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STATE OF INDIANA    )        BEFORE THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT
                )    SS:    OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
COUNTY OF MARION    )

COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT    )
OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT,    )
                            )
        Complainant,                )
                            )
            v.                )CAUSE NO. A-4266 or 1998-3234-A
                            )
MELVIN FISHER,                    )
                            )
        Respondent.                )

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.

I. FINDINGS OF FACT

    1.    Complainant is the Commissioner (hereinafter referred to as "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 Melvin Fisher (hereinafter referred to as "Respondent"), who owns the property at 1600 East CR 200 South, located in Knox, Indiana.

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

    4.    Rule 326 IAC 4-1-5 states that any person who allows the accumulation or existence of combustible material which constitutes or contributes to a fire causing air pollution may not refute liability for violation of this rule (326 IAC 4- 1) on the basis that said fire was set by vandals, accidental, or an act of God.

    5.    On April 11, 1998, a representative of the Starke County Health Department observed open burning of demolition debris on the Respondent's property located at 1600 East CR 200 South, Knox, IN, a violation of rule 326 IAC 4-1-2 which prohibits the open burning of any material unless exempted by rule 326 IAC 4-1-3 or a variance is obtained in accordance with rule 326 IAC 4-1-4.

    6.    The open burning observed is not exempted and a variance was not obtained.

    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 her delegate, and has been received by the Respondent. This Agreed Order shall have no force or effect until the Effective Date.

    2.    Respondent shall cease and desist all open burning and shall dispose of all refuse and debris in a legal manner.

    3.    Respondent is assessed a civil penalty of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00). Said penalty amount shall be due and payable to the Environmental Management Special Fund within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreed Order.

    4.    All submittals required by this Agreed Order, unless notified otherwise in writing, shall be sent to:
        Craig Henry, Enforcement Case Manager
        Office of Enforcement
        Indiana Department of Environmental Management
        100 N. Senate Avenue
        P. O. Box 6015
        Indianapolis, IN 46206-6015

    5.    In the event the following terms and conditions are violated, the Complainant may assess and the Respondent shall pay a stipulated penalty in the following amounts:

            Violation                    Penalty
    
        326 IAC 4-1                    $3,500.00        

    6.    Stipulated penalties shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days after Respondent receives written notice that the Complainant has determined a stipulated penalty is due. Assessment and payment of stipulated penalties shall not preclude the Complainant from seeking any additional relief against the Respondent for violation of the Agreed Order. In lieu of any of the stipulated penalties given above, the Complainant may seek any other remedies or sanctions available by virtue of Respondent's violation of this Agreed Order, or Indiana law, including but not limited to civil penalties pursuant to IC 13-30-4.

    7.    Civil and stipulated penalties are payable by check to the Environmental Management Special Fund. Checks shall include the Cause Number of this action and shall be mailed to:

            Cashier
            IDEM
            100 N. Senate Avenue
            P. O. Box 7060
            Indianapolis, IN 46207-7060

    8.    This Agreed Order shall apply to and be binding upon the Respondent, its officers, directors, principals, agents, successors, subsidiaries, 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.

    9.    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.

    10.    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.

    11.    This Agreed Order shall remain in effect until Respondent has complied with all terms and conditions of this Agreed Order.


TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATION:        RESPONDENT:
Department of Environmental Management        Melvin Fisher

By:     _________________________        By: _________________________
    David P. McIver
    Chief, Air Section            
    Office of Enforcement            Printed: ______________________

                            Title: ________________________

Date: ________________________            Date: ________________________

COUNSEL FOR COMPLAINANT:            COUNSEL FOR RESPONDENT:
Department of Environmental Management

By: _________________________            By: ________________________
Office of Legal Counsel                
Department of Environmental Management

Date: _______________________            Date: ______________________

APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT THIS _____ DAY OF ____________________, 2000.

                            For the Commissioner:

                            Adopted January 28, 2000
                            Felicia Robinson
                            Assistant Commissioner
                            Office of Enforcement

Converted by Andrew Scriven