Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_23-cv-00943/USCOURTS-caed-2_23-cv-00943-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 893
Nature of Suit: Environmental Matters
Cause of Action: 33:1365 Environmental Matters

---

STIP to DISMISS – Page 1 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Edward E. Yates, Esq. SB#135138 

Law Office of Edward E. Yates 

2060 Sutter Street, #403 

San Francisco, CA 94115 

Telephone: (415) 990-4805 

Email: eyates@marinlandlaw.com

Adam D. Brumm, Esq. SB#257906 

Eden Environmental Defenders 

1520 E. Covell Blvd, Suite B5-611 

Davis, CA 95616 

Telephone: (800) 545-7215, Extension 906 

Email: adam@edendefenders.org

Attorneys for Plaintiff 

CENTRAL VALLEY EDEN ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

CENTRAL VALLEY EDEN 

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS, LLC, a 

California limited liability company, 

Plaintiff,

 vs. 

NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS, INC., a 

California corporation; and DOES 1-10, 

inclusive, 

Defendants.

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

)

Case No.: 2:23−CV−00943−KJM−CKD 

STIPULATION TO DISMISS ENTIRE 

ACTION AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS 

WITH PREJUDICE; ORDER GRANTING 

DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE 

FRCP 41(a)(2)

Plaintiff Central Valley Eden Environmental Defenders, LLC (“Plaintiff”) and Defendant 

Nutrien AG Solutions, Inc. (“Defendant”), hereby enter into this Stipulation to Dismiss 

Plaintiff’s Complaint and all claims against all Defendants with prejudice. 

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 1 of 12
STIP to DISMISS – Page 2 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

WHEREAS, Plaintiff and Defendant (the “Parties”) have entered into a settlement 

agreement that achieves a full and final settlement of all Plaintiff’s claims against Defendant as 

set forth in the Complaint filed in this matter on May 19, 2023 (Docket No. 1). 

WHEREAS, on October 12, 2023, the Parties filed a Notice of Settlement notifying the 

Court that the Parties had reached a full settlement to resolve all outstanding issues in this action 

(“Settlement Agreement”). 

WHEREAS, on October 18, 2023, Plaintiff served a copy of the Settlement Agreement 

on the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) for a mandatory 45-day review period under 33 U.S.C. § 

1365(c)(3) and 40 C.F.R. § 135.5. All interested parties agree that the expiration date of the 45-

day review period was December 4, 2023. 

WHEREAS, the Parties’ Notice of Settlement specified that upon the expiration of the 

DOJ’s review period, if no objection was lodged by the DOJ, the Settling Parties would stipulate 

to and request an order from this Court dismissing with prejudice Plaintiff’s claims as to 

Defendant. 

WHEREAS, the statutory agency review period has expired without any objection being 

lodged by the DOJ. 

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED and agreed to by and between the 

Parties that Plaintiff’s Complaint and all claims against Defendant shall be dismissed with 

prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2). 

The Parties respectfully request an order from this Court dismissing such claims with 

prejudice, with each side to bear their own attorney fees and costs, except as provided for by the 

terms of the Settlement Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. 

. 

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 2 of 12
STIP to DISMISS – Page 3 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Dated: December 11, 2023 Respectfully, 

 

 By: __ /S/_Edward E. Yates___________

 Edward E. Yates 

 Attorney for Plaintiff 

 Dated: December 11, 2023 Respectfully, 

 

 By: __Tiffany R. Hedgpeth______

 Tiffany R. Hedgpeth 

 Attorney for Defendant 

 

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 3 of 12
STIP to DISMISS – Page 4 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

ORDER 

 Good cause appearing, and the parties having stipulated and agreed, IT IS HEREBY 

ORDERED as follows: 

The Complaint filed in this matter by plaintiff CENTRAL VALLEY EDEN 

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS, LLC, and all claims against defendant NUTRIEN AG 

SOLUTIONS, INC. are hereby dismissed in their entirety, with prejudice. 

Each party is to bear their own attorney fees and costs, except as provided for in the 

settlement agreement executed by the parties on October 18, 2023, a copy of which is attached 

hereto as Exhibit A. However, the court in its discretion declines to maintain jurisdiction to 

enforce the terms of the parties’ settlement agreement. Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of 

Am., 511 U.S. 375, 381 (1994); cf. Collins v. Thompson, 8 F.3d 657, 659 (9th Cir. 1993). Unless 

there is some independent basis for federal jurisdiction, enforcement of the agreement is for the 

state courts. Kokkonen, 511 U.S. at 382. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 4, 2024. 

 

 

 

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 4 of 12
EXHIBIT A

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 5 of 12
{00121719.DOCX-1 }

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This Settlement Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between Central 

Valley Eden Environmental Defenders, LLC (“EDEN”), on behalf of itself and its members,

and Nutrien Ag Solutions, Inc. (“Nutrien Ag Solutions”). EDEN and Nutrien Ag Solutions are 

hereinafter each referred to as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties.” 

RECITALS

A. WHEREAS, EDEN is an environmental citizen’s group organized under the laws of the 

State of California, dedicated to protect, enhance, and assist in the restoration of all 

rivers, creeks, streams, wetlands, vernal pools, and tributaries of California, and the 

United States. 

B. WHEREAS, Nutrien Ag Solutions operates a facility that distributes and/or mixes 

fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides. The facility is located at 1905 North Broadway 

Avenue in Stockton, California (“Facility”). 

C. WHEREAS, EDEN contends the Facility is subject to various federal and state regulatory 

requirements, including compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) through 

the General Industrial Storm Water Permit issued by the State of California (NPDES 

General Permit No. CAS000001) [State Water Resources Control Board (“SWRCB”)] 

Water Quality Order No. 2014-0057-DWQ, as amended by Orders 2015-0122-DWQ and 

2018-XXXX-DWQ (hereinafter “General Permit”). The Facility is currently not covered 

under the General Permit.

D. WHEREAS, on August 4, 2022, EDEN served Nutrien Ag Solutions with a 60-Day 

Notice of Violations and Intent to File Suit (“Notice Letter”) alleging various violations 

of the CWA and the General Permit relating to activities at the Facility. A copy of the

Notice Letter is attached hereto as Exhibit A. 

E. WHEREAS, on or about May 19, 2023, EDEN filed a Complaint in U.S. District Court for 

the Eastern District of California against Defendant Nutrien Ag Solutions (Civil Action No. 

2:23−CV−00943−KJM-CKD) (“Complaint”).

F. WHEREAS, Nutrien Ag Solutions denies all allegations and claims contained in the 

Complaint and Notice Letter and reserves all rights and defenses with respect to such 

allegations and claims.

G. WHEREAS, the Parties have expended effort and resources in investigating and evaluating 

the allegations and claims set forth in the Notice Letter and Complaint, as well as engaging 

in negotiations regarding settlement. 

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 6 of 12
October 9, 2023

Settlement Agreement

Page 2 of 20

{00121719.DOCX-1 }

H. WHEREAS, the Parties believe it is in their mutual interest to now resolve in full through 

settlement EDEN’s allegations set forth in the Notice Letter and Complaint, to avoid the 

cost and uncertainties of further litigation.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration through the execution of this Agreement 

and the releases, satisfactions and promises made herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Parties Bound By This Agreement. This Agreement, and each of its provisions, including all 

representations, warranties, and promises contained herein, binds, and inures to the benefit of 

EDEN and Nutrien Ag Solutions and each of their respective assigns, present and future 

operators, affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, predecessors, and successors in interest whether by 

merger, consolidation, or amalgamation, as well as their respective representatives, agents, 

members, officers, and administrators, past, present, and future. 

2. Effective Date. The “Effective Date” of this Agreement is the last day for the U.S. Department 

of Justice to provide comment, i.e., the 45th day following the U.S. Department of Justice’s 

receipt of the Agreement.

3. Term. The “Termination Date” shall be three (3) years from the Effective Date, at which time 

the Agreement, and all obligations under it, shall automatically terminate.

4. Actions Required by EDEN: 

A. Within three (3) business days of receiving all the Parties’ signatures to this Agreement, 

EDEN shall submit this Agreement to the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and EPA 

for agency review consistent with 40 C.F.R. § 135.5. The agency review period expires 

forty-five (45) days after receipt by the DOJ, evidenced by correspondence from DOJ 

establishing the review period. 

B. Within three (3) days of the mutual execution of this Agreement, EDEN shall submit a 

Notice of Settlement to the Northern District Court.

C. Within seven (7) days of the expiration of the 45-day agency review period described 

above, the Parties shall execute a joint Stipulation for Dismissal, and EDEN shall 

submit same to the Court with a proposed Order.

D. The Stipulation for Dismissal shall provide that the Complaint and all claims against 

Defendant shall be dismissed with prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 41(a)(2); and that the Court shall retain and have jurisdiction over the Parties 

with respect to disputes arising under this Agreement, which shall be attached thereto 

and fully incorporated by reference, through the Termination Date. Nothing in this 

Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of any Party’s right to appeal from an order 

that arises from a motion to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 7 of 12
October 9, 2023

Settlement Agreement

Page 3 of 20

{00121719.DOCX-1 }

5. Actions Required By Nutrien Ag Solutions. In exchange for the delivery, execution, and 

performance of this Agreement and of the releases by EDEN as provided herein, Nutrien Ag 

Solutions shall perform the below-specified mitigation activities with respect to the Facility, 

within the term of this Agreement. Nutrien Ag Solutions shall have the right, in its sole 

discretion, to determine (i) which persons shall perform any work described herein, 

including Nutrien Ag Solutions’ employees or third-party contractors or consultants; and (ii) 

the scope and technical details of, and manner to implement, any such work.

SPECIFIC MITIGATION ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS

5.1 Application for Coverage under the General Permit

Within sixty (60) calendar days of the Effective Date, Nutrien Ag Solutions shall 

complete the following tasks to obtain coverage under the General Permit:

(a) Navigate to the California State Water Resources Control Board SMARTS 

website located at California Storm water Multiple Applications and Report Tracking 

System;

(b) Create a SMARTS Account;

(c) Complete all required data in SMARTS to apply for standard Notice of Intent 

General Permit coverage and pay the required fees; and

(d) Upload all required Permit Registration Documents, including a SWPPP and Site 

Map compliant with Section 5.4 herein.

5.2 Storm Water Monitoring, Sample Collection and Analysis

A. Storm Water Sample Collection and Analysis

1. Nutrien Ag Solutions shall collect and analyze storm water samples from the 

Facility, from the Effective Date to the Termination Date, from Qualifying Storm 

Events (“QSEs”), at the times and frequencies required by the General Permit; 

specifically, two (2) samples in the first half of each reporting year (July 1-

December 31) and two (2) in the second half of each reporting year (January 1-

June 30). 

2. “QSE”, as defined herein is any rain event that is preceded by 48 hours with 

no discharge from any drainage area and which produces a measurable and 

collectible discharge at any of the Facility’s industrial discharge locations 

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 8 of 12
October 9, 2023

Settlement Agreement

Page 4 of 20

{00121719.DOCX-1 }

(“Sampling Locations”) identified in Nutrien Ag Solutions’ SWPPP and 

Facility Map. 

3. Nutrien Ag Solutions shall ensure that the collection, preservation, and handling 

of these storm water samples are in accordance with General Permit 

Attachment H, Storm Water Sample Collection and Handling Instructions and 

its SWPPP. 

4. Samples are to be collected from all Sampling Locations identified in Nutrien 

Ag Solutions’ SWPPP and Facility Map where a discharge occurs. The 

Sampling Locations must be representative of storm water associated with 

industrial activities and any commingled authorized NSWDs; or associated 

with any discharge of contained storm water. 

5. Nutrien Ag Solutions may, in its sole discretion, modify the Sampling 

Locations in accordance with its SWPPP, and such modification(s) shall not be 

a breach of this Agreement.

6. Stormwater samples from each Sampling Location shall be collected within 

four (4) hours of:

a) The start of the discharge (including discharge of collected and 

treated storm water); or

 

b) The start of facility operations if the QSE occurs within the previous 

12-hour period (e.g., for storms with discharges that begin during 

the night for facilities with day-time operating hours). Sample 

collection is required during scheduled facility operating hours and 

when sampling conditions are safe pursuant to Section XI.C.6.a.ii. 

of the General Permit.

7. All stormwater samples collected from the Facility are to be analyzed for the 

following parameters: Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Oil and Grease (O&G) and 

pH; Iron, Nitrate+Nitrite (N+N), Lead, Zinc and Phosphorus. 

8. Further, Nutrien Ag Solutions shall analyze its stormwater samples for any 

additional sampling parameter identified in its SWPPP’s Pollutant Source 

Assessment, pursuant to Sections X.F, X.G and XI.B.6.c of the General Permit as 

well as any additional parameters required by the Water Board or the General 

Permit.

9. Samples are to be forwarded within forty-eight (48) hours of collection 

to a California ELAP-certified analytical laboratory selected by Nutrien Ag 

Solutions in its sole discretion.

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 9 of 12
October 9, 2023

Settlement Agreement

Page 5 of 20

{00121719.DOCX-1 }

10. Nutrien Ag Solutions shall upload to the State Water Resources Control Board 

Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (“SMARTS”) all 

sample analyses received from its analytical laboratory, within thirty (30) days of 

receipt of the sampling data.

5.3 Mitigation of Potential Exceedances

(a) In the event that the sample analyses of Nutrien Ag Solutions’ storm water samples 

collected pursuant to Section 5.2 above, indicate results for the tested parameters 

that exceed either the instantaneous or annual Numeric Action Levels (“NAL”) 

levels listed in Table 2 of the General Permit attached hereto as Exhibit B, Nutrien 

Ag Solutions agrees to work with its designated Qualified Industrial Storm Water 

Practitioner (“QISP”), as that term is defined by the General Permit, or other 

environmental professional to review Nutrien Ag Solutions’ housekeeping 

practices and Best Management Practices (“BMPs”), and if necessary revise its 

SWPPP in order to reduce its analyzed pollutant parameters, and to provide 

training and consultation to achieve that objective, and to follow the provisions set 

forth in Section XII of the General Permit related to required Exceedance 

Response Actions, if required.

 

(b) In the event that Nutrien Ag Solutions’ storm water samples indicate sampling 

parameter not specified in Table 2 of the General Permit exceed receiving water 

limitations as described in Section VI of the General Permit, Nutrien Ag Solutions

shall comply with the Water Quality Based Corrective Actions set forth in Section 

XX.B of the General Permit, including the preparation of a Water Quality Based 

Corrective Action Report. 

5.4 Best Management Practices

Nutrien Ag Solutions shall develop and implement technologically and economically 

achievable BMPs necessary to prevent and/or reduce contamination in its stormwater 

discharges, consistent with use of BAT and BCT, as required by the General Permit. 

In addition to those minimum and advanced BMPs specified in its current SWPPP, 

Nutrien Ag Solutions agrees to implement and maintain the following BMPs at the 

Facility: 

(a) Sweeping: Loading and unloading of dry fertilizer, if any, shall be performed over a 

load pad. Spilled fertilizer shall be cleaned up daily via sweeping, use of sump 

pumps, or manual washing. Any water generated shall be contained and properly 

reused or disposed of offsite.

(b) Vehicle Maintenance: Conduct all vehicle maintenance within a contained area and 

in accordance with written standard operating procedures.

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 10 of 12
October 9, 2023

Settlement Agreement

Page 6 of 20

{00121719.DOCX-1 }

(c) Vehicle Fueling: Conduct outdoor vehicle fueling in accordance with written 

standard operating and incident procedures and in compliance with all local, state or 

federal laws or ordinances.

(d) Vehicle Storage: Facility vehicles shall be regularly maintained. .Any grease/oil 

leaks/product leaks or stains caused by vehicles shall be cleaned up upon discovery. 

(e) Outdoor Storage of Materials, Scrap and Equipment: Within sixty (60) days of the 

Effective Date of this Agreement, complete an evaluation of all outdoor storage of 

industrial materials, miscellaneous equipment, tools, scrap metals, parts, and all 

other materials stored outdoors. To the extent that any of the foregoing is obsolete, 

no longer utilized in Facility operations, trashed, discarded as waste, or otherwise 

extraneous or unnecessary, Nutrien Ag Solutions shall dispose of same in a lawful 

and timely manner. 

(f) Trash and Debris: Cover or close all waste receptacles when not in use and prior to 

rain events; and dispose of on-Facility trash and debris properly and in a timely 

manner.

(g) Secondary Containment: Except for what may be stored in vehicles, store all 

petroleum-based materials and petroleum-based wastes and all chemicals which 

have the potential to come into contact with rainfall or stormwater runoff indoors, or 

within secondary containment having a volume of at least 110 percent of the 

contents of the largest vessel stored within the containment.

(h) Dust Minimization Utilize appropriate dust minimization BMPs during windy 

conditions.

5.5 Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan 

Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreement, Nutrien Ag Solutions

shall engage a professional Environmental Consultant or QISP to prepare a Storm Water 

Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Facility Map to comport with the requirements 

set forth in Section X of the General Permit.

The SWPPP and Site Map revisions shall include the results of the Technical Report 

referenced in Section 5.1.A herein and shall be finalized and uploaded to SMARTS 

within sixty (60) days of the Effective Date.

A. Nutrien Ag Solutions shall prepare a SWPPP which includes the following, and shall 

upload to SMARTS within thirty (30) days a revised SWPPP whenever any of the 

following has been modified or is no longer accurate:

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 11 of 12
October 9, 2023

Settlement Agreement

Page 7 of 20

{00121719.DOCX-1 }

1. Complete Facility information, including location (street address), the current 

Facility operator and the current legal name of the business entity 

owner/operator; Facility WDID number (IGP Sections II.A, II.C, X.A.1, XXI.K, 

XXI.R);

2. Current scheduled Facility operating hours, including temporary, intermittent, 

seasonal and weather dependent hours, if applicable (IGP Section X.D.2.d);

3. If the Facility plans to temporarily suspend industrial activities for ten (10) or 

more consecutive calendar days during the term of this Agreement, Nutrien Ag 

Solutions shall include in the SWPPP a statement of Temporary Suspension of 

Industrial Activities, along with the approximate dates of suspension, and shall 

also include a list of all BMPs necessary to achieve compliance with the General 

Permit during the period of suspension (IGP Section X.H.3);

4. The name and title of the Facility’s current Legally Responsible Person (LRP), 

and a certification page signed by the Facility’s current LRP. The certification 

page shall include a statement that the LRP is eligible to be the Facility’s LRP, 

pursuant to Section XXI.K of the General Permit (IGP Sections II.A, II.B, 

XXI.K, XXI.L);

5. Detailed information regarding the Facility’s Pollution Prevention Team

members, to include the names and titles of all members; and the responsibilities, 

duties and activities of each of the team members, including the names of team 

members assigned to conduct monitoring requirements. The Facility’s Pollution 

Prevention Team must include at least one team member who is present at the 

Facility on a full-time basis and may not be comprised solely of third-party 

environmental consultants or regional environmental managers/compliance 

officers (IGP Sections X.D.1, X.I.1);

6. The date that the SWPPP was initially prepared and the date of each SWPPP 

Amendment, to be set forth in an updated Amendment Log. The Amendment 

Log shall include exact dates (rather than just a month and year), and the SWPPP 

shall accurately represent the date of its preparation and implementation, which 

should closely correspond with the date the SWPPP is certified and submitted to 

SMARTS (IGP Sections II.D.1.a, X.A.10, X.B);

7. If any part of an existing plan, procedure or regulatory compliance document 

relating to General Permit requirements is incorporated in the SWPPP (such as a 

Hazardous Materials Business Plan), the original source shall be properly 

referenced (IGP Section X.D.2); 

8. A detailed discussion of all Facility operations and industrial processes, including 

manufacturing, cleaning, maintenance, recycling, disposal and any other activities 

related to all industrial processes; material handling activities (storage, loading 

Case 2:23-cv-00943-KJM-CKD Document 16 Filed 01/05/24 Page 12 of 12