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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_20171020Resources rkital Quality Certified Mail #701+ 12!0 0002 6880 3402 Return Receipt Requ October 20, 2017 Mr. Yuri Selivanenco, Feed Mill Manager Wayne Farms, LLC 332 East A Street Newton, North Carolina 28658 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(aX Wayne Farms, LLC Case No. DV-2017-Q072 Catawba County Dear Mr. Selivanenco: RGY COOPER Governor AEL S. REGAN Secretory S. JAY ZIMMERMAN Director This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $4,452.66 ($4000.00 civil penalty + $452.66 enforcement costs) against Wayne Farms, LLC. This assessment is based upon the following facts: Apprc xirnately 2,000 gallons of wash water was discharged into a stormwater drainage system and Town Creek from the pit and silo cleaning activities performed by the Wayne Fa ins, LLC personnel at the R.enwood Mills facility on August 23 and 24, 2017. Wayne Farms,. LLC had. not applied for or secured a permit to discharge the pit and silo cleaning wash water from the Division. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Wayne Farms, LLC violated G,S. 143-215.1(a)(1) which states: "Activities for Which Permits Required —No Person shall do any of the following things or carry out any of the following activities unless that person has received a permit from the Commission and has complied with all conditions set forth in that permit. (1) Make any outlet into the waters of the State" Based upon the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority provided by Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Director of the Division of Water Resources, Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor, Mooresville Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Wayne Farms, LLC: State aNarth Carolina ! 4 cforeasille Regis nnL t:) V*P Saty w ret Resources j ',Nam Qs aint.i Regional Operations Avenue, Suite 31 i) Moon ,lle Nor'th Carolina 28115 704-N 3-1699 e $4,000.00 for the violation of G.S. 143-215.1(aX1), by making an outlet to waters of the State without a permit on August 23 and 24, 2017. $4,000OO TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY Enforcement Costs $452.66 $4,452.66 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A(c), in determining the amount of the penalty I have taken into account the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and the factors set forth at G.S, 143B-282,1(b), which are: (1) The degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to private property resulting from the violation; (2) The duration and gravity of the violation; (3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; (4) The cost of rectifying the damage; (5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance; (6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; (7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which the Environmental Management Commission has regulatory authority; and (8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice, you must do one of the following.: (1) Submit payment of the penalty, OR (2) Submit a written request for remission, OR (3) Submit a written request for an administrative hearing Option is Submit payment of the penalty: Payment should be made directly to the order of the Department of Environmental Quality (do not include waiver form). Payment of the penalty will not foreclose further enforcement action for any continuing or new violation(s). Please submit payment to the attention of: Wastewater Branch Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Option 2: Submit a written request for remission or mitigation including a detailed justification for such request: Please be aware that a request for remission is limited to consideration of the five factors listed below as they may relate to the reasonableness of the amount of the civil penalty assessed. Requesting remission is not the proper procedure for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual statements contained in the civil penalty assessment document. Because a remission request forecloses the option of an administrative hearing, such a request must be accompanied by a waiver of your right to an administrative hearing and a stipulation and agreement that no factual or legal issues are in dispute. Please prepare a detailed statement that establishes why you believe the civil penalty should be remitted, and submit it to the Division of Water Resources at the address listed below. In determining whether a remission request will be approved, the following factors shall be considered: (1) whether one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in NCGS 143B-282.1(b) was wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitioner, (2) whether the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violation; (3) whether the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident; (4) whether the violator had been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations; or (5) whether payment of the civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions. Please note that all evidence presented in support of your request for remission must be submitted in writing. The Director of the Division of Water Resources will review your evidence and inform you of his decision in the matter of your remission request. The response will provide details regarding the case status, directions for payment, and provision for further appeal of the penalty to the Environmental Management Commission's Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions (Committee). Please be advised that the Committee cannot consider information that was not part of the original remission request considered by the Director. Therefore, it is very important that you prepare a complete and thorough statement in support of your request for remission. In order to request remission, you must complete and submit the enclosed "Request for Remission of Civil Penalties Waiver of Ri lit to an Administrative Hearin and Sti ulation of Facts" forrn within thi 30 da receipt of this notice. The Division of Water Resources also requests that you complete and submit the enclosed "Justification for Remission Request." Both forms should be submitted to the following address: Wastewater Branch Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Option 3: File a petition for an administrative haring with the Office of Ad inistrative Hearings: If you wish to contest any statement in the attached assessment document you must file a petition for an administrative hearing. You may obtain the petition form from the Office of Administrative Hearings. You must file the petition with the Office of Administrative Hearings within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice. A petition is considered filed when it is received in the Office of Administrative Hearings during normal office hours. The Office of Administrative Hearings accepts filings Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except for official state holidays. The petition may be filed by facsimile (fax) or electronic mail by an attached file (with restrictions) - provided the signed original, one (1) copy and a filing fee (if a filing fee is required by NCGS §150B-23.2) is received in the Office of Administrative Hearings within seven (7) business days following the faxed or electronic transmission. You should contact the Office ofAdministrative Hearings with all questions regarding the filing fee and/or the details of the filing process. The mailing address and telephone and fax numbers for the Office of Administrative Hearings are as follows: One (1) copy of the petition u Office of Administrative Hearings 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-6714 Tel: (919) 431-3000 Fax: (919) 431-3100 also be served on DEQ as follows: Mr. William F. Lane, General Counsel Department of Environmental Quality 1601 Mail Service Center. Raleigh, North Carolina 276994601 Please indicate the case number (as found on page one of this letter) on the petition. Failure to exercise one of the options above within thirty (30) days of receipt of this letter, as evidenced by an internal date/time received stamp (not a postmark), will result in this matter being referred to the Attorney General's Office for collection of the penalty through a civil action. Please be advised that additional penalties may be assessed for violations that occur after the review period of this assessment. If you have any questions, please contact me at (704) 235-2194 or via email at corey.basingergnedenr.gov. ATTACHMENTS Sincerely, W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Cc: WQS Mooresville Regional Office - Enforcement File NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File Jeff Carroll and Jeremy Bowfin, Wayne Farms, LLC (via email) Dennis Tucker, Renwood Mills JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION UEST Case Number: DV-2017-0072 Assessed Party: Wayne Farms, LLC Amount Assessed: $4,452.66 County: Catawba Please use this form when requesting remission of this civil penalty. You must also complete the "Request For Remission, Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing, and Stipulation of Facts" form to request remission of this civil penalty. You should attach any documents that you believe support your request and are necessary for the Director to consider in evaluating your request for remission. Please be aware that a request for remission is limited to consideration of the five factors listed below as they may relate to the reasonableness of the amount of the civil penalty assessed. Requesting remission is not the proper procedure for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual statements contained in the civil penalty assessment document. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 143B-282.1(c), remission of a civil penalty may be granted only when one or more of the following five factors apply. Please check each factor that you believe applies to your case and provide a detailed explanation, including copies of supporting documents, as to why the factor applies (attach additional pages as needed). (a) one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in N.C.G.S. 143B-282.1(b) were wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitioner (the assessment factors are listed in the civil penalty assessment document); (b) the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violation explain the steps that you took to correct the violation and prevent tree occurrences): (c) the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident (Le., explain why the violation was unavoidable or something you could not prevent or prepare for); (d) the violator had not been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations; (e) payment of the civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions (i.e., explain how payment of the civil penalty will prevent you from performing the activities necessary to achieve compliance). EXPLANATION: STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNTY OF CATA A IN $t ITER OF ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST WAYNE F S, LLC WAIVER OF RIG TO AN AD 1STRATIVE REA G STIPULATION OF FACTS CASE NO. DV-2017-0072 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling 4 452.66 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated October 20,1017, the undersigned, desiring to seek remission of the civil penalty, does hereby waive the right to an administrative hearing in the above -stated matter and does stipulate that the facts are as alleged in the assessment document. The undersigned further understands that all evidence presented in support of remission of this Ci i! penalty must be submitted, to the Director of the Division of Water Resources within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notice of assessment. No new evidence in support of a remission request will be allowed after (30) days from the receipt of the notice of assessment. This tbe day cif ADDRESS 20 SIGNATURE TELEPHONE Water Resources IENVERONM'ENTAL QCIA6tT1' September 21, 2017 CERTIFIED MAIL #: 7015 1520 0002 6880 3136 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED: Mr. Dennis Tucker, Plant Manager Renwood Mills Post Office Box 350 Newton, North Carolina 28658 CERTIFIED MAIL #: 7015 1520 0002 6880 3143 RETURN RECEIPT REQ1 EST'ED:. Mr. Yuri Selivanenco, Feed Mill Manager Wayne Farms, LLC 332 East A Street Newton, North Carolina 28658 Dear Messrs, Tucker and Selivane PAT MCCRORY DONALD R."''VA DE1( VAART S...JAY ZIMMERMAN ilrecfor Subject: Notice of Violation/Notice of Recommendation for Enforcement Violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a) Unpertnitted Discharges of Wastewater Renwood Mills Tracking #; NOV-2017-.DV-0239 Catawba County. Chapter 143, Article 21 of the North Carolina General Statutes (G.S.) authorizes and directs the Environmental Management Commission of the Department of Environmental Quality to protect and preserve the water resources of the State, The Division of Water Resources (DWR) has the delegated authority to enforce adopted water pollution control rules and regulations. On August 24, 2017, Wayne Farms, LLC reported to this Office that less than 1,000 gallons of wash water was discharged into an adjacent stormwater drainage system and Town Creek from the pit cleaning activities at the Renwood Mills facility (located in Newton/Catawba County) earlier on August 24, 2017. In addition, Wayne Farms, LLC submitted a follow-up written report dated September 7, 2017, detailing the discharge of less than a 1,000 gallons of silo rinse water into the same stormwater drainage system and waterbody (Town Creek) that had occurred at the Renwood Mills facility on August 23, 2017. The on -site investigation performed by DWR staff on August 29,2017 revealed the discharges of air compressor condensate into the Renwood Mill's stormwater drainage system. Renwood Mills and Wayne Farms, LLC had not applied for or secured a permit to discharge any of the wastewaters from the Division. State of North. Carolina; l rrvit° nraental Quality; water Resort s Mooresville Regional Offic [ 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 704 663 1699 r Quality Regional Operation, uaville„ l oTklt Cart liaa 28115 is Tucker Yuri Selivanenco September 21, 2017 Page Two Please be advised that G.S. 143-215.6A provides for a civil penalty assessment of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), or twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per day when the violation is of a continuing nature, against any person who is required but fails to apply for or to secure a permit required by G.S. 143-215.1(a). Penalties may also be assessed for any damage to the surface waters of the State that may result from the unpermitted discharge. This letter is also to advise both of you that this Office is considering the initiation of an enforcement action for the unpermitted discharges of wastewater into Town Creek. It is requested that both of you respond in writing within ten (10) working days of receipt of this Notice. The response(s) should include how the flow volumes were determined through the submittal of water usage readings, calculations, etc. and all activities to prevent the recurrence of these wastewater discharges. Although this Office has received the follow-up written reports (dated September 11 and 18, 2017) from Wayne Farms, LLC detailing the August 23 and 24, 2017 discharge events and all corresponding remedial activities, any additional information including all activities to address the air compressor condensate discharges, should be included with the response(s). Should you have any questions concerning this Notice, please do not hesitate to contact me at (704) 235-2194, or via email atLbasinerncenr.ov. Sincerely, W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ cc: Catawba County Health Department Jeff Carroll, Wayne Farms, LLC (via email) Jeremy Bowfin, Wayne Farms, LLC (via email) NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit WB Mr. Wes Bell Senior Environmental Specialist Water Resources Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office, NCDEQ 61.0 East Center Avenue, Suite 310 Mooresville, NC 28115 Dear Mr. Bell: RE: September 7, 2017 Addendum to Spill Report dated August 31, 2017 Wayne Farms, EEC (leasing facility from Renwood Mills) 324 East A Street Newton, NC 28658 Certificate of Coverage NCG060158 (Renwood Mills) Catawba County This letter is the written report to amend the subject spill report dated August 31.„ 2017. The following additional information is supplied as spill documentation as requested by Wes Bell (NC DEQ): Discovery Date and time: Discharge Date and time: Type of release: Quantity released: Discharge Duration: 8-29-2017 (9:30 AM) Photographs taken by staff of the City of Newton indicating what appeared to be a discharge from a pipe in a secondary containment area were presented to Jeremy Bowfin and Wes Bell (NC DEQ) during an inspected on August 29, 2017 at the facility. The City of Newton presented the photographs. 8-23-2017 Morning shift Wash water from cleaning an 'impervious area beneath grain silos Estimated at < 1,000 gallons flush water Approximately 3 112 hours (intermittent discharge) Location/Source description: Cause of incident: On the morning of.Aug 23, an operato discharge exited a secondary containrne entered a storrn.water system. Discovery description: ))ischat°ged from Wayne Farrns secondary containment structure into the City of Newton Storm water system, Unnamed Tributary to Town Creek ed underneath the silos on the south side of the property. The ucture through a discharge pipe that had been uncapped and Wayne Farms' site management was unaware this activity occurred until a photograph was presented during an inspection by the NC DEQ on August 29.. The City of Newton staff presented the photograph of the pipe to Wes Bell (NC DEQ) and Jeremy Bowfin during the inspection of August 29. A brief discussion with Wes Bell concerning this discovery was had a't that time, Notification to DEQ: On September 5`h, a voicemail from °fr. Wes Bell was le# ftr Jeremy Bowling requesting additional information on any releases that may have occurred as a result of the silo rinsing activities. A call was made back to Mr. Bell on September 5, 2017 at 4:30pm by Jeremy Bowfin, Wayne Farms and Beth Morton, Morton Environmental Consulting, Inc. to further discuss Mr, Bell's request for additional information, Actions taken to stop, remove, and mitigate impacts: Wayne Farrns initiated cleanup of any discharges from the single point of storm water outfall discharge, which occurred on the dates of August 23rd and 24th with actions described in their spill report letter dated. August 31, 2017. Carolina Environmental and STAT Environmental services performed remediation of areas :from which there were odor complaints received from the City of Newton on August 26, 2017.. Initial cleanup cost to Wayne Farrns was $4797.50, Wayne Farms personnel have taken corrective action to tram personnel in the proper procedures for cleaning, including the proper methods for liquid collection and disposal from silo area cleaning activities. Wayne Farms is in the process of drafting written procedures for this cleaning and maintenance activity. These Standard Operating Procedures will be forwarded to Renwood Mills so that th,e facility can modify its Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to insure compliance and to avoid further incidents. Wayne Farms feels that this addendum to the August 31 Spill report completely addresses the corrective actions specified by Wes Bell for the cleaning activity release from the facility's single outtall, Should any further concerns or clarification be required for this report, please contact Beth Morton, Morton Environmental Consulting, Inc, (336)9984'757 or me at (336)386-5867, tricerely, Jeremy Bowlin Environmental. Manager Cc: Jeff Carroll Bellwood Mills Mr. Senior Envi.n Water Resources Water Quality Regis Mooresville Region WAYN E FARM1 Specia 1 Operations Section Office, NCDEQ 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 310 Mooresville, NC 28115 Dear Mr. fleII: Spill Report fo Wayne Farms, 3'24 East A Street Newton, NC 286.58 Certificate of Coverage NCG06015 8 Catawba County This letter is the ww'rit 2017 at the Newton,. NC Wayna: mated at 324 East A S August 31, 2C117 24-17) facility frc Renwood Mills) document the reported release incident which occurred on August 24, :s Feed Mill. Wayne 'Farms, LLC leases part of the Renwood Mills purposes of animal feed manufacturing activities. The ng information is supplied as documentation: Reported Discharge„ 1) Discovery Date and tin 'Type of release: Quantity released: Discharge Duration: Location/Source description: and time: Morning of 8-24- 1 7 Notification by City on 8-24-1.7 at approximately 1' :3€ PM Suspected Rinse water from pit cleaning activiti Unknown; Estimated at less than 1,000 gallons. Unknown; Intermittent discharge — Estimated at Suspected Rinse Water from Wayne Farms receiving pit s Cause of Incident/Discovery Description: On August 24, 2017, Mr. Alex Fulbright, with the City of Newton came to the Wayne Farms Feed Mill at approximately 1.2:30pm to inform site management. of a suspected unauthorized discharge from the Wayne Farrns facility into the City of Newton Municipal Stormwater System. Upon investigation, the discharge in have originated from eleaning/rinsing activities at a below ground receiving pit Which captures animal feed ingredients during rail offloa.ding...At the time of Mr. Fit Origin's visit, no discharge was occurring from the Wayne Farms site Steps were immediately taken to investigate the reported discharge and determine its impacts. Notification to DEQ: After steps were taken to determine the extent of the incident, Jeremy Bowfin of Wayne Farms and consultant, Beth Morton of Morton Environmental, called Mr. Wes Bell with the NCDEQ to report the incident (call logged on August 24 at 4:52 pm). Mr, Bell stated that, subsequent to this conversation, should anysignificant enviromnental impacts be discovered from the release to the City's storm water system or receiving waters, that Wayne farms should move forward with the appropriate actions to remediate any :suspected contamination from the affected areas. Actions Taken to Mitigate Impacts: The initial assessment from site management indicated that no significant impacts were realized downstream from the discharge point. Personnel took photographs of the reported discharge, receiving city storm drain system, and unnamed tributary. No significant impacts to the receiving waters were discovered at this time. Late in the evening, Jeff Carroll, Wayne Farms Corporate Environmental Compliance & Engineering Manager, called. Mr. Fulbright's Office and the Newton Wastewater Treatment Plant and left messages to inquire if any impacts were realized at the waste treatment plant or within the municipal storm system. Mr, Carroll did not receive aiyreturn calls. August 25, 2017 Jeff Carroll spoke ,with .1N/ r. Fulbright the morning of the 25'1' At this point in time, Mr, Fulbright indicated that, to his knowledge, no significant impacts had been observed or realized. Jeff Carroll and Beth Morton followed up with a call to Mr, Wes Bell Nvith NCDEQ after lunch and informed Mr, Bell that the initial investigation indicated that any suspected release impacts were minimal, but that the Wayne Farms investigation was ongoing and that Wayne Farms was waiting on .final: word from Mr. Fulbright that no impacts had been realized to their systems, Wayne Farms indicated to Mr. Bell that any necessary remedial action ‘vould be taken if any impacts were suspected. At approximately 4pm. Mr. Fulbright reported to Mr. Carroll that an odor complaint had been received and thal. some contamination downstream was suspected. Mr. Fulbright .indicated that some remediation needed to be conducted in that area, Mr. Carroll then instructed Mr. Bobby Stanley with Carolina Environmental to go to the site and assist With the impact assessment and recommended remediation. Later that evening Mr. Stanley, along with site management, assessed the area and determined that while there was no immediate threat to people or the environment, additional work, would insure no further impact. A plan was formalized for work to be done on the following day. August 26, 2017 Wayne Farms hired Carolina Environmental and STAT Environmental Services to perform work at any suspected area of impact, On the morning of the 26th, Wayne Farms' contractors removed any suspected spilled materials, including the area where the odor complaint originated. Elpon completion of the work, site management„ along with Mr. Stanley, believed that the efforts were satisfactory and would meet, the expectations of both IVIr. Fulbright and Mr, Bell, Wayne .Farms personnel has taken. action to train personnel in the proper procedures for pit cleanout, including the proper methods for liquid disposal. Wayne Farms is drafting written procedures to follow for this maintenance activity, 'These SOPs will he forwarded to Renwood Mills to insure compliance and avoid further incidents, While communications with NCDEQ are ongoing, at this time, Wayne Farms feels that it has completed the corrective actions necessary as specified .on August 24 be Mr. Wes ,Bell to address the reported release incident of August 24, 2017, Should any further information or clarification be required for this report, please contact Beth !Vlorton, Morton Environmental Consulting. Inc. (336)998-4757 or inc at (336)386- 5867. Jeremy Bowlin Environmental Manager Cc: Jeff Carroll Renwood Mills October 10, 2017 O, B IX 5 NEWTON, NORTH C RO INA 28658 - a FAX 828.465-5139 Mr W. Corey Basinger Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NDEQ Mooresville Regional Office 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 Mooresville, NC 28115 Subject: Notice of Violation Unpermrtted Discharge of Wastewater Renwood Mills- Tracking ##NOW-2017-DV-0289 Catawba County Dear tvir. Basinger, This letter is a written response for the Notice of Violation dated Seoterr her 21, 2017 This is to advise that the oil discharge from the air compressor Ploys/down was remediated on September 9th with the Installation of two (2) Ecotron 600 Oil/Water separators on our two air compressor systems, Piping that was discharging from the air compressor blowdowns to the outside was removed and wall penetrations were filled with mortar. Water component from the separator has been piped to the sanitary sewer system: Should you have any questions, please contact me at 828. 64,1611 ext, 225 Dennis Tucker Director of Operations Renwood Nulls DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT (Background Inforrnation for Consideration of the Assessment Factors) Violator: Wayne Farms, LLC County: Catawba. Case Number: DV-2017-0072 ASSESSMENT FACTORS 1) The degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of t property resulting from the violation; rho Ca-4 2) The duration and gray' r.. 61 of the violation; ,r...2.� e, to the public health, or to private 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; 7�� Ctri .0 -,. r- a"� �q r,4 4146� t .. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; 5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance; i , per.,.; y{eJ -;" - �t.a C - ' 6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; rr<s),_ �`t-- " —fit-,* .04.244,.. ..�.. a..� 7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which the Environmental Management Commission has regulatory authority; and No prior record in previous five years. 8) The cost to the State of the enforcers ent procedures. $452.66 W. Coreyrinr, Rinna t r Quality Regional One %ill' Regional Office Di on of Water Resources, \CDEQ