EPA Orders Caltrans to Comply with Clean Water Act to Project State Waters

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to upgrade its statewide storm water management program, and exert stronger controls over storm water discharges from its road construction and maintenance sites.

The Clean Water Act enforcement action follows a series of EPA field audits of four Northern California CalTrans districts. Accompanied by state and regional Water Board representatives, EPA inspected numerous CalTrans construction and maintenance sites, and found violations of the California-issued storm water permit designed to protect the state's water resources from polluted storm water runoff.

"The protection of our waters is one of EPA's major priorities, and limiting the damage done by storm water from construction sites is a key goal," said Jared Blumenfeld, regional administrator for EPA Pacific Southwest. "We urge CalTrans to join us in the fight for improved water quality by controlling its storm water runoff."

CalTrans manages approximately 50,000 miles of California highway and freeway lanes across its 12 districts. Storm water runoff from CalTrans roads and facilities can contain pollutants such as metals, sediment, oil, grease, pesticides and trash.

"Our action compels CalTrans to strengthen its storm water program at all levels of the organization if it is to successfully protect California's rivers and streams," said Alexis Strauss, water division director for EPA's Pacific Southwest region. "We will ensure full compliance with this enforcement action, and continue to evaluate CalTrans implementation statewide under the current and forthcoming storm water permit."

Source: U.S. EPA