Document 9mDdpDJwOLOZrOoygpDgLzgD

UNITED STATES ENVIR()NlVIENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Region6 1445 R(>ss Avenue, Suite 1200 Dallas, Texas 75202 - 2733 (! 1 AUG 2016 CERTIFIEl) MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED: 7009 2820 0004 2109 1724 Ray Bonilla Texas A&M University (multiple addresses below) Texas A&M University-Commerce 2600 West Neal Street Commerce, TX 75428 Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center 312 North International Boulevard Weslaco, TX 78596. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Amarillo Laboratory 6610 Amarillo Boulevard West Amarillo, TX 79106 Texas A&M University-Geochemical and Environmental Research Group 833 Grahan1 Road College Station, TX 77845 Re: Texas A&M University-Commerce: RCRA 3008 Consent Agreement and Final Order U;S. EPA Docket No. RCRA-06-2016-0925 Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center: RCRA 3008 Consent Agreement and Final Order U.S. EPA Docket No..RCR,A-06-2016-0926 Texas A&M Veterinary Medical DiagnostiC Laboratory: RCRA 3008 Consent Agreement and.Final Order U.S. EPA Docket No. RCRA-06-2016-0927 Texas A&M University-Geochemical and Environmental Research Group: RCRA _3008 Consent Agreement and Final Order U.s. EPA llocket No. RCRA-06-2016-0928 Dear Mr. Bonilla: Enclosed are the fully executed Administrative Consent Agreement and Final Orders (CAFOs) approved in the settlement for each of the above referen.ced facilities. As you are aware, each of the CAFOs include an assessment of a civil penalty and compliance order pursuant to Section 3008 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Th~ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, appreciates yoi;tr 9ooperation throughout this process. If you have qi;testions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (214) 665- 8151 or by email: moore.nathaniel@epa.gov. Enclosure Sincerely, ~4---~ ? Nathaniel N. Moore, Esq. Assistant Regional Counsel 2 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 6 DALLAS, TEXAS FI LED 201 6/iUC 11 Pi: 2: 23 l(EG10,!.1 l 1,E. .I 1 l 'l., ( . ., .... ... 1 \ Ei'Ar.EGION'l"I " IN THE MATTER OF: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY GEOCHEMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH GROUP COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS RESPONDENT CONSENT AGREEMENT AND FINAL ORDER Docket No. RCRA-06-2016-0928 CONSENT AGREEMENT AND FINAL ORDER The Director of Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 (EPA or Complainant) and Texas A&M University- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group (Respondent), hereby agree to resolve this matter through the issuance ofthis Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAPO). I. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 1. This CAFO is issued by EPA pursuant to Section 3008(a) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6928(a), as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, and is simultaneously commenced and concluded through the issuance of this CAFO under 40 C.F.R. 22.1 J(b); 22.18(b)(2), 22.18(b)(3); and 22.37. 2. Respondent agrees to unde11ake and complete all actions required by the terms and conditions of this CAFO. In any action by the EPA or the United States to enforce the terms of this CAFO, Respondent agrees not to contest the authority or jurisdiction of the EPA to issue or enforce this CAFO. Furthermore, Respondent agrees not to contest the validity of this CAFO, or its terms or conditions. Texas A&M University-GERG RCRA-06-2016-0928 3. Notice of this action has been given to the State of Texas, under Section 3008(a)(2) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 6928(a)(2). 4. For the purposes of this proceeding, Respondent admits the jurisdictional allegations herein. However, Respondent neither admits nor denies the specific factual allegations and conclusions of law contained in this CAFO. This CAFO states a claim upon which relief may be granted. 5. Respondent explicitly waives any right to contest the allegations and its right to appeal the proposed final order contained in this CAFO, and waives all defenses that have been raised or could have been raised to the claims set forth in the CAFO. 6. Compliance with all the terms and conditions of this CAFO shall resolve only the Respondent's liability for civil penalties for those violations which are set forth herein. 7. Respondent consents to the following: issuance of the CAFO hereinafter recited; the assessment and payment of the stated civil penalty in the amount and by the method set out in this CAFO; and to the specific stated compliance order. II. FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 8. Respondent is a Texas public research institution located at 833 Graham Road in College Station, Texas. 9. Respondent is a "person" within the meanmg of 42 U.S.C. 6903(15) and 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 3.2(25) (40 C.F.R. 260.10). 10. Respondent is an "owner" or "operator" of the Texas A&M University-Geochemical and Environmental Research Group facilities (GERO) within the meaning of 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335.1(109) and (110) (40 C.F.R. 260.10). 2 Texas A&M University-GERO RCRA-06-2016-0928 11. Respondent is a "generator" of hazardous waste at the facility, as the term is defined in 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335.1(65) (40 C.F.R. 260.10). 12. As a generator of hazardous waste, Respondent is subject to Sections 3002 and 3010 of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6922 and 6930, and the regulations set forth at 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335, Subchapter (C) and/or (F) (40 C.F.R. Parts 262 and/or 270). 13. Between September 2015 and May 2016, EPA conducted an investigation and record review (Investigation) of Respondent's performance as a hazardous waste generator. 14. During the Investigation, EPA determined that Respondent in 2011, 2012, and 2013, generated and offered for transport hazardous waste with the following waste codes: A. DOOi, D002, D007, DOlO, DOl 1, D019, D022, D035; and B. F001,F002,F003,F005 15. The wastes identified in Paragraph 14 are hazardous wastes as defined m 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335.1(69) (40 C.F.R. 261.3). 16. From the Investigation, EPA determined that Respondent generated, at a minimum, the hazardous wastes identified in Paragraph 14 in quantities that exceeded the threshold amount of I 00 kilograms of hazardous waste per month, which qualified Respondent for the small quantity generator (SQG) status under 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335, Subchapter C (40 C.F.R. Part 262). 17. From the Investigation, EPA determined that GERO was registered as a conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) for its respective years in violation. 18. From the Investigation, EPA determined that Respondent violated the requirements of RCRA 301 O(a), 42 U.S.C. 6930(a), and 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335.6(c) by failing to comply with the RCRA notification requirements. 3 Texas A&M University-GERO RCRA-06-2016-0928 19. From the Investigation, EPA determined that Respondent failed to operate within its designated status at GERO in violation of 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335, Subchapters (C) and/or (F) (40 C.F.R. Parts 262 and/or 270). III. GERG Claim 1: Notification Requirements 20. Complainant hereby restates and incorporates by reference Paragraphs 1 through 19. 21. Pursuant to RCRA 3010(a), 42 U.S.C. 6930(a), any person generating a characteristic or listed waste shall file with the Administrator or authorized State, a notification stating the location and general description of such activity and the identified or listed hazardous wastes handled by such person. This includes requiring a subsequent notification for a change in the status ofa generator. See also 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335.6(c). 22. From 2011to2013, GERO was identified as a CESQG for hazardous waste. 23. From the Investigation, EPA determined that from 2011 to 2013, Respondent generated hazardous waste at quantities that qualified it as a SQG. 24. At the time of the Investigation, Respondent had not filed with the Administrator or with the authorized State, a subsequent notification of hazardous waste to change its generator status. 25. Respondent failed to file the required subsequent notification of hazardous waste activities for GERG in violation of Section 3010(a) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6930(a), and 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335.6(c). Claim 2. Failure to Operate Within Proper Generator Status 26. Complainant hereby restates and incorporates by reference Paragraphs 1 through 25. 4 Texas A&M University-GERG RCRA-06-2016-0928 27. A generator of hazardous waste is subject to multiple requirements, including the applicable parts of 30 TEX. ADM!N. CODE 335, Subchapters (C)-(I-I), (0) (40 C.F.R. Parts 124, 262-68, 270). 28. Pursuant to 30 TEX. ADM!N. CODE 335.78(a) and (b) (40 C.F.R. 261.5(a) and (b)), a generator is a CESQG in a calendar month if it generates no more than 100 kilograms of hazardous waste and complies with 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335.78 (40 C.F.R. 261.5). 29. From the Investigation, EPA determined that Respondent, from 2011to2013, operated as aSQG. 30. While operating as a SQG, Respondent failed to comply with various sections of the applicable SQG requirements under 30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335, Subchapters (C)-(H), (0) (40 C.F.R. Parts 124, 262-68, 270). 31. Respondent failed to operate within its designated status at GERG, for the stated years, in violation of30 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 335, Subchapters (C) and/or (F) (40 C.F.R. Parts 262 and/or 270). IV. COMPLIANCE ORDER 32. Pursuant to RCRA 3008(a), 42 U.S.C. 6928(a), Respondent is hereby ordered to take the following actions, and within ninety (90) calendar days of the effective date of this CAFO, Respondent shall provide in writing the following: A. Respondent shall certify that it has filed a subsequent "Notification of Regulated Waste Activity: EPA Form 8700-12" to reflect waste generation for the facility covered by this CAFO. B. Respondent shall certify that it has complied with all the requirements of a SQG, if still operating within that status, and developed and implemented standard 5