City of Sioux City, IA

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

In accordance with Section 309(g)(4)(A) of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)(4)(A), and 40 C.F.R. § 22.45 of the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties, Issuance of Compliance or Corrective Action Orders, and the Revocation, Termination or Suspension of Permits (“Consolidated Rules”), the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is providing notice of a proposed Amendment to the Administrative Penalty Assessment against the City of Sioux City, Iowa, for alleged violations regarding implementation of its authorized Pretreatment Program.

Under Section 309(g) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g), the EPA is authorized to issue orders assessing civil penalties for various violations of the Clean Water Act. The EPA may issue such orders after filing a Complaint commencing either a Class I or Class II penalty proceeding. The EPA provides notice of the proposed assessment of a Class II civil penalty pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)(4)(A). Class II proceedings are conducted under EPA’s Consolidated Rules, 40 C.F.R. Part 22.

In this case, the EPA alleged that Respondent failed to implement its approved Pretreatment Program, in violation of Sections 307 and 402 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1317 and 1342. The EPA alleges that Respondent failed to properly develop local discharge limits for Industrial Users of the Respondents wastewater collection and treatment system, timely issue Pretreatment permits to Industrial Users, investigate noncompliance by Industrial Users, and provide at least annual notice to the public regarding significant noncompliance by Industrial Users. Respondent reached agreement with EPA on the terms of a Consent Agreement/Final Order which to resolve this matter and, after notice an opportunity for public comment, issued a Consent Agreement/Final Order, Respondent will pay a civil penalty of $17,500 on September 17, 2012. The EPA and Respondent propose amending the Consent Agreement/Final Order to modify the terms of the Supplemental Environmental Project by substituting a similar project with a final completion date of November 30, 2013. Final approval of the proposed Amended Consent Agreement/Final Order is subject to the requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 22.45.

The EPA will receive written comments on the proposed Amended Consent Agreement/Final Order for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice. The procedures by which the public may submit written comments on a proposed Class II order or participate in a Class II proceeding, and the procedures by which a respondent may request a hearing, are set forth in the Consolidated Rules. Persons wishing to receive a copy of EPA’s Consolidated Rules, review the proposed Amended Consent Agreement/Final Order (PDF) (12 pp., 405K, About PDF) , comment upon the proposed penalty assessment, or otherwise participate in the proceeding should contact the Regional Hearing Clerk, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, 11201 Renner Blvd, Lenexa, KS 66219. Please reference Docket No. CWA-07-2012-0016. In order to provide opportunity for public comment, EPA will issue no final order assessing a penalty in this proceeding prior to forty (40) days from the date of this notice.

9-9-2013
Date

/s/
Karen A. Flournoy
Division Director
Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division
U.S. EPA, Region 7

City of Sioux City, IA

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