News Briefs: (1) Asbestos Project Plan Available; (2) Surveyor Pleads Guilty in North Carolina Wetlands Case
*News Briefs *If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the listed Press Officer. For Release: (Washington, D.C. -- Wednesday, November 30, 2005) * (1) Asbestos Project Plan Available (2) Surveyor Pleads Guilty in **North Carolina** Wetlands Case* *(1) Asbestos Project Plan Available *Contact: Dale Kemery, 202-564-4355 / kemery.dale@epa.gov EPA is releasing the Asbestos Project Plan describing its current and planned actions to ensure a coordinated agency-wide approach to identify, evaluate and reduce the risks to people from asbestos exposure. The Asbestos Project Plan represents EPA's comprehensive effort to address asbestos concerns and protect public health. The plan focuses on improving the state of the science for asbestos; identifying and addressing exposure and seeking risk reduction opportunities associated with asbestos in products, schools and buildings; and better understanding and minimizing asbestos exposures through assessment and cleanup. The agency is also currently updating the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) file for asbestos and has started work on the non-cancer assessment. As part of its effort to address asbestos-related issues comprehensively, EPA is working with other federal agencies and with state and tribal representatives to ensure that there is appropriate coordination among government agencies. As the agency obtains new information, it will take additional appropriate steps to address asbestos exposure and reduce risk to the public. EPA is committed to providing accurate and timely public health information and is continuing to address concerns about asbestos. To help the public to learn more about asbestos issues, EPA has provided detailed information on its web page at: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos [ http://www.epa.gov/asbestos ] *Enforcement Wrap-up* Contact: Dave Ryan, 202-564-4355 / ryan.dave@epa.gov * (2) Surveyor Pleads Guilty in **North Carolina** Wetlands Case *Michael Todd Ball of Loganville, Ga., pleaded guilty on Nov. 15 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to conspiracy, making a false statement and violating the Clean Water Act. According to the charges against him, Ball conspired with others to falsify wetlands delineation maps and make specific parcels of land appear suitable for development. He then assisted in the development of a false delineation map and forged the signature of an Army Corps of Engineers official on the false map. The map was then turned in to the Corps of Engineers to justify land-clearing activities which impacted protected wetlands. The current landowners are working with regulatory agencies to mitigate damage at the site. Wetlands are important resources for purifying surface waters and they are a home for many species. The case was investigated by the Charlotte Office of EPA's Criminal Investigation Division, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Army Corps of Engineers. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. attorney's office in the Eastern District of North Carolina. R262 You can update or cancel your subscription at any time [ https://www.govdocs.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. You need only your e-mail address (and your password if you have selected one). This service is provided free of charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you have any questions or problems about this service, please contact help@govdelivery.com [ mailto:help@govdelivery.com ] for assistance.