15A NCAC 02J .0106. STANDARDS

In determining the amount of the assessment, the Commission and its delegates shall consider the following standards and shall cite those deemed applicable:

(1)           Gravity of the violation and the degree and extent of harm, including but not limited to the following:

(a)           for a water violation:

(i)            effluent standard(s) or water quality standard(s) violated,

(ii)           type of other violation,

(iii)          duration,

(iv)          cause,

(v)           effect on  receiving waters,  public health, and fish or wildlife,

(vi)          effectiveness of preventive or responsive measures taken by violator;

(b)           for an oil violation:

(i)            type of oil,

(ii)           amount and duration,

(iii)          cause,

(iv)          damage to public resources,

(v)           damage to private property,

(vi)          effectiveness of action taken by violator to clean up the oil and prevent further damages;

(c)           for an air violation:

(i)            emission control standard(s) or ambient air quality standard(s) violated;

(ii)           type of other violation;

(iii)          duration;

(iv)          cause;

(v)           effect on ambient air quality, public health, animal or plant life;

(vi)          effectiveness of action taken by violator to cease the violation;

(d)           for a water use violation:

(i)            type of violation,

(ii)           effect on ground water or surface water quantity or quality,

(iii)          duration;

(e)           for a dam safety violation:

(i)            type of violation,

(ii)           threat to life or property,

(iii)          effect on stream classification or water quality standards;

(f)            for a well construction violation:

(i)            the amount of money the violator saved by his non‑compliance,

(ii)           whether or not the violation was committed willfully;

(2)           Cost of rectifying any damage;

(3)           The violator's previous record in complying or not complying with the laws and implementing regulations of the Commission;

(4)           The economic and financial condition of the respondent will be presumed to allow the assessment of the penalty.  The respondent may raise this issue in an answer pursuant to Regulation .0008 of this Subchapter and will have the burden of coming forward and proving this position.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 87‑87; 87‑94; 143‑215.3(a)(1); 143‑215.6(a);

143‑215.17(b); 143‑215.36(b); 143‑215.91(a); 143‑215.114(a);

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. May 1, 1986.