The Tamarack Resort, located 100 miles north of Boise, Idaho, will pay a $185,000 fine for 2006 and 2007 storm water-related Clean Water Act violations.
In additional, the skiier and snowboarder destination will restrict its winter construction schedule in 2008 and upgrade best management practices (BMPs) for future construction seasons, according to the U.S. Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Ideaho Department of Environmental Quality inspected the site, and EPA inspectors made three visits over the past two years. Each inspection yielded findings in violation of Tamarack's construction storm water general permit. Complaints alleged that numerous storm water violations occurred on the resort's 800-acre construction site, near the shore of Cascade Lake: discharging concrete truck wash water to a wetland, discharging turbid water to nearby creeks and the lake; failing to properly maintain BMPs and failing to update the storm water pollution prevention plan.
"We expect all industries to comply with the Clean Water Act," said Ronald Tenpas, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "This settlement will ensure that future construction at this site will comply with applicable federal laws."
Tamarack Resort representativse say the company has invested $1.7 million in erosion control measures and installed nearly 30 miles of silt fence. Also, a new lodge wing is being constructed with the goal of earning a LEED-Silver designation.
Source: Environment News Service
