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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0020354_Remission Request (LV-2024-0022)_20240325 II March 19,2024 RECEIVED North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources MAR 2 5 2024 Attn: Vanessa E.Manuel,Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh,NC 27609 RE: Notice of Violation&Assessment of Civil Penalty Case Number: LV-2024-0022 Permit No.NC0020354 Chatham Park Recovery Center Chatham County Dear Ms.Manuel: This letter is formal request for remission of the Notice of Violations and Assessment of Civil Penalty from letter dated February 16, 2024 from NCDEQ-DWR. Which was from the original NOV & Intent to Assess letter of January 31, 2023 regarding the violations that were identified through the review of discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) for the October 2022 monitoring period. The letter identified two exceedances for this period and were identified as Monthly Average Exceedance for Total Nitrogen and Daily Maximum Exceeded for October 7,2022 for 5-Day BOD. These exceedances are contributed to plant start up and bringing plant biology online and working through operational parameters and operating conditions for proper and efficient plant operations. During start up many varying conditions are met and takes some time to provide for and propagate the proper plant biology to maintain efficient and effective treatment. Our operations attempted to supplement this with seed biology from the Sanford WWTP to help accelerate this process. We also used this start up to obtain information for proper operation as flows experienced at he plant were lower than optimal, and also contributed to issues or concerns with start up operations. With an increase in flow, the plant will be able to more efficiently provide adequate and efficient treatment. Thank you again for continuing to work with the Chatham Park Water Recovery Center. We look forward to working with NCDEQ-DWR in a very positive and proactive manner as we continue to improve the facility's environmental stewardship. If upon receipt and review of this information you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter at greater length,please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience at (919) 481-3000 or our engineer, Jimmy Holland, PE, with McKim and Creed at(910)409-8717. Sincerely, Chatham Park Investors,LLC Timothy R.Smith Vice President cc: File RECEIVED • ,JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST MAR 2 5 2024 Case Number: LV-2024-0022 County: Chatham NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES Assessed Party: Chatham Park Investors I,I,C Permit No.: NC0020354 Amount Assessed: $921.86 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); x (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 fi.'); (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: These exceedances are contributed to plant start up and bringing plant biology online and working through operational parameters and operating conditions for proper and efficient plant operations. During start up many varying conditions are met and takes some time to provide for and propagate the proper plant biology to maintain efficient and effective treatment. Our operations attempted to supplement this with seed biology from the Sanford WWTP to help accelerate this process. We also used this start up to obtain information for proper operation as flows experienced at he plant were lower than optimal, and also contributed to issues or concerns with start up operations. With an increase in flow, the plant will be able to more efficiently provide adequate and efficient treatment. STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNTY OF CHATHAM IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND ) STIPULATION OF FACTS Chatham Park Investors LLC ) Chatham Park Water Recovery Center ) ) PERMIT NO.NC0020354 ) CASE NO. LV-2024-0022 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling$921.86 for violation(s)as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated February 16,2024,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 ,20 RECEIVED IG ATURE MAR 25 2024 ADDRESS �NPDES 105 Weston Estates Way NCDEQICwR Cary, NC 27513 { TELEPHONE 919.481.3000 ATTACHMENT A Chatham Park Investors LLC CASE NUMBER: LV-2024-0022 PERMIT: NC0020354 REGION: Raleigh FACILITY: Chatham Park Water Recovery Center COUNTY: Chatham LIMIT VIOLATION(S) SAMPLE LOCATION: Outfall 00W-Effluent Violation Report Unit of Limit Calculated %Over Violation Penalty Date Month/Yr Parameter Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Type Amount 10/7/2022 10-2022 BOD,5-Day(20 Deg. 5 X week mg/I 7.50 49.1 554.7 Daily $233.00 C)-Concentration Maximum Exceeded 10/31/2022 10-2022 Nitrogen,Nitrate Total Monthly mg/I 10.20 36.78 260.5 Monthly $582.50 (as N) Average Exceeded