EPA v. CHINO MINES COMPANY, A NEW MEXICO CORPORATION

Case summary

1. SECTION 309(A) OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT ( CWA ), 33 U.S.C. SECTION 1319(A). 2. CHINO MINES COMPANY, A NEW MEXICO CORPORATION P.O. BOX 7 HURLEY, GRANT COUNTY, NEW MEXICO 88043 3. RESPONDENT WAS IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 301 OF THE CWA BY THE UNAUTHORIZED DISCHARGES OF 1,000,000 GALLONS OF COP- PER ORE TAILINGS, 6,000 GALLONS OF STORM AND DISCHARGED WATER, AND 600 GALLONS OF MINE SEEPAGE WATER INTO WHITE- WATER CREEK. 4. RELIEF SOUGHT PURSUANT TO SECTION 309(A) OF THE CWA, EPA ISSUED THE RESPONDENT AN ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER (AO) THAT REQUIRED THE RESPONDENT TO: A) WITHIN 30 DAYS, TAKE WHAT- EVER CORRECTIVE ACTION IS NECESSARY TO ELIMINATE AND PRE- VENT RECURRENCE OF THE VIOLATIONS CITED; B) WITHIN 30 DAYS, SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT DETAILING THE SPECIFIC AC- TIONS TAKEN AND EXPLAIN HOW THESE ACTIONS WILL PREVENT RECURRENCE; C) IF NOT POSSIBLE TO CORRECT THE VIOLATIONS IN 30 DAYS, WITHIN 30 DAYS, SUBMIT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO DO SO IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME; AND D) WITHIN 45 DAYS, ARRANGE TO MEET WITH EPA AND SHOW CAUSE.

Defendants (1)

• CHINO MINES COMPANYNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• CHINO MINES COMPANY

  210 CORTEZ AVE., HURLEY, NM, 88043

  Registry ID: 110070394053

• CHINO MINES COMPANY

  210 CORTEZ AVE., HURLEY, NM, 88043

  Registry ID: 110070394053

Statutes cited

• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• CHINO MINES COMPANYentered 1999-11-30

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 1999-11-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1999-11-30Final Order Issued
• 1999-12-09Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2012-05-04Enforcement Action Closed