Cramer and Associates, Inc. - Clean Water Act Public Notice
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
In accordance with Section 309(g)(4)(A) of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), 33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(4)(A), and 40 C.F.R. § 22.45 of the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits (“Consolidated Rules”), the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is providing notice of a proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment against Cramer and Associates, Inc., a corporation that owns, operates, or otherwise controls a property located in Section 6, Township 78 North, Range 28 West, in Dallas County, Iowa (the “Site”) for alleged violations at the Site.
Under Section 309(g) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g), the EPA is authorized to issue orders assessing civil penalties for various violations of the CWA. The EPA may issue such orders after filing a Complaint commencing either a Class I or Class II penalty proceeding. The EPA provides notice of the proposed assessment of a Class II civil penalty pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)(4)(A). Class II proceedings are conducted under the EPA’s Consolidated Rules, 40 C.F.R. Part 22.
In this case, the EPA alleges that Respondent discharged pollutants from a point source into the waters of the United States without a permit issued pursuant to Section 404 of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1344, in violation of Section 301 of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1311. The EPA alleges that Respondent filled multiple wetlands, constructed a culvert affecting a stream on the Site, and constructed crossings over streams located on the Site. In performing these activities, Respondent and/or persons acting on their behalf discharged dredged or fill material into tributaries of the North Raccoon River, and wetlands connected to those tributaries. Respondent has reached agreement with the EPA on the terms of a proposed Consent Agreement/Final Order which would resolve this matter. Under the proposed Consent Agreement/Final Order, Respondent will pay a civil penalty of $62,508.00 for these violations. Final approval of the proposed Consent Agreement/Final Order is subject to the requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 22.45.
The EPA will receive written comments on the proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice. All such comments shall be submitted to the Regional Hearing Clerk at the address provided below. The procedures by which the public may submit written comments on a proposed Class II order or participate in a Class II proceeding, and the procedures by which a respondent may request a hearing, are set forth in the Consolidated Rules. Persons wishing to obtain additional information on the proceeding, receive a copy of the EPA’s Consolidated Rules, review the proposed Consent Agreement/Final Order, comment upon the proposed penalty assessment, or otherwise participate in the proceeding should contact Regional Hearing Clerk, at [email protected] or 913-551-7972. Please reference Docket No. CWA-07-2024-0049. For Technical questions contact Dr. Delia Garcia, Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, at [email protected] or 913-551-7262. Persons with legal questions may contact Samantha Pappas, Office of Regional Counsel, at [email protected] or 913-551-7924. In order to provide opportunity for public comment, the EPA will issue no final order assessing a penalty in this proceeding prior to forty (40) days from the date of this notice.
| 2024.04.18 Date |
/s/ Jodi Bruno Jodi Bruno Acting Director Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division U.S. EPA, Region 7 |
Summary
The EPA is providing notice of a proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment against Cramer and Associates, Inc., a corporation that owns, operates, or otherwise controls a property located in Section 6, Township 78 North, Range 28 West, in Dallas County, Iowa (the “Site”) for alleged violations at the Site.
Program/Statute: Clean Water Act (CWA)
Applicant/Respondent(s):
Iowa
Docket ID: CWA-07-2024-0049