NOTICE OF VIOLATION

 

 

Via Certified Mail #:

 

 

Via Certified Mail #:

 

 

To:

Mr. Rodney Mott, President

Mittal Steel USA ISG, Inc.

General Partner of

ISG Indiana Harbor, Inc.

3250 Interstate Drive

Richfield, OH 44286

 

CT Corporation System, Registered Agent

for ISG Indiana Harbor, Inc.

251 East Ohio Street, Suite 1100

Indianapolis, IN 46204

 

 

Case No. 2006-16079-A

 

Based on an investigation on August 3, 2006, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (“IDEM”) has reason to believe that ISG Indiana Harbor, Inc. (“Respondent”) has violated an environmental rule.  The violations are based on the following:

 

1.               Respondent owns and operates a Blast Furnace (IH-3) at its integrated steel mill with Federal ID number 089-00318 located at 3001 Dickey Road, East Chicago, IN (“Site”).

 

2.       IDEM’s representative conducted an inspection at or near the Site on August 3, 2006.  The inspection revealed the following violation:

 

a.       Pursuant to 326 IAC 5-1-2(2)(B), opacity of visible emissions (“VE”) from sources in Lake County shall not exceed the 20% 6-minute average limit unless they are otherwise regulated.

During the inspection, VE opacity from the stove stack of the IH-3 Blast Furnace at this Site exceeded the limit once with a 6-minute average opacity of 95.8% in violation of 326 IAC 5-1-2(2)(B).

 

In accordance with IC 13-30-3-3, the Commissioner herein provides notice that a violation may exist and offers an opportunity to enter into an Agreed Order providing for the action required to correct the violation 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 13-30-3-4, an alleged violator may enter into an Agreed Order without admitting that the violation occurred.  IDEM encourages settlement by Agreed Order, thereby resulting in quicker correction of the environmental violation 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 violation.

 

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 violation 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.

 

To discuss this matter further, please contact Janusz Johnson at (317) 233-1134 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 on October 30, 2006

 

Matthew T. Klein
Assistant Commissioner
for Compliance & Enforcement

 

 

cc:      Rochelle A. Marceillars, US EPA Region 5

Lake County Health Department

Janusz Johnson, Office of Enforcement

Michael Hall, Northwest Regional Office

Enforcement File

Public File

http://www.in.gov/idem/enforcement/