Idaho construction sites violate storm water requirements
Three operators at construction sites near Boise, Idaho, recently paid over $20,000 to settle two enforcement cases for Clean Water Act violations filed by EPA.
The violations were found at the sites during routine EPA inspections conducted to assess compliance with the nationwide storm water Construction General Permit (CGP). The permit requires operators of construction sites to plan for and implement storm water controls, to protect surface waters from common construction pollutants like sediment, oil and grease, and concrete washout.
One of the operators paid $13,000 for violations relating to:
- Failing to apply for permit coverage,
- Failing to adequately prevent erosion, and
- Failing to include permanent storm water controls in their Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
The other two operators paid a combined $7,150 for violations relating to:
- Failing to design adequate erosion and sediment controls,
- Failing to manage water from fire hydrant flushing and dust control discharges, and
- Minor self-inspection deficiencies.
The cases were settled using EPA’s Expedited Settlement Offer (ESO) Policy, a streamlined enforcement process with lower fines for first-time violators and where no significant environmental harm was observed.
