THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY ORDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 309(G) AGAINST RON HILARDES, A DAIRY OPERATOR IN STANISLAUS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE VIOLATION INVOLVES THE DISCHARGE OF DAIRY WASTE, A POLLUTANT, INTO AN IRRIGATION CANAL OPERATED BY THE CITY OF OAKDALE. IN JANUARY 1998, INSPECTORS FROM EPA'S REGION 9 OFFICE OBSERVED DIRECT DISCHARGE OF DAIRY WASTE EFFLUENT FROM THE FACILITY'S WASTEWATER LAGOON INTO THE OAKDALE IRRIGATION DISTRICT CANAL. RON HILARDES, AS THE OWNER/OPERATOR, ADMITTED TO FLOODING CERTAIN CORN FIELDS WITH WATER CONTAINING THE DAIRY EFFLUENT AND THEN ALLOWING THE EXCESS OF THIS EFFLUENT CONTAINING WATER TO DRAIN OFF INTO PERIMETER CONVEYANCES (WHICH IN TURN LED TO THE IRRIGATION DISTRICT CANAL). THE COMPLAINT IN THIS MATTER SEEKS A PENALTY OF $5000.