ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
January 8, 2004
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,
Complainant,
v.
ACME REFINING SCRAP IRON AND
METAL COMPANY,
Respondent.
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PCB 03-20
(Enforcement - Water)
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by N.J. Melas):
On August 22, the Office of the Attorney General, on behalf of the People of the State of
Illinois (People), filed a two-count complaint against Acme Refining Scrap Iron and Metal
Company (Acme).
See
415 ILCS 5/31(c)(1) (2002); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.204. The People
allege that Acme violated Section 12(a) and 12(f) of the Environmental Protection Act (Act)
(415 ILCS 12(a) and (f) (2002)) and Sections 302.203 and 309.102(a) of the Board regulations
(35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.203 and 309.102(a)). The People further allege that Acme violated these
provisions by causing water pollution from discharge of runoff containing metal shavings into
ditches connected to the North Branch of the Chicago River and by failing to obtain a National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the runoff. The complaint concerns Acme’s
scrap metal storage facility at 1409 Rockland Road, Lake Bluff, Lake County.
On November 4, 2003, the People and Acme filed a stipulation and proposed settlement,
accompanied by a request for relief from the hearing requirement of Section 31(c)(1) of the Act
415 ILCS 5/31(c)(1) (2002)). This filing is authorized by Section 31(c)(2) of the Act (415 ILCS
5/31(c)(2) (2002)).
See
35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.300(a). The Board provided notice of the
stipulation, proposed settlement, and request for relief from hearing. The Board published
newspaper notice in the
News-Sun
on December 13, 2003. The Board did not receive any
requests for hearing. The Board grants the parties’ request for relief from the hearing
requirement.
See
415 ILCS 5/31(c)(2) (2002); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.300(b).
Section 103.302 of the Board’s procedural rules sets forth the required contents of
stipulations and proposed settlements. 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.302. These requirements include
stipulating to facts on the nature, extent, and causes of the alleged violations and the nature of
Acme’s operations. Section 103.302 also requires that the parties stipulate to facts called for by
Section 33(c) of the Act (415 ILCS 5/33(c) (2002)). The People and Acme have satisfied
Section 103.302. Acme neither admits nor denies the alleged violation(s) and agrees to pay a
civil penalty of $21,000. The Board accepts the stipulation and proposed settlement.
This opinion constitutes the Board’s findings of fact and conclusions of law.
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ORDER
1. The Board accepts and incorporates by reference the stipulation and proposed
settlement.
2. Acme Refining Scrap Iron and Metal Company (Acme) must pay a civil penalty
of $21,000 no later than February 7, 2004, which is the 30th day after the date of
this order. Acme must pay the civil penalty by certified check or money order,
payable to the Agency for deposit into the Environmental Protection Trust Fund.
The case number, case name, and Acme’s federal employer identification number
(36-3060875) must be included on the certified check or money order.
3. Acme must send the certified check or money order to:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Services Division
1021 North Grand Avenue East
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276
A copy of the certified check or money order and transmittal letter must be sent
to:
Mitchell L. Cohen
Assistant Attorney General
Environmental Bureau
188 West Randolph, Suite 2001
Chicago, Illinois 60601
4. Penalties unpaid within the time prescribed will accrue interest under Section
42(g) of the Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/42(g) (2002)) at the rate
set forth in Section 1003(a) of the Illinois Income Tax Act (35 ILCS 5/1003(a)
(2002)).
5. Acme must cease and desist from the alleged violations.
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) (2002);
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.
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I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, certify that the Board
adopted the above opinion and order on January 8, 2004, by a vote of 5-0.
Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board