EPA annunces $47.1k in Mass. stormwater penalties

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Thursday, July 1 that it had reached settlements with seven different Massachusetts construction companies for violations of stormwater regulations against construction runoff. Under these settlements, the seven companies agreed to pay penalties for their violations and, where applicable, obtain permit coverage and follow the terms of their permits for discharging stormwater.

"It's imperative that developers get permit coverage and implement erosion controls to protect communities' clean water," said EPA New England Acting Regional Administrator Deborah Szaro. "EPA is committed to working with developers so that they can be good stewards for the benefit of the local communities they serve and for New England's coastal waters."

All construction sites one acre or larger, with the potential to discharge stormwater to surface waters, are required to obtain coverage under EPA's General Permit for Discharges from Construction Activities, comply with the terms of the permit, and minimize sediment discharges.

The recent enforcement actions include:

383 Park Street, LLC agreed to pay a $9,000 penalty for allegedly failing to obtain permit coverage, maintain adequate erosion controls, and store and contain petroleum products in a manner designed to prevent discharge of pollutants at the Shay Lane construction site in North Reading, Mass.

Dat Tieu Enterprises, LLC agreed to pay a $3,000 penalty for allegedly discharging stormwater without a permit at the Woodland Park construction site in Brockton, Mass.

Egan Development, LLC agreed to pay a $7,200 penalty for allegedly failing to obtain permit coverage at the Heritage Park Development in Whitman, Mass.

Harbor Classic Homes LLC agreed to pay a $4,200 penalty for allegedly failing to obtain permit coverage at the Elm Street construction site in Lunenburg, Mass.

Mujeeb Construction Company, Inc. agreed to pay a $7,200 penalty for allegedly failing to obtain permit coverage at the Carpenter Estates Development in Northbridge, Mass.

Otis Land Management, LLC agreed to pay an $8,700 penalty for allegedly failing to obtain permit coverage, implement adequate erosion controls, and for a turbid discharge at the Sturbridge Road Development in Charlton, Mass.

Royal Haven Builders, Inc., based in Tyngsborough, Mass., agreed to pay a $7,800 penalty for allegedly failing to obtain permit coverage and implement adequate erosion controls at the Mayflower Landing Development in Pelham, N.H.

These settlements are the latest in a series of enforcement actions taken by EPA New England to address stormwater violations from industrial facilities and construction sites around New England.

SOURCE: Environmental Protection Agency