Proposed Stipulated Order
Proposed Stipulated Order
Proposed Stipulated Order
I. BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, the Parties—Plaintiffs the United States of America, on behalf of the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), and the State of Mississippi, acting through the
Environmental Quality (collectively “MDEQ”), and Defendant the City of Jackson, Mississippi
(“City”)—agreed to a Consent Decree to resolve the Plaintiffs’ claims against the City for alleged
violations of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq. (“CWA”), the Mississippi Air and
Water Pollution Control Law, Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-1 et seq. (“MAWPCL”), and the City’s
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) permits arising from the City’s
Wastewater Collection and Transmission System (“WCTS”) and Wastewater Treatment Plants
WHEREAS, the City’s WCTS transports wastewater to three publicly owned WWTPs—
the Savanna Street WWTP, the Trahon/Big Creek WWTP, and the Presidential Hills WWTP—
which are operated by the City pursuant to NPDES permit numbers MS0024295, MS00444059,
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2013, the Court entered a Consent Decree in this case as a
judgment of the Court pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 54 and 58 (see Dkt. No. 10)
(“Consent Decree”), and pursuant to Section XVII (Effective Date) of the Consent Decree, the
WHEREAS, the Consent Decree requires the City to undertake, among other things:
(1) the evaluation and rehabilitation of the City’s WCTS, the Savanna Street WWTP, and the main
transmission pipe to the Savanna Street WWTP, known as the West Bank Interceptor; (2) the
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operations, and maintenance of the Sewer System; and (3) the implementation of certain work
required by two prior administrative orders agreed to between the City and MDEQ;
WHEREAS, as the Parties began reporting to the Court in 2021 in joint status reports, the
City has failed to achieve significant progress under the Consent Decree and, as a result, the City
continues to routinely violate the CWA, the MAWPCL, and its NPDES permits and the City’s
WHEREAS, the City represents that the City’s performance under the Consent Decree has
been delayed by a number of factors that have impacted the City’s financial capability to comply
with the Consent Decree, including a long period of significantly reduced water and wastewater
billing collections attributed to a failed investment to modernize the City’s customer water meters
and billing system; the downgrading in 2018 of the City’s bond rating; a global COVID-19
pandemic; historic worker shortages, inflation, and supply chain disruption; and a continuing
declining population;
WHEREAS, the Parties have engaged in regular negotiations since 2019 to modify the
Consent Decree’s compliance requirements and deadlines in recognition of the current state of the
Sewer System, longstanding and unanticipated financial difficulties represented by the City, and
the resulting practical realities created by the limited progress under the Consent Decree by the
City;
WHEREAS, because of the City’s violations of the Consent Decree and the law, the
WCTS experiences recurring Sanitary Sewer Overflows (“SSOs”) and/or sewer failures that spill
raw sewage into homes, businesses, streets, yards, waterways, and other properties and the
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WHEREAS, from March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2022, the City reported 460 SSOs,
which released over 111,081,920 gallons of untreated wastewater, 13 SSOs at the West Bank
Interceptor low point, which released over 95,219,768 gallons, and 27 Prohibited Bypasses from
the Savanna Street WWTP, which allowed 4,465,590,000 gallons of untreated or under-treated
WHEREAS, in March 2023, EPA and MDEQ conducted a three-day Clean Water Act
compliance inspection of the City’s Sewer System and observed that the Trahon/Big Creek WWTP
was not being properly operated and maintained because it lacked a functional grit removal system,
the second oxidation ditch had not been cleaned out or used, and one of the two secondary clarifiers
WHEREAS, there are currently approximately 215 known locations in the City’s WCTS
requiring immediate emergency repair as a result of known SSOs or other conditions indicative of
sewer failure, yet the City has been unable to respond quickly to or rehabilitate the vast majority
of them;
WHEREAS, due to delays in performance under the Consent Decree and the Parties’
understanding of current conditions of the Sewer System, the Parties have mutually identified
certain capital projects, repairs, and improvements to the Sewer System’s condition and operations
and maintenance that they expect will bring quicker relief to the City’s residents and businesses
and which projects, repairs, and improvements can be completed in a relatively short time
WHEREAS, on November 29, 2022, in a separate civil case the United States, on behalf
of EPA, filed a complaint against the City under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300f et
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seq. (see United States v. City of Jackson, Mississippi, Case No. 3:22-cv-00686-HTW-LGI (S.D.
WHEREAS, on November 29, 2022, the Court issued an interim stipulated order in the
Drinking Water Case—agreed to by the United States, the Mississippi State Department of Health,
and the City—that appointed an interim third-party manager for the City’s Water System and
Water/Sewer Business Administration Division (see Dkt No. 6 in Drinking Water Case);
WHEREAS, the Parties now request that the Court issue this Stipulated Order on Sewer
System (“Stipulated Order”) to similarly appoint an interim third-party manager for the City’s
Sewer System;
WHEREAS, the Parties recognize the City has over $8 million in American Rescue Plan
Act (“ARPA”) funds that will be partially matched by State ARPA funds through the Mississippi
WHEREAS, the Parties recognize $125 million has been authorized for the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (“USACE”) to design and construct improvements to the Sewer System and
Water System under the Water Resources Development Act Section 219; this significant funding
is available to improve the Sewer System and Water System provided (i) the Sewer System Interim
Third-Party Manager (“ITPM”) or the City enters into a Project Partnership Agreement with
USACE, (ii) the USACE (after discussions with the ITPM or the City) then submits a work plan
request to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) to obtain its portion of the funding
that will be utilized for that work plan year, (iii) the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
approves the funding, and (iv) the ITPM or the City is able to provide local matching funds (or
obtain a waiver) before initiation of the project(s) approved in the work plan;
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WHEREAS, in February 2023, the City and USACE entered into a Project Partnership
WHEREAS, the ITPM has indicated that within 30 Days of the Order Effective Date he
intends to enter into contracts/agreements to respond to sewer overflows and post signage about
sewer overflows for which there is a reasonable expectation of public exposure as well as to
continue the Fats, Oils, and Grease inspections of food service establishments;
WHEREAS, the Parties agree that the City is violating the Consent Decree, the CWA, the
MAWPCL, and the NPDES permits, and assessment of stipulated penalties under the Consent
Decree, modification of the terms of the Consent Decree, and/or litigation is necessary to resolve
such non-compliance;
WHEREAS, the Parties intend to modify the terms of the Consent Decree and recognize
that any such modification must take into account the finances, resources, and other considerations
WHEREAS, the Parties agree that during the pendency of this Stipulated Order, the
WHEREAS, the Parties agree that upon termination of this Stipulated Order, the stay of
NOW THEREFORE, the Parties agree and stipulate, and the Court ORDERS:
1. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action, pursuant to 28
U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1345, and 1355, and Section 309(b) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(b), and over
the Parties. This Court has supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims asserted by the
State pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367. Venue lies in this District pursuant to Section 309(b) of the
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CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(b), and 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b) and 1395(a), because it is the judicial
district where the City is located, where a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to
III. DEFINITIONS
2. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Stipulated Order, terms used in this
Stipulated Order that are defined by the CWA and the regulations promulgated thereunder shall
have the meanings ascribed to them therein. Whenever the terms set forth below are used in this
“Building Backup” shall mean a wastewater release or backup into a building that is caused
release that is caused by blockages, flow conditions, or other malfunctions of a Private Lateral is
“City Council” shall mean the duly elected Jackson City Council pursuant to Miss. Code
Ann. § 21-8-7.
“Day” or “Days” shall mean a calendar day or calendar days. In computing any period of
time under this Stipulated Order, where the last day would fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal
holiday, the period shall run until the close of business of the next working day.
“Director of Public Works” or “Public Works Director” shall mean the Director of the City
of Jackson’s Public Works Department, or of any successor department of the City of Jackson, and
may include any persons within the Public Works Department with the appropriate delegated
“EPA” shall mean the United States Environmental Protection Agency and any successor
“Emergency Sewer Failure” or “ESF” shall mean locations of known SSOs or other
conditions indicative of sewer failure that have been prioritized for assessment and repair and are
identified on Appendix C.
“ITPM Agents” shall mean the ITPM’s staff and agents including officers, managers,
“Mayor” shall mean the duly elected Mayor of the City of Jackson, pursuant to Miss. Code
Ann. § 21-8-7, and may include any persons with the appropriate delegated authority to act on
“MDEQ” shall mean the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and any of its
accepted industry practices to properly manage, operate, and maintain sanitary wastewater
collection, transmission, and treatment systems, and respond to Sanitary Sewer Overflow events.
“MSDH” shall mean the Mississippi State Department of Health and any successor
“New Contracts” shall mean all City contracts pertaining to the Sewer System entered into
“Office of the City Attorney” shall mean the City of Jackson’s Office of the City Attorney,
as defined in Section 2-216 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Jackson, Mississippi, and any
successor department or office of the City, and shall include any outside counsel retained by the
“Order Effective Date” shall mean the date of entry of this Stipulated Order by the Court.
“Paragraph” shall mean a portion of this Stipulated Order identified by an Arabic numeral.
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“Parties” shall mean the United States, MDEQ, and the City of Jackson.
“Pre-Existing Contracts” shall mean all City contracts pertaining to the Sewer System in
“Private Lateral” shall mean that portion of a sanitary sewer conveyance pipe that extends
from the wastewater main to the single-family, multi-family, apartment, or other dwelling unit or
“Prohibited Bypass” shall mean the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion
of a treatment facility which is prohibited pursuant to the terms set forth at 40 C.F.R. § 122.41(m).
“Public Works Department” shall mean the City of Jackson Department of Public Works
“Quarter” and “Quarterly” shall refer to the calendar year quarters beginning on January 1,
“Sanitary Sewer Overflow” or “SSO” shall mean any discharge of wastewater to waters of
the United States or the State from the City’s Sewer System through a point source not specified
in any NPDES permit, as well as any overflow, spill, or release of wastewater to public or private
property from the Sewer System that may not have reached waters of the United States or the State,
“Section” shall mean a portion of this Stipulated Order identified by a Roman numeral,
unless the Stipulated Order states that the “Section” referred to is a section of a statute or
regulation.
“Sewer Service Charges” shall mean rates and amounts required to be paid for sewer
services per month by customers whose sewage and wastewater empties into the City’s collection
and treatment systems as prescribed in Section 122-234 and Section 122-235 of the Code of
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Ordinances, City of Jackson, Mississippi or such charges as may otherwise be imposed by the
ITPM in accordance with the authority provided in this Stipulated Order and/or the interim
“Water System” shall mean the City’s public drinking water system consisting of the
surface water system identified as PWS ID No. MS0250008, the groundwater system identified as
PWS ID No. MS0250012, and appurtenant treatment, storage, and distribution facilities.
“WCTS” or “Wastewater Collection and Transmission System” shall mean the municipal
wastewater collection, retention and transmission system, including all pipes, force mains, gravity
sewer lines, pump stations, pumps, manholes, and appurtenances thereto, which are owned or
“WWTPs” or “Wastewater Treatment Plants” shall mean devices or systems used in the
storage, treatment, recycling, and reclamation of municipal wastewater. For purposes of this
Stipulated Order, this definition shall include all facilities owned, managed, operated, and
maintained by the City, including but not limited to the following treatment facilities: the Savanna
Street WWTP located at 3810 I-55 South & Savanna Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39121; the
Trahon/Big Creek WWTP located at One Apache Dr., Landfill Road, Byram, Mississippi; the
Presidential Hills WWTP located at Franklin D. Roosevelt Dr. W, Jackson, Mississippi; and all
within the Department of Public Works responsible for all aspects of billing customers for and
collecting payments from customers for water, sewer, and sanitation services, which currently
includes the responsibility for (i) establishing customer service agreements and setting up the
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associated account(s), including, where necessary, the setting and commissioning of new meters;
(ii) collecting water and sewer consumption data using meters and an advanced metering
infrastructure system and, where necessary, obtaining manual meter reads; (iii) processing the
collected data using a billing software system; (iv) generating bills for water and sewer services
based directly on the consumption data and the associated volumetric rate and for sanitation
services based on a flat charge; (v) causing bills to be mailed to customers, including coordination
with the Water/Sewer Utilities Division in mailing out required notices; (vi) responding to
customer issues about bills; (vii) collecting and processing customer payments; and (viii)
providing administrative hearings to customers for billing disputes and representing the interests
of the Water/Sewer Utilities Division in such administrative hearings and any appeals of the
“Water/Sewer Utilities Division” shall mean the City of Jackson’s Water/Sewer Utilities
Division of the Department of Public Works and any successor division or department of the City
of Jackson.
Procedure 66, Edward “Ted” Henifin is hereby appointed as Interim Third-Party Manager of the
Sewer System. The ITPM and ITPM Agents shall have the status of officers and agents of this
Court. Solely for the purpose of implementing this Stipulated Order, Ted Henifin may operate
through JXN Water, Inc., or a successor entity. Any document submitted pursuant to the Stipulated
Order through JXN Water, Inc., or a successor entity, to the City, MDEQ, or EPA shall be signed
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with the CWA, MAWPCL, their implementing regulations, and all applicable NPDES permits,
and to implement capital improvements to the Sewer System, including those identified in the
b. To comply with all the requirements of this Stipulated Order, including but
not limited to: (i) implementing each of the projects included in the Sewer Priority Project List, in
accordance with the Sewer Priority Project List Implementation Schedule (“Implementation
Schedule”); (ii) advising, consulting, and collaborating weekly with the Director of Public Works
and consulting with EPA and MSDH, in making financial, managerial, planning, and operational
decisions about the Sewer System where such decisions have the potential to materially impact the
Water System; (iii) performing all reporting requirements outlined in Paragraph 17 (ITPM
Reporting Requirements) herein; and (iv) making discretionary financial, managerial, planning,
and operational decisions that are in the best interest of the Sewer System.
Stipulated Order, in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 66, the ITPM shall have the full power and
authority necessary to carry out the requirements of this Stipulated Order and all powers and
authority under all applicable state and federal law and, as an appointed officer of this Court,
assumes all of the responsibilities, functions, duties, powers, and authority of the City insofar as
they affect compliance with this Stipulated Order. The ITPM, as well as any ITPM Agents as
specifically directed in writing by the ITPM, assumes all of the responsibilities, functions, duties
powers, and authority of the City insofar as they affect compliance with any of the City’s
outstanding debt obligations for the Water System and Sewer System. The ITPM shall:
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implementation of the Sewer Priority Project List in accordance with the Implementation
b. Advise, consult, and collaborate weekly with the Director of Public Works
on all material aspects of complying with this Stipulated Order and operation of the Sewer System
and advise, consult, and collaborate with the Director of Public Works and consult with EPA and
MSDH in making financial, managerial, planning, and operational decisions about the Sewer
System where such decisions have the potential to materially impact the Water System;
c. Pay any and all bills related to the Sewer System from accounts established
for the benefit of the Sewer System, including but not limited to the ITPM Professional Sewer
Budget, Sewer O&M Account, and/or Sewer Capital Improvements Account (as defined herein),
as appropriate;
d. Collect all funds generated through the operations of the WSBA and those
funds generated through the operations of the Sewer System and Water System (“System
Revenues”), including, but not limited to, tap fees; Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) permits; fees
from the disposal of septage, leachate, and other sewage byproducts; fees from the operation of
the Industrial Pretreatment Program; and any fines assessed for violations of the City’s Sewer Use
e. Pay any and all bond indebtedness and loans of the Sewer and Water
Systems (“System Indebtedness”) as they become due, or early in the ITPM’s discretion.
Reimburse the City on the 15th of each month the amount of state sales tax intercepted during the
previous month by the State of Mississippi for State Revolving Loan Fund (“SRF”) payments
related to Sewer and Water Systems’ SRF debt outstanding as of the Order Effective Date. Make
any necessary reporting to the appropriate lenders, reporting agencies, bond holders, bond insurers,
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and any other agencies or entities in accordance with the loan and bond documents for the
outstanding System Indebtedness with the assistance of the financial professionals retained by the
ITPM in its discretion. System Indebtedness may be restructured, refinanced, retired, defeased or
otherwise modified in the best interest of the Sewer System to the extent allowed by law and
consistent with obligations associated with existing System Indebtedness. As such, the ITPM in
consultation with the City, shall have the full authority to take all steps necessary to execute a
Indebtedness, including but not limited to entering into agreements with agents, banks, insurers,
or other parties. Additionally, the issuance of new debt in support of the Sewer System is within
the authority and discretion of the ITPM. Any disputes between the City and the ITPM arising
from the ITPM’s reporting obligations or its restructuring, refinancing, retirement or other
modifications of outstanding System Indebtedness shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of this
Court. Notwithstanding any provision of this Order, a dispute arising between the City and the
ITPM regarding obligations related to system indebtedness shall not extend, postpone, or affect in
any way any obligation of the City or the ITPM under this Stipulated Order.
f. Work cooperatively with the City to ensure that information will be properly
submitted to the appropriate lenders, reporting agencies, bond holders, bond insurers, and any other
disclosure obligations with respect to existing System Indebtedness as of the date of this Stipulated
Order;
g. Not take or fail to take any action that would cause tax-exempt System
Indebtedness existing as of the date of this Stipulated Order to lose its tax-exempt status;
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Indebtedness and to ensure compliance with obligations associated with System Indebtedness.
i. Direct ITPM Agents, City employees, and City contractors in the operation,
maintenance, management, and control of the Sewer System; in the undertaking of the Sewer
Priority Project List; and in the performance of duties associated with this Stipulated Order;
regarding the Sewer System from local, state, and federal governments;
k. Complete, sign, verify, and submit reports required under the CWA,
MAWPCL, and NPDES permits or required under any grants or loans or other financial
instruments (including but not limited to Municipality and County Water Infrastructure grants and
SRF loans);
applications for each WWTP, including performing any sampling necessary to complete such
applications;
Admin. Code Part 6, Chapter 1, Rule 1.1.6.B(1) regarding new connections to the Sewer System;
operate, and maintain the Sewer System, including, but not limited to, the following programs: (i)
Sewer Overflow Response Plan (“SORP”), which includes posting signage about sewer overflows
for which there is a reasonable expectation of public exposure, originally approved under the
Consent Decree as Appendix E on October 10, 2011; (ii) Gravity Line Preventive Maintenance
Program (“GLPMP”), approved by EPA on April 21, 2015, which includes programs and
procedures for cleaning and CCTV of lines on a recurring scheduled basis as outlined in the
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GLPMP; (iii) Fats, Oils, and Grease (“FOG”) Control Program, approved by EPA on August 9,
2016; and (iv) Pump Station Operations Program (“PSOP”) and Pump Station Preventive
Maintenance Program (“PSPMP”), each approved by EPA on June 17, 2014. The ITPM shall
submit any proposed revisions to the substance of the SORP, GLPMP, FOG, PSOP, or PSPMP no
later than three hundred sixty-five (365) Days after the Order Effective Date to EPA and MDEQ
and shall implement the programs, as revised, upon written approval by EPA after consultation
with MDEQ. Any modification of a MOM program proposed by the ITPM and approved by EPA,
after consultation with MDEQ, shall not be considered as a modification of the Consent Decree
data, and facilities of the City deemed necessary by the ITPM for carrying out this Stipulated Order
and make such employees and items available to any ITPM Agent;
p. Hire any ITPM Agent that the ITPM deems necessary for the performance
the City, that are necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Sewer System and/or to
r. Hire and/or contract directly with such operators or ITPM Agents that are
necessary for the undertaking of the Sewer Priority Project List or preparing financial reports or
s. Make such purchases as the ITPM deems necessary for the benefit of the
Sewer System. In exercising procurement authority and awarding New Contracts that do not
involve funds from grants or loans administered by MDEQ, the ITPM may choose not to comply
with Miss. Code Ann. § 31-7-13 and instead use best efforts to have the procurement process be
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competitive, transparent, and efficient. For any purchases that are made using funds from grants
or loans administered by MDEQ, the ITPM must comply with the terms, conditions, and
assurances of the grant or loan providing the funds including compliance with Miss. Code Ann.
§ 31-7-13;
allowed by law. The ITPM shall consult with the Office of the City Attorney in modifying or
u. Enter into New Contracts related to the Sewer System. The terms and
conditions of any New Contracts entered into by the ITPM shall be based on a form contract agreed
upon by the ITPM and the City. The ITPM shall consult with the Office of the City Attorney in
negotiating New Contracts whose terms extend beyond one (1) year after the Order Effective Date.
The ITPM’s ability to modify or terminate New Contracts shall be governed by the contract’s
v. Submit, within sixty (60) Days of the Order Effective Date, through a
professional financial advisor, an update to the Financial Management Plan dated January 27,
2023, prepared pursuant to the interim stipulated order in the Drinking Water Case, that takes into
consideration the short-term (12-18 Months), mid-term (1.5 to 5 years), and long-term (more than
5 years) operation and maintenance and capital improvement funding needs of the Sewer System,
Water System, and WSBA; identifies possible sources of funding, including but not limited to SRF
loans, Municipality and County Water Infrastructure grants, and Water Resources Development
Act Section 219 matching funding, for those needs and includes an implementation plan and
schedule for seeking such funding; identifies opportunities for debt restructuring relevant to the
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Sewer System, Water System, and/or WSBA and includes a plan and schedule for seeking such
w. Within ninety (90) Days of the Order Effective Date, and annually until the
termination of this Stipulated Order, meet with the City to discuss the need to adjust the Sewer
Service Charge structure, the Sewer Service Charges under the existing or a modified structure,
and any fees that the City charges customers for sewer utilities:
consulting with the Mayor and the Mayor’s staff, the ITPM deems a modification of the
Sewer Service Charge structure or a Sewer Service Charge or fee increase appropriate to
meet the requirements of this Stipulated Order, the Mayor shall propose an amendment,
consistent with the ITPM’s recommendation, to Sections 122-234 and/or 122-235, Code
ii. In the event the City Council does not pass an amendment proposed
by the Mayor in accordance with the preceding sub-Paragraph and more than three hundred
sixty-five (365) Days have passed from the date of the last Sewer Service Charges
adjustment, the ITPM shall have the full power and authority to adjust the Sewer Service
Charges, Sewer Service Charges structure, and/or fees without the necessity of any actions
on the part of the City Council and with thirty (30) Days’ notice to the Mayor, Director of
Public Works, the City Council, and the Sewer System’s customers published in
accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 21-13-11 and published on the ITPM’s website;
x. Seek out, apply for, and execute state and federal grants, loans, and other
sources of funds (including but not limited to Municipality and County Water Infrastructure grants,
SRF loans, and funds under Water Resources Development Act Section 219) for the
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implementation of this Stipulated Order and for funding of the ITPM Professional Sewer Account,
Sewer O&M Account, and Sewer Capital Improvements Account, as they are defined herein,
subject to the limitations of Paragraph 6 (Limitations of ITPM’s Authority). Where local matching
funds are required to access available grants, the ITPM shall make best efforts to obtain such funds
—taking into account all available WSBA revenues for the Water System and Sewer System—
and, if not available, seek a waiver of any such local matching requirement;
y. Modify, update, or reprioritize the Sewer Priority Project List and the
z. Develop and submit to the Parties an ITPM Transition Plan that shall set
forth necessary and reasonable actions the City and the ITPM shall take to transition operation,
maintenance, management, and control of the Sewer System and the timeframes for such actions.
The Plan shall include logistical steps, at a minimum, to transfer the ITPM’s processes and
procedures (as applicable), contracts and contract oversight, staff, bank account access, and to
i. The ITPM shall begin meeting with the Public Works Director at
least weekly (or another schedule as mutually agreed between the Public Works Director
and the ITPM) to discuss the ITPM Transition Plan no later than three (3) years after the
Order Effective Date. If the Court enters an order granting a motion for termination of
the interim third-party managership under Paragraph 10 or an order granting a motion for
termination of the Stipulated Order under sub-Paragraphs 28.a, b, or c, then the ITPM
shall begin such meetings with the Public Works Director within seven (7) Days of entry
of such order;
ii. The ITPM Transition Plan shall be submitted to the Parties no later
than three (3) years after the Order Effective Date. If the Court enters an order granting a
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order granting a motion for termination of the Stipulated Order under sub-Paragraphs 28.a,
b, or c, the ITPM shall submit the ITPM Transition Plan to the Parties within sixty (60)
Days of entry of such order. The Parties shall have thirty (30) Days following the date of
submittal to review and comment on the ITPM Transition Plan. Within fifteen (15) Days
after receiving comments from all Parties, the ITPM shall file the ITPM Transition Plan on
the Court’s docket for the Court’s approval. Any Party shall be permitted to file any
objection to the ITPM Transition Plan within thirty (30) Days of its submission to the
Court;
of the status of the projects and MOM programs required under this Stipulated Order and
recommendations for additional work and programs to be performed. The ITPM shall submit the
Further Measures Report to the Parties concurrently with the ITPM Transition Plan;
bb. The ITPM shall make its staff and contractors, including WSBA staff and
contractors, reasonably available—consistent with their existing duties during the transition period
under the ITPM Transition Plan—to educate, interface with, and assist the City in the transfer of
responsibilities to implement this Stipulated Order. During the transition period under the ITPM
Transition Plan, the ITPM shall pay necessary and reasonable salaries and training costs for City
employees and/or contractors that will carry out the programs and procedures of the Stipulated
cc. Subject to the exception in sub-Paragraph 5.s, comply with the terms,
conditions, and assurances of any current or future grant or loan that funds the Sewer System;
dd. In the ITPM’s judgment, except as otherwise required herein, consult with
EPA and MDEQ with respect to any material aspect of complying with this Stipulated Order and
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secure technical advice or assistance from EPA and MDEQ for the purpose of ensuring compliance
with the CWA and all other applicable laws and regulations;
ee. Cause to be issued any notices to customers, EPA, and/or MDEQ required
ff. Cause to be compiled and issued any reports to customers required under
the SORP, to receive customer complaints at any hour of any day regarding SSOs and conditions
hh. Determine, in consultation with the Director of Public Works the amount of
City’s efforts to modify the Consent Decree or negotiate a superseding Consent Decree under
Paragraph 27, including the City’s retention of consultants and attorneys. The funding will be
included in periodic updates to the Financial Management Plan. The ITPM shall commence
providing the funding no earlier than two (2) years following the Order Effective Date and on a
date/schedule agreed to by the ITPM and the City. If the Court enters an order granting a motion
for termination of the interim third-party managership under Paragraph 10 or an order granting a
motion for termination of the Stipulated Order under sub-Paragraphs 28.b or c, the ITPM shall
commence providing the funding on a date/schedule agreed to by the ITPM and the City. The City
and the ITPM will make best efforts to agree on the amount of funding necessary, subject to the
annual cap above or as mutually agreed between the City and the ITPM. The City will provide
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jj. Make best efforts over the four (4) years from the Order Effective Date to
Consent Decree to the extent of the balance remaining in the City’s escrow fund for the SEP; and
kk. Reimburse the City for the fully burdened personnel costs of any City staff
retained on the JXN Water, Inc. staff during the term of this Stipulated Order within forty-five (45)
Days of receipt of a detailed invoice from the City for costs incurred.
b. Purchase any real property for administrative use without the consent of the
City;
c. Transfer ownership of any Sewer System assets from the City of Jackson to
d. Propose or agree to consolidate the Sewer System with any other public or
private utilities;
7. ITPM/City Disputes. Disputes between the ITPM and the City shall be limited to
disputes relating to: (i) Sewer Service Charge increases, (ii) grant applications and SRF loan
applications or any other indebtedness in excess of the amount of additional debt capacity
recommended in the latest Financial Management Plan, (iii) the form contract for New Contracts,
(iv) the date/schedule and amounts for the ITPM’s provision of funding to support the City’s
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efforts to modify the Consent Decree or negotiate a superseding Consent Decree, (v) issues that
arise under this Stipulated Order relating to the Sewer O&M Account, or (vi) decisions regarding
the Sewer System that have the potential to materially adversely impact the Water System or
WSBA. A dispute will be initiated by the City serving on the ITPM a written notice of dispute
within ten (10) Days of the Office of the City Attorney receiving knowledge of an action by the
ITPM which has aggrieved the City, with a copy to both EPA and MDEQ. The ITPM and the City
will engage in informal discussions in an attempt to resolve any dispute. If the City and the ITPM
cannot resolve the dispute within thirty (30) Days of the invocation of informal discussions, the
City may file a request to this Court for judicial resolution within ten (10) Days of the conclusion
of the informal discussion period. The United States and MDEQ shall be permitted to file
statements of position with respect to any disputes submitted to this Court within thirty (30) Days
and ITPM Agents shall have the status of officers and agents of this Court, and shall be vested
with the same immunities as vested with this Court. No suit shall be filed against the ITPM or
ITPM Agents without leave of this Court except as provided in 28 U.S.C. § 959(a).
c. Subject to the following sub-Paragraph 8.d, the City shall indemnify, hold
harmless, and defend the ITPM and ITPM Agents from any claim asserted by a third-party with
respect to actions taken in their official capacity within the scope of this Stipulated Order, with the
exception of any gross negligence or willful misconduct, including but not limited to conduct
which constitutes fraud, malice, libel, slander, defamation, or any criminal offense.
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to Building Backups caused by the Sewer System but not attributable to force majeure or other
mitigating circumstances, that occur within one (1) calendar year following the Order Effective
Date, the City will continue to pay the cost of cleanup for Building Backups verified to the City’s
Risk Manager by the ITPM. Thereafter, the ITPM shall be responsible for the cost of cleanup for
Building Backups that occur after one (1) calendar year following the Order Effective Date and
which are caused by the Sewer System but not attributable to force majeure or other mitigating
circumstances. With respect to any payments by the City for damages arising from such Building
Backups that occur after one (1) calendar year following the Order Effective Date, the ITPM shall
e. In light of the need for the ITPM and ITPM Agents to focus their attention
on the obligations of this Stipulated Order, unless granted leave of the Court, the ITPM and ITPM
Agents may not testify in any litigation or proceeding, other than this case, with regard to acts or
omissions of the City, the ITPM, or ITPM Agents relating to the Sewer System.
a. For good cause shown, the United States, MDEQ, or the City may move for
b. After forty-five (45) Days’ notice to the Parties, the ITPM may file a notice
replacement and to take any steps necessary to facilitate the transfer of ITPM authority to the
replacement ITPM. This shall include, but not be limited to, the transfer/assignment of financial
authority, all contractual matters, entities/agents used by the ITPM, and other actions to allow the
replacement ITPM to assume all ITPM responsibilities and authority under this Stipulated Order.
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accordance with sub-Paragraph 9.a or the ITPM provides the notice required under sub-Paragraph
9.b, the Parties shall, jointly or separately, propose at least one ITPM candidate for replacement.
The Court shall select and appoint the replacement ITPM from the candidates provided by the
Parties.
e. Unless the ITPM has elected to withdraw due to some disability or other
exigent circumstance that prevents the performance of ITPM duties, the ITPM shall continue to
perform ITPM duties until at least thirty (30) Days after the ITPM’s filing of the notice of
withdrawal.
f. Withdrawal or termination of the ITPM shall not relieve the City from
complying with all other provisions of this Stipulated Order or from complying with all
requirements of the CWA, the MAWPCL, or any other local, state, or federal law. In the event of
any vacancy of the ITPM position, the Parties shall request a status conference with the Court to
address the vacancy. Until such time as a replacement ITPM is appointed by this Court, the City
shall perform all the activities of the ITPM under this Stipulated Order, subject to the provisions
of Section V (City Dispute Resolution), or take any such actions otherwise ordered by the Court.
The Court shall order any financial institutions in which funds of the ITPM have been deposited
to immediately authorize the Chief Financial Officer of the City to access and withdraw said funds
in accordance with this Stipulated Order only for such time until a replacement ITPM is appointed
by the Court. Upon appointment of the replacement ITPM, the City shall provide an accounting
to the Court of the use of any such funds, and all remaining funds (less those accounted for and
approved by the Court of the former ITPM) shall be restored within ten (10) business days and
the Sewer System and authorize the City to resume operating, maintaining, managing, and
controlling the Sewer System before this Stipulated Order terminates. Such motion shall be
granted upon a showing by a preponderance of the evidence that (i) the ITPM has substantially
complied with the Stipulated Order and (ii) the City is capable of operating, maintaining,
managing, and controlling the Sewer System in compliance with this Stipulated Order, and is
capable of completing the projects identified in the Sewer Priority Project List on the timeline set
termination of the interim third-party managership shall not be effective until and unless (i) the
Court has approved an ITPM Transition Plan under the process set forth in sub-Paragraph 5.z, if
not already approved, (ii) the ITPM has submitted the Further Measures Report required under
sub-Paragraph 5.aa to the Parties, if not already submitted, and (iii) the City has submitted the
Staffing and Training Plan required under sub-Paragraph 15.f to the Parties, if not already
submitted.
a. Within thirty (30) Days of the Order Effective Date, the ITPM shall
establish an ITPM Professional Sewer Account (the “ITPM Professional Sewer Account”) to track
expenses and revenues related to the Sewer System to be used consistent with the ITPM
Professional Sewer Budget, attached hereto as Appendix B (“ITPM Professional Sewer Budget”).
The ITPM shall have financial control and fiduciary responsibility of the ITPM Professional Sewer
b. Upon the creation of the ITPM Professional Sewer Account, the ITPM shall
notify the Parties in writing of its creation. Such notice shall include the identity and location of
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the bank at which the ITPM Professional Sewer Account is established, the account number, and
other identifying information. The ITPM may use accounts already established provided there is
a mechanism for separate accounting between the Water and Sewer Systems. The ITPM shall
interest accrued in the Sewer Capital Improvements Account and in the Sewer Operations and
Maintenance Account, which interest is not derived from monies paid by customers for water and
sewer services.
d. The City and the ITPM shall, with assistance from EPA and MDEQ as
appropriate, identify funding or other funds to support the ITPM Professional Sewer Budget. If
there are insufficient funds for the ITPM Professional Sewer Budget, the Budget shall be funded
authorized to draw down the ITPM’s and the ITPM Agents’ compensation and expenses from the
ITPM Professional Sewer Budget with the exception of operators or engineering firms hired to
invoices, receipts, and contracts and shall provide such documentation to any Party, if requested.
g. The ITPM shall make best efforts to conserve the funds in the ITPM
ITPM’s Professional Sewer Budget is necessary, the ITPM, in consultation with the Director of
Public Works under sub-Paragraph 5.hh, shall submit any proposed increase of the ITPM’s
compensation or of the overall budget to EPA and MDEQ, subject to the provisions of Paragraph
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19 (EPA Review). After the conclusion of EPA and MDEQ’s review period under Paragraph 19
(EPA Review), the ITPM shall file the proposed modification with the Court.
a. Within thirty (30) Days of the Order Effective Date, the ITPM shall
establish a Sewer Operations and Maintenance Account (the “Sewer O&M Account”) for purposes
of depositing revenues to be used to fund operations and maintenance activities of the Sewer
to respond to imminent and substantial endangerments to the health of persons or to the welfare of
persons due to the Sewer System. The ITPM may use accounts already established provided there
is a mechanism for separate accounting between the Water System and Sewer System. The ITPM
shall have financial control and fiduciary responsibility of the Sewer O&M Account, including
accrued interest.
b. Upon the creation or designation of the Sewer O&M Account, the ITPM
shall notify the Parties in writing of its creation/designation. Such notice shall include the identity
and location of the bank at which the Sewer O&M Account is established/designated, the account
number, and other identifying information. The ITPM shall provide this information to the Court
under seal.
c. The Sewer O&M Account shall be funded in amounts directed by the ITPM
from WSBA revenues and any applicable grants, loans, and financial assistance.
a. Within thirty (30) Days of the Order Effective Date, the ITPM shall
Account”) for the purpose of depositing all federal and state grants, loans, and other financial
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assistance awarded for, and any WSBA revenues directed by the ITPM toward, capital
improvements of the Sewer System, including the work identified in the Sewer Priority Project
List.
the ITPM shall notify the Parties in writing of its creation/designation. Such notice shall include
the identity and location of the bank at which the Sewer Capital Improvements Account is
established/designated, the account number, and other identifying information. The ITPM may
use accounts already established provided there is a mechanism for separate accounting between
the Water System and Sewer System. The ITPM shall provide this information to the Court under
seal.
d. The ITPM shall have financial control and fiduciary responsibility over the
Sewer Capital Improvements Account, including accrued interest. Subject to the exception in
sub-Paragraph 5.s, all expenditures from the Sewer Capital Improvements Account shall be made
in a manner consistent with the terms and conditions of the originating loan, grant or other financial
assistance.
directed by the ITPM from WSBA revenues, in accordance with existing bond and loan
14. Bank Accounts Generally. Upon the creation/designation of any bank accounts
to carry out the requirements of this Stipulated Order, the ITPM shall notify the Parties in writing
of its creation/designation. Such notice shall include the identity and location of the bank at which
the account is established, the account number, and other identifying information. The ITPM shall
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provide this information to the Court under seal. The ITPM shall have financial control and
15. Duties of the City. During the pendency of this Stipulated Order, the City shall:
a. Cooperate with the ITPM in all respects, including executing any required
documents to allow the ITPM to fully exercise its obligations under this Order;
b. In coordination with the ITPM, apply for and execute grants to support the
c. Within seven (7) Days of the Order Effective Date, take all actions (if any)
agreements, and those funds generated through the operations of the Sewer System and Water
System, including, but not limited to, tap fees; FOG permits; fees from the disposal of septage,
leachate, and other sewage byproducts; fees from the operation of the Industrial Pretreatment
Program; and any fines assessed for violations of the City’s Sewer Use Ordinance to the ITPM
and ensure that the ITPM directly receives all such future revenues;
d. At the direction of the ITPM, immediately, but in no less than seven (7)
Days of the ITPM’s request, deposit into the Sewer Capital Improvements Account (i) the City’s
matching funds for any federal or state loans or grants related to the Sewer System which are in
City accounts as of the Order Effective Date, (ii) the City’s funds from any federal or state loans
or grants related to the Sewer System which are in City accounts as of the Order Effective Date,
(iii) the City’s funds held in reserve for System Indebtedness debt service payments due on
September 1, 2023 and December 1, 2023, and (iv) the City’s funds held in escrow for the
Thereafter, (i) federal or state loans or grants or other financial assistance awarded to the City for
the Sewer System shall be directly deposited into the Sewer Capital Improvements Account, and
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(ii) the City shall, within seven (7) Days of the ITPM’s request, deposit into the Sewer Capital
Improvements Account its matching funds for any federal or state loans or grants related to the
Sewer System, which shall specifically include all ARPA matching funds (in an amount no less
than $8,828,512) held by the City for Sewer System projects as of the Order Effective Date;
e. Direct its employees to support the ITPM and continue supporting the
f. Within thirty (30) Days of the ITPM’s submittal of the ITPM Transition
Plan to the Parties, the City shall submit to the Parties a Staffing and Training Plan that outlines
the processes and procedures, including schedules for implementation, to retain and train the
implementation of the programs and procedures under this Stipulated Order. The Staffing and
Training Plan shall ensure that the City has in place appropriate and qualified personnel and/or
contractors to assume the responsibilities and obligations transitioned from the ITPM to the City
i. Provide an easy-to-find link to the ITPM’s website within the City’s website
for purposes of publishing Quarterly status reports and other updates about the Sewer System;
j. Approve requests from the ITPM for loans that do not exceed the debt
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which may include subsidies, available to the City for grants/loans that may be awarded to support
the Sewer System, but only after consultation with the ITPM and with the ITPM’s consent.
Parties acknowledge that commencement and completion of the projects identified in the Sewer
Priority Project List is subject to any changes (including scope, sequence, or prioritization) made
b. Within sixty (60) Days of the Order Effective Date, the ITPM, in
collaboration with the Public Works Director, shall submit for review to EPA and MDEQ a
schedule for implementation of all projects on the Sewer Priority Project List (Implementation
Schedule). Projects that the City is implementing as of the Order Effective Date shall continue
subject to potential adjustment based on EPA and MDEQ’s review and consultation with the
ITPM. The ITPM shall immediately commence work in accordance with the schedule, subject to
a. Quarterly Status Reports. Commencing with the first Quarter after the
Order Effective Date and continuing Quarterly until termination of this Stipulated Order pursuant
to Section VIII (Termination), the ITPM shall submit to the Parties and file on the Court’s docket
written status reports on its progress in implementing the Stipulated Order (“Status Reports”). The
Status Reports shall be due on the last Day of January, April, July, and October and shall cover
the immediately preceding Quarter, except as otherwise specified below. In each report, the ITPM
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volume, receiving water (if any), and cause of all Sanitary Sewer Overflows occurring in
volume, and cause of all Prohibited Bypasses occurring in the preceding Quarter in a
the ITPM’s performance or implementation of this Stipulated Order, including the Sewer
Priority Project List, and any actions taken to address such delays;
Implementation Schedule consistent with Paragraphs 16 (Sewer Priority Project List) and
19 (EPA Review);
financial statement of the ITPM Professional Sewer Account, Sewer O&M Account, and
Sewer Capital Improvements Account for the City’s previous fiscal year. Any information
be redacted;
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ix. In each Status Report filed in the month of April, the following
information: (1) a trends analysis of the number, volume, duration, and cause of Sanitary
Sewer Overflows and (2) a trends analysis of the number, volume, duration, and cause of
all Prohibited Bypasses. The April 2024 Status Report shall provide the trends analyses
for the period starting from the Order Effective Date through December 31, 2023; the April
2025 Status Report shall provide the trends analyses for the period starting from the Order
Effective Date through December 31, 2024; and the April 2026 and April 2027 Status
Reports shall each provide the trends analyses for the preceding two calendar years; and
b. The reporting requirements in this Stipulated Order do not relieve the ITPM
of any reporting obligations required by the CWA, or its implementing regulations, or by any other
federal, state, or local law, regulation, permit, or other requirement, including all requirements for
reporting Sanitary Sewer Overflows and Prohibited Bypasses to MDEQ pursuant to the SORP or
c. Quarterly Public Meeting. The ITPM shall hold a public meeting within
thirty (30) Days after filing each Quarterly Status Report required in sub-Paragraph 17.a.
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a. The ITPM is not a federal, state, county, or local agency; nor is the ITPM
an agent of a federal, state, county, or local agency. Nonetheless, the ITPM shall use best efforts
to respond to requests from the public for documents in its custody relating to compliance with
this Stipulated Order unless the ITPM demonstrates that such efforts would prevent the ITPM from
b. Within thirty (30) Days of the Effective Date, the ITPM shall establish and
maintain a public website to inform the public of its work, post Status Reports, post requests for
proposals, and post other information that—in the ITPM’s reasonable judgment—should be
the United States or MDEQ in any proceeding to enforce the provisions of this Stipulated Order
EPA or MDEQ.
f. MDEQ shall send any notices of violation, information requests, and lawful
orders issued regarding the Sewer System to the ITPM and the City.
a. The ITPM shall submit to EPA and MDEQ: (i) within sixty (60) Days of
the Order Effective Date, the Implementation Schedule; (ii) a written justification (including any
Public Works Director Disagreement as provided under sub-Paragraph 19.b below), prior to
making any modifications, updates or reprioritization of the Sewer Priority Project List; (iii) a
written justification, prior to making any changes to the Implementation Schedule that would
impact the timetable for completion of any Priority Project by more than sixty (60) Days; (iv)
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written submissions as required by the Sewer Priority Project List; and (v) a written justification
for any proposed increase of the ITPM’s compensation or of the overall ITPM Professional Sewer
Budget.
or reprioritization of the Sewer Priority Project List as provided in category (ii) in sub-Paragraph
19.a above and except as provided in sub-Paragraph 19.c. below, the ITPM shall submit such
justification to the Public Works Director for review and comment. Within ten (10) Days of receipt
of submittal of the justification, the Public Works Director shall submit written comments to the
ITPM of any areas of disagreement regarding such modifications, update or reprioritization of the
Sewer Priority Project List. Within ten (10) Days of receipt of the Public Works Director’s
comments, the Public Works Director and the ITPM shall meet to discuss and attempt to resolve
any disagreements and will use best efforts to reach agreement on the modifications, updates or
reprioritization of the Sewer Priority Project List. If agreement cannot be reached, the Public
Works Director shall submit in writing the specific items of disagreement to the ITPM within five
(5) Days of the meeting under this paragraph (“Public Works Director Disagreement”). If the
Public Works Director provides no comments to the ITPM within ten (10) Days of receipt of
submittal of the justification, the ITPM may submit the written justification to EPA and MDEQ.
(iii), (iv), or (v) in sub-Paragraph 19.a above is necessary to abate an imminent and substantial
endangerment or is due to conditions beyond the control of the ITPM, the ITPM shall notify EPA
and MDEQ as soon as practicable, but in no event later than two business days after the change,
d. EPA, after consultation with MDEQ, may provide written comments to the
ITPM within thirty (30) Days of receipt of the items identified in categories (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and
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(v) in sub-Paragraph 19.a above. If EPA does not provide comments within thirty (30) Days of
receipt, the ITPM may implement the submission. If EPA provides comments, the ITPM may
implement any part of its submission that is not the subject of EPA’s comments.
such longer period as may be agreed to by EPA and the ITPM (the “Discussion Period”), EPA,
MDEQ, the Public Works Director, and the ITPM shall engage in discussions using best efforts to
reach agreement on the portion of the submission about which EPA commented.
f. If EPA, MDEQ, the Public Works Director, and the ITPM fail to reach
agreement, then the United States, after EPA consultation with MDEQ, may, within five (5) Days
after the expiration of the Discussion Period, petition the Court for relief by filing a motion on the
Court’s docket. If the United States files such a motion, the ITPM shall respond to the motion
within the time period allowed by the Local Rules of this Court. The United States may file a
reply memorandum, to the extent permitted by the Local Rules. The dispute shall then be resolved
by the Court. If EPA does not so petition, the ITPM may implement the portion of the submission
20. In the event that the City assumes responsibility for implementing this Stipulated
Order pursuant to sub-Paragraph 9.f or Paragraph 10, the dispute resolution procedures of this
Section shall be the exclusive mechanism to resolve disputes arising under or with respect to this
Stipulated Order between EPA, MDEQ, and the City. The City’s failure to seek resolution of a
dispute under this Section shall preclude the City from raising any such issue as a defense to an
action by the United States to enforce any obligation of the City arising under this Stipulated Order.
21. Any dispute subject to Dispute Resolution under this Stipulated Order shall be the
subject of informal negotiations. The dispute shall be considered to have arisen when the City
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sends EPA and MDEQ a written notice of dispute that clearly states the matter in dispute. The
period of informal negotiations shall not exceed twenty (20) Days from the date EPA and MDEQ
receive the City’s notice unless that period is modified by written agreement. Within seven (7)
Days of the end of this period of informal negotiations, EPA, after consultation with MDEQ, shall
22. If EPA, MDEQ, and the City cannot resolve the dispute by informal negotiations,
then the position advanced in writing by EPA, after consultation with MDEQ, shall be considered
binding unless the City files a motion seeking judicial review of the dispute within ten (10) Days
of receipt of EPA’s statement of position. The motion shall contain a written statement of the
City’s position on the matter in dispute, including any supporting factual data, analysis, opinion,
or documentation. The United States shall respond to the City’s motion within the time period
allowed by the Local Rules of this Court. The City may file a reply memorandum, to the extent
permitted by the Local Rules. The dispute shall then be resolved by the Court.
23. The invocation of dispute resolution procedures under this Section shall not, by
itself, extend, postpone, or affect in any way any obligation of the City under this Stipulated Order,
Stipulated Penalties) during any Dispute Resolution but need not be paid until the dispute is
resolved.
25. In the event that the City assumes responsibility for implementing this Stipulated
Order pursuant to Paragraph 10, the City shall be liable for stipulated penalties to the United States
and the State for violations of this Stipulated Order as specified below, unless excused by force
majeure under Paragraph 26. For purposes of this section, a violation is defined as failing to
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perform for more than thirty (30) Days any obligations related to the Sewer Priority Project List
or implementation of a MOM program described in sub-Paragraph 5.n due under this Stipulated
Order. Prior to issuing a demand for a stipulated penalty, EPA and MDEQ shall issue a notice of
violation to the City. A stipulated penalty of $500 ($250 payable to the United States and $250
payable to MDEQ) shall accrue for each day of violation. The United States and the State may
each, in the unreviewable exercise of their discretion, reduce or waive stipulated penalties
26. “Force majeure,” for purposes of this Stipulated Order, is defined as any event
arising from causes beyond the control of the City, of any entity controlled by the City, or of the
City’s consultants and contractors, that delays or prevents the performance of any obligation under
the Stipulated Order despite the City’s best efforts to fulfill the obligation. “Force majeure” does
not include the City’s financial inability to perform any obligation under this Stipulated Order.
VII. MODIFICATION
27. Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms of this Stipulated Order may be
modified only by a subsequent written agreement signed by all the Parties and approved by the
Court. Any disputes between the Parties concerning modification of this Stipulated Order shall be
resolved pursuant to Section V of this Stipulated Order (City Dispute Resolution), provided that
the Party seeking the modification bears the burden of demonstrating that it is entitled to the
VIII. TERMINATION
28. This Stipulated Order shall terminate upon the earliest of the following:
modification;
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b. upon motion by any Party showing that the ITPM or the City, as applicable,
has achieved substantial compliance with the Sewer Priority Project List, and approval by the
Court;
c. upon motion by the United States, after consultation with MDEQ, and
d. Four (4) years from the Order Effective Date, unless the United States, after
consultation with MDEQ, moves for, and the Court approves, an extension of this Stipulated
Order.
29. The Consent Decree (Dkt. No. 10) is stayed during the pendency of this Stipulated
Order.
30. The Parties shall resume negotiations of a superseding consent decree or Consent
Decree modification no later than three (3) years after the Order Effective Date. If the Court enters
an order granting a motion for termination of the interim third-party managership under Paragraph
10 or an order granting a motion for termination of the Stipulated Order under sub-Paragraphs 28.b
or c, the Parties shall resume negotiations within one (1) Month of entry of such order.
31. Stipulated penalties have accrued for violations of the Consent Decree prior to the
Order Effective Date. Plaintiffs shall not demand or collect such stipulated penalties during the
pendency of this Stipulated Order. However, nothing herein waives such stipulated penalties or
prejudices Plaintiffs’ collection of such stipulated penalties after termination of this Stipulated
Order.
32. Upon termination of this Stipulated Order, the stay of the Consent Decree shall
immediately be lifted and the Consent Decree shall be in effect and enforceable, unless this
Stipulated Order is terminated pursuant to sub-Paragraph 28.a in which case the superseding
33. If the Court grants a motion for termination under sub-Paragraphs 28.a, b, or c,
termination of this Stipulated Order shall not be effective until and unless (i) the Court has
approved an ITPM Transition Plan under the process set forth in sub-Paragraph 5.z, if not already
approved, (ii) the ITPM has submitted the Further Measures Report required under sub-Paragraph
5.aa to the Parties, if not already submitted, and (iii) the City has submitted the Staffing and
Training Plan required under sub-Paragraph 15.f to the Parties, if not already submitted.
34. This Stipulated Order shall be lodged with the Court for a period of not less than
thirty (30) Days for public notice and comment. The United States reserves the right to withdraw
or withhold its consent if the comments regarding this Stipulated Order disclose facts or
considerations indicating that the Stipulated Order is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The
City and MDEQ each consent to entry of this Stipulated Order without further notice and agree
not to withdraw from or oppose entry of this Stipulated Order by the Court or to challenge any
provision of the Consent Decree, unless the United States has notified the Parties in writing that it
X. APPENDICES
35. The following appendices are attached to and incorporated into this Stipulated
Order:
XII. INTEGRATION
36. This Stipulated Order and its appendices constitute the final, complete and
exclusive agreement and understanding among the Parties with respect to the agreement embodied
40
Case 3:12-cv-00790-HTW-LGI Document 36-1 Filed 07/26/23 Page 42 of 56
in this Stipulated Order and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or
written, concerning the agreement embodied herein. No other document, nor any representation,
inducement, agreement, understanding, or promise, constitutes any part of this Stipulated Order,
nor shall they be used in construing the terms of this Stipulated Order.
HENRY T. WINGATE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
41
Case 3:12-cv-00790-HTW-LGI Document 36-1 Filed 07/26/23 Page 43 of 56
TODD KIM
Assistant Attorney General
Environment and Natural Resources Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Digitally signed by KARL
KARL FINGERHOOD FINGERHOOD
Dated: Date: 2023.07.25 16:16:33 -04'00'
DARREN J. LAMARCA
United States Attorney for the
So/uthern District of Mississippi
42
Case 3:12-cv-00790-HTW-LGI Document 36-1 Filed 07/26/23 Page 44 of 56
Digitally signed by
JOSEPH JOSEPH THEIS
JAMES VINCH
Attorney-Advisor
Water Enforcement Division
Office of Civil Enforcement
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
United States Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
43
Case 3:12-cv-00790-HTW-LGI Document 36-1 Filed 07/26/23 Page 45 of 56
Dated:
LEIF PALMER Digitally signed by LEIF PALMER
Date: 2023.07.24 17:47:59 -04'00'
_______________________________________
LEIF PALMER (GA Bar No. 560159, OR Bar No. 873163)
Regional Counsel
Region 4
United States Environmental Protection Agency
61 Forsyth Street S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Tel: (404) 562-9542
Email: [email protected]
44
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Case 3:12-cv-00790-HTW-LGI Document 36-1 Filed 07/26/23 Page 47 of 56
Dated: _______________________
GRETCHEN ZMITROVICH (MS Bar No. 101470)
DONNA J. HODGES (MS Bar No. 9561)
ROY FURRH (MS Bar No. 4321)
Senior Attorneys
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
Post Office Box 2261
Jackson, Mississippi 39225-2261
Tel: (601) 961-5050
Fax: (601) 961-5349
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
46
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Case 3:12-cv-00790-HTW-LGI Document 36-1 Filed 07/26/23 Page 49 of 56
* The preliminary, conceptual, planning-level estimated costs for the projects on this List is
approximately $130 million.
2
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Approximate Address
COJ Service Request Number (Building Number Omitted)
1 301858 St. Ann Drive/ Laurel Street
2 264524 Bienville Dr
3 204398 Forest Avenue
4 264679 Avondale Street
5 298138/313511 Medgar Evers Blvd
6 280276/200705 John St.
7 272537 Shamrock Drive
8 302011 Redbud Rd
9 269447/288420 Eagle Ave
10 275126 Queen Anne Lane
11 243766 Sumner St
12 19-245507/279686/319024 First Ave
13 267126/308163 Briarcliff Circle
14 268885 Colonial Circle
15 283878 Marla Ave
16 273029/295174 Belmede Pl
17 19-258482 Queen Margaret Lane
18 20-262905 Ferguson Drive
19 20-263594 Cox Street
20 20-264909 E Amite St
* 20-264909 E Amite St
21 20-261121 Deer Park St
22 302014 South Denver St
23 269405/260791 Westhaven Blvd
24 282739 Cherokee Drive
25 20-269494 Monterey St
26 20-271979/305039 Riverwood Drive
27 269344/268431 Pittsburg St/Rhodes Lane
28 270929/299173/309068/ 299305 Combs St
29 264339 Reaves street
30 267708 Lexington Ave.
31 275383/315164 N Prentiss St.
32 269468/298035 Princeton St.
33 262364 Texas Ave.
34 266562 Intersect. Sewanee Dr.@ Mt. Vernon
35 274457 Queen Julianna Lane
36 277961 Charleston drive
37 272114/262114 Tifton Drive
38 275013 Gunda Street
39 263493/309482 Queen Elizabeth Lane
40 282722 North State Street
41 283240 Willaneel Drive
42 283490/279225 Marlendo Drive
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Appendix C – List of Emergency Sewer Failures
Approximate Address
COJ Service Request Number (Building Number Omitted)
43 281636 Pear Orchard Place
44 284183 Downing Street/Mitchell St
45 282331 Dixie Drive (Lake Drive)
46 273792/271999 Robin Dr
47 81524 Winter View Dr
48 275044 St. Andrews Dr
49 277054 Winter View Dr
50 279121/285148 Meadow Heights Drive/Meadowhill Dr
* 279225 Chelsea Drive
51 281249/285363 N West/Josanna St
52 281554 Springdale Drive
53 283210 Topp Ave
54 285272 N West St
55 285632 Eastview St
56 288075 Castle Cove
57 288970 Lea Circle and McDowell Road
58 289295 Cooper Road
59 289501 Woodway Drive
60 289904 Bloom St and E Church St
61 290001 Brookwood Road
62 271598 Fortification/Maple
63 229118 Forest Hill Road/Cooper Road
64 282098 E Monument Road
65 316993/314488 Livingston Road
66 295280/290870 E Rankin Street
67 284942 Cherry Hills Drive
68 286901 Dogwood Drive
69 292766 Warner Ave
70 277523 Porter Street
71 273842 Alta Woods Blvd
72 283878 Marla Drive
73 294627 Tara Road and Glen Erin St
74 290766/304414 Queen Catherine Lane
75 295677 Flag Chapel Road
76 295621 Erie St and Palmyra St
77 294522 Redwood Ave
78 289762 Forest Ave
79 295859 Casablanca Dr
80 298741 N State St
81 291974 Chelsea Ct
82 283584 Robinson Road
83 300530 Robinson Street
84 300326 I-55 N Frontage Road
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Appendix C – List of Emergency Sewer Failures
Approximate Address
COJ Service Request Number (Building Number Omitted)
85 300368 I-55 Frontage Road
86 296693 Woody Drive
87 299305/309068 CombsAve
88 301288 McTyere Ave
89 288691 Maria Drive
90 304170 Oakhurst Dr
91 304178/298870/298328 Heritage Place
92 303606 Robinson Road
93 302287 Stuart St
94 302340 Wooddell Drive
95 303162 Copper Road
96 299057 East Drive
97 303958 Scots Glen
98 300542 Daniel Lake Blvd
99 300658 Shady Oak St
100 302237 Chestnut St
101 302582 Macon St
102 303331 Ellis Ave
103 303772 Galvez St
104 278741 Watkins Drive
105 247504 Jones Ave
106 299401 Sage St
107 225512/234587 Briarfield Road
108 301608 Alta Wood Blvd
109 301820 Earle St
110 286111 Briarfield Road
111 299140 Springfield Circle
112 303959 Welota Drive
113 290889 Robinhood Road
114 297955 Kinder Dr
115 299648 Ridgewood Road
116 300053 McTyere Ave
117 302087 Peachtree St
118 302728 Old Canton Road
119 302794 Crestwood Place
120 304170 Oakhurst Drive
121 304528 Lorenz Blvd
122 304165 Dansby St
123 305506 Beechwood Ct
124 306391 Brookdale St
125 302211/308084 Cedarhurst Road
126 306885 Chatham Circle
127 304267/248573 Coronet Place
3 of 6
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Appendix C – List of Emergency Sewer Failures
Approximate Address
COJ Service Request Number (Building Number Omitted)
128 309487 Country Club Drive
129 308102 Greenview Dr
130 309076 Greenview Dr
131 311162 Lexington Ave/Delaware Ave
132 307784 Meadow Ridge Dr
133 304215 Monaco St
134 309086 Yerger St
135 305164 Woody Drive
136 307794/296693 Woody Drive
137 306457 Tennessee Ave
138 305288 S. Gallatin St/Beatty St
139 308680 Raymond Rd
140 308689 Raintree Pl
141 303021 Primos Ave
142 308274 Parkway Ave
143 305915 Bailey Ave
144 306034 Morningside St
145 306455 Old Canton Road
146 309171 Linda Lane
147 308462 Sunnylane Dr
148 298039 Westmore Drive
149 306602 Winn St
150 305900 Overbrook Dr
151 305854/303748 Wiggins St
152 227744 Ilano Dr
153 309931 John St
154 311950 Melwood Pl
155 312773 Cummins St
156 312526 Heritage Hill Dr
157 312758/311595 Katherine Blvd
158 312798 E Northside Dr
159 315343 Terry Road/Minerva St
160 314221 Cole Street
161 314240 Mitchell Ave
162 314277 Forest Park Dr
163 314348 Mimosa Dr
164 314684 Crestview Ave
165 315164 N Prentiss ST
166 315206 Forest Park Dr
167 315101 Will O Wisp Way
168 314761 Tennyson St
169 314801 St Ann St
170 315285 McDowell Cir
4 of 6
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Appendix C – List of Emergency Sewer Failures
Approximate Address
COJ Service Request Number (Building Number Omitted)
171 315256 Mendell Davis Dr
172 259305 Clinton Blvd
173 316439 Raymond Road
174 316423/262309 Ramada Cir
175 309667 Normandy Dr
176 316624 Camilla Dr
177 316821 Queen Mary Lane/Queen Julianna Lane
178 316889/321143 Taylor St
179 316876 Churchill Dr
180 298192 Kirkley Dr
181 310276 Naples Road
182 281339 Madison St
183 304669 Livingston Road
184 317120 East Lane
185 267126 Briarcliff Circle
186 318215 Kingsroad Ave
187 312574 Cooper Road
188 313679 Medgar Evers Blvd
189 316062 Florence Ave
190 298090 Greymont Ave
191 315176 Bellevue Place and N Jefferson
192 314223 Columbia Ave
193 303384 Glen Erin Road
194 310885/282513 Woodmont Dr
195 274400/292981 Sewanee Dr
196 313051 Wightman St
197 309955 Hair St
198 268037 Archer Ave
199 284298 Beatrice Dr
200 271116 Pecan Blvd
* 304699 Topp Ave and Lincoln Ave
201 309423 Congresst St
202 318597 N Prentiss St
203 318435/315684 Cedars of Lebanon
204 316882/317070 Quinn St
205 318516 Lyncrest Ave
206 319128 I-55 Frontage Road
207 318049 St. Mary
208 318669 N State St
209 302865 Cooper Road/Terry Road
210 315432 Council Circle
211 299807 Presto Lane/Highland Dr
212 304650 S West St
5 of 6
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Appendix C – List of Emergency Sewer Failures
Approximate Address
COJ Service Request Number (Building Number Omitted)
213 318644 China Lane
214 311395 Clubview Dr
215 324810/324017 Fairfax Circle
* Denotes duplicates
6 of 6