NOTICE OF VIOLATION

 

Via Certified Mail No.:

 

John Liebenthal, Owner

Weston Foods US, LLC dba

Maplehurst Bakeries LLC

50 Maplehurst Drive

Brownsburg, IN 46112

 

Case No. 2020-26963-W

 

Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 13-30-3-3, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) issues this Notice of Violation.  Based on an investigation on October 17, 2019, IDEM has reason to believe that Weston Foods US, LLC dba Maplehurst Bakeries LLC (Respondent) has violated environmental rules. The violations are based on the following:

 

1.               Respondent owns/operates Maplehurst Bakeries LLC, located at 50 Maplehurst Drive, Brownsburg, Hendricks County, Indiana (the Site).

 

2.               Respondent is authorized by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Number INP000209 (the Permit) to discharge wastewater treated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the NPDES Permit from the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW).

 

3.               Pursuant to 327 Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 3-2-1.5, no person shall cause or allow the construction, installation, or modification of any water pollution treatment/control facility or sanitary sewer without a valid construction permit issued by the commissioner.

 

Pursuant to 327 IAC 3-2-2, construction shall not commence until all necessary state approvals and permits are obtained.

 

On October 17, 2019, IDEM determined that Respondent had begun construction at the Site in May 2019, without a valid construction permit, in violation of 327 IAC 3-2-1.5 and 327 IAC 3-2-2.

 

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 actions required to correct the violations and, as necessary and appropriate, for the payment of a civil penalty. The Commissioner is not required to extend this offer for more than 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 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 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.

 

Please contact Jessica Irvine at 317-233-5975 or jirvi@idem.in.gov within 15 days after receipt of this Notice to discuss resolution of this matter.

 

 

For the Commissioner:

 

Date:___________________

Signed on May 28, 2020

 

Samantha K. Groce, Chief

Enforcement Section

Surface Water, Operations &

Enforcement Branch

Office of Water Quality

 

cc:      Hendricks County Health Department

http://www.in.gov/idem