September 2025 Enforcement Action Summary
This report includes formal enforcement actions issued or resolved by the Office of Compliance & Inspection (OC&I) for September 2025. This report is intended to inform the public of certain compliance/enforcement activities performed in the preceding month to protect the public's health, safety, welfare, and the environment.
Formal enforcement actions are taken to achieve compliance with law/regulations; remediate environmental damage; restore natural resources to appropriate conditions; impose penalties that capture the gravity of the situation and any economic benefit gained by the alleged violator; and deter similar actions in the future. Formal enforcement is generally in the form of a Notice of Violation (NOV) that alleges certain facts and violations, contains orders to resolve the alleged violations, contains an assessed penalty with supporting documentation regarding what factors the OC&I used to determine the penalty, and, by law, allows a respondent the ability to appeal or contest the NOV to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Administrative Adjudication Division (AAD). Since most NOVs are contested cases, the OC&I does not generally discuss the case with the public while the matter is awaiting hearing or pending negotiated settlement. NOVs are subject to release under the Access to Public Records law in Rhode Island. A copy of an individual NOV may be obtained through the RIDEM's Office of Customer and Technical Assistance. The OC&I often resolve formal enforcement actions through negotiated settlement agreements prior to hearing before the AAD.
September 15, 2025 – Hazardous Waste File No. OCI-HW-24-82 re: George Peter Harding d/b/a Scotts Automotive Repair Services for property located at 2180 Post Road, Assessor’s Plat 80-1, Lot 54 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. The property includes a facility used for automotive repair services. Respondent owns the property and operates the facility. OC&I alleges that Respondent violated Rhode Island’s Oil Pollution Control Act, Rules and Regulations for Hazardous Waste Management (250-RICR-140-10-1) and Oil Pollution Control Regulations (250-RICR-140-25-2). View the NOV.
September 2, 2015 - Onsite Wastewater Treatment System File No. OCI-OWTS-21-50 re: Erik Nilsson and Amanda Drea for a property located at 57 Wilson Avenue, Assessor's Plat 64, Lot 187 in Johnston, Rhode Island. The property includes a single-family residence that is served by an onsite wastewater treatment system. Respondents own the property. On October 7, 20202 OC&I issued a NOV to Respondents alleging that Respondents violated Rhode Island’s Rules Establishing Minimum Standards Relating to Location, Design, Construction and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. View the NOV. Respondents filed an appeal of the NOV with AAD. Respondents complied with the Order section of the NOV and paid the full penalty assessed in the NOV.
September 2, 2015 - Onsite Wastewater Treatment System File No. OCI-OWTS 23-77 re: William C. Hill, Jr. and Meagan-Anne Hill for property located at 8 Kearns Avenue, Assessors Map 116, Lot 352 in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Respondents own the property. The property includes a residential dwelling. On November 22, 2024, OC&I issued a NOV to Respondents alleging that Respondents violated Rhode Island’s Rules Establishing Minimum Standards Relating to Location, Design, Construction and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (250-RICR-150-10-6). View the NOV. Respondents filed an appeal of the NOV with AAD. Respondents complied with the Order section of the NOV and paid the full penalty assessed in the NOV.
None filed this month.
September 9, 2025 – Multi Media – Freshwater Wetland Files Nos. OCI-FW-14-9, C14-0008; Solid Wase File No. OCI-SW-13-88, and Superior Court Case File No. PC-2025-02674 re: Plaintiff Terrance Gray, Director, RIDEM v. Mike’s Professional Tree Service Inc. for property located approximately 600 feet southeast of the intersection of Airport Road and Milton Lane in the Town of Coventry, Rhode Island. On April 22, 2014, OC&I issued a NOV to Defendant alleging that Defendant violated Rhode Island's Freshwater Wetlands Act, RIDEM's Rules and Regulations Governing the Administration and Enforcement of the Freshwater Wetlands Act, and Rhode Island's Refuse Disposal Act. View the NOV. The Defendant filed an appeal of the NOV with the AAD. On October 6, 2015, and October 27, 2015, a hearing was held on the NOV. On April 25, 2016, the hearing officer issued a Decision and Order upholding the NOV in its entirety. View the Decision. Defendant appealed the AAD Decision and Order to Superior Court. On June 23, 2017, the Superior Court upheld the AAD Decision and Order. On May 8, 2025, RIDEM filed a complaint in Superior Court against Defendant asking the Court to order Defendant to comply with the NOV. View the Complaint. Prior to a hearing on the complaint, by agreement of the parties and permission of the Court, an order was entered to resolve the complaint. View the Order.