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ADMINISTRATIVE CIVIL LIABILITY COMPLAINT NO.R5-2005-05* -3- <br /> MARLEY COOLING TOWER COMPANY <br /> SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY <br /> the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation or violations, whether the <br /> discharge is susceptible to cleanup or abatement, the degree of toxicity of the discharge, <br /> and, with respect to the violator, the ability to pay, the effect on its ability to continue its <br /> business, any voluntary cleanup efforts undertaken, any prior history of violations, the <br /> degree of culpability, economic benefit or savings, if any, resulting from the violation, and <br /> other matters that justice may require. At a minimum, liability shall be assessed at a level <br /> that recovers the economic benefits, if any, derived from the acts that constitute the <br /> violation". <br /> 9. The maximum statutory liability is $2,220,000 ($10,000 for each day of violation plus <br /> approximately$2,210,000 ($10 multiplied by 221,066 gallons)). <br /> 10. The violation of Effluent Limitation B.2, for pH limits, is subject to mandatory minimum <br /> penalties pursuant to CWC Section 13385(h). The amount of the mandatory minimum <br /> penalty that must be imposed is $3,000 for each serious violation. The administrative civil <br /> liability proposed to be assessed in this complaint pursuant to CWC section 13385(a) <br /> exceeds the mandatory minimum penalty amount. <br /> 11. The factors considered in setting the amount of the liability include the large volume of the <br /> discharge and Discharger's failure to promptly notify the Board. Mitigating factors include <br /> the Discharger's prompt response in returning to compliance, cleaning up the dead fish and <br /> caustic residuals, and the Discharger's history of good compliance. The Discharger did not <br /> derive an economic benefit from the acts that constitute the violation. Included in the <br /> amount of liability is approximately$29,000 in staff costs incurred in responding to the <br /> discharge. <br /> 12. Issuance of this Administrative Civil Liability Complaint to enforce CWC Division 7, <br /> Chapter 5.5 is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act <br /> (Public Resources Code Section 21000, et. seq.), in accordance with Title 14 California <br /> Code of Regulations, Enforcement Actions by Regulatory Agencies, Section 15321(a)(2). <br /> THE MARLEY COOLING TOWER COMPANY IS HEREBY GIVEN NOTICE THAT: <br /> 1. The Executive Officer of the Regional Board proposes to assess Administrative Civil <br /> Liability in the amount of one hundred twenty-nine thousand dollars ($129,000). The <br /> amount of the liability proposed is based upon consideration of the factors in CWC Section <br /> 13385 and the State Water Resources Control Board's Water Quality Enforcement Policy. <br /> 2. A hearing on this matter will be held at the Regional Board meeting scheduled on <br /> 28-29 April 2005, unless the Discharger agrees to waive the hearing and pay the proposed <br /> civil liability in full <br /> m <br />