Saturday, July 28, 2018

D.R. HORTON PAID $95,000 EPA FINE FOR FLORIDA WETLAND POLLUTION





Unethical developer D.R. HORTON (NYSE: DRI) wants to destroy Fish Island in St Augustine, Florida and has already presented false and misleading testimony claiming an active bald eagle nest is "abandoned."

Come speak out at August 7, 2018 Planning and Zoning meeting, Alcazar Room, First Floor loggia, St. Augustine City Hall, 75 King Street, St. Augustine Florida.

Last year, D.R. HORTON agreed to a $95,000 fine for intentional wetland pollution in Osceola County, Florida.  This company is a monster than acts like a mobster.  There is no public benefit in giving D.R. HORTON a Planned Unit Development to destroy Fish Island.  The PUD should be DENIED.


Here are links to some nineteen (19) articles about D.R. HORTON (NYSE: DRI), which wants to destroy Fish Island and turn it into a gated community.

D.R. HORTON presented false testimony about "abandoned" bald eagle nest -- that could be several state and federal crimes.






Riverkeeper: Fish Island would change rare land for ‘McMansions’ (SAR)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/riverkeeper-fish-island-would-change.html

DONALD R. HORTON, INC. "EXPERT" WITNESS, RYAN CARTER, LIED ABOUT PROTECTED BALD EAGLE NEST ON FISH ISLAND
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/donald-r-horton-inc-expert-witness-ryan.html

I FILED SEC SECURITIES FRAUD COMPLAINT AGAINST D.R. HORTON, INC. ON FALSE TESTIMONY ABOUT FISH ISLAND BALD EAGLE NEST
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/i-filed-sec-securities-fraud-complaint.html

Who owns D.R. Horton, a/k/a "America's builder," which wants to destroy FISH ISLAND? -- Ownership Summary
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/who-owns-dr-horton-aka-americas-builder.html

2018 Q3 Earnings Presentation of D.R. Horton (DHI), which wants to destroy Fish Island
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/2018-q3-earnings-presentation-of-dr.html

Housing monopolist wants to destroy Fish Island -- D.R. HORTON (DHI) 2018 Q3 Earnings conference call transcript (Seeking Alpha)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/housing-monopolist-wants-to-destroy.html

Why D.R. Horton Stock Popped 11% Today (The Motley Fool, July 26, 2018)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/why-dr-horton-stock-popped-11-today.html

D.R. HORTON PAID $660,000+ iN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY FINES (Violation Tracker)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/fish-island-developer-dr-horton-nyse.html

D.R. HORTON PAID $95,000 EPA FINE FOR FLORIDA WETLAND POLLUTION
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/in-osceola-county-florida-dr-horton.html

D.R. HORTON Avoids Fine After Bulldozing Fort Worth Trees. (NBCDFW.COM, March 26, 2018)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/developer-avoids-fine-after-bulldozing.html

OSHA fines D.R. Horton, subcontractor $107K for FL safety violations (Construction Dive, August 26, 2016)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/osha-fines-dr-horton-subcontractor-107k.html

D.R. HORTON executive admits they 'went too far' in clearing trees for a project. (Fort Worth, TX Star-Telegram
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/dr-horton-executive-admits-they-went.html

D.R. HORTON reserves $400 million/year for claims of defective construction -- NEW HOME HEARTBREAK -- When Dream Homes Turn Into Nightmares (ABC News)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/dr-horton-reserves-400-millionyear-for.html

D.R. HORTON negligent in Jax condo case, jury awards $9.6 million after epic 38-day trial (By Anne Schindler, First Coast News)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/dr-horton-negligent-in-jax-condo-case.html

Who is Ryan Carter? D.R. HORTON "expert" witness, testified Fish Island bald eagle nest was "abandoned." That's false.
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/who-is-ryan-carter-dr-horton-expert.html

WHO IS DONALD R. HORTON, INC." TEXAS BILLIONAIRE THREATENS TO DESTROY FISH ISLAND
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/who-is-donald-r-horton-inc-texax.html

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC v. RYAN CARTER (Florida Fifth District Court of Appeals, 2009)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/environmental-services-inc-v-ryan.html

St. Augustine homeowner gets D.R. Horton to pay to fix leaking roof. (News4 JAX)
http://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2018/07/st-augustine-homeowner-gets-dr-horton.html


Documentation on the Osceola County case, from EPA's website:

DATE: June 9, 2017
CLEAN WATER ENFORCEMENT BRANCH ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER
61 FORSYTH STREET, S.W. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303

PUBLIC NOTICE No. CWA-04-2017-5501b
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Consent Agreement and Final Order
PUBLIC NOTICE
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, REGION 4 WATER PROTECTION DIVISION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, proposes to issue a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO), Docket No. CWA-04-2017-5501(b), that assesses an administrative penalty of $95,000 to D.R. Horton, Inc. (Respondent), Osceola County, Florida, under the authority of Section 309(g)(2)(B) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)(2)(B).
The EPA alleges that the Respondent has made unauthorized discharges of dredged and/or fill material into waters of the United States in violation of Section 301 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1311. The Respondent’s unauthorized activity impacted approximately 2.4 acres of herbaceous and freshwater wetlands located near 28.271827° north latitude and 81.356818° west longitude.
Any person wishing to comment on any aspect of the proposed CAFO Docket No. CWA-04-2017- 5501(b) must submit such comments in writing to the Regional Hearing Clerk at U.S. EPA, Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, 30303. Comments must be submitted within 30 days of the date of this notice. Please include the Public Notice Number and the Docket Number with any submitted comments.
Because this matter involves a CWA § 309(g) proceeding that is proposed to be simultaneously commenced and settled under 40 C.F.R. § 22.13(b), the EPA cannot resolve or settle this CAFO until ten days after the close of the public comment period in accordance with 40 C.F.R. § 22.45 (b) and (c).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Persons wishing to receive a copy of the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits, 40 C.F.R. Part 22, which apply to this matter, or comment upon the proposed penalty assessment, should contact the Regional Hearing Clerk identified above. Unless otherwise noted, the public record for this action is located in the EPA Regional Office at 61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, and the file will be open for public inspection between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.page2image1440515920page2image1442778736page2image1442538032
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYREGION 4
IN THE MATTER OF: ) )
D.RHORTONINC.,OSCEOLA COUNTY , FLORIDA,
RESPONDENT.
) CONSENT AGREEMENT AND
) FINAL 
ORDER)Docket No.: CW A-04-2017-550l(b)
CONSENT AGREEMENTI. Statutory Authority
page2image1442799104page2image1442799392
1. This is civil penalty proceeding undeSection 309(g)(l) ofthe Clean Water Act("CWA")33 U.S.C§ 1319(g)(l)and the Consolidated Rules ofPractice Governing theAdministrative AssessmenofCivil PenaltiesIssuance ofCompliance or Corrective Action Orders and the RevocationTermination or SuspensioofPermitspublished at 64 Fed. Reg. 40176 (Jul231999), codified at 40 Code of Federal Regulations ("C.F.R."Part 22 ("Part22").
2. The authoritto take action under Section 309(g)() of the CW A33 U.S.C. §1319(g)(1)is vested in the Administrator ofthe UniteStateEnvironmentaProtection Agency
("the EPA"). The Administrator hadelegated thiauthorittthe Regional AdministratorEPARegion 4whhas further delegated thiauthoritto the Director of thWater Protection DivisionEP A Region ("the Complainant").
II. Statutory and Regulatory Background
3Section 309(g)(l) ofthe CWA33 U.S.C§ 1319(g)(l)state"[w]heneverothe basis of any information available the Administrator findthat anperson haviolated [section301 ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 1311]... the Administrato. mayafter consultation with the Statin which the violation occursassess a class civil penaltor a clasII civipenalty under [33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)(2)]."
4. Section 301(a) ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 131 l(a)states "[e]xcept as in compliance wit.. [Section 404 ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 1314]the discharge ofan[dredgedor fill material] by any person shall be unlawful.Sectio404 ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 1344,authorizes the Secretarof the Armyacting through the Chief of Engineers, U.S. ArmCorpof Engineer("the COE")to issupermitfor the discharge ofdredged or fill materiainto navigable waters.page3image1438837008page3image1460751792page3image1460742416
5Section 502(12) ofthe CWA, 33 U.S.C§ 1362(12)defines "discharge ofpollutants" as "[a]naddition ofanpollutant to navigable waters from anpoint source...."
6. Section 502(14) ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 1362(14)defines "point sourceas[a]ny discernibleconfined and discrete conveyanceincluding but not limited to any pipe,ditchchanneltunnelconduit [or] discrete fissur... from which pollutants are or may bedischarged. "
7. Section 502(7) ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 1362(7), defines "navigable watersas"[t]hwaters ofthe United Statesincludinthe territorial seas."
8. Federal regulations under 40 C.F.R. § 232.define the term "waters of the UnitedStatesto include "wetlands."
9. Federal regulations under 40 C.F.R. § 232.2 and 33 C.F.R. § 328.3(b) define"wetlandsas "[t]hose areas that are inundated osaturated by surfacor groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to supportand that under normacircumstancedo supportaprevalencof vegetation typicalladapted for life in saturated soil conditions."
10Thterm "Discharge Areameanthe jurisdictionawaterthat have been impacteeither through the discharge of dredged and/or fill materiaas a result of the unauthorized activities thaare the subjecofthienforcement action. More specifically, theDischarge Area iapproximatel2.4 acres of herbaceous freshwatewetlands adjacent to Lake Tohopekaliga.
11 . The term "Site" meanthparcel or parcelof land on which the Discharge Areailocated. The Site iapproximatel1600 acreand ilocated southwest ofNeptunRoad (State Road 525), within Section 31Township 25SRange 30E, and Sections 25 and 36Township25S, Range 29Eand Sections 1 and 12, Township 26SRange 29E and Section 31Township25SRange 30E, Osceola CountyFloridanear latitude 28.271827° north and longitude81.356818° wes(See Exhibits A and B).
III. Allegations12The RespondentD.RHortonInc.at all times relevant to this Consent
Agreement and Final Orderwas the owneand operatoofthSite.13. D.R. Horton, Inc.is a persowithin the definition seforth under the CW A §
502(5)33 U.S.C. § 1362(5).14. Commencinon or about November 8, 20 13to the presentthe Respondentor
those actinon behalf of the Respondentdischarged dredgeand/or fill material into wetlandathe Site using earth movinmachinerdurinunauthorizeactivities associated with thclearing and filling of wetlandfor multi-phased residential development.
15. The Respondent impacteapproximately 2.4 acres ofherbaceoufreshwaterwetlands ("the Discharge Area") that are adjacent to Lake Tohopekaligaa navigable-in-fact water ofthe United States.
16. The discharged dredgeand/or fill materialincludinearthen materiadepositedat the Discharge Area, are "pollutantsas defined under the CWA § 502(6)U.S.C. § 1362(6).
17. The earth movinmachines employed bthe Respondent to deposithdredged and/or fill material at the Discharge Area ar"point sources" as defined under thCWA §502(14)u.s.c. § 1362(14).
18The Respondent's placement ofthdredgeand/or fill material at the DischargeArea constitutes a "discharge ofpollutants" as defined under the CW§ 502(12)U.S.C. § 1362(12).
19At no timduring thdischarge of dredged and/or fill materiaat thDischargeArea from November 82013to the presentdid the Respondent possess permit under Section404 ofthe CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1344, authorizinthe activitieperformed bthe Respondent.Each discharge by the Respondent ofpollutantinto navigablwaters withouthe required permit issued under Section 404 ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 1344is a violatioof Section 301(a) ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 131l(a).
20. Each day the material dischargeby thRespondent remainin waterofthe United States without the required permit under Section 404 ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 1344,constitutes a day ofviolation ofSection 301 ofthe CWA33 U.S.C. § 1311.
IV. Stipulations and Findings
21. The Complainant and thRespondent have conferred for thpurpose ofsettlement under 40 C.F.R. Part 22.18 and desire tresolve this matteand settle the allegationsdescribed herein without formahearing. Thereforewithout gatherinanevidencor testimony, makinof any argumentor adjudicating any issues oflaw or fact in this matterand in accordancwith 40 C.F.R. Part 22.13(b)this Consent Agreement and Final Order ("CAFO") will simultaneouslcommence and conclude thimatter.
22. For thpurposes of this CAPOthe Respondent admitthe jurisdictionalallegations seout above and neither admitnor denies thspecific factuaallegations set out in thiConsent Agreement.
23. The Respondent hereby waives itright to contesthe allegations set out aboveand itright to appeathe FinaOrder accompanyinthiConsenAgreement.page5image1460068256
24. The Respondent consents to the assessment ofand agrees to pay theadministrative penaltas set forth in this CAFand consentto the other conditions set forth in thiCAFO.
25. By signing thiCAFOthe Respondent certifies that the information it hassupplied concerning this matter was at the timof submissionand is, truthfulaccurateandcomplete for each such submissionresponse and statement. The Respondent realizes that there are significant penaltiefor submittinfalse or misleading informationincludinthe possibilityof fines and/or imprisonment for knowing submission of such information.
26. The Complainant reserves thright to assess and collect anand all civil penaltiesfoany violation described in this CAFO to the extent thaany information ocertificationprovided bthRespondent was materiallfalse or inaccurate at the time such information orcertification was provided to the Complainant.
27The Complainant and the Respondent agree to settle this matter btheir executionof this CAFO. The partieagree that the settlement of thimatter iin the public interesandthat this CAFO is consistent with thapplicable requirementof the CWA.
V. Payment
28. UndeSection 309(g)(2)(B) of the CWA33 U.S.C. § 319(g)(2)(B)and 40C.F.R. § 19and considering thnature of the violationand otherelevant factors, the EPA hasdetermined that NINETY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($95,000ian appropriatcivil penalty to settle thiaction.
29. ThRespondent shall submit payment ofthpenalty specified in thprecedingparagraph within 30 days of the effective date of this CAFO via a cashier'ocertified check,payablto the order of "TreasurerUnited States of America." Thchecshall referenceon itface, thnamof thRespondent and the Docket Numbeof this CAFO.submitted by U.SPostal Service to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Fines and PenaltiesCincinnati Finance CenterPO Box 979077
St. LouisMO 63 197-9000
Such payment shall be
page5image1460160576
Foother payment options (Ex: Wire TransfersOvernight MailACH, and On Line) please refer to Attachment A.
30. At the time of paymentthe Respondent shall send separatcopy of the check,and a written statement that payment habeen made in accordancwith this CAFOto thefollowing personat the following addresses:
page6image1460806272
and
Regional Hearing ClerkU.S. EPA, Region 4Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street
S.W. AtlantaGeorgia 30303-8960
Mr. Christopher ParkerMarine Regulatory and Wetlands Enforcement SectionU.S. EPARegion 4Atlanta FederaCenter61 Forsyth StreetS.W.
Atlanta
Georgia 30303-8960
page6image1460823824page6image1460824112
31. Civil penaltpaymentunder thiCAFO are penaltiewithin the meaninofSection 162(±) ofthe Internal Revenue Code26 U.S.C. § 162(±), or of26 C.F.R. § 1.162-21 andare not tadeductible expenditures for purposes offederal law.
32. Under Section 309(g)(9) ofthe CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)(9), failure by the Respondent to pathe penalty assessebthe CAFO in full bitdue datmay subject theRespondent to a civil action tcollect the assessed penaltpluinterest (acurrentlprevailing rates from the effective datof this CAFO), attorney's fees, costs for collection proceedings and a quarterlnonpayment penaltfor each quarter during which such failure tpay persists. Suchnonpayment penaltshall bin an amount equal ttwentpercent (20%) of the aggregateamount of such penalty and nonpayment penalty which are unpaid as of the beginninof such quarter. In any such collection actionthe validityamount and appropriateness of thpenalty and ofthis CAFO shall not be subject to review.
VIGeneral Provisions
33. ThiCAFO shall not relieve the Respondent ofits obligation to comply with allapplicable provisionof federalstateor local law, nor shall it be construed to be ruling on, ordetermination ofany issue related tany federalstate, or local permit. Other than as expressedhereincompliance with this CAFO shall not be defense to any actionsubsequentlycommenced under federal laws and regulations administered bthe EPA.
34. Nothinin this CAFO shall bconstrued as prohibitingalteringor in any waylimitinthe abilitof the United Stateto seeany other remedieor sanctionavailable by virtuofthe Respondent's violation ofthiCAFO or ofthe statutes and regulations upowhichhiagreement ibasedor for thRespondent's violatioof any federal ostate statute,regulatioor permit.
35. Full payment of thcivipenalty, aprovided in Section V aboveshall resolvethRespondent's liabilitfor Federal civil penalties for the violationalleged in thiCAFO. Full payment of the civipenaltyaprovideiSection V above. shall noaffect thright of thEPAor thUnited States to pursuappropriatinjunctive ootheequitablrelieocriminalsanctionfor anotheviolationof law.
36. Each undersignerepresentative ofthparties to this CAFcertifies that he orshifully authorized to enter intthtermand conditions of this CAFand to execute andlegallbind thaparty tit.
37. ThiCAPapplies tand ibindinupon thRespondent and any officers,directorsemployeesagentssuccessorsand assigns of thRespondent.
38. Any change in thlegal status of thRespondent includingbut nolimited toanytransfeofassets ofreaor personapropertyshall not alter thRespondent's responsibilitiesunder this CAFO.
39Each party shall bear its own costand attorneys fees in connectiowith the actioresolved bthis CAFO.
40In accordance with 40 C.F.R. Part 22.5thindividualbelow are authorized to receive service relatinto thiproceeding.
page7image1461976096page7image1461976448page7image1461976736page7image1461977024page7image1461977312page7image1461977664
FoComplainant:
For Respondent:
Mr. Matthew HicksAssociatRegionaCounselU.S. EnvironmentaProtectioAgency, Regio4 Atlanta FederaCenter6ForsytStreetS.W.
A
tlantaGeorgia 30303
(
404) 562-9670
Mr. Ted I. HarbourSenioVice President anChief LegaOfficer 301 Commerce StreetSuite 500Fort WorthTX 76102-4178
(8 
17) 390-8200
41The partieacknowledge and agree that this CAFO is subjecto the requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 22.45(c)(4), which provides a right tpetition to set asidconsent agreementand proposed finaorder baseon commentreceived durinthpublicomment period.
42. Under Section 309(g) of the CWA33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)an40 C.F.R. § 22.38(b), Complainant representthat the State of Florida was provided a prior opportunity toconsult with Complainant regardinthimatter.
43. This CAFO in no way affectthrightof the Complainant as against anpersonoentity not parttthis CAFO.
44. Effective uposignaturof this CAFO bthe RespondentthRespondent agreesthat thtimperiod commencinon the date of its signaturand ending othdatthe EPAreceives from thRespondent thpayment required bthis CAFO shall not be included incomputinthrunninoany statutolimitationpotentiallapplicable tany action broughtbthe Erelated tthmatteraddressed in this CAPO and thatin anaction brought bthe EPA related tthmatters addressedthRespondent will not assertand may not maintainanydefense or claim based upon principles ofstatute of limitationswaiver!achesestoppelor other defense baseon thpassage of timduring such periodIf EP A gives notice tthRespondent that it will not make this CAPeffectivethe statutof limitations shall begin to run againcommencing 9days after the datsucnotice is sent bthe EPA.
VII. Release by Respondent
45. Respondent herebcovenantnot to suand agrees not to assert anclaims orcauseoaction againsthe UniteStatesincludinandepartmentagency oinstrumentalityof the UniteStateswith respect to thresolutioby civil penalties of the violationalleged inthis CAFOincludinbut not limited toanclaim that any of thmatters or actiondescribed in this CAFO have resultein takinoRespondent'property without compensationProvidedhowever, that nothinin this CAFO limits the abilitof thRespondent to bring any available claimscauses of actioor defenses with respect tl) compliance with this CAFOo2) anyfuture administrative or judicial proceedingsincluding without limitation issuancof a dredge and/or fill permit relatinto anfacts, allegationsstipulationor findings allegein this CAFO.
VIII. Effective Date
46. The effective datofthis CAFshall bthe date owhicthe CAPifiled with thRegionaHearing Clerk.
AGREED AND CONSENTED TO:
For RESPONDENT:
Ted I. Harbour
Senior Vice President and Chief LegaOfficerD.R. HortonInc.
D a t e

For COMPLAINANTU.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY:
Mary S. WalkerDirector Water Protection DivisionU.S. EP A Region 4

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