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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0033044_PC-2019-0045_20191108DocuSign Envelope ID: 5B58ABB3-OF90-445A-A590-87OBDB59CE1 D ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER NORFH �:AqO-INN Director EnvironfFlewcd �2U01ily November 8, 2019 CERTIFIED MAIL # 7017 0190 0000 9534 3472 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Bob Walker, Director Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer H2GO PO Box 2230 Leland, INC 28451-2230 Subject: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143 215.1(a)(3) and Permit No: WQ0033044 Facility: Compass Pointe Development Case No. PC-2019-0045 Brunswick County Dear Mr. Walker: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $1,601.75 ($1,464.00 civil penalty + $137.75 enforcement costs) against Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer H2GO. This assessment is based upon the following facts: 1. Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer 1-12GO operated a sewer system in violation of limitations contained in the subject permit as required by NC General Statute 143.215.1. Specifically, the permit placed a cap on the number of active connections allowed within the development regardless of which permit(s) the potential infrastructure was approved under for construction. This cap was initially implemented in 12-2009 at 131 connections and was gradually increased over time to 440. Based on info received in March 2019, the number of active connections was at 904. 2. The number of excessive connections made and the potential wastewater flow generated including peak flow events was not approved by Brunswick County who operates additional downstream sewer infrastructure and the treatment facility for the regional partnership. 3. Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer 1-12GO is required to track flow activation versus obligated not yet tributary flow allocation and such information should be shared with the County periodically. Obviously this was not being done for this system or such a significant exceedance would not have occurred. 4. Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer 1-12GO was also in violation of NC General Statute 143.215.1(a)(3) by changing the method of operation of the sewer system. 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 Phone: 910-796-7215\ Internet: www.deg.nc.gov DocuSign Envelope ID: 5B58ABB3-OF90-445A-A590-87OBDB59CE1 D Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer H2GO violated NC General Statute 143-215.1(a)(3) by changing the method of operation of the sewer system and exceeding the limitations in the permit. In accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(a)(2), a civil penalty may be assessed against any person who violates the terms, conditions or requirements of a permit required by G.S. 143-215.1(a). Based upon the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Director of the Division of Water Resources, I, Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor in the Wilmington Regional Office hereby make civil penalty assessment against the Pluris Hampstead LLC as outlined in Attachment A. 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 1: 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: PERCS Unit 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. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5B58ABB3-OF90-445A-A590-87OBDB59CE1 D 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 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 Right to an Administrative Hearing, and Stipulation of Facts" form within thirty (30) days of 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: PERCS Unit Supervisor Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Option 3: File a petition for an administrative hearing with the Office of Administrative 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. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5B58ABB3-OF90-445A-A590-870BDB59CE1 D 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 of Administrative 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: 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-6714 Tel: (919) 733-2698 Fax: (919) 733-3478 One (1) copy of the petition must also be served on DENR as follows: Mr. Willam F. Lane, General Counsel NC Dept of Environmental Quality 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 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 should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via the letterhead contact information or via email at morella.sanchez-king@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, f DocSµSi�gn�� b DoEcY gq�gq q�7YpC ��;Vl./�O E3ABA 14�AC 7 D C434�4... 00 Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: Wilmington Regional Office - Enforcement Files (w/attachments) Upload to Laserfiche DocuSign Envelope ID: 5B58ABB3-OF90-445A-A590-870BDB59CE1 D JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST DWR Case Number: PC-2019-0045 County: Brunswick Assessed Party: Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer H2GO Permit No.: WQ0033044 Amount Assessed: $1,601.75 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 (i.e., explain the steps that you took to correct the violation and prevent future occurrences), (c) the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident (i.e., 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: DocuSign Envelope ID: 5B58ABB3-OF90-445A-A590-870BDB59CE1 D STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNTY OF PENDER IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST BRUNSWICK REGIONAL WATER & SEWER H2GO PERMIT NO. WQ0033044 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN ADMINSTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS CASE NO. PC-2019-0045 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $1,601.75_for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated November 8, 2019, 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 civil 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 the day of 120 SIGNATURE ADDRESS TELEPHONE