Pulte Homes handed over more than $1 million to the U.S. EPA for stormwater management infractions. These occurred at sites across the country, including discharge of untreated stormwater and improperly installed and maintained silt fences, sediment ponds, and washout basins, according to Developer magazine online. This came underway as the EPA stepped up its enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
Other builders have been heavily fined as well: Centex, $1.4 million; KB Home, $1.1 million; Richmond, $795,000; and Colorado Structures, $300,000.
Other builders/developers are creating “living” plans, according to Margot Carmichael Lester’s article. “The Clean Water Act and associated local, state, and/or federal regulations require construction operators on sites of 1 acre or larger to obtain coverage under a national Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Under the NPDES program, the EPA or other authorized agencies issue one or several umbrella permits for stormwater discharge in association with construction activities for up to five years. To receive the required coverage, developers must create a stormwater pollution prevention plan that identifies potential sources of stormwater pollution; describes the practices that will be used to prevent it; details the construction operator’s procedures; and addresses long-term stormwater maintenance,” she writes.
Doesn’t that sound like a lot of extra work for developers, though? Read why they’re striving for more water-sensitive urban design (WSUD).
Filed under: development, sustainability
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