United States v. Anchordoguy, et al.
Filing
45
CONSENT DECREE signed by Chief Judge Morrison C. England, Jr on 11/6/14: (Attachments: # 1 Appendix A, # 2 Appendix B, # 3 Appendix C) (Kaminski, H)
1
6
Sam Hirsch
Acting Assistant Attorney General
Andrew J. Doyle
Trial Attorney
United States Department of Justice
Environment and Natural Resources Division
P.O. Box 7611
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 514-4427
andrew.doyle@usdoj.gov
7
Attorneys for Plaintiff United States of America
8
(For Attorneys for Defendants, see infra p. 25.)
2
3
4
5
9
10
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
11
EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
12
13
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
14
15
16
17
18
No. 2:13-cv-848-MCE-CMK
Plaintiff,
v.
CONSENT DECREE
MATTHEW R. ANCHORDOGUY,
ANCHORDOGUY AND COMPANY
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, and JOHN
R. BARLOW,
Defendants.
19
20
21
WHEREAS, Plaintiff United States of America (“United States”), at the request of
22
the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, has filed a
23
Complaint in this action, alleging that Defendants Matthew R. Anchordoguy,
24
Anchordoguy and Company Limited Partnership, and John R. Barlow (“Defendants”)
25
violated Clean Water Act (“CWA”) section 301(a), 33 U.S.C. § 1311(a);
26
27
WHEREAS, the Complaint alleges that Defendants violated CWA section 301 by
discharging dredged or fill material, without a CWA section 404 permit from the United
28
Consent Decree
1
1
States Army Corps of Engineers, into waters of the United States at the “Site,” as that
2
term is defined in Paragraph 9, subparagraph m, generally in conjunction with preparing
3
the Site for the planting of olive and walnut orchards;
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
WHEREAS, the Complaint requests, inter alia, that the Court award injunctive
relief and civil penalties;
WHEREAS, Defendants do not admit any liability to the United States arising out
of the activities alleged in the Complaint and have asserted affirmative defenses;
WHEREAS, Defendants have submitted evidence to the United States regarding
the limits of their ability to pay;
WHEREAS, the Court finds that this Consent Decree is a reasonable and fair
11
settlement of the United States’ claims alleged in the Complaint, and that this Consent
12
Decree adequately protects the public interest in accordance with the CWA;
13
THEREFORE, before the taking of any testimony upon the pleadings, without the
14
adjudication or admission of any issue of fact or law except as provided in Section I of
15
this Consent Decree, and upon consent of the Parties hereto by their authorized
16
representatives, it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED as follows:
17
18
I. JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND SUFFICIENCY OF COMPLAINT
1.
This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action and over
19
the Parties pursuant to CWA section 309(b), 33 U.S.C. § 1319(b), and 28 U.S.C.
20
§§ 1331, 1345, and 1355.
21
2.
Venue is proper in the Eastern District of California pursuant to CWA
22
section 309(b), 33 U.S.C. § 1319(b), and 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b) because Defendants
23
conduct business in this District; the Site is located in this District; and the claims alleged
24
in the Complaint arose in this District.
25
26
27
28
3.
For purposes of this Consent Decree and any action to enforce this
Consent Decree, Defendants consent to the Court’s jurisdiction and venue.
4.
For purposes of this Consent Decree and any action to enforce this
Consent Decree, the Parties agree, and the Court finds, that the Complaint states claims
Consent Decree
2
1
upon which relief can be granted pursuant to CWA sections 301(a), 309(d), and 404, 33
2
U.S.C. §§ 1311(a), 1319(d), and 1344.
3
4
II. APPLICABILITY
5.
This Consent Decree applies to and is binding upon the United States and
5
upon Defendants and any successors, assigns, or other entities or persons otherwise
6
bound by law whether or not such entity or person has notice of this Consent Decree.
7
6.
Defendants shall provide notice of this Consent Decree to all partners,
8
employees, and agents to the extent that their duties might reasonably include
9
compliance with this Consent Decree, as well as to all contractors retained to perform
10
work at the Site to the extent their duties might reasonably include compliance with this
11
Consent Decree.
12
7.
In any action to enforce this Consent Decree, Defendants shall not raise as
13
a defense the failure by any of their partners, employees, agents, or contractors to take
14
any actions necessary to comply with this Consent Decree.
15
16
III. DEFINITIONS
8.
Terms used in this Consent Decree that are defined in the CWA or in
17
regulations promulgated pursuant to the CWA shall have the meanings assigned to them
18
in the statute or such regulations, unless otherwise provided in this Consent Decree.
19
20
9.
Whenever the terms set forth below are used in this Consent Decree, the
definitions in the following subparagraphs shall apply.
21
a.
“CWA” shall mean the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251-1387.
22
b.
“Complaint” shall mean the Complaint filed by the United States in
23
this action on May 1, 2013 (ECF No. 2).
24
c.
“Coyote Creek” shall mean the feature that has segments generally
25
located in the southern portion of the Site and is inclusive of its north fork, south fork,
26
and mainstem. Coyote Creek is shown on the Tehama County Assessor’s Parcel Map,
27
28
Consent Decree
3
1
which is Appendix A to this Consent Decree,1 and illustrated on an annotated aerial
2
photograph of the Site, which is Appendix B to this Consent Decree.
3
d.
“Consent Decree” shall mean this Consent Decree; all Appendices
4
attached hereto and listed in Section XVII; and all modifications made effective in
5
accordance with Section XII.
6
e.
7
any of its successor departments or agencies.
8
9
“Corps” shall mean the United States Army Corps of Engineers and
f.
“Day” shall mean a calendar day unless expressly stated to be a
business day. In computing any period of time under this Consent Decree, where the
10
last day would fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period shall run until the
11
close of business of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
12
13
g.
and Company Limited Partnership, and John R. Barlow.
14
15
h.
i.
“Effective Date” shall mean the date on which this Consent Decree
is entered by the Court.
18
19
“EPA” shall mean the United States Environmental Protection
Agency and any of its successor departments or agencies.
16
17
“Defendants” shall mean Matthew R. Anchordoguy, Anchordoguy
j.
“Paragraph” with a capital “P” shall mean a portion of this Consent
Decree identified by an Arabic numeral.
20
k.
“Parties” shall mean the United States and Defendants.
21
l.
“Section” with a capital “S” shall mean a portion of this Consent
22
Decree identified by a Roman numeral.
23
m.
“Site” shall mean certain real property in Tehama County, California
24
that is located at 10555 State Highway 99W, Red Bluff, California, 96080. The Site has
25
an approximate size of 1,036.39 acres and is comprised of the following Tehama County
26
Assessor’s Parcel Numbers: 037-050-20-1, 037-050-18-1, 037-050-16-1, 037-050-15-1,
27
1
28
Appendix A is a true and correct copy of the Tehama County Assessor’s Parcel Map,
available at http://www.co.tehama.ca.us/assessor-info-maps (last visited June 30, 2014).
Consent Decree
4
1
and 037-050-04-1. These parcels are shown on Appendix A to this Consent Decree,
2
and the Site boundary is illustrated on Appendix B to this Consent Decree.2
3
n.
“Stream 1” shall mean the feature that has segments generally
4
located in the northern, eastern, and southern portions of the Site. Stream 1 is
5
illustrated on Appendix B to this Consent Decree.
6
o.
“Stream 2” shall mean the feature that has segments generally
7
located in the northern, central, and eastern portions of the Site. Stream 2 is illustrated
8
on Appendix B to this Consent Decree.
9
10
p.
“Stream 3” shall mean the feature that is generally located in the
southwest portion of the Site and is illustrated on Appendix B to this Consent Decree.
11
q.
“Stream 4” shall mean the feature that has a segment generally
12
located in the northeastern portion of the Site and is illustrated on Appendix B to this
13
Consent Decree.
14
15
r.
“Stream 5” shall mean the feature that is generally located in the
southern portion of the Site and is illustrated on Appendix B to this Consent Decree.
16
s.
“Stream 6” shall mean the feature that is generally located between
17
the north and south forks of Coyote Creek in the southwestern portion of the Site and is
18
illustrated on Appendix B to this Consent Decree.
19
t.
20
behalf of EPA.
21
22
u.
“United States” shall mean the United States of America, acting on
“Unfilled Wetlands” shall mean features that are illustrated in yellow
on Appendix B to this Consent Decree.
23
IV. SCOPE OF CONSENT DECREE
24
10.
This Consent Decree shall constitute a complete and final settlement of all
25
civil claims alleged and relief sought in the Complaint, subject to compliance by
26
2
27
28
The Site does not include the limited portion of Assessor’s Parcel Number 037-10017-1 located north of Coyote Creek, which Defendants also prepared for the planting of
olive or walnut orchards. No CWA violations are alleged or believed to have occurred in
this portion of Assessor’s Parcel Number 037-100-17-1.
Consent Decree
5
1
2
3
Defendants with this Consent Decree.
11.
It is the express purpose of the Parties in entering this Consent Decree to
further the objectives set forth in CWA section 101, 33 U.S.C. § 1251.
4
12.
Defendants’ obligations under this Consent Decree are joint and several.
5
13.
The Parties acknowledge that, upon entry of this Consent Decree,
6
Nationwide Permit 32, found at 77 Fed. Reg. 10,184 (Feb. 21, 2012), will authorize,
7
subject to the conditions provided in the Nationwide Permit and this Consent Decree, the
8
dredged or fill materials that were allegedly placed at the Site as part of the alleged
9
discharges alleged to be violations of the CWA in the Complaint.
10
14.
This Consent Decree is not and shall not be interpreted to be a permit or
11
modification of any existing permit issued pursuant to any federal, state, or local laws or
12
regulations; except as provided in Paragraph 13, nothing in this Consent Decree shall
13
limit the ability of the Corps to issue, modify, suspend, revoke or deny any individual
14
permit or any nationwide or regional general permit, nor shall this Consent Decree limit
15
EPA’s ability to exercise its authority pursuant to CWA section 404(c), 33 U.S.C.
16
§ 1344(c).
17
15.
Except as provided in this Consent Decree, this Consent Decree in no way
18
affects or relieves Defendants of their responsibility to comply with any applicable
19
federal, state, or local law, regulation or permit.
20
21
22
16.
This Consent Decree in no way affects the rights of the United States as
against any person not a party to this Consent Decree.
17.
The United States reserves any and all legal and equitable remedies
23
available to enforce this Consent Decree and applicable law. The United States further
24
reserves all legal and equitable remedies available to address any subsequently
25
discovered imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the
26
environment at the Site, whether related to the alleged violations addressed in this
27
Consent Decree or otherwise. This Consent Decree shall not be construed to limit the
28
rights of the United States to obtain penalties or injunctive relief under the CWA or its
Consent Decree
6
1
implementing regulations, or under other federal laws, regulations, or permit conditions,
2
except as expressly specified in Paragraph 10 of this Consent Decree.
3
4
18.
Except as provided in Section I, nothing in this Consent Decree shall
constitute an admission of fact or law by either the United States or Defendants.
5
V. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
6
CIVIL PENALTIES
7
19.
By the later of December 31, 2014 or the thirtieth (30th) Day after the
8
Effective Date, Defendants shall pay civil penalties to the United States in the amount of
9
three hundred thousand dollars ($ 300,000).
10
20.
Payment of the civil penalties to the United States shall be made in
11
accordance with the written instructions to be provided to Defendants by the United
12
States Department of Justice. Upon payment, Defendants shall promptly provide written
13
notice to the United States at the addresses specified in Section IX.
14
15
16
17
21.
Defendants shall not deduct any penalties paid under this Consent Decree
pursuant to this Section or Section VII in calculating any federal income tax owed.
22.
No transfer of ownership or control of the Site shall relieve Defendants of
their obligation to timely pay civil penalties under Paragraph 19.
18
19
INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
23.
20
Injunctions:
a.
Defendants and Defendants’ agents, successors, and assigns are
21
enjoined from discharging any pollutant into Coyote Creek, Stream 1, Stream 2, Stream
22
3, Stream 4, Stream 5, Stream 6, or Unfilled Wetlands, unless such discharge complies
23
with the provisions of the CWA and its implementing regulations.
24
b.
Defendants and Defendants’ agents, successors, and assigns are
25
enjoined from dredging or excavating any portion of Coyote Creek unless, before
26
initiating any such activity, Defendants provide written notification to the Corps fully
27
describing the proposed activity and obtain from the Corps a CWA section 404 permit, a
28
verification of the applicability of a nationwide permit, or a determination that no CWA
Consent Decree
7
1
section 404 permit is required for the proposed activity.
2
c.
The prohibitions of subparagraphs a and b of Paragraph 23 run with
3
ownership or control of the Site. Within thirty (30) Days of the Effective Date,
4
Defendants shall record with the Recorder of Deeds office in Tehama County, California
5
a true and correct copy of this Consent Decree. Upon recording, Defendants shall
6
promptly provide written notice of such recording to the United States, along with a true
7
and correct copy of items recorded, at the addresses specified in Section IX.
8
9
d.
In no event may Defendants cause ownership or control of the Site
to be transferred until they have paid the civil penalty (i.e., Paragraph 19); completed the
10
mitigation requirements (i.e., Paragraph 24); and recorded the Consent Decree in
11
accordance with the immediately preceding subparagraph (i.e., subparagraph c of
12
Paragraph 23). After such time, Defendants may cause ownership or control of the Site
13
to be transferred if, at least thirty (30) Days prior to such transfer, Defendants provide a
14
true and correct copy of this Consent Decree to the proposed transferee and
15
simultaneously provide written notice of the proposed transfer to the United States at the
16
addresses specified in Section IX. Further, until such time as this Consent Decree is
17
terminated, if Defendants seek to cause ownership or control of the Site to be transferred
18
they must first obtain a written agreement from the proposed transferee acknowledging
19
that: (1) transferee and its agents, successors, or assigns are prohibited from
20
discharging any pollutant into Coyote Creek, Stream 1, Stream 2, Stream 3, Stream 4,
21
Stream 5, Stream 6, or Unfilled Wetlands, unless such discharge complies with the
22
provisions of the CWA and its implementing regulations; (2) transferee and its agents,
23
successors, or assigns are prohibited from dredging or excavating any portion of Coyote
24
Creek unless, before initiating any such activity, they provide written notification to the
25
Corps fully describing the proposed activity and obtain from the Corps a CWA section
26
404 permit, a verification of the applicability of a nationwide permit, or a determination
27
that no CWA section 404 permit is required for the proposed activity; and (3) such
28
prohibitions run with ownership or control of the Site. Transferring ownership or control
Consent Decree
8
1
of the Site does not include changing the ownership or control of Anchordoguy and
2
Company Limited Partnership so long as that change does not affect title to the Site.
3
24.
Mitigation:
4
a.
To mitigate the alleged losses of ecological functions resulting from the
5
CWA violations alleged in the Complaint, by the fifteenth (15th) Day after the Effective
6
Date, Defendants shall pay seven hundred ninety five thousand dollars ($795,000) to
7
The Nature Conservancy in accordance with the Agreement Concerning Mitigation
8
Funds that is appended to this Consent Decree as Appendix C. As set forth in Appendix
9
C, these funds are for the purpose of protecting, preserving, enhancing, restoring,
10
maintaining, managing, and monitoring vernal pool habitat and salmon and riparian
11
habitats as natural open space in perpetuity in the Sacramento River watershed,
12
including completing the priority project of acquiring and maintaining a conservation
13
easement on a 515-acre parcel in Tehama County, California, known as “Foor Ranch.”
14
As further detailed in Appendix C, the easement will protect the vernal pools and vernal
15
swales on Foor Ranch, which is of heightened conservation value due to its connectivity
16
to surrounding conserved lands, including The Nature Conservancy’s 4,600-acre Vina
17
Plains Preserve of vernal pool and grassland habitats.
18
b.
Upon completion of the requirements of Paragraph 24, Defendants shall
19
promptly provide written notice to the United States at the addresses specified in Section
20
IX, at which time Defendants shall have completed the mitigation requirements of
21
Paragraph 24.
22
c.
23
their obligation to complete timely mitigation under Paragraph 24.
24
25
No transfer of ownership or control of the Site shall relieve Defendants of
VI. RETENTION OF RECORDS AND RIGHT OF ENTRY
25.
Until termination of this Consent Decree, Defendants shall retain all
26
documents and electronically stored information that relate in any manner to Defendants’
27
performance of their obligations under this Consent Decree. Upon request by the United
28
States, Defendants shall make any documents or information required to be maintained
Consent Decree
9
1
under this Paragraph available for inspection and copying by the United States.
2
Defendants reserve their rights and ability to assert that any documents or information
3
required to be maintained under this Paragraph is protected from disclosure under any
4
privilege or protection recognized by federal law.
5
26.
Until termination of this Consent Decree, the United States and its
6
representatives, including attorneys, contractors, and consultants, shall have the right of
7
entry into the Site, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice and presentation of
8
credentials, to assess Defendants’ compliance with this Consent Decree and to inspect
9
and review any records required to be kept under this Consent Decree and/or the CWA.
10
27.
This Consent Decree in no way limits or affects any other rights of entry
11
and inspection, or any rights to obtain information, held by the United States, including
12
EPA, pursuant to applicable federal laws, regulations, or permits, nor does it limit or
13
affect any duty or obligation of Defendants to maintain documents, records, or other
14
information imposed by applicable federal or state laws, regulations, or permits.
15
However, entry of this Consent Decree shall close the CWA section 308 Information
16
Request issued by EPA to at least one Defendant on or about January 10, 2011(EPA
17
Docket No. CWA 308-9-11-001), thereby terminating the effect of that Information
18
Request to Defendants.
19
20
VII. STIPULATED PENALTIES
28.
Defendants shall be liable for stipulated penalties to the United States for
21
their violations of this Consent Decree in accordance with this Section. A violation
22
includes failing to fulfill any obligation of this Consent Decree, including, for example,
23
timely paying civil penalties (Paragraph 19); complying with injunctions (Paragraph 23,
24
subparagraphs a and b); timely recording the Consent Decree (Paragraph 23,
25
subparagraph c); complying with requirements pertaining to transferring ownership or
26
control of the Site (Paragraph 23, subparagraph d); and timely completing mitigation
27
(Paragraph 24).
28
Consent Decree
10
1
2
3
29.
Stipulated penalties shall accrue for violations of this Consent Decree in
the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000) per Day for each violation.
30.
Stipulated penalties under this Section shall begin to accrue on the Day a
4
violation occurs and shall continue to accrue until the violation ceases. Stipulated
5
penalties shall accrue simultaneously for separate violations of this Consent Decree.
6
31.
Except as provided in Paragraphs 32 and 33 below, Defendants shall pay
7
any stipulated penalty within thirty (30) Days of receiving the United States’ written
8
demand. Defendants shall make any such payment in accordance with written
9
instructions to be provided by the United States. Upon any such payment, Defendants
10
11
12
13
shall provide written notice to the United States, at the addresses specified in Section IX.
32.
The United States may, in the unreviewable exercise of its discretion,
reduce or waive stipulated penalties otherwise due under this Consent Decree.
33.
Any disputes concerning the amount of stipulated penalties or the
14
underlying violation that gives rise to the assessment of stipulated penalties are subject
15
to the Dispute Resolution provisions of Section VIII. Stipulated penalties and any
16
applicable interest shall continue to accrue but need not be paid until the following:
17
a.
If the dispute is resolved by agreement between the Parties,
18
Defendants shall pay the amount due under such agreement, together with any
19
applicable interest, to the United States within thirty (30) Days of the effective date of the
20
agreement.
21
b.
If the dispute cannot be resolved between the Parties and is taken
22
to the Court, in the event that the Court determines that stipulated penalties are owed,
23
Defendants shall pay all accrued penalties determined by the Court to be owed, together
24
with any applicable interest, within thirty (30) Days of receiving the Court’s decision,
25
except as provided in subparagraph c, below. In the event that the Court determines
26
that Defendants do not owe any stipulated penalties, such a determination shall be
27
controlling, except as provided in subparagraph c, below.
28
Consent Decree
11
1
c.
If any party appeals the Court’s decision to the Court of Appeals (or
2
beyond), Defendants shall pay all accrued penalties determined to be owed, together
3
with any applicable interest, within fifteen (15) Days of receiving the final appellate
4
decision.
5
34.
If Defendants fail to pay stipulated penalties in accordance with this
6
Consent Decree, Defendants shall be liable for interest on such penalties, as provided
7
for in 28 U.S.C. § 1961, accruing as of the date payment became due. The interest shall
8
be computed daily from the time the payment is due until the date the payment is made.
9
The interest shall also be compounded annually. Nothing in this Paragraph shall be
10
construed to limit the United States from seeking any remedy otherwise provided by law
11
for Defendants’ failure to pay any stipulated penalties.
12
35.
The stipulated penalties provided for in this Consent Decree shall be in
13
addition to any other rights, remedies, or sanctions available to the United States for
14
Defendants’ violation of this Consent Decree or applicable law.
15
16
VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
36.
Unless otherwise expressly provided for in this Consent Decree, the
17
dispute resolution procedures of this Section (“Dispute Resolution”) shall be the
18
exclusive mechanism for Defendants to resolve all of their disputes arising under or with
19
respect to this Consent Decree. However, Section VIII shall not be construed to limit any
20
right of Defendants to seek immediate relief from the Court for any dispute arising under
21
or with respect to this Consent Decree in the unusually rare circumstance that requiring
22
Defendants to follow the dispute resolution procedures of Section VIII would likely result
23
in immediate and irreparable harm, loss, or damage to Defendants.
24
37.
Any dispute Defendants have that is subject to Dispute Resolution shall
25
first be the subject of informal negotiations. The dispute shall be considered to have
26
arisen when Defendants send the United States, at the addresses listed in Section IX, a
27
written Notice of Dispute. Such Notice of Dispute shall state clearly the matter in
28
dispute. The period of informal negotiations shall not exceed thirty (30) Days from the
Consent Decree
12
1
date the dispute arises, unless that period is modified in writing by the Parties. If the
2
Parties cannot resolve a dispute by informal negotiations, then the position advanced by
3
the United States shall be considered binding unless, within forty five (45) Days after the
4
conclusion of the informal negotiation period, Defendants file with the Court a motion or
5
other appropriate paper or pleading seeking judicial resolution of the dispute.
6
38.
In any dispute submitted by Defendants to the Court for resolution pursuant
7
to this Section, Defendants shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of
8
evidence that the United States’ position is not in accordance with this Consent Decree
9
and the CWA, and that Defendants’ position will achieve compliance with this Consent
10
11
Decree and the CWA.
39.
The invocation of Dispute Resolution procedures under this Section shall
12
not, by itself, extend, postpone, or affect in any way any obligation of Defendants under
13
this Consent Decree. Stipulated penalties and interest, if applicable to the disputed
14
matter, shall continue to accrue from the first Day of violation, but payment shall be
15
stayed pending resolution of the dispute as provided in Section VII. If Defendants do not
16
prevail on the disputed issue, stipulated penalties, and interest, if applicable, shall be
17
assessed and paid as provided in Section VII.
18
19
20
IX. ADDRESSES
40.
All notices and communications required under this Consent Decree shall
be made to the Parties through each of the following persons and addresses:
21
a.
22
TO THE UNITED STATES:
i.
23
24
25
26
27
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE:
Andrew J. Doyle, Attorney
Environment and Natural Resources Division
U.S. Department of Justice
re: USA v. Anchordoguy, DJ# 90-5-1-1-19337
P.O. Box 7611
Washington, D.C. 20044
(202) 514-4427 (p)
(202) 514-8865 (f)
andrew.doyle@usdoj.gov
28
Consent Decree
13
1
ii.
2
3
4
5
6
b.
7
TO EPA:
Jessica Kao
Assistant Regional Counsel
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 972-3922 (p)
kao.jessica@epa.gov
TO DEFENDANTS:
DOWNEY BRAND, LLP
Robert P. Soran, Esq.
621 Capitol Mall, 18th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-1000 (p)
rsoran@downeybrand.com
8
9
10
11
B. Demar Hooper, Esq.
3910 Knollwood Court
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 849-3447 (p)
demar@bdhooperlaw.com
12
13
14
15
Matthew R. Anchordoguy
P.O. Box 136
Vina, CA 96092
16
17
Anchordoguy and Company Limited Partnership
77 Talon Drive
Chico, CA 95973
18
19
John R. Barlow
77 Talon Dr.
Chico, CA 95973
20
21
22
23
24
41.
Any party may, by written notice to the other party, change its designated
notice recipient or notice address provided above.
42.
Notices submitted pursuant to this Section shall be deemed submitted
25
upon mailing, unless otherwise provided in this Consent Decree or by mutual agreement
26
of the Parties in writing.
27
28
Consent Decree
14
1
2
3
X. COSTS OF SUIT
43.
fees in this action.
4
5
Each party to this Consent Decree shall bear its own costs and attorneys’
XI. PUBLIC COMMENT
44.
The Parties acknowledge that after the lodging and before the entry of this
6
Consent Decree, final approval by the United States is subject to the requirements of 28
7
C.F.R. § 50.7, which provides for public notice and comment. The United States
8
reserves the right to withhold or withdraw its consent to the entry of this Consent Decree
9
if the comments received disclose facts or considerations which lead the United States
10
to conclude that the proposed judgment is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate.
11
Defendants agree not to withdraw from, oppose entry of, or to challenge any provision of
12
this Consent Decree, unless the United States has notified Defendants in writing that it
13
no longer supports entry of the Consent Decree. Defendants consent to entry of this
14
Consent Decree in its present form without further notice.
15
16
XII. MODIFICATION
45.
The terms of this Consent Decree may be modified only by a subsequent
17
written agreement signed by the Parties. Where the modification constitutes a material
18
change to any term of this Consent Decree, it shall be effective only upon approval by
19
the Court.
20
21
XIII. SIGNATORIES/SERVICE
46.
Each undersigned representative of Defendants and the United States
22
Department of Justice certifies that he or she is fully authorized to enter into the terms
23
and conditions of this Consent Decree and to execute and legally bind the party he or
24
she represents to this document.
25
47.
This Consent Decree may be signed in counterparts, such counterpart
26
signature pages shall be given full force and effect, and its validity shall not be
27
challenged on that basis. Defendants agree to accept service of process by mail with
28
respect to all matters arising under or relating to this Consent Decree and to waive any
Consent Decree
15
1
formal service requirements set forth in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and any
2
applicable Local Rules of this Court including, but not limited to, service of a summons.
3
4
XIV. INTEGRATION
48.
This Consent Decree constitutes the final, complete, and exclusive
5
agreement and understanding among the Parties with respect to the settlement
6
embodied in the Consent Decree and supersedes any prior agreements and
7
understandings, whether verbal or written, concerning the settlement embodied herein.
8
Other than Appendices (Section XVII) and modifications (Section XII), no other
9
document, nor any representation, inducement, agreement, understanding, or promise,
10
constitutes any part of this Consent Decree or the settlement it represents, nor shall it be
11
used in construing the terms of this Consent Decree.
12
13
XV. CONFIDENTIALITY, FINAL JUDGMENT, AND RETENTION OF JURISDICTION
49.
Confidentiality Order: Pursuant to Rule 26(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil
14
Procedure, the documents and information Defendants produced to the United States in
15
conjunction with the response of one or more Defendants to the CWA section 308
16
Information Request issued by EPA on or about January 10, 2011(EPA Docket No. CWA
17
308-9-11-001), and Defendants’ ability to pay submission in March 2014 and derivative
18
information (for example, notes taken by attorneys or consultants for the United States in
19
conjunction with their evaluation of the foregoing documents and information) shall be
20
kept confidential (or destroyed); shall not be used for any purpose whatsoever other than
21
in connection with this specific action or the enforcement of this Consent Decree
22
(including actions to resolve disputes arising under or with respect to this Consent
23
Decree); and shall not be publicly revealed by the United States. Paragraph 49 operates
24
as a Confidentiality Order and replaces Defendants’ confidentiality assertions pursuant
25
to 40 C.F.R. Part 2. The discovery documents that Defendants produced to the United
26
States in March 2014, which are Bates-stamped ANCH000001 through ANCH005643,
27
are not subject to this Paragraph and Confidentiality Order even if some of these
28
documents were also produced to the United States in conjunction with Defendants’
Consent Decree
16
1
2
ability-to-pay submission.
50.
Final Judgment: Upon approval and entry of this Consent Decree by the
3
Court, this Consent Decree shall constitute a final judgment, and the Clerk of Court may
4
administratively close this case.
5
51.
Retention of Jurisdiction: This Court retains jurisdiction over this action for
6
purposes of resolving disputes arising under this Consent Decree, or entering orders
7
modifying this Consent Decree, or effectuating or enforcing compliance with the terms of
8
this Consent Decree. (Paragraphs 52 through 56 are intentionally omitted.)
9
10
XVI. TERMINATION
57.
After Defendants have paid civil penalties (Paragraph 19); recorded the
11
Consent Decree (Paragraph 23, subparagraph c); completed mitigation (Paragraph 24);
12
continuously complied with the injunctions (Paragraph 23, subparagraphs a and b) for
13
two years and 183 Days after the Effective Date; and paid any outstanding stipulated
14
penalties required by this Consent Decree, Defendants may submit to the United States,
15
at the addresses listed in Section IX, a written Request for Termination, stating that
16
Defendants have satisfied these requirements, together with supporting documentation.
17
58.
If the United States agrees that the Consent Decree may be terminated,
18
the Parties shall submit, for the Court’s approval, an appropriate paper or pleading to
19
terminate the Consent Decree.
20
59.
If the United States does not agree that the Consent Decree may be
21
terminated or if the United States does not respond to Defendants’ Request for
22
Termination within thirty (30) Days of service, Defendants may invoke the Dispute
23
Resolution provisions of Section VIII.
24
25
60.
Termination of this Consent Decree does not extinguish the prohibitions of
subparagraphs a and b of Paragraph 23, which run with ownership or control of the Site.
26
27
28
Consent Decree
17
1
XVII. APPENDICES
2
61.
The following Appendices are attached to and part of this Consent Decree:
3
a.
Appendix A: Tehama County Assessor’s Parcel Map for Parcel Numbers
4
037-050-20-1, 037-050-18-1, 037-050-16-1, 037-050-15-1, and 037-050-04-1, available
5
at http://www.co.tehama.ca.us/assessor-info-maps (last visited June 30, 2014).
6
b.
Appendix B: Annotated aerial photograph illustrating the boundary of the
7
Site and Coyote Creek, Stream 1, Stream 2, Stream 3, Stream 4, Stream 5, Stream 6,
8
and Unfilled Wetlands.
9
c.
Appendix C: Agreement Concerning Mitigation Funds.
10
11
12
IT IS SO ORDERED
13
Date: November 06, 2014
14
_____________________________________
15
___________________________________________
MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR., CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Consent Decree
18
1 II FOR PLAINTIFF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
2
3
Sam Hirsch
Acting Assistant Attorney General
4
5
6
~-/L-
9
10
11
12
13
Andrew J. D e
Trial Attorn
United States epartment of Justice
Environment and Natural Resources Division
P.O. Box 7611
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 514-4427 (p)
(202) 514-8865 (~
andrew.doyle@usdoj.gov
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
2?
28
consent Decree
~g
1
FOR DEFENDANT MATTHEW R. ANCHORDOGUY:
2
3
4
5
6
Dated: ~Z~/ ~/
Matthew R. Anchordoguy
P.O. Box 136
Vina, CA 96092
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
16
27
28
Consent Decree
22
1
FOR DEFENDANT ANCHORDOGUY AND COMPANY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP:
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Anchordoguy and Company Limited Partnership
77 Talon Dr.
Chico,, A 9 73
~
By:
~t~~Y
i _.
~
l
~
7
~~ 7
(individual)
(title)
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Consent Decree
23
Dated:
~ `~ ~~
1
2
3
Dated: ~c~c~ ~- ~
41
/J,6hn R. Barlow
5 ~l7 Talon Dr.
Chico, CA 95973
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Consent Decree
24
1
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANTS:
2
3
4
5
6
7
Dated: `_ 1Tb'~a~~
DOWNEY BRAND, LLP
Robert P. Soran, Esq.
621 Capitol Mall, 18th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-1000 (p)
rsoran@downeybrand.com
8
9
10
11
Dated: ~ Z
12
13
14
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 849-3447 (p)
demar@bdhooperlaw.com
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Consent Decree
25
~~~
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?