ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
July 6, 2006
COUNTY OF LASALLE,
Complainant,
v.
PAULETTE METILLE,
Respondent.
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AC 06-44
(Site Code 0998045004)
(Administrative Citation)
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by G.T. Girard):
On May 24, 2006, the County of LaSalle timely filed an administrative citation against
Paulette Metille.
See
415 ILCS 5/31.1(c) (2004); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.202(c). The County of
LaSalle alleged that on May 11, 2006, Paulette Metille violated Section 21(p)(1) of the
Environmental Protection Act (Act) (415 ILCS 5/21(p)(1) (2004)). The County of LaSalle
further alleges that Paulette Metille violated this provision by causing or allowing the open
dumping of waste in a manner that resulted in litter. The alleged violations occurred at a site
located in Dayton Township, LaSalle County.
As required, the County of LaSalle served the administrative citation on Paulette Metille
within “60 days after the date of the observed violation.” 415 ILCS 5/31.1(b) (2004);
see also
35
Ill. Adm. Code 108.202(b). Specifically, the administrative citation was served on Paulette
Metille by personal service on May 16, 2006. To contest an administrative citation, a respondent
must file a petition with the Board no later than 35 days after being served with the
administrative citation. If the respondent fails to do so, the Board must find that the respondent
committed the violation alleged and impose the corresponding civil penalty. 415 ILCS
5/31.1(d)(1) (2004); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.204(b), 108.406.
The Board received a letter from Paulette Metille on June 29, 2006. That letter
summarized efforts to clean up the property and requested additional time for clean up. The
letter claimed hardship in accomplishing the cleanup. The letter is dated June 24, 2006. Any
petition for review in this case was due on June 20, 2006. Thus, even if the Board accepted the
letter as a petition for review, it was not filed within the 35 days allowed by the Act. Thus,
Paulette Metille failed to timely file a petition. Accordingly, the Board rejects the letter as an
adequate and timely filed petition for review and finds that Paulette Metille violated Section
21(p)(1) of the Act.
The civil penalty for violating Section 21(p) is $1,500 for a first offense and $3,000 for a
second or subsequent offense. 415 ILCS 5/42(b)(4-5) (2004); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 108.500(a).
Because there is one violation of Section 21(p) and this violation is a first offense, the total civil
penalty is $1,500. Under Section 31.1(d)(1) of the Act, the Board attaches the administrative
citation and makes it part of the order below.
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This opinion constitutes the Board’s finding of fact and conclusions of law.
ORDER
1.
The Board finds that Paulette Metille violated Sections 21(p)(1) of the Act as
alleged. Paulette Metille must pay a civil penalty of $1,500 no later than August 7,
2006, which is the first business day after the 30th day after the date of this order.
2.
Paulette Metille must pay the civil penalty by certified check or money order,
made payable to the LaSalle County Department of Environmental Services and
Development. The case number, case name, and Paulette Metille’s social security
number or federal employer identification number must be included on the
certified check or money order.
3.
Paulette Metille must send the certified check or money order and the remittance
form to:
LaSalle County Department of Environmental Services and Development
119 West Madison Street, Room 406
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
4.
Penalties unpaid within the time prescribed will accrue interest under Section
42(g) of the Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/42(g) (2004)) at the rate
set forth in Section 1003(a) of the Illinois Income Tax Act (35 ILCS 5/1003(a)
(2004)).
5.
Payment of this penalty does not prevent future prosecution if the violation
continues.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Section 41(a) of the Environmental Protection Act provides that final Board orders may
be appealed directly to the Illinois Appellate Court within 35 days after the Board serves the
order. 415 ILCS 5/41(a) (2004);
see also
35 Ill. Adm. Code 101.300(d)(2), 101.906, 102.706.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 335 establishes filing requirements that apply when the Illinois
Appellate Court, by statute, directly reviews administrative orders. 172 Ill. 2d R. 335. The
Board’s procedural rules provide that motions for the Board to reconsider or modify its final
orders may be filed with the Board within 35 days after the order is received. 35 Ill. Adm. Code
101.520;
see also
35 Ill. Adm. Code 101.902, 102.700, 102.702.
I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, certify that the Board
adopted the above opinion and order on July 6, 2006, by a vote of 4-0.
Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
