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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0003299_Civil Penalty Assessment_20240205 U.S. Postal ServiceTM CERTIFIED MAIL° RECEIPT ✓ Domestic Mail Only ✓ For delivery information,visit our website at www.usps.com u • Certified Mail Fee / , Yl I / t o ,el d O Extra Services&Fees(cheecck add fee as appropriate) �'C� 1�.- U ❑Return Receipt(hardcopy) $ l�-I a y I (, ❑Return Receipt(electronic) $ Postmark k 0 Certified Mail Restricted Delivery $ Here 3 0 Adult Signature Required $ Y C ❑Adult Signature Restricted Delivery$ r u Postage Town of Taylorsville it 11 A TotalPos • , n Manager GU $ 67 Main Street — n Sent To Taylorsville,North Carolina 28681 6 7 streetanoWQRSrt5diti O51202 City,State,ZIP+46 ,ertnrea man service pruvtues the rvuvwing oenents: A receipt(this portion of the Certified Mail label). for an electronic return receipt,see a retail A unique identifier for your mailpiece. associate for assistance.To receive a duplicate Electronic verification of delivery or attempted return receipt for no additional fee,present this delivery. LISPS®-postmarked Certified Mail receipt to the A record of delivery(including the recipient's retail associate. signature)that is retained by the Postal Service" -Restricted delivery service,which provides for a specified period. delivery to the addressee specified by name,or to the addressee's authorized agent. nportant Reminders: -Adult signature service,which requires the You may purchase Certified Mail service with signee to be at least 21 years of age(not First-Class Mail°,First-Class Package Service®, available at retail). or Priority Mail0 service. -Adult signature restricted delivery service,which Certified Mail service is not available for requires the signee to be at least 21 years of agi international mail. and provides delivery to the addressee specified Insurance coverage is not available for purchase by name,or to the addressee's authorized agent with Certified Mail service.However,the purchase (not available at retail). of Certified Mail service does not change the ■To ensure that your Certified Mail receipt is insurance coverage automatically included with accepted as legal proof of mailing,it should bear a certain Priority Mail items. USPS postmark.If you would like a postmark on For an additional fee,and with a proper this Certified Mail receipt,please present your endorsement on the mailpiece,you may request Certified Mail item at a Post Office'"for the following services: postmarking.If you don't need a postmark on this -Return receipt service,which provides a record Certified Mail receipt,detach the barcoded portion of delivery(including the recipient's signature). of this label,affix it to the mailpiece,apply You can request a hardcopy return receipt or an appropriate postage,and deposit the mailpiece. electronic version.For a hardcopy return receipt, complete PS Form 3811,Domestic Return Receipt;attach PS Form 3811 to your mailpiece; IMPORTANT:Save this receipt for your records. c,,.,,,!UM() e,,a Ana „eke DCti sir i •ENDER: COMPLETE THIS SECTION COMPLETE THIS SECTION ON DELIVERY • Complete items 1,2,and 3. A. Signature • Print your name and address on the reverse x.. ��� II 0 Agent so that we can return the card to you. �— 0 Addresser • Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece, C. Date of Deliver-) or on the front if space permits. 1. Article Addressed to: D. Is delivery address different from item 1? 0 Yes Town of Taylorsville If YES,enter delivery address below: ❑ No Attention: David Odom,Town Manager 67 Main Street Taylorsville,North Carolina 28681 WQROS JH 02/05/2024 Il I III I IIII III I II l I I I Il l I'll I II i I IIII II III 3. Service Type 0 Adult Signature ❑Priority Mail Express® t9 Registered Mail• 9590 9402 3908 8060 7321 47 Si Certifi Signaturel Restricted Delivery 0 RegisteredDeh Mail Restricts ❑Certified Mail Restricted Delivery ❑Return Receipt for ❑Collect on Delivery Merchandise 2. Article "---- -`—.- ^^^"^^''hnn - -- ____ 0_Collect on Delivery Restricted Delivery n Signature Conflnnation ❑Signature Confirmation 7 015 1520 0002 8376 2494 d Delivery Restricted Delivery USPS TRACKING# 111111.111. 7 First-Class Mail L Postage&Fees Paid USPS Permit No.G-10 I 9590 9402 3908 8060 7321 47 United States Ci •Sender:Please print your name,address,and ZIP+4®in this box* Po ta I Service ;Li- d NCDEQ — WQROS JH • ,� -' Mooresville Regional Office c--,.., o ��0 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 C C ' - ow Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 1 W* COm C V( W -J 11-.. j C W w ' r cc 0 .- ''9--3 (i). iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii IIIniiil,iiiiiiiiiii'liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii'i it t' e a+ o rinitY ROY COOPER Governor Y `�� ELIZABETH S.BISER • »% _ Secretary RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH ,t Environmental Director Certified Mail# 7015 1520 0002 8376 2494 Return Receipt Requested February 5,2024 Aaron Wilson Wike ' Town of Taylorsville 67 Main Ave Dr Taylorsville,NC 28681 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of North Carolina General Statute(G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6) and Collection System Permit No. WQCS00135 Town of Taylorsville Taylorsville Collection System n 6 . ` t Case No.DV-2024-0016 n 1'\ \2� Alexander County 1/ 1 Dear Mr. Wilke: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of$1,148.97($1,000.00 civil penalty +$148.97 enforcement costs)against Town of Taylorsville. This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the Sanitary Sewer Overflow(SSO) 5-Day Report submitted by Town of Taylorsville. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the requirements found in Collection System Permit No. WQCS00135 and G.S. 143-2 15.1(a)(1). The violation(s)that occurred are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Town of Taylorsville violated the terms,conditions or requirements of Collection System Permit No.WQCS00135 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1)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). DE !forth Caroina Department of Environmental g,arty Division of Water Resources pt� MootrnNk Re�onal Office ulO East Center Acetuc,Suite 301 Mooresvllk.North Carolina 28115 eta 70J.6G7.1649 I 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,Andrew H.Pitner,Regional Supervisor,Mooresville Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Town of Taylorsville: $1,000.00 For 1 of the 1 violations of Collection System Permit No. WQCS00135 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1)for Sanitary Sewer Overflow(s)resulting in a discharge without a valid permit. $1,000.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY $148.97 Enforcement Costs $1,148.97 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(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: Attn: PERCS 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 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)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: Attn: PERCS Branch Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh,North.Carolina 27699-1617 AND Andrew H. Pitner, P.G., Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources,NCDEQ 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 Mooresville,NC 28115 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 am. 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 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 Joanna Harbison with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Mooresville Regional Office at(704)663-1699 or via email at joanna.harbison@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, .-OocuSigned by /14.1 tw H P;z, F181F869A2D84A3_. Andrew H. Pitner, P.G.,Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources,NC DEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Mooresville Regional Office-Enforcement File PERCS Compliance/Enforcement Unit-Enforcement File JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number: DV-2024-0016 County: Alexander Assessed Party: Town of Taylorsville Permit No.: WQCS00135 Amount Assessed: $1,148.97 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 how payment of the civil penalty will prevent you from performing the activities necessary to achieve compliance). EXPLANATION: 4 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNTY OF ALEXANDER IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND ) STIPULATION OF FACTS Town of Taylorsville ) Taylorsville Collection System ) ) PERMIT NO. WQCS00135 ) CASE NO. DV-2024-0016 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling$1,148.97 for violation(s)as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated February 5,2024,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 SIGNATURE ADDRESS TELEPHONE r1 • ATTACHMENT A Town of Taylorsville CASE NUMBER: DV-2024-0016 PERMIT NO: WQCS00135 REGION: Mooresville FACILITY: Taylorsville Collection System COUNTY: Alexander Other Violations INCIDENT VIOLATION TOTAL VOLUME PENALTY NUMBER DATE VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION DESCRIPTION (GALLONS) AMOUNT 202301730 12/26/2023 CSO/SSO(Sewer Overflow) Discharge without valid permit 3,200 $1,000.00