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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0002284_PC-2022-0015_20220405DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT Violator: Outer Banks/Kinnakeet Associates LLC Facility Name: Kinnakeet Shores WWTP Permit Number: WQ0002284 County: Dare Case Number: PC-2022-0015 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; The facility treatment units are not functional. Therefore, untreated waste is going to the disposal areas which are impacting waters of the State. The facility is not spraying on the reclaimed fields and is disposing of the wastewater through infiltration. Groundwater is probably impacted. The public is using a pond which is adjacent to the reclaim irrigation pond. The health risk is possible. 2) The duration and gravity of the violation; The facility has been inspected over the last 5 years and has been non- compliant. The treatment facilities are not functional. No improvements have been noted. Noncompliance continues. On the day of inspection there was no disinfection to the wastewater prior to disposal. 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or air quality; With the treatment units not operational, the groundwater and surface water may be impacted with high nutrients and bacteria. Permittee has failed to install monitoring wells such that groundwater impacts cannot be verified. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; The cost is significant. The clarifiers, tertiary filter, generator, spray irrigation system, pumps need to be repaired. The repairs of some units may not be possible. 5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance; significant 6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; The violations could be considered willful since the owner fails to put any money into the system and fails to receive the Notices when sent to him by certified mail. The Notices are now being sent to the permittee's lawyer and agent. 7) The prior record of the 'violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which the Environmental Management Commission has regulatory authority; The facility has been in non-compliance since 2017 and has failed to come into compliance. An assessment was issued to the Permittee on July 23, 2021 under Case No. PC-2021-0034 for 8,656.38 dollars and on November 17, 2021 under Case No. PC-2021-0057 for $14,994.67 and on January 12, 2022 under Case No. PC-2022-0001 for $15,994.67. The treatment facilities have been put on a moratorium where no taps, sewer extensions or flow can be added to the system. 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. S494.67 April 5, 2022 Date David May, Regional supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Washington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH,S. BISER :seamy RICHARD E ROGERS, JR. Director Certified Mail # 70210350000044184951 Return Receipt Requested Ray E Hollowell, Jr Outer Banks/Kinnakeet Associates LLC 8351 Fem Ln Connelly Spg, NC 28612 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality April 05, 2022 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of NC General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6) and Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0002284 Outer Banks/Innakeet Associates LLC Kinnakeet Shores WWTP Case No. PC-2022-0015 Dare County Dear Mr. Hollowell: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of dvil penalty in the amount of $13,494.67 ($13,000.00 civil penalty + $494.67 enforcement costs) against Outer Banks/Kinnakeet Associates LLC. This assessment is based upon the following facts: an inspection of the Innakeet Shores WWTP was conducted on January 11, 2022. This inspection was conducted to verify that the fadlity is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0002284. This inspection has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the conditions and limitations found in Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0002284. 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 Outer Banks/Kinnakeet Associates LLC violated the terms, conditions or requirements of Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0002284 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 Combs Deportment ofEwtraueotal Dimity I Union at Water Ikwvcm VAahtopon - Moo I Vas Wulwy[m Squire Ma I WWi'gbrt North Carolina 27699 29t946 4a1 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, David May, Regional Supervisor, Washington Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Outer Banks/Kinnakeet Associates LLC: $13.000.00 For of the $ violations of the conditions and limitations specified in Permit No. WQ0002284 . $13,000.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY $494.67 Enforcement Costs $13,494.67 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 Condusions 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 foredose 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 dvil 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 dvil penalty assessment document. Because a remission request foredoses 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 dvil 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 dedsion 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: Wastewater Branch 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. 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) 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 exerdse one of the options above within thirty (30) days of receipt of this letter, as evidenced by an intemal 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 dvil 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 Robert Tankard with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Washington Regional Office at (252) 948-3921 or via email at robert.tankard@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, V David May, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Washington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: laserfiche Mr. Bruce Miller, Accountant; 40222 Methodist Church Road, Avon, NC, 27915 Via certified mail and email (certified mail # 70210350000044184968) Mr. C. Sean Yacobi, Esq., Law Office of C. Sean Yacobi, PLLC; PO Box 1851, Nags Head NC 27959 Via certified mail and email (certified mail #70210350000044184975) Mr. Ray E. Hollowell; PO Box 1158, Avon NC 27915 Via certified mail and email (certified mail #770210350000044184982) ,USTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REOUEST Case Number: PC-2022-0015 Assessed Party: Outer Banks/Kinnakeet Associates LLC Permit No.: WQ0002284 County: Dare Amount Assessed: $13,494.67 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 dvil 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, induding 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 con-ect 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: STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNTY OF DARE IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST Outer Banks/Klnnakeet Associates LLC Kinnakeet Shores WWTP PERMIT NO. WQ0002284 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS CASE NO. PC-2022-0015 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $13,494.67 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated April 05, 2022, the undersigned, desiring to seek remission of the dvil 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 , 20 SIGNATURE ADDRESS TELEPHONE ATTACHMENT A Outer Banks/Kinnakeet Associates LLC CASE NUMBER: PC-2022-0015 PERMIT NO: WQ0002284 FACILITY: Kinnakeet Shores WWTP REGION: Washington COUNTY: Dare VIOLATION DATE AREA VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION DESCRIPTION PENALTY AMOUNT 1/11/2022 Treatment Clarifiers Violation detected during inspection CLARIFIER DOES NOT FUNCTION. SOLIDS ARE THICK WITHIN THE CLARIFIER. THERE WERE TWO BYPASSES SET UP WITHIN THE CLARIFIER WHICH WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DISCHARGE PIPE TO THE STORAGE/INFILTRATION POIND. $3,000.00 1/11/2022 Treatment Violation detected during inspection CLARIFIERS, RETURN PUMPS, TRAVELLING BRIDGE FILTER, DISINFECTION, GENERATOR AND SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. $0.00 1/11/2022 Treatment Disinfection Violation detected during DISINFECTION SYSTEM DID NOT HAVE $3,000.00 inspection ANY CHLORINE ON SITE. 1/11/2022 Standby Power Violation detected during inspection GENERATOR DOES NOT FUNCTION. $3,000.00 1/11/2022 Treatment Flow Violation detected during OPERATOR STATED FLOW METER IS Measurement -Effluent inspection NOT WORKING AND USING AVERAGE FLOWS FROM 2021. $500.00 1/11/2022 Treatment Retum pumps Violation detected during inspection OPERATOR STATED THEY DO NOT FUNCTION. THEREFORE, SOLIDS ARE BUILDING UP IN THE CLARIFIER. $0.00 1/11/2022 Treatment Filters Violation detected during TRAVELLING BRIDGE FILTER IS NOT $3,000.00 inspection FUNCTIONAL. 1/11/2022 Miscellaneous Questions Violation detected during TURBIFITY METER NEEDS TO BE Inspection REAPIRED AND CALIBRATED BY A THIRD PARTY. $500.00