NATURE OF THE CASE: PETROLEUM HELICOPTERS, INC. (PHI) OWNS AND OPERATES A FLEET OF APPROX. 450 HELICOPTERS WHICH TRANSPORTS PASSENGERS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT TO VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS. PHI'S CENTRAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR FACILITY IS LOCATED AT LAFAYETTE REGIONAL AIRPORT. THE FACILITY GENERATES POLLUTANTS WHICH ARE DISCHARGED IN- TO THE VERMILLION RIVER. SINCE PHI'S OPERATIONS BEGAN IN 1977, IT HAS BEEN DISCHARGING INTO NAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES W/O AN NPDES PERMIT. THE REGION REQUESTS THAT A CONSENT DECREE BE NEGOTIATED TO INCL.: (1) A CONS- TRUCTION SCHEDULE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL WORK TO BE DONE ON THE PRESENT TREATMENT SYSTEM; (2) INTERIM LIMITS, AND; (3) A CIVIL PENALTY IN THE AMT. OF $34,250 FOR PAST VIOLATIONS CAUSE OF ACTION: THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY IS INVOLVED PRI- MARILY W/THE DEGREASING AND PAINT STRIPPING OF HELICOPTER PARTS. THE SOLVENTS USED DURING THE PROCESS CAUSE CONTAM- INATED WATER TO DRAIN INTO THE STORMWATER SEWER SYSTEM. THE STORMWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM, WHICH IS DESIGNATED FOR UNCONTAMINATED WATER, EMPTIES INTO THE VERMILLION RIVER. REIGION VI AND THE LOUISIANA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALI- TY JOINTLY BECAME AWARE OF PHI'S UNAUTHORIZED DISCHARGES THROUGH A CITIZEN'S COMPLAINT. SAMPLES TAKEN IN NOVEMBER 1983 AND FEBRUARY 1984 BY LDEQ CONTAINED ORGANIC SOLVENTS, INCL. BENZENE, EDC, TOLUENE AND CHLOROFORM. THE STATE ISSUED A COMPLIANCE ORDER 3/9/84 T