7/8/16 - CONSENT AGREEMENT AND FINAL ORDER ISSUED, ASSESSING A PENALTY OF $1,500. ON MARCH 9, 2016, EPA SENT AN INFO REQUEST LETTER PURSUANT TO CWA 308, TO RESPONDENT REQUESTING INFO REGARDING VESSELS OWNED AND OPERATED BY RESPONDENT TO DETERMINE COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE VGP. AS A RESULT OF EPA'S REVIEW OF THE RESPONDENT'S RESPONSE TO THE INFO REQUEST, EPA MADE THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATIONS AND DETERMINATIONS:
- DURING THE PERIOD OF MAY 22, 2015 THRU APRIL 27, 2016, RESPONDENT OWNED AND/OR OPERATED THE VESSEL BIG J.O., THAT IS GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 300 GROSS TONS OR HAS THE CAPACITY TO HOLD OR DISCHARGE MORE THAN 8 CUBIC METERS (2113 GALLONS) OF BALLAST WATER AND WHICH DISCHARGED POLLUTANTS INCIDENTAL TO THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VESSELS INTO NAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE U.S. WITHOUT OBTAINING A VGP. THEREFORE, RESPONDENT HAS VIOLATED CWA 301.