Fremont, Nebraska - 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 the city of Fremont, Nebraska, a municipality located in Dodge County, Nebraska, for alleged violations within its municipal separate storm sewer system.
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 violated the requirements of its NPDES Permit (Permit #NE-R310001), in violation of Section 402 of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1342. The EPA alleges that Respondent failed to develop and implement an adequate illicit discharge detection and elimination program, failed to conduct and document construction site inspections, failed to develop and implement an adequate municipal pollution prevention and good housekeeping plan, and failed to timely submit a MS4 annual report. 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 mitigated civil penalty of $26,500. 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 R7_Hearing_Clerk_Filings@epa.gov or 913-551-7972. Please reference Docket No. CWA-07-2022-0032. For Technical questions contact Angela Acord, Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, at acord.angela@epa.gov or 913-551-7914. Persons with legal questions may contact Shane McCoin, Office of Regional Counsel, at mccoin.shane@epa.gov or 913-551-7955. 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.
| 07/19/2022 Date |
/s/Jodi Bruno for David Cozad Director Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division |
Summary
The EPA is providing notice of a proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment against the city of Fremont, Nebraska, a municipality in Dodge County, Nebraska, for alleged violations stemming from the operation of its municipal separate storm sewer system.
Program/Statute: Clean Water Act (CWA)
Applicant/Respondent(s):
Fremont, Nebraska
Docket ID: CWA-07-2022-0032