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HomeMy WebLinkAbout860521 RESOLUTION RE: AUTHORIZATION FOR THE WELD COUNTY ATTORNEY TO PROCEED WITH LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SHERWOOD LANGLEY FOR VIOLATION OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL SITES AND FACILITIES REGULATIONS WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Weld County Health Department has informed the Board of County Commissioners that Sherwood Langley is in violation of the Solid Waste Disposal Sites and Facilities Regulations , Chapter 30 , Article 20 , Sections 102 through 113 , CRS , as amended, and WHEREAS, the property on which said violation is occurring is described as being located in Section 35 , Township 5 North, Range 65 West of the 6th P.M. , Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS , despite repeated requests , said violation has not been corrected , and WHEREAS, the Board deems it necessary to bring legal action against Sherwood Langley to correct said violation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that Thomas 0. David , Weld County Attorney, be, and hereby is , authorized to proceed with legal action against Sherwood Langley, any other persons occupying the property, any persons claiming an interest in the property, and any persons acting in active concert with him, to remedy the violation of the Solid Waste Disposal Sites and Facilities Regulations . 860521. ,4,/. % i , -(IA - ";C: Page 2 RE: DISPOSAL SITE VIOLATION - LANGLEY The above and foregoing Resolution was , on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 28th day of May, A.D. , 1986 . /f ��77 (.rv' BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ATTEST: \j '7 Qtunia WELD COUNTY, COLORADO Weld County erk and Recorder \ and Clerk to the Board J cqu i e son, Cjiairman B i , G y. em Deputycounty Cle t APPROVED AS TO FORM: Gene R. Brantner C . / ' 7 C. . Kir / 'LW \ _cam lc, ' County Attoa.c:i ney ---tryFr Y 860521 ,, /,/ 4DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ! _ c PHONE(303)3530340 f kT,�Q a, 1 151P HC5?i r,� p '...i� t ‘H- A„, JGP ELEY COL CE.'CO JJIS OLOR ADO Certified # P 310 899 639 May 12, 1986 Sherwood Langely 1840 49th Street Greeley, Colorado 80631 Dear Sir: Certified letter P 310 899 544 of March 17, 1986 from this office and delivered to you on March 19, 1986 (see attached copy) , required that within 30 days of the receipt of that Notice of Violation, you bring the described site into compliance with the "Solid Waste Disposal Sites and Facilities Regulations", or to submit a proposed schedule for compliance to this office for review. As of this date May 12, 1986, we have not received such a schedule for compliance and the site is continuing to be out of compliance with Chapter 30, Article 20, Sections 102 thru 113, Colorado Revised Statutes 1972 as amended. Therefore, please be advised that this matter shall be heard before the Weld County Board of County Commissioners at 915 — 10th Street, Greeley, Colorado, in the 1st floor hearing room on May 28, 1986 at 9:00 A.M. The Board shall consider authorizing the Weld County Attorney's office to commence legal action. Be further advised that you have the right to be present at this hearing and/or be represented by counsel. Should you have any questions concerning this matter, feel free to contact this office at 353-0635.Sincerely,) 1.4)/(1°ly' C� , 2 Wes Potter, Director Health Protection Services WP/bks cc: Ralph R. Wooley, M.D. , Director Weld Ccunty Health Department Lee Morrison, Assistant County Attorney Jacquline Johnson, Chairwoman, Weld County Commissioners Bradley Miller, EPA Terry McKee, Corp of Engineers 860511 ltr- 1• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH el• PHONE(303)353-0540 .f I 1516 HOSPITAL ROAD GREELEY,COLORADO 8063. 1 Certified #P 310 899 544 COLORADO Legal Action #86-17 March 17, 1986 Sherwood Langley 1840 - 49th Street Greeley, CO 80631 Dear Sir: An inspection of your property at, 1840 - 49th Street, Greeley, Colorado, in Weld County, Colorado, showed that a portion of that property was being used as a waste disposal site. The inspection made on March 14, 1986 revealed accumulations of recently dumped trash, junk and unknown rubble were being deposited into and along a channel of the South Platte River. Your attention is directed to Chapter 30, Article 20, Section 102, C.R.S. 1973 as amended, which states in part as follows: 30-20-102. UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE SITE AND FACILITY WITHOUT CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION - EXCEPTIONS. (1) Any person who operates a solid wastes disposal site and facility in the unincorporated portion of any county shall first obtain a certificate of designation from the board of county commissioners of the county in which such site aid facility is located. (2) Solid wastes disposal by any person within the incorporated or unincorporated portion of any county is prohibited except on or at solid wastes disposal site and facility for which a certificate of designation has been obtained as provided in Section 30-20-105 or which has been approved by a city, city and county, or town within the boundaries of which the site and facility are situated. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, any person other than a governmental unit may dispose of his own solid wastes on his own property, as long as such solid wastes disposal site and facility complies with the rules and regulations of the department and does not constitute a public nuisance. .- a • Page 2 Sherwood Langley March 17, 1986 Also, this site does not conform to the minimum standards described in Section 110 of the above mentioned act in that it does not prevent water pollution, minimize nuisance conditions, prevent ponding, provide compaction and have adequate cover. Section 30-20-110, section b & d state: (b) "Such sites and facilities shall comply with the health laws, standards, rules, and regulations of the department, the Water Quality Control Commission, and all applicable zoning laws and ordinances." (d) "A site and facility operated as a sanitary landfill shall provide means of finally disposing of solid wastes on land in a manner to minimize nuisance conditions such as odors, windblown debris, insects, rodents, and smoke; and shall provide compacted fill material; shall provide adequate cover with suitable material and surface drainage designed to prevent ponding of water and wind erosion and prevent water and air pollution; and, upon being filled, shall be left in a condition of orderliness and good esthetic appearance and capable of blending with the surrounding area. In the operation of such a site and facility, the solid wastes shall be distributed in the smallest area consistent with handling traffic to be unloaded; shall be placed in the most dense volume practicable using moisture and compaction or other method approved by the department; shall be fire, insect, and rodent resistant through the application of an adequate layer of inert material at regular intervals, and shall have a minimum of windblown debris which shall be collected regularly and placed into the fill." This site is in violation of the above mentioned sections of the act. You have ten (10) days from the receipt of this notificatio❑ to cease use of this site and to submit .a plan for clean-up of the site. Your attention is directed to Section 113 and 114 of the act: 30-20-113. ENFORCEMENT - CIVIL PENALTY (1) Any solid wastes disposal site and facility found to be abandoned or that is operated or maintained in a manner so as to violate any of the provisions of this part 1 or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto shall be deemed a public nuisance, and such violation may be enjoined by a district court of competent jurisdiction in any action brought by the department, the board of county commissioners of the county wherein the violation occurred, or the governing body of the municipality wherein the violation occurred. • Page 3 Sherwood Langley March 17, 1986 (2) Disposal of solid waste at a location other than a site designated for such use by a county or municipality is a violation of this part 1, unless otherwise exempted by this part 1 or unless the person is disposing of his own solid waste on his own property, and shall be subject to clean-up and cease and desist orders. Such orders may be issued by the board of county commissioners if the violation occurred in the unincorporated area of the county, or by the governing body of a municipality if the violation occurred within the municipality. Any person who fails to comply with such orders shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than two thousand dollars for each day of such violation. Such violation and civil penalty shall be determined and enforced by a court of competent jurisdiction upon action instituted by the board of governing body which issued the orders. Any penalty collected shall be distributed to the county or municipality which instituted the action. (3) Nothing in this section shall preclude or preempt the authority of a county or municipality to adopt or enforce its own local resolutions or ordinances. 30-20-114 VIOLATION — PENALTY. Any person who violates any provision of this part 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof , shall be punished by a fine of two thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than thirty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Nothing in this part 1 shall preclude or preempt a city, a city and county, or an incorporated town from enforcement of its local ordinances. Each day of violation shall be deemed a separate offense under this section. • If we may assist you in any way or should you have questions related to this notice, please do not hesitate to contact this office at 353-0635. LP Sincere ,. tti a - es Potter, Director Health Protection Services WP/bks cc: Dr. Ralph Wooley, Director Weld County Health Department Lee Morrison, Assistant County Attorney Bradley Miller, EPA Terry McKee, Corp. of Engineers J,41€O sr„, „a i el '\ UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION VIII ONE DENVER PLACE - 999 18TH STREET - SUITE 1300 DENVER, COLORADO 80202-2413 APR 2 1986 CERTIFIED MAIL/RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Ref: 8WM-SP Sherwood Langley 1840 49th Street Greeley, Colorado 80631 Re: Administrative Order Dear Mr. Langley: The purpose of this letter is to transmit to you an Administrative Order pursuant to the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 309(a) , 33 U.S.C. Section 1319(a) , in response to recent unpermitted fill activities in the South Platte River in Weld County near Evans, Colorado. The Order requires you to immediately cease the unpermitted discharges of fill material and to develop a plan for the restoration of areas which are waters of the United. States. The Order also provides you with an opportunity to meet with EPA within ten days of receipt. At such meeting, EPA would explain the Order's requirements and solicit comments on and possible objections to the Order. Please be advised that CWA Section 309(d) , 33 U.S.C. Section 1319(d) , authorizes civil penalties to landowners and contractors of up to $10,000 per day of violation of this Order and CWA Section 309(c) , 33 U.S.C. Section 1319(c) , authorizes fines of $25,000 per day and imprisonment for not more than a year for willful or negligent violations of CWA Section 301 , 33 U. S.C. Section 1311 . Sincerely, , /' Max H. Dodson / Director Water Management Division cc: John Morton, COE Gary Broetzman, WQCD Weld County I _ UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION VIII IN THE MATTER OF ) DOCKET NO. 84O '- (9 Sherwood Langley ) FINDINGS OF VIOLATION ) AND Proceedings under Section 309(a) ) ORDER FOR COMPLIANCE of the Clean Water Act, ) 33 USC Section 1319(a) ) STATUTORY AUTHORITY The following FINDINGS are made and ORDER issued pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by Section 309 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) , 33 USC Section 1319, and by the Administrator delegated to the Regional Administrator of EPA Region VIII , and redelegated by the Regional Administrator of Region VIII to the Director, Water Management Division, Region VIII. �7a FINDINGS 1 . Sherwood Langley owns and operates property located at 1840 49th Street in Greeley, Colorado (Weld County). Said property is in Section 35, Township 5 North, Range 65 West. 2. In the recent past, Sherwood Langley placed, or allowed to be placed, fill material in and along a side channel of the South Platte River. Said filling activities continue to occur. 3. The channel referenced in Paragraph 2, above, is a navigable water, i .e. , a water of the United States under CWA Section 502(7) , 33 USC Section 1362(7) , 40 CFR Section 122.2. , 33 CFR Section 323.2(a) , and 40 CFR 230.3(s) . This determination was based on analysis of the the hydrology of the area. 4. Said discharges of fill material were carried out without the required permits issued pursuant to CWA Section 404, 33 USC Section 1344. 5. Said unpermitted discharges of dredged and fill material to navigable waters constitute violations of CWA Section 301 , 33 USC Section 1311 . • 1 6. The presence of said dredged and fill material continues to cause harm and the risk of additional harm as pollutants continue to leach into navigable waters, as erosion and flood risks persist, and as aquatic and wildlife habitat is impacted downstream. 7. Immediate restoration of the affected area is appropriate because of this harm and the risk of additional harm. 8. Restoration will confer maximum environmental benefits since mere removal of the material will not abate the actual and potential harm from water quality degradation, erosion, flooding, and loss of habitat. 9. Replacement of the affected area to a condition which approximates its condition prior to filling activities is achievable as a practicable matter through commonly used construction, digging, filling, revegetation, and best management practices. 10. Such reasonable and achievable restoration or replacement efforts would bear an equitable relationship to the violations and wrongs described herein. ORDER Based upon the foregoing FINDINGS, and pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, under the CWA Sections 308 and 309(a) , 33 USC Sections 1318 and 1319(a) , and by him delegated to the Regional Administrator, and redelegated to the undersigned, it is hereby ORDERED: 1 . Immediately upon receipt of this order, Sherwood Langley shall cease any additional placement of fill material in the waters of the United States referenced in the FINDINGS Paragraphs 3 and 4. 2. Prior to June 30, 1986, Sherwood Langley shall submit a plan to the Environmental Protection Agency for review and approval which addresses the physical restoration of the waters of the United States (which are identified above) to their approximate pre-project conditions. This work shall include the physical removal of the fill which was placed in the channel of the South Platte River and the placement or restoration of the vegetation which existed on the channel banks prior to the filling activity. This work shall be completed to the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency in consultation with the Weld County Department of Health. 3. Sherwood Langley shall apply to and receive from the Omaha District, Corps of Engineers all individual Section 404 permits necessary for the construction of the project prior to any future discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. 4. Sherwood Langley shall submit reports to the Environmental Protection Agency every sixty (60) days until final removal and restoration is completed. Said reports shall detail the status of the removal and restoration activities. The first report is due on June 30, 1986 with sucessive reports due every sixty (60) days thereafter. 5. All correspondence and all plans and reports to be submitted for review and approval by the Environmental Protection Agency shall be submitted to: Max H. Dodson, Director Water Management Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region VIII 999 18th Street Suite 1300 Denver, Colorado 80202-2413 6. This ORDER shall be effective upon receipt. However, Sherwood Langley shall be allowed to meet with EPA within ten (10) days of receipt hereof in order to provide to EPA comments and objections to the ORDER. Please be advised that 33 U.S.C. Section 1319(d) authorizes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day of violation of this ORDER and 33 U.S.C. Section 1319(c) (1 ) authorizes fines of $25,000 per day and imprisonment for not more than a year for willful or negligent violations of the Clean Water Act. Issuance of this ORDER shall not be deemed an election by the United States to forego any civil or criminal action to seek penalties, fines, or other appropriate relief under the Clean Water Act for the violations giving rise to this ORDER. Compliance with the terms and conditions of this ORDER shall not be construed to relieve the orderee of its obligations to comply with any applicable Federal , state, or local law. DATED this ,c2d,d day of /9j2ril , 1986. SbL �LI'--. x H. Dodson p RECTOR, WATER M 1GEMENT DIVISION " J�A EO S,tfS Sarikri o t, UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY *., PRo,C REGION VIII ONE DENVER PLACE — 999 18TH STREET — SUITE 1300 APSZ see DENVER, COLORADO 80202-2413 Ref: 8WM-SP John Morton, P.E. Regulatory Functions Branch Omaha District, COE P.O. Box 5 Omaha, Nebraska 68101 Re: Notice of Proposed Issuance of an Administrative Order Dear Mr. Morton: This letter serves to inform you of the Environmental Protection Agency 's intent to issue an Administrative Order to Mr. Sherwood Langley of 1840 49th Street, Greeley, Colorado for an unauthorized discharge of fill material into the South Platte River. Due to the impending issuance of this Administrative Order, we request that the Corps of Engineers not process or accept any application for a Section 404 permit for retention of this material . We have enclosed a copy of the draft Administrative Order for your review and comment. Please provide all comments on this activity and the draft Order to Bradley Miller of my staff. Sincerely, tik.14 � Max H. Dodson (79. Director Water Management Division Enclosure .0/ DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ¢ �.� OMAHA DISTRICT. CORPS OF ENGINEERS C.' a 6014 US. POST OFFICE AND COURTHOUSE \ OMAHA. NEBRASKA 68102-4978 nn nn I�(� i ^tpG"lh;y /, M/' REPLY TO '..I 1 1986 1/, t , _�c� r -"'SOS ATTENTION OF I n f 1 �j Regulatory Branch PO Box 5, Omaha, NE 68101-0005 I�qp[)( R ?1988 CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Mr. Sherwood Langley 1840 49th Street Greeley, Colorado 80631 Dear Mr. Langley: This concerns the construction of a jetty and other fill discharge below the ordinary high water mark of the South Platte River in the NW' of Section 31, Township 5 North, Range 65 West, Weld County, Colorado. These conditions were confirmed by Mr. Terry McKee of my Regulatory Staff. The Corps of Engineers is responsible for administering Federal laws that regulate certain activities in the waters of the United States. The specific authority relative to the above activity is Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). Section 404 prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill materials into streams, natural lakes, and wetlands without a Department of the Army permit issued prior to the start of construction. My records indicate that the required permits were neither applied for nor granted. Therefore, the work was performed in apparent violation of these Acts, and you are hereby directed to cease and desist any further unauthorized work at the site. Current regulations provide for subsequent enforcement procedures in the form of administrative and/or legal action based on an evaluation of the circumstances surrounding a violation. At this time, I am not accepting your after-the-fact application but doing a further evaluation of your project. This evaluation will include soliciting the views of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate Federal, State and local agencies. You are encouraged to furnish any further information that you feel will assist me in making my decision. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Martin Keller, Chief, Monitoring and Enforcement Section, at telephone number (402) 221-4128. Sincerely, STGv .k.4 -J, u:=ST Steven G. West Colonel, Corps of Engineers District Engineer 860521 d a_ Hello