# Vistas Subdivision - Whitson Engineering
> **Administrative - Formal** · FY2004 · — · Unilateral Administrative Order Without Adjudication
## Case
- **Activity ID:** `127145`
- **Case Number:** 09-2004-0326
- **Type:** Administrative - Formal
- **Lead:** EPA
- **Outcome:** Unilateral Administrative Order Without Adjudication
- **Penalty assessed:** —
- **Cost recovery:** —
- **Compliance action $:** —
- **Multimedia (multi-env):** —
## Defendants
- Whitson Engineering Inc. (SB) (complaint) (settlement)
## Summary

This action is an Administrative Order combined with a CWA 308(a) Request for Information to Whitson Engineering, Inc. regarding umpermitted discharges of fill material associated with the Vistas Subdivision in Redding (Shasta County), CA.  In 2002 and 2003, Whitson Engineering was retained by Terra Nova Development (owners) to produce plans for site development of the Vistas project on steep slopes above Sulphur Creek in Redding.  Whitson Engineering therefore directed the grading of the site, which resulted in the filling of  approx 1acre of riparian wetland and approx 2 miles of intermittent tributaries without a CWA 404 permit.  Additionally, the work began immediately prior to winter storm events, and prior to the installation of adequate erosion control measures, which resulted in the sischarge of significant amounts of sediment from the site directly into Sulphur Creek.  At one point, N&T Digmore utilized mechanical pumps to accelerate these direct discharges in order to dewater the construction area.  This AO requires respondents to stabilize the site, by employing an erosion control specialist, in anticipation of the 2004 wet season.   Some evidence suggests Ed Whitson, Whitson Engineering's principle, may be a knowing violator, and this AO also requires that his company, as a well-established development contractor in the area,  provide documentation of any previous experience with the CWA 404 program.  Ultimately, we anticipate negotiating an AOC with Terra Nova, N

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