Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02647/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02647-5/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Ruth Coleman
Defendant
Deltakeeper
Plaintiff
Waterkeepers Northern California
Plaintiff

Document Text:

Consent Decree; Order 1 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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Layne Friedrich (Bar No. 195431) 

LAWYERS FOR CLEAN WATER, INC. 

1004 O’Reilly Avenue 

San Francisco, California 94129 

Telephone: (415) 440-6520 

Facsimile: (415) 440-4155 

Email: layne@lawyersforcleanwater.com 

Attorneys for Plaintiff 

DELTAKEEPER, a chapter of 

WATERKEEPERS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

WATERKEEPERS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, a 

non-profit organization, 

 Plaintiff, 

v. 

RUTH COLEMAN, in her official capacity as 

DIRECTOR of CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF 

PARKS AND RECREATION, a state agency 

 Defendant. 

 

Civil Case No.: CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

STIPULATED DISMISSAL and 

AMENDED CONSENT DECREE; 

ORDER 

 

1 Waterkeeper Northern California recently changed its name to Baykeeper. Deltakeeper remains a chapter of 

Baykeeper. 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 1 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 2 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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Plaintiff Deltakeeper, a chapter of Baykeeper (“Plaintiff” or “Deltakeeper”) and Defendant Ruth 

Coleman, in her official capacity as Director of California Department of Parks and Recreation 

(“Defendant” or “State Parks”) (collectively, the “Parties”) hereby stipulate to the following: 

I. RECITALS 

WHEREAS, Baykeeper is a regional non-profit public benefit corporation organized under the 

laws of the State of California. Baykeeper’s mission is to protect and enhance the water quality of the 

San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary and its watershed for the benefit of its ecosystems and human 

communities. The Deltakeeper Chapter of Baykeeper carries out this mission on the Sacramento – San 

Joaquin River Delta and its tributaries in California’s Great Central Valley; 

WHEREAS, State Parks is a state agency that owns and operates the Empire Mine State Park 

(“Empire Mine”) in Grass Valley. Empire Mine is an 805-acre park with inoperative mines and public 

trails; 

WHEREAS, on October 14, 2004, Plaintiff provided Defendant, the Administrator and the 

Regional Administrator for Region IX of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), 

and the Executive Director of the California State Water Resources Control Board (“State Board”) with 

a Notice of Violation and Intent to File Suit (“60-Day Notice”) under Section 505(a) of the Federal 

Water Pollution Control Act (the “Clean Water Act” or “Act”), 33 U.S.C. §§ 1365(a)(1) and (f). The 

60-Day Notice alleged, and Plaintiff contends, that Defendant has violated and continues to violate the 

Act, including California’s Industrial Storm Water Permit2and Construction Storm Water Permit3; 

WHEREAS, on October 6, 2005, Plaintiff provided Defendant, the Administrator and the 

Regional Administrator for EPA, the State Board, and the Director of the California Integrated Waste 

Management Board with a Supplemental Notice of Violation and Intent to File Suit (“Supplemental 60-

Day Notice”) under Section 505(a) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1365(a)(1) and (f), and Section 

 

2 National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) General Permit No. CAS000001, State Water Resources 

Control Board Water Quality Order No. 97-03-DWQ (hereinafter “Industrial Storm Water Permit”). 

3 NPDES General Permit No. CAS000002, State Water Resources Control Board Order No. 99-08-DWQ (hereinafter 

“Construction Storm Water Permit”). 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 2 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 3 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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7002(a)(1)(B) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (the “RCRA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et 

seq.; 

WHEREAS, on December 15, 2004, Plaintiff filed its Complaint in the United States District 

Court for the Eastern District of California against Defendant (Case No. CIV S-04-2647 KJM), and on 

January 10, 2006, Plaintiff filed their Amended Complaint; 

WHEREAS, the Parties, through their authorized representatives and without either adjudication 

of the Amended Complaint’s claims or admission by Defendant of any alleged violation or other 

wrongdoing, have chosen to resolve this action through settlement and avoid the costs and uncertainties 

of further litigation; 

WHEREAS, this Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of the claims asserted by 

Deltakeeper pursuant to the Clean Water Act Section 505(a), 33 U.S.C. § 1365(a), and 28 U.S.C. §§ 

1331, 1355, and 1367, and the RCRA Section 7002, 42 U.S.C. § 6972. Venue is proper in this judicial 

district pursuant to Clean Water Act Sections §§ 309(b), 505(c), 33 U.S.C. §§ 1319(b), 1365(c), and 28 

U.S.C. §§ 1391(b) and (c). The Amended Complaint filed herein states claims for which relief can be 

granted. The Parties waive any and all objections that they may have to the Court’s jurisdiction to enter 

and enforce this Consent Decree. 

II. DEFINITIONS 

1) “BAT” as used herein means Best Available Technology Economically Feasible as 

understood in Section 301 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1311. BAT indicates the level of 

pollutant control technology that must be used to control all toxic and non-conventional pollutants. 

2) “BCT” as used herein means Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology. BCT 

indicates the level of pollutant control technology that must be used to control conventional pollutants. 

3) “Best Management Practices” or “BMPs” as used herein refers and relates to schedules of 

activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other structural and non-structural 

management practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of waters of the state and/or the United States. 

4) “Clean Water Act”, “Act”, or “CWA” as used herein refers to the Federal Water Pollution 

Control Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq. 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 3 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 4 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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5) “Construction Activity” or “Construction Activities” as used herein means current or future 

land disturbing activities of one acre or more and includes but is not limited to clearing, grading, 

demolition, excavation, construction of new structures, and reconstruction or improvement of existing 

facilities. 

6) “Magenta Drain” as used herein means and refers to the point of discharge of wastewater, 

storm water and/or ground water and which is the subject of and referenced in the Report of Waste 

Discharge submitted by Defendant to the California Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control 

Board (“Regional Board”). 

III. COMMITMENTS OF DEFENDANT 

1. The Parties agree that this Consent Decree and all activities undertaken pursuant to this 

Consent Decree shall be implemented in compliance with all applicable state laws, regulations, orders 

and permits. 

A. Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activities and/or 

Industrial Activities. 

2. Receiving Water Limitation C(2) in the Industrial Storm Water Permit requires that State 

Parks “not cause or contribute to the exceedance of an applicable water quality limit.” Effluent 

Limitation B(3) of the Industrial Storm Water Permit requires that BMPs be developed and implemented 

to achieve compliance with the BAT and BCT standard. 

3. Receiving Water Limitation B.2 of the Construction Storm Water Permit requires the 

development and implementation of BMPs that prohibit discharges from causing or contributing to an 

exceedance of an applicable water quality standard contained in a Statewide Water Quality Control Plan 

and/or the applicable Regional Board’s Basin Plan. The Construction Storm Water Permit also requires 

BMPs that will achieve BAT/BCT. Special Provisions for Construction Activity C(2). 

4. State Parks agrees that it will come into compliance with the requirements of the 

Construction Storm Water Permit and Industrial Storm Water Permits by February 21, 2006 (referred to 

as the “Initial Compliance Period”). 

5. State Parks agrees that during the Initial Compliance Period State Parks will develop and 

implement an Industrial Storm Water Permit Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (“Industrial 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 4 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 5 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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SWPPP”), revising and implementing the current Construction Storm Water Permit Storm Water 

Pollution Prevention Plan (“Construction SWPPP”), and developing and implementing a Monitoring and 

Reporting Program that incorporate the requirements of this Consent Decree, the Industrial Storm Water 

Permit and the Construction Storm Water Permit. The Parties acknowledge they may disagree regarding 

what constitutes compliance with the Construction and Industrial Storm Water Permits. Nevertheless, 

the Parties agree to engage in the dispute resolution process set forth in this Consent Decree to resolve 

any disputes they may have regarding what constitutes compliance, in lieu of costly and time-consuming 

litigation. 

6. State Parks will submit its Industrial SWPPP, and any other relevant information to 

Deltakeeper by February 3, 2006. State Parks will submit the revised Construction SWPPP to 

Deltakeeper within the Initial Compliance Period. Deltakeeper agrees to provide State Parks with 

comments on the current Construction SWPPP by February 3, 2006. Further, the Parties agree that 

during the Initial Compliance Period the parties will discuss comments regarding the State Parks’ 

Industrial SWPPP. 

7. The parties agree to use an expert consultant to serve as an independent advisor to the 

Court on all matters pertaining to the implementation of this Consent Decree requiring expert opinion 

(hereinafter referred to as the “Court Advisor”). The Parties agree that by January 30, 2006, 

Deltakeeper and State Parks will exchange the names, resumes, references and hourly rates of up to 3 

experts. The parties will meet and confer in an attempt to select one expert from the submitted choices. 

If the Parties cannot agree on the independent Court Advisor then the parties agree to provide Judge 

Peter A. Nowinski with the names, resumes, references and hourly rates of the proposed Court Advisor 

by February 6, 2006. The Court will select one of the candidates. State Parks agrees to formally retain 

the services of the Court Advisor within 10 calendar days of the date Judge Mueller signs this Consent 

Decree. State Parks agrees to pay the Court Advisor’s fees and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs as 

set forth in paragraph 20 but retains the right to assert that the Court should offset payment of attorney’s 

fees if State Parks believes that Deltakeeper has caused the Court Advisor to incur unreasonable fees. 

8. The Parties agree that storm water samples will be collected during the first storm event 

after the Initial Compliance Period even if the Court Advisor is not yet formally retained by State Parks. 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 5 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 6 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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Within 5 days of the Parties’ receipt of any storm water sample results, if the Court Advisor has already 

been formally retained by State Parks, the Parties and the Court Advisor will conduct a telephonic 

conference to discuss State Parks’ compliance with the Construction Storm Water Permit and the 

Industrial Storm Water Permit, the sample results, and the applicability of numeric standards to those 

sample results. If the Court Advisor has not been retained prior to the receipt of any storm water 

samples, then within 5 days of the date on which the Court Advisor is formally retained, the Parties and 

the Court Advisor will conduct a telephonic conference to discuss the State Parks’ compliance with the 

Construction Storm Water Permit and the Industrial Storm Water Permit, the sample results, and the 

applicability of numeric standards to those sample results. This meet and confer process shall be at least 

14 days before any party may invoke formal dispute resolution pursuant to paragraph 25. If the Parties 

agree that compliance has been achieved, either party shall confirm the agreement in writing with a 

statement that the meet and confer process is terminated (“Notice of Agreement”). If the Parties cannot 

come to an agreement as to compliance within 14 days and/or whether numeric standards apply and if so 

what standards should apply to the discharge, then either party shall notify the other that the meet and 

confer process over the dispute is terminated. Either party may initiate the formal dispute resolution 

procedure set forth in paragraph 25. Formal dispute resolution shall be initiated by sending notice to the 

other party within 7 days of the date the meet and confer process was terminated. If such notice is not 

sent, the Parties waive their rights to seek formal dispute resolution. 

B. Discharges from the Magenta Drain and Hazardous Substances at Empire Mine. 

9. State Parks agrees to comply with its NPDES permit regulating discharges from the 

Magenta Drain. State Parks expects that by June 30, 2006, the Regional Board staff will present a draft 

NPDES permit to the Regional Board for decision. 

10. State Parks agrees that by June 30, 2006, it will have spent $ 260,000.00 for the work 

described in the contract with Kellco Services, Inc. State Parks has applied for $5,000,000.00 in the 

2006/2007 state budget and if approved will use those funds for the purposes set forth by the 

Legislature in the State Budget. State Parks agrees that if the funds requested as of the Effective Date of 

this Consent Decree are insufficient to clean up and remediate the wastes at Empire Mine, then State 

Parks will seek additional funding from the state budget. 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 6 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 7 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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11. Until State Parks obtains its NPDES permit for the discharge from Magenta Drain, State 

Parks agrees that after the Initial Compliance Period it will engage in good faith discussions with 

Deltakeeper regarding interim measures to use at the Magenta Drain discharge point for treating, 

reducing, and/or eliminating the pollutants in the water discharged from the Magenta Drain. If State 

Parks and Deltakeeper cannot agree on interim measures, then the parties agree to utilize the retained 

Court Advisor in an effort to resolve the dispute. If State Parks and Deltakeeper reach agreement on an 

interim measure, then State Parks agrees to implement the measure agreed upon. Either party shall 

provide the other with a Notice of Agreement. If the Parties cannot reach agreement with the assistance 

of the Court Advisor within 15 days of the date the meet and confer process with the Court Advisor 

commenced, then either party shall notify the other that the meet and confer process for the dispute is 

terminated. Either party may initiate the formal dispute resolution procedure set forth in paragraph 25. 

Formal dispute resolution must be initiated by sending notice to the other party within 7 days of the date 

the meet and confer process was terminated. If such notice is not sent, the Parties waive their rights to 

seek formal dispute resolution. 

12. State Parks agrees that it will conduct all removal and remedial actions required by the 

Department of Toxic Substances Control ("DTSC") and/or the Regional Board to address hazardous 

substances at Empire Mine. State Parks will provide Deltakeeper with its agreement with, or final order 

issued by, DTSC and/or the Regional Board within 7 days of its effective date. The Parties agree that 

Deltakeeper can monitor the progress that State Parks makes at Empire Mine respecting said removal 

and remedial actions. If a dispute about the clean up, remediation or progress at Empire Mine occurs the 

parties agree to engage in the dispute resolution procedures as set forth in paragraphs 23 - 27. 

13. State Parks agrees to post a sign(s) informing the public of the hazardous nature of the 

Magenta Drain discharge and the waters receiving the discharge. The sign(s) shall be posted at the 

Portal where the discharge from the Magenta Drain occurs and State Parks agrees to make best efforts to 

post sign(s) downstream of the discharge point in Memorial Park if on land not owned by the State of 

California. 

// 

// 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 7 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 8 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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C. Reporting & Monitoring

14. Reporting. During the life of this Consent Decree, on a monthly basis, State Parks shall 

provide Deltakeeper with a copy of all final compliance and monitoring data, including, but not limited 

to, inspection reports, and Annual Reports related to Empire Mine, generated during the prior month. 

During the life of this Consent Decree, State Parks shall provide Deltakeeper with all laboratory 

analyses within seven (7) days of State Parks’ receipt of such information. 

15. Document Provision. During the life of this Consent Decree, State Parks shall copy 

Deltakeeper on all documents provided to the Regional Board and/or to DTSC as required by any 

applicable NPDES permit, orders, or agreements. 

16. Site Inspections. For the term of this Consent Decree, Deltakeeper, its legal counsel 

and/or other Deltakeeper representative, may conduct up to three (3) yearly site inspections at Empire 

Mine (“Site Inspections”). Deltakeeper will contact the Court Advisor and make best efforts to conduct 

the Site Inspection with State Parks and the Court Advisor. If Deltakeeper is unable to coordinate the 

Site Inspection with the Court Advisor then Deltakeeper shall provide State Parks with forty-eight (48) 

hours notice prior to each dry weather inspection and twenty-four (24) hours notice prior to each wet 

weather inspection. During the Site Inspections, Deltakeeper and its representatives shall be allowed 

access to the SWPPP and monitoring records and to all monitoring reports and data for Empire Mine. 

During the Site Inspection, Deltakeeper or its representatives may collect split samples, whenever 

possible, of storm water discharges if Deltakeeper has reason to believe that State Parks is not 

implementing adequate BMPs or is otherwise not in compliance with the Industrial Storm Water Permit, 

the Construction Storm Water Permit, or the adopted NPDES permit for the discharge from Magenta 

Drain because State Parks has failed to adequately collect and/or analyze samples as required by the 

permits. A certified California laboratory shall analyze storm water samples collected by Deltakeeper. 

IV. COMMITMENTS OF PLAINTIFF

17. Stipulated Dismissal and Consent Decree. Within 2 days of the Effective Date of this 

Consent Decree, Plaintiff shall file this Stipulated Dismissal and Consent Decree with the Court. 

18. Review by Federal Agencies. Plaintiff shall submit this Consent Decree to EPA and the 

U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) within 2 days of the Effective Date of this Consent Decree for 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 8 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 9 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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review consistent with 40 C.F.R. § 135.5. The review period expires forty-five 45 days after receipt by 

both agencies, as evidenced by the certified return receipts, copies of which shall be provided to State 

Parks upon request. In the event that EPA or DOJ comments negatively on the provisions of this 

Consent Decree, the Parties agree to meet and confer to attempt to resolve the issue(s) raised by EPA or 

DOJ. 

V. FEES, COSTS AND EXPENSES

19. Fees Incurred as of the Effective Date of this Decree. To help defray Plaintiff’s 

attorneys’, consultant, and expert fees and costs, and any other costs incurred as a result of investigating, 

bringing this matter to State Parks’ attention, and negotiating a settlement, State Parks shall pay Plaintiff 

the sum of $205,000.00. Payment shall be made within 120 days of receiving notice by Plaintiff of the 

filing of the Stipulated Dismissal. Payment shall be made to Plaintiff’s counsel in the form of a single 

check payable to “Lawyers for Clean Water Attorney Client Trust Account” addressed to 1004 O’Reilly 

Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129 and shall constitute full payment for all costs of litigation incurred by 

Plaintiff that have or could have been claimed in connection with or arising out of Plaintiff’s lawsuit, up 

to and including the Effective Date. 

20. Fees Incurred after the Effective Date of this Decree. State Parks agrees to pay 

Deltakeeper’s reasonable attorneys fees and other litigation costs incurred after the Effective Date of this 

Consent Decree for the work contemplated in paragraphs 4 - 11 until either the date of the Notice of 

Agreement or the date formal dispute resolution has been complete through settlement or court 

determination. For work performed after these dates, State Parks agrees to pay Deltakeeper’s reasonable 

fees and litigation costs up to and including $20,000.00. Deltakeeper agrees to provide State Parks with 

proper documentation as to the fees and costs incurred. State Parks agrees to submit payment within 30 

days of receiving the documentation from Deltakeeper. 

VI. TERMINATION OF CONSENT DECREE

21. The Parties agree to meet and confer on or before June 1, 2008 to discuss whether the 

Consent Decree can be terminated if it is still in effect. 

// 

// 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 9 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 10 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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VII. BREACH OF CONSENT DECREE

22. Force Majeure. Defendant shall notify Plaintiff pursuant to the terms of this paragraph, 

where implementation of the steps set forth in this Consent Decree, within the deadlines set forth in 

those paragraphs, becomes impossible, despite the timely good-faith efforts of Defendant or any of 

them, due to circumstances beyond the control of Defendant or their agents, and which could not have 

been reasonably foreseen and prevented by the exercise of due diligence by the Defendant. 

Circumstances beyond the defendants control include, but are not limited to, delays or changed 

conditions occasioned by changes to statutory, regulatory, or other applicable state or federal law. 

Delays due to unanticipated or increased costs or expenses associated with the completion of any work 

or activity under this Consent Decree, changed financial circumstances, or the Defendant’s failure to 

make timely and bona fide applications and to exercise diligent efforts to obtain permits, or normal 

inclement weather shall not, in any event, be considered to be circumstances beyond the Defendant’s 

control. 

a. Defendant claiming impossibility shall notify Plaintiff in writing within ten (10) 

days of the date that the Defendant first knew of the event or circumstance or should have known of the 

event or circumstance by the exercise of due diligence and shall describe the reason for the nonperformance. The Defendant’s notice shall specifically refer to this Part of the Consent Decree and 

describe the anticipated length of time the delay may persist, the cause or causes of the delay, the 

measures taken or to be taken by the Defendant to prevent or minimize the delay, the schedule by which 

the measures will be implemented, and the anticipated date of compliance. Defendant shall adopt all 

reasonable measures to avoid and minimize such delays. 

b. The Parties shall meet and confer in good-faith concerning the non-performance 

and, where the Parties concur that the non-performance was or is impossible, despite the timely good 

faith efforts of Defendant, due to circumstances beyond the control of Defendant, that could not have 

been reasonably foreseen and prevented by the exercise of due diligence by Defendant, new 

performance deadlines shall be established. 

c. If Plaintiff disagrees with Defendant’s notice, or in the event that the Parties 

cannot timely agree on the terms of such a stipulation, either party shall have the right to invoke the 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 10 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 11 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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dispute resolution procedures described herein. In such proceeding, the Defendant shall bear the burden 

of proving that any delay of any requirement of this Consent Decree was caused or will be caused by 

Force Majeure and the extent of any delay attributable to such circumstances. 

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

23. Except as otherwise set forth in paragraphs 7, 8 and 11, the dispute-resolution procedure 

set forth in this Section shall be the exclusive mechanism for resolving disputes between the Parties with 

regard to any aspect of this Consent Decree. The Parties may not initiate the formal dispute-resolution 

procedure set forth in paragraph 25 until after Judge Mueller has signed this Consent Decree. 

24. For any disputes other than disputes addressed in paragraphs 7, 8 and 11, the Parties 

agree to engage in informal dispute resolution pursuant to the terms of this paragraph: 

a. Meet and Confer. If a dispute under this Consent Decree arises, or any party 

believes that a breach of this Consent Decree has occurred, the Parties shall meet and confer within five 

(5) days of receiving written notification of a request for such meeting. During the meet and confer 

proceeding, the Parties shall discuss the dispute and make best efforts to devise a mutually agreed upon 

plan, including implementation dates, to resolve the dispute. 

b. If either party fails to meet and confer or the meet and confer does not resolve the 

dispute, after at least ten (10) days have passed after the meet and confer occurred or should have 

occurred, either party shall be entitled to initiate the formal dispute resolution procedures in paragraph 

25. 

25. Formal Dispute Resolution. If any meet and confer process provided for in this Consent 

Decree has been terminated and the Parties’ disputes have not been resolved, the Parties agree that their 

exclusive recourse is to file concurrent briefs before Judge Mueller, to determine whether either party is 

in breach of this Consent Decree and, if so, to require the breaching party to remedy any breach 

identified by the District Court within a reasonable time frame. The parties will stipulate to an expedited 

hearing schedule. Within 3 days of receiving one party’s notice to invoke formal dispute resolution the 

Parties agree to call the court clerk to schedule a hearing date that gives the parties at least 14 days to 

file their concurrent briefing before the court conducts the hearing. The Court may consider any and all 

evidence, including, but not limited to, the position of the permitting authority, the Regional Board, 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 11 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 12 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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DTSC or other state agency. The party initiating the dispute resolution procedures identified in this 

paragraph may request an expedited hearing schedule, and the non-initiating party shall join in any such 

request. If Judge Mueller is not available to perform the role identified herein, the Parties agree that the 

dispute resolution process shall be re-assigned pursuant to applicable rules of the District Court. 

26. Court Ordered Sanctions. Nothing in this Consent Decree precludes either party from 

seeking sanctions from the court for non-compliance with a Court order issued following formal dispute 

resolution. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall be construed as an agreement by the Parties that 

sanctions are appropriate or authorized by law. The Parties reserve their rights to take the position that 

sanctions are not appropriate or authorized by law. 

27. Fees for Disputes Presented to the Court. If Plaintiff is the prevailing or substantially 

prevailing party in a motion before this Court then State Parks agrees to pay Plaintiff’s reasonable costs 

and attorneys’ fees incurred during the meet and confer and formal dispute resolution processes 

consistent with Section 1365 of the Clean Water Act. 

IX. MUTUAL RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE

28. In consideration of the above, upon the Effective Date of this Consent Decree, the Parties 

hereby fully release, except for claims for the Defendant’s failure to comply with this Consent Decree, 

each other and their respective successors, assigns, officers, agents, employees, and all persons, firms 

and corporations having an interest in them, from any and all alleged Clean Water Act violations and/or 

RCRA violations that have or could have been claimed in the Amended Complaint, known or unknown, 

up to and including the Effective Date of this Consent Decree. 

29. Nothing in this Consent Decree limits or otherwise affects Plaintiff’s right to address or 

take any position that it deems necessary or appropriate in any formal or informal proceeding before the 

Regional Board, EPA, or any other judicial or administrative body on any other matter relating to 

Defendant. 

X. MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

30. Neither the Consent Decree nor any payment pursuant to the Consent Decree shall 

constitute or be construed as a finding, adjudication, or acknowledgment of any fact, law, or liability, 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 12 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 13 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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nor shall it be construed as an admission of violation of any law, rule, or regulation. Defendant 

maintains and reserves all defenses it may have to any alleged violations that may be raised in the future. 

31. The Court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce the terms and conditions of this Consent 

Decree and to resolve disputes arising hereunder as may be necessary or appropriate for the construction 

or execution of the Consent Decree up to and including the date of termination. 

32. Construction. The language in all parts of this Consent Decree shall be construed in 

accordance with the law and according to its plain and ordinary meaning, except as to those terms 

defined in the applicable NPDES Permits, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 

or specifically herein. 

33. Choice of Law. The laws of the State of California and the United States shall govern 

this Consent Decree. 

34. Severability. In the event that any provision, paragraph, section, or sentence of this 

Consent Decree is held by a Court to be unenforceable, the validity of the enforceable provisions shall 

not be adversely affected. 

35. Correspondence. All notices required herein or any other correspondence pertaining to 

this Consent Decree shall be sent by regular, certified, or overnight mail as follows: 

If to Plaintiff:

Layne Friedrich 

Lawyers for Clean Water, Inc. 

1004 O’Reilly Ave. 

San Francisco, CA 94129 

With copies to: 

Carrie McNeil 

Deltakeeper Chapter 

445 Weber Avenue, Suite 137B 

Stockton, CA 95203 

// 

// 

// 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 13 of 16
Consent Decree; Order 14 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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If to Defendant: 

Denise Ferkich Hoffman 

Bruce Reeves 

Deputy Attorneys General 

Office of the Attorney General 

1300 I Street, Suite 125 

P.O. Box 944255 

Sacramento, CA 94244-2550 

With copies to: 

Kathryn J. Tobias, Senior Staff Counsel 

Department of Parks and Recreation 

1416 9th Street, 14 th Floor 

Sacramento CA 95814 

Notifications of communications shall be deemed submitted three (3) days after the date that they 

are postmarked and sent by first-class mail or deposited with an overnight mail/delivery service. Any 

change of address or addresses shall be communicated in the manner described above for giving notices. 

In addition, the Parties may agree to transmit documents electronically or by facsimile. 

36. Effect of Consent Decree. Plaintiff does not, by its consent to this Consent Decree, 

warrant or aver in any manner that the Defendant’s compliance with this Consent Decree will constitute 

or result in compliance with any federal or state law or regulation. Nothing in this Consent Decree shall 

be construed to affect or limit in any way the obligation of the Defendant to comply with all federal, 

state, and local laws and regulations governing any activity required by this Consent Decree. 

37. Counterparts. This Consent Decree may be executed in any number of counterparts, all 

of which together shall constitute one original document. Telecopy and/or facsimile copies of original 

signature shall be deemed to be originally executed counterparts of this Consent Decree. 

38. Modification of the Consent Decree. This Consent Decree, and any provisions herein, 

may not be changed, waived, discharged, or terminated unless by a written instrument, signed by the 

Parties. 

39. Full Settlement. This Consent Decree constitutes a full and final settlement of this 

matter. 

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Consent Decree; Order 15 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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40. Integration Clause. This is an integrated Consent Decree. This Consent Decree is 

intended to be a full and complete statement of the terms of the agreement between the parties and 

expressly supersedes any and all prior oral or written agreements covenants, representations, and 

warranties (express or implied) concerning the subject matter of this Consent Decree. 

41. Authority. The undersigned representatives for Plaintiff and Defendant each certify that 

he/she is fully authorized by the party whom he/she represents to enter into the terms and conditions of 

this Consent Decree. 

42. The provisions of this Consent Decree apply to and bind the Parties, including any 

successors or assigns. The Parties certify that their undersigned representatives are fully authorized to 

enter into this Consent Decree, to execute it on behalf of the Parties, and to legally bind the Parties to its 

terms. 

43. The Parties agree to be bound by this Consent Decree and not to contest its validity in 

any subsequent proceeding to implement or enforce its terms. 

44. The term “Effective Date,” as used in this Consent Decree, shall mean the last date on 

which the signature of a party to this Consent Decree is executed. 

The Parties hereby stipulate and enter into this Consent Decree. 

Date: January 27, 2006 

 /s/ Carrie McNeil 

By: Carrie McNeil, Deltakeeper 

 (as authorized on January 27, 2006) 

Date: January 27, 2006 

/s/ Ruth Coleman 

 By: Ruth Coleman in her official capacity as 

 Director, State Parks 

 (as authorized on January 27, 2006) 

APPROVED AS TO FORM: For DEFENDANT: 

/s/ Denise Ferkich Hoffman 

By: Denise Ferkich Hoffman 

(as authorized on January 27, 2006) 

Deputy Attorney General 

Attorney for Defendant 

 

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Consent Decree; Order 16 CIV. S-04-2647 KJM 

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/s/ Bruce Reeves 

By: Bruce Reeves 

(as authorized on January 27, 2006) 

Deputy Attorney General 

Attorney for Defendant 

For PLAINTIFF: 

/s/ Layne Friedrich 

By: Layne Friedrich 

 (as authorized on January 27, 2006) 

Lawyers For Clean Water, Inc. 

 Attorney for Plaintiff 

ORDER 

 Based on the above stipulation of the parties, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the above 

captioned action is dismissed with prejudice. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Court shall retain jurisdiction over this matter for 

the purpose of enforcing compliance by the parties with the terms of the Consent Decree. 

DATED: March 10, 2006. 

_____________________________________ 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

 

Case 2:04-cv-02647-KJM Document 40 Filed 03/10/06 Page 16 of 16