EPA is working to prevent construction runoff from polluting our waters. They announced plans to initiate national rulemaking to develop a program to minimize stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment. Sediment is the primary pollutant running off construction sites and polluting adjacent streams, but other pollutants can quite feasibly be included in the runoff. Proper installation and maintenance of best management practices (BMPs) can keep runoff onsite during most rain events. The EPA and states already have rules addressing construction sites, but this proposal will expand those rules and establish specific requirements for stormwater control. They also intend to ensure consistency and analyze mechanisms to protect “sensitive areas.” Five hearings across the country are being held to gather public input. Unfortunately none of these hearings are being held in the southeast. To learn more about this rulemaking process go to EPA’s stormwater website.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 4:04 pm and is filed under Enforcement, Stormwater. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.