EPA v. Williamson Development LLC

Case summary

The site, which is adjacent to the Pond Creek Mine, is approximately 254 acres in size and is located about 5 miles east of Johnston City in Williamson County, Illinois. In November 2008, a neighboring land owner notified the United States Army Corps of Engineers ( Corps ) that Williamson was conducting activities on the site that may be in violation of the CWA. On the basis of a site visit and other information, the Corps issued a December 29, 2008, Notice of Violation (NOV) to Williamson for the discharge of dredged and fill material (earthen fill and timber harvesting debris) via mechanized land clearing and grading into waters of the United States. In clearing and grading the land, Williamson (through its contractor) disturbed eight intermittent and ephemeral stream reaches with a direct hydrologic connection to Pond Creek and eventually the Big Muddy River, a traditionally navigable water. These activities occurred without a permit under Section 404 of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. ? 1344.

Defendants (1)

• Williamson Development Company LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• WILLIAMSON DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

  8341 EXPRESS DRIVE, SUITE C, MARION, IL, 62959

  Registry ID: 110038429493

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations
• CWA 404 — Permits for Dredge and Fill Material

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Williamson Development LLCentered 2013-08-12

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $820,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 2009-06-02Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2009-06-03Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2010-04-02Supplemental Referral-Other
• 2011-03-08Supplemental Referral-Adding parties, counts
• 2013-06-18Complaint Filed With Court
• 2013-06-18Final Order Lodged
• 2013-08-12Final Order Entered
• 2023-07-14Enforcement Action Closed