EPA v. DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC. and AMERICAN CELLULAR CORPORATION

Case summary

'In April 2001 Dobson Cellular Systems and American Cellular Corporation (Respondents) notified EPA that it had possible noncompliance with EPCRA reporting, RCRA UST, and CWA (SPCC plans) requirements. From April to November, Respondents evaluated their facilities and corrected violations. Upon completion of their evaluation, they provided EPA information concerning 1) violations of EPCRA ??302, ??303, ??311, and ??312 related to the presence of sulfuric acid and lead at 23 facilities located in 15 states (KS, MO, OK, MD, GA, OH, PA, MI, AZ, CA, KY, NY, TN, WV, WI), 2) violations of CWA ??311 - SPCC related to the presence of ASTs at 4 facilities located in 3 states (OH, PA, AZ), 3) RCRA ??9002 and ??9003 - UST related to the presence of USTs at 4 facilities located in MN, and 4) CAA ??110 - SIP related to the presence of back-up generators at 3 facilities located in 3 states (PA, AZ, CA). The administrative settlement requires Respondents to pay a civil penalty of $9,843 which represents the economic benefit, and to fully comply with EPCRA ($7,319), RCRA ($1,309), CWA ($1,062), and CAA ($153). The gravity component of the civil penalty would have been $677,735

Defendants (2)

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• AMERICAN CELLULAR CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (30)

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  1596 LUDER ROAD, CARO, MI, 48723

  Registry ID: 110013702118

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  902 ABUTMENT ROAD, DALTON, GA, 307214418

  Registry ID: 110013700806

• AMERICAN CELLULAR CORPORATION

  254 SCOTT AVENUE, MORGANTOWN, WV, 26505

  Registry ID: 110013688713

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  1612 S. 4TH STREET, LEAVENWORTH, KS, 66048

  Registry ID: 110013703340

• AMERICAN CELLULAR CORPORATION

  124 S. KEENELAND DR., RICHMOND, KY, 40475

  Registry ID: 110013701360

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  388 MCCLUG ROAD, SUITES 2 - 4, BOARDMAN, OH, 44512

  Registry ID: 110013701887

• AMERICAN CELLULAR CORPORATION

  2700 STEWART AVE, WAUSAU, WI, 54401

  Registry ID: 110013693342

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  1612 S. 4TH STREET, LEAVENWORTH, KS, 66048

  Registry ID: 110013703340

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  19368 S. CHOLLA CANYON RANCH RD., LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ, 86403

  Registry ID: 110013710573

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  3910 SOUTH AVENUE, YOUNGSTOWN, OH, 44512

  Registry ID: 110013693379

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  424 SOUTH DETROIT AVENUE, 5TH FLOOR, TULSA, OK, 74120

  Registry ID: 110013691567

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  1000 JEFFERSON, KINGMAN, AZ, 86401

  Registry ID: 110013689794

• AMERICAN CELLULAR CORPORATION

  5000 STEWART AVE, WAUSAU, WI, 54401

  Registry ID: 110013701814

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  .3 MI SSW OF RTE 59, I-29 INTER., 4.8 MI SSE MOUND, MOUND CITY, MO, 64470

  Registry ID: 110013692682

• DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS, INC.

  EAST SIDE OF HWY 111, 2 MI NORTH OF BRAWLEY, BRAWLEY, CA, 92227

  Registry ID: 110013689632

• …and 15 more

Statutes cited

• RCRA 9002 — Notification Requirements of Underground Storage Tanks
• EPCRA 303 — Comprehensive Emergency Response Plans
• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards
• EPCRA 312 — Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Forms
• CWA 311J — SPCC and/or Federal Response Plan Violations
• EPCRA 302 — Substances and Facilities Covered and Notification
• RCRA 9003 — UST Release Detection, Prevention, Correction Regulations
• EPCRA 311 — Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. and American Cellulaentered 2002-10-29

  Primary law: EPCRA

  Federal penalty: $9,843

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2002-04-24Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2002-10-29Final Order Issued
• 2002-10-29Complaint Filed/Proposed Order