Agenda - 06-01-2010 - 8a - Laserfiche WebLink

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30 T14F LINIVER.SITY of 1tOR.'I'II CAROLINA at CHAPEL HILL May 25, 2010 Ed Hardee VICE CHANCELLOR FOR RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR RESEARCH 301 BYNUM HALL T 919- 962 -0656 CAMPUS BOX 4100 F 919- 962 -6769 CHAPEL HILL, NC 27599 -4100 Aquifer Protection Section Division of Water Quality N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources 1636 Mail Service Center Raleigh, N.C. 27699 -1636 Subject: Assessment of Civil Penalties for Violation(s) of N.C.G.S. 143 - 215.1, Orange County, Enforcement File #: DV- 2101 -0029 Dear Mr. Hardee: I am writing in response to the May 14, 2010, Assessment of Civil Penalties letter for the Bingham Facility at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In accordance with the letter, I am submitting payment for the full amount of the civil penalty assessed to the University, a total of $16,612.48. The violations described in the penalty assessment letter occurred as part of a series of problems with the existing wastewater treatment systems on the site that began in late 2009. As you are aware, because of the problems, the University has shut down the wastewater treatment systems on the site and is hauling the facility's wastewater directly to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) for treatment. The incidents resulted in two notices of violation from your office. These incidents have been painfully embarrassing to the University because we strive to assure that our practices are environmentally sound in accordance with applicable regulation. Yet these incidents have driven the University to overhaul of the way the Bingham Facility is run, including my appointment to oversee all its operations. My team and I are in the midst of a thorough re- examination of the whole facility that will result in the design and construction of an even stronger, more sustainable project than originally envisioned. University staff members will meet regularly with DENR staff members to keep the agency informed of our progress and to address any potential issues proactively.