NOTICE OF VIOLATION

Via Certified Mail#

To: Swissland Milk Co.

Attn: Kirk Johnson

1805 E CR 650 S

Berne, IN 46711

Case No. 2001-10751-S

Based on an investigation by a designated representative of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) on July 16, 2001, at Old Riggins Dairy, located at 1200 East Riggin Road, Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana, (the "Site") Swissland Milk Co. is in violation of the following environmental statute and rules:

A. 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. Swissland Milk Co. caused and/or allowed waste to be discharged into the environment, in violation of rules adopted by the boards.
    1. Pursuant to 327 IAC 2-1-6(a)(1), all waters at all times and at all places, including the mixing zone, shall meet the minimum conditions of being free from substances, materials, floating debris, oil, or scum attributable to municipal, industrial, agricultural, and other land use practices, or other discharges that will settle to form putrescent or otherwise objectionable deposits, that are in amounts sufficient to be unsightly or deleterious, that produce color, visible oil sheen, odor, or other conditions in such degree as to create a nuisance, which are in amounts sufficient to be acutely toxic to, or to otherwise severely injure or kill aquatic life, other animals, plants, or humans, and which are in concentrations or combinations that will cause or contribute to the growth of aquatic plants or algae to such a degree as to create a nuisance. Swissland Milk Co. caused and/or allowed the discharge of pollutants into waters of the state.
    2. Pursuant to 327 IAC 5-2-2, any discharge of pollutants into waters of the state as a point source discharge is prohibited, unless in conformity with a NPDES Permit obtained prior to the discharge. Swissland Milk Co. discharged pollutants into waters of the state without an NPDES permit. 
    3. Pursuant to 327 IAC 2-6.1-7, any person who operates, controls or maintains any mode of transportation or facility from which a spill occurs shall, upon discovery of a reportable spill to the soil or surface waters of the state contain the spill, if possible, to prevent additional spilled material from entering the waters of the state; undertake or cause others to undertake activities needed to accomplish a spill response; and as soon as possible, but within two (2) hours of discovery, communicate a spill report to the Department of Environmental Management, Office of Environmental Response. Swissland Milk Co. did not properly report, contain and respond to the spill that occurred at the Site.
    4. Pursuant to 327 IAC 6.1-7-1(b), any application of domestic wastewater or industrial process wastewater to the land is prohibited unless a valid site-specific land application permit in accordance with 327 IAC 6.1-1-3(b) has been obtained from the commissioner prior to the application of the domestic wastewater or industrial process wastewater. Swissland Milk Co. applied industrial process wastewater to the land without a permit.

In accordance with IC 13-30-3-3, the Commissioner is required to notify an alleged violator in writing that violations may exist and offer an opportunity to enter into an Agreed Order providing for the actions required to correct the violations and for the payment of a civil penalty. The Commissioner is not required to extend this offer for more than sixty (60) days.

Entering into an Agreed Order will prevent the issuance of a Notice and Order of the Commissioner under IC 13-30-3-4, or the filing of a civil court action under IC 13-14-2-6. IDEM encourages settlement by Agreed Order, thereby saving time and resources. Timely settlement by Agreed Order may result in a reduced civil penalty. Settlement discussions will also allow the opportunity to present any mitigating factors that may be relevant to the violations. In addition, as provided in IC 13-30-3-3, an alleged violator may enter into an Agreed Order without admitting that the violations occurred.

If settlement is not reached within sixty (60) days of receipt of this Notice of Violation, the Commissioner may issue a Notice and Order containing the actions that must be taken to achieve compliance, the required time frames, and an appropriate civil penalty. Pursuant to IC 13-23-14, the Commissioner may assess penalties of up to $25,000 per day for each violation.

To discuss this matter further, please contact Tom Newcomb at (317)232-8410 within fifteen (15) days after receipt of this Notice to request a conference. If settlement is reached, an Agreed Order will be prepared and sent for review and signature.

 

For the Commissioner:

 

Date: _______________ signed 12/10/2001)

Felicia A. Robinson

Deputy Commissioner

Legal Affairs

cc: Adams County Health Department

http://www.state.in.us/idem