Opinion ID: 547478
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Violations of the BOD and TSS Parameters

Text: 48 PDT's permit contained limitations on the discharge of BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) and TSS (total suspended solids). PDT argues that any exceedances of these parameters should not result in liability under the Act, 23 since BOD and TSS limitations apply only to continuous dischargers and PDT discharged intermittently until May 1987. 24 In support of this argument, PDT submitted the affidavits of Dr. Jeffrey Waxman, an environmental consultant, Ronald Sprague, Corporate Secretary of PDT, and Leroy Sullivan. 25 49 PDT asserts that BOD and TSS limits were automatically and inadvertently inserted in all permits, rather than just the permits of continuous dischargers. Whatever the merits of PDT's argument on the applicability of the BOD and TSS limits, section 509(b)(2) of the Act clearly states that EPA action in issuing a permit shall not be subject to judicial review in any civil or criminal proceeding for enforcement. 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1369(b)(2). Under New Jersey law, a permittee wishing to challenge a condition of a permit must request agency review within thirty days of the receipt of the permit. N.J.Admin.Code tit. 7, Sec. 14A-8.9. The final agency determination may be appealed to the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. N.J.R.App.P. 2:2-3(a). 26 50 Because PDT never challenged the BOD and TSS limits in its permit until PIRG brought this enforcement action, it may not challenge them now. By failing to challenge a permit in an agency proceeding, PDT has lost forever the right to do so, even though that action might eventually result in the imposition of severe civil or criminal penalties. Texas Mun. Power Agency v. EPA, 836 F.2d 1482, 1484-85 (5th Cir.1988) (quoting Texas Mun. Power Agency v. EPA, 799 F.2d 173, 175 (5th Cir.1986)). Accord Connecticut Fund for the Environment v. Job Plating Co., 623 F.Supp. 207, 216-17 (D.Conn.1985). The district court properly found that PDT was liable for exceeding the BOD and TSS parameters in its permits. 27