STATE OF INDIANA

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BEFORE THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT

 

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SS:

OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

COUNTY OF MARION

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COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT

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OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT,

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Complainant,

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v.

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Case No.  2005-14534-H

 

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CABLE PLASTICS RECLAIMING, INC.,

)

 

 

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Respondent.

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NOTICE AND ORDER OF THE

COMMISSIONER OF THE INDIANA

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

 

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL#_______________

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL#_______________

 

 

Henry L. Boch, President

Henry L. Boch, Registered Agent for

Cable Plastics Reclaiming, Inc.

Cable Plastics Reclaiming, Inc.

1508 East 86th St., Unit 169

775 S. 500 W., Suite A

Indianapolis, IN  46240

LaPorte, IN  46350

 

This Notice and Order of the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management ("Order") is issued against Cable Plastics Reclaiming, Inc. (Respondent) pursuant to IC 13-30-3-4, IC 13-30-3-10, and IC 13-30-3-11, and is based on violations of environmental rules and statutes found during an investigation conducted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (“IDEM”).  Specifically, the investigation, which included site visits on August 23, 24, 25, 28, 30, and 31, 2004, September 1, 2, 9, 22, and 23, 2004, December 9, 2004, and January 13, 2005, revealed that the Respondent violated 329 IAC 3.1, IC 13-30-2-1(12), IC 13-30-2-1(10), 329 IAC 10-4-2, 329 IAC 10-4-3, IC 13-30-2-1(1), IC 13-30-2-1(3), IC 13-30-2-1(4), and IC 13-30-2-1(5), as specified below:

 

FINDINGS

 

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

 

2.                  Respondent is Cable Plastics Reclaiming, Inc., which owns and operates or operated a facility (the “Facility”) located at 755 S. 500 W in LaPorte, LaPorte County, Indiana (the “Site”).

 

3.                  IDEM has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

 

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

 

Henry L. Boch, President

Henry L. Boch,

Cable Plastics Reclaiming, Inc.

Registered Agent for

1508 East 86th St., Unit 169

Cable Plastics Reclaiming, Inc.

Indianapolis, IN 46240

775 S. 500 W., Suite A

 

LaPorte, IN 46350

 

5.                  IDEM conducted an investigation from August 2004 through March 2005, which included Site visits conducted on August 23, 24, 25, 28, 30, and 31, 2004, September 1, 2, 9, 22, and 23, 2004, December 9, 2004, and January 13, 2005.  The investigation revealed violations by the Respondent of environmental statutes and rules, as described below.

 

6.                  IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent’s operations at the Facility, consisting of the reclaiming of copper, polyethylene, nylon, and polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) from scrap insulation generated by wire choppers, commenced on or about March 2004, and continued through on or about February, 2005.

 

7.                  IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent’s operations at the Facility generated various solid wastes, including, but not limited to:  mica mud sludge, mica filter media, filter rinse sludge, unusable filters, compactor waste streams, process wastewater, PVC pellets, and shredded wire.  Additionally, IDEM’s investigation revealed that one or more of the solid wastes generated by the Respondent at the Facility contained, among other things, various contaminants including, but not limited to, lead, copper, chlorides, and dissolved solids.

 

8.                  329 Indiana Administrative Code (“IAC”) 3.1 incorporates certain federal hazardous waste management requirements found in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”) Parts 260 through 273, including those identified below.

 

9.                  Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.11, a person who generates a solid waste must determine if that waste is hazardous.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent did not make hazardous waste determinations on the following wastes, which were solid wastes generated by the Respondent at the Facility, in violation of 329 IAC 3.1:

 

A.                 Mica mud sludge;

B.                 Mica filter media;

C.                Filter rinse sludge;

D.                Unusable filters;

E.                 Compactor waste;

F.                 Process wastewater and other sludges; and

G.                Any and all other wastes associated with the Facility’s operations.

 

10.             The results of toxicity characteristic leaching procedure analyses conducted on samples obtained by IDEM on August 25, 2004, and September 9, 2004, and samples obtained on January 13, 2005 by an independent laboratory retained by the Respondent, indicate that the mica mud sludge, mica filter media, and the process wastewater generated by the Respondent at the Facility contain lead concentrations that exceed the hazardous waste regulatory threshold for lead, set forth in 40 CFR Part 261, of 5.0 milligrams per liter.  Thus, the mica mud sludge, mica filter media, and the process wastewater generated by the Respondent at the Facility are hazardous wastes, designated as United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Hazardous Waste Code D008, and the Respondent is a hazardous waste generator.

 

11.             Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.12(c), a generator must not offer its hazardous waste to transporters or to treatment, storage, or disposal facilities that have not received an EPA identification number.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent offered hazardous waste [mica mud sludge (EPA Hazardous Waste Code D008) and mica filter media (EPA Hazardous Waste Code D008)] to a transporter that did not have an EPA identification number (SES Environmental), and to a disposal facility that did not have an EPA identification number (Three Oaks Landfill).  Additionally, IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent offered, to the LaPorte County Highway Department, which did not have an EPA identification number, hazardous waste [process wastewater (EPA Hazardous Waste Code D008)], for use on county roads as dust suppressant, which constitutes disposal, in violation of 329 IAC 3.1.

 

12.             Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.20, a generator who transports or offers for transportation, hazardous waste for off-site treatment, storage, or disposal, must prepare a manifest.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent offered hazardous waste for transportation off-site without preparing a manifest, in violation of 329 IAC 3.1. 

 

13.             Pursuant to Indiana Code (“IC”) 13-30-2-1(12), a person may not cause or allow the transportation of a hazardous waste without a manifest if a manifest is required by law.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent caused or allowed the transportation of hazardous waste without manifests required by law, in violation of IC 13-30-2-1(12).

 

14.             Pursuant to 40 CFR 268.7(a)(2), if a generator determines that a waste does not meet treatment standards, the generator must submit to the treatment, storage, or disposal facility a one-time notice and certification.

 

a.      IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent failed to provide to a disposal facility (Three Oaks Landfill in Michigan) the notice and certification required for the wastes that did not meet treatment standards [i.e., mica mud sludge (EPA Hazardous Waste Code D008) and mica filter media (EPA Hazardous Waste Code D008)], in violation of 329 IAC 3.1. 

 

15.             Pursuant to 40 CFR 270.1(c), a permit is required for the treatment, storage and disposal of any hazardous waste as identified or listed in 40 CFR Part 261.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent stored, treated, and/or disposed of hazardous waste identified or listed in 40 CFR Part 261 without a permit.  Specifically, the Respondent stored and/or treated and/or disposed of, into a surface impoundment located on property adjoining the Site, process wastewater (EPA Hazardous Waste Code D008), without a permit, in violation of 329 IAC 3.1. 

 

16.             Pursuant to IC 13-30-2-1(10), a person may not commence or engage in the operation of a hazardous waste facility without having first obtained a permit from IDEM.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent operated a hazardous waste facility without having first obtained a permit from IDEM, in violation of IC 13-30-2-1(10).

 

17.             Pursuant to 329 IAC 3.1-1-10, every hazardous waste generator, transporter, or owner or operator of a hazardous waste facility, must notify the Commissioner of IDEM of its hazardous waste activity on the approved forms.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent failed to notify the Commissioner of IDEM of its hazardous waste treatment, storage, and/or disposal activities, in violation of 329 IAC 3.1. 

 

18.             Pursuant to 40 CFR 264.1, the owners and operators of a facility which treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste must comply with all applicable portions of 40 CFR 264.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that Respondent failed to comply with requirements contained in 40 CFR 264 with respect to the surface impoundment located on property adjacent to the Site into which the Respondent disposed of hazardous waste without a permit, in violation of 329 IAC 3.1.

 

19.             Pursuant to 329 IAC 10-4-2, no person shall cause or allow the storage, containment, processing, or disposal of solid waste in a manner which creates a threat to human health or the environment, including the creating of a fire hazard, vector attraction, air or water pollution, or other contamination.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that Respondent caused or allowed the storage, containment, processing, and/or disposal of solid waste in a manner that created a threat to human health and/or the environment, including the threat of water pollution (by depositing solid waste into a surface impoundment located on property adjacent to the Site, which may have a hydrological connection to the groundwater), in violation of 329 IAC 10-4-2. 

 

20.             Pursuant to 329 IAC 10-4-3, open dumping and open dumps, as those terms are defined in IC 13-11-2-146 and IC 13-11-2-147, are prohibited.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent caused and/or allowed the open dumping of solid wastes at the Site and/or on property located adjacent to the Site, in violation of 329 IAC 10-4-3.

 

21.             Pursuant to IC 13-30-2-1(1), no person may discharge, emit, cause, allow, or threaten to discharge, emit, cause, or allow any contaminant or waste, including any noxious odor, either alone or in combination with contaminants from other sources, into the environment or into any publicly owned treatment works in any form which causes or would cause pollution which violates or which would violate rules, standards, or discharge or emission requirements adopted by the appropriate board under the environmental management laws.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent caused and/or allowed the discharge of contaminants and/or wastes into the environment, in violation of 329 IAC 10-4-2 and 329 IAC 10-4-3, thus violating IC 13-30-2-1(1).

 

22.             Pursuant to IC 13-30-2-1(3), a person may not deposit any contaminants upon the land in a place and manner that creates or would create a pollution hazard that violates or would violate a rule adopted by one (1) of the boards.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent caused and/or allowed contaminants to be deposited on land located at the Site and/or adjacent to the Site, in violation of 329 IAC 10-4-2 and 329 IAC 10-4-3, thus violating IC 13-30-2-1(3).

 

23.             Pursuant to IC 13-30-2-1(4), a person may not deposit or cause or allow the deposit of any contaminants or solid waste upon the land, except through the use of sanitary landfills, incineration, composting, garbage, or another method acceptable to the solid waste management board.

IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent caused and/or allowed contaminants and/or solid waste to be deposited upon land located at the Site and/or adjacent to the Site, in violation of 329 IAC 10-4-2 and 329 IAC 10-4-3, thus violating IC 13-30-2-1(4).

 

24.             Pursuant to IC 13-30-2-1(5), a person may not dump, cause or allow the open dumping of garbage or of any other solid waste in violation of rules adopted by the solid waste management board. 

 

a.      IDEM’s investigation revealed that the Respondent caused and/or allowed the open dumping of solid waste at the Site and/or on property adjacent to the Site, in violation of 329 IAC 10-4-2 and 329 IAC 10-4-3, thus violating IC 13-30-2-1(5).

 

25.             Respondent had not notified EPA or IDEM of hazardous waste activities at the time of the IDEM inspections.  However, based on the results of the IDEM inspections, Respondent has been assigned the following EPA identification number:  U.S. EPA IND No. INR000112557.

 

26.             Although IDEM did not receive proper notice, IDEM is aware that Respondent has filed for bankruptcy, under Chapter 11 of the United States bankruptcy code.  Pursuant to 11 U.S.C 362(b)(4), during the pendency of the bankruptcy proceeding, IDEM is entitled to exercise its regulatory authority to enforce environmental laws.   This Order is not a collection attempt, but rather, an effort by IDEM to procure compliance with environmental laws, and is thus consistent with 11 U.S.C 362(b)(4).

 

27.             On July 1, 2005, a Notice of Violation was issued, pursuant to IC 13-30-3-3, to the Respondent for the violations cited above.  Respondent received this Notice of Violation on July 5, 2005.

The Notice of Violation contained an offer to enter into an Agreed Order, in accordance with IC 13-30-3-3.

 

28.             More than sixty (60) days have elapsed since Respondent was offered the opportunity to enter into an Agreed Order.

 

29.             The Respondent has not entered into an Agreed Order resolving the violations cited above.

 

ORDER

 

1.                  The Respondent shall immediately cease and desist violation of 40 CFR 262.11, 40 CFR 262.12(c), 40 CFR 262.20, IC 13-30-2-1(12), 40 CFR 268.7(a)(2), 40 CFR 270.1(c), IC 13-30-2-1(10), 329 IAC 3.1-1-10, 40 CFR 264.1, 329 IAC 10-4-2, 329 IAC 10-4-3, IC 13-30-2-1(1), IC 13-30-2-1(3), IC 13-30-2-1(4), and IC 13-30-2-1(5).

 

2.                  Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, Respondent shall, in a manner approved by IDEM, remove and properly dispose of, as hazardous wastes, any mica mud sludge, mica filter media, and process wastewater present at the Site, and shall submit documentation of removal and proper disposal to IDEM.

 

3.                  Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, Respondent shall make waste determinations, in accordance with 40 CFR 262.11, for any and all wastes present at the Site, (with the exception of mica mud sludge, mica filter media, and process wastewater), including, but not limited to, any materials deposited in the piping leading from the Site to the surface impoundment located on the property adjacent  to the Site, and shall submit the results of the waste determinations to IDEM.

 

4.                  Within sixty (60) days of the Effective Date, Respondent shall remove and properly dispose of, in a manner consistent with the results of the waste determinations, and in a manner approved by IDEM, any and all wastes present at the Site (with the exception of mica mud sludge, mica filter media, and process wastewater, which shall be removed and properly disposed of in accordance with Order 2 above), and shall submit documentation of removal and proper disposal to IDEM.

 

5.                  Upon the Effective Date, Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 262.12(c).  Specifically, Respondent shall not offer its hazardous waste to transporters or to treatment, storage, or disposal facilities that have not received an EPA identification number.

 

6.                  Upon the Effective Date, Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 262.20 and IC 13-30-2-1(12).  Specifically, Respondent shall prepare a manifest whenever hazardous waste is transported or offered for transport for off-site treatment, storage, or disposal.

 

7.                  Upon the Effective Date, Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 268.7(a)(2).  Specifically, Respondent shall provide a one-time notice and certification to the treatment, storage, or disposal facility for any waste that does not meet treatment standards.

 

8.                  Within ninety (90) days of the Effective Date, Respondent shall, with respect to all portions of the Site upon which solid waste and/or contaminants was deposited, excavate the soil six (6) inches beyond visible contamination, and submit documentation of the completed excavation to IDEM.

 

9.                  Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, Respondent shall submit, to IDEM, for approval, four (4) copies of a hazardous waste closure plan for the surface impoundment located on property adjacent to the Site into which hazardous waste was deposited.  The closure plan shall be completed in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR 264 Subpart G, as incorporated by 329 IAC 3.1-9-1.

 

10.             Within ten (10) days of notice of IDEM’s approval of the closure plan, Respondent shall implement the plan as approved and in accordance with the time frames contained therein.

 

11.             In the event IDEM determines that any plan, including the hazardous waste closure plan, submitted by Respondent is deficient or otherwise unacceptable, Respondent shall revise and resubmit the plan to IDEM in accordance with IDEM's notice.  After three (3) submissions of such plan by Respondent, IDEM may modify and approve any such plan and Respondent must implement the plan as modified by IDEM.  The approved plan shall be incorporated into this Order and shall be deemed an enforceable part thereof.

 

12.             Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, Respondent shall establish financial assurance for the hazardous waste closure of the surface impoundment located on property adjacent to the Site into which hazardous waste was deposited, pursuant to 329 IAC 3.1-15-8.

 

13.             Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, Respondent shall demonstrate financial responsibility for claims arising from the operation of said facility from sudden and accidental occurrences that cause injury to persons or property, pursuant to 329 IAC 3.1-15-8.

 

14.             Within ten (10) days of the Effective Date, Respondent shall comply with 329 IAC 3.1-1-10.  Specifically, Respondent shall notify the Commissioner of its hazardous waste activity(s) on the approved forms.

 

15.             Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 264.1.  Specifically, Respondent shall comply with the applicable portions of 40 CFR 264.

 

16.             All submittals required by this Commissioner's 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

 

17.             This Order shall apply to and be binding upon the Respondent, its successors and  assigns.  No change in ownership, corporate, or partnership status of the Respondent shall in any way alter its status or responsibilities under this Order.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDER

 

Pursuant to IC 13-30-3-5, this Order takes effect twenty (20) days following receipt unless you request review of this Order, before the twentieth day after receipt, by filing a written request for review with the Office of Environmental Adjudication, and serving a copy of the request for review upon the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.  You may request that the Office of Environmental Adjudication conduct a hearing to review this Order, under IC 4-21.5, in its entirety, or you may limit your request for review to specific findings and/or orders contained in this Order.  Requests for review must be submitted to the Office of Environmental Adjudication and the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at the following addresses:

 

Director

Commissioner

Office of Environmental Adjudication

IDEM

Indiana Government Center North

Indiana Government Center North

100 North Senate Avenue, Room 1049

100 North Senate

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2251

 

 

 

 

Failure to properly submit a request for review, before the twentieth day following receipt of this Order of the Commissioner, waives your right to administrative review of this Order and your right to judicial review of the Order.  The petition for administrative review must contain the following information:

 

a.                  Name, address, and telephone number of each person filing the petition.

b.                  Identification of the interest of each petitioner in the subject of the petition.

c.                  Statement of facts demonstrating that the petitioner is:

(A)              a person to whom the order is directed;

(B)              aggrieved or adversely affected by the order; or

(C)             entitled to review under any law.

d.                  Statement with particularity of the legal issues proposed for consideration in the proceedings.

 

The petition for administrative review should also contain the following information:

 

a.                  Identification of any persons represented by the person making the request.

b.                  Statement identifying the person against whom administrative review is sought.

c.                  A copy of the notice of the commissioner’s action issued by the department of environmental management which is the basis of the petition for administrative review.

d.                  Statement indicating the identification of petitioner’s attorney or other representative.

 

If you have procedural or scheduling questions regarding your request for review you may contact the Office of Environmental Adjudication at (317) 232-8591.

 

Dated at Indianapolis, Indiana, this ______ day of ________________, 2006.

 

 

 

Signed on 4/25/06

 

 

Thomas W. Easterly

 

 

Commissioner

 

 

 

cc:

Director, Northwest Regional Office

 

LaPorte County Health Department

 

Ms. Hala Silvey, Office of Legal Counsel

 

Mr. Scott Ormsby, Office of Land Quality

 

Mr. John Crawford, Office of Land Quality

 

Mr. Michael Kuss, Office of Water Quality

 

Ms. Nancy Johnston, Office of Enforcement

 

OLQ IB2 File

 

http://www.idem.IN.gov