Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Board decision, May 28, 2013)

Plain-English summary

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. was the respondent in consolidated EPA proceedings under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The EPA and Wal-Mart signed and consented to entry of a Consent Agreement. The Board incorporated that agreement into its Final Order and ordered Wal-Mart to comply with all of its terms. The Board assessed a civil penalty of $7,628,000 and directed payment under the agreement's payment provisions.

Decision snapshot

• Cited authorities: 42 U.S.C. § 6928(a) and 7 U.S.C. § 136(a)
• Outcome: The Consent Agreement was approved, and a $7,628,000 civil penalty was assessed.
• Key point: The EAB made the parties' Consent Agreement effective through a Final Order and imposed the agreed civil penalty.

Full text (EPA EAB public release)

In the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc: RCRA HQ 2013-4001; FIFRA HQ 2013-5056

                     BEFORE THE ENVIRONMENTAL APPEALS BOARD
          UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                          WASHINGTON, D.C.

IN THE MATTER OF ) EPA Docket Nos.
) RCRA-HQ-2013-4001
) FIFRA-HQ-2013-5056
)
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ) Proceeding Under Section 3008(a) of the 702 SW 8th Street, ) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Bentonville, AR 72716-8611 ) 42 U.S.C. § 6928(a); Section 14(a) of the
) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
) Rodenticide Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C.
) § 136(a)

                                       FINAL ORDER

   Pursuant to Section 3008(a) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42

U.S.C. § 6928(a), and Section 14(a) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. § 136(a), Complainant, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency), and Respondent, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Walmart) (collectively, the Parties), having signed and consented to entry of the attached Consent Agreement incorporated by reference into this Final Order,

   IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. Respondent, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., shall comply with all terms of the Consent Agreement;

2. Respondent is assessed a civil penalty of Seven Million Six Hundred and Twenty Eight
   Thousand Dollars (7,628,000).

3. Respondent shall, in accordance with the payment provisions set forth in the Consent
   Agreement, make payment via a certified or cashier's check or through a wire transfer as described in the Consent Agreement.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                 By:      [signature]
                                          Environmental Appeals Board

                                 Dated:   May 28, 2013

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In the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc: RCRA HQ 2013-4001; FIFRA HQ 2013-5056

                          CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that the foregoing Final Order in the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Docket Nos. RCRA-HQ- 2013-4001 and FIFRA-HQ-2013-5056, was filed and copies of the same were mailed to the parties as indicated below:

Via Interoffice Mail and Facsimile

Kenneth C. Schefski
Waste and Chemical Enforcement Division
Office of Civil Enforcement/OECA/US EPA
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (Mail Code 2249A)
Washington, DC 20460-0001
Fax: 202-564-0022

Via U.S. Certified Mail and Facsimile

Raymond B. Ludwiszewski
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-5306
USA
Fax: 202-530-9562

[signature]
Annette Duncan
Secretary

Dated: May 28, 2013

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In the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc: RCRA HQ 2013-4001; FIFRA HQ 2013-5056

                                      APPENDIX A

        (This attachment is BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL and filed under seal)

                                REDACTED VERSION

                                            41

In the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc: RCRA HQ 2013-4001; FIFRA HQ 2013-5056

                                  APPENDIX A

                                         1

In the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc: RCRA HQ 2013-4001; FIFRA HQ 2013-5056

                                  APPENDIX B

         PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTED BY WALMART TO GREENLEAF LLC

Registration #: 538-282
Registration Name: TURF BUILDER PLUS 2 R Company: 538 - SCOTTS COMPANY, THE

                     Name                                      Status

TURF BUILDER WINTERGUARD WITH PLUS 2 WEED CONTROL Alternate TURF BUILDER WITH PLUS 2 WEED CONTROL Alternate

Registration #: 538-281
Registration Name: WINTERIZER WITH PLUS 2 WEED CONTROL Company: 538 - SCOTTS COMPANY, THE Note: There are no other brand names.

Registration #: 538-18
Registration Name: SCOTTS BONUS S Company: 538 - SCOTTS COMPANY, THE

                     Name                                      Status

SCOTTS BONUS S Active WEED & FEED FOR ST. AUGUSTINES GRASS Alternate SCOTTS BONUS S WEED CONTROL PLUS LAWN FERTILIZER Alternate

                                            2

In the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc: RCRA HQ 2013-4001; FIFRA HQ 2013-5056

                                  APPENDIX B

Registration #: 2217-660-538 Registration Name: WEED AND FEED Company: 538 - SCOTTS COMPANY, THE

Registration #: 279-3203-538 Registration Name: INSECT CONTROL PLUS LAWN FERTILIZER Company: 538 - SCOTTS COMPANY, THE

                     Name                                      Status

TURF BUILDER WITH SUMMERGUARD Alternate

Registration #: 2217-827-538 Registration Name: EXPERT GARDENER WINTERIZER WEED & FEED Company: 538 - SCOTTS COMPANY, THE

                     Name                                      Status

EXPERT GARDENER WINTERIZER WEED & FEED Active EXPERT GARDENER WEED & FEED Alternate

Registration #: 538-190
Registration Name: SCOTTS TURF BUILDER PLUS HALTS FOR LAWNS Company: 538 - SCOTTS COMPANY, THE

                     Name                                      Status

STEP 1 CRABGRASS PREVENTER PLUS LAWN FERTILIZER Alternate

                                            3

In the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc: RCRA HQ 2013-4001; FIFRA HQ 2013-5056

                                  APPENDIX B

Registration #: 2217-660-62355 Registration Name: MIRACLE-GRO LAWN FERTILIZER PLUS
WEED CONTROL
Company: 62355 - MIRACLE-GRO LAWN PRODUCTS
INC

                     Name                                      Status

MIRACLE-GRO FALL LAWN FERTILIZER PLUS WEED CONTROL Alternate MIRACLE-GRO LAWN FERTILIZER PLUS WEED CONTROL Active

Registration #: 538-202
Registration Name: CRABGRASS PREVENTER PLUS LAWN FOOD Company: 538 - SCOTTS COMPANY, THE

                     Name                                      Status

TURF BUILDER WITH HALTS CRABGRASS PREVENTER Alternate

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In the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc: RCRA HQ 2013-4001; FIFRA HQ 2013-5056

                                  APPENDIX C

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In the Matter of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc: RCRA HQ 2013-4001; FIFRA HQ 2013-5056

                                  APPENDIX C

• Alabama • Tennessee
• Alaska • Texas
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• California • Virginia
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• Georgia
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• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
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• Ohio
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• South Carolina
• South Dakota

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