HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0023604_LV20160004_20150108 Rr= PAT MCCRORY
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DONALD R. VAN DER VAART
Sec'Wag
Water Resources S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
arft tor
:'!V:RONMENTAL QUALITY
January 8, 2016
RECENED/NCDEQJDWR
CERTIFIED MAIL#7013 1710 0002 1922 2729
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED JAN 1 5 2016
Water Quality
Seon
Mr. Ronnie D. Bolt Permitting
Wilderness-NC, Inc
P.O. Box 2136
Lexington,NC 27293
SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty
for Violations of North Carolina General Statute(G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6)
and NPDES Permit NC0023604
Wilderness-NC,Inc
Wilderness-NC Lumber Plant WWTP
Case No. LV-2016-0004
Davidson County
Dear Mr. Bolt:
This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of$ 594.26 ($ 450.00
civil penalty+ $ 144.26 enforcement costs)against the Wilderness-NC, Inc.
This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the discharge monitoring
report(DMR) submitted by the Wilderness-NC, Inc for the month of September 2015. This review has shown
the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations and/or monitoring requirements found in NPDES
Permit NC0023604. The violations, which occurred in September 2015, are summarized in Attachment A to
this letter.
Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that the Wilderness-NC, Inc violated the terms,
conditions or requirements of NPDES Permit NC0023604 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).
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,
Sherri V. Knight, Water Quality Regional Operations Supervisor for the Winston-Salem Region, hereby make
the following civil penalty assessment against the Wilderness-NC, Inc:
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
450 West Hanes Mill Road,Suite 300,Winston-Salem,NC 27105
Phone:336-776-9800\Internet:w'w.ncdenr.gov
r
2 of the 2 violations of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6)and NPDES Permit No.
$200.00 NC0023604, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in
violation of the Permit Daily Maximum limit for BOD.
1 of the 1 violations of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6)and NPDES Permit No.
$250.00 NC0023604, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in
violation of the Permit Monthly Average limit for BOD.
$450.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY
$ 144.26 Enforcement Costs
$ 594.26 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-282.1(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 days of receipt of this notice,you must do one of the following:
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
NC DEQ/DWR/NPDES
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
OR
2. Submit a written request for remission 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)were wrongfully
applied to the detriment of the violator;
(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 has 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, 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:
NC DEQ/DWR/NPDES
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1617
OR
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 original and one (1) copy of the petition must
be filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings. The petition may be faxed-provided the original and one
copy of the document is received in the Office of Administrative Hearings within five (5) business days
following the faxed transmission. The mailing address for the Office of Administrative Hearings is:
Office of Administrative Hearings
6714 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-6714
Telephone(919)431-3000 Facsimile: (919)431-3100
A copy of the petition must also be served on DEQ as follows:
Sam M. Hayes, General Counsel
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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 have any questions,please contact Mike Mickey or me of the Winston-Salem Regional Office at 336-
776-9800.
Sincerely,
Sherri V. Knight,PE, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, DEQ
attachments
cc: WSRO Files w/attachments
SW Central Files w/attachments
PSB-NPDES—Charles Weaver
•
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
COUNTY OF Davidson
Wilderness-NC,Inc REQUEST FOR REMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN
OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINSTRATIVE HEARING AND
Wilderness-NC Lumber Plant WWTP ) STIPULATION OF FACTS
)
)
)
)
PERMIT NO.NC0023604 ) FILE NO. LV-2016-0004
Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $ 594.26 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment
document of the Division of Water Resources dated 1/7/2016, 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_
SIGNATURE
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST
DWQ Case Number: LV-2016-0004
Assessed Party: Wilderness-NC, Inc, Wilderness-NC Lumber Plant WWTP
Amount Assessed: $ 594.26
Permit No: NC0023604
County: Davidson
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 applies. 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:
•
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
COUNTY OF Davidson DWQ Case Number: LV-2016-0004
IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT
OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST: ) REQUEST FOR ORAL PRESENTATION
VIOLATOR: Wilderness-NC,Inc
I hereby request to make an oral presentation before the Environmental Management Commission's Committee On Civil Penalty
Remissions in the matter of the case noted above. In making this request,I assert that I understand all of the following statements:
• This request will be reviewed by the Chairman of the Environmental Management Commission and may be either granted or denied.
• Making a presentation will require the presence of myself and/or my representative during a Committee meeting held in Raleigh,North
Carolina.
• My presentation will be limited to discussion of issues and information submitted in my original remission request,and because no
factual issues are in dispute,my presentation will be limited to five(5)minutes in length.
The North Carolina State Bar's Authorized Practice of Law Committee has ruled that the appearance in a representative capacity at
quasi-judicial hearings or proceedings is limited to lawyers who are active members of the bar. Proceedings before the Committee on
Remissions are quasi-judicial. You should consider how you intend to present your case to the Committee in light of the State Bar's
opinion and whether anyone will be speaking in a representative capacity for you or a business or governmental entity. If you or your
representative would like to speak before the Committee,you must complete and return this form within thirty(30)days of receipt of
this letter.
Depending on your status as an individual, corporation, partnership or municipality, the State Bar's Opinion affects how you may
proceed with your oral presentation. See www.ncbar.com/ethics, Authorized Practice Advisory Opinion 2006-1 and 2007 Formal
Ethics Opinion 3.
• If you are an individual or business owner and are granted an opportunity to make an oral presentation before the Committee,then you
do not need legal representation before the Committee; however, if you intend on having another individual speak on your behalf
regarding the factual situations,such as an expert,engineer or consultant,then you must also be present at the meeting in order to avoid
violating the State Bar's Opinion on the unauthorized practice of law.
• If you are a corporation,partnership or municipality and are granted an opportunity to make an oral presentation before the Committee,
then your representative must consider the recent State Bar's Opinion and could be considered practicing law without a license if he or
she is not a licensed attorney. Presentation of facts by non-lawyers is permissible.
If you choose to request an oral presentation, please make sure that signatures on the previously submitted Remission Request form
and this Oral Presentation Request form are: 1) for individuals and business owners, your own signature and 2) for corporations,
partnerships and municipalities,signed by individuals who would not violate the State Bar's Opinion on the unauthorized practice of
law.
Also,be advised that the Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions may choose not to proceed with hearing your case if the Committee
is informed that a violation of the State Bar occurs.
This the day of ,20
SIGNATURE
TITLE(President,Owner,etc.)
ADDRESS
( )
TELEPHONE
ATTACHMENT A
Wilderness N C Inc
CASE NUMBER: LV-2016-0004
PERMIT: NC0023604 FACILITY: Wilderness-NC Lumber Plant COUNTY: Davidson REGION: Winston-Salem
Limit Violations
MONITORING OUTFALL/ VIOLATION UNIT OF CALCULATED %OVER
PENALTY REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAMETER DATE FREQUENCY MEASURE LIMIT VALUE LIMIT VIOLATION TYPE
$100.00 9-2015 001 Effluent BOD-Conc 9/23/15 Weekly mg/I 7.50 18.60 148.0 Daily Maximum Exceeded
$100.00 9-2015 001 Effluent BOD-Conc 9/30/15 Weekly mg/I 7.50 22.10 194.7 Daily Maximum Exceeded
$250.00 9-2015 001 Effluent BOD-Conc 9/30/15 Weekly mg/I 5 9.30 85.2 Monthly Average Exceeded