EPA v. OAKS AT DAWSON MERITAGE HOMES

Case summary

NOVEMBER 12, 2025 - EXPEDITED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND FINAL The undersigned representatives of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Meritage Homes (Respondent) enter into this Expedited Settlement Agreement (ESA or Agreement) to resolve Respondent's civil penalty liability for alleged violations of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System storm water permit cited above (Permit). On 10/26/2023 representatives of the EPA inspected the Respondent's site at Huckleberry Ford and Walnut Drive, Dawsonville, Georgia, 30534 (Site). Observations indicated operations at the Site were not in compliance with the requirements of the Permit. Based on information obtained during the EPA inspection, the EPA found that: (1) Respondent, who is the owner and operator of the Site, failed to comply with the Permit, which was issued pursuant to section 402 of the Clean Water Act (Act), 33 U.S.C. ? 1342; (2) Respondent is a person as defined in Section 502(5) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. ? 1362(5); and (3) Respondent is responsible for the alleged violations specified in the attached Inspection Findings, Alleged Violations, and Proposed Penalty Form (Alleged Violations Form). The Alleged Violations Form is hereby incorporated into this Agreement by reference. The EPA also finds, and Respondent admits, that the EPA has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Section 309(g) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. ? 1319(g). Respondent neither admits nor denies the factual allegations alleged in the Alleged Violations Form. The EPA is authorized to enter into this Agreement under the authority vested in the Administrator by Section 309(g) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. ? 1319(g), and by?? 40 C.F.R. ? 22.13(b) and 22.18. Respondent consents to the assessment of a civil penalty and agrees to pay $14,000. Respondent waives the right to: (1) contest the allegations in the Alleged Violations Form; (2) a hearing pursuant to Section 309(g)(2) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. ? 1319(g)(2); (3) appeal the Final Order; and (4) judicial review pursuant to CWA ? 309 (g)(8), 33 U.S.C. ? 1319(g)(8). The civil penalty will be due within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this ESA and Final Order and shall be made in accordance with the attached Expedited Settlement Agreement Payment Instructions (Payment Instructions), incorporated herein by reference. Respondent agrees to bear its own costs and attorneys' fees related to this ESA. Failure by Respondent to pay the penalty assessed by this ESA and Final Order in full by the due date may subject Respondent to a civil action to collect the assessed penalty plus interest, attorneys' fees, costs, and an additional quarterly nonpayment penalty pursuant to Section 309(g)(9)(B) of the Act, 33U.S.C. ? 1319(g)(9)(B). In any such collection action, the validity, amount, and appropriateness of the penalty shall not be subject to review. By signing this Agreement, Respondent certifies that: (1) the alleged violations listed in the Alleged Violations Form have been corrected, and Respondent has submitted true and accurate documentation to the EPA of such correction; and (2) consistent with Section 162(f)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. ? 162(f)(1), Respondent will not deduct penalties paid under this Agreement for federal tax purposes.

Defendants (1)

• OAKS AT DAWSON MERITAGE HOMESNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• THE OAKS @ DAWSON

  DAWSON FOREST ROAD SW, DAWSONVILLE, GA, 30534

  Registry ID: 110071092684

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• OAKS AT DAWSON MERITAGE HOMESentered 2025-11-12

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $14,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2025-11-12Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2025-11-12Final Order Issued
• 2026-03-16Enforcement Action Data Entered