ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
    October 14, 1971
    CITIZENS UTILITIES CO. OF ILLINOIS
    v.
    )
    #
    71-125
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    Supplemental Opinion and Order of the Board (by Mr. Currie):
    On August 13, 1971, we entered an order authorizing the
    bypassing of a sewage treatment lagoon during its repair, since
    its effluent was worse than its influent, on certain conditions.
    Citizens has sought judicial review of the conditions relating
    to money pensities, additional waste connections, and a storm—
    water control program. As required by Supreme Court Rule 335,
    Citizens filed with us a motion for stay of those portions of
    our order pending review.
    As in Spartan Printing Co. v. EPA,
    #
    71-19, decided today,
    we think a stay as to the money penalty is appropriate, since it
    makes no difference to the State whether the money is received
    before or after judicial review. But to delay the ban on new
    connections to an inadequate plant, or to delay commencement of
    a stormwater control program, would cause the very harm the order
    was intended to prevent, and we will deny it,
    The company also asks that we delay the date for repairing
    the lagoon until six weeks after we pass on the present motion.
    The theory seems to be that unless Citizens complies with the
    contested provisions of the order it does not have permission to
    repair its lagoon. The fact appears to be that repair has been
    distressingly delayed despite our plain statement that the present
    operation is in violation of law and that repair--with bypassing--~
    should have been undertaken some time ago without even seeking
    a variance, There is no excuse for the present~delay, and the
    company ha~left itself open to prosecution for further penalties.
    Once again we shall order that the repair be completed as quickly
    as possible.
    In sum, the motion is granted insofar as it seeks a stay of
    the money penalty pending review, on condition that a bond to
    secure payment of the penalty in the event of an adverse judicial
    decision is filed with the Environmental Protection Agency within
    15 days after receipt of this order. In all other respects the
    motion is denied.
    2
    625

    I, Regina E. Ryan, Clerk of the Pollution Control Board, certify
    that the Board adopted the above Supplemental Opinion of the
    Board this
    14
    day of October
    ,
    1971.
    .~—
    2
    626

    Back to top