RICHARD D. PONAK

Environmental Scientist/Enforcement Officer

United States Environmental Protection Agency

05.1991 - 02.2025

Conducts Clean Air, Toxic Substance Control Act, and Federal Insecticide Fungicide Rodenticide Act Inspections: I am responsible for identifying sources and/or facilities in violation of Clean Air Act, TSCA AHERA, TSCA Lead, FIFRA, and other applicable statutory source and facility compliance regulatory requirements, standards and practices
Conducted outreach, education and enforcement of the Federal Worker Protection Standard.
I have conducted over 2000 inspections and investigations while at the EPA
Presented on integrated pest management and asbestos methods in schools to inform the community on Environmental Protection Agencies ongoing efforts.
These inspections have involved collecting samples, documents and photographing other evidence at the facility
Many of the inspections have led to EPA enforcement actions being issued
Assists EPA Criminal Investigation Division: Since 1991 I have assisted the Philadelphia, Washington Area, Wheeling, and New York CID Offices during search Warrants and field investigations
During the investigations I have acted as a field health and safety technician by assessing hazardous conditions and recommending the proper personal protective equipment to the agents
I have conducted sampling for CID during many search warrants and investigations
The methodology, labeling and photographing all samples, and maintaining the chain of custody from the field throughout the entire case
I have also reviewed many technical documents for CID, including laboratory analysis reports, site surveys, waste manifests, and field data logs
Some of the criminal cases I have provided technical assistance for Phillip Banks, Howard Parsons, Christopher Arader, Thomas Chau, David Farley, Kenneth McDonald, and DeVold Partnership criminal cases
Serves as an expert and fact witness in civil and criminal trials: I provide program support to CID by explaining the asbestos regulatory program, obtaining and explaining headquarters interpretations of the regulations and by testifying as a fact and expert witness at Grand Juries, Trials, and sentencings
I have testified in numerous criminal proceedings, program hearings, depositions, and state courts
I have also been involved in several criminal cases that have reached successful plea agreements
Case development in accordance with agency's enforcement policies: Serves as a senior staff specialist with responsibility for imitating enforcement/compliance actions, in the absence of appropriate and timely state and local enforcement and compliance actions, particularly in cases where a high degree of technical knowledge is necessary
Prepares Notice of Violation and develop technical support documents to support federal negotiations
Use EPA developed penalty computerized models, to determine noncompliance penalties based on amounts of money saved by noncompliance with applicable regulations and standards
Conducts seminars and workshops, provides technical assistance and outreach programs for EPA, state, national offices, local agencies, schools, and the public
Responds to inquiries from state and local officials, environmental groups, the regulated community, or the public concerning the interpretation and application of policy directives and regulations pertinent to the agency's national enforcement/compliance programs and requirements
Responsible for training new inspectors, senior Environmental Employees, interns, and state inspectors
Provides oversight and technical direction for contractor performance to ensure receipt of products and services purchased, serving as a project officer and work assignment manager
Responsible for laboratory service contracts for the branch also responsible for purchasing all personal protective equipment and supplies for the branch
Serves as the Region III Asbestos Enforcement Coordinator
Responsible for targeting and assigning all Region III asbestos inspections and investigations
Reviews all enforcement documents issued by the Toxics Branch
Coordinates enforcement with other regions, states, and other EPA programs

Environmental Scientist

JACA Corporation

05.1988 - 04.1991

While at JACA Corporation I conducted environmental Audits, NESHAP Inspections-EPA Region II and Asbestos Hazard Emergency Act Inspections
I also was involved with water sampling, lakes, streams, rivers, quarries and monitoring wells
I was trained in and utilized NIOSH 582, Phase Contrast Microscopy, and Polarized Light Microscopy
I developed and utilized laboratory quality control criteria
I developed and reviewed environmental bid proposals for school districts
I was on the AHERA Quality Assurance Team of the Philadelphia School District

Environmental Technician

Applied Environmental Technology

08.1987 - 05.1988

OSHA-EPA Quality Assurance Air Monitoring Environmental Audits/Building Inspections

Environmental Technician

North East Environmental, Inc.

05.1987 - 08.1987

OSHA-EPA Quality Assurance Air Monitoring

Environmental Technician

Allentown Testing Laboratories, Inc.

05.1986 - 08.1986

Hazardous Waste Site Safety Technician Asbestos Monitoring and Sampling Analytical Laboratory Analysis

Summary

Overview

Work History

Environmental Scientist/Enforcement Officer

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Technician

Environmental Technician

Environmental Technician

Education

B.S. - Environmental Studies

Skills

Personal Information

Certification

Timeline

Environmental Scientist/Enforcement Officer

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Technician

Environmental Technician

Environmental Technician

B.S. - Environmental Studies

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