EPA v. C&H Sugar Company (CAFO)

Case summary

This is a Class II civil administrative penalty proceeding under Sections 309(g)(l)(A) and (2)(B) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. Section 1319(g)(l)(A) and (2)(B), and 40 C.F.R. Part 22 (Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits). Section 309(g) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. Section 1319(g), authorizes the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess administrative penalties against persons who, inter alia, violate Section 301(a) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. Section 1311(a). The Administrator has delegated this authority to the Regional Administrator of the EPA Region 9, who in turn has delegated this authority to the Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, hereinafter Complainant.

Defendants (3)

• Armando A. TabernillaNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Rick Rothman
• Rick RothmanNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• C&H SUGAR COMPANY REFINERY

  830 LORING AVENUE, CROCKETT, CA, 94525

  Registry ID: 110000482807

• C&H SUGAR COMPANY REFINERY

  830 LORING AVENUE, CROCKETT, CA, 94525

  Registry ID: 110000482807

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• C&H Sugar Company (CAFO)entered 2025-10-27

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $128,500

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2025-10-27Final Order Issued
• 2025-10-27Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2025-10-29Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2025-11-17NPDES Closed
• 2025-11-17Enforcement Action Closed