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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0026832_Enforcement_20010913September 13, 2.001 MEMO TO: Rex Gleason FROM: Richard Bridgeman • Ni SUBJECT: Request for Remission of Civil Penalty Case No. LTA 01-018 Town of Troutman NPDES Permit No. NC0026832 (Rescinded) iredell County The Town of Troutman was assessed a civil penalty of $6,035.45, including $85.45 in. enforcement costs, on 7/12/01, for violations occurring in 3/01. The case covers BOD, TSR, Fecal Coliform, and Oil & Grease monthly average violations; 1 each BOD5, TSR, and Fecal Col.iform weekly average violations; and 27 failures to report required effluent and stream data.. A civil penalty was assessed for each violation. Because the above noted violations occurred during the month (3/01) that the Town ceased discharge by diverting wastewater flow to the City of Statesville's Third Creek WWTP collection system, the Town was issued a 'Notice of Violation and Recommendation for Enforcement on 6/14/01. Although the Notice included a opportunity to provide an explanation for the violations within 10 days of receipt of the Notice, no response was received. The Notice was sent by certified mail; a Steven Shealy, with the Town, signed (Return Receiptl"Green Card") for the envelope on 6/8/01. The remission request is based on the following: That the failures to monitor were the result of delays (false- starts/scheduling problems) on several days prior to the actual diversion of flow to the City of Statesville on 3/2.3/01. Although not explicitly stated, it is assumed that the required 1/week monitoring kept being postponed because it was thought it would not be necessary (i.e., the diversion would occur). 2. An assumption that neither the delays in the diversion of flow to the City of Statesville nor the failures to monitor in any way compromised water quality. That the civil. penalty assessment only serves "to penalize a Town that has already spent millions of dollars to preventwater quality degradation", Remission Request Town of Troutman LM 01-018 It is the writer's opinion, based on the data from the single monitoring event that was conducted on 3/20/01, that the Town essentially ceased operation and maintenance of the WWTP prior to the diversion of flow on 3/23/01. Big Branch, the receiving stream, is a Class WS-IV water, having a 7Q10 flow of 0.075 cfs. Troutman's instream waste concentration (IWC 82%. Based on the data, there is every reason to predict that Big Branch was in fact negatively impacted; the reported. BOD5, TSR, and Fecal Coliform data were many times greater than their respective limits. At best, the fact that the Town allowed the violations to occur represents very poor judgement. Within the framework of the remission factors, the permittee failed to provide justification for remission. H:AWPW[N\DOCIMEMO\TROUTMN3.RR Vs1 A 7—z: -7,,,:',--• '--;:., Te- e .,...„ ,.. . , .,..,.....g...,..„......, Michael F. Easley Governor William G. Ross Jr„ Secretary Department of Environment and Natural Resources Gregory J. Thorpe, PhL„ Acting Director Division of Water Duality DEC 1 3 2001 CERTIFIED MAIL 7000 1530 0002 2100 2359 RETURN RECEIPT_ REQUESTED The Honorable Elbert. H. Richardson Town of Troutman P. O. Box 26 Troutman, NC 28166 Dear Mayor Richardson: DEPT, OF ENVIRONMEt:T AND NATURAL 14'00 DEC 2 0 2001 Subject:Remission Request of Civil Penalty Assessment Former NPDES Permit Number NC0026832 Town of Troutman Iredell County Case Numbers LV 01-033 & LM 01-018 I considered the information submitted in support of your requests for remission in accordance with G,S, 143-215.6A(f). My decisions in these matters are as follows: In the matter of case LV 01-033. I have decided to remit he civil penalty assessmen of $1,335,45 in its entirety. This case has been closed. In the matter of case LM 01-018, I have not found grounds to modify the assessment of $6,035.45. My decision to remit the penalty i.n the first case is based upon the Town's efforts to connect to the City of Statesville's collection system, thereby eliminatin.g the discharge. Knowing this was both a difficult and expensivec endeavor, the Division of Water Quality applauds the Town of Troutman for the its accomplishment. Special recognition is extended to your Town Manager, Mr, A. J. Barghothi, whose efforts to initiate, coordinate and see the project through to completion have been admirable.. His willingness to coordinate action with our Mooresville Regional Office, and to keep its staff updated on developments have been greatly appreciated. Impressed as we are with the elimination of the discharge, the Division cannot condone, the apparent disregard for enviro.nmental regulations that was exhibited duringthe wastewater treatment. plant's last month of operation. As long as the discharge to waters of the State occurred, the Town had an obligation to monitor that discharge in order to ensure protection of those waters. More could have, and should have been done, in order to comply with permit requirements. Available data can only lead me to conclude the plant was neglected and yielded an undertreated effluent during the month of March 2001., Therefore, I could not grant any remission in this case. Customer Service Division ofWateroualily 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 1 800 623-7748 (919) 733-7015 Should you choose to pay the full hermitic assessed in case M 0I 018, payment should be tendered to me at the letterhead address within 30 days of the receipt of this letter. Please make checks payable to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. You also have the option of presenting your request to the Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions, which is comprised of members of the Environmental Management Commission. The committee may consider such requests and render final and binding decisions in these matters. You may argue your request before the committee and Division staff will argue against any reduction of the assessment: Should you choose to present your request to the corer ittee ple notify me at the letterhead address within 30 days of the receipt of this letter. Your request will be scheduled to be heard on the agenda of the next scheduled committee meeting and you will he notified of the date and time. If a response is not received by the Division regarrding this notice, your request will be scheduled on the agenda for an upcoming committee meeting. If you have any questions about this letter; please do not hesitate to contact Bob Sledge at (919) 733-5083. extension 547. Thank you for your operation in this n cc. Mooresville Regional ce Enforcement File Central Files A:seA ITICbENR Customer Service 1 800 623-7748 A CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 11)c--ID 1t.;10 e:›OLD 1 551.- Mr. A. J. Barghothi, Town Administrator Town of Troutman 400 North Eastway Drive Post Office Box 26 Troutman, NC 28166 SUBJECT: Dear Mr. Barghothi: I F. Easley Governor William G. Ross, Jr.,Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Kerr T. Stevens, Director [Division of Water Quality July 12, 2001 S Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of N.C. General Statute 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0026832 Town of Troutman WWTP Case No. LM 01-018 Iredell County This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $6,035.45 ($5950.00 civil penalty + $85.45 enforcement costs) against the Town of Troutman. This assessment is based upon the following facts: A review has been conducted of the discharge monitoring report (DMR) submitted by R & A Laboratories, Inc. for the Town of Troutman for the month of March 2001. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations and monitoring requirements found in NPDES Permit No. NC0026832. The violations are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that the Town of Troutman violated the terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES Permit No. NC0026832 and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215,1(a)(6) in the manner and extent shown in Attachment A. A civil penalty may be assessed in accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143- 215.6A(a)(2). Based upon the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Director of the Division of Water Quality, I, D. Rex Gleason, Water Quality Regional Supervisor for the Mooresville Region, hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against the Town of Troutman: Mooresville Regional Office, 919 North Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28115 PHONE (704) 663-1699 FAX (704) 663-6040 For / of the one (1) violation of G.S, 143- 215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0026832, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit monthly average effluent limit for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5). For '' of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143- 215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0026832, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit monthly average effluent limit for Total Suspended Residue (TSR). For r of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143- 215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0026832, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit monthly average effluent limit for Fecal Coliform. For / of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143- 215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0026832, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in. violation of the permit monthly average effluent limit for Oil and Grease. For F of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143- 215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0026832, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit weekly average effluent limit for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (SODS). For / of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143- 215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0026832, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit weekly average effluent limit for Total Suspended Residue (TSR). For / of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143- 215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0026832, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit weekly average effluent limit for Fecal Coliform. For of the two (2) failures to monitor for effluent Temperature in violation of G.S. 143- 215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Permit No. NC0026832. For of the two (2) failures to monitor for stream (upstream and downstream) Temperature in violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Permit No. NC0026832. For of the three (3) failures to monitor for effluent BOD5 in violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Permit No. NC0426832. For of the three (3) failures to monitor for influent BOD5 in violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Permit No. NC0026832. For __.>' of the three (3) failures to monitor for effluent NH3-N in violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Permit No. NC0026832. For of the three (3) failures to monitor for effluent TSR in violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Permit No. NC0026832. For _ of the three (3) failures to monitor for influent TSR in violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Permit No. NC0026832. For of the three (3) failures to monitor for effluent Fecal Coliform in violation of G.S. 143- 215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Permit No. NC0026832. For J of the three (3) failures to monitor for effluent Oil and Grease in violation of G.S. 143- 215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Permit No. NC0026832. For {_'— of the two (2) failures to monitor for stream (upstream and downstream) Dissolved Oxygen in violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and the terms of NPDES Peiiiiit No. NC0026832. TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY 85.45 Enforcement costs. 62S, 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. 14313- 282.1(b), which are: (8) The degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to private property resulting from the violations; The duration and gravity of the violations; The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; The cost of rectifying the damage; The amount of money saved by noncompliance; Whether the violations were committed willfully or intentionally; 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 cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. Within thirty days of receipt of this notice, you must do one of the following: Submit payment of the penalty: Payment should be made directly to the order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (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: Point Source Compl iance/Enforcement Unit Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Submit a written request for remission or mitigation including a detailed justification for such request: A request for remission or mitigation is limited to consideration of the reasonableness of the amount of the penalty and is not the proper procedure for contesting the accuracy of any of the statements contained in the assessment letter. ecause 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 that there are no factual or legal issues in dispute. You must execute and return to this office the attached waiver and stipulation form and a detailed statement which you believe establishes whether: (a) one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in G.S. 143B-282.1(b) were wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitioner; (b) the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violations; (c) the violations were inadvertent or a result of an accident; (d) the violator had been assessed civil penalties for any previous violation; (e) payment of the civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions. Please submit this information to the attention of: Ms. Coleen Sullins Water Quality Section Chief Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Please note that all information presented in support of a request for remission must be submitted in writing. The Director of the Division of Water Quality will review the information during a bimonthly enforcement conference and inform you of his decision in the matter of the remission request. His response will provide details regarding case status, directions for payment and provision for further appeal of the penalty to the Environmental Management Commission's Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions. Please be advised that the Committee cannot consider information that was not part of the original remission request considered by the Director and therefore, it is very important that you prepare a complete and thorough statement in support of your request for remission. OR Submit a written request for an administrative hearing: If you wish to contest any statement in this assessment letter, you must request an administrative hearing. This request must be in the form of a written petition to the Office of Administrative Hearings and must conform to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes. You must: File your original petition with the Office of Administrative Hearings 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601 and Mail or hand -deliver a copy of the petition to Mr. Dan Oakley, General Counsel Department of Environment and Natural Resources 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601 Failure to exercise one of the options above within thi days, as evidenced by a date stamp (not a postmark) indicating when we received your response, will result in this matter being referred to the Attorney General's Office with a request to initiate a civil action to collect the penalty. Please be advised that any continuing violation(s) may be the subject pia new enforcernent action, including an additional penalty. If you have any questions about this civil penalty assessment, please contact the Water Quality Section staff of the Mooresville Regional Office at 704/663-1699. 1 I t'(Date) Al fACHMENTS D. Rex Gleason, P.E. Water Quality Regional Supervisor Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Quality cc: Water Quality Regional Supervisor wl attachments Compliance/Enforcement File w/ attachments Central Files w/ attachments Attachment Town of Troutman NPDES Permit No. NC0026832 Case Number LM 1-- 1 Lin�rit Viola n , arch 2001 n hlv Average Limit ViolatViolations Parameter Reported Value B5 TSR Fecal Caliform Oil and Grease P a B5 TSR Fecal Cola"fo 399 * 528 * I2,0 * 52.4 * 30.0 Units 30.0 200.0 30.0 Weekly Average Limit Viol ions Reported Value Mon orinio►lations, March Parpeter Temperature Temperature BO BOD5 N 3-N TSR TSR Fecal lifo: Oil and Grease Dissolved Oxygen Required * deno s assess ent of civil 2001 399 528 * >12,000 * lcanitorin "reg Daily Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly Weekly malty.. BOD5 denotes Biochemical Oxygen Demand N 3- i denotes Ammonia Nitrogen TSR denotes Total Suspended Residue Lit 45.0 45.0 200.0 Lnetior Effluent Upstre' ownstye, Effluent Influent Effluent Effl uent Influent Effluent Effluent Upstre owns mg/L #l1 tl ml ma/L snits ing/L ing/L lld1 Failures to Report * STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COUNTY OF Iredell IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST Town of Troutman PERMIT NO. NC0026832 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS FILE NO, LM 01-OI8 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Quality dated , the undersigned, desiring to seek remission of the civil penalties, 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 Quality within 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 , 2001 BY ADDRESS TELEPHONE EFFLUENT,' CHECK BOX IF ORC HAS CH.A_VGE,Cf— i ()RJ(3LNN.L nciON..COPY 1c 17.r 7.2ENTRAI, FILES DIVISION OF .:t.TE1(', I'foI 1-U. SERVV11, CENTG1_ GRADE 1-��1 a �4,. 1 �'&� d � A NC DEIFREF AND NATURAT. INC; SAMPLES l t t OPHitIJJI C1;R7:"C1``. THAT THIS" REPORT IS `Y'tiIV.L T.-A: 'P` : THE BEST OF w11,' KNOWLEDGE_ Facility, Status: (Please check one of the following All rnonitotin.g data and sampling, frequencies meet permit requirements All ]monitoring data and Sampling frequencies do No-r meet permit requirements Compliant „ Noncompliant lf 'the facility is noncompliant, piease comment on corrective actions being taken in respect to equipment, operation, maintenance_ etc., and a time table for improvements to be made. o the receiving stream, The wastewater from the Towu of Troutman's_StWerY being piped into the City of W the sewer W VVTP i1Ies) systemou 71. 2001 Our Operator checked the system on Z2 March. 2001 and there was no discharge from the WWTP and sewage was being pumped to Statesville, Effective euturs ceased tinllste OFC'stue to no discharge, certify, under penalty ofl.aw, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance a system designed to assure that a qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiryof the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information. the -ifo.miation submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. 1 am aware that there are significant enalties for sub:mining false information, 'including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations." James M. Cheshire (Auttrtinzed Azent) (Pleasr pI2in1dr type Massev1-5,treet trrnittee Address Troutman NC igjt f Permitee" 704-528-7616 Phone Number Date 06).017000 Permit Exp„ Date 1010 Temperature 00556 )076 Turbidity Oii 3: Grease 00600 Total. Nitrogen 1080 Color (Pt -Co) 00610 Ammonia Nitrogen 1082 Color (ADMI) 00625 Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen Nitrates/Nitrites )095 Conductivity 00630 )300 Dissolved Oxygen )0310 BOD5 00665 )10340 COD 00720 10400 pH 00745 )530 Total Suspend 00927 Residue 00929 )0545 Settleable Matt 00940 PARAMETER CODES 00951 Total Fluoride 01002 Total Arsenic 01027 Cadmi 01032 Hexavalent Chromium 01034 Chromium 01067 01077 01092 01105 Nickel Silver Zinc Aluminum 50060 Total Residual Chlorine 71880 71900 81551 Formaldehyde Mercury --/ tle Water Quality Seetton's web site at hahejlr St4tVrIc,11S/WtiU and linking to the Unit's information pages, Drit by vl7isitiMng arameter Code assistance may obtained by calling the Point Source Compliance/Enforcement Unit at (919) 733-5083, or Total Phosphorus Cyanide Total Sulfide Total Magnesium Total Sodium Total Chloride 01037 01042 01045 01051 01062 Total Cobalt Copper Iron Lead Molybdenum 01147 31616 32730 34235 34481 38260 39516 50050 Total Seleniu Fecal Colifor Total Phenoli Benzene Toluene MBAS PCBs Flow hi V FiL se only units designated in the reporting facility's permit for reporruig data • ORC most visit facility and document visitation of facility as required 15A NCAC 8G.0204. If signed by other than the Permit -tee, delegation of signatory authority must be on Ole with the state per 15A NCAC 213.0506 (b) 1XD), ,PDES NO: ''4C F. CI LIT` NAME: nf u r DISCHARGE NO: (01 IIGItiTIT: YEAR: "T' T'Y: IrrcktII DISCHARGE NO: nH MONTH: 1in YEAR: /ILITY NAME: Town of Trou COUNTY: Iredell Biz Branch OCATION: 50ft. Above Effluum Upstream 0340i 3UI16 1995 28' I:"" 4 Ikti tS' nirft S r E'r::rrr klv lSeekiv d nurt uthhosdem .1Ente turumtter Code ,i,nvt: wurr and Um Ls iittow STREAM: BiL' Branch LOCATION: 4 Mile.s Below 'Effluent 1259' • 7 7.1 fAttRli„.„11., Downstream 520 384; Entre t'2rgnitter Codc oinyvs, und flits lidow CopyEM Form MR-3 (11/84) f-er-rnit c.\.'r.f.(1)02,77i,S;!.2 SECTION Ak I) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS'AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until e.x-paration. the Permiitee is authorized to discharge treated wastewater from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall he limited and monitored by the Permittee as specified below: EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average 0.2'2 MGD Weekly Average Daily Max Measurement Frequency Continuous Sample Type Sample Location -I Recordin or E SOD. 5-day, 20°C 3 45.0 rric/I Total Suspended Residue2 30,0 mg/1 45,0 mg/1 Weekly Veekly Composite ornoosfte E, I E. N1-3 as N (Summer) 8.0 Trig, Weekly Composite N1-13 as N 'inter) Weekly Composite Total Residual Chlorine 2/Week Grab Fecal Coliform (geometric mean} 200 00 400 00 ml Dissolved ao,trfen3 Weekly Weekly Grab Grab E. U. D err.peratur,:;:. ernperaturft; Dan': NVeekiv Crab Weekly Total Nitrooen Total Phosphon_ts Chronic T Oil and Grease 60.0 mg/I guarterit; Composite Quarterly COITTOSILS Weekly Composite iE Grab Notts: Sample. locaions E Effluent. I- influent Upstrearn 50-fect above the outiall, D- Dovmstream 0,4 miles below Wt. ounall. The monthly ave...-a.-4eeffluent BOD5 and YaS concntraLions shail not exceed 153/4 of the resner..uve influent value, (85% removall. . The daily efflue,t. dissolved oxttyoen concentration Shall not be less than. 5.0 m.2;11. 4. The, ph shalt not be iess than 6.0 standard units nor greater than 9.0 standarc units. 5, Chronic To.x.totty 1Certociaphnia.1. at 820/6; February, May, August. November: refer to Special Condition A(2). (Summer) = April 1- October 31 (Winter) = November 1 - March 31 There shall be no discharge of floatin 0 s or visible foam in other than trace amounts. Case Number Facility Name Permit Number Previous Case in the Last Year 01 Fast Track Worksheet. 0'18 NC0026832 Yes Number of Offenses in past 6 months Statutory Maxin°lurr per violation ri I st 02nd 03rd 0 4th 05th 0 6th .00 Number Violations 4 Nurrtber Assessed Parameter BOD TSR Fecal Coliform. Oil & Grease BOD rESR Fecal Colifot 4 Temperature 2 BOD (Effluent) BOD (Influet NH3-N TSR (Effluent) TSR (influent) Fecal Coliform Oil & Grease Dissolved Oxygen $25 000 Total Assessment Factor = 1.00 Violation Monthly/Quarterly, avg Monthly/Quarterly avg Monthly/Quarterly avg Monthly/Quarterly avg Weekly avg/daily max Weekly avg/daily max Weekly avg/daily max No Permit Limit Permit Linnit. Perin i Pe Perm i Permit Limit. Fermi No Perm Penalty/ Violation $1000 $1000 $1000 $1000 $250 250 $250 $25 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $25 Total Assessment Factor Totat Penalty $1000.00 $1000.00 $1000.00 $1000.00 $250.00 $250.00 $250.00 $100.00 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $50.00 f^rmnrl Tniol ©ertmlh' EC ©GA ff1 �orkshe Review t n h = March 2001 Prepared by i and Bridgernan Grand Total Pert, Percent of the i u Penalty Authorized by G.S. 1143-215i6Aii .00_1 s 70 Fr State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Michael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director August 22, 2001 The Honorable Elbert H. Richardson. Town of Troutman P. 0, Box 26 Troutman, NC 28166 NC NORTH CAROL ENVIRONMENT AN e�T AUG 2 7 2001 WATER QUALITY SECTION Subject: Remission Request of Civil Penalty Assessment Town of Troutman Former NPDES Permit Number NC0026832 Iredell County Case Number LM 01-018 Dear Mayor Richardson: The Division of Water Quality is in receipt of your request for remission of the civil penalty assessed in the matter of the case noted above. Although your letter referenced the attachment of a completed form waiving your right to an administrative hearing, the fornn was not found with your letter when it arrived in this office. As this is a necessary part of the rennission request, we respectfully ask that you complete the attached waiver form and return it to the attention of "Bob Sledge'" at the letterhead. address. Once the completed waiver form is received, we can continue with the processing of your request. Your request will be placed on the agenda of the Director's next scheduled enforcement conference and you will be notified of the result. If you have any questions about this matter, please contact Bob Sledge at (919) 733 5083, extension 547. Sincerely, Cdieen Sullins, Chief )'Water Quality Section cc: Mooresville Regional Office wl4ttachments Central Files w/ Remission Letterattachments Enforcement File wl original attachment and 3 copies 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Telephone 919-733-7015 FAX 919-733-2496 An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10%© past -consumer paper STATE OF NORTH CAROL NA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COUNTY OF IREDELL IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST PERMIT NO. NC0026832 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS FILE NO. LM 01-018 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $6,035.45 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment d.ocurnent of the Director of the Division of Water Quality dated, the undersigned, desiring to seek remission of the civil penalties, 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. This the day of Year SIGNATURE ADDRESS TELEPHONE TOWN OF TROUTMAN 400 NORTH EASTWAY DRIVE POST OFFICE BOX 26 TROUTMAN, N. C 28166 PHONE: 704-52B-7600 FAX: 704-528-7605 August 7, 2001 Is, Coleen Sullins Va.ter Quality Section Chief Division of 'Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 , Dear Ms. Sullins, This letter is intended as a response to the Notice of Violation and that the Town received on July 13, 2001 (case # LM 01-018). The Town of Troutman is requesting remission and/or mitigation of the civil penalty assessed in the NOV. We are making this request based on a fact that I believe makes our situation unique. As I am sure you know, the Town of Troutman no longer treats its wastewater at the Troutrnan Wastewater Treatment Plant, 301 Massey St. (formerly NPDES Permit # NC0026832). On March 22, 2001 the Town substantially completed a project that converted that treatment plant into a pump -station and began pumping wastewater to the City of Statesville's Third Creek Waste,water Treatment Plant. Civil Penalty, The violations that have resulted in this assessment occurred in the last clays of the Troutman Wastewater Treatment Plant's operation during the time that the treatment plant was converted into a pump -station. In those days we had many false starts, where the contractor would indicate that we would begin pumping to Statesville the next day, but for one reason or another the final conversion would be postponed. These delays were caused by problems with the pump start-up, and some delays were caused by unexplained scheduling problems with the contractor, who as you know is independently responsible for the methods and means of the project, including scheduling, Please be aware that none of these delays resulted in any bypasses or compromised water quality in any way. It was at this time that the TONVt1 did not perforrri the required monitoring that has resulted in $1,200 of the total civil penalty. Although I regret the above described events, they were unavoidable. No project, particularly one of this size, can be expected to go on without small problems, and given that this occurred at the very end of this project they are even more understandable. There is no evidence that our failure to monitor in any way compromised water quality. In light of the overall context, this civil penalty seems capricious. Please understand my frustration. In planning and construction, this project has taken almost four years to complete and has cost approximately $$,2 million. Bear in mind that the Town of Troutman has a population of 1,598,and just ,oYer 600 sewer customus 1 imagine that no other community has spent so much per capita or per customer on a project aimed at eliminating a discharge, By eliminating thisdischarge the Town has done more to protect the water quality of the Catawaba River basin than the State of North Carolini could ever hope to do -by r.LJ the civil penalty of $6,035.45. cr, AO?, 1 6 2001 --- QUAI sEcTioN It is for that reason that I must ask wh,../ did Mr. Rex Gleason of the Nfooresville regional office see fit to recommend this civil penalty? Surly Mr, Gleason, who has been aware of the Town's Statesville interconnection project from the V cry early planning stages, knows that this civil penalty \\ill not have the effect of motivating the Town to improve a treatment plant that no longer exists. Because' the 'f own of Troutman no longer operat4'a treatment plant and no longer has a NPDES pern it this action serves no purpcise other than to penalize a Ton that has already spent millions of dollars to prevent water quality degradation, This type punitive action flies in the face of everything I understand about the partnership between the State and local governments in the area of emironmental protection. Ms. Sullins I could continue to describe my feelings of hurt and frustration OVer this matter. However I fear that would do neither of us any good, I am sure that you can see that given the context in which these violations occurred there are unusual, mitigating factors that should be considered. If you would like to discuss this matter in greater detail or have any questions concerning this matter, or if I can provide you with any additional information please feel free to contact me, or our Town Administrator, A.j. Barghothi, If you prefer, you may also contact Ad. via email at barghodi@bhienehnet. In accordance with the instruction contained in the NOV, a cornpleted "Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing and Stipulation of Facts" is enclosed Thank You for considering this matter. Sincerely, Elbert El Richardson Mayor cc: 1)eniiis Hodge, R&A Labs 9197339612 State N1 Deppartznen and Natured Division of Water Michael F. Easley, Gtrverflor William G. Ross, Jr., SecreterrY Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Acting TELECOPY TO: FAX NUMBER FROM: Bob Sledge PAGE Qua* DEPAsirrmENT OF vlRONM NT AND maruk L REsounogs WATER QUALITY SECTION INT SOURCE CCMPLIANCEIENFORCEMENT UNIT FAX NUMBER: (919) 733-9612 /HONE: (919) 733-54$3, extension 4 AGES INCLUDING THIS SI=II ET. _IL 1817 Mail Service Center An EqunI Oppartun North Carolina 27689--1617 Telephone e19.733-7O1 FAX 910-733-2406 tive Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% pot -consumer paper 9197339b12 PAGE 82 TOWN OF TROUTMAN 400 NORTH EASTWAY DRIVE POST OF9GE BOX 28' TROUTMAN, N. 0., p0186 PHONE 7O452&-7600 FA)(: 7D4--52B-76O5 August 7, 2001 n Chief DivisionfW t tQuality 1617 Mail Service Cent Raleigh, NC 27699 Dear N. T c e# LM01°=Q To3Fp f Tkbutmax o 1a r its tt at rlae its 16 t Plautus c�pation di vc bad Id begin g wa'd �stpo,ed, seated by r �d e�� re�aas P ease be, a re that Please four years to Troutman 1 corrimur ity had sire discharge. Dy.elimirxating the Catart r ba. River basin tl the civil penalty Qf $6,035.45. t opt ud in last days�e Troutman tip tl t. t11 tteabxient I t a as cony to e tb newt day, but forasx aib Maya ve e caused by1 xxs i x t1a p c 1, cheduling problems' t z-the• ac;. .etlods and tF3e 4 ,coil to vet 600 bas ho WA Towra of no other ina a 162 Q'UALtry TION /2001 13:51. 9197339E12 PAGE 03 It is for that reasorn that rraust ask why did Mr. Rex Gleaasari of the Mooresville refional office see fit to recommend this civil penalty? Surly Mr. Gleason# who has been aware of the T 's Statesville interconnectio project from the very early planning stages, knows that this civil penalty will not have the effect of motivating the Town to improve a treatment plant that no longer exists. Betauae the Town of Troutman nc longer operates a treatment plant and no longer has w NPDES permit this action serves no purpose other than to penalize a Town that has already spent tniUians of dollars to prevent water quality degradation. This type punitive action flies in the face of everything I understand about the partnership between the State and local governments in the area of environmental protection. Ms. Sullins I could continue to describe my feelings of hurt and tion over this matter However I fear that would do neither of us any good. I am sure t at you can see that given the context in which these violations occurred there arc unusual, mitigating factors ,that should he ,cortside ed. Yf yogi oui4 111 e+ro discuss this matter in greater detail orbaye arty questions concerning this matter, or if I can provide you with any additional information please feel free to contact me, or our Tcrwn Administratot, A ].1iaxghothi. If you prefer, you may also contact A!. via enaai1 at 'barghoth@bluenetnet. In accordance with the itssttuction contained in the NOV, a completed Administrative Hearing and Stipulation of Facts" is enclosed Thank you for con cc; Dennis H bs fight to an