STATE OF INDIANA

COUNTY OF MARION

)
)
)


SS:

BEFORE THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT
OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

 

COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT,

Complainant,

v.

COLWELL, INC.,

Respondent.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)






Case No.  2006-15873-H




 

AGREED ORDER

 

The Complainant and the Respondent desire to settle and compromise this action without hearing or adjudication of any issue of fact or law, and consent to the entry of the following Findings of Fact and Order.  Pursuant to IC 13-30-3-3, entry into the terms of this Agreed Order does not constitute an admission of any violation contained herein.  Respondent's entry into this Agreed Order shall not constitute a waiver of any defense, legal or equitable, which Respondent may have in any future administrative or judicial proceeding, except a proceeding to enforce this order.

 

I.  FINDINGS OF FACT

 

1.                  Complainant is the Commissioner (“Complainant”) of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, a department of the State of Indiana created by IC 13-13-1-1.

 

2.                  Respondent is Colwell, Inc. ("Respondent"), which owns and/or operates the facility with U.S. EPA ID No. IND 984 868 836, located at 2605 Marion Drive in Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana (“Site”).

 

3.                  The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (“IDEM”) has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

 

4.                  Pursuant to IC 13-30-3-3, on August 1, 2006, IDEM issued a Notice of Violation via Certified Mail to:

 

WM Byars, President

CT Corporation System, Registered Agent for

Colwell, Inc.

Colwell, Inc.

123 North Third Street

251 East Ohio Street, Suite 1100

Minneapolis, Minnesota  55401

Indianapolis, Indiana  46204

 

 

5.                  Respondent notified the U.S. EPA of Large Quantity Generator activities on April 12, 1989.  Respondent manufactures paint color merchandising tools and paint product samples for retail sale.

 

6.                  An inspection on May 30, 2006, was conducted at the Site by a representative of IDEM’s Office of Land Quality (“OLQ”).  The following violations were in existence or observed at the time of this inspection:

 

A.        Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(2), a generator may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for 90 days or less without a permit, provided that the date when the accumulation begins is clearly marked and visible for inspection on each container.

 

As noted during the inspection, Respondent did not label containers with accumulation start dates.  Nine (9) 20-gallon drums and two (2) 55-gallon drums were not marked with a start of accumulation date.

 

Respondent provided documentation to IDEM on August 18, 2006, demonstrating that containers holding hazardous waste are being marked with a start of accumulation date.

 

B.        Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(3), a generator may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for 90 days or less without a permit, provided that containers are marked with the words "Hazardous Waste."

 

As noted during the inspection, Respondent did not label containers with the words "Hazardous Waste."   Nine (9) 20-gallon drums were not marked with the words “Hazardous Waste.”

 

Respondent provided documentation to IDEM on August 18, 2006, demonstrating that containers holding hazardous waste are being marked with the words “Hazardous Waste.”

 

C.        Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(c)(1)(ii), a generator may accumulate as much as 55 gallons of hazardous waste at or near the point of generation without a permit and without complying with 40 CFR 262.34(a), provided that the containers are marked with either the words “Hazardous Waste” or with other words that identify the contents of the containers.

 

As noted during the inspection, Respondent accumulated waste in satellite accumulation containers that were not marked with the words “Hazardous Waste” or with other words identifying the contents of the containers.  One (1) 20-gallon satellite container of waste paint and solvent under the drum crusher was not marked with either the words “Hazardous Waste” or with other words that identified the contents of the containers.

 

Respondent provided documentation to IDEM on August 18, 2006, demonstrating that satellite containers holding hazardous waste are being marked with the words “Hazardous Waste.”

 

D.        Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(1)(i) and/or 40 CFR 262.34(c)(1)(i) referencing 40 CFR 265.173(a), a container holding hazardous waste must always be closed during storage, unless necessary to add or remove waste.

 

As noted during the inspection, Respondent did not store containers holding hazardous waste closed.  One (1) 20-gallon drum of waste paint and solvent in the drum crushing area and one (1) 20-gallon drum of waste paint and solvent under the crusher were stored open.

 

Respondent provided documentation to IDEM on August 18, 2006, demonstrating that containers holding hazardous waste are being kept closed except when necessary to add or remove waste.

 

E.        Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.16(a), (b), & (c), facility personnel must complete a program of classroom instruction or on-the-job training that teaches them to perform their duties in compliance with the hazardous waste management rules.  Employees must be trained within six (6) months after their date of hire and must take part in an annual review of the initial training.

 

As noted during the inspection, Respondent did not provide one (1) employee with initial training and one (1) employee with annual training.  Ilyas Tak had not been provided with initial training within six (6) months of assuming a position involving management of hazardous waste and Jesse Munoz had not been provided with an annual review of the hazardous waste management procedures that are relevant to his position.

 

Respondent provided records and information to IDEM on August 18 and November 30, 2006, indicating that both employees had received the necessary training, even though the records were not available at the time of the inspection.

 

7.                  In recognition of the settlement reached, Respondent waives any right to administrative and judicial review of this Agreed Order.

 

II.  ORDER

 

1.                  This Agreed Order shall be effective ("Effective Date") when it is approved by the Complainant or his delegate, and has been received by the Respondent.  This Agreed Order shall have no force or effect until the Effective Date.

 

2.                  Upon the Effective Date of this Agreed Order, Respondent shall ensure compliance with 40 CFR 262.34(a)(2).  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure that containers holding hazardous waste are provided with start of accumulation dates.

 

3.                  Upon the Effective Date of this Agreed Order, Respondent shall ensure compliance with 40 CFR 262.34(a)(3) and 40 CFR 262.34(c)(1)(ii).  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure that containers holding hazardous waste are marked with the words “Hazardous Waste.”

 

4.                  Upon the Effective Date of this Agreed Order, Respondent shall ensure compliance with 40 CFR 265.173(a).  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure that containers holding hazardous waste are stored closed except when necessary to add or remove waste.

 

5.                  Upon the Effective Date of this Agreed Order, Respondent shall ensure compliance with 40 CFR 265.16.  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure that employees handling hazardous waste are provided with the required training.

 

6.                  All submittals required by this Agreed Order, unless notified otherwise in writing, shall be sent to:

 

Brenda Lepter, Enforcement Case Manager

Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Office of Enforcement - Mail Code 60-02

100 N. Senate Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251

 

7.                  Respondent is assessed a civil penalty of Eight Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($8,200).  Said penalty amount shall be due and payable to the Environmental Management Special Fund in four (4) installments of $2,050 each.  The first installment shall be due within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreed Order; the second installment shall be due on or before April 30, 2007; the third installment shall be due on or before July 31, 2007; and the final installment shall be due on or before October 31, 2007.

 

8.                  The civil penalty is payable by check to the Environmental Management Special Fund.  Checks shall include the Case Number of this action and shall be mailed to:

 

Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Cashier’s Office - Mail Code  50-10C

100 N. Senate Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251

 

9.                  In the event that the civil penalty required by Order paragraph 7 is not paid according to the terms of this Agreed Order, Respondent shall pay interest on the unpaid balance at the rate established by IC 24-4.6-1-101.  The interest shall continue to accrue until the civil penalty is paid in full.

 

10.             This Agreed Order shall apply to and be binding upon the Respondent, its successors and assigns. The Respondent's signatories to this Agreed Order certify that they are fully authorized to execute this document and legally bind the parties they represent.  No change in ownership, corporate, or partnership status of the Respondent shall in any way alter its status or responsibilities under this Agreed Order.

 

11.             In the event that any terms of the Agreed Order are found to be invalid, the remaining terms shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreed Order did not contain the invalid terms.

 

12.             The Respondent shall provide a copy of this Agreed Order, if in force, to any subsequent owners or successors before ownership rights are transferred.   Respondent shall ensure that all contractors, firms and other persons performing work under this Agreed Order comply with the terms of this Agreed Order.

 

13.             This Agreed Order shall remain in effect until IDEM issues a Resolution of Case letter to Respondent.

 

TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATION:

 

RESPONDENT:

Department of Environmental Management

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

Nancy L. Johnston, Chief

 

Printed:

 

 

Office of Enforcement

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

COUNSEL FOR COMPLAINANT:

 

COUNSEL FOR RESPONDENT:

Department of Environmental Management

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office of Legal Counsel

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT THIS

 

 DAY OF

 

, 200

 

.

 

 

For The Commissioner:

 

 

 

Signed on January 3, 2007

 

Robert B. Keene

 

Assistant Commissioner

 

Office of Legal Counsel and Enforcement