line. In another action, DEM has issues two notices of violation to Louis Vinagro, Jr. for operating solid waste management and composting facilities without a license and for altering 7,300 square feet of freshwater wetlands on two properties that he owns in Johnston. These violations carry penalties totaling $297,576.
Samuel and Mary Bliven of Westerly -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $21,400 fine for infractions at a Church Street property in Richmond consisting of a multi-family dwelling and an abandoned oil distribution facility known as A&B Oil. On six occasions from April, 1997 to September, 1998, DEM inspectors observed sewage overflows from failed sewage disposal systems on the Church Street property as well as illegal discharges of laundry wastewater. In addition, beginning in May, 1997, inspectors observed a quantity of solid waste at the property, including used tires, vehicle parts, processed wood, metal waste, asphalt shingles, and drums containing liquid waste.
RI Airport Corporation (for Quonset Airport in North Kingstown) -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $17,400 fine for infractions at the Quonset Point Airport in North Kingstown. In May, 1998, inspectors found waste chemical products, waste paints, waste oil, and containers holding liquids of unknown waste composition.
B. T. Equipment Company of Providence -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $33,320 fine for infractions at a property on Lydia Ann Road in Smithfield. The DEM charges violations of underground storage tank regulations. The company has been unable to provide evidence regarding inventory protection, link leak detection, oil spill containment basins, and overfill protection on the tanks.
East Providence Sewage Treatment Facilities -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $143,500 penalty for infractions at the city's sewage treatment facilities. According to the DEM, the city has numerous overflows of sewage into Narragansett Bay during rainstorms at its pumping stations and sewer collection system. In 1998, on 17 separate occasions the city illegally discharged a total of 63 million gallons of partially treated sewage and rainwater at several locations: the Watchemoket Pumping Station into Watchemoket Cove, from the Wannamoisett Road Pumping Station into Orange Juice Creed, from the Merritt Road Pumping Station into the Mosskettuash Brook, and from manholes into both Orange Juice Creek and the Providence River.
Janseen Highley (aka Jan Moniz) and Nadine Bonanca of Tiverton -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $10,750 fine for infractions at rental property on Cononicus Street in Tiverton. The DEM states there have been longterm septic system violations and overflows at this property arising from a collapsed septic tank.
Medeiros Home Improvements of Bristol -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $6,750 fine for infractions for using power sanding tools not equipped with high efficiency particulate air vacuum systems and that dust from paint removal was blowing across a public walkway. DEM inspectors found that ground sheeting to collect lead-contaminated paint chips, dust and debris was not used, that lead paint chips and other debris were not properly collected and that neighbors within 50 feet of the site were not notified as required.
Val-Lynn Decorators of Providence -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $2,750 fine for manually scraping property during an exterior paint removal without dampening the paint surface as required. Inspectors also found that ground sheeting to collect lead-contaminated paint chips, dust, and debris was inadequate, and that neighbors within 50 feet were not notified correctly.
C.N.C. International of Woonsocket -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $20,000 fine for failure to apply for an operating permit at a site having the potential to emit hazardous air pollutants in excess of allowable thresholds.
Bechem Transport Inc. of New Haven, CT -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $4,204 fine for having no warning sticker on its hazardous waste transporters.
United Industrial Services of Meridan, CT -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $843 fine for having no warning sticker and an expired sticker on its hazardous waste transporters.
John Perri and Sons Inc. of Warwick -- DEM has issued a Notice of Violation and $1,400 fine for transporting septic waste on 10 occasions after its permit expired.