Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-38061, ,I F1LEq-CfJ fCE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF THc PP';)7'?q'D `ICAAPY CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 2010 JUN _8 AM 1:46 UNTY COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNSYEVX"j, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Plaintiff V. WES TATE, Date Entered: Defendant CERTIFIED COPY OF JUDGMENT To the Prothonotary: Pursuant to Section 605 of the Clean Streams Law, Act of June 22, 1937, P.L. 1987, as amended, 35 P.S. § 691.605 ("Clean Streams Law"), this is a Certified Copy of Judgment for civil penalties to be entered of record by you and indexed as Judgments are indexed. Date of Final Amount of Amount Paid Assessment Assessment if any) Total Due January 18, 2007 $4,000.00 0 $4,000.00 Total $4,000.00 Filing Fee $ The undersigned certifies that the above civil penalties are due and payable by the above defendant under the provisions of the Clean Streams Law, pursuant to Section 605 of said law, 35 P.S. § 691.605, a copy of said assessment is attached hereto and made a part hereof. The above civil penalties shall constitute a Judgment in favor of the Commonwealth upon the property, or such person from the date entered and docketed of record. .5?2 y?2o/ o Date Xames. Spontak Regional Manager Water Management Program ORIGINAL TO BE RETAINED BY PROTHONOTARY FAv, ran. 61-4 G? ?` X336 , . M` -L93 35"f5" A144kt ,%-4 /ed COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA n 4 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION pi a c- In the Matter of: -r = • 'Ul ,1..= • ? co Wes Tate EHB Docket No. 2008-332-C - _ 598 Zion Road Carlisle, PA 17015 ? ^• cr+ CONSENT ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL PENALTY This Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty ("CACP") is entered into this 97/day of r 2009, by and between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection (Department) and Wesley A. Tate (Tate). FINDINGS The Department has found the following: A. The Department is the agency with the duty and authority to administer and enforce the Clean Streams Law (CSL), Act of lone 22, 1937, P.L. 1987, as amended, 35 P.S. Section 691.1 et seq.; the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act (DSEA), Act of November 26, 1978, P.L. 1375, as amended, 32 P.S. Section 693.1 et seq.; Section 1917-A of the Administrative Code of 1929 (Administrative Code), Act of April 9, 1929, P.L. 177, as amended, 71 P.S. Section 510-17; and the rules and regulation published under the CSL, the DSEA, and the Administrative Code. B. Tate is an individual and maintains a mailing address of 598 Zion Road, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17015. Tate contracted for Kate Shover (Shover) at Shover's property (Site), 124 Ladnor Lane, South Middleton Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. C. The receiving water for the Site is Mountain Creek. The fishery classification in 25 Pa. Code Section 93.9o for Mountain Creek is Trout Stocked Fishery (TSF). D. The Department has documented the following violations at the Site: 1. A Site inspection by the Department on November 30, 2007, determined that Tate installed five sets of gabion baskets along the bank of Mountain Creek and placed fill material behind and above the gabion baskets, creating a levee without obtaining the required Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit. Construction of a levee -without obtaining a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit is a violation of 25 Pa. Code Section 105.11 and Section 6- of the DSEA, 32 P.S. Section 693.6, and is unlawful conduct under Section 18 of the DSEA, 32 P.S. Section 693.18, and Sections 402 and 611 of the CSL, 35 P.S. Sections 691.402 and 691.611. 2. On April 23, 2008, the Department issued an Order (April Order) requiring, among other things, that Tate remove the gabion baskets and restore the stream within 30 days. On May 29, 2008, Tate appealed the April Order. On October 22, 2008, Tate withdrew the appeal of the April Order. Despite being provided with additional time and numerous communications with the Department, Tate has started, but not completed, removal of the gabion baskets and restoration of the stream. Failure to comply with an Order of the Department is a violation of Sections 18 and 20 of the DSEA, 32 P.S. Sections 693.18 and 693.20, and Sections 402 and 611 of the CSL, 35 P.S. Sections 691.402 and 691.611. -2- 3. On October 27, 2008, Department staff visited the Site and documented that work had not been completed under the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) received by the Department on July 18, 2008, and approved by the Department on July 25, 2008. Specifically, no work had been done to Area One and an additional 1 foot of material still needed to be removed from the area between the stream and a line parallel to the stream 30 feet east of the stream at Area Five. It was also documented that the gabion basket material and soil were placed in the detailed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodway in all five areas of the Site. E. The violations described in Paragraph D constitute unlawful conduct under Section 611 of the CSL, 35 P.S. Section 691.611, and Section 18 of the DSEA, 32 P.S. Section 693.18; constitute a statutory nuisance under Section 601 of the CSL, 35 P.S. Section 691.601; and subject Tate to civil penalty liability under Section 605 of the CSL, 35 P.S. Section 691.605, and Section 21 of the DSEA, 32 P.S. Section 693.21. After complete negotiation of all matters listed in this CACP and on mutual exchange of promises contained herein, the parties desiring to avoid litigation and intending to be legally bound, it is hereby ASSESSED by the Department and AGREED to by Tate as follows: 1. Civil Penalty Assessment. In resolution of the Department's claim for civil penalties, which the Department is authorized to pursue under Section 605 of the CSL, 35 P.S. Section 691.605 the Department assesses a civil penalty of $4000 under the CSL, which Tate agrees to -3- 2. Civil Penalty Payment. The civil penalty payment of $4,000 must be made by corporate check or the like, made payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Clean Water Fund" according to the following schedule: a. $400 due within 30 days after CACP is signed; b. $300 per month, beginning with the month of November, 2009, for the next 12 months for a total payment of $3,600 to be paid by the 51" day of each month. Payment must be sent to: Summer Kunkel Environmental Protection Compliance Specialist Department of Environmental Protection 909 ElTnerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110 3. Findinas. a. Tate agrees that the findings in Paragraphs A through E are true and, in a matter involving Tate and the Department, Tate will not challenge the validity of these findings. b. The parties do not authorize another person to use the findings in this COA in a matter. 4. Remedies. In the event that Tate fails to make any payment required by this CACP, all remaining payments shall inunediately become due and payable. In that event, the Department may pursue any remedy for failure to pay a civil penalty, including an action for breach of contract or the filing of this CACP as in lien in any county of this Commonwealth. -4- may pursue any remedy for failure to pay a civil penalty, including an action for breach of contract or the filing of this CACP as in lien in any county of this Commonwealth. 5. Reservation of Rights. The Department reserves the right to require an additional measure to achieve compliance with applicable law. Tate reserves the right to challenge an action that the Department may take to require the measure. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The parties to this CACP have caused this CACP to be executed by their properly authorized representatives. Tate certifies under penalty of law, as provided by 18 Pa. C.S. Section 4904, that he may execute this CACP on his behalf and Tate consents to the entry of this CACP as an ASSESSMENT of the Department; and Tate hereby knowingly waives his right to appeal this CACP and to challenge its content or validity, rights that may be available under Section 4 of the Environmental Hearing Board Act, Act of July 13, 1988, P.L. 530, as amended, 35 P.S. Section 7514; the Administrative Agency Law, 2 Pa. C.S. Section 103(a) and chapters 5A and 7A; or another provision. FOR TATE: FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: ?L '/' '? tJ,1nes S. Spontak Date rogram Manager Watershed Management -5- M. Dukes Pepper, Jr. q. ate -6- FILED -C- iF,vr- OF THE PR01'P-;^N:P0TARY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVAN1010 JUN _8 APB 11: 4cb COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Plaintiff V. WES TATE : Defendant GUME? ? 1 t- 4UNFY PENNuYLVA 1A Docket No. o , 3 ?,D to o "-l 4ryix PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE To the Prothonotary: Kindly enter my appearance as counsel for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection, in the above matter. I am authorized to accept service on behalf of the Department in this matter. 1--pi D ,? M. Dukes Pepper, Jr. PA I.D. No. 30140 Attorney for Plaintiff Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection Southcentral Regional Counsel 909 Elmerton Avenue, Third Floor Harrisburg, PA 17110 Telephone: (717) 787-8790 Date: 61212 pie) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION V. Plaintiff Docket No. J 0- 3 ?? ?i uy 1-f?k WES TATE Date Entered: Defendant : NOTICE OF ENTRY OF JUDGMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 236 To: Wes Tate 598 Zion Road Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17015 You are hereby notified pursuant to Pa. R. Civ. P. 236 that a judgment has been entered against you in the above-captioned matter in the amount of $4,000.00. Date: avi uell Prothonotary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection OI??jne Office of Chief Counsel Third Floor ,909 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-8200 June 7, 2010 Southcentral Regional Office Telephone: 717-787-8790 Telecopier: 717-772-2400 David D. Buell, Prothonotary Cumberland County Courthouse One Courthouse Sq. Carlisle, PA 17013-3387 Re: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Denartment of Environmental Protection v Wes Tate Dear Mr. Buell: Please be advised that I represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection ("PADEP") in this matter. This judgment is being filed under Section 605 of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. 35 P.S. Section 691.605. Section 605 authorizes the assessment of a civil penalty for violations of the law and if the person liable to pay does not do so, the civil penalty becomes a judgment upon the person along with interest and costs. Section 605 also provides that: "The department may, at any time, transmit to the prothonotaries of the respective counties certified copies of all such judgments, and it shall be the duty of each prothonotary to enter and docket them of record in his office, and to index the same as judgments are indexed without requiring the payment of costs as a condition precedent to the entry thereof." In this case, Mr. Tate has refused to pay the civil penalty assessed against him despite the fact that I have demanded payment. Enclosed please find the following: 1) An original and two (2) copies of a Praecipe for Entry of Appearance; 2) Three (3) originals of a Certified Copy of Judgment for $4,000.00 with attachment; 3) An original and two (2) copies of a Notice of Entry of Judgment Pursuant to Rule 236 for Wes Tate; 4) Filing fees for the above-mentioned documents. Kindly file the originals and return a date-stamped copy to me in the enclosed self- addressed, stamped envelope. Please serve one original certified Copy of Judgment and Rule An Equal Opportunity Employer http://www.dep.state.pa.us Printed on Recycled Paper ?j? David D. Buell, Prothonotary June 7, 2010 Page 2 236 Notice on the Defendant. A stamped envelope to the Defendant is enclosed for the purpose of the Prothonotary serving a Certified Copy of Judgment and Rule 236 Notice. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, M. Dukes Pepper, r., s . Assistant Counsel MDP/lmt cc: Wes Tate (send via Delivery Confirmation, No. 0306 2400 0002 9935 1570) Summer Kunkle