EPA v. Water Works District #3 of Rapides parish (LAU000363)

Case summary

On February 13, 2011, EPA Region 6 received a citizen’s complaint regarding a construction site running through Kasatchie National Forest. This site was believed to belong to the Town of Ball, LA. There were no stormwater best management practices and the citizen requested EPA investigate. The site was a lateral pipeline project that ultimately disturbed approximately 19.6 acres. EPA made contact with both operators, the consulting engineering company, the Corps of Engineers, the National Forest Service, and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. On February 24, 2011, all these parties met and performed an inspection to assess compliance with the state’s Stormwater General Permit for Construction Activities. It was determined that neither operator had applied for permit coverage, nor had they prepared a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The main areas of concern were the three creeks that traversed the construction site and eventually discharged to Flagon Bayou. An administrative order was drafted requesting both operators to apply for permit coverage since the area was not stabilized. They were also requested to develop a SWPPP and submit a written certification of compliance. An administrative penalty order was also drafted assessing a penalty for failure to apply for permit coverage under the Clean Water Act. The Consent Agreement Final Order (CAFO) was filed February 8, 2012, assessing a penalty of $6000 to be paid within thirty (30) days of the filing date of the CAFO.

Defendants (1)

• Water Works District #3 of Rapides Parish (LAU0003Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• WATER WORKS DISTRICT #3 OF RAPIDES PARISH / WWD #3 (LAU000363)

  P. O. BOX 580, TIOGA, LA, 71477

  Registry ID: 110043484379

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Water Works District #3 of Rapides parish (LAU000363)entered 2012-02-07

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $5,500

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2011-03-21Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2011-08-16Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2012-02-07NPDES Closed
• 2012-02-07Enforcement Action Closed
• 2012-02-07Final Order Issued