HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0079481_Notice of Violation_20150131 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
M ; 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 14313-282.1(b)was wrongfully '.• '. ,_,a :.
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; t.
f" (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 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 '
r 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.
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In order to request remission, you must complete and submit the enclosed "Request for Remission of Civil Penalties,
Waiver of Riaht 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: = -1• s j;�,
NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit
Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
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Option 3: File a petition for an administrative hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearinas:
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 filingprocess.
The mailing address and telephone and fax numbers for the Office of Administrative Hearings are as follows:
Office of Administrative Hearings
6714 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-6714
Tel: (919)733-2698
Fax: (919)733-3478
j One(1)copy of the petition must also be served on DENR as follows:
Mr.John Evans,General Counsel
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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.
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