EPA Inspects Idaho Sites, Fines Six

This past May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 conducted a series of storm water inspections at construction sites around Twin Falls, Idaho. EPA inspectors observed violations at most construction sites, including failure to apply for coverage under the national storm water Construction General Permit (CGP); failure to design and install erosion and sediment controls; and failure to inspect and maintain the controls.

This was the fourth year in a multiyear enforcement initiative. The inspections were conducted at both residential and commercial construction sites. Inspectors evaluated CGP compliance; the permit requires operators of construction sites to design, install and maintain storm water controls in order to protect waterways from common construction site pollutants, such as sediment, oil, grease and concrete washout.

"After six years of outreach and inspections in Idaho, we were disappointed to see so many violations," said Kim Ogle, EPA's Region 10 compliance unit manager. "Complying with the permit helps to ensure that Idaho's streams remain healthy."

The violations were settled using the agency's construction storm water expedited settlement offer (ESO) to employ a streamlined enforcement process with lower fines for operators who are first-time violators and where no environmental harm was yet observed.

The inspections resulted in ESOs at six sites, with penalties ranging from $4,000 to $14,850. The JayCo West Expansion site, operated by Starr Corp. and JayCo Inc., received a $4,000 fine. Gordon Paving Co. Inc., Hoffbuhr Excavating and Force Engineering LLP owe $4,000 for violations on their Orchard Park/Swenson's Market site. The Horizon Crest Estates site operators, Greenridge Development LLC and Idaho Sand & Gravel Co., were fined $4,700. Penalties against Gary's Westland LLC and McCoy Construction totaled $6,850 for violations on the Benno Point Subdivision. Crossroads United Methodist and McCoy Construction were dealt a $7,100 fine for noncompliance on their Kimberly Heights Subdivision site. And finally, EPA penalized R & J Development Inc. and Blue Rock Group Inc. $14,850 for Pheasant Meadows Subdivision violations.

Source: EPA