Chapter 16.40
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)
Sections:
16.40.050 Administrative provisions.
16.40.060 Penalties and enforcement.
16.40.010 Authority.
This chapter is adopted under the authority of the police power granted to political subdivisions of the state by Article XI, Section 11 of the Washington State Constitution. (Ord. 2015-002 § 1 Exh. A).
16.40.020 Purpose and intent.
The purpose of this chapter is to comply with provisions of the state of Washington Water Pollution Control Law (Chapter 90.48 RCW) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act, Title 33 United States Code, Section 1251 et seq.). (Ord. 2015-002 § 1 Exh. A).
16.40.030 Applicability.
This chapter applies to the unincorporated areas of Whatcom County within the Department of Ecology’s designated Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. (Ord. 2015-002 § 1 Exh. A).
16.40.050 Administrative provisions.
The administrative portions of this chapter shall be overseen by the director of public works or his/her designee. The enforcement provisions of this chapter shall be overseen by the director of planning and development services pursuant to WCC 2.32.030, the director of the department of health pursuant to WCC Title 8, Health and Safety, and Title 24, Health Code, and the county sheriff, or their respective designees. (Ord. 2015-002 § 1 Exh. A).
16.40.060 Penalties and enforcement.
A. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a civil offense and may be fined a sum not to exceed $1,000 for each offense. After a notice of violation has been given, each day of site work in conjunction with the notice of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
B. The penalty provided in subsection A of this section shall be assessed and may be imposed by a notice in writing either by certified mail with return receipt requested or by personal service to the person incurring the same. The notice shall include the amount of the penalty imposed and shall describe the violation with reasonable particularity. In appropriate cases, corrective action shall be taken within a specific and reasonable time.
C. Within 30 calendar days after the notice is received, the person incurring the penalty may apply in writing to the county for remission or mitigation of such penalty. Upon receipt of the application, the county may remit or mitigate the penalty upon whatever terms the county in its discretion deems proper. The county’s final decision on mitigation or revision shall be reviewed by the hearing examiner if the aggrieved party files a written appeal therewith of said decision within 10 calendar days of its issuance.
D. If work activity has occurred on a site in violation of this chapter, prompt corrective action, restoration or mitigation of the site will be required when appropriate. If this provision is not complied with, the county may restore or mitigate the site and charge the responsible person for the full cost of such an activity. Additionally, any and all permits or approvals issued by the county may be denied for that site for a period of up to six years.
E. In the event any person violates any of the provisions of this chapter, the county may issue a correction notice to be delivered to the owner or operator, or to be conspicuously posted at the site. In a nonemergency situation, such notice may include notice of the intent to issue a stop work order no less than 10 calendar days following the receipt of the correction notice, and provide for an administrative predeprivation hearing within 10 calendar days of the notice. In an emergency situation where there is a significant threat to public safety or the environment, the county may issue a stop work order. The stop work order shall include, in writing, the right to request an administrative predeprivation hearing within 72 hours following receipt of the stop work order. Failure to comply with the order to stop work shall be a gross misdemeanor punishable upon conviction by a minimum fine of $500.00 up to a maximum fine of $1,000 or one year in jail, or both. Under no circumstance may the court defer or suspend any portion of the minimum $500.00 fine for any conviction under this section. Each day or part thereof of noncompliance with said order to stop work shall constitute a separate offense.
F. The county may suspend or revoke a permit if the applicant violates the conditions or limitations set forth in the permit or exceeds the scope of the work set forth in the permit.
G. The prosecuting attorney may enforce compliance with this chapter by such injunctive, declaratory or other actions as deemed necessary to ensure that violations are prevented, ceased, or abated.
H. Any person who, through an act of commission or omission, procures, aids, or abets in the violation shall be considered to have committed a violation for the purposes of the civil penalty. (Ord. 2015-002 § 1 Exh. A).
16.40.070 Severability.
Should any chapter, section, clause or provision of this chapter be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole or any part thereof, other than the part so declared to be invalid. (Ord. 2015-002 § 1 Exh. A).