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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0034754_LV20150187_20150910Pat McCrory Governor A L NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources September 10, 2015 CERTIFIED MAIL 7015 0640 0002 9299 3458 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Mr. George Crosby, EH&S Engineer CommScope, Inc. 6519 CommScope Road Catawba, NC 28609-0199 Dear Mr. Crosby: Donald van der Vaart Secretary RECEIVEDIDENRIDWR SEP 15 2015 Water Qualet`j Permitting Sectier SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of N.C. General Statute 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NCO034754 CommScope WWTP Catawba County Case No.'LV-2015-0187 This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $1296.97 ($1150 civil penalty + $146.97 enforcement costs) against CommScope, Inc. This assessment is based upon the following facts: A review has been conducted of the self- monitoring data reported for November 2014. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations found -in NPDES Permit No. NC0034754. The violations are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that CommScope, Inc violated the terms, conditions, or requirements of NPDES Permit No. NCO034754 and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6) in the manner and extent shown in Attachment A. A civil penalty may be assessed in accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(a)(2). Based upon the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Director of the Division of Water Resources, I, Michael L. Parker, Regional Supervisor for the Mooresville Region, hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against CommScope, Inc: Mooresville Regional Office Location: 610 East Center Ave., Suite 301 Mooresville, NC 28115 Phone: (704) 663-16991 Fax: (704) 663-60401 Customer Service, 1-877-623-6748 Internet: http://pDrtal.ncdenr.orgiweb/wq An Equal Opportunity i Affirnawe Acban Employer—X% Recycled/10% Post Consurner paper �f $ 100.00 For 1 of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0034754, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit daily maximum effluent limit for BOD. $ 100.00 For 1 of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0034754, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit daily maximum effluent limit for fecal coliform. $ 100.00 For 1 of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0034754, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit daily maximum effluent limit for ammonia. $ 100.00 For 1 of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0034754, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit daily maximum effluent limit for total suspended solids. $ 250.00 For 1 of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0034754, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit monthly average effluent limit for ammonia. $ 250.00 For 1 of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0034754, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit monthly average effluent limit for BOD. $ 250.00 For 1 of the one (1) violation of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NC0034754, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit monthly average effluent limit for total suspended solids. $ 1150.00 $ 146.97 $ 1296.97 . TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY Enforcement costs 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. I (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 violations; (2) The duration and gravity of the violations; (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 violations were 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 Environment and Natural Resources (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. Wastewater Branch Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 1A, 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 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 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 G.S. 14313-282. 1 (b).were 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 information 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 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 "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 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: Office of Administrative Hearings 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 DENR as follows: Mr. Sam M. Hayes, General Counsel DENR 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 notice, 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 about this civil penalty assessment please contact staff in the Mooresville Regional Office at (704) 663-1699. (date) ATTACHMENTS Michael L. Parker, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDENR cc: Mooresville Regional Office Compliance File w/ attachments Raleigh Compliance/Enforcement File w/ attachments Central Files w/ attachments ATTACHMENT A CASE NO: LV -2015-0187 Outfall Date Parameter Reported Value 001 11/20/2014 BOD 199 mg/l* 001 11/20/2014 Ammonia 28.1 mg/l* 001 11/20/2014 TSS 212 mg/l* 001 11/20/2014 Fecal Coliform 920.8 CFU/100 ml.* 001 11/30/2014 BOD 53.98 mg/l* 001 11/30/2014 Ammonia 11.81 mg/l* 001 11/30/2014 TSS 55.25 mg/l* Permit Limit 40.7 mg/l (Daily maximum) 21.5 mg/l (Daily maximum) 39.2 mg/1(Daily maximum) 400 CFU/100 ml.(Daily maximum) 30 mg/l (Monthly Average) 4.3 mg/l (Monthly Average) 30 mg/1(Monthly Average) * Denotes civil penalty assessment CommScope, Inc. response to NOV-2015-LV-0105 received on March 23, 2015 was reviewed by DWR staff. Mitigating factors were not found to result in a reduced civil penalty amount. STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CATAWBA IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL PENALTY AGAINST COMMSCOPE, INC. PERMIT NUMBER NCO034754 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS FILE NO. LV -2015-0187 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $1296.97 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated March 9, 2015, the undersigned, desiring to seek remission of the civil penalties, 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 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 , 2015 IM ADDRESS TELEPHONE 1 JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST DWR Case Number: LV -2015-0187 Assessed Party: CommScope, Inc. County: Catawba Permit Number: NC0034754 Amount Assessed: $1296.97 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 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: (use additional pages as necessary) NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT FACTORS Violator: CommScope, Inc. Facility: CommScope WWTP County: Catawba Case Number: LV -2015-0187 Permit Number: NCO034754 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; No harm has been documented; however, the facility exceeded the daily maximum BOD and fecal coliform permit limits for three weeks in May 2014. In addition, the facility exceeded the monthly average permit limits for BOD, fecal coliform, and TSS for May 2014. 2) The duration and gravity of the violation; The BOD daily maximum effluent limit violation exceeded the permit limit by 388.90/o. The ammonia daily maximum effluent limit violation exceeded the permit limit by 30.7%. The fecal coliform daily maximum effluent limit violation exceeded the permit limit by 130.2%. The TSS daily maximum effluent limit violation exceeded the permit limit by 440.8%. The BOD monthly average permit limit was exceeded by79.9%, the monthly ammonia average permit limit was exceeded by 174.7%, and the monthly average TSS was exceeded by 84.2% during the month of November 2014. 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; The effect on the receiving stream is unknown. BOD is an oxygen -consuming waste and therefore increased concentrations could reduce the amount of oxygen available to aquatic organisms. Fecal coliform is an indicator species for possible pathogens and increased levels can signal human health hazards. Increased suspended solids (turbidity) increase the water temperature, thus reducing the amount of oxygen in water harming aquatic life. They also reduce the amount of natural sunlight that penetrates through the water, further decreasing oxygen production and photosynthesis. In addition, high levels of solids can kill fish by clogging their gills, lowering their resistance to disease, and smothering their eggs. Ammonia -nitrogen is treated as an in -stream toxicant by the State of North Carolina because ammonia is an oxygen -consuming waste and increased concentrations could reduce the amount of oxygen available to aquatic organisms. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; The cost is unknown. 5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance; The amount of money saved by noncompliance is unknown. 6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; The Division of Water Resources has no evidence that the violations were 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; There have been 25 previous CPAs for the Commscope WWTP .The last CPA was issued on September 23, 2010 for Ammonia violation that occurred in June 2010. 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. The cost to the Division of Water Resources is $146.97. t 9 D e Michael L. Parker, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDENR