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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0026000_PC-2019-0062_20191119DocuSign Envelope ID: 1025364A-77FA-4F97-AD63-C3F559016F7E DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT Violator: Town of Tabor City Facility Name: Tabor City WWTP Permit Number: NCO026000 County: Columbus Case Number: PC-2019-0062 ASSESSMENT FACTORS 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; Unknown. The compliance inspection conducted on April 23, 2019 detected several violations that revealed inadequate operation and maintenance of the facility which jeopardize the water quality of the receiving stream (Grissett Swamp- C Sw). Solids were passing to the chlorine contact chamber from the (lower) secondary clarifier. It is unknown if solids have been discharged to the receiving canal to Grisset Swamp. Also, for the month of April, the facility had BOD and TSS violations that were the subject of enforcement case LV-2019-0152. 2) The duration and gravity of the violation; Unknown since violations were detected during the inspection. 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality have not been evaluated. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; Unknown. 5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance; The permittee has saved money by not providing sufficient staffing or performing proper maintenance. Savings would include costs associated with the repairs to the skimmer arm of the clarifier and aerobic digester cleaning. Lack of maintenance to the digester was also documented on inspection report for the 2017 inspection. 6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; There is no evidence that the violation was committed willfully or intentionally. However, the facility has a history of non-compliance related to inadequate operations and maintenance -although improvements were noticed and documented in the 2017 inspection report. That report also noted that the digester needed cleaning. 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 The facility has one previous enforcement actions in the preceding 12-month period. However, the facility has a history of non- compliance that has been documented in previous inspections. 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. $141.00 11/19/2019 EDocuSigned by: �eln ((a S� 6" E3ABA14AC7DC434_ Date Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ DocuSign Envelope ID: 1025364A-77FA-4F97-AD63-C3F559016F7E ROY COOPER Governor K41CHAEL S. R.ECAN 5erretrrry LINDA CULPEPPER �fr{yror Certified Mail # 7017 0190 0000 9534 3557 Return Receipt Requested Al Jack Leonard, Jr Town of Tabor City PO Box 655 Tabor City, NC 28463-0655 NORTH CAROL INA €nvir nMental Qual" November 19, 2019 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of NC General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES WW Permit No. NCO026000 Town of Tabor City Tabor City WWTP Case No. PC-2019-0062 Columbus County Dear Permittee: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $1,641.00 ($1,500.00 civil penalty + $141.00 enforcement costs) against Town of Tabor City. This assessment is based upon the following facts: an inspection of the Tabor City WWTP was conducted on April 23, 2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0026000. This inspection has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the conditions and limitations found in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0026000. The violations found during the inspection are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Town of Tabor City violated the terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES WW Permit No. NCO026000 and G.S. 143 -215. 1 (a)(6) in the manner and extent shown in Attachment A. 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). North Caro5rksDepartmentofEnvironment93Quality I 'DiuiAarkofWater Resources Wilmington Reg oma: Office I =CardinalDhve-Extension I Witr ngton, North Carofna23405 910-796-7215 DocuSign Envelope ID: 1025364A-77FA-4F97-AD63-C3F559016F7E 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, Wilmington Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Town of Tabor City: 1 500.00 For 3 of the 3 violations of the conditions and limitations specified in Permit No. NC0026000. 1 500.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY 141.00 Enforcement Costs 1 641.00 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. I (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 Wastewater Branch Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 DocuSign Envelope ID: 1025364A-77FA-4F97-AD63-C3F559016F7E 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 Right to an Administrative Hearing, and Stipulation of Facts" form within thirty (30) dgys 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: Wastewater Branch Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 DocuSign Envelope ID: 1025364A-77FA-4F97-AD63-C3F559016F7E 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. 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 § 15013-23.2) 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) 431-3000 Fax: (919) 431-3100 One (1) copy of the petition must also be served on DEQ as follows: Mr. William F. Lane, General Counsel Department of Environmental Quality 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 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 have any questions, please contact Dean Hunkele with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Wilmington Regional Office at (910) 796-7215 or via email at dean.hunkele@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: ,�(�� Itil.bin,UA Sc��n�."-' / 6" E3ABAUA=C434... Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Wilmington Regional Office - Enforcement File Upload to Laserfiche DocuSign Envelope ID: 1025364A-77FA-4F97-AD63-C3F559016F7E JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number: PC-2019-0062 Assessed Party: Town of Tabor City Permit No.: NC0026000 County: Columbus Amount Assessed: $1,641.00 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 howpayment of the civilpenalty will prevent youfrom performing the activities necessary to achieve compliance). EXPLANATION: DocuSign Envelope ID: 1025364A-77FA-4F97-AD63-C3F559016F7E STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNTY OF COLUMBUS IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS Town of Tabor City ) Tabor City WWTP ) PERMIT NO. NCO026000 ) CASE NO. PC-2019-0062 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $1,641.00 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated November 19, 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 520 SIGNATURE ADDRESS TELEPHONE DocuSign Envelope ID: 1025364A-77FA-4F97-AD63-C3F559016F7E ATTACHMENT A Town of Tabor City CASE NUMBER: PC-2019-0062 PERMIT NO: NCO026000 REGION: Wilmington FACILITY: Tabor City WWTP COUNTY: Columbus VIOLATION VIOLATION PENALTY DATE AREA TYPE VIOLATION DESCRIPTION AMOUNT 4/23/2019 Aerobic Digester Violation detected during The aerator within the digester was $250.00 inspection inoperable during the inspection. 4/23/2019 Bar Screens Violation detected during The manual bar screen was almost $0.00 inspection completely covered by lawn clippings during the inspection. 4/23/2019 Secondary Clarifier Violation detected during The skimmer arm on the clarifier was $250.00 inspection inoperable during the inspection. 4/23/2019 Secondary Clarifier Violation detected during The skimmer arm on the clarifier was $0.00 inspection inoperable during the inspection. There was a significant amount of floating solids in the clarifier and in the weir channel. It appeared that the weir was holding back much of the solids but there was still a small amount passing to the chlorine contact chamber. 4/23/2019 Operations & Maintenance Violation detected during The skimmer arm on the secondary $1,000.00 inspection clarifier was inoperable during the inspection and had not been reported to the DWR as required by the permit. Some solids were passing through to the chlorine contact chamber and through the discharge outfall. The aerobic digester was not functioning during the inspection due to the aerator being inoperable. Also, the digestor was over grown with plants and trees.