EPA Files Complaint, Seeks Penalties Against Black Diamond Engineering for CWA Violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has filed an
administrative complaint against Black Diamond Engineering. The
complaint alleges violations of EPA's Construction Storm Water General
Permit (CGP) and proposes a penalty of $5,000. The alleged violations
occurred at the Cedars at Sandcreek construction site (Site), located
at 400 Schweitzer Cutoff Road in Sandpoint, Idaho.
The complaint alleges that Black Diamond had an inadequate
storm water pollution prevention plan, failed to conduct site
inspections and failed to implement adequate best management practices.
The violations were discovered during an EPA Site inspection in October
2006.
According to Jim Werntz, EPA's Idaho State Director,
conducting storm water inspections is a very effective way to protect
Idaho's waters.
"While many builders and developers are doing a good job,
there are some who are ignoring these storm water permit requirements,"
said Werntz. "Builders and developers that fail to follow these permit
conditions will face fines."
The storm water permitting program is a "key tool" to
preventing water pollution and an important way that Idaho's lakes,
rivers and streams are protected against polluted runoff from
construction sites. Stormwater permits are issued as part of the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction
General Permit (CGP) program.