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Federal Data Annual Results - 2007
North Carolina
EPA works in partnership with states in targeting federal enforcement where it produces the most environmental benefit.
| Results Obtained from EPA Civil Enforcement Actions: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Direct Enforcement Benefits - including benefits from Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) | ||
| Pollutants Reduced (Pounds) | 11,911,531 |
|
| Contaminated Soil to be Cleaned Up (Cubic Yards) | 1,425 |
|
| Contaminated Water to be Cleaned Up (Cubic Yards) | 321,703 |
Investments in Pollution Control and Clean-up (Injunctive Relief) | $198,658,728 |
| Investments in Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) | $304,913 |
|
| Civil Penalties | $767,879 |
|
| Counts of EPA Civil Enforcement Actions: | |
|---|---|
| Civil Judicial Conclusions | 2 |
| Final Administrative Penalty Orders | 79 |
| Administrative Compliance Orders | 31 |
Sources for Data displayed in this document: Integrated Compliance Information System (ICIS), Criminal Case Reporting System, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Information System (CERCLIS), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information (RCRAInfo), Air Facility System (AFS), and Permit Compliance System (PCS) October 13, 2007.
Selected Highlights
Stormwater cases result in over 31 million pounds of pollution reduced. In support of EPA’s National Enforcement Priority for Wet Weather/Storm Water, Region 4 issued 27 administrative actions requiring injunctive relief for Clean Water Act and storm water violations at construction sites. These actions were brought against developers and homebuilders in AL, GA, KY, NC and TN. The total average annual amount of pollutants reduced for the actions was 31.9 million pounds/year. The violations ranged from failure to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to failure to follow the NPDES permit conditions. The NPDES permit conditions that were violated included: failure to properly design, implement or maintain best management practices; failure to maintain records; failure to inspect; and failure to take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimize discharges that may cause harm to the environment. Each of the administrative orders required that the violations be corrected within a specified period of time and that documentation be provided to the government to demonstrate that the violations were corrected.
EPA Settles Clean Water Act violations with Charlotte-Mecklenberg, North Carolina Utilities: The City of Charlotte (acting by and through the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Utilities) owns and operates publicly owned treatment works, including five wastewater treatment plants and their associated sanitary sewage collection systems which have been issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Pursuant to Region 4’s Management, Operation and Maintenance (“MOM”) Programs Project, Region 4 determined that Charlotte had violated Section 301 of the Clean Water Act by discharging untreated sanitary sewage containing pollutants to waters of the United States at locations not authorized by the NPDES Permits and by failing to properly operate and maintain the Collection Systems as required by the NPDES Permits resulting in sanitary sewage overflows. On February 13, 2007 Region 4 issued an administrative order under 309(a) of the Clean Water Act requiring Charlotte to implement necessary measures to eliminate sewage overflows within five years. With respect to these same violations, on February 27, 2007, Region 4 and Charlotte also entered into a Consent Agreement and Final Order pursuant to Section 309(g)(2)(B) of the Clean Water Act whereby Charlotte agreed to pay a civil penalty of $125,000 and perform a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) valued at $300,000. The SEP involves restoring, protecting, and enhancing water quality in McDowell Creek by acquiring land adjacent to McDowell Creek, placing perpetual use restrictions on such land and then donating such land to Mecklenburg County to be held for purposes of furthering the goals of the McDowell Creek Watershed Management Plan. The primary purpose of such easements and/or restrictions will be to reduce and/or prevent erosion and non-point source pollution from entering McDowell Creek by setting aside land in perpetuity for the protection of McDowell Creek such that the adjacent portion of McDowell Creek may be maintained in, or be restored to, its natural condition.
Parties agree to plead guilty in North Carolina pretreatment case: On July 31, 2007, the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, filed a Bill of Information charging Ecosolve office managers Leanne Ingram and Tara Presson for knowingly violating a requirement of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg pre-treatment program in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. The parties have signed a plea agreement in which they admit to the violations. Previously, a grand jury returned a ten count indictment against Ecosolve, LLC; the company’s owner and president, Ralph Rogers; and operations manager Thomas Forebush, charging felony violations of the Clean Water Act, conspiracy, wire fraud, and false statements. Ecosolve operates a fleet of vacuum trucks that removes, transports, and disposes of grease trap waste from restaurants.