NOTICE OF VIOLATION

 

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL#

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL#

Mr. Charles E. Lamb, President

Mr. Charles E. Lamb, Registered Agent

Middlebury Hardwood Products, Inc.

Middlebury Hardwood Products, Inc.

PO Box 1429

101 Joan Drive

Middlebury, Indiana 46540

Middlebury, Indiana  46540

 

Case No. 2004-14165-H

 

Based on an investigation on June 22, 2004, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has reason to believe that Middlebury Hardwood Products, Inc. (Respondent) has violated environmental rules.  The violations are based on the following:

 

1.         Respondent owns and operates a company with U.S. EPA I.D. number IND 147 933 212, located at 101 Joan Drive in Middlebury, Elkhart County, Indiana (the "Site").

 

2.         329 IAC 3.1 incorporates certain federal hazardous waste management requirements found in 40 CFR Parts 260 through 273, including those identified below.

 

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

 

            As noted during the inspection, Respondent did not make hazardous waste        determinations on finish sludge and paint booth filters, which were solid     wastes generated by Respondent.

 

            B.         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.

 

            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      describing the contents.

 

            As noted during the inspection, Respondent did not properly label satellite         accumulation containers.

 

            D.        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          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 employees with      initial and annual training.

 

            E.         Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.16(d)(1-4), certain             hazardous waste training related documents and records must be maintained on-    site.

 

                        As noted during the inspection, Respondent did not maintain all of the required   information on-site. 

 

            F.         Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.34, whenever         hazardous waste is being handled, all personnel involved with the operation             must have access to an internal alarm or emergency communication device,         either directly or through visual or voice contact with another employee.

 

            As noted during the inspection, Respondent did not make an internal alarm or    emergency communication device available to employees in the hazardous   waste container storage area.

 

            G.        Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.51, a generator must           have a contingency plan.

 

            As noted during the inspection, Respondent did not have a contingency plan.

 

In accordance with IC 13-30-3-3, the Commissioner herein provides notice that violations may exist and offers an opportunity to enter into an Agreed Order providing for the action 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.

 

As provided in IC 13-30-3-3, an alleged violator may enter into an Agreed Order without admitting that the violations occurred.  IDEM encourages settlement by Agreed Order, thereby resulting in quicker correction of the environmental violations and avoidance of extensive litigation.  Timely settlement by Agreed Order may result in a reduced civil penalty.  Also, settlement discussions will allow the opportunity to present any mitigating factors that may be relevant to the violations.

 

If an Agreed Order is not entered into within sixty (60) days of receipt of this Notice of Violation, the Commissioner may issue a Notice and Order under IC 13-30-3-4 containing the actions that must be taken to correct the violations and requiring the payment of 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.

 

Please contact Ms. Aubrey N. Sherif at 317 233-5970 within fifteen (15) days after receipt of this Notice to discuss resolution of this matter.

 

For the Commissioner:

 

Signed September 21, 2004

 

Felicia A. Robinson

Deputy Commissioner for

Legal Affairs

 

 

cc:        Elkhart County Health Department (w/enclosure)

Nicole Sipe, Office of Legal Counsel (w/enclosure)

Nancy Johnston, Office of Enforcement (w/enclosure)

Scott Draschill, Office of Land Quality (w/enclosure)

Terry Coleman, Northern Regional Office (w/enclosure)

OLQ 1B2 File (w/enclosure)

http://www.in.gov/idem