NOTICE OF VIOLATION

 

 

Via Certified Mail# _______________

To: Jerry Ottinger,

President/Registered Agent

Ottinger Livestock Farms, Inc.

1730 W., 236th St.

Sheridan, IN 46069

Case No. 2001-10887-S

Based on investigation by designated representatives of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) on September 28, 29, and October 1, 2001, Ottinger Livestock Farms, Inc., confined feeding operation approval # 3632, located at 1510 W., 236th St., in Sheridan, Hamilton County, Indiana (Site), was in violation of the following environmental statutes and rules:

    1. 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. Ottinger Livestock Farms, Inc. caused or allowed the discharge of animal manure from the Site and failed to report the spill to IDEM and to undertake a spill response.
    2. 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. Ottinger Livestock Farms, Inc. caused or allowed the discharge of animal manure from the Site to waters of the state.
    3. 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. Ottinger Livestock Farms, Inc. caused or allowed the discharge of animal manure from the Site to waters of the state without a valid NPDES permit.
    4. Pursuant to IC 13-18-4-5, it is unlawful for any person to throw, run, drain, or otherwise dispose into any of the streams or waters of this state, or to cause, permit, or suffer to be thrown, run, drained, allowed to seep, or otherwise disposed into any waters, any organic or inorganic matter that causes or contributes to a polluted condition of any waters, as determined by a rule of the board adopted under Sections 1 and 3 of this chapter. Ottinger Livestock Farms, Inc. caused or allowed the discharge of animal manure from the Site to waters of the state.
    5. 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. Ottinger Livestock Farms, Inc. caused or allowed the discharge of animal manure into the environment.

In accordance with IC 13-30-3-3, the Commissioner is required to notify an alleged violator in writing that a violation 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 violation 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 13-30-4-1, the Commissioner may assess penalties of up to $25,000 per day for each violation.

To discuss this matter further, please contact Craig Henry at (317) 233-1136 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 October 16, 2001

Felicia A. Robinson

Deputy Commissioner

for Legal Affairs

 

cc: Hamilton County Health Department

Hamilton County Public File, L file

Enforcement file

www.dem.state.in.us/