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 + $146.97 enforcement costs) against CommScope, Inc.
This assessment is based upon the following facts: A review has been conducted of the self-
monitoring data reported for November 2014. This review has shown the subject facility to be in
violation of the discharge limitations found -in NPDES Permit No. NC0034754. The violations are
summarized in Attachment A to this letter.
Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that CommScope, Inc violated the
terms, conditions, or requirements of NPDES Permit No. NCO034754 and North Carolina General
Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6) in the manner and extent shown in Attachment A. A civil penalty may
be assessed in accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(a)(2).
Based upon the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority
provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Director
of the Division of Water Resources, I, Michael L. Parker, Regional Supervisor for the Mooresville
Region, hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against CommScope, Inc:
Mooresville Regional Office
Location: 610 East Center Ave., Suite 301 Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: (704) 663-16991 Fax: (704) 663-60401 Customer Service, 1-877-623-6748
Internet: http://pDrtal.ncdenr.orgiweb/wq
An Equal Opportunity i Affirnawe Acban Employer—X% Recycled/10% Post Consurner paper
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$ 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