Ponderosa Builders, LLC - 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 in the form of an Expedited Settlement Agreement against Ponderosa Builder’s LLC, for alleged violations on property approximately 5 miles west of Ashland, Montana along US-212.
Under Section 309(g) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g), the EPA is authorized to issue orders assessing civil penalties for various violations of the Clean Water Act. 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 I civil penalty pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)(4)(A). Class I proceedings are conducted under the EPA’s Consolidated Rules, 40 C.F.R. Part 22.
In this case, the EPA alleges that Respondent failed to comply with Section 405 of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1345, and/or 40 C.F.R. 503, Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge. Respondent failed to meet the regulatory requirements associated with the land application of domestic sewage (septage). 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 $2,100. 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 I order or participate in a Class I 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 Expedited Settlement Agreement, comment upon the proposed penalty assessment, or otherwise participate in the proceeding should contact Regional Hearing Clerk, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219. Please reference Docket No. CWA-07-2020-0061. For Technical questions contact Erin Kleffner, Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, at [email protected], at the above mailing address or 913-551-7921. Persons with legal questions may contact Sarah Moreno, Paralegal, Office of Regional Counsel, at [email protected], at the above mailing address or 913-551-7206. 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.
| 1/10/2020 Date |
/s/ Jeff Field for David Cozad Director Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division U.S. EPA, Region 7 |
Summary
The EPA is providing notice of a proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment in the form of an Expedited Settlement Agreement against Ponderosa Builder’s LLC, for alleged violations on property approximately 5 miles west of Ashland, Montana along US-212.
Program/Statute: Clean Water Act (CWA)
Applicant/Respondent(s):
Ponderosa Builders, LLC
RR 1, Box 1163
Hardin, Montana 59034
Proposed action: Public Notice of Clean Water Act Adminstrative Penalty Settlement
Docket ID: CWA-07-2020-0061