Gila River Indian Community

Enforcement Case StudyDaniel Blair, Compliance and Enforcement

Mgr.

Gila River Indian Community Background

Established in 1859 by Executive OrderConsists of two (2) tribes

Akimel O’odham (Pimas) – Districts 1 thru 5Pii-Pash (Maricopas) – Districts 6 & 7

Landbase374,000 Acres

Population On reservation 15,000Off reservation 5,000

Monitoring Stations

Gila River Indian Community

Industrial ParksSand & Gravel

Industry BackgroundTwo industrial parks, 50 businesses &

industriesPacific Scientific, Triumph, Local Motors,

Superlite Block, Pimalco, Champion Homes, etc.Other GRIC-Area Sources

40,000 agricultural acresAcreage will increase to 146,000 over next 10

yearsInterstate 10 bisects Community

(largest source of air pollution)

AQMP Background

2006 GRIC Adopts AQMP

2007 GRIC Submits AQMP to

USEPA for Federal

Enforceability

2009 GRIC Submits AQMP

supplemental Packet to USEPA

2011 USEPA approves

AQMP

AQMP ElementsPart I. General ProvisionsPart II. Permit

RequirementsPart III. Enforcement

OrdinancesPart IV. Administrative

AppealsPart V. Area Source

Emission Limits Open BurningFugitive Dust

Part VI. General RequirementsVisible EmissionsVOC Usage, Storage,

HandlingDegreasing, Solvent Metal

CleaningPart VII. Source/Category

Specific Emission LimitsSecondary Aluminum

ProcessingAerospace Manufacturing and

Rework OperationsNon-Metallic Mineral Mining

and Processing

GeneralChemical

GC Background

Ferric Chloride & Aluminum Sulfate Production PlantFerric Chloride - HCl, water and iron oxideAluminum Sulfate – Sulfuric Acid, water and

alumGC recently purchased facility from Chalum

and upgraded to include ferric chloride process (GC conducted Community meetings requesting new process)Installed state of the art equipmentNew tanks, automatic overfill equipment,

safety equip. etc.

General Chemical

Community members and DEQ had a concern about HCl storage (Rail Cars)

Odors Acid VaporsSpills AccidentsGC Assured the Community that there would

not be any problems

GC Enforcement ActionObserved “Red” plume from behind Rail Cars

Tote unloading equipment not operating properly

Observed numerous other waste violations

GC Enforcement ActionConducted full inspection (Air & Waste)Issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) Air &

Waste Violations Offer to convene Enforcement ConferencePotential violation 3.4 million (calculated)

Issued Consent Order with $25,000 penaltyRequired Corrective Action Plan (CAP) with

enforceable requirements and timelinesGC complied with all requirements

GC Enforcement ActionGC scraped up all spilled iron oxide and

hauled it to landfillRepaired containment areas, sumps etc.Reengineered Tote Unloading System

(observed restart)Submitted iron oxide storage planSubmitted Air Quality Operating Permit

ApplicationPaid $25,000 penalty

Things to Consider Before Conducting Enforcement Action

Legal AuthorityTribal ordinancesDelegation of Federal NSR programLeases etc.Permits

Documentation of ViolationComplaint reportsInspection reportsVE sheetsNOVs/OrdersPics

Things to Consider Before Conducting Enforcement Action

Notification of Proposed Enforcement Action to Tribal Law Office/AttorneysTribal Council ?EPAOther Affected Parties (e.g., Industrial Park

Board, GRSG etc.)

Contact InformationWill Antone III, Air Quality Specialist

PO Box 97 Sacaton, AZ 85147(520)562-2234 wantone3@gilanet.net

Dan Blair, Compliance & Enforcement ManagerPO Box 97 Sacaton, AZ 85147(520)562-2234 air@gilanet.net