EPA Issues Rule to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites

[FCPWLLC]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2009

EPA Issues Rule to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a
final rule to help reduce water pollution from construction sites. The
agency believes this rule, which takes effect in February 2010 and will
be phased in over four years, will significantly improve the quality of
water nationwide.

Construction activities like clearing, excavating and grading
significantly disturb soil and sediment. If that soil is not managed
properly it can easily be washed off of the construction site during
storms and pollute nearby water bodies.

The final rule requires construction site owners and operators that
disturb one or more acres to use best management practices to ensure
that soil disturbed during construction activity does not pollute nearby
water bodies.

In addition, owners and operators of sites that impact 10 or more acres
of land at one time will be required to monitor discharges and ensure
they comply with specific limits on discharges to minimize the impact on
nearby water bodies. This is the first time that EPA has imposed
national monitoring requirements and enforceable numeric limitations on
construction site stormwater discharges.

Soil and sediment runoff is one of the leading causes of water quality
problems nationwide. Soil runoff from construction has also reduced the
depth of small streams, lakes and reservoirs, leading to the need for
dredging.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction

 

[Paul Kassander]

I know it says construction but what about farmers tilling their fields...

 

[Squirtgun]

I know it says construction but what about farmers tilling their fields...

Paul fields that are terraced properly don't run off as much as you might think.Now days a lot of farmers also employ low till or no till farming methods.
Neither are fool proof,but greatly help sediment run-off and preserve top soil.

 

[welder]

Paul fields that are terraced properly don't run off as much as you might think.Now days a lot of farmers also employ low till or no till farming methods.
Neither are fool proof,but greatly help sediment run-off and preserve top soil.

Farmers were the original soil conservationist there were.. They have been practicing soil conservation individually for hundreds of years in this country.

One of the few things I remember from 4 h days in Ohio.

 

[JMooney]

A good time to get into silt fence construction. Its easy and the money is huge... I remember hearing about the fines developers got around here for not having them up right...

 

[810f250]

What timing of this thread, in Maryland they are strict, the construction site inspectors are their to tell you if your silt fencing is adequate (height, supports the correct distance apart and size, if super silt fencing needs to be installed instead etc, there is a certification exam you can do.

They are currently erecting a Super Walmart in my area and the first big build board you see is the "Storm water management Plan", I wanted to take a photo of it, I should have.

 

[Ron Musgraves]

Bump...........

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2009

EPA Issues Rule to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a
final rule to help reduce water pollution from construction sites. The
agency believes this rule, which takes effect in February 2010 and will
be phased in over four years, will significantly improve the quality of
water nationwide.

Construction activities like clearing, excavating and grading
significantly disturb soil and sediment. If that soil is not managed
properly it can easily be washed off of the construction site during
storms and pollute nearby water bodies.

The final rule requires construction site owners and operators that
disturb one or more acres to use best management practices to ensure
that soil disturbed during construction activity does not pollute nearby
water bodies.

In addition, owners and operators of sites that impact 10 or more acres
of land at one time will be required to monitor discharges and ensure
they comply with specific limits on discharges to minimize the impact on
nearby water bodies. This is the first time that EPA has imposed
national monitoring requirements and enforceable numeric limitations on
construction site stormwater discharges.

Soil and sediment runoff is one of the leading causes of water quality
problems nationwide. Soil runoff from construction has also reduced the
depth of small streams, lakes and reservoirs, leading to the need for
dredging.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction

 

[Ron Musgraves]

Great Info the EPA side, wonder if there are any updates?