The Maryland Department of the Environment has announced enforcement actions for the following businesses:
Land Pollution
LEAD:
MDE’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program enforces mandatory requirements to reduce lead paint risk in rental units built before 1950. These actions were for properties that MDE officials alleged did not comply with lead standards:
Valhalla Investments, LLC and Thomas Reese – Baltimore: Four affected properties – On April 27, 2011, MDE issued an administrative complaint, order and penalty seeking $18,000 for alleged violations.
Parkvue, LLC – Baltimore: One affected property – On May 10, 2011, MDE issued an administrative complaint, order and penalty seeking $16,500 for alleged violations.
Caroline Iwu – Baltimore: Two affected properties – On May 10, 2011, MDE issued an administrative complaint, order and penalty seeking $16,500 for alleged violations.
James W. Martin III – Baltimore: One affected property – On May 12, 2011, MDE issued an administrative complaint, order and penalty seeking $15,000 for alleged violations.
Tiffany S. Smithrick and Lamont T. Cooper Sr. – Baltimore: Eight affected properties – On May 12, 2011, MDE issued an administrative complaint, order and penalty seeking $18,000 for alleged violations.
Kevin Richards and Vivian Richards – Baltimore: One affected property – On May 12, 2011, MDE issued an administrative complaint, order and penalty seeking $21,500 for alleged violations.
Rebecca E. Floyd – Baltimore: One affected property – On May 12, 2011, MDE issued an administrative complaint, order and penalty seeking $27,500 for alleged violations.
Jerome Kobernick – Baltimore: 24 affected properties – On May 10, 2011, MDE entered into a settlement agreement and consent order to resolve alleged violations. The defendant agreed to a penalty of $6,000.
2005/2006 DRR-ETS, LLC – Baltimore: 60 affected properties – On May 12, 2011, MDE entered into a settlement agreement and consent order to resolve alleged violations. The $5,000 penalty has been paid.
Oil Control (AST) Cases
The Oil Control Program has highly trained staff to help owners ensure that their aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) are in compliance with state and federal regulations. ASTs with capacities of 1,000 gallons of used oil or 10,000 gallons or more of virgin oil are required to have oil operations permits issued by the Oil Control Program.
Western Maryland Petroleum, LLC: On April 28, 2011, MDE entered into a Consent Order to resolve alleged violations. The defendant agreed to a penalty of $10,000.
Mining Cases
The Mining Program regulates all surface coal and non-coal mining and the surface effects from deep mining of coal. The mining permits minimize the effects of sediment and other pollution from surface mining. In addition to environmental controls, the permit provides for proper land reclamation and ensures public safety.
BBSS, Inc. - Gambrills, Anne Arundel County: On April 20, 2011, MDE issued a notice of violation seeking $2,500 for placing fly ash outside the original footprint, an alleged violation of the consent decree. After an MDE inspector observed the alleged violation, remediation began at once. The inspector noted the following day that the alleged violation had been corrected. The penalty has been paid in full.
Air Pollution Enforcement Actions
MDE’s Air and Radiation Management Administration ensures that all citizens and businesses are meeting the requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act as well as Maryland’s air pollution control laws. The Administration oversees air pollution monitoring, planning, and control programs to improve and maintain air quality and a radiation control program to protect the public from unnecessary exposure to radiation from medical equipment and other devices, in conformance with federal and state law.
Enviromasters, Inc. – Harford County: On April 26, 2011, MDE issued an assessed civil penalty in the amount of $10,000 for alleged asbestos violations at a job site at the Aberdeen Proving. Alleged violations include failure to provide timely notice of the asbestos job, failure to post notification signs, failure to label containers of removed asbestos, failure to cover a wall with plastic, and failure of one worker to have an asbestos ID card. The penalty has been paid.
